As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023
1933 Act Registration No. 033‑68666
1940 Act Registration No. 811‑08004
 
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   
Pre‑Effective Amendment No.   
Post-Effective Amendment No. 199   
REGISTRATION STATEMENT   
UNDER   
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   
Amendment No. 201   
 
 
AMG FUNDS IV
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
 
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 548‑4539
 
 
Gregory C. Davis
Ropes & Gray LLP
Three Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, California 94111-4006
(Name and address of agent for service)
 
 
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
 
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
on March 1, 2023 pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
on (date) pursuant to (a)(2) of rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
 
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
 
 
 

AMG Funds
Prospectus
March 1, 2023

AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund
Class N: ADBLX
Class I: ADLIX
Class Z: ADZIX
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
Class N: APINX
Class I: APCTX
Class Z: APCZX
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
Class N: ACWDX
Class I: ACWIX
Class Z: ACWZX
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
Class N: MCGFX
Class I: MCGIX
www.amgfunds.com

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or
determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
P092-0323

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
3
3
8
12
15
 
 
19
19
21
23
25
27
33
34
 
 
38
38
39
39
40
40
42
44
45
 
 
49
49
51
53
55
 
 
56

1AMG Funds

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Summary of The Funds
AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to maximize total return.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.23%
0.23%
0.23%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses
0.25%
0.30%
0.25%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses1
0.73%
0.53%
0.48%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements2
(0.04)%
(0.04)%
(0.04)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements1,2
0.69%
0.49%
0.44%
1The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the Financial Highlights section of this Prospectus, which reflect only the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include fees and expenses of any acquired fund, which are reflected in “Other Expenses” above.
2AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.43% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$70
$229
$402
$903
Class I
$50
$166
$292
$661
Class Z
$45
$150
$265
$600
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 76% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities. Fixed income securities (also referred to as debt securities) include, but are not limited to, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored corporations; agency mortgage-backed securities; non-agency mortgage-backed securities; commercial mortgage-backed securities; asset-backed securities; foreign and domestic corporate bonds; fixed income securities issued by corporations, governments, government agencies, authorities or instrumentalities and supra-national organizations in foreign countries including emerging markets; restricted securities, including Rule 144A securities (securities that may be sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933); preferred securities; securities issued by municipalities; and other securities bearing fixed or variable interest rates of any maturity. Up to 20% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in non-U.S. dollar-denominated instruments. The Fund may hedge against currency risk or interest rate risk by using forward foreign currency contracts and futures, respectively, or by using other techniques, but it is not required to do so.  

3AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
The Fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in below investment grade securities (common known as “junk bonds” or “high yield securities”). Below investment grade securities are rated below Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or unrated but determined by Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd., the subadviser to the Fund (“Beutel Goodman” or the “Subadviser”), to be of comparable credit quality. In cases where the credit ratings agencies have assigned different credit ratings to the same security, the security will be considered to have the higher credit rating. The Fund may continue to hold securities that are downgraded in credit rating subsequent to their purchase if Beutel Goodman believes it would be advantageous to do so.  
The Fund intends to invest primarily in bonds with a rating of B or higher by any NRSRO at the time of purchase. The Fund expects that the average credit rating of the Fund’s portfolio will be BBB or above. While the Fund may purchase fixed income securities of any duration, the Fund currently intends to primarily invest in fixed income securities so that the overall duration of the Fund’s portfolio will remain +/- 2 years of the duration of the Fund’s benchmark (the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index), which was 6.17 years as of December 31, 2022. The average duration of fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio may, however, be shorter or longer depending on market conditions.  
The Subadviser actively manages the Fund’s portfolio using top-down macroeconomic analysis and bottom-up fundamental credit research to determine relative value and build what it views as a high conviction portfolio. A variety of qualitative and quantitative tools are used in the research process. The Subadviser’s data-driven top-down analysis assesses interest rate anticipation (duration), yield curve positioning and sector positioning. Inflation, the political climate, monetary policy and economic activity are among the variables used to determine the overall duration target for the Fund, and the Fund’s maturity structure will be adjusted to reflect the Subadviser’s forecast for interest rates. The Fund’s overall corporate credit positioning and sector selection are determined based on the Subadviser’s economic and interest rate anticipation analysis. In selecting individual securities for the Fund, the Subadviser conducts fundamental credit research that employs, among other things, financial modeling, industry analysis, analysis of regulatory filings, management meetings and credit rating reports. The Subadviser evaluates potential investments based on the following elements: liquidity, transparency, non-cyclicality, financial models, and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. The Subadviser uses proprietary risk management tools to manage the Fund’s interest rate risk, yield curve risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.  
The Subadviser integrates the analysis of ESG factors as part of the fundamental credit research process used to identify risks and opportunities for potential corporate bond positions as well as its existing holdings for the Fund. Environmental factors  
include, but are not limited to, greenhouse gas intensity, reclamation, power generation, carbon offsets and land usage. Governance factors include, but are not limited to, executive compensation, structural complexity, board independence, board compensation and bondholder rights. Social factors include, but are not limited to, diversity, health and safety, human rights, indigenous nations, engagement and community outreach. Consideration of ESG factors is one element of the Subadviser’s investment process. The Subadviser views ESG issues not only as potential sources of risk, but also as opportunities for improvement. ESG-related risk exposure will not therefore preclude an investment, although the Subadviser does not generally expect to make investments where ESG factors make it difficult to accurately assess the value of a business. Beutel Goodman prepares and maintains credit reports for the Fund’s investments and the ESG analysis included in each corporate credit report includes: an overall ESG risk assessment; granular ESG metrics; ESG score peer group benchmarking (using third party data providers such as Sustainalytics and MSCI); listing of ESG strengths and weakness; ESG-related engagement themes; and an ESG scorecard by individual topic. In performing ESG analysis, the Subadviser obtains information from company financial statements and other reports, interviews with company management, investment dealer reports, and data from other third parties. From time to time, the Subadviser may also engage with management regarding ESG matters relevant to the company. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Debt Securities Risk—the value of a debt security changes in response to various factors, including, for example, market-related factors, such as changes in interest rates or changes in the actual or perceived ability of an issuer to meet its obligations. Investments in debt securities are subject to, among other risks, credit risk, interest rate risk, extension risk, prepayment risk and liquidity risk.
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread  

4AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Interest Rate Risk—fixed coupon payments (cash flows) of bonds and debt securities may become less competitive with the market in periods of rising interest rates and cause bond prices to decline. During periods of increasing interest rates, the Fund may experience high levels of volatility and shareholder redemptions, and may have to sell securities at times when it would otherwise not do so, and at unfavorable prices, which could reduce the returns of the Fund. 
Credit and Counterparty Risk—the issuer of bonds or other debt securities or a counterparty to a derivatives contract may be unable or unwilling, or may be perceived as unable or unwilling, to make timely interest, principal or settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. 
Emerging Markets Risk—investments in emerging markets are subject to the general risks of foreign investments, as well as additional risks which can result in greater price volatility. Such additional risks include the risk that markets in emerging market countries are typically less developed and less liquid than markets in developed countries and such markets are subjected to increased economic, political, or regulatory uncertainties. 
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk—investments in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities involve risk of severe credit downgrades, loss due to prepayments that occur earlier or later than expected, illiquidity and default. 
Call Risk— call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed income security before maturity (a call). The increased likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price and may result in the Fund reinvesting at lower interest rates in securities with greater credit risk. 
Changing Distribution Level Risk—the Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Derivatives Risk—the use of derivatives involves costs, the risk that the value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly with their underlying assets, rates or indices, liquidity risk, and the risk of mispricing or improper valuation. The use of derivatives may not succeed for various reasons, and the complexity and rapidly changing structure of derivatives markets may increase the possibility of market losses. 
ESG Investing Risk—the Subadviser incorporates ESG criteria into its investment process, which may result in the selection or exclusion of securities of certain issuers for reasons other than financial performance, and carries the risk that the Fund’s investment returns may underperform funds that do not incorporate ESG factors into their investment process. The incorporation of ESG criteria into the investment process may affect the Fund’s investment exposure to certain companies, sectors, regions, countries or types of investments, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor. Applying ESG criteria to investment decisions is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria utilized by the Subadviser or any judgment exercised by the Subadviser will improve the financial performance of the Fund or reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor. ESG standards differ by region and industry, and a company’s ESG practices or the Subadviser’s assessment of a company’s ESG practices may change over time. 
Extension Risk—during periods of rising interest rates, a debtor may pay back a bond or other fixed income security slower than expected or required, and the value of such security may fall. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Hedging Risk—there is no guarantee that hedging strategies will be successful. For example, changes in the value of a hedging transaction may not completely offset changes in the value of the assets and liabilities being hedged. Hedging transactions involve costs and may result in losses. 
High Yield Risk—below investment grade debt securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds” or “high yield securities”) may be subject to greater levels of interest rate, credit, liquidity, and market risk than higher-rated securities. These securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. 
Inflation/Deflation Risk—inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future. Inflation rates may change frequently and drastically as a result of various factors and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses to Fund investors or adversely affect the real value of shareholders’ investments in the Fund. Recently, inflation levels have been at their highest point in nearly 40 years, and the Federal Reserve has begun an aggressive campaign to raise certain benchmark interest rates in an effort to combat inflation. As such, fixed income securities markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. Deflation risk is the risk that the prices throughout the economy decline over time the opposite of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse effect on the  

5AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Model and Data Risk—when a quantitative model (“Model”) or information or data (“Data”) used in managing the Fund contains an error, or is incorrect or incomplete, any investment decision made in reliance on the Model or Data may not produce the desired results and the Fund may realize losses. In addition, any hedging based on a faulty Model or Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Furthermore, the success of a Model that is predictive in nature is dependent largely on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. All Models are susceptible to input errors or errors in design, which may cause the resulting output to be faulty. 
Municipal Market Risk—factors unique to the municipal bond market may negatively affect the value of municipal bonds. 
Policy Risk— the withdrawal of U.S. and other government support to stabilize and support financial markets, including an increase in interest rates in the U.S. or elsewhere, or investor perceptions that this support may be withdrawn, could cause an increase in volatility in certain financial markets or constrict the availability of credit and liquidity, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of certain securities. 
Prepayment Risk—a debtor may exercise its right to pay back a bond or other debt security earlier than expected or required during periods of decreasing interest rates. 
Reinvestment Risk—the Fund may have difficulty reinvesting payments from debtors and may receive lower rates than from its original investments. 
Restricted Securities Risk—investing in restricted securities (including, without limitation, Rule 144A securities) may reduce the liquidity of the Fund’s investments in the event that an adequate trading market does not exist for these securities. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities could adversely affect the marketability of the securities, and the Fund may be unable to sell the security at the desired time or price, if at all. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable unrestricted securities for which a liquid trading market exists. 
U.S. Government Securities Risk—obligations issued by some U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities, or sponsored enterprises such as Government National Mortgage  
Association (“GNMA”) are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, while obligations issued by others, such as Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), and Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”), are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and are backed solely by the entity’s own resources or by the ability of the entity to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. If one of these agencies defaults on a loan, there is no guarantee that the U.S. Government will provide financial support. 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  
As of March 24, 2021, Beutel Goodman was appointed as subadviser to the Fund and the Fund changed its name to “AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund” and adopted its current investment strategies. The Fund’s performance information for periods prior to March 24, 2021 reflects the Fund’s investment strategy that was in effect at that time and would have been different had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect.  
To obtain updated performance information please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 6.88% (2nd Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -6.24% (1st Quarter 2022) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG Beutel Goodman Core
Plus Bond Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-14.29%
-0.69%
0.99%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-15.50%
-1.92%
-0.35%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
-8.43%
-0.99%
0.20%

6AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (continued)
AMG Beutel Goodman Core
Plus Bond Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-14.12%
-0.48%
1.23%
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-14.07%
-0.40%
-0.30%
Bloomberg US Aggregate
Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-13.01%
0.02%
1.06%
0.10%
1Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd.
Portfolio Managers
David Gregoris, CFA
Managing Director, Fixed Income, Beutel Goodman;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Effective June 30, 2023, Mr. Gregoris will retire from Beutel Goodman and no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
Derek Brown, CFA
Senior Vice President, Co-Head Fixed Income, Beutel Goodman;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Sue McNamara, CFA
Senior Vice President, Fixed Income, Beutel Goodman;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Neil McCabe, CFA
Vice President, Fixed Income, Beutel Goodman;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

7AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.54%
0.54%
0.54%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses
0.55%
0.50%
0.40%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1.34%
1.04%
0.94%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements1
(0.16)%
(0.16)%
(0.16)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements1
1.18%
0.88%
0.78%
1AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.76% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$120
$409
$719
$1,599
Class I
$90
$315
$558
$1,257
Class Z
$80
$284
$504
$1,140
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 23% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of non-U.S. companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities. The Fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization.
Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd., the subadviser to the Fund (“Beutel Goodman” or the “Subadviser”), uses a value-based investment process and fundamental, bottom-up research in selecting investments for the Fund. The Fund seeks to invest in companies at discounts to their intrinsic value, which is defined as the present value of sustainable free cash flow (cash that is available to a company after paying out the money needed to maintain or expand its operations). Beutel Goodman seeks companies whose management, in Beutel Goodman’s view, has consistently demonstrated a commitment to create shareholder value through the sustainable generation of free cash flow without undue financial leverage. Beutel Goodman also analyzes company management’s track record of capital investments and track record of returning cash to shareholders. The Subadviser leverages deep investment experience to identify companies that exhibit strong free cash flow, a competitive industry position, and a healthy balance sheet.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% (or if conditions are not favorable, in the view of Beutel Goodman, at least 30%) of its net assets in investments economically tied to  

8AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
countries other than the U.S., and the Fund will hold investments economically tied to a minimum of three countries other than the U.S. The Fund considers an investment to be economically tied to a country other than the U.S. if it provides investment exposure to a non-U.S. issuer. The Fund considers a company to be a non-U.S. issuer if (i) it is organized outside the U.S. or maintains a principal place of business outside the U.S., (ii) its securities are traded principally outside the U.S., or (iii) during its most recent fiscal year, it derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed outside the U.S. or it has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in any country outside the U.S., including developed and emerging market countries. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in emerging market countries.  
At times, depending on market and other conditions, and in the sole discretion of the Subadviser, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in a small number of issuers, business sectors or industries. The Fund generally does not hedge against currency risk. The Fund currently expects to hold between 25 and 40 positions at any time. The Fund is non-diversified. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Focused Investment Risk—to the extent the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in a relatively small number of securities or a particular market, industry, group of industries, country, region, group of countries, asset class or sector, it generally will be subject to greater risk than a fund that invests in a more diverse investment portfolio. In addition, the value of the Fund would be more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence affecting, for example, that particular market, industry, region or sector. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Emerging Markets Risk—investments in emerging markets are subject to the general risks of foreign investments, as well as additional risks which can result in greater price volatility. Such additional risks include the risk that markets in emerging market countries are typically less developed and less liquid than markets in developed countries and such markets are subjected to increased economic, political, or regulatory uncertainties. 
Large-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of large-capitalization companies are generally more mature and may not be able to reach the same levels of growth as the stocks of small- or mid-capitalization companies. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Non-Diversified Fund Risk—the Fund is non-diversified and therefore a greater percentage of holdings may be focused in a small number of issuers or a single issuer, which can place the Fund at greater risk. Notwithstanding the Fund’s status as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), which imposes its own diversification requirements that are less restrictive than the requirements applicable to “diversified” investment companies under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit its pursuit of its investment strategy and its investment strategy could limit its ability to so qualify. 

9AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  
As of March 19, 2021, Beutel Goodman was appointed as subadviser to the Fund and the Fund changed its name to “AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund” and adopted its current investment strategies. The Fund’s performance information for periods prior to March 19, 2021 reflects the Fund’s investment strategy that was in effect at that time and would have been different had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect.  
To obtain updated performance information please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 22.70% (4th Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -28.56% (1st Quarter 2020) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG Beutel Goodman International
Equity Fund
1 Year
5 Years
Since
Inception
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-17.51%
-1.24%
1.73%1
Class N
Return After Taxes on Distributions
-17.85%
-1.84%
1.07%1
Class N
Return After Taxes on Distributions and
Sale of Fund Shares
-9.45%
-0.81%
1.35%1
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-17.29%
-0.95%
2.03%1
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (continued)
AMG Beutel Goodman International
Equity Fund
1 Year
5 Years
Since
Inception
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-17.26%
-0.85%
-0.13%2
MSCI EAFE Index
(reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses, or taxes)
-14.45%
1.54%
2.97%1
MSCI EAFE Index
(reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses, or taxes)
-14.45%
1.54%
2.27%2
1Class N, Class I and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class N and Class I shares on April 14, 2014.
2Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd.
Portfolio Managers
KC Parker, CFA
Vice President, U.S. and International Equities, Beutel Goodman;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Stanley Wu, CFA
Vice President, U.S. and International Equities, Beutel Goodman;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000

10AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

11AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.62%
0.62%
0.62%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.19%
None
None
Other Expenses1
0.45%
0.50%
0.45%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1.26%
1.12%
1.07%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements2
(0.25)%
(0.25)%
(0.25)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements2
1.01%
0.87%
0.82%
1Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
2AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.82% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$103
$375
$668
$1,501
Class I
$89
$331
$593
$1,341
Class Z
$84
$316
$566
$1,283
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 23% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund primarily invests in common stock and preferred stock of U.S. small- and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund currently defines small- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of purchase between $250 million and $10 billion or otherwise within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell 2500 Growth Index (between $174.19 million and $16.899 billion as of May 6, 2022, the date of the latest reconstitution of the Index (implemented by the Index June 24, 2022)). The Fund may continue to hold securities of a portfolio company that subsequently drops below or appreciates above this threshold. Because of this, the Fund may have less than 80% of its net assets in securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies at any given time.  
Through its fundamental research and proprietary screening, GW&K Investment Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“GW&K” or the “Subadviser”), seeks to identify quality  

12AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
companies with growth oriented characteristics. GW&K seeks to assemble a portfolio of securities diversified as to companies and sectors.  
The Subadviser seeks to focus on quality small- and mid-capitalization companies with sound management and long-term sustainable growth. In selecting companies for the Fund, the Subadviser looks for firms with the following key attributes:  
Experienced, tenured, high quality management;  
Business models that deliver consistent long-term growth;  
Leading companies in attractive and defensible niche markets;  
Strong financial characteristics; and  
Appropriate valuation. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Growth Stock Risk—the prices of equity securities of companies that are expected to experience relatively rapid earnings growth, or “growth stocks,” may be more sensitive to market movements because the prices tend to reflect future investor expectations rather than just current profits. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. Stocks in the information technology and healthcare sectors may comprise a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio. The information technology sector may be affected by technological obsolescence, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competitive pressures and general market conditions. Stocks in the health care sector may be affected by technological obsolescence, changes in regulatory approval policies for drugs, medical devices or procedures and changes in governmental and private payment systems. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
As of March 19, 2021, GW&K was appointed as subadviser to the Fund and the Fund changed its name to “AMG GW&K Small Cap Fund II” and made changes to its principal investment strategies. As of May 21, 2021, the Fund changed its name to “AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund,” adopted its current investment strategies and began comparing its performance to the Russell 2500 Growth Index. The Fund’s performance information for periods prior to these dates reflects the Fund’s investment strategy that was in effect at that time and would have been different had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect. 
To obtain updated performance information, please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 31.00% (2nd Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -20.55% (4th Quarter 2018) 

13AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG GW&K Small/Mid
Cap Growth Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-22.28%
8.06%
9.62%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-22.65%
4.80%
7.26%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
-12.92%
5.63%
7.12%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-22.19%
8.23%
9.84%
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-22.18%
-16.86%
Russell 2500™ Growth
Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-26.21%
5.97%
10.62%
-22.58%
1Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on August 31, 2021.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
GW&K Investment Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
Daniel L. Miller, CFA
Partner and Director of Equities of GW&K;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Joseph C. Craigen, CFA
Partner and Equity Portfolio Manager of GW&K;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

14AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Management Fee
0.48%
0.48%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
0.15%
None
Other Expenses
0.31%
0.28%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
0.94%
0.76%
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements1
(0.03)%
(0.03)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements1
0.91%
0.73%
1AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.68% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the
same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$93
$297
$517
$1,152
Class I
$75
$240
$419
$939
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 68% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund primarily invests in equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of large-capitalization companies. The Fund currently considers large-capitalization companies to be those with a market capitalization at the time of purchase within the range of capitalizations of companies in the S&P 500 Index or the Russell 1000® Index. As of December 31, 2022, the range of market capitalizations of the S&P 500 Index was $3.564 billion to $2,067 billion. As of May 6, 2022, the date of the latest reconstitution of the Russell 1000® Index (implemented by the Index June 24, 2022), the range of market capitalizations of the Russell 1000® Index was $2.9 billion to $2,545.6 billion. This capitalization range will change over time. The Fund may continue to hold securities of a portfolio company that subsequently drops below or appreciates above the large-capitalization threshold. Because of this, the Fund may have less than 80% of its net assets in securities of large-capitalization companies at any given time.  
Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc., the subadviser to the Fund (“Montrusco Bolton” or the “Subadviser”), employs a “growth-at-a-reasonable-price” (“GARP”) investment philosophy for the Fund when seeking to invest in companies that exhibit both growth and value characteristics. Montrusco Bolton selects stocks based on a fundamental, bottom-up analysis. Montrusco Bolton integrates environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (“SDG”) into its investment process through three elements: risk reduction through exclusions; investing in companies with high sustainability scores under Montrusco Bolton’s scoring system;  

15AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
and exerting influence over company management through active engagement. With respect to each potential investment, Montrusco Bolton scores the issuer’s sustainability by evaluating a set of ESG risk factors developed by Montrusco Bolton using independent analysis from third parties such as Sustainalytics as well as Montrusco Bolton’s own internal analysis. Montrusco Bolton then evaluates the issuer against certain identified SDGs. Montrusco Bolton further narrows the investment universe based on quality and growth factors, including low leverage, high return on invested capital and above sector earnings-per-share growth.  
At times, depending on market and other conditions, and in the sole discretion of the Subadviser, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in a small number of issuers, business sectors or industries. The Fund currently expects to hold between 25 and 40 positions at any time. The Fund is non-diversified. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Focused Investment Risk—to the extent the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in a relatively small number of securities or a particular market, industry, group of industries, country, region, group of countries, asset class or sector, it generally will be subject to greater risk than a fund that invests in a more diverse investment portfolio. In addition, the value of  
the Fund would be more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence affecting, for example, that particular market, industry, region or sector. 
Growth Stock Risk—the prices of equity securities of companies that are expected to experience relatively rapid earnings growth, or “growth stocks,” may be more sensitive to market movements because the prices tend to reflect future investor expectations rather than just current profits. 
Large-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of large-capitalization companies are generally more mature and may not be able to reach the same levels of growth as the stocks of small- or mid-capitalization companies. 
ESG Investing Risk—the Subadviser incorporates ESG criteria into its investment process, which may result in the selection or exclusion of securities of certain issuers for reasons other than financial performance, and carries the risk that the Fund’s investment returns may underperform funds that do not incorporate ESG factors into their investment process. The incorporation of ESG criteria into the investment process may affect the Fund’s investment exposure to certain companies, sectors, regions, countries or types of investments, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor. Applying ESG criteria to investment decisions is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria utilized by the Subadviser or any judgment exercised by the Subadviser will improve the financial performance of the Fund or reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor. ESG standards differ by region and industry, and a company’s ESG practices or the Subadviser’s assessment of a company’s ESG practices may change over time. 
GARP Style Risk— GARP investing involves buying stocks that have a reasonable price/earnings ratio in relationship to a company’s earnings growth rate. The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected when stocks preferred by a GARP investing strategy underperform or are not favored by investors in prevailing market and economic conditions. 
Non-Diversified Fund Risk—the Fund is non-diversified and therefore a greater percentage of holdings may be focused in a small number of issuers or a single issuer, which can place the Fund at greater risk. Notwithstanding the Fund’s status as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), which imposes its own diversification requirements that are less restrictive than the requirements applicable to “diversified” investment companies under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit its pursuit of its investment strategy and its investment strategy could limit its ability to so qualify. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 

16AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
As of March 19, 2021, Montrusco Bolton was appointed as subadviser to the Fund and the Fund changed its name to “AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund,” adopted its current investment strategies and began comparing its performance to the S&P 500 Growth Index. The Fund’s performance information for periods prior to March 19, 2021 reflects the Fund’s investment strategy that was in effect at that time and would have been different had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect.  
To obtain updated performance information, please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 24.95% (2nd Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -21.15% (2nd Quarter 2022) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap
Growth Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-26.83%
9.54%
10.59%
Class N
Return After Taxes on Distributions
-28.52%
3.51%
5.75%
Class N
Return After Taxes on Distributions and
Sale of Fund Shares
-14.63%
7.23%
7.92%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-26.71%
9.73%
10.82%
S&P 500® Growth Index
(reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses, or taxes)
-29.41%
10.28%
13.59%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as
401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc.
Portfolio Manager
Jean David Meloche, CFA
Head of Global and U.S. Equities of Montrusco Bolton;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in

17AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

18AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds

AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in fixed income securities. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy. For purposes of this policy, the term “assets” means “net assets plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes.”
The Fund generally expects to consider selling a particular security when, for example, the Subadviser believes one or more of the following reasons exists: anticipation of a ratings downgrade of the issuer; analysis of a company related event such as an acquisition or a shareholder friendly transaction that could weaken the company’s credit metrics; potential for a leveraged buyout; impending events; or changes in valuation or the macro environment.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Looking to maximize total return from a diversified mix of bonds
Seeking an opportunity for additional investment income
Willing to accept moderate risk and potential for short term volatility
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class I shares are authorized to pay up to 0.05% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such class. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the Index shown in the table. Effective September 29, 2017, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
David Gregoris, CFA
Managing Director, Fixed Income
Effective June 30, 2023, Mr. Gregoris will retire from Beutel, Goodman &
Company Ltd. and no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
Derek Brown, CFA
Senior Vice President, Co-Head Fixed Income
Sue McNamara, CFA
Senior Vice President, Fixed Income
Neil McCabe, CFA
Vice President, Fixed Income
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

19AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund (CONTINUED)
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.43% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

20AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds

AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy.
The Subadviser’s sell discipline seeks to capture gains and mitigate risks. The Fund generally expects to consider selling a particular security when, for example, the Subadviser believes one or more of the following reasons exists: a security’s price reaches a certain price; the issuer has experienced a change in senior management or corporate strategy; the issuer has experienced a major asset acquisition or disposal; or the Subadviser no longer has an expectation for future positive returns.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Looking to diversify your investment portfolio with exposure to non-U.S. equities
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are authorized to pay up to 0.15% and 0.10%, respectively, in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the Index shown in the table. Effective September 29, 2017, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
KC Parker, CFA
Vice President, U.S. and International Equities
Stanley Wu, CFA
Vice President, U.S. and International Equities
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

21AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund (CONTINUED)
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.76% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

22AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds

AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Subadviser utilizes fundamental research and bottom-up stock selection to seek to identify small- and mid- capitalization companies with sustainable earnings growth in niche markets, and whose management is focused on enhancing value for shareholders. The Fund seeks to hold securities for the long term. The Fund aims to participate in rising markets and defend in down markets.
Various factors may lead the Subadviser to consider selling a particular security, such as a significant change in the relevant company’s senior management or its products, a deterioration in its fundamental characteristics, if the company has corporate governance issues, or if the Subadviser believes the security has become overvalued.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Looking to gain exposure to small- and mid-cap stocks
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class I shares are authorized to pay up to 0.05% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such class. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the Index shown in the table. Effective August 31, 2021, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The information in the bar chart is for Class N shares of the Fund. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Daniel L. Miller, CFA
Partner and Director of Equities
Joseph C. Craigen, CFA
Partner and Equity Portfolio Manager
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

23AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (CONTINUED)
Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.82% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

24AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds

AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund primarily invests in equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of large-capitalization companies. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy.
The Fund generally expects to sell a particular security when the Subadviser believes one or more of the following reasons exists: investment thesis no longer holds; better investment opportunities present themselves; valuation is fully reflected in price; the issuer fails Montrusco Bolton’s ESG assessment; the issuer’s score under Montrusco Bolton’s proprietary stock scoring system falls below a certain threshold; and/or aggregate portfolio risk metrics indicate an undesired level or concentration of risk.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking long-term capital appreciation and current income
Looking to gain exposure to growth-oriented high quality U.S. large cap companies
Willing to accept short term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are authorized to pay up to 0.15% and 0.05% in shareholder servicing fees, respectively, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the Index shown in the table. The information in the bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class N shares and Class I shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
Portfolio Manager
Jean David Meloche
Head of Global and U.S. Equities
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
manager.

25AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund (CONTINUED)
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.68% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

26AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks
This section presents more detailed information about each Fund’s risks as described in the Fund’s summary section of the Prospectus. The risks are described in alphabetical order and not in the order of importance or potential exposure. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in a Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to a Fund. A Fund may not be subject to all of the risks below, and not all Funds invest in the types of instruments mentioned. Please
see each Fund’s summary section for a description of the Fund’s principal risks and the types of instruments in which the Fund invests. All Funds could be subject to additional risks because the types of investments they make and market conditions may change over time.
All investments involve some type and level of risk. There is the risk that you will lose money on your investment. Before you invest, please make sure that you have read, and understand, the risk factors that apply to the Funds.
 
AMG
Beutel
Goodman
Core Plus
Bond Fund
AMG Beutel
Goodman
International
Equity
Fund
AMG
GW&K
Small/Mid
Cap
Growth
Fund
AMG
Montrusco
Bolton
Large Cap
Growth
Fund
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk
X
 
 
 
Call Risk
X
 
 
 
Changing Distribution Level Risk
X
 
 
 
Credit and Counterparty Risk
X
 
 
 
Currency Risk
X
X
 
 
Debt Securities Risk
X
 
 
 
Derivatives Risk
X
 
 
 
Emerging Markets Risk
X
X
 
 
ESG Investing Risk
X
 
 
X
Extension Risk
X
 
 
 
Focused Investment Risk
 
X
 
X
Foreign Investment Risk
X
X
 
 
GARP Style Risk
 
 
 
X
Growth Stock Risk
 
 
X
X
Hedging Risk
X
 
 
 
High Yield Risk
X
 
 
 
Inflation/Deflation Risk
X
 
 
 
Interest Rate Risk
X
 
 
 
Large-Capitalization Stock Risk
 
X
 
X
Liquidity Risk
X
X
X
 
Management Risk
X
X
X
X
Market Risk
X
X
X
X
Model and Data Risk
X
 
 
 
Municipal Market Risk
X
 
 
 
Non-Diversified Fund Risk
 
X
 
X
Policy Risk
X
 
 
 
Prepayment Risk
X
 
 
 
Reinvestment Risk
X
 
 
 
Restricted Securities Risk
X
 
 
 
Sector Risk
 
X
X
 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk
 
X
X
 
U.S. Government Securities Risk
X
 
 
 

27AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
 
AMG
Beutel
Goodman
Core Plus
Bond Fund
AMG Beutel
Goodman
International
Equity
Fund
AMG
GW&K
Small/Mid
Cap
Growth
Fund
AMG
Montrusco
Bolton
Large Cap
Growth
Fund
Value Stock Risk
 
X
 
X
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are interests in a stream of payments from specific assets, such as auto or credit card receivables, or in the case of mortgage-backed securities, a pool of mortgages. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities are subject to the risk of severe credit downgrades, loss due to prepayments that occur earlier or later than expected, illiquidity and default to a greater extent than many other types of fixed income investments. Some of these securities may have additional risk because they may receive little or no collateral protection from the underlying assets.
call RISK
Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a fixed income security before maturity (a call) at a price below its current market price. The increased likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price. If a fixed income security is called, a Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks, or other less favorable characteristics.
Changing distribution level RISK
The Fund will normally receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amount paid by the Fund will vary and generally depends on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Credit and Counterparty Risk
An issuer of bonds or other debt securities or a counterparty to a derivatives contract may be unable or unwilling, or may be perceived (whether by market participants, ratings agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to make timely interest, principal or settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. To the extent the Fund has significant exposure to a counterparty under a derivatives contract (or multiple derivatives contracts), this risk may be particularly pronounced for the Fund. This risk of default for most debt securities is monitored by several nationally recognized statistical rating organizations such as Moody’s and S&P. Actual or perceived changes in a company’s financial health will affect the valuation of its debt securities. Bonds or debt securities rated BBB/Baa by S&P/Moody’s, although investment grade, may have speculative characteristics because their issuers are
more vulnerable to financial setbacks and economic pressures than issuers with higher ratings.
Currency RISK
The value of foreign investments denominated in a foreign currency depends both upon the price of the securities and the exchange rate of the currency. Thus, the value of an investment in a foreign security will drop if the value of the foreign currency drops relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may fluctuate in response to, among other factors, interest rate changes, intervention (or failure to intervene) by national governments, central banks, or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, the imposition of currency controls, and other political or regulatory developments. Adverse currency fluctuations are an added risk to foreign investments. To the extent a Fund invests directly in non-U.S. currencies, or in securities that trade in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or non-U.S. governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, a Fund’s exposure to non-U.S. currencies, including investments in foreign currency-denominated securities, may reduce the returns of the Fund. Currency risk can be reduced through diversification among currencies or through hedging with the use of foreign currency contracts.
Debt SECURITIES RISK
The value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, increases in interest rates, actual or perceived inability or unwillingness of issuers, guarantors or liquidity providers to make scheduled principal or interest payments or illiquidity in debt securities markets; the risk of low rates of return due to reinvestment of securities during periods of falling interest rates or repayment by issuers with higher coupon or interest rates; and/or the risk of low income due to falling interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. A rising interest rate environment may cause the value of the Fund’s fixed income securities to decrease, an adverse impact on the liquidity of the Fund’s fixed income securities, and increased volatility of the fixed

28AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
income markets. If the principal on a debt obligation is prepaid before expected, the prepayments of principal may have to be reinvested in obligations paying interest at lower rates. During periods of falling interest rates, the income received by the Fund may decline. Changes in interest rates will likely have a greater effect on the values of debt securities of longer durations. Returns on investments in debt securities could trail the returns on other investment options, including investments in equity securities.
DERIVATIVES RISK
Derivatives, including options, futures, and forwards, are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, interest rate or index. The use of derivatives will involve costs, liquidity risk, the risk that the value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly with their underlying assets, rates, or indices, the risk of mispricing or improper valuation, and may result in losses or have the effect of accelerating the recognition of gain. Derivative transactions typically involve leverage and may be highly volatile. The use of derivatives may not succeed for various reasons, including unexpected changes in the value of the derivatives or the assets, rates or indices underlying them. Derivatives are also subject to credit and counterparty risk in that a counterparty may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss for a Fund. Government regulation of derivative instruments may limit or prevent a Fund from using such instruments as part of its investment strategies or result in materially increased costs in using such instruments, which could adversely affect a Fund.
EMERGING MARKETS RISK
Investments in emerging markets involve all of the risks of foreign investments (see Foreign Investment Risk), and also have additional risks. Such additional risks include the risk that markets in emerging market countries are typically less developed and less liquid than markets in developed countries and such markets are subject to increased economic, political, or regulatory uncertainties. The markets of developing countries may be more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. Many emerging markets companies in the early stages of development are dependent on a small number of products and lack substantial capital reserves. In addition, emerging markets often have less developed legal and financial systems. These markets often have provided significantly higher or lower rates of return than developed markets and usually carry higher risks to investors than securities of companies in developed countries.
ESG Investing RISK
Applying the Funds’ ESG investment criteria may be viewed as providing opportunities for long-term rather than short-term returns, and may result in the selection or exclusion of securities of certain issuers for reasons other than financial performance. As a result, a Fund may forego opportunities to buy certain securities when it might be otherwise advantageous to do so, or sell certain securities when it might be otherwise disadvantageous to do so. ESG investing also carries the risk that a Fund’s investment returns may underperform funds that do not incorporate ESG factors into their
investment process. The incorporation of ESG criteria into the investment process may affect a Fund’s investment exposure to certain companies, sectors, regions, countries or types of investments, which could negatively impact a Fund’s performance depending on whether such investments are in or out of favor. Applying ESG criteria to investment decisions is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria utilized by the Subadviser or any judgment exercised by the Subadviser will improve the financial performance of the Fund or reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor. In evaluating a company, the Subadviser is dependent upon information and data obtained through voluntary or third-party reporting that may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable, which could cause the Subadviser to incorrectly assess a company’s ESG practices. ESG standards differ by region and industry, and a company’s ESG practices or the Subadviser’s assessment of a company’s ESG practices may change over time. A Fund will vote proxies in a manner that is consistent with its ESG criteria, which may not always be consistent with maximizing short-term performance of the issuer.
Extension Risk
During periods of rising interest rates, a debtor may pay back a bond or other fixed income security slower than expected or required, and the value of such security may fall. Extension risk may be heightened during periods of adverse economic conditions generally, as payment rates decline due to higher unemployment levels and other factors.
FOCUSED INVESTMENT RISK
To the extent a Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a relatively small number of securities, or a particular market, industry, group of industries, country, region, group of countries, asset class or sector, the Fund’s net asset value may be more volatile and the Fund may involve more risk than a fund that invests in a more diverse investment portfolio. Changes in the value of a single security or the impact of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence may have a great adverse impact on a Fund’s net asset value.
Foreign Investment Risk
Investments in foreign issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars), whether directly or indirectly, involve additional risks different from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers. There may be limited information available to investors, and foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements like those applicable to U.S. issuers. Different accounting, corporate governance, regulatory, and market systems may cause foreign investments to be more volatile. The value of foreign investments may be adversely affected by changes in the political or social conditions, taxation, including confiscatory or withholding taxes, diplomatic relations, embargoes,

29AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, tariffs, expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or the establishment of exchange controls or other restrictions and tax regulations in foreign countries, which risks also apply to investments traded on a U.S. securities exchange that are issued by companies with significant exposure to foreign countries. Foreign investments trade with less frequency and volume than U.S. investments and, therefore, may have greater price volatility. In certain countries, legal remedies available to investors may be more limited than those available with regard to U.S. investments. In addition, just as foreign markets may respond to events differently from U.S. markets, foreign investments can perform differently from U.S. investments.
garp style Risk
GARP investing involves buying stocks that have a reasonable price/earnings ratio in relationship to a company’s earnings growth rate. Because different types of stocks go in and out of favor with investors depending on prevailing market and economic conditions, a Fund’s performance may be adversely affected when stocks preferred by a GARP investing strategy underperform.
GROWTH STOCK RISK
The prices of equity securities of companies that are expected to experience relatively rapid earnings growth, or “growth stocks,” may be more sensitive to changes in current or expected earnings than other types of stocks and tend to be more volatile than the market in general. Growth stocks may underperform value stocks and stocks in other broad style categories (and the stock market as a whole) during given periods.
Hedging Risk
The decision as to whether and to what extent a Fund will engage in hedging transactions to hedge against such risks as credit and counterparty risk, currency risk, interest rate risk and market risk will depend on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, the composition of the Fund and the availability of suitable transactions.  There can be no assurance that a Fund's hedging strategies will be successful. For example, changes in the value of a hedging transaction may not completely offset changes in the value of the assets and liabilities being hedged. Hedging transactions involve costs and may result in losses.
HIGH YIELD RISK
Funds that invest in below investment grade debt securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds” or “high yield securities”) may be subject to greater levels of interest rate, credit, liquidity, and market risk than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities. These securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. These issuers may be involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations, or financial restructurings, and are not as strong financially as higher-rated issuers. If the issuer of a security is in default with
respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose its entire investment. Below investment grade securities are more susceptible to sudden and significant price movements because they are generally more sensitive to adverse developments. Many below investment grade securities are subject to legal or contractual restrictions that limit their resale at desired prices.
Inflation/deflation risk
Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the present value of future payments. Inflation rates may change frequently and drastically as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or global economy (or expectations that domestic or global economic policies will change), and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses to Fund investors or adversely affect the real value of shareholders’ investments in the Fund. Recently, inflation levels have been at their highest point in nearly 40 years, and the Federal Reserve has begun an aggressive campaign to raise certain benchmark interest rates in an effort to combat inflation. As such, fixed income securities markets may experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
INTEREST RATE RISK
Changes in interest rates can impact bond and debt security prices. As interest rates rise, the fixed coupon payments (cash flows) of debt securities become less competitive with the market and thus the price of the securities will fall. Interest rate risk is generally higher for investments with longer maturities or durations. Duration is the weighted average time (typically quoted in years) to the receipt of cash flows (principal plus interest) for a particular bond, debt security or portfolio, and is used to evaluate such bond’s, debt security’s or portfolio’s interest rate sensitivity. For example, if interest rates rise by one percentage point, the share price of a fund with an average duration of one year would be expected to fall approximately 1% and a fund with an average duration of eight years would be expected to decline by about 8%. If rates decrease by one percentage point, the share price of a fund with an average duration of one year would be expected to rise approximately 1% and the share price of a fund with an average duration of eight years would be expected to rise by about 8%. Negative or very low interest rates could magnify the risks associated with changes in interest rates. During periods of increasing interest rates, the Fund may experience high levels of volatility and shareholder redemptions, and may have to sell securities at times when it would otherwise not do so, and at unfavorable prices, which could reduce the returns of the Fund.
LARGE-CAPITALIZATION STOCK RISK
Large-capitalization companies tend to compete in mature product markets and do not typically experience the level of sustained growth of smaller companies and companies competing in less

30AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
mature product markets. Also, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to competitive challenges or changes in business, product, financial, or other market conditions. For these and other reasons, a fund that invests in large-capitalization companies may underperform other stock funds (such as funds that focus on the stocks of small- and medium-capitalization companies) when stocks of large-capitalization companies are out of favor.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that a Fund may not be able to dispose of investments or close out derivatives transactions readily at favorable times or prices or may have to sell them at a loss. For example, investments in derivatives, non-U.S. investments, restricted securities, securities having small market capitalizations, and securities having substantial market and/or credit and counterparty risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk. Additionally, the market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer, such as a rising interest rate environment. In such cases, a Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in purchasing and selling such securities or instruments, may decline in value or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. The values of illiquid investments are often more volatile than the values of more liquid investments.
ManagEment RISK
The Funds are subject to management risk because they are actively managed investment portfolios. Management risk is the chance that security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies will cause a Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. Each Fund’s Subadviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for each Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired result. To the extent a Fund’s Subadviser uses quantitative analyses or models, any imperfections, errors or limitations in such analyses or models could affect the Fund’s performance or the ability of the Subadviser to implement its strategies. In particular, with respect to limitations in such analyses or models, the analyses and models may make simplifying assumptions that limit their effectiveness, may appear to explain prior market data but fail to predict future market events, and may use data that is inaccurate or does not include the most recent information about a company or a security.
MARKET RISK
Market prices of investments held by a Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably and will rise and fall due to economic, political, or market conditions or perceptions, government actions, geopolitical events, or in response to events that affect particular industries, geographies, or companies. The value of your investment could go up or down depending on market conditions and other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness
or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Equity investments generally have greater price volatility than fixed income investments, although under certain market conditions fixed income investments may have comparable or greater price volatility. Since foreign investments trade on different markets, which have different supply and demand characteristics, their prices are not as closely linked to the U.S. markets. Foreign securities markets have their own market risks, and they may be more or less volatile than U.S. markets and may move in different directions. A Fund’s performance may also be negatively impacted by the commencement, continuation or ending of government policies and economic stimulus programs, changes in monetary policy, increases or decreases in interest rates, or other factors or events that affect the financial markets.
Certain instruments held by a Fund may pay an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the offered rate for short-term loans between certain major international banks. ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after the end of 2021. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. The transition away from LIBOR may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments based on LIBOR and changes in the value of some LIBOR-based investments or the effectiveness of related transactions such as hedges, particularly insofar as the documentation governing such instruments does not include “fall back” provisions addressing the transition from LIBOR. Any such effects of the transition away from LIBOR, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to a Fund and may adversely affect a Fund’s performance or net asset value.
MOdEL AND dATa RISK
Given the complexity of the Fund’s investments and strategies, the Subadviser may rely heavily on one or more quantitative models (both proprietary models and those developed by third parties) (“Models”) and information and data (“Data”) supplied by third parties. Models and Data may be used by the Subadviser to, among other things, construct sets of transactions and investments, provide risk management insights and assist in hedging the Fund’s investments.
When a Model or Data used in managing the Fund contains an error, or is incorrect or incomplete, any investment decision made in reliance on the Model or Data may not produce the desired results and the Fund may realize losses. In addition, any hedging based on a faulty Model or Data may prove to be unsuccessful. Some of the Models that may be used by the Subadviser may be predictive in nature. Because these predictive Models are typically constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of these Models is dependent largely on the accuracy and reliability of

31AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
the supplied historical data. In addition, Models that are predictive in nature may, for example, incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or mark-to-market basis. Use of these Models in unforeseen or certain low-probability scenarios (often involving a market disruption of some kind) also may result in losses for the Fund.
All Models require Data inputs. It is not possible or practicable to factor all relevant, available data into Models. The Subadviser will use its discretion to determine what Data to gather and what Data the Models will take into account. There is no guarantee that the Fund’s Subadviser will use any specific Data or type of Data, nor is there any guarantee that the Data actually utilized will be the most accurate data available or free from errors. If incorrect or inaccurate Data is entered into a Model, the resulting information will be incorrect or inaccurate. As a result, any investment decisions made in reliance on the incorrect or inaccurate output from a Model may not produce the desired results and the Fund may realize losses. Errors in data inputs, or Model design, are often extremely difficult to detect and some may go undetected for long periods of time and some may never be detected. The adverse impact caused by these errors can compound over time. Even when Data input is correct, the resulting information may differ, sometimes substantially, from other available information. For example, “model prices” that are provided by a Model will often differ substantially from market prices, particularly for instruments that are complex in nature, such as derivatives.
Municipal market RISK
Factors unique to the municipal bond market may negatively affect the value of a Fund’s investment in municipal bonds. These factors include political or legislative changes, and uncertainties related to the tax status of the securities and the rights of investors in the securities. A Fund may invest in a group of municipal obligations that are related in such a way that an economic, business, or political development affecting one would also affect the others. In addition, the municipal bond market, or portions thereof, may experience substantial volatility or become distressed, particularly during recessions or similar periods of economic stress, and individual bonds may go into default, which would lead to heightened risks of investing in municipal bonds generally. Such defaults may occur, for example, when municipalities that have issued bonds are not able to meet interest or principal payments when such payments come due. Actual or perceived changes in the financial health of the municipal market as a whole or in part may affect the valuation of debt securities held by the Fund. The secondary market for municipal obligations also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may limit a Fund’s ability to sell its municipal obligations at attractive prices, particularly in stressed market conditions. The differences between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold may widen during periods of market distress. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements.
Some municipal obligations carry additional risk. For example, they may be difficult to trade or their interest payments may be tied only to a specific stream of revenues. Since some municipal obligations may be secured or guaranteed by banks and other financial institutions, the risk to the Fund could increase if the banking or financial sector suffers an economic downturn or if the credit ratings of the institutions issuing the guarantee are downgraded or at risk of being downgraded by a national rating organization. If such events were to occur, the value of the security could decrease or the value could be lost entirely, and it may be difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell the security at the time and price that normally prevails in the market.
NON-DIVERSIFIED FUND RISK
Funds that are non-diversified can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer or a group of issuers, and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit, market, and other risks than a diversified fund. The poor performance by a single issuer may have a greater impact on the performance of a non-diversified fund than a diversified fund. A non-diversified fund’s shares tend to be more volatile than shares of a diversified fund and are more susceptible to the risks of focusing investments in a small number of issuers or industries, and the risks of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence. Notwithstanding a Fund’s status as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), which imposes its own diversification requirements that are less restrictive than the requirements applicable to “diversified” investment companies under the 1940 Act. A Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit its pursuit of its investment strategy and its investment strategy could limit its ability to so qualify.
POLICy RISK
In response to the global financial crisis of 2007 to 2009 and continued economic weakness in many parts of the world, the U.S. and other governments and the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have taken unprecedented steps to stabilize and support financial markets, reduce the costs of borrowing and increase the availability of short-term liquidity. Many of these efforts remain in place. The withdrawal of this support, including an increase in interest rates in the United States or elsewhere, or investor perceptions that this support may be withdrawn, could cause an increase in volatility in certain financial markets or constrict the availability of credit and liquidity, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of certain securities.
PREPAYMENT RISK
Prepayment risk is the risk that a debtor will exercise its right to pay back a bond or other fixed income security held by a Fund earlier than expected or required. Typically, debtors prepay their debt when it is to their advantage (when interest rates drop making a new loan at current rates more attractive), in which case a Fund may have to

32AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
reinvest prepayment proceeds in securities with lower yields, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income. This is especially true with mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, which can be paid back at any time. Prepayment risk will vary depending on the provisions of the security and current interest rates relative to the interest rate of the debt.
REINVESTMENT RISK
As debtors pay principal or interest on a bond or other fixed income security held by a Fund, there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to reinvest these payments and receive rates equal to or better than its original investment. If interest rates fall, the rate of return available to reinvested money will also fall. For example, if a Fund purchases a 30-year, 5% coupon bond, it can anticipate that it will receive a 5% return on its original capital, but unless it can reinvest all of the interest receipts at or above 5%, the total return over 30 years will be below 5%. The higher the coupon and prepayment risk, the higher the reinvestment risk.
REstricted securities Risk
Investing in restricted securities (including, without limitation, Rule 144A securities) may reduce the liquidity of a Fund’s investments in the event that an adequate trading market does not exist for these securities. Limitations on the resale of restricted securities could adversely affect the marketability of the securities, and a Fund may be unable to sell the security at the desired time or price, if at all. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable unrestricted securities for which a liquid trading market exists. A Fund may also have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.
SECTOR RISK
Issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As a result, a Fund’s performance could be more volatile than the performance of a fund that is more diversified across industry sectors. The information technology sector may be affected by technological obsolescence, short product cycles, falling prices and profits, competitive pressures and general market conditions. Stocks in the health care sector may be affected by technological obsolescence,
changes in regulatory approval policies for drugs, medical devices or procedures and changes in governmental and private payment systems.
SMALL- AND MID-CAPITALIZATIOn stock RISK
The stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies may involve more risk than the stocks of larger, more established companies because they often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources, less proven track records, and less competitive strength than larger companies. A fund that invests in small- and mid-capitalization companies may underperform other stock funds (such as large-company stock funds) when stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies are out of favor.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES RISK
Obligations issued by some U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, such as GNMA, are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, while obligations issued by others, such as FNMA, FHLMC, and FHLBs, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government and are backed solely by the entity’s own resources or by the ability of the entity to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. The value and liquidity of U.S. Government securities may be affected adversely by changes in the ratings of those securities.
VALUE STOCK RISK
Value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in price or never reach what the Subadviser believes is its full market value, either because the market fails to recognize what the Subadviser considers to be the company’s true business value or because the Subadviser overestimates the company’s true business value. Companies that issue value securities may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused their securities to be out of favor. Value stocks may underperform growth stocks and stocks in other broad style categories (and the stock market as a whole) during given periods.

Other Important Information About the Funds and their Investment Strategies and Risks
In addition to the principal investment strategies described in this Prospectus, the Funds may also make other types of investments, and, therefore, may be subject to other risks, which the Investment Manager does not currently consider to be principal risks of the Funds. Some of these risks are described in the Funds' Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “SAI”).
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The investment objective of AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The investment objective of each of AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund, AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund and AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund may be changed without shareholder approval and without prior notice.

33AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Other Important Information About the Funds and their Investment Strategies and Risks(CONTINUED)
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE MEASURES
From time to time, each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in money market securities, repurchase agreements, cash, or cash equivalents as a temporary defensive measure in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. These temporary defensive measures may be inconsistent with each Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies. Each Fund may not be able to achieve its stated investment objective while taking these defensive measures.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Each Fund may sell any security when it believes the sale is consistent with the Fund’s investment strategies and in the Fund’s best interest to do so. This may result in active and frequent trading
of portfolio securities. A portfolio turnover rate greater than 100% would indicate that the Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the previous one-year period. Higher portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance by increasing Fund transaction costs and may increase your tax liability.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
A description of the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds' SAI, which is available on the Funds' website at www.amgfunds.com.

Fund Management
Each Fund is a series of AMG Funds IV, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is part of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, a mutual fund family comprised of different funds, each having distinct investment management objectives, strategies, risks, and policies.
The Investment Manager, located at 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901, is a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”), located at 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401. The Investment Manager serves as investment manager and administrator to the Funds and is responsible for the Funds’ overall administration and operations. The Investment Manager also monitors the performance, security holdings, and investment strategies of the Subadviser to each Fund. The Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, serves as the Funds’ distributor. Except for distribution and shareholder service (12b-1) fees, the Distributor receives no compensation from the Funds for its services as distributor.
Additional information regarding other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, their compensation and ownership of Fund shares is available in the Funds’ SAI.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the Investment Management Agreement with respect to the Funds between the Trust and the Investment Manager and the Subadvisory Agreements with respect to the Funds between the Investment Manager and the Subadvisers is available in the Funds’ Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31.
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), each Fund participates in a manager of managers structure whereby the Investment Manager serves as the investment manager of each Fund and selects and recommends to the Funds’ Board of Trustees investment subadvisers to manage each Fund’s investment portfolio. Under the terms of this exemptive order, the Investment Manager is able, subject to certain conditions and oversight by the Funds’ Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, to hire or change the contract terms of
subadvisers for the Funds. In addition, subject to approval by the SEC of an amendment to the Funds’ exemptive order, the Funds may disclose fees paid to subadvisers on an aggregate, rather than individual, basis. The Investment Manager, subject to oversight by the Trustees, has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Shareholders of a Fund continue to have the right to terminate such subadvisory agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Amg BEutel goodman core plus bond FUNd
Beutel Goodman has day-to-day responsibility for managing the Fund’s portfolio. Beutel Goodman is located at 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4R 1K8. As of December 31, 2022, Beutel Goodman had assets under management of approximately $32.18 billion. Beutel Goodman’s principal owners are the Beutel Goodman Voting Trust and AMG. Beutel Goodman Voting Trust is composed of a group of current and former employees of Beutel Goodman and holds as a group a 51% interest in Beutel Goodman. AMG holds an indirect minority 49% position.
AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund is obligated by its Investment Advisory Agreement to pay an annual management fee to the Investment Manager of 0.23% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Investment Manager, in turn, pays Beutel Goodman a portion of this fee for its services as Subadviser. Under a separate Administration Agreement with the Fund, the Investment Manager provides a variety of administrative services to the Fund and receives an annual administrative fee from the Fund for these services of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
amg Beutel goodman international EQUITY FUND
Beutel Goodman has day-to-day responsibility for managing the Fund’s portfolio. Beutel Goodman is located at 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4R1K8. As of December 31, 2022, Beutel Goodman had assets under management of approximately $32.18 billion. Beutel Goodman’s principal owners

34AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
are the Beutel Goodman Voting Trust and AMG. Beutel Goodman Voting Trust is composed of a group of current and former employees of Beutel Goodman and holds as a group a 51% interest in Beutel Goodman. AMG holds an indirect minority 49% position.
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund is obligated by its Investment Advisory Agreement to pay an annual management fee to the Investment Manager of 0.54% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Investment Manager, in turn, pays Beutel Goodman a portion of this fee for its services as Subadviser. Under a separate Administration Agreement with the Fund, the Investment Manager provides a variety of administrative services to the Fund and receives an annual administrative fee from the Fund for these services of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
amg GW&K small/mid cap growth FUND
GW&K has day-to-day responsibility for managing the Fund’s portfolio. GW&K, located at 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, has advised individual and institutional clients since 1974 and, as of December 31, 2022, had assets under management of approximately $46.8 billion. AMG indirectly owns a majority interest in GW&K.
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund is obligated by its Investment Advisory Agreement to pay an annual management fee to the Investment Manager of 0.62% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Investment Manager, in turn, pays GW&K a portion of this fee for its services as Subadviser. Under a separate Administration Agreement with the Fund, the Investment Manager provides a variety of administrative services to the Fund and receives an annual administrative fee from the Fund for these services of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
amg montrusco bolton large cap growth fund
Montrusco Bolton has day-to-day responsibility for managing the Fund’s portfolio. Montrusco Bolton is located at 1501 McGill College Avenue, Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A3M8. As of December 31, 2022, Montrusco Bolton had assets under management of approximately $7.6 billion. AMG indirectly owns a majority interest in Montrusco Bolton.
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund is obligated by its Investment Advisory Agreement to pay an annual management fee to the Investment Manager of 0.48% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Investment Manager, in turn, pays Montrusco Bolton a portion of this fee for its services as Subadviser. Under a separate Administration Agreement with the Fund, the Investment Manager provides a variety of administrative services to the Fund and receives an annual administrative fee from the Fund for these services of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

35AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
Portfolio Management
The following provides information about the individual portfolio manager(s) who are either individually (for Funds with one portfolio manager) or jointly and primarily (for Funds with more than one portfolio manager) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund
David Gregoris, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Gregoris has been with Beutel Goodman since 1992, is Managing
Director, Fixed Income and has over 30 years of investment experience. As a portfolio manager, he is responsible for
oversight of the fixed income process, and co-manages the fixed income team. He is responsible for portfolio duration and
positioning, risk exposure, quantitative analysis and immunized and dedicated portfolios. Mr. Gregoris is also a member of
Beutel Goodman’s Management Committee and sits on its Board of Directors. Prior to joining Beutel Goodman, Mr. Gregoris
worked at TAL where he was a portfolio manager in charge of fixed income trading. He is a graduate of the University of
Windsor and a CFA charterholder.
Effective June 30, 2023, Mr. Gregoris will retire from Beutel Goodman and no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the
Fund.
Derek Brown, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Brown joined Beutel Goodman in 2016, is a Senior Vice President,
Co-Head Fixed Income, and has over 15 years of investment experience. He is a portfolio manager and co-lead of the fixed
income team. His strategic responsibilities include portfolio duration, positioning and risk exposure management. Prior to
joining Beutel Goodman, Mr. Brown worked at Fiera Capital where he was a fixed income portfolio manager. He is a
graduate of Concordia University, McGill University and a CFA charterholder.
Sue McNamara, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Ms. McNamara joined Beutel Goodman in 2006, is a Senior Vice
President, Fixed Income, and has over 30 years of investment experience. She is a portfolio manager and strategist with
additional responsibilities for credit analysis and product design. Prior to joining Beutel Goodman, Ms. McNamara worked as
a Research Analyst for several of the large brokerage houses, most recently at BMO Nesbitt Burns. She is a graduate of the
University of Western Ontario and is a CFA charterholder.
Neil McCabe, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. McCabe joined Beutel Goodman in 2019, is Vice President, Fixed
Income, and has over 15 years of investment experience, especially in the area of high-yield credit. Prior to joining Beutel
Goodman, he worked as a portfolio manager for Fiera Capital. Mr. McCabe is a graduate of McMaster University and IESE
Business School and is a CFA charterholder.
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
Stanley Wu, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Wu joined Beutel Goodman in 2016, is Vice President, U.S. and
International Equities, and has over 20 years of investment experience. He is a portfolio manager and research analyst
specializing in U.S. and global equities. Most recently, Mr. Wu worked at Jarislowsky Fraser as co-manager of their
international and global equity strategies and was involved in oversight of the firm’s research process. Previous to that, he was
an equity analyst at Letko Brosseau & Associates. Mr. Wu is a graduate of McGill University, the Chinese Academy of
Sciences and Zhejiang University. He is also a CFA Charterholder.
KC Parker, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Parker joined Beutel Goodman in 2006, is Vice President, U.S. and
International Equities, and has over 15 years of investment experience. He is a portfolio manager and research analyst
specializing in U.S. and global equities. Prior to joining Beutel Goodman, Mr. Parker was senior partner in an Ottawa-based
technology firm. He is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and a CFA charterholder.
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
Daniel L. Miller, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Miller joined GW&K in December 2008 as Partner and Director of
Equities, responsible for overseeing all aspects of GW&K’s equity group, including portfolio management, research and
trading. He is a member of GW&K’s Investment Committee. Mr. Miller spent 21 years at Putnam Investments,where he was
Chief Investment Officer for the Specialty Growth Group from 1996 to 2004. After retiring from Putnam Investments in 2004,
Mr. Miller worked as an investment consultant and financial consultant for various companies from 2004 to 2008, until he
joined GW&K.
Joseph C. Craigen, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Craigen joined GW&K in 2008 and is a Partner and Equity Portfolio
Manager. He is a member of the GW&K Equity team analyzing small and mid cap companies and is also a member of the
firm’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining GW&K, Mr. Craigen held research analyst positions at Citizens Funds and
Needham & Company, and was a research associate at Tucker Anthony.

36AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
Jean David Meloche, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Meloche is Head of Global and U.S. Equities at Montrusco Bolton and
is the lead portfolio manager for Montrusco Bolton’s U.S. equity and global equity strategies. He joined Montrusco Bolton in
January 2005 as an equity analyst, covering the financial sector. Mr. Meloche holds a Bachelor of Business Administration
specialized in Finance from HEC Montréal. In addition, he holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation (CFA).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Trustees of the Trust oversee generally the operations of the Funds and the Trust. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds’ investment manager, subadvisers, administrator, custodian, transfer agent, accountants and distributor, who provide services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual shareholder or group of shareholders any right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.
This Prospectus provides information concerning the Trust and the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of a Fund. None of this Prospectus, the SAI or any contract that is an exhibit to the Trust’s registration statement, is intended to, nor does it, give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Funds and any investor, or give rise to any contract or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

37AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Your Account
You may invest in Class N, Class I, or Class Z shares, however not all share classes are available for each Fund. Each class of shares is subject to different types and levels of expenses and minimum initial investment amounts, as described below.
The Class N shares of the Funds are subject to the expenses of a 12b-1 plan of distribution adopted by the Board of Trustees, and certain classes of shares of the Funds bear shareholder servicing fees in different amounts. Because each class bears fees and expenses in different amounts, the NAV per share of the classes may differ. In all other material respects, Class N, Class I, and Class Z shares are the same, each share representing a proportionate interest in a Fund. Each Fund and each class of shares is subject to a minimum initial investment amount, as described below. As an investor, you pay no sales charge to invest in the Funds or to redeem out of the Funds.
Your purchase or redemption of Fund shares is based on each class’s share price. The price at which you purchase and redeem your shares is based on the NAV per share next determined after your purchase or redemption order is received on each day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for trading. The NAV per share of each class of shares of a Fund is equal to the class’s net worth (assets minus liabilities) divided by the number of shares outstanding for that class. The NAV for each class is calculated at the close of regular business of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. Purchase orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also receive that day’s offering price provided that the purchase orders the processing organization transmits to the Funds were received by the processing organization in proper form before 4:00 p.m. Likewise, redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also be redeemed at the NAV computed that day provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to the Funds were received by the processing organization in proper form before 4:00 p.m.
Current net asset values per share for each Fund are available on the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com.
Investments traded in foreign markets may trade when the NYSE is closed. Those investments are generally valued at the closing of the exchange where they are primarily traded. Foreign securities may trade on days when a Fund is not open for business, thus affecting the value of a Fund’s assets on days when Fund shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.
FAIR VALUE POLICY
Each Fund’s investments are generally valued based on market quotations provided by third-party pricing services. Under certain circumstances, a Fund investment will be priced based on an evaluation of its fair value, under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Each Fund may use the fair value of a portfolio investment to calculate its NAV in the event that the market quotation, price or market based valuation for the portfolio investment is not deemed to be readily available or otherwise not determinable pursuant to the
Funds’ valuation procedures, if the Investment Manager believes the quotation, price or market based valuation to be unreliable, or in certain other circumstances.
Portfolio investments that trade primarily on foreign markets are priced based upon the market quotation of such securities as of the close of their respective principal markets. Unless a foreign equity security is fair valued, if there are no reported sales for such security on the valuation date, it may be valued at the last quoted bid price or the mean between the last quoted bid and ask prices. Securities held in each Fund that can be fair valued by the applicable fair value pricing service are fair valued on each business day provided that each individual price exceeds a pre-established confidence level.
Each Fund may invest in securities that may be thinly traded. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures to adjust prices of securities that are judged to be stale so that they reflect fair value. An investment valued on the basis of its fair value may be valued at a price higher or lower than available market quotations.
Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Funds’ Board has designated the Funds Investment Manager as the FundsValuation Designee” to perform the Funds fair value determinations, which are subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to ensure that the Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Investment Manager’s fair value determinations.

38AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Choosing a Share Class
Investors can choose among the following share classes when investing in the Funds:
Class Z
Class I
Class N
Not all share classes are available for each Fund.
The classes differ in expense structure and eligibility requirements. When choosing a share class, it is important to consider these three factors:
The amount you plan to invest;
Your investment objectives; and
The expenses and charges for the class.
We recommend that you discuss your investment goals and choices with your financial professional to determine which share class is right for you.
Class N Shares
Class N shares have no up-front sales charges or deferred sales charges. Your entire amount invested purchases Fund shares at the Class N’s NAV. Shareholders may bear shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.15% with respect to AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund and AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund for shareholder servicing provided by financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers (including fund supermarket platforms), banks, and trust companies. See “Investing Through an Intermediary” below for more information on shareholder servicing fees paid to financial intermediaries. Shareholders of Class N shares also pay distribution (12b-1) fees of 0.25%. See “Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees” below for more information on 12b-1 fees.
Class I Shares
Class I shares have no up-front sales charges or deferred sales charges. Your entire amount invested purchases Fund shares at the Class I’s NAV. Shareholders may bear shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.10% with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund and up to 0.05% with respect to the Funds other than AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund for shareholder servicing provided by financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers (including fund supermarket platforms), banks, and trust companies. See “Investing Through an Intermediary” below for more information on shareholder servicing fees paid to financial intermediaries. The Class I shares do not pay distribution (12b-1) fees. Shareholders who transact in Class I shares through a financial intermediary may be required to pay a commission to the financial intermediary for effecting such transactions.
Class Z Shares *
Class Z shares have no up-front sales charges or deferred sales charges. Your entire amount invested purchases Fund shares at the Class Z’s NAV. Shareholders do not bear shareholder servicing fees for shareholder servicing provided by financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers (including fund supermarket platforms), banks, and trust companies. See “Investing Through an Intermediary” below for more information on shareholder servicing fees paid to financial intermediaries. The Class Z shares do not pay distribution (12b-1) fees.
*Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares if the account is held directly on the books of the Fund (e.g., not through an omnibus or NSCC networked account established by a financial intermediary).

Investing Through an Intermediary
If you invest through a third party such as a bank, broker-dealer (including through a fund supermarket platform), trust company or other financial intermediary (each of the above, a “Financial Intermediary”), rather than directly with the Funds, certain purchase and redemption policies, fees, and minimum investment amounts may differ from those described in this Prospectus. Many, if not all, of these Financial Intermediaries may receive various forms of compensation in connection with the sale of Fund shares and/or the servicing of shareholder accounts. Such compensation from the Funds may include receipt of distribution (12b-1) fees and/or shareholder servicing fees. For more information on 12b-1 fees, see “Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees” below. Shareholder servicing fees are paid out of the assets of each of the Class N shares of AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund and AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund and Class I shares of each Fund (each, a “service fee bearing share class”) on an ongoing basis for the receipt of certain shareholder services from Financial
Intermediaries (including through fund supermarket platforms), including account maintenance, recordkeeping or sub-accounting, forwarding communications to shareholders, providing shareholders with account statements, transaction processing and customer liaison services, and will increase the cost to shareholders who invest in a service fee bearing share class. These payments are made pursuant to written agreements between the Financial Intermediaries and the Investment Manager, the Distributor and/or a Fund.
Class I shares, which do not have any front-end sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge, or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution, such as a distribution (12b-1) fee, may be available on brokerage platforms of Financial Intermediaries that have agreements with the Distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as your agent. If you transact in Class I shares through such a Financial Intermediary, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the Financial Intermediary for effecting

39AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Investing Through an Intermediary (CONTINUED)
such transactions. Shares of the Funds are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
The Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor may pay additional compensation (directly out of their own resources and not as an expense of a Fund) to certain affiliated or unaffiliated Financial Intermediaries in connection with the sale, including distribution, marketing and promotional services, or retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. To the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) rules and other applicable laws and regulations, the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and the Distributor may make other payments or allow other promotional incentives to Financial Intermediaries. This compensation may provide such Financial Intermediaries with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Funds over
other investment options. Any such payments may be substantial; however, they will be made by the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor, as applicable, not by the Funds or their shareholders, and will not change the NAV or the price of the Funds’ shares.
You can ask your Financial Intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor and any services it provides, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges and which share class(es) you are eligible to purchase.

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
The Funds have adopted Plans of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 (each a 12b-1 Plan) for Class N shares that allow the Funds to pay the Distributor and Financial Intermediaries for selling and distributing Class N shares (for example, for sales, marketing, and promotional activities and to cover related expenses) and for providing service to shareholders of Class N shares. Payments made pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan for Class N shares of AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap
Growth Fund and AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund may only be used to pay distribution expenses incurred in the current year. Because 12b-1 fees are deducted from the net assets of Class N on an ongoing basis, they increase the cost of your investment the longer you hold it, and will result in lower total returns and may end up costing you more than other types of sales charges.

Transaction Policies
OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT
You can set up your account either through a registered financial professional or on your own, by submitting your completed application to the Funds with your initial investment. Your account application must be in “good order” before we can process it; that is, the application must contain all of the information and documentation requested. Failing to provide what we request may delay the purchase date or cause us to reject your application and return your investment monies.
To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires the Trust to verify identifying information provided by each investor in its application, and the Trust may require further identifying documentation. The Trust also must maintain and update identifying information and conduct monitoring to identify and report suspicious transactions. If the Trust is unable to verify the information shortly after your account is opened or within a reasonable amount of time after a request for updated information, the account may be closed and your shares redeemed at their net asset value at the time of the redemption.
BUYING AND SELLING Fund SHARES
You may buy shares of the Funds once you set up an account. You also may buy additional shares or sell your shares any day that the NYSE is open for business. When you buy or sell Fund shares, the price is the NAV per share that is calculated after we receive your order in proper form. Each class’s NAV is calculated at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time.
PROCESSING ORDERS
The Funds typically expect to pay out redemption proceeds on the next business day after a redemption request is received in good order if redemption proceeds are sent by wire. If redemption proceeds are sent by check via express mail or Automated Clearing House (“ACH”), the Funds typically expect to pay out redemption proceeds within two business days after a redemption request is received in good order. If redemption proceeds are sent by check via regular mail, the Funds typically expect to pay out redemption proceeds within five to seven business days after a redemption request is received in good order.
If you sell shares of the Funds, the Funds will send your check to the address we have on file for your account. A request to send a check to any other address or a third party requires a signature medallion guarantee. If the sale of your shares follows a purchase by check, the Funds may hold the proceeds of your sale for up to 15 calendar days

40AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Transaction Policies (CONTINUED)
to ensure that the check has cleared. ACH transactions are also subject to a 15 calendar day holding period. A Fund may delay sending out sales proceeds for up to seven days. This usually applies to very large sales without notice, excessive trading, or during unusual market conditions.
Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio and/or selling portfolio assets to generate cash. A Fund also may pay redemption proceeds using cash obtained through borrowing arrangements (including interfund lending) that may be available from time to time.
A Fund may pay all or a portion of redemption proceeds with in-kind distributions of portfolio securities when such action is in the best interest of the Fund. For example, a shareholder may request a redemption in-kind to avoid any disruption in market exposure, or a redemption may be so relatively large that a redemption in-kind is most appropriate. The securities received as payment remain subject to market and other risks until they are sold and such sales may result in transaction costs, such as brokerage fees. A redeeming shareholder may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of the redemption. In addition, a redemption is generally a taxable event for shareholders, regardless of whether the redemption is satisfied in cash or in-kind.
During periods of deteriorating or stressed market conditions, when an increased portion of a Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, or during extraordinary or emergency circumstances, the Fund may be more likely to pay redemption proceeds with cash obtained through short-term borrowing arrangements (if available) or by giving you securities.

41AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
How to Buy or Sell Shares
 
If you wish to open an account
and buy shares*...
If you wish to add shares to your
account*...
If you wish to sell shares*...
Through your registered
investment professional:
Contact your investment advisor or
other investment professional
Send any additional monies to your
investment professional to the
address on your account statement
Contact your investment advisor or
other investment professional
On your own:
By mail
Complete the account application,
then, through March 8, 2023, mail
the application and a check payable
to AMG Funds to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023,
completed applications and checks
should instead be mailed to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Through March 8, 2023, send a
letter of instruction and a check
payable to AMG Funds to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, letters of
instruction and checks should instead
be mailed to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
(Include your account number and
Fund name on your check)
Write a letter of instruction containing:
• Name of the Fund
• Dollar amount or number of
shares you wish to sell
• Your name
• Your account number
• Signatures of all account owners
Through March 8, 2023, mail your
letter to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment
Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, letters
should instead be mailed to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
By telephone
Not available
If your account has already been
established, call the transfer agent at
800.548.4539
If you elected telephone redemption
privileges on your account application,
call us at 800.548.4539. Telephone
redemptions are available only for
redemptions of less than $100,000 for
Class N shares and Class I shares and
less than $250,000 for Class Z shares.
Over the Internet
Not available
If your account has already been
established and ACH banking
instructions are on file, go to our
website at
www.amgfunds.com
Go to our website at
www.amgfunds.com. Internet
redemptions are available only for
redemptions of less than $100,000 for
Class N shares and Class I shares and
less than $250,000 for Class Z shares.
By bank wire
Call us at 800.548.4539 for
instructions
Call us at 800.548.4539 for
instructions
Available if bank wire instructions are
on file for your account.
*Please indicate which class of shares you are buying or selling when you place your order.
Redemptions of $100,000 and over for Class N and Class I shares and $250,000 and over for Class Z shares require a medallion signature guarantee. A medallion guarantee is a signature guarantee by a guarantor institution such as a bank, broker-dealer, credit union, national securities exchange, or savings association that is a recognized participant of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) 2000.  Telephone and Internet redemptions are available only for redemptions that are below $100,000 for Class N and Class I shares and below $250,000 for Class Z shares.

42AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
How to Buy or Sell Shares (CONTINUED)
INVESTMENT MINIMUMS
Your cash investments in the Funds must be in U.S. dollars. We do not accept third-party or “starter” checks.
 
Initial Investment
Additional Investments
Class N:
 
 
• Regular Accounts
$2,000
$100
• Individual Retirement Accounts
$1,000
$100
Class I:
 
 
• Regular Accounts
$100,000
$100
• Individual Retirement Accounts
$25,000
$100
Class Z:
 
 
• Regular Accounts
$5,000,000
$1,000
• Individual Retirement Accounts (Direct Accounts Only)
$50,000
$1,000

The minimum initial and additional investment amounts may be waived for investments by current or retired officers and Trustees of the Trust and other funds of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, as well as their family members; current or retired officers, directors, and employees of AMG and affiliated companies of AMG; the immediate family members of any such officer, director, or employee (including parents, grandparents, spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, fathers/mothers-in-law, sisters/brothers-in-law, daughters/sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, and domestic partners); a trust or plan established primarily for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons; certain omnibus accounts, mutual fund advisory platforms and fee-based investment platforms via a custodian or clearing firm (Class I shares); and certain qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and 457 plans. Additionally, a Fund or the Distributor may, in its discretion, waive the minimum initial or additional investment amounts at any time.
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
Subject to the approval of the Trust and in accordance with the Trust’s policies and procedures, an investor may purchase shares of a Fund with securities that are eligible for purchase by the Fund (consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions) and that have a value that is readily ascertainable and determined in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies. These transactions will be effected only if the Investment Manager or the Subadviser intends to retain the security in a Fund as an investment. Assets purchased by a Fund in such transactions will be valued in generally the same manner as they would be valued for purposes of pricing the Fund’s shares, if such assets were included in the Fund’s assets at the time of purchase. The Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate this practice at any time.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
If you are selling $100,000 or more worth of Class N or Class I shares or $250,000 or more worth of Class Z shares, you will need to provide a Fund with a medallion guarantee, an imprint that verifies the authenticity of your signature. The medallion program offers shareholders added protection because it guarantees that the person who signs the transaction request is the actual shareholder or legally authorized representative.
We accept medallion imprints only from a guarantor institution such as a bank, broker-dealer, credit union, national securities exchange, or savings association that is a recognized participant of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) 2000. When requesting a medallion signature guarantee from a guarantor institution, please be sure it is issued in an amount that covers your planned transaction. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTIONS
The Funds are not responsible for any losses due to unauthorized transactions as long as the Funds follow reasonable security procedures designed to verify your identity. It is your responsibility to review and verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell and exchange shares by telephone or the Internet, call the Funds at 800.548.4539 for instructions.
LIMITATIONS ON THE FUNDS
The Funds may restrict or limit certain transactions, including, but not limited to, the following examples:
Redeem your account if its value (i) falls below $500 for Class N shares, $25,000 for Class I shares or $50,000 for Class Z shares due to redemptions you make, or (ii) is below $100, but, in each case, not until after a Fund gives you at least 60 days’ notice and the opportunity to increase your account balance to the minimum account balance amount.
If an investor in Class I shares of a Fund falls below the minimum initial investment required, the Fund may convert your position(s) in Class I shares of the Fund to the respective Class N shares of that Fund, if applicable. Unless you did not meet the minimum initial investment, a Fund will give you 30 days’ notice before the Fund converts your Fund position(s). This gives you an opportunity to purchase enough shares to raise the value of your Fund position(s) above the applicable minimum initial investment. A Fund will not redeem or close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans because they do not meet the applicable minimum investment requirement. A Fund may close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings

43AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
How to Buy or Sell Shares (CONTINUED)
Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures. If these account types are invested in Class I shares below the required minimum investment, a Fund may convert the Fund position(s) to the Class N. Additionally, a Fund will not convert Class I Fund position(s) where there is an effective “letter of intent.”
Suspend sales or postpone payments when the NYSE is closed for any reason other than its usual weekend or holiday closings or when the SEC restricts trading;
Change the minimum required investment amounts;
Refuse a buy order for any reason, including your failure to submit a properly completed application;
Refuse an exchange request for any person or group if a Fund determines that the request could adversely affect the Fund, for example, if the person or group has engaged in excessive trading. (See “Limiting Trades” below.) This determination is at the Investment Manager’s discretion, based on a case-by-case analysis consistent with the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding frequent trading; and
End or limit the exchange privilege policy after giving 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders or impose fees in connection with exchanges or sales.
The Funds or the Funds’ transfer agent may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the account of a “Specified Adult” (as that term is defined in FINRA Rule 2165) based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, subject to certain conditions.
In connection with the Trust’s anti-money laundering efforts, the Trust also may redeem Fund shares at their net asset value and close a shareholder’s account if a shareholder fails to timely provide the Trust with any requested documentation or information, the Trust is unable to verify such documentation or information within a reasonable amount of time, or the Trust is otherwise required by law to redeem Fund shares.
FREQUENT TRADING POLICY
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent frequent trading in shares of the Funds. Frequent trading may result from an effort by a shareholder to engage in “market timing.” These activities may disrupt management of the Funds’ portfolios, increase the Funds’ expenses,
and have a negative impact on the Funds’ performance. In addition, AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund may be subject to additional risks of frequent trading activities because of the potential for time-zone arbitrage relating to the foreign and emerging market portfolio securities held by the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be a target for investors that seek to capitalize on price arbitrage opportunities. There may be additional risks due to frequent trading activities. As described previously, the Funds have adopted procedures to minimize these risks.
Monitoring Trades
To help prevent frequent trading, the Investment Manager monitors the trading activities of Fund accounts on a daily basis, including large accounts maintained directly with the Funds' transfer agent. If the Investment Manager determines that an account shows a pattern of excessive trading and/or excessive exchanging among the AMG Funds Family of Funds, the Investment Manager reviews the account’s activities and may warn the account owner and/or restrict the account. The Investment Manager also notifies the Funds' transfer agent of any restriction and periodically informs the Board of Trustees about the implementation of these frequent trading policies and procedures.
Limiting Trades
The Funds may refuse a purchase order for any reason and will limit or refuse an exchange request if the Investment Manager believes that a shareholder is engaging in market timing activities that may harm the Funds and their shareholders. Transactions accepted by a Financial Intermediary that violate the Funds' frequent trading policies are not considered to be acceptable by the Funds, and the Funds may reject them on the next business day after the Financial Intermediary has received them.
Although the Funds use reasonable efforts to prevent market timing activities in the Funds, their efforts may not always succeed. For example, although the Funds strive to apply these policies and procedures uniformly to all accounts, the Funds receive certain purchase, exchange, and redemption orders through Financial Intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the Funds. Although the Funds have attempted to put safeguards in place to ensure that Financial Intermediaries have implemented procedures designed to deter market timing, the Funds' ability to detect frequent trading activities by investors who hold shares through omnibus accounts at Financial Intermediaries will still be limited by the ability of the Funds and such intermediaries to monitor for a pattern of excessive trading and/or excessive exchanging within an omnibus account.

Investor Services
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENTS
You may arrange to make automatic deductions at regular intervals from a designated bank account.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT PLAN
This plan lets you conveniently reinvest your dividends and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the Funds.

44AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Investor Services (CONTINUED)
AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS
With this feature, you can easily redeem a set amount each month from your account. You may make automatic monthly redemptions of $100 or more. Redemptions are normally completed on the 25th day of each month. If the 25th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the Funds will complete the redemption on the next business day.
RETIREMENT PLANS
You may hold your shares in a traditional or Roth IRA, which are available to you at no additional cost. Call us at 800.548.4539 to get more information and an IRA kit.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
To enhance your investment flexibility, we allow you to exchange your shares of the Funds for shares of other funds in the Trust or for shares of other funds managed by the Investment Manager, subject to the applicable investment minimum. Not all funds managed by the Investment Manager offer all classes of shares or are open to new investors. In addition to exchanging into other funds managed by the Investment Manager, as described above, you also may exchange your shares of a Fund through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the “JPMorgan Fund”).
In addition, the following restrictions apply:
Except for the JPMorgan Fund, the value of the shares exchanged must meet the minimum purchase requirement of the fund and class for which you are exchanging them. There is no minimum purchase requirement to exchange into the JPMorgan Fund if you exchange out of a Fund through the Investment Manager.
There is no fee associated with the exchange privilege; however, your exchange may result in tax consequences. For details, see “Taxability of Transactions” below.
The exchange privilege is available only if both of the accounts involved in the transaction are registered in the same name with the same address and taxpayer identification number (“TIN”).
You can request your exchange in writing, by telephone (if elected on the application), by Internet, or through your investment advisor, bank, or investment professional. Normally, we will execute the entire exchange transaction in a single business day.
Be sure to read the prospectus of any fund that you are considering for an exchange. Subject to the restrictions above, when you purchase a fund’s shares by exchange, the same terms and conditions that apply to any new investment in that fund also apply to the
exchange. The Funds may discontinue, alter, or limit the exchange privileges at any time, subject to applicable law.
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
The Funds will send you quarterly and yearly statements with details about your account activity. The Funds will also send you a Form 1099-DIV annually (unless your account is an IRA) that shows the tax breakdown of any dividends and distributions you received from your account. In addition, you will receive a confirmation after each trade execution.
COST BASIS REPORTING
Upon the redemption or exchange of your shares in a Fund, the Fund or, if you purchase your shares through a Financial Intermediary, your Financial Intermediary generally will be required to provide you and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with cost basis information. This cost basis reporting requirement is effective for shares purchased, including through dividend reinvestment, on or after January 1, 2012. Please see www.amgfunds.com or contact the Funds at 800.548.4539, or consult your Financial Intermediary, as appropriate, for more information regarding available methods for cost basis reporting and how to select a particular method. Please consult your tax advisor to determine which available cost basis method is best for you.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Funds normally declare and pay out income dividends annually in December, with the exception of AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund. AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund normally declares and pays out income dividends monthly. The Funds normally declare and pay out net realized capital gain distributions, if any, annually in December. Most investors have their dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares, and the Funds will do this automatically unless you request otherwise. You may also change your elections any time by giving the Funds written notice at least 10 days before the scheduled payment date.
CHANGES TO YOUR ACCOUNT
The Funds will mail correspondence and other materials to the address on file for you. Please notify the Funds immediately of any changes to your address or to other information that might affect your account.

Certain Federal Income Tax Information
The following tax information is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to an investment in the Funds under the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect as of the date of
this Prospectus. A more detailed tax discussion is provided in the SAI. The Funds do not intend for this information to address all aspects of taxation that may apply to individual shareholders or to

45AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Certain Federal Income Tax Information (CONTINUED)
specific types of shareholders such as insurance companies, financial institutions, tax-advantaged retirement plans, broker-dealers, and foreign persons, each of whom may qualify for special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. You should consult a tax advisor about the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences to you of your investment in the Funds based on your particular circumstances.
Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify and be eligible to be treated each taxable year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at a corporate level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, a Fund must meet certain requirements. One of these requirements is that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income in each taxable year derive from qualifying income. Each Fund invests in a manner that is consistent with its current understanding of these requirements. A Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in corporate-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders. A Fund may invest in commodity-linked ETNs. It is not certain under current law whether the income and gain derived from commodity-linked ETNs constitute qualifying income. If the income or gain from a particular instrument were later determined not to constitute qualifying income, and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused a Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it were eligible to and were to cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax.
TAXABILITY OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long each Fund owned or is considered to have owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your shares.
Distributions from the sale of investments that a Fund owns or is considered to have owned for more than one year and that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends are treated as long-term capital gains includible in your net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates.
Distributions from the sale of investments that a Fund owns or is considered to have owned for one year or less are taxable as ordinary income.
Properly reported distributions of “qualified dividend income” are taxable to you at the rate that applies to net capital gains, provided that both you and such distributing Fund meet certain holding period and other requirements.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of certain individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net
investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
Distributions are taxable to you in the same manner whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.
Distributions by a Fund to retirement plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws are not taxable. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you typically will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the suitability of a Fund as an investment through your retirement plan and the tax treatment of distributions (including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in a Fund) from such a plan.
TAXABILITY OF TRANSACTIONS
Any gain or loss that results from the sale, exchange (including an exchange of a Funds shares for shares of another fund) or redemption of your shares will be treated generally as capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which will be long-term or short-term depending on how long you have held your shares.
OTHER TAX MATTERS
A Fund’s investments in foreign securities, if any, may be subject to foreign taxes. In that case, the Fund’s return on those securities would generally be decreased. The application of certain foreign taxes, including withholding taxes, may be unclear. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of a taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass through” to you foreign income taxes that it pays. If a Fund is eligible to and does so elect, you will be required to include your share of those taxes in gross income as a distribution from the Fund and you generally will be allowed to claim a credit (or if you itemize deductions and so choose, a deduction), for such amounts on your U.S. federal income tax return, subject to certain limitations. If the Fund is not eligible to or does not so elect, shareholders will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund; in that case the foreign tax will nonetheless reduce the Fund’s taxable income.
Certain of a Fund’s investments, including certain debt instruments, derivatives, including commodity-linked instruments, foreign securities or foreign currencies, and shares of other investment funds, such as ETFs and REITs, could affect the amount, timing and character of distributions you receive and could cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such investments (which may require the Fund to sell other investments in order to make required distributions).

46AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Certain Federal Income Tax Information (CONTINUED)
Because the tax rules applicable to such investments may be uncertain under current U.S. federal income tax law, an adverse determination or future IRS guidance with respect to these rules may affect whether a Fund has derived its income from the proper sources, made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information.
TAX WITHHOLDING
To avoid back-up withholding of U.S. federal income taxes on distributions or sale proceeds, federal law requires you to:
Provide your Social Security Number (“SSN”) or other TIN;
Certify that your SSN or TIN is correct; and
Certify that you are not subject to back-up withholding.
In addition, the Funds must also withhold taxes on distributions and sale proceeds if the IRS notifies the Funds that the SSN or TIN you provided is incorrect, or the IRS notifies the Funds that you have failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income.

47AMG Funds

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Financial Highlights
The following Financial Highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past five fiscal years (or since inception). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a Fund assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited and reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the Funds’ Annual Report, which is available upon request.
AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$10.72
$10.76
$10.74
$10.23
$10.68
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.24
0.20
0.27
0.34
0.29
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.97)
0.03
0.05
0.53
(0.43)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.73)
0.23
0.32
0.87
(0.14)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.30)
(0.27)
(0.30)
(0.36)
(0.31)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.69
$10.72
$10.76
$10.74
$10.23
Total Return2,3
(16.41)%
2.19%
3.01%
8.67%
(1.33)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.68%
0.83%
0.94%
0.94%
0.94%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets4
0.72%
0.90%
1.01%
1.02%
1.01%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
2.47%
1.85%
2.54%
3.24%
2.80%
Portfolio turnover
76%
174%
96%
47%
69%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$22,706
$37,301
$56,175
$82,856
$102,138
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$10.71
$10.75
$10.74
$10.23
$10.67
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.26
0.22
0.30
0.37
0.32
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.96)
0.04
0.03
0.53
(0.42)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.70)
0.26
0.33
0.90
(0.10)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.32)
(0.30)
(0.32)
(0.39)
(0.34)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.69
$10.71
$10.75
$10.74
$10.23
Total Return2,3
(16.17)%
2.44%
3.17%
8.94%
(0.98)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.48%
0.60%
0.69%
0.69%
0.69%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets4
0.52%
0.67%
0.76%
0.77%
0.76%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
2.67%
2.08%
2.79%
3.49%
3.05%
Portfolio turnover
76%
174%
96%
47%
69%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$137,592
$218,278
$433,881
$585,358
$467,024

49AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$10.72
$10.76
$10.74
$10.24
$10.68
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.27
0.23
0.31
0.38
0.33
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.98)
0.04
0.04
0.52
(0.43)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.71)
0.27
0.35
0.90
(0.10)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.32)
(0.31)
(0.33)
(0.40)
(0.34)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.69
$10.72
$10.76
$10.74
$10.24
Total Return2,3
(16.20)%
2.51%
3.35%
8.91%
(0.91)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.43%
0.53%
0.61%
0.61%
0.61%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets4
0.47%
0.60%
0.68%
0.69%
0.68%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
2.72%
2.15%
2.87%
3.57%
3.13%
Portfolio turnover
76%
174%
96%
47%
69%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$10,566
$11,864
$10,684
$2,473
$1,955
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
4
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.

50AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$11.16
$8.23
$9.56
$9.90
$11.60
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.19
0.08
0.073
0.07
0.12
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(3.02)
2.85
(1.17)
0.56
(1.31)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(2.83)
2.93
(1.10)
0.63
(1.19)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.23)
(0.20)
(0.18)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.77)
(0.33)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.23)
(0.97)
(0.51)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.33
$11.16
$8.23
$9.56
$9.90
Total Return2,4
(25.36)%5
35.60%
(11.83)%
8.34%
(10.80)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
1.18%6
1.27%
1.31%
1.32%
1.27%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets7
1.34%
1.38%
1.35%
1.32%
1.28%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
1.88%
0.73%
0.77%
0.78%
1.10%
Portfolio turnover
23%
152%
43%
28%
51%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$1,988
$5,035
$6,792
$87,998
$82,839
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$11.21
$8.28
$9.62
$9.93
$11.59
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.22
0.11
0.093
0.09
0.16
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(2.98)
2.87
(1.16)
0.57
(1.32)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(2.76)
2.98
(1.07)
0.66
(1.16)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.23)
(0.05)
(0.27)
(0.20)
(0.17)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.77)
(0.33)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.23)
(0.05)
(0.27)
(0.97)
(0.50)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.22
$11.21
$8.28
$9.62
$9.93
Total Return2,4
(25.10)%5
36.19%
(11.63)%
8.65%
(10.57)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.88%6
0.97%
1.02%
1.07%
1.00%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets7
1.04%
1.08%
1.06%
1.07%
1.01%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
2.18%
1.03%
1.06%
1.03%
1.38%
Portfolio turnover
23%
152%
43%
28%
51%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$10,686
$56,129
$166,994
$158,317
$208,184

51AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$11.18
$8.26
$9.60
$9.91
$11.59
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.22
0.12
0.103
0.10
0.16
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(2.96)
2.86
(1.16)
0.57
(1.31)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(2.74)
2.98
(1.06)
0.67
(1.15)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.26)
(0.06)
(0.28)
(0.21)
(0.20)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.77)
(0.33)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.26)
(0.06)
(0.28)
(0.98)
(0.53)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.18
$11.18
$8.26
$9.60
$9.91
Total Return2,4
(25.07)%5
36.28%
(11.56)%
8.84%
(10.52)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.78%6
0.87%
0.92%
0.96%
0.91%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets7
0.94%
0.98%
0.96%
0.96%
0.92%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
2.28%
1.13%
1.16%
1.14%
1.46%
Portfolio turnover
23%
152%
43%
28%
51%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$2,312
$4,559
$11,692
$49,054
$1,289,369
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.04, $0.06, and $0.07 for Class N,
Class I, and Class Z shares, respectively.
4
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
5
Includes a non-recurring securities litigation gain. Had the Fund not received the payment total return would have been (26.61)%, (28.11)% and
(26.17)% for Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively.
6
Includes interest expense totaling 0.02% related to participation in the interfund lending program.
7
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.

52AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$17.67
$21.14
$17.02
$16.90
$15.30
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment loss1,2
(0.08)
(0.17)
(0.17)
(0.08)
(0.12)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(4.14)
7.74
4.29
0.20
1.72
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(4.22)
7.57
4.12
0.12
1.60
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on investments
(10.55)
Paid in capital
(0.49)
Total distributions to shareholders
(11.04)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$13.45
$17.67
$21.14
$17.02
$16.90
Total Return2,3
(23.88)%4
46.66%
24.27%
0.71%
10.46%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
1.00%
1.17%
1.29%6
1.30%
1.31%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets7
1.25%
1.42%
1.60%
1.47%
1.43%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets2
(0.56)%
(0.91)%
(0.92)%
(0.48)%
(0.73)%
Portfolio turnover
23%
158%
126%
138%
161%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$24,994
$37,471
$28,908
$30,717
$37,232
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$18.39
$21.60
$17.35
$17.20
$15.54
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment loss1,2
(0.06)
(0.15)
(0.14)
(0.05)
(0.09)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(4.32)
7.98
4.39
0.20
1.75
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(4.38)
7.83
4.25
0.15
1.66
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on investments
(10.55)
Paid in capital
(0.49)
Total distributions to shareholders
(11.04)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$14.01
$18.39
$21.60
$17.35
$17.20
Total Return2,3
(23.82)%4
46.94%
24.48%
0.93%
10.68%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
0.86%
1.02%
1.10%6
1.10%
1.10%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets7
1.11%
1.27%
1.41%
1.27%
1.22%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets2
(0.42)%
(0.76)%
(0.73)%
(0.28)%
(0.52)%
Portfolio turnover
23%
158%
126%
138%
161%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$6,540
$6,612
$6,483
$14,608
$65,802

53AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal
year ended
October 31,
For the fiscal
period ended
October 31,
Class Z
2022
20218
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
$18.39
$17.84
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
Net investment loss1,2
(0.06)
(0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(4.31)
0.56
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(4.37)
0.55
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$14.02
$18.39
Total Return2,3
(23.76)%4
3.08%9
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets10
0.81%
0.82%11
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets7
1.06%
1.13%11
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets2
(0.37)%
(0.49)%11
Portfolio turnover
23%
158%
Net assets end of Period (000's) omitted
$12
$15
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment loss would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
4
Includes a non-recurring securities litigation gain. Had the Fund not received the payment total return would have been (24.68%), (24.53%) and
(24.53%) for Class N, Class I and Class Z  respectively.
5
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to 0.01%, less than 0.01%, 0.01%, less than 0.01% and 0.01% for the fiscal years ended
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
6
Includes interest expense of 0.01%.
7
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.
8
Commencement of operations was on August 31, 2021.
9
Not annualized.
10
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to 0.01% for the fiscal year ended 2022 and less than 0.01% for the fiscal period ended
October 31, 2021.
11
Annualized.

54AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$17.05
$21.50
$19.34
$20.52
$20.76
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment loss1,2
(0.00)3
(0.07)
(0.06)
(0.02)
(0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(3.26)
6.17
3.92
2.74
1.71
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(3.26)
6.10
3.86
2.72
1.70
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on investments
(3.79)
(10.55)
(1.70)
(3.90)
(1.94)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$10.00
$17.05
$21.50
$19.34
$20.52
Total Return2,4
(25.18)%
39.50%
21.36%
18.29%
8.58%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.91%
1.07%5
1.16%5
1.16%5
1.15%5
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
0.94%
1.09%
1.16%
1.17%
1.16%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets2
(0.02)%
(0.39)%
(0.30)%
(0.10)%
(0.03)%
Portfolio turnover
68%
109%
30%
20%
33%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$113,790
$175,468
$166,051
$166,353
$179,434
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$17.36
$21.69
$19.46
$20.62
$20.84
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
0.02
(0.04)
(0.03)
0.01
0.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(3.34)
6.26
3.96
2.76
1.71
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(3.32)
6.22
3.93
2.77
1.74
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.03)
(0.02)
Net realized gain on investments
(3.79)
(10.55)
(1.70)
(3.90)
(1.94)
Total distributions to shareholders
(3.79)
(10.55)
(1.70)
(3.93)
(1.96)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$10.25
$17.36
$21.69
$19.46
$20.62
Total Return2,4
(25.05)%
39.78%
21.60%
18.49%
8.75%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.73%
0.92%5
0.99%5
0.98%5
0.96%5
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
0.76%
0.94%
0.99%
0.99%
0.97%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net
assets2
0.16%
(0.24)%
(0.13)%
0.08%
0.16%
Portfolio turnover
68%
109%
30%
20%
33%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$88,895
$167,415
$309,638
$329,225
$416,208
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
Less than $(0.005) per share.
4
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
5
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to less than 0.01%, less than 0.01%, 0.01% and less than 0.01% for the fiscal years ended
2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
6
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.

55AMG Funds

How To Contact Us
AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund
AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND ADMINISTRATOR
AMG Funds LLC
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
203.299.3500 or 800.548.4539
DISTRIBUTOR
AMG Distributors, Inc.
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York Mellon
Mutual Funds Custody
6023 Airport Road
Oriskany, New York 13424
LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600
TRANSFER AGENT
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9769
800.548.4539
Effective March 9, 2023, the Transfer Agent’s mailing address will change to the following:
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15253-4426
TRUSTEES
Bruce B. Bingham
Kurt A. Keilhacker
Steven J. Paggioli
Eric Rakowski
Victoria L. Sassine
Garret W. Weston

56AMG Funds

AMG Funds
Prospectus
March 1, 2023

Where to find additional information
The Funds' Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) contains additional information about the Funds and their investments. Additional information about the Funds' investments is available in the Funds' Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In each Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.
To request free copies of these materials or to make other inquiries, please contact the Funds:
By telephone:
800.548.4539
By mail:
AMG Funds
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
On the Internet:
Electronic copies are available on our website
at www.amgfunds.com
Information about the Funds, including the Funds' current SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Funds' SAI is incorporated by reference into (is legally part of) this Prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Funds are also available on the EDGAR database of the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies by electronic request, after paying a duplicating fee, via email to publicinfo@sec.gov.
© 2023 AMG Funds LLC
Investment Company Act Registration Number 811-08004
www.amgfunds.com

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or
determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
P092-0323


AMG Funds
Prospectus
March 1, 2023

AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
Class N: ARDEX
Class I: ARIDX
Class Z: ARZDX
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
Class N: ARRFX
Class I: AFAVX
Class Z: ARRZX
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund
Class N: ARLSX
Class I: ALSIX
Class Z: ARLZX
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund
Class N: CHTTX
Class I: ABMIX
Class Z: ABIZX
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund
Class N: ARSMX
Class I: ARIMX
Class Z: ARSZX
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund
Class N: ARSVX
Class I: ARSIX
Class Z: ARZMX
www.amgfunds.com

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or
determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
P101-0323

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
3
3
7
11
16
20
24
 
 
28
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
45
45
 
 
50
50
51
51
52
52
54
56
57
 
 
61
61
63
65
67
69
71
 
 
73

1AMG Funds

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Summary of The Funds
AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide high current income and, secondarily, long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee1
0.50%
0.50%
0.50%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses1
0.26%
0.26%
0.22%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses2
1.01%
0.76%
0.72%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements3
(0.03)%
(0.03)%
(0.03)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements2,3
0.98%
0.73%
0.69%
1Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
2The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the Financial Highlights section of this Prospectus, which reflect only the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include fees and expenses of any acquired fund, which are reflected in “Other Expenses” above.
3AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.68% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger
in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$100
$319
$555
$1,234
Class I
$75
$240
$419
$939
Class Z
$70
$227
$398
$892
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. The Fund invests in a diversified, all-cap portfolio of income-producing equity securities with yields that River Road Asset Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“River Road” or the “Subadviser”), believes will exceed that of the Russell 3000 Value Index. The Fund invests primarily in dividend paying common stocks, publicly traded partnerships (“PTPs”), and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund may also invest in foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts), convertible preferred stocks, and royalty income trusts.
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk. 

3AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.  
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. Stocks in the financials sector may comprise a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio. Unique risks of the financials sector include, but are not limited to, government regulation uncertainty, yield curve fluctuation, asset flow fluctuation, and capital market fluctuations. 
Convertible Securities Risk— convertible preferred stocks, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and pay regular dividends, and convertible debt securities, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and bear interest, are subject to the risks of equity securities and fixed income securities. The lower the conversion premium, the more likely the price of the convertible security will follow the price of the underlying common stock. Conversely, higher premium convertible securities are more likely to exhibit the behavior of bonds because the likelihood of conversion is lower, which may cause their prices to fall as interest rates rise. There is the risk that the issuer of convertible preferred stock will not be able to make dividend payments or that the issuer of a convertible bond will not be able to make principal and/or interest payments. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Master Limited Partnership Risk—investments in master limited partnerships are subject to similar risks to those associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risk of investing in the real estate or oil and gas industries. In addition, investments in master limited partnerships are subject to the risks of investing in a partnership, including limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership and fewer investor protections compared to corporations. 
PTP Risk— investing in PTPs (including master limited partnerships) involves special risks in addition to those typically associated with publicly traded companies. PTPs are exposed to the risks of their underlying assets, which in many cases includes the same types of risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk. PTPs are also subject to capital markets risk, which is the risk that they may be unable to  

4AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
raise capital to execute their growth strategies. PTPs are also subject to tax risk, which is the risk that PTPs may lose their partnership status for tax purposes. The Fund’s ability to make investments in certain PTPs, including master limited partnerships, can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and if the Fund does not appropriately limit such investments or if such investments are recharacterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. 
Real Estate Industry Risk—investments in the Fund may be subject to many of the same risks as a direct investment in real estate. The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs also depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). 
Royalty Income Trust Risk— investing in royalty income trusts, which typically passively manage royalties and net working interests in oil-, gas- or mineral-producing properties and rely on outside drilling or mining companies to extract the resources, involves certain risks not typically associated with investing in publicly traded companies. Royalty income trusts generally do not guarantee minimum distributions or return of capital. Royalty income trusts are also exposed to many of the same risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk. 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. To obtain updated performance information please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 16.58% (2nd Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -29.99% (1st Quarter 2020) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG River Road Dividend
All Cap Value Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-3.45%
5.47%
8.88%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-6.36%
2.95%
6.41%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
0.04%
4.11%
6.84%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-3.20%
5.75%
9.16%
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-3.16%
5.80%
6.28%
Russell 3000® Value Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-7.98%
6.50%
10.16%
7.19%
1Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
River Road Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
Henry W. Sanders, III, CFA
Executive Vice President of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2005.
Thomas S. Forsha, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2007.
Andrew R. McIntosh, CFA
Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since April 2018.

5AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

6AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.60%
0.60%
0.60%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses1
0.30%
0.30%
0.26%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses2
1.15%
0.90%
0.86%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements3
(0.07)%
(0.07)%
(0.07)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements2,3
1.08%
0.83%
0.79%
1Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
2The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the Financial Highlights section of this Prospectus, which reflect only the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include fees and expenses of any acquired fund, which are reflected in “Other Expenses” above.
3AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.78% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$110
$358
$626
$1,391
Class I
$85
$280
$492
$1,101
Class Z
$81
$267
$470
$1,054
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 113% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund principally invests in a portfolio of equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies and may invest in securities of all market capitalizations. Under normal conditions, the Fund intends to invest its assets in the equity securities of a limited number of issuers. In pursuing its investment strategy, the Fund will primarily invest in common stocks, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and publicly traded partnerships (“PTPs”), including, but not limited to, master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund may invest in non U.S. companies through depositary receipts or by directly investing in securities listed on foreign exchanges.
The investment philosophy of River Road Asset Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“River Road” or the “Subadviser”), is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value®  

7AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.  
In managing the Fund, the Subadviser employs an all-cap strategy that focuses on a limited number of securities representing the Subadviser’s “best ideas” across all of its core strategies. These “best ideas” are the result of the Subadviser’s risk/reward assessment, which is based on the Subadviser’s conviction about a company and opinion about the company’s discount to valuation.  
To seek to manage risk, the Subadviser employs a structured sell discipline.  
The Subadviser’s investment strategy is highly opportunistic and may result in high portfolio turnover.  
The Fund is classified as non-diversified. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Focused Investment Risk—to the extent the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in a relatively small number of securities or a particular market, industry, group of industries, country, region, group of countries, asset class or sector, it generally will be subject to greater risk than a fund that invests in a more diverse investment portfolio. In addition, the value of the Fund would be more susceptible to any single economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence affecting, for example, that particular market, industry, region or sector. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Non-Diversified Fund Risk—the Fund is non-diversified and therefore a greater percentage of holdings may be focused in a small number of issuers or a single issuer, which can place the Fund at greater risk. Notwithstanding the Fund’s status as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), which imposes its own diversification requirements that are less restrictive than the requirements applicable to “diversified” investment companies under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit its pursuit of its investment strategy and its investment strategy could limit its ability to so qualify. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
High Portfolio Turnover Risk—higher portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance by increasing Fund transaction costs and may increase a shareholder’s tax liability. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Master Limited Partnership Risk—investments in master limited partnerships are subject to similar risks to those associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risk of investing in the real estate or oil and gas industries. In addition, investments in master limited partnerships are subject to the risks of investing in a partnership, including limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership and fewer investor protections compared to corporations. 

8AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
PTP Risk— investing in PTPs (including master limited partnerships) involves special risks in addition to those typically associated with publicly traded companies. PTPs are exposed to the risks of their underlying assets, which in many cases includes the same types of risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk. PTPs are also subject to capital markets risk, which is the risk that they may be unable to raise capital to execute their growth strategies. PTPs are also subject to tax risk, which is the risk that PTPs may lose their partnership status for tax purposes. The Fund’s ability to make investments in certain PTPs, including master limited partnerships, can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and if the Fund does not appropriately limit such investments or if such investments are recharacterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. 
Real Estate Industry Risk—investments in the Fund may be subject to many of the same risks as a direct investment in real estate. The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs also depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. Stocks in the communication services and financials sectors may comprise a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio. The communication services sector is subject to government regulation and can be significantly affected by intense competition and technology changes, which may make the products and services of certain companies obsolete. Companies in the communication services sector may be more susceptible to cybersecurity issues, such as hacking, theft of proprietary or consumer information, or disruptions in service, than companies in other industries. Companies in the communication services sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to develop new products and services that utilize new technology or to meet increasing competition. Unique risks of the financials sector include, but are not limited to, government regulation uncertainty, yield curve fluctuation, asset flow fluctuation, and capital market fluctuations. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. To obtain updated performance information please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 16.94% (4th Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -30.17% (1st Quarter 2020) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG River Road Focused Absolute
Value Fund
1 Year
5 Years
Since
Inception
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-16.39%
4.18%
6.86%1
Class N
Return After Taxes on Distributions
-16.54%
3.22%
5.39%1
Class N
Return After Taxes on Distributions and
Sale of Fund Shares
-9.60%
3.08%
4.98%1
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-16.19%
4.42%
7.12%1
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-16.19%
4.46%
4.37%2
Russell 3000® Value Index
(reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses, or taxes)
-7.98%
6.50%
8.35%1
Russell 3000® Value Index
(reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses, or taxes)
-7.98%
6.50%
7.19%2
1Class N, Class I and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class N and Class I shares on November 3, 2015.
2Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).

9AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
River Road Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since November 2015.
J. Alex Brown
Chief Investment Officer of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2022.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

10AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.53%
0.53%
0.53%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses1
1.33%
1.33%
1.28%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
2.11%
1.86%
1.81%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements2
(1.08)%
(1.08)%
(1.08)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements2
1.03%
0.78%
0.73%
1Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
2AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.73% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$105
$557
$1,035
$2,356
Class I
$80
$480
$905
$2,091
Class Z
$75
$464
$879
$2,038
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 51% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity and equity equivalent securities of non-U.S. companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity and equity equivalent securities. Equity and equity equivalent securities include, but are not limited to, common stock, convertible securities, preferred securities, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and publicly traded partnerships (“PTPs”), including, but not limited to, master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). In addition, under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 40% (or if conditions are not favorable, in the view of River Road Asset Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“River Road” or the “Subadviser”), at least 30%) of its net assets in investments economically tied to countries other than the U.S., and the Fund will hold investments economically tied to a minimum of three countries other than the U.S. The Fund considers an investment to be economically tied to a country other than the U.S. if it provides investment exposure to a non-U.S. issuer. The Fund considers a company to be a non-U.S. issuer if (i) it is organized outside the U.S. or maintains a principal place of business outside the U.S., (ii) its securities are  

11AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
traded principally outside the U.S., or (iii) during its most recent fiscal year, it derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed outside the U.S. or it has at least 50% of its assets outside the U.S. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in any country, including developed and emerging market countries, directly and through depositary receipts. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in emerging market countries.  
The Fund invests primarily in securities that River Road believes are undervalued. Value investing involves buying stocks that River Road believes are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth.  
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.  
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.  
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital.  
The Fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization. Under normal conditions, the Fund intends to invest its assets in equity securities of a limited number of securities or issuers. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other  
factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Convertible Securities Risk— convertible preferred stocks, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and pay regular dividends, and convertible debt securities, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and bear interest, are subject to the risks of equity securities and fixed income securities. The lower the conversion premium, the more likely the price of the convertible security will follow the price of the underlying common stock. Conversely, higher premium convertible securities are more likely to exhibit the behavior of bonds because the likelihood of conversion is lower, which may cause their prices to fall as interest rates rise. There is the risk that the issuer of convertible preferred stock will not be able to make dividend payments or that the issuer of a convertible bond will not be able to make principal and/or interest payments. 
Emerging Markets Risk—investments in emerging markets are subject to the general risks of foreign investments, as well as additional risks which can result in greater price volatility. Such additional risks include the risk that markets in emerging market countries are typically less developed and less liquid than markets in developed countries and such markets are subjected to increased economic, political, or regulatory uncertainties. 
Focused Investment Risk—to the extent the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in a relatively small number of securities or a particular market, industry, group of industries, country, region, group of countries, asset class or sector, it generally will be subject to greater risk than a fund that invests in a more diverse investment portfolio. In addition, the value of the Fund would be more susceptible to any single economic,  

12AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
market, political or regulatory occurrence affecting, for example, that particular market, industry, region or sector. 
Geographic Focus Risk—to the extent the Fund focuses its investments in a particular country, group of countries or geographic region, the Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting such countries or region, and the Fund’s NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund and may result in losses.  
Greater China. The Fund is particularly susceptible to risks in the Greater China region, which consists of Hong Kong, The People’s Republic of China and Taiwan, among other countries. Economies in the Greater China region are dependent on the economies of other countries and can be significantly affected by currency fluctuations and increasing competition from other emerging economies in Asia with lower costs. Adverse events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries in the region or Asia as a whole. Markets in the Greater China region can experience significant volatility due to social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties. Significant portions of the Chinese securities markets may become rapidly illiquid, as Chinese issuers have the ability to suspend the trading of their equity securities, and have shown a willingness to exercise that option in response to market volatility and other events. U.S. or foreign government restrictions or intervention could negatively affect the implementation of the Fund’s investment strategies, for example by precluding the Fund from making certain investments or causing the Fund to sell investments at disadvantageous times. China has yet to develop comprehensive securities, corporate, or commercial laws, its market is relatively new and less developed, and its economy may be adversely impacted by a slowdown in export growth. The Fund may gain investment exposure to certain Chinese companies through variable interest entity (“VIE”) structures. A VIE structure enables foreign investors, such as the Fund, to obtain investment exposure to a Chinese company in situations in which the Chinese government has limited or prohibited non-Chinese ownership of such company. A VIE does not have equity ownership in its corresponding China-based company but has claims to the China-based company’s profits and control of its assets through contractual arrangements. VIEs are a common industry practice and well known to officials and regulators in China; however, VIEs are not formally recognized under Chinese law. If the Chinese government takes action adversely affecting VIEs, the market value of the Fund’s associated portfolio holdings would likely suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent consequences, which could result in substantial investment losses. 
Large-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of large-capitalization companies are generally more mature and may not be able to reach the same levels of growth as the stocks of small- or mid-capitalization companies. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Master Limited Partnership Risk—investments in master limited partnerships are subject to similar risks to those associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risk of investing in the real estate or oil and gas industries. In addition, investments in master limited partnerships are subject to the risks of investing in a partnership, including limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership and fewer investor protections compared to corporations. 
PTP Risk— investing in PTPs (including master limited partnerships) involves special risks in addition to those typically associated with publicly traded companies. PTPs are exposed to the risks of their underlying assets, which in many cases includes the same types of risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk. PTPs are also subject to capital markets risk, which is the risk that they may be unable to raise capital to execute their growth strategies. PTPs are also subject to tax risk, which is the risk that PTPs may lose their partnership status for tax purposes. The Fund’s ability to make investments in certain PTPs, including master limited partnerships, can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and if the Fund does not appropriately limit such investments or if such investments are recharacterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized. 
Real Estate Industry Risk—investments in the Fund may be subject to many of the same risks as a direct investment in real estate. The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs also depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year-to-year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of two broad-based securities market indices. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  
As of August 16, 2021, the Fund changed its name to “AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund,” adopted its current investment strategies and began comparing its performance to the MSCI EAFE Index and MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Fund’s performance information for periods prior to August 16, 2021 reflects the Fund’s investment strategy that was  

13AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
in effect at that time and would have been different had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect.  
To obtain updated performance information, please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 17.08% (4th Quarter 2022)
Worst Quarter: -10.41% (1st Quarter 2020) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG River Road
International Value Equity
Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-4.73%
4.49%
5.03%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-5.58%
1.26%
3.13%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
-2.27%
2.78%
3.53%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-4.54%
4.73%
4.79%1
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-4.47%
4.82%
4.80%2
MSCI EAFE Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-14.45%
1.54%
4.67%
4.39%1
MSCI EAFE Value Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-5.58%
0.17%
3.51%
3.32%1
MSCI EAFE Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-14.45%
1.54%
4.67%
2.27%2
MSCI EAFE Value Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-5.58%
0.17%
3.51%
0.77%2
1Class I and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class I shares on March 4, 2013.
2Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns
depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
River Road Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
Wenjun (William) Yang, CFA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since August 2021.
Jeffrey B. Hoskins, CFA
Director of Research and Associate Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since August 2021.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:

14AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

15AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.56%
0.56%
0.56%
Distribution and Service (12b-1)
Fees
0.24%
None
None
Other Expenses1
0.31%
0.26%
0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses
1.11%
0.82%
0.77%
Fee Waiver and Expense
Reimbursements2
(0.01)%
(0.01)%
(0.01)%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and
Expense Reimbursements2
1.10%
0.81%
0.76%
1Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
2AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.76% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example includes the Fund’s contractual expense limitation through March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$112
$352
$611
$1,351
Class I
$83
$261
$454
$1,013
Class Z
$78
$245
$427
$953
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 71% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of mid-capitalization companies. The Fund currently considers mid-cap companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Index (between $2.9 billion and $46.5 billion as of May 6, 2022, the date of the latest reconstitution of the Index (implemented by the Index June 24, 2022)). This capitalization range will change over time. The Fund may continue to hold securities of a portfolio company that subsequently drops below or appreciates above this capitalization range. Because of this, the Fund may have less than 80% of its net assets in securities of mid-cap companies at any given time.  
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities that River Road Asset Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“River Road” or the “Subadviser”), believes are undervalued. Value investing involves buying stocks that River Road believes are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. The Fund may also invest in common  

16AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
stock of companies with market capitalizations that are above or below that of the Russell Midcap® Index at the time of acquisition, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible securities, preferred securities, and foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts).  
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.  
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.  
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. Stocks in the financials sector may comprise a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio. Unique risks of the financials sector include, but are not limited to, government regulation uncertainty, yield curve fluctuation, asset flow fluctuation, and capital market fluctuations. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Convertible Securities Risk— convertible preferred stocks, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and pay regular dividends, and convertible debt securities, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and bear interest, are subject to the risks of equity securities and fixed income securities. The lower the conversion premium, the more likely the price of the convertible security will follow the price of the underlying common stock. Conversely, higher premium convertible securities are more likely to exhibit the behavior of bonds because the likelihood of conversion is lower, which may cause their prices to fall as interest rates rise. There is the risk that the issuer of convertible preferred stock will not be able to make dividend payments or that the issuer of a convertible bond will not be able to make principal and/or interest payments. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Real Estate Industry Risk—investments in the Fund may be subject to many of the same risks as a direct investment in real estate. The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting  

17AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs also depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
As of March 19, 2021, River Road was appointed as subadviser to the Fund and the Fund changed its name to “AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund,” adopted its current investment strategies and began comparing its performance to the Russell Midcap® Value Index. The Fund’s performance information for periods prior to March 19, 2021 reflects the Fund’s investment strategy that was in effect at that time and would have been different had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect.  
To obtain updated performance information, please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539. 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 20.13% (4th Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -30.42% (1st Quarter 2020) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG River Road Mid Cap
Value Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-8.30%
3.39%
8.80%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-10.81%
-1.39%
5.18%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
-4.23%
1.88%
6.51%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-8.11%
3.65%
9.07%
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (continued)
AMG River Road Mid Cap
Value Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-8.06%
3.73%
4.59%
Russell Midcap® Value
Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-12.03%
5.72%
10.11%
6.52%
1Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
River Road Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
Matthew W. Moran, CFA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Daniel R. Johnson, CFA, CPA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000

18AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

19AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.75%
0.75%
0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses1
0.29%
0.28%
0.23%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.29%
1.03%
0.98%
1Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$131
$409
$708
$1,556
Class I
$105
$328
$569
$1,259
Class Z
$100
$312
$542
$1,201
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 32% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies that River Road Asset Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“River Road” or the “Subadviser”), believes are undervalued. The Fund currently considers small- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell 2500TM Index (between $240.1 million and $16.9 billion as of May 6, 2022, the date of the latest reconstitution of the Index (implemented by the Index June 24, 2022)). This capitalization range will change over time. The Fund may continue to hold securities of a portfolio company that subsequently drops below or appreciates above this capitalization range. Because of this, the Fund may have less than 80% of its net assets in securities of small- and mid-cap companies at any given time. Value investing involves buying stocks that the Subadviser believes are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. The Fund may also invest in common stock of companies with market capitalizations that exceed that of the Russell 2500TM Index at the time of acquisition, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible preferred stocks, and foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts).  
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.  
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.  
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital. 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by  

20AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.  
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. Stocks in the industrials sector may comprise a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio. The industrials sector may be affected by general economic trends, including employment, economic growth and interest rates, changes in consumer confidence and spending, government regulation, commodity prices and competitive pressures. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Convertible Securities Risk— convertible preferred stocks, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and pay regular dividends, and convertible debt securities, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and bear interest, are subject to the risks of equity securities and fixed income securities. The lower the conversion premium, the more likely the price of the convertible security will follow the price of the underlying common stock. Conversely, higher premium convertible securities are more likely to exhibit the behavior of bonds because the likelihood of conversion is lower, which may cause their prices to fall as interest rates rise. There  
is the risk that the issuer of convertible preferred stock will not be able to make dividend payments or that the issuer of a convertible bond will not be able to make principal and/or interest payments. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Real Estate Industry Risk—investments in the Fund may be subject to many of the same risks as a direct investment in real estate. The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs also depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of two broad-based securities market indices. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. To obtain updated performance information please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 23.92% (4th Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -34.15% (1st Quarter 2020) 

21AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG River Road Small-Mid
Cap Value Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-8.53%
7.28%
9.94%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-9.54%
6.17%
7.48%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
-4.33%
5.54%
7.31%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-8.22%
7.57%
10.23%
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-8.20%
7.64%
7.62%
Russell 2500™ Value Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-13.08%
4.75%
8.93%
5.36%
Russell 2000® Value Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-14.48%
4.13%
8.48%
4.33%
1Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
River Road Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
J. Justin Akin
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2012.
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2007.
James C. Shircliff, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2007.
Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by

22AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

23AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class N
Class I
Class Z
Management Fee
0.80%
0.80%
0.80%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25%
None
None
Other Expenses
0.31%
0.30%
0.21%
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses1
1.36%
1.10%
1.01%
1The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the Financial Highlights section of this Prospectus, which reflect only the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include fees and expenses of any acquired fund, which are reflected in “Other Expenses” above.
Expense Example
This Example will help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund to the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example makes certain assumptions. It assumes that you invest $10,000 as an initial investment in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. It also assumes that your investment has a 5% total return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the above assumptions, your costs would be:
 
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Class N
$138
$431
$745
$1,635
Class I
$112
$350
$606
$1,340
Class Z
$103
$322
$558
$1,236
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 33% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in common stocks and other equity securities of small-cap companies that River Road Asset Management, LLC, the subadviser to the Fund (“River Road” or the “Subadviser”), believes are undervalued. Value investing involves buying stocks that are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. The Fund currently considers small-cap companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell 2000® Index (between $240.1 million and $6.4 billion as of May 6, 2022, the date of the latest reconstitution of the Index (implemented by the Index June 24, 2022)). The Fund may continue to hold securities of a portfolio company that subsequently drops below or appreciates above the small-capitalization range. Because of this, the Fund may have less than 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small-cap companies at any given time. The Fund may also invest in mid-cap companies, which the Fund currently considers to be companies with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell Midcap® Index (between $2.9 billion and $46.5 billion as of May 6, 2022, the date of the latest reconstitution of the Index (implemented by the Index June 24, 2022)). These capitalization ranges will change over time. In addition, the Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), convertible preferred stocks, and foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts).  
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.  
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.  
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital. 

24AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
Principal Risks
There is the risk that you may lose money on your investment. All investments carry a certain amount of risk, and the Fund cannot guarantee that it will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit or obligation of any bank, is not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank, and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency.
Below are some of the risks of investing in the Fund. The risks are presented in an order intended to facilitate readability and their order does not imply that the realization of one risk is more likely to occur than another risk or likely to have a greater adverse impact than another risk. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund. 
Market Risk—market prices of investments held by the Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably due to a variety of factors, including economic, political, or market conditions, or other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or in response to events that affect particular industries or companies. 
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Stock Risk—the stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity than the stocks of larger, more established companies. 
Management Risk—because the Fund is an actively managed investment portfolio, security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies may cause the Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. There can be no guarantee that the Subadviser’s investment techniques and risk analysis will produce the desired result. 
Sector Risk—issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events; to the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks associated with that sector increase. Stocks in the industrials sector may comprise a significant portion of the Fund's portfolio. The industrials sector may be affected by general economic trends, including employment, economic growth and interest rates, changes in consumer confidence and spending, government regulation, commodity prices and competitive pressures. 
Value Stock Risk—value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and may be undervalued by the market for a long period of time. 
Convertible Securities Risk— convertible preferred stocks, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and pay regular dividends, and convertible debt securities, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and bear interest, are subject to the risks of equity securities and  
fixed income securities. The lower the conversion premium, the more likely the price of the convertible security will follow the price of the underlying common stock. Conversely, higher premium convertible securities are more likely to exhibit the behavior of bonds because the likelihood of conversion is lower, which may cause their prices to fall as interest rates rise. There is the risk that the issuer of convertible preferred stock will not be able to make dividend payments or that the issuer of a convertible bond will not be able to make principal and/or interest payments. 
Currency Risk—fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the total loss or gain on a non-U.S. dollar investment when converted back to U.S. dollars and exposure to non-U.S. currencies may subject the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. 
Foreign Investment Risk—investments in foreign issuers involve additional risks (such as risks arising from less frequent trading, changes in political or social conditions, and less publicly available information about non-U.S. issuers) that differ from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers and may result in greater price volatility. 
Liquidity Risk—the Fund may not be able to dispose of particular investments, such as illiquid securities, readily at favorable times or prices or the Fund may have to sell them at a loss. 
Real Estate Industry Risk—investments in the Fund may be subject to many of the same risks as a direct investment in real estate. The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs also depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). 
Performance
The following performance information illustrates the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's performance compares to that of a broad-based securities market index. As always, past performance of the Fund (before and after taxes) is not an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. To obtain updated performance information please visit www.amgfunds.com or call 800.548.4539 

25AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
 
Calendar Year Total Returns as of 12/31/22 (Class N)  
Best Quarter: 24.79% (4th Quarter 2020)
Worst Quarter: -32.80% (1st Quarter 2020) 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/22
AMG River Road Small Cap
Value Fund
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Since
Inception1
Class N
Return Before Taxes
-6.41%
6.84%
9.75%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions
-7.25%
5.18%
7.19%
Class N
Return After Taxes on
Distributions and Sale of
Fund Shares
-3.20%
4.97%
7.12%
Class I
Return Before Taxes
-6.14%
7.12%
10.04%
Class Z
Return Before Taxes
-6.01%
7.23%
7.53%
Russell 2000® Value Index
(reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses, or taxes)
-14.48%
4.13%
8.48%
4.33%
1Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class Z shares on September 29, 2017.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns are shown for Class N shares only, and after-tax returns for Class I and Class Z shares will vary.
Portfolio Management
Investment Manager
AMG Funds LLC
Subadviser
River Road Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Managers
J. Justin Akin
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2012.
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2005.
James C. Shircliff, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road;
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2005.
Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Initial Investment Minimum
Class N
Regular Account: $2,000
Individual Retirement Account: $1,000
Class I
Regular Account: $100,000
Individual Retirement Account: $25,000
Class Z*
Regular Account: $5,000,000
Individual Retirement Account: $50,000
Additional Investment Minimum
Class N and Class I (all accounts): $100
Class Z (all accounts):  $1,000
* Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares by purchasing shares directly from the Fund.
TRANSACTION POLICIES
You may purchase or sell your shares of the Fund any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, either through your registered investment professional or directly from or to the Fund. Shares may be purchased, sold or exchanged by phone at 800.548.4539, online at www.amgfunds.com, by bank wire (if bank wire instructions are on file for your account) or, through March 8, 2023, by mail to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, the above mailing address will change to the following:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make distributions that are taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, except when your investment is in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-advantaged investment plan. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in

26AMG Funds

Summary of The Funds
the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Investment Manager, AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) and the Subadviser, may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

27AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. The Fund invests in a diversified, all-cap portfolio of income-producing equity securities with yields that the Subadviser believes will exceed that of the Russell 3000 Value Index. The Fund invests primarily in dividend paying common stocks, PTPs, and REITs. The Fund may also invest in foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts), convertible preferred stocks, and royalty income trusts.
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital.
The Fund generally intends to purchase securities for long-term investment. However, the Fund may at times purchase securities in anticipation of relatively short-term gains. The Fund may trim its position in a security or eliminate a security from its portfolio for various reasons, including in connection with the Fund’s liquidity requirements, as a result of the security having reached a target price ratio or yield objective determined by the Fund’s Subadviser, the Subadviser’s loss of confidence in the company’s management, the Subadviser’s belief that another security offers a better opportunity, or by reason of an unforeseen economic or other development. The Fund may also sell a security and simultaneously purchase the same or a comparable security to take advantage of short-term differentials in securities prices.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking high current income and long-term capital appreciation
Looking to gain exposure to high-quality U.S. companies of all sizes
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are each authorized to pay up to 0.04% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Henry W. Sanders, III, CFA
Executive Vice President of River Road
and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
Thomas S. Forsha, CFA
Co-Chief Investment Officer of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
Andrew McIntosh, CFA
Portfolio Manager of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

28AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund (CONTINUED)
Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the index shown in the table. Effective September 29, 2017, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.68% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

29AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund principally invests in a portfolio of equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies and may invest in securities of all market capitalizations. In pursuing its investment strategy, the Fund will primarily invest in common stocks, REITs and PTPs, including, but not limited to, MLPs. The Fund may invest in non-U.S. companies through depositary receipts or by directly investing in securities listed on foreign exchanges.
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.
In managing the Fund, the Subadviser employs an all-cap strategy that focuses on a limited number of securities representing the Subadviser’s “best ideas” across all of its core strategies. These “best ideas” are the result of the Subadviser’s risk/reward assessment, which is based on the Subadviser’s conviction about a company and opinion about the company’s discount to valuation.
To seek to manage risk, the Subadviser employs a structured sell discipline.
The Subadviser’s investment strategy is highly opportunistic.
The Fund is classified as non-diversified. Under normal conditions, the Fund intends to invest its assets in the equity securities of a limited number of issuers.
The Fund generally intends to purchase securities for long-term investment. However, the Fund may at times purchase securities in anticipation of relatively short-term gains. The Fund may trim its position in a security or eliminate a security from its portfolio for various reasons, including in connection with the Fund’s liquidity requirements, as a result of the security having reached a target price ratio or yield objective determined by the Fund’s Subadviser, the Subadviser’s loss of confidence in the company’s management, the Subadviser’s belief that another security offers a better opportunity, or by reason of an unforeseen economic or other development. The Fund may also sell a security and simultaneously purchase the same or a comparable security to take advantage of short-term differentials in securities prices.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Looking to gain exposure to high-quality U.S. companies of all sizes
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
J. Alex Brown
Chief Investment Officer of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

30AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund (CONTINUED)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are each authorized to pay up to 0.15% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the index shown in the table. Effective September 29, 2017, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.78% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

31AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund invests primarily in equity and equity equivalent securities of non-U.S. companies. Equity and equity equivalent securities include, but are not limited to, common stock, convertible securities, preferred securities, REITs, and PTPs, including, but not limited to, MLPs. The Fund invests primarily in securities that River Road believes are undervalued. Value investing involves buying stocks that River Road believes are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth.
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity and equity equivalent securities. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Looking to gain exposure to non-U.S. equities
Willing to accept short term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are each authorized to pay up to 0.05% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Wenjun (William) Yang, CFA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
Jeffrey B. Hoskins, CFA
Director of Research and Associate Portfolio Manager of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

32AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund (CONTINUED)
period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the indices shown in the table. Effective September 29, 2017, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.73% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

33AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund currently considers mid-cap companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Index. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities that River Road believes are undervalued. Value investing involves buying stocks that the Subadviser believes are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. The Fund may also invest in common stock of companies with market capitalizations that are above or below that of the Russell Midcap® Index at the time of acquisition, REITs, convertible preferred stocks, and foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts).
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of mid-capitalization companies. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Looking to gain exposure to U.S. mid cap, value-oriented stocks
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are authorized to pay up to 0.10% and 0.05% in shareholder servicing fees, respectively, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Matthew W. Moran, CFA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
of River Road and Portfolio
Manager of the Fund
Daniel R. Johnson, CFA, CPA
Vice President and Portfolio Manager
of River Road and Portfolio
Manager of the Fund
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road
and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

34AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund (CONTINUED)
Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the index shown in the table. Effective September 29, 2017, the Fund established one additional share class: Class Z. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
As discussed under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, the Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.76% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

35AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund currently considers small- and mid-capitalization companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell 2500™ Index. Value investing involves buying stocks that the Subadviser believes are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. The Fund may also invest in common stock of companies with market capitalizations that exceed that of the Russell 2500™ Index at the time of acquisition, REITs, convertible preferred stocks, and foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts).
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital.
The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental policy pursuant to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies that the Subadviser believes are undervalued. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy.
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Looking to gain exposure to U.S. small and mid cap, value-oriented stocks
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are each authorized to pay up to 0.15% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
J. Justin Akin
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
James C. Shircliff, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

36AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund (CONTINUED)
shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the indices shown in the table. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.
The Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit total annual operating expenses (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 1.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the Investment Manager and the AMG Funds IV Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund.

37AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund 
The Fund will invest primarily in the securities and instruments as described in the summary section of the Fund’s Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment strategies and the investment techniques utilized by the Subadviser in managing the Fund, and also additional information about the Fund's expenses and performance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The Fund currently considers small-cap companies to be those with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell 2000® Index. Value investing involves buying stocks that are out of favor and/or undervalued in comparison to their peers or their prospects for growth. The Fund may also invest in mid-cap companies, which the Fund currently considers to be companies with market capitalizations at the time of acquisition within the range of capitalizations of companies in the Russell Midcap® Index. In addition, the Fund may invest in REITs, convertible preferred stocks, and foreign securities (directly and through depositary receipts).
The Subadviser’s investment philosophy is based upon its proprietary Absolute Value® approach, which seeks to generate attractive, sustainable, low volatility returns over the long term, with an emphasis on minimizing downside portfolio risk.
The Subadviser builds the Fund’s portfolio from the bottom up, making security-specific research central to the Subadviser’s process. At the core of the Subadviser’s Absolute Value® approach is a systematic method for assessing the ‘risk-to-reward’ characteristics of an investment. The goal of the research process is to formulate two outputs from which an investment decision is made – conviction rating (risk) and discount to value (reward). The Subadviser combines a stock’s conviction rating with its discount to value in an effort to determine not only whether the stock qualifies for investment, but also how the stock will be sized within the Fund.
The Subadviser employs a balanced approach to diversification and a structured sell discipline that seeks to reduce portfolio volatility and the risk of permanent loss of capital.
The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental policy pursuant to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in common stocks and other equity securities of small-cap companies that the Subadviser believes are undervalued. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of any change in this policy. For purposes of this policy, the term “assets” means “net assets plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes.”
The Fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in the Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets, or a change in market capitalization of a company, will not constitute a violation of that limitation.
WHERE THIS FUND FITS AS PART OF YOUR ASSET ALLOCATION
The Fund may be appropriate for your overall investment allocation if you are:
Seeking long-term capital appreciation
Looking to gain exposure to U.S. small cap, value-oriented stocks
Willing to accept short-term volatility of returns
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND'S EXPENSES AND PERFORMANCE
Under “Fees and Expenses of the Fund” in the Fund’s summary section, because Class N and Class I shares are each authorized to pay up to 0.15% in shareholder servicing fees, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses may fluctuate from year-to-year based on the actual amount of shareholder servicing fees incurred. Shareholder servicing fees paid by the Class N and
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
J. Justin Akin
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
R. Andrew Beck
Chief Executive Officer of River Road
and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
James C. Shircliff, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road
and Portfolio Manager of the Fund
Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Fund.
See “Fund Management” below for more information on the portfolio
managers.

38AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund  (CONTINUED)
Class I shares are reflected in “Other Expenses” in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table for such classes. Please see “Choosing A Share Class” for more information on the Fund’s shareholder servicing fees. The Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s expenses for the current fiscal year may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table above.
Under “Performance” in the Fund’s summary section, the performance information shown assumes that all dividend and capital gain distributions have been reinvested for the Fund and, where applicable, for the index shown in the table. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Class N shares of the Fund has varied from year to year over the periods shown. Class I and Class Z shares would have similar annual returns as Class N shares because each class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. However, because Class I and Class Z shares are subject to different expenses than Class N shares, Class I and Class Z share performance varies. The performance information also reflects the impact of the Fund’s contractual expense limitations, if any, in effect during the periods shown. If the Investment Manager had not agreed to limit expenses, returns would have been lower.

39AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks
This section presents more detailed information about each Fund’s risks as described in the Fund’s summary section of the Prospectus. The risks are described in alphabetical order and not in the order of importance or potential exposure. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in a Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to a Fund. A Fund may not be subject to all of the risks below, and not all Funds invest in the types of instruments mentioned. Please
see each Fund’s summary section for a description of the Fund’s principal risks and the types of instruments in which the Fund invests. All Funds could be subject to additional risks because the types of investments they make and market conditions may change over time.
All investments involve some type and level of risk. There is the risk that you will lose money on your investment. Before you invest, please make sure that you have read, and understand, the risk factors that apply to the Funds.
 
AMG River Road
Dividend All Cap
Value Fund
AMG River Road
Focused
Absolute Value Fund
AMG River Road
International
Value Equity Fund
AMG River Road
Mid
Cap Value Fund
AMG River Road
Small-Mid
Cap Value Fund
AMG River Road
Small Cap
Value Fund
Convertible
Securities Risk
X
 
X
X
X
X
Currency Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
Emerging Markets
Risk
 
 
X
 
 
 
Focused Investment
Risk
 
X
X
 
 
 
Foreign Investment
Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
High Portfolio
Turnover Risk
 
X
 
 
 
 
Geographic Focus
Risk
 
 
X
 
 
 
Large-Capitalization
Stock Risk
 
 
X
 
 
 
Liquidity Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
Management Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
Market Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
Master Limited
Partnership Risk
X
X
X
 
 
 
Non-Diversified
Fund Risk
 
X
 
 
 
 
PTP Risk
X
X
X
 
 
 
Real Estate Industry
Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
Royalty Income Trust
Risk
X
 
 
 
 
 
Sector Risk
X
X
 
X
X
X
Small- and Mid-
Capitalization Stock
Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
Value Stock Risk
X
X
X
X
X
X
convertible securities RISK
Convertible preferred stocks, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and pay regular dividends, and convertible bonds, which are convertible into shares of the issuer’s common stock and bear interest, are subject to the risks of equity securities and fixed income securities. The lower the conversion premium, the
more likely the price of the convertible security will follow the price of the underlying common stock. Conversely, higher premium convertible securities are more likely to exhibit the behavior of bonds because the likelihood of conversion is lower, which may cause their prices to fall as interest rates rise. The value of a convertible security is also affected by the credit quality of the

40AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
issuer and any call provisions. There is the risk that the issuer of convertible preferred stock will not be able to make dividend payments or that the issuer of a convertible bond will not be able to make principal and/or interest payments.
Currency RISK
The value of foreign investments denominated in a foreign currency depends both upon the price of the securities and the exchange rate of the currency. Thus, the value of an investment in a foreign security will drop if the value of the foreign currency drops relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may fluctuate in response to, among other factors, interest rate changes, intervention (or failure to intervene) by national governments, central banks, or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, the imposition of currency controls, and other political or regulatory developments. Adverse currency fluctuations are an added risk to foreign investments. To the extent a Fund invests directly in non-U.S. currencies, or in securities that trade in, or receive revenues in, foreign currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or non-U.S. governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, a Fund’s exposure to non-U.S. currencies, including investments in foreign currency-denominated securities, may reduce the returns of the Fund. Currency risk can be reduced through diversification among currencies or through hedging with the use of foreign currency contracts.
EMERGING MARKETS RISK
Investments in emerging markets involve all of the risks of foreign investments (see Foreign Investment Risk), and also have additional risks. Such additional risks include the risk that markets in emerging market countries are typically less developed and less liquid than markets in developed countries and such markets are subject to increased economic, political, or regulatory uncertainties. The markets of developing countries may be more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies. Many emerging markets companies in the early stages of development are dependent on a small number of products and lack substantial capital reserves. In addition, emerging markets often have less developed legal and financial systems. These markets often have provided significantly higher or lower rates of return than developed markets and usually carry higher risks to investors than securities of companies in developed countries.
FOCUSED INVESTMENT RISK
To the extent a Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a relatively small number of securities, or a particular market, industry, group of industries, country, region, group of countries,
asset class or sector, the Fund’s net asset value may be more volatile and the Fund may involve more risk than a fund that invests in a more diverse investment portfolio. Changes in the value of a single security or the impact of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence may have a great adverse impact on a Fund’s net asset value.
Foreign Investment Risk
Investments in foreign issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars), whether directly or indirectly, involve additional risks different from those associated with investments in U.S. issuers. There may be limited information available to investors, and foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements like those applicable to U.S. issuers. Different accounting, corporate governance, regulatory, and market systems may cause foreign investments to be more volatile. The value of foreign investments may be adversely affected by changes in the political or social conditions, taxation, including confiscatory or withholding taxes, diplomatic relations, embargoes, economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, tariffs, expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or the establishment of exchange controls or other restrictions and tax regulations in foreign countries, which risks also apply to investments traded on a U.S. securities exchange that are issued by companies with significant exposure to foreign countries. Foreign investments trade with less frequency and volume than U.S. investments and, therefore, may have greater price volatility. In certain countries, legal remedies available to investors may be more limited than those available with regard to U.S. investments. In addition, just as foreign markets may respond to events differently from U.S. markets, foreign investments can perform differently from U.S. investments.
GEographic focus RISK
To the extent the Fund focuses its investments in a particular country, group of countries or geographic region, the Fund is particularly susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting such countries or region. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund and may result in losses.
Greater China. The Fund is particularly susceptible to risks in the Greater China region, which consists of Hong Kong, The People’s Republic of China, and Taiwan, among other countries. Economies in the Greater China region are dependent on the economies of other countries and can be significantly affected by currency fluctuations and increasing competition from other emerging economies in Asia with lower costs. Adverse events in any one country within the region may impact the other countries in the region or Asia as a whole. Markets in the Greater China region can experience significant volatility due to social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties. Significant portions of the Chinese securities markets may become rapidly illiquid, as Chinese issuers have the ability to suspend the trading of their equity securities, and have shown a willingness to exercise that option in response to market volatility

41AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
and other events. U.S. or foreign government restrictions or intervention could negatively affect the implementation of the Fund’s investment strategies, for example by precluding the Fund from making certain investments or causing the Fund to sell investments at disadvantageous times. Changes in Chinese government policy and economic growth rates could significantly affect local markets and the entire Greater China region. China has yet to develop comprehensive securities, corporate, or commercial laws, its market is relatively new and less developed. Export growth continues to be a major driver of China’s economic growth. As a result, a reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. The Fund may gain investment exposure to certain Chinese companies through VIE structures. Such investments are subject to the investment risks associated with the Chinese-based company. The VIE structure enables foreign investors, such as the Fund, to obtain investment exposure to a Chinese company in situations in which the Chinese government has limited or prohibited non-Chinese ownership of such company. The VIE structure does not involve direct equity ownership in a China-based company, but rather involves claims to the China-based company's profits and control of the assets that belong to the China-based company through contractual arrangements. Intervention by the Chinese government with respect to the VIE structure could significantly affect the Chinese operating company's performance and thus, the value of the Fund's investment through a VIE structure, as well as the enforceability of the contractual arrangements of the VIE structure. In the event of such an occurrence, the Fund, as a foreign investor, may have little or no legal recourse. In addition to the risk of government intervention, investments through a VIE structure are subject to the risk that the China-based company (or its officers, directors, or Chinese equity owners) may breach the contractual arrangements, or Chinese law changes in a way that adversely affects the enforceability of the arrangements, or the contracts are otherwise not enforceable under Chinese law, in which case the Fund may suffer significant losses on its investments through a VIE structure with little or no recourse available.
HIGH portfolio turnover RISK
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities. A portfolio turnover rate greater than 100% would indicate that the Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the previous one-year period. Higher portfolio turnover may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. These costs related to increased portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance, and the sale of securities by the Fund may increase a shareholder’s tax liability.
LARGE-CAPITALIZATION STOCK RISK
Large-capitalization companies tend to compete in mature product markets and do not typically experience the level of sustained growth of smaller companies and companies competing in less mature product markets. Also, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to competitive challenges or changes in business, product, financial, or other market conditions. For these and other reasons, a fund that invests in large-capitalization companies may underperform other stock funds (such as funds that focus on the stocks of small- and medium-capitalization companies) when stocks of large-capitalization companies are out of favor.
LIQUIDITY RISK
Liquidity risk is the risk that a Fund may not be able to dispose of investments or close out derivatives transactions readily at favorable times or prices or may have to sell them at a loss. For example, investments in derivatives, non-U.S. investments, restricted securities, securities having small market capitalizations, and securities having substantial market and/or credit and counterparty risk tend to involve greater liquidity risk. Additionally, the market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer, such as a rising interest rate environment. In such cases, a Fund, due to limitations on investments in illiquid securities and the difficulty in purchasing and selling such securities or instruments, may decline in value or be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain issuer or sector. The values of illiquid investments are often more volatile than the values of more liquid investments.
ManagEment RISK
The Funds are subject to management risk because they are actively managed investment portfolios. Management risk is the chance that security selection or focus on securities in a particular style, market sector or group of companies will cause a Fund to incur losses or underperform relative to its benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. Each Fund’s Subadviser will apply its investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for each Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired result. To the extent a Fund’s Subadviser uses quantitative analyses or models, any imperfections, errors or limitations in such analyses or models could affect the Fund’s performance or the ability of the Subadviser to implement its strategies. In particular, with respect to limitations in such analyses or models, the analyses and models may make simplifying assumptions that limit their effectiveness, may appear to explain prior market data but fail to predict future market events, and may use data that is inaccurate or does not include the most recent information about a company or a security.
MARKET RISK
Market prices of investments held by a Fund may fall rapidly or unpredictably and will rise and fall due to economic, political, or market conditions or perceptions, government actions, geopolitical

42AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
events, or in response to events that affect particular industries, geographies, or companies. The value of your investment could go up or down depending on market conditions and other factors including terrorism, war, natural disasters and the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Equity investments generally have greater price volatility than fixed income investments, although under certain market conditions fixed income investments may have comparable or greater price volatility. Since foreign investments trade on different markets, which have different supply and demand characteristics, their prices are not as closely linked to the U.S. markets. Foreign securities markets have their own market risks, and they may be more or less volatile than U.S. markets and may move in different directions. A Fund’s performance may also be negatively impacted by the commencement, continuation or ending of government policies and economic stimulus programs, changes in monetary policy, increases or decreases in interest rates, or other factors or events that affect the financial markets.
Certain instruments held by a Fund may pay an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the offered rate for short-term loans between certain major international banks. ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after the end of 2021. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. The transition away from LIBOR may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments based on LIBOR and changes in the value of some LIBOR-based investments or the effectiveness of related transactions such as hedges, particularly insofar as the documentation governing such instruments does not include “fall back” provisions addressing the transition from LIBOR. Any such effects of the transition away from LIBOR, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to a Fund and may adversely affect a Fund’s performance or net asset value.
Master Limited partnership risk
Master limited partnerships are limited partnerships in which ownership interests are publicly traded. Master limited partnerships typically own interests in properties or businesses related to the oil and gas industries, although they may own other types of investments. Investments in master limited partnerships are subject to similar risks to those associated with the specific industry or industries in which the partnership invests, such as the risk of investing in the real estate or oil and gas industries. In addition, investments in master limited partnerships are subject to the risks of investing in a partnership, including limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership and fewer investor protections compared to corporations.
Subject to any future regulatory guidance to the contrary, any distribution of income attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund’s investment in a PTP, including a master limited partnership, will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction that would be available to a non-corporate shareholder were the shareholder to own such master limited partnership directly. If such distributions do not so qualify, a non-corporate shareholder will generally be subject to a higher effective tax rate on any such amounts received from a Fund compared to the effective rate applicable to any qualified publicly traded partnership income the shareholder would receive if the shareholder invested directly in a master limited partnership.
NON-DIVERSIFIED FUND RISK
Funds that are non-diversified can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer or a group of issuers, and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit, market, and other risks than a diversified fund. The poor performance by a single issuer may have a greater impact on the performance of a non-diversified fund than a diversified fund. A non-diversified fund’s shares tend to be more volatile than shares of a diversified fund and are more susceptible to the risks of focusing investments in a small number of issuers or industries, and the risks of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence. Notwithstanding a Fund’s status as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company accorded favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), which imposes its own diversification requirements that are less restrictive than the requirements applicable to “diversified” investment companies under the 1940 Act. A Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit its pursuit of its investment strategy and its investment strategy could limit its ability to so qualify.
pTp Risk
Investing in PTPs (including master limited partnerships) involves special risks in addition to those typically associated with publicly traded companies. PTPs are exposed to the risks of their underlying assets, which in many cases includes the same types of risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk. PTPs are also subject to capital markets risk, which is the risk that they may be unable to raise capital to execute their growth strategies. A Fund’s ability to make investments in certain PTPs, including master limited partnerships, can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and if the Fund does not appropriately limit such investments or if such investments are recharacterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company may be jeopardized.
Subject to any future regulatory guidance to the contrary, any distribution of income attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund’s investment in a PTP, will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction that would be available to a

43AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Summary of the Funds’ Principal Risks (CONTINUED)
non-corporate shareholder were the shareholder to own such PTP directly. If such distributions do not so qualify, a non-corporate shareholder will generally be subject to a higher effective tax rate on any such amounts received from a Fund compared to the effective rate applicable to any qualified publicly traded partnership income the shareholder would receive if the shareholder invested directly in a PTP.
REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY RISK
The stock prices of companies in the real estate industry, including REITs, are typically sensitive to changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, as well as the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws that could negatively affect their value. These factors may reduce the value of a Fund's investments in REITs and the real estate industry. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, which may be subject to defaults by borrowers and self-liquidations, and some REITs may have limited diversification. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that the Fund properly reports as “section 199A dividends,” as defined and subject to certain conditions described in the SAI, are treated as qualified REIT dividends in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters – REITs” in the SAI for further details.
Royalty income trust Risk
Investing in royalty income trusts, which typically passively manage royalties and net working interests in oil-, gas- or mineral-producing properties and rely on outside drilling or mining companies to extract the resources, involves certain risks not typically associated with investing in publicly traded companies. Royalty income trusts generally do not guarantee minimum distributions or return of capital. If the assets underlying a royalty income trust do not perform as expected, the trust may reduce or eliminate distributions, which will significantly impair the value of an investment in the trust.
Royalty income trusts are also exposed to many of the same risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk.
SECTOR RISK
Issuers and companies that are in similar industry sectors may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As a result, a Fund’s performance could be more volatile than the performance of a fund that is more diversified across industry sectors. The
industrials sector may be affected by general economic trends, including employment, economic growth and interest rates, changes in consumer confidence and spending, government regulation, commodity prices and competitive pressures. Unique risks of the financials sector include, but are not limited to, government regulation uncertainty, yield curve fluctuation, asset flow fluctuation, and capital market fluctuations. The communication services sector is subject to government regulation and can be significantly affected by intense competition and technology changes, which may make the products and services of certain companies obsolete. Companies in the communication services sector may be more susceptible to cybersecurity issues, such as hacking, theft of proprietary or consumer information, or disruptions in service, than companies in other industries. Companies in the communication services sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to develop new products and services that utilize new technology or to meet increasing competition.
SMALL- AND MID-CAPITALIZATIOn stock RISK
The stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies may involve more risk than the stocks of larger, more established companies because they often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources, less proven track records, and less competitive strength than larger companies. A fund that invests in small- and mid-capitalization companies may underperform other stock funds (such as large-company stock funds) when stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies are out of favor.
VALUE STOCK RISK
Value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in price or never reach what the Subadviser believes is its full market value, either because the market fails to recognize what the Subadviser considers to be the company’s true business value or because the Subadviser overestimates the company’s true business value. Companies that issue value securities may have experienced adverse business developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused their securities to be out of favor. Value stocks may underperform growth stocks and stocks in other broad style categories (and the stock market as a whole) during given periods.

44AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Other Important Information About the Funds and their Investment Strategies and Risks
In addition to the principal investment strategies described in this Prospectus, the Funds may also make other types of investments, and, therefore, may be subject to other risks, which the Investment Manager does not currently consider to be principal risks of the Funds. Some of these risks are described in the Funds' Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “SAI”).
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The investment objective of each Fund other than AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund’s investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval and without prior notice.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE MEASURES
From time to time, each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in money market securities, repurchase agreements, cash, or cash equivalents as a temporary defensive measure in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. These temporary
defensive measures may be inconsistent with each Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies. Each Fund may not be able to achieve its stated investment objective while taking these defensive measures.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Each Fund may sell any security when it believes the sale is consistent with the Fund’s investment strategies and in the Fund’s best interest to do so. This may result in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities. A portfolio turnover rate greater than 100% would indicate that the Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the previous one-year period. Higher portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance by increasing Fund transaction costs and may increase your tax liability.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
A description of the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Funds' SAI, which is available on the Funds' website at www.amgfunds.com.

Fund Management
Each Fund is a series of AMG Funds IV, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is part of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, a mutual fund family comprised of different funds, each having distinct investment management objectives, strategies, risks, and policies.
The Investment Manager, located at 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901, is a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”), located at 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401. The Investment Manager serves as investment manager and administrator to the Funds and is responsible for the Funds’ overall administration and operations. The Investment Manager also monitors the performance, security holdings, and investment strategies of the Subadviser to each Fund. The Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, serves as the Funds’ distributor. Except for distribution and shareholder service (12b-1) fees, the Distributor receives no compensation from the Funds for its services as distributor.
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), each Fund participates in a manager of managers structure whereby the Investment Manager serves as the investment manager of each Fund and selects and recommends to the Funds’ Board of Trustees investment subadvisers to manage each Fund’s investment portfolio. Under the terms of this exemptive order, the Investment Manager is able, subject to certain conditions and oversight by the Funds’ Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, to hire or change the contract terms of unaffiliated subadvisers for the Funds and, in the case of AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund and AMG River Road Mid
Cap Value Fund, affiliated subadvisers for such Fund. In addition, with respect to AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund and AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, subject to approval by the SEC of an amendment to the Funds’ exemptive order, the Funds may disclose fees paid to subadvisers on an aggregate, rather than individual, basis. The Investment Manager, subject to oversight by the Trustees, has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Shareholders of a Fund continue to have the right to terminate such subadvisory agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
River Road Asset Management, LLC (“River Road”), Meidinger Tower, 462 South Fourth Street, Suite 2000, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, was founded in 2005. AMG holds an indirect, majority equity interest in River Road, and members of River Road’s senior management team hold a substantial minority equity interest in the firm. As of December 31, 2022, River Road managed approximately $7.8 billion in assets.
Each of AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund, AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund is obligated by its Investment Advisory Agreement to pay an annual management fee to the Investment Manager of 0.50%, 0.60%, 0.53%, 0.56%, 0.75% and 0.80%, respectively, of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The Investment Manager, in turn, pays River Road a portion of this fee for its services as Subadviser. Under a separate Administration Agreement with the

45AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
Fund, the Investment Manager provides a variety of administrative services to the Fund and receives an annual administrative fee from the Fund for these services of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

46AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
Portfolio Management
The following provides information about the individual portfolio manager(s) who are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds.
AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
Henry W. Sanders, III, CFA
Portfolio Manager since the Fund’s inception in June 2005. Mr. Sanders is Executive Vice President of River Road. Mr.
Sanders was formerly employed as Senior Vice President and portfolio manager for Commonwealth Trust Co. (Commonwealth
SMC) from 2002 to 2005. He received his BA from Bellarmine University, his MBA from Boston College, and he holds the
CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Louisville.
Thomas S. Forsha, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2007. Mr. Forsha is Co-Chief Investment Officer of River Road. Mr. Forsha was
formerly employed by ABN AMRO from 1998 to 2005, where he served as equity analyst and portfolio manager and was
responsible for the management of the North America equity allocation of the firm’s Global High Income Equity Fund. He
received his BS in Finance from The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business and his MBA from The University of
Chicago Booth School of Business. Mr. Forsha holds the CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA
Society of Louisville.
Andrew R. McIntosh, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since April 2018. Mr. McIntosh serves as Portfolio Manager for River Road’s Dividend All-Cap
Value Portfolios. Prior to joining River Road in 2011, Mr. McIntosh served as Structured Finance Analyst on a portfolio of
subprime and second lien securities at AEGON USA Investment Management LLC. Mr. McIntosh graduated from the
University of Iowa with a B.B.A. in Finance. He earned the CFA designation in 2006, is a member of the CFA Institute, and is
a member and past president of the CFA Society Louisville.
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
R. Andrew Beck
Portfolio Manager since the Fund’s inception in November 2015. Mr. Beck is Chief Executive Officer of River Road. Mr. Beck
was formerly employed as Senior Research Analyst, and, later, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager for SMC Capital
Inc. (Commonwealth SMC) from 1999-2005. Mr. Beck received his BS from the University of Louisville and his MBA from
Babson College.
J. Alex Brown
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since June 2022. Mr. Brown serves as Chief Investment Officer of River Road. In his role, he
maintains director of research responsibilities, managing and enhancing the research efforts of River Road’s investment team.
Additionally, he is a supervising portfolio manager for River Road’s Focused Absolute Value® portfolios. Mr. Brown holds
equity in the firm and serves as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee, River Road’s governing body. Prior to
joining River Road in 2010, Mr. Brown served at Wachovia Capital Markets Consumer & Retail Investment Banking group,
where he worked across a range of corporate and financial sponsor clients. Mr. Brown began his career in the United States
Air Force, where he served as a Captain. Mr. Brown graduated as a Distinguished Graduate from the United States Air Force
Academy with a B.S. in Operations Research and earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund
Wenjun (William) Yang, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since August 2021. Mr. Yang serves as Vice President at River Road and serves as a portfolio
manager for River Road’s International Value Equity and International Value Equity ADR portfolios. Prior to joining River Road
in 2016, he served as Senior Portfolio Manager at Boston Private Wealth LLC. Additionally, he served as Manager of the
investment banking division and Equity Research Analyst in the securities research division at Shenyin & Wanguo Securities
Co. Ltd. Mr. Yang holds a B.S. in Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, an M.S. in Economics from Shanghai
Institute of Foreign Trade, and an M.B.A. from Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business. He earned the CFA
designation in 2004 and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society Louisville.

47AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
Jeffery B. Hoskins, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since August 2021. Mr. Hoskins serves as Director of Research for River Road. In this role, he
focuses on developing the analyst team and further enhancing the quality, consistency, standards, and overall effectiveness of
the firm’s research efforts. Additionally, he is an associate portfolio manager for River Road’s International Value Equity and
International Value Equity ADR Portfolios. In this capacity, he continues to maintain select analyst responsibilities and serve as
analyst support for other firm strategies. Mr. Hoskins previously served as Senior ESG Specialist and continues to lead the
firm’s ESG research and principles implementation efforts. Prior to joining River Road in 2013, he worked at BMO Capital
Markets where his research covered the Media/Entertainment and Gaming industries. Mr. Hoskins has more than 20 years of
investment research experience, which includes various positions at The Seidler Cos. Inc. and SunTrust Equitable Securities.
Mr. Hoskins graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in United States History and an M.B.A. with concentrations in
Finance and Accounting. He earned the CFA designation in 2000 and is a member of the CFA Institute. Additionally, he is a
member of the CFA Society Louisville and a past member of its board of directors.
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund
Matthew W. Moran, CFA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Moran is a Vice President and portfolio manager at River Road. Prior
to joining River Road, Mr. Moran held various investment positions at Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Morningstar. He
received his BS in Finance from Bradley University, his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he
holds the CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Society of Louisville.
Daniel R. Johnson, CFA, CPA
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Mr. Johnson is a Vice President and portfolio manager at River Road. Prior
to joining River Road, Mr. Johnson served as a public accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2005 to 2006. He
received his BS in accounting and a Masters in Accountancy from the University of Kentucky. Mr. Johnson holds the Certified
Public Accountant and CFA designations and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Louisville.
R. Andrew Beck
Portfolio Manager of the Fund since March 2021. Please see above.
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund
J. Justin Akin
Portfolio Manager of each Fund since March 2012. Mr. Akin is a Vice President and senior portfolio manager at River Road.
Mr. Akin was formerly employed as an equity research analyst at Commonwealth SMC from 2003-2005. Mr. Akin received a
BS in economics from Centre College and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Louisville.
R. Andrew Beck
Portfolio Manager since AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund’s inception in June 2005 and AMG River Road Small-Mid
Cap Value Fund’s inception in March 2007. Please see above.
James C. Shircliff, CFA
Portfolio Manager since AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund’s inception in June 2005 and AMG River Road Small-Mid
Cap Value Fund’s inception in March 2007. Mr. Shircliff currently serves as Senior Portfolio Manager of River Road and
previously served as Chief Investment Officer from 2005 to 2019. Mr. Shircliff was formerly employed as Executive Vice
President, portfolio manager and Director of Research for SMC Capital Inc. (Commonwealth SMC) from 1997 to 2005.
Additionally, Mr. Shircliff has more than 45 years of investment management experience. He received his BS from the
University of Louisville and holds the CFA designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Louisville.
Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Funds.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information regarding other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, their compensation and ownership of Fund shares is available in the Funds’ SAI.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the Investment Management Agreement with respect to the Funds between the Trust and the Investment Manager and the Subadvisory Agreements with respect to the Funds between the Investment Manager and the Subadviser is available in the Funds’ Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31.
The Trustees of the Trust oversee generally the operations of the Funds and the Trust. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds’ investment manager, subadvisers, administrator, custodian, transfer agent, accountants and distributor, who provide services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual shareholder or group of shareholders any right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.

48AMG Funds

Additional Information About the Funds
Fund Management (CONTINUED)
This Prospectus provides information concerning the Trust and the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of a Fund. None of this Prospectus, the SAI or any contract that is an exhibit to the Trust’s registration statement, is intended to, nor does it, give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Funds and any investor, or give rise to any contract or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

49AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Your Account
You may invest in Class N, Class I, or Class Z shares, however not all share classes are available for each Fund. Each class of shares is subject to different types and levels of expenses and minimum initial investment amounts, as described below.
The Class N shares of the Funds are subject to the expenses of a 12b-1 plan of distribution adopted by the Board of Trustees, and certain classes of shares of the Funds bear shareholder servicing fees in different amounts. Because each class bears fees and expenses in different amounts, the NAV per share of the classes may differ. In all other material respects, Class N, Class I, and Class Z shares are the same, each share representing a proportionate interest in a Fund. Each Fund and each class of shares is subject to a minimum initial investment amount, as described below. As an investor, you pay no sales charge to invest in the Funds or to redeem out of the Funds.
Your purchase or redemption of Fund shares is based on each class’s share price. The price at which you purchase and redeem your shares is based on the NAV per share next determined after your purchase or redemption order is received on each day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for trading. The NAV per share of each class of shares of a Fund is equal to the class’s net worth (assets minus liabilities) divided by the number of shares outstanding for that class. The NAV for each class is calculated at the close of regular business of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. Purchase orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also receive that day’s offering price provided that the purchase orders the processing organization transmits to the Funds were received by the processing organization in proper form before 4:00 p.m. Likewise, redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also be redeemed at the NAV computed that day provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to the Funds were received by the processing organization in proper form before 4:00 p.m.
Current net asset values per share for each Fund are available on the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com.
Investments traded in foreign markets may trade when the NYSE is closed. Those investments are generally valued at the closing of the exchange where they are primarily traded. Foreign securities may trade on days when a Fund is not open for business, thus affecting the value of a Fund’s assets on days when Fund shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.
FAIR VALUE POLICY
Each Fund’s investments are generally valued based on market quotations provided by third-party pricing services. Under certain circumstances, a Fund investment will be priced based on an evaluation of its fair value, under the general supervision of the Board of Trustees. Each Fund may use the fair value of a portfolio investment to calculate its NAV in the event that the market quotation, price or market based valuation for the portfolio investment is not deemed to be readily available or otherwise not determinable pursuant to the
Funds’ valuation procedures, if the Investment Manager believes the quotation, price or market based valuation to be unreliable, or in certain other circumstances.
Portfolio investments that trade primarily on foreign markets are priced based upon the market quotation of such securities as of the close of their respective principal markets. Unless a foreign equity security is fair valued, if there are no reported sales for such security on the valuation date, it may be valued at the last quoted bid price or the mean between the last quoted bid and ask prices. Securities held in each Fund that can be fair valued by the applicable fair value pricing service are fair valued on each business day provided that each individual price exceeds a pre-established confidence level.
Each Fund may invest in securities that may be thinly traded. The Board of Trustees has adopted procedures to adjust prices of securities that are judged to be stale so that they reflect fair value. An investment valued on the basis of its fair value may be valued at a price higher or lower than available market quotations.
Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Funds’ Board has designated the Funds Investment Manager as the FundsValuation Designee” to perform the Funds fair value determinations, which are subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to ensure that the Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Investment Manager’s fair value determinations.

50AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Choosing a Share Class
Investors can choose among the following share classes when investing in the Funds:
Class Z
Class I
Class N
The classes differ in expense structure and eligibility requirements. When choosing a share class, it is important to consider these three factors:
The amount you plan to invest;
Your investment objectives; and
The expenses and charges for the class.
We recommend that you discuss your investment goals and choices with your financial professional to determine which share class is right for you.
Class N Shares
Class N shares have no up-front sales charges or deferred sales charges. Your entire amount invested purchases Fund shares at the Class N’s NAV. Shareholders may bear shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.04% with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, up to 0.05% with respect to AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund, up to 0.10% with respect to AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, and up to 0.15% with respect to each of AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund for shareholder servicing provided by financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers (including fund supermarket platforms), banks, and trust companies. See “Investing Through an Intermediary” below for more information on shareholder servicing fees paid to financial intermediaries. Shareholders of Class N shares also pay distribution (12b-1) fees of 0.25%. See “Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees” below for more information on 12b-1 fees.
Class I Shares
Class I shares have no up-front sales charges or deferred sales charges. Your entire amount invested purchases Fund shares at the Class I’s NAV. Shareholders may bear shareholder servicing fees of up to 0.04% with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, up to 0.05% with respect to each of AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund and AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, and up to 0.15% with respect to each of AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund for shareholder servicing provided by financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers (including fund supermarket platforms), banks, and trust companies. See “Investing Through an Intermediary” below for more information on shareholder servicing fees paid to financial intermediaries. The Class I shares do not pay distribution (12b-1) fees. Shareholders who transact in Class I shares through a financial intermediary may be required to pay a commission to the financial intermediary for effecting such transactions.
Class Z Shares *
Class Z shares have no up-front sales charges or deferred sales charges. Your entire amount invested purchases Fund shares at the Class Z’s NAV. Shareholders do not bear shareholder servicing fees for shareholder servicing provided by financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers (including fund supermarket platforms), banks, and trust companies. See “Investing Through an Intermediary” below for more information on shareholder servicing fees paid to financial intermediaries. The Class Z shares do not pay distribution (12b-1) fees.
*Individual retirement accounts may only invest in Class Z shares if the account is held directly on the books of the Fund (e.g., not through an omnibus or NSCC networked account established by a financial intermediary).

Investing Through an Intermediary
If you invest through a third party such as a bank, broker-dealer (including through a fund supermarket platform), trust company or other financial intermediary (each of the above, a “Financial Intermediary”), rather than directly with the Funds, certain purchase and redemption policies, fees, and minimum investment amounts may differ from those described in this Prospectus. Many, if not all, of these Financial Intermediaries may receive various forms of compensation in connection with the sale of Fund shares and/or the servicing of shareholder accounts. Such compensation from the Funds may include receipt of distribution (12b-1) fees and/or shareholder servicing fees. For more information on 12b-1 fees, see “Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees” below. Shareholder servicing fees are paid out of the assets of each of the Class N and Class I shares of each Fund (each, a “service fee bearing share
class”) on an ongoing basis for the receipt of certain shareholder services from Financial Intermediaries (including through fund supermarket platforms), including account maintenance, recordkeeping or sub-accounting, forwarding communications to shareholders, providing shareholders with account statements, transaction processing and customer liaison services, and will increase the cost to shareholders who invest in a service fee bearing share class. These payments are made pursuant to written agreements between the Financial Intermediaries and the Investment Manager, the Distributor and/or a Fund.
Class I shares, which do not have any front-end sales charge, contingent deferred sales charge, or other asset-based fee for sales or distribution, such as a distribution (12b-1) fee, may be available on

51AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Investing Through an Intermediary (CONTINUED)
brokerage platforms of Financial Intermediaries that have agreements with the Distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as your agent. If you transact in Class I shares through such a Financial Intermediary, you may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the Financial Intermediary for effecting such transactions. Shares of the Funds are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Class N and Class I shares of each of AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund are authorized to pay shareholder servicing fees at a rate of up to 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to such share class. Class N and Class I shares of AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund are each authorized to pay shareholder servicing fees at a rate of up to 0.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to such share class. Class N and Class I shares of AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund are each authorized to pay shareholder servicing fees at a rate of up to 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to such share class. Class N and Class I shares of AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund are authorized to pay shareholder servicing fees at a rate of up to 0.10% and 0.05%, respectively, of the Fund’s average daily net assets with respect to such share class. The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed, through at least March 1, 2024, to waive a portion of the shareholder servicing fees paid by the various share classes of each of AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, and AMG River Road Small Cap Value
Fund, as necessary, to ensure the total net expense ratio for each share class of each such Fund does not increase due to the fee and expense changes which took effect October 1, 2016.
The Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor may pay additional compensation (directly out of their own resources and not as an expense of a Fund) to certain affiliated or unaffiliated Financial Intermediaries in connection with the sale, including distribution, marketing and promotional services, or retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. To the extent permitted by SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) rules and other applicable laws and regulations, the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and the Distributor may make other payments or allow other promotional incentives to Financial Intermediaries. This compensation may provide such Financial Intermediaries with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Funds over other investment options. Any such payments may be substantial; however, they will be made by the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor, as applicable, not by the Funds or their shareholders, and will not change the NAV or the price of the Funds’ shares.
You can ask your Financial Intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor and any services it provides, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges and which share class(es) you are eligible to purchase.

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
The Funds have adopted a Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 (a 12b-1 Plan) for Class N shares that allows the Funds to pay the Distributor and Financial Intermediaries for selling and distributing Class N shares (for example, for sales, marketing, and promotional activities and to cover related expenses) and for providing service to shareholders of Class N shares. Payments made pursuant to the
12b-1 Plan for Class N shares may only be used to pay distribution expenses incurred in the current year. Because 12b-1 fees are deducted from the net assets of Class N on an ongoing basis, they increase the cost of your investment the longer you hold it, and will result in lower total returns and may end up costing you more than other types of sales charges.

Transaction Policies
OPENING YOUR ACCOUNT
You can set up your account either through a registered financial professional or on your own, by submitting your completed application to the Funds with your initial investment. Your account application must be in “good order” before we can process it; that is, the application must contain all of the information and documentation requested. Failing to provide what we request may delay the purchase date or cause us to reject your application and return your investment monies.
To help the U.S. government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires the Trust to verify identifying information provided by each investor in its application,
and the Trust may require further identifying documentation. The Trust also must maintain and update identifying information and conduct monitoring to identify and report suspicious transactions. If the Trust is unable to verify the information shortly after your account is opened or within a reasonable amount of time after a request for updated information, the account may be closed and your shares redeemed at their net asset value at the time of the redemption.

52AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Transaction Policies (CONTINUED)
BUYING AND SELLING Fund SHARES
You may buy shares of the Funds once you set up an account. You also may buy additional shares or sell your shares any day that the NYSE is open for business. When you buy or sell Fund shares, the price is the NAV per share that is calculated after we receive your order in proper form. Each class’s NAV is calculated at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time.
PROCESSING ORDERS
The Funds typically expect to pay out redemption proceeds on the next business day after a redemption request is received in good order if redemption proceeds are sent by wire. If redemption proceeds are sent by check via express mail or Automated Clearing House (“ACH”), the Funds typically expect to pay out redemption proceeds within two business days after a redemption request is received in good order. If redemption proceeds are sent by check via regular mail, the Funds typically expect to pay out redemption proceeds within five to seven business days after a redemption request is received in good order.
If you sell shares of the Funds, the Funds will send your check to the address we have on file for your account. A request to send a check to any other address or a third party requires a signature medallion guarantee. If the sale of your shares follows a purchase by check, the Funds may hold the proceeds of your sale for up to 15 calendar days to ensure that the check has cleared. ACH transactions are also subject to a 15 calendar day holding period. A Fund may delay sending out sales proceeds for up to seven days. This usually applies to very large sales without notice, excessive trading, or during unusual market conditions.
Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio and/or selling portfolio assets to generate cash. A Fund also may pay redemption proceeds using cash obtained through borrowing arrangements (including interfund lending) that may be available from time to time.
A Fund may pay all or a portion of redemption proceeds with in-kind distributions of portfolio securities when such action is in the best interest of the Fund. For example, a shareholder may request a redemption in-kind to avoid any disruption in market exposure, or a redemption may be so relatively large that a redemption in-kind is most appropriate. The securities received as payment remain subject to market and other risks until they are sold and such sales may result in transaction costs, such as brokerage fees. A redeeming shareholder may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of the redemption. In addition, a redemption is generally a taxable event for shareholders, regardless of whether the redemption is satisfied in cash or in-kind.
During periods of deteriorating or stressed market conditions, when an increased portion of a Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, or during extraordinary or emergency circumstances, the Fund may be more likely to pay redemption proceeds with cash obtained through short-term borrowing arrangements (if available) or by giving you securities.

53AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
How to Buy or Sell Shares
 
If you wish to open an account
and buy shares*...
If you wish to add shares to your
account*...
If you wish to sell shares*...
Through your registered
investment professional:
Contact your investment advisor or
other investment professional
Send any additional monies to your
investment professional to the
address on your account statement
Contact your investment advisor or
other investment professional
On your own:
By mail
Complete the account application,
then, through March 8, 2023, mail
the application and a check payable
to AMG Funds to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023,
completed applications and checks
should instead be mailed to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
Through March 8, 2023, send a
letter of instruction and a check
payable to AMG Funds to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, letters of
instruction and checks should instead
be mailed to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
(Include your account number and
Fund name on your check)
Write a letter of instruction containing:
• Name of the Fund
• Dollar amount or number of
shares you wish to sell
• Your name
• Your account number
• Signatures of all account owners
Through March 8, 2023, mail your
letter to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment
Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, RI 02940-9769
Beginning March 9, 2023, letters
should instead be mailed to:
AMG Funds
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing
(US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4426
By telephone
Not available
If your account has already been
established, call the transfer agent at
800.548.4539
If you elected telephone redemption
privileges on your account application,
call us at 800.548.4539. Telephone
redemptions are available only for
redemptions of less than $100,000 for
Class N shares and Class I shares and
less than $250,000 for Class Z shares.
Over the Internet
Not available
If your account has already been
established and ACH banking
instructions are on file, go to our
website at
www.amgfunds.com
Go to our website at
www.amgfunds.com. Internet
redemptions are available only for
redemptions of less than $100,000 for
Class N shares and Class I shares and
less than $250,000 for Class Z shares.
By bank wire
Call us at 800.548.4539 for
instructions
Call us at 800.548.4539 for
instructions
Available if bank wire instructions are
on file for your account.
*Please indicate which class of shares you are buying or selling when you place your order.
Redemptions of $100,000 and over for Class N and Class I shares and $250,000 and over for Class Z shares require a medallion signature guarantee. A medallion guarantee is a signature guarantee by a guarantor institution such as a bank, broker-dealer, credit union, national securities exchange, or savings association that is a recognized participant of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) 2000.  Telephone and Internet redemptions are available only for redemptions that are below $100,000 for Class N and Class I shares and below $250,000 for Class Z shares.

54AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
How to Buy or Sell Shares (CONTINUED)
INVESTMENT MINIMUMS
Your cash investments in the Funds must be in U.S. dollars. We do not accept third-party or “starter” checks.
 
Initial Investment
Additional Investments
Class N:
 
 
• Regular Accounts
$2,000
$100
• Individual Retirement Accounts
$1,000
$100
Class I:
 
 
• Regular Accounts
$100,000
$100
• Individual Retirement Accounts
$25,000
$100
Class Z:
 
 
• Regular Accounts
$5,000,000
$1,000
• Individual Retirement Accounts (Direct Accounts Only)
$50,000
$1,000

The minimum initial and additional investment amounts may be waived for investments by current or retired officers and Trustees of the Trust and other funds of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, as well as their family members; current or retired officers, directors, and employees of AMG and affiliated companies of AMG; the immediate family members of any such officer, director, or employee (including parents, grandparents, spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, fathers/mothers-in-law, sisters/brothers-in-law, daughters/sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, and domestic partners); a trust or plan established primarily for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons; certain omnibus accounts, mutual fund advisory platforms and fee-based investment platforms via a custodian or clearing firm (Class I shares); and certain qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and 457 plans. Additionally, a Fund or the Distributor may, in its discretion, waive the minimum initial or additional investment amounts at any time.
OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION
Subject to the approval of the Trust and in accordance with the Trust’s policies and procedures, an investor may purchase shares of a Fund with securities that are eligible for purchase by the Fund (consistent with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions) and that have a value that is readily ascertainable and determined in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies. These transactions will be effected only if the Investment Manager or the Subadviser intends to retain the security in a Fund as an investment. Assets purchased by a Fund in such transactions will be valued in generally the same manner as they would be valued for purposes of pricing the Fund’s shares, if such assets were included in the Fund’s assets at the time of purchase. The Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate this practice at any time.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
If you are selling $100,000 or more worth of Class N or Class I shares or $250,000 or more worth of Class Z shares, you will need to provide a Fund with a medallion guarantee, an imprint that verifies the authenticity of your signature. The medallion program offers shareholders added protection because it guarantees that the person who signs the transaction request is the actual shareholder or legally authorized representative.
We accept medallion imprints only from a guarantor institution such as a bank, broker-dealer, credit union, national securities exchange, or savings association that is a recognized participant of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) 2000. When requesting a medallion signature guarantee from a guarantor institution, please be sure it is issued in an amount that covers your planned transaction. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTIONS
The Funds are not responsible for any losses due to unauthorized transactions as long as the Funds follow reasonable security procedures designed to verify your identity. It is your responsibility to review and verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. If you do not want the ability to sell and exchange shares by telephone or the Internet, call the Funds at 800.548.4539 for instructions.
LIMITATIONS ON THE FUNDS
The Funds may restrict or limit certain transactions, including, but not limited to, the following examples:
Redeem your account if its value (i) falls below $500 for Class N shares, $25,000 for Class I shares or $50,000 for Class Z shares due to redemptions you make, or (ii) is below $100, but, in each case, not until after a Fund gives you at least 60 days’ notice and the opportunity to increase your account balance to the minimum account balance amount.
If an investor in Class I shares of a Fund falls below the minimum initial investment required, the Fund may convert your position(s) in Class I shares of the Fund to the respective Class N shares of that Fund, if applicable. Unless you did not meet the minimum initial investment, a Fund will give you 30 days’ notice before the Fund converts your Fund position(s). This gives you an opportunity to purchase enough shares to raise the value of your Fund position(s) above the applicable minimum initial investment. A Fund will not redeem or close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans because they do not meet the applicable minimum investment requirement. A Fund may close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings

55AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
How to Buy or Sell Shares (CONTINUED)
Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures. If these account types are invested in Class I shares below the required minimum investment, a Fund may convert the Fund position(s) to the Class N. Additionally, a Fund will not convert Class I Fund position(s) where there is an effective “letter of intent.”
Suspend sales or postpone payments when the NYSE is closed for any reason other than its usual weekend or holiday closings or when the SEC restricts trading;
Change the minimum required investment amounts;
Refuse a buy order for any reason, including your failure to submit a properly completed application;
Refuse an exchange request for any person or group if a Fund determines that the request could adversely affect the Fund, for example, if the person or group has engaged in excessive trading. (See “Limiting Trades” below.) This determination is at the Investment Manager’s discretion, based on a case-by-case analysis consistent with the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding frequent trading; and
End or limit the exchange privilege policy after giving 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders or impose fees in connection with exchanges or sales.
The Funds or the Funds’ transfer agent may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the account of a “Specified Adult” (as that term is defined in FINRA Rule 2165) based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, subject to certain conditions.
In connection with the Trust’s anti-money laundering efforts, the Trust also may redeem Fund shares at their net asset value and close a shareholder’s account if a shareholder fails to timely provide the Trust with any requested documentation or information, the Trust is unable to verify such documentation or information within a reasonable amount of time, or the Trust is otherwise required by law to redeem Fund shares.
FREQUENT TRADING POLICY
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent frequent trading in shares of the Funds. Frequent trading may result from an effort by a shareholder to engage in “market timing.” These activities may disrupt
management of the Funds’ portfolios, increase the Funds’ expenses, and have a negative impact on the Funds’ performance. There may be additional risks due to frequent trading activities. As described previously, the Funds have adopted procedures to minimize these risks.
Monitoring Trades
To help prevent frequent trading, the Investment Manager monitors the trading activities of Fund accounts on a daily basis, including large accounts maintained directly with the Funds' transfer agent. If the Investment Manager determines that an account shows a pattern of excessive trading and/or excessive exchanging among the AMG Funds Family of Funds, the Investment Manager reviews the account’s activities and may warn the account owner and/or restrict the account. The Investment Manager also notifies the Funds' transfer agent of any restriction and periodically informs the Board of Trustees about the implementation of these frequent trading policies and procedures.
Limiting Trades
The Funds may refuse a purchase order for any reason and will limit or refuse an exchange request if the Investment Manager believes that a shareholder is engaging in market timing activities that may harm the Funds and their shareholders. Transactions accepted by a Financial Intermediary that violate the Funds' frequent trading policies are not considered to be acceptable by the Funds, and the Funds may reject them on the next business day after the Financial Intermediary has received them.
Although the Funds use reasonable efforts to prevent market timing activities in the Funds, their efforts may not always succeed. For example, although the Funds strive to apply these policies and procedures uniformly to all accounts, the Funds receive certain purchase, exchange, and redemption orders through Financial Intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the Funds. Although the Funds have attempted to put safeguards in place to ensure that Financial Intermediaries have implemented procedures designed to deter market timing, the Funds' ability to detect frequent trading activities by investors who hold shares through omnibus accounts at Financial Intermediaries will still be limited by the ability of the Funds and such intermediaries to monitor for a pattern of excessive trading and/or excessive exchanging within an omnibus account.

Investor Services
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENTS
You may arrange to make automatic deductions at regular intervals from a designated bank account.
AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT PLAN
This plan lets you conveniently reinvest your dividends and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the Funds.

56AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Investor Services (CONTINUED)
AUTOMATIC REDEMPTIONS
With this feature, you can easily redeem a set amount each month from your account. You may make automatic monthly redemptions of $100 or more. Redemptions are normally completed on the 25th day of each month. If the 25th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the Funds will complete the redemption on the next business day.
RETIREMENT PLANS
You may hold your shares in a traditional or Roth IRA, which are available to you at no additional cost. Call us at 800.548.4539 to get more information and an IRA kit.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
To enhance your investment flexibility, we allow you to exchange your shares of the Funds for shares of other funds in the Trust or for shares of other funds managed by the Investment Manager, subject to the applicable investment minimum. Not all funds managed by the Investment Manager offer all classes of shares or are open to new investors. In addition to exchanging into other funds managed by the Investment Manager, as described above, you also may exchange your shares of a Fund through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the “JPMorgan Fund”).
In addition, the following restrictions apply:
Except for the JPMorgan Fund, the value of the shares exchanged must meet the minimum purchase requirement of the fund and class for which you are exchanging them. There is no minimum purchase requirement to exchange into the JPMorgan Fund if you exchange out of a Fund through the Investment Manager.
There is no fee associated with the exchange privilege; however, your exchange may result in tax consequences. For details, see “Taxability of Transactions” below.
The exchange privilege is available only if both of the accounts involved in the transaction are registered in the same name with the same address and taxpayer identification number (“TIN”).
You can request your exchange in writing, by telephone (if elected on the application), by Internet, or through your investment advisor, bank, or investment professional. Normally, we will execute the entire exchange transaction in a single business day.
Be sure to read the prospectus of any fund that you are considering for an exchange. Subject to the restrictions above, when you purchase a fund’s shares by exchange, the same terms and conditions that apply to any new investment in that fund also apply to the
exchange. The Funds may discontinue, alter, or limit the exchange privileges at any time, subject to applicable law.
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS
The Funds will send you quarterly and yearly statements with details about your account activity. The Funds will also send you a Form 1099-DIV annually (unless your account is an IRA) that shows the tax breakdown of any dividends and distributions you received from your account. In addition, you will receive a confirmation after each trade execution.
COST BASIS REPORTING
Upon the redemption or exchange of your shares in a Fund, the Fund or, if you purchase your shares through a Financial Intermediary, your Financial Intermediary generally will be required to provide you and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with cost basis information. This cost basis reporting requirement is effective for shares purchased, including through dividend reinvestment, on or after January 1, 2012. Please see www.amgfunds.com or contact the Funds at 800.548.4539, or consult your Financial Intermediary, as appropriate, for more information regarding available methods for cost basis reporting and how to select a particular method. Please consult your tax advisor to determine which available cost basis method is best for you.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Funds normally declare and pay out income dividends annually in December, with the exception of AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund. AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund normally declares and pays out income dividends quarterly.  The Funds normally declare and pay out net realized capital gain distributions, if any, annually in December. Most investors have their dividends and distributions reinvested in additional shares, and the Funds will do this automatically unless you request otherwise. You may also change your elections any time by giving the Funds written notice at least 10 days before the scheduled payment date.
CHANGES TO YOUR ACCOUNT
The Funds will mail correspondence and other materials to the address on file for you. Please notify the Funds immediately of any changes to your address or to other information that might affect your account.

Certain Federal Income Tax Information
The following tax information is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to an investment in the Funds under the Internal Revenue Code, as in effect as of the date of
this Prospectus. A more detailed tax discussion is provided in the SAI. The Funds do not intend for this information to address all aspects of taxation that may apply to individual shareholders or to

57AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Certain Federal Income Tax Information (CONTINUED)
specific types of shareholders such as insurance companies, financial institutions, tax-advantaged retirement plans, broker-dealers, and foreign persons, each of whom may qualify for special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. You should consult a tax advisor about the U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences to you of your investment in the Funds based on your particular circumstances.
Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify and be eligible to be treated each taxable year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at a corporate level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and their shareholders, a Fund must meet certain requirements. One of these requirements is that at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income in each taxable year derive from qualifying income. Each Fund invests in a manner that is consistent with its current understanding of these requirements. A Fund’s failure to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in corporate-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders. A Fund may invest in commodity-linked ETNs. It is not certain under current law whether the income and gain derived from commodity-linked ETNs constitute qualifying income. If the income or gain from a particular instrument were later determined not to constitute qualifying income, and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused a Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it were eligible to and were to cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax.
TAXABILITY OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income, whether reinvested or taken as cash, are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long each Fund owned or is considered to have owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your shares.
Distributions from the sale of investments that a Fund owns or is considered to have owned for more than one year and that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends are treated as long-term capital gains includible in your net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates.
Distributions from the sale of investments that a Fund owns or is considered to have owned for one year or less are taxable as ordinary income.
Properly reported distributions of “qualified dividend income” are taxable to you at the rate that applies to net capital gains, provided that both you and such distributing Fund meet certain holding period and other requirements.
A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of certain individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net
investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
Distributions are taxable to you in the same manner whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares.
Distributions by a Fund to retirement plans that qualify for tax-exempt treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws are not taxable. By investing in the Fund through such a plan, you typically will not be subject to tax on distributions from the Fund so long as the amounts distributed remain in the plan, but you will generally be taxed upon withdrawal of monies from the plan. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the suitability of a Fund as an investment through your retirement plan and the tax treatment of distributions (including distributions of amounts attributable to an investment in a Fund) from such a plan.
TAXABILITY OF TRANSACTIONS
Any gain or loss that results from the sale or redemption of your shares will be treated generally as capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which will be long-term or short-term depending on how long you have held your shares.
OTHER TAX MATTERS
A Fund’s investments in foreign securities, if any, may be subject to foreign taxes. In that case, the Fund’s return on those securities would generally be decreased. The application of certain foreign taxes, including withholding taxes, may be unclear. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of a taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass through” to you foreign income taxes that it pays. If a Fund is eligible to and does so elect, you will be required to include your share of those taxes in gross income as a distribution from the Fund and you generally will be allowed to claim a credit (or if you itemize deductions and so choose, a deduction), for such amounts on your U.S. federal income tax return, subject to certain limitations. If a Fund is not eligible to or does not so elect, shareholders will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund; in that case the foreign tax will nonetheless reduce the Fund’s taxable income.
Certain of a Fund’s investments, including certain debt instruments, derivatives, including commodity-linked instruments, foreign securities or foreign currencies, and shares of other investment funds, such as ETFs and REITs, could affect the amount, timing and character of distributions you receive and could cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such investments (which may require the Fund to sell other investments in order to make required distributions).

58AMG Funds

Shareholder Guide
Certain Federal Income Tax Information (CONTINUED)
Because the tax rules applicable to such investments may be uncertain under current U.S. federal income tax law, an adverse determination or future IRS guidance with respect to these rules may affect whether a Fund has derived its income from the proper sources, made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information.
TAX WITHHOLDING
To avoid back-up withholding of U.S. federal income taxes on distributions or sale proceeds, federal law requires you to:
Provide your Social Security Number (“SSN”) or other TIN;
Certify that your SSN or TIN is correct; and
Certify that you are not subject to back-up withholding.
In addition, the Funds must also withhold taxes on distributions and sale proceeds if the IRS notifies the Funds that the SSN or TIN you provided is incorrect, or the IRS notifies the Funds that you have failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income.

59AMG Funds

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

Financial Highlights
The following Financial Highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past five fiscal years (or since inception). Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a Fund assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited and reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report is included in the Funds’ Annual Report, which is available upon request.
AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$13.28
$10.02
$12.34
$12.29
$12.87
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.18
0.19
0.25
0.27
0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(0.29)
3.27
(1.49)
0.80
0.06
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.11)
3.46
(1.24)
1.07
0.28
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.27)
(0.20)
(0.34)
(0.30)
(0.28)
Net realized gain on investments
(2.20)
(0.74)
(0.72)
(0.58)
Total distributions to shareholders
(2.47)
(0.20)
(1.08)
(1.02)
(0.86)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$10.70
$13.28
$10.02
$12.34
$12.29
Total Return2,3
(1.34)%
34.74%
(10.96)%
10.11%
2.06%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets4
1.03%
1.06%
1.13%
1.11%
1.10%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5
1.07%
1.09%
1.13%
1.12%
1.11%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
1.61%
1.51%
2.38%
2.32%
1.78%
Portfolio turnover
30%
20%
35%
29%
27%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$36,432
$43,430
$41,358
$79,811
$100,420
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$13.27
$10.01
$12.33
$12.29
$12.86
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.21
0.22
0.28
0.31
0.26
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(0.30)
3.27
(1.49)
0.78
0.06
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.09)
3.49
(1.21)
1.09
0.32
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.30)
(0.23)
(0.37)
(0.33)
(0.31)
Net realized gain on investments
(2.20)
(0.74)
(0.72)
(0.58)
Total distributions to shareholders
(2.50)
(0.23)
(1.11)
(1.05)
(0.89)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$10.68
$13.27
$10.01
$12.33
$12.29
Total Return2,3
(1.18)%
35.10%
(10.69)%
10.32%
2.38%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets4
0.78%
0.81%
0.86%
0.84%
0.84%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5
0.82%
0.84%
0.86%
0.85%
0.85%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
1.86%
1.76%
2.65%
2.59%
2.04%
Portfolio turnover
30%
20%
35%
29%
27%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$290,632
$382,571
$408,844
$533,106
$743,984

61AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$13.28
$10.01
$12.33
$12.29
$12.86
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.21
0.22
0.27
0.32
0.26
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(0.29)
3.29
(1.47)
0.77
0.06
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.08)
3.51
(1.20)
1.09
0.32
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.31)
(0.24)
(0.38)
(0.33)
(0.31)
Net realized gain on investments
(2.20)
(0.74)
(0.72)
(0.58)
Total distributions to shareholders
(2.51)
(0.24)
(1.12)
(1.05)
(0.89)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$10.69
$13.28
$10.01
$12.33
$12.29
Total Return2,3
(1.12)%
35.26%
(10.65)%
10.37%
2.42%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets4
0.74%
0.77%
0.81%
0.79%
0.78%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5
0.78%
0.80%
0.81%
0.80%
0.79%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
1.90%
1.80%
2.69%
2.64%
2.10%
Portfolio turnover
30%
20%
35%
29%
27%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$3,199
$2,430
$1,901
$63
$619
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
4
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to 0.01%, 0.01%, less than 0.01%, 0.01%, and less than 0.01%, for the fiscal years ended
October 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, respectively.
5
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.

62AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$14.44
$11.05
$12.65
$11.91
$11.87
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.04
0.01
0.043
0.04
0.05
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(2.03)
3.38
(1.39)
1.45
0.93
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.99)
3.39
(1.35)
1.49
0.98
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.02)
(0.05)
(0.07)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.95)
(0.23)
(0.70)
(0.87)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.95)
(0.25)
(0.75)
(0.94)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$11.50
$14.44
$11.05
$12.65
$11.91
Total Return2,4
(14.80)%
30.68%
(11.03)%
14.29%
8.69%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
1.05%
1.06%
1.03%
0.98%
0.99%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
1.14%
1.12%
1.15%
1.21%
1.32%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
0.30%
0.10%
0.34%
0.34%
0.43%
Portfolio turnover
113%
83%
103%
59%
88%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$2,243
$3,666
$12,466
$15,284
$9,184
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$14.48
$11.12
$12.72
$11.98
$11.92
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.07
0.05
0.073
0.07
0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(2.04)
3.39
(1.40)
1.46
0.93
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.97)
3.44
(1.33)
1.53
1.01
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.05)
(0.08)
(0.04)
(0.09)
(0.08)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.95)
(0.23)
(0.70)
(0.87)
Total distributions to shareholders
(1.00)
(0.08)
(0.27)
(0.79)
(0.95)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$11.51
$14.48
$11.12
$12.72
$11.98
Total Return2,4
(14.64)%
30.98%
(10.81)%
14.55%
8.91%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
0.80%
0.81%
0.78%
0.73%
0.74%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
0.89%
0.87%
0.90%
0.96%
1.07%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
0.55%
0.35%
0.59%
0.59%
0.68%
Portfolio turnover
113%
83%
103%
59%
88%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$53,620
$176,460
$130,758
$130,928
$20,928

63AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$14.49
$11.12
$12.73
$11.98
$11.92
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.08
0.06
0.073
0.07
0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(2.04)
3.39
(1.41)
1.47
0.93
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.96)
3.45
(1.34)
1.54
1.01
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.06)
(0.08)
(0.04)
(0.09)
(0.08)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.95)
(0.23)
(0.70)
(0.87)
Total distributions to shareholders
(1.01)
(0.08)
(0.27)
(0.79)
(0.95)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$11.52
$14.49
$11.12
$12.73
$11.98
Total Return2,4
(14.59)%
31.12%
(10.86)%
14.69%
8.96%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
0.76%
0.77%
0.74%
0.69%
0.70%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
0.85%
0.83%
0.86%
0.92%
1.03%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
0.59%
0.39%
0.63%
0.63%
0.72%
Portfolio turnover
113%
83%
103%
59%
88%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$7,677
$13,323
$2,462
$157
$66
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.02, $0.05, and $0.05 for Class N,
Class I, and Class Z shares, respectively.
4
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
5
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.01% for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022,
2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
6
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.

64AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$9.51
$11.40
$13.06
$12.19
$12.33
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
0.293
(0.09)
(0.16)
(0.05)
(0.03)4
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.39)
2.71
(0.42)
1.63
(0.11)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.10)
2.62
(0.58)
1.58
(0.14)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on investments
(0.06)
(4.51)
(1.08)
(0.71)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.35
$9.51
$11.40
$13.06
$12.19
Total Return2,5
(11.67)%
22.06%
(5.17)%
13.98%
(1.14)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets6
1.02%
2.08%7
2.71%7
2.41%7
3.12%7
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets8
2.11%
2.69%
3.23%
2.83%
3.41%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets2
3.23%
(0.70)%
(1.35)%
(0.43)%
(0.25)%
Portfolio turnover
51%
159%
257%
264%
189%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$1,012
$1,561
$1,584
$2,654
$3,749
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$9.86
$11.65
$13.30
$12.37
$12.48
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
0.333
(0.06)
(0.14)
(0.02)
0.004,9
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.44)
2.78
(0.43)
1.66
(0.11)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.11)
2.72
(0.57)
1.64
(0.11)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.02)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.06)
(4.51)
(1.08)
(0.71)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.08)
(4.51)
(1.08)
(0.71)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.67
$9.86
$11.65
$13.30
$12.37
Total Return2,5
(11.41)%
22.48%
(4.98)%
14.28%
(0.88)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets6
0.77%
1.84%7
2.46%7
2.16%7
2.87%7
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets8
1.86%
2.45%
2.98%
2.58%
3.16%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets2
3.48%
(0.46)%
(1.10)%
(0.18)%
0.00%10
Portfolio turnover
51%
159%
257%
264%
189%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$5,263
$7,105
$14,041
$22,856
$24,925

65AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$9.92
$11.69
$13.32
$12.38
$12.49
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
0.333
(0.05)
(0.12)
(0.01)
0.014
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.45)
2.79
(0.43)
1.66
(0.12)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.12)
2.74
(0.55)
1.65
(0.11)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.03)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.06)
(4.51)
(1.08)
(0.71)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.09)
(4.51)
(1.08)
(0.71)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$8.71
$9.92
$11.69
$13.32
$12.38
Total Return2,5
(11.41)%
22.58%
(4.82)%
14.35%
(0.88)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets6
0.72%
1.76%7
2.38%7
2.08%7
2.79%7
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets8
1.81%
2.37%
2.90%
2.50%
3.08%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets2
3.53%
(0.38)%
(1.02)%
(0.10)%
0.09%
Portfolio turnover
51%
159%
257%
264%
189%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$833
$552
$660
$84
$73
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.15, $0.18, and $0.18 for Class N,
Class I and Class Z shares, respectively.
4
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.17), $(0.14), and $(0.13) for Class N,
Class I and Class Z shares, respectively.
5
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
6
Includes reduction from brokerage recapture amounting to 0.01%, 0.04%, 0.11%, 0.01% and 0.02% for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022,
2021, 2020, 2019,and 2018, respectively.
7
Expense ratio includes dividend and interest expense related to securities sold short. Excluding such dividend and interest expense, the ratio of net
expenses to average net assets would be 1.32%, 1.11%, and 1.01% for Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively, for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2021, 1.34%, 1.09% and 1.01% for Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, 1.44%, 1.19%
and 1.11% for Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, 1.45%, 1.20% and 1.12% for Class N, Class
I and Class Z, respectively, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.
8
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.
9
Less than $0.005 per share.
10
Less than 0.005%.

66AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$19.43
$29.75
$34.95
$38.27
$41.95
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.173
0.024
0.16
0.345
0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.22)
11.69
(2.85)
(0.85)
(0.95)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.05)
11.71
(2.69)
(0.51)
(0.87)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.04)
(0.02)
(0.33)
(0.15)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.60)
(22.01)
(2.18)
(2.66)
(2.81)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.64)
(22.03)
(2.51)
(2.81)
(2.81)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$17.74
$19.43
$29.75
$34.95
$38.27
Total Return2,6
(5.67)%
50.65%
(8.62)%
(0.55)%
(2.82)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
1.09%7
1.13%7
1.14%
1.15%
1.12%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets8
1.11%
1.18%
1.16%
1.15%
1.13%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
0.90%
0.08%
0.52%
0.95%
0.19%
Portfolio turnover
71%
149%
50%
21%
18%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$227,513
$287,165
$259,561
$518,354
$893,685
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$20.82
$30.68
$35.96
$39.33
$42.97
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.243
0.094
0.25
0.455
0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investments
(1.32)
12.16
(2.94)
(0.89)
(0.99)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.08)
12.25
(2.69)
(0.44)
(0.80)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.09)
(0.10)
(0.41)
(0.27)
(0.03)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.60)
(22.01)
(2.18)
(2.66)
(2.81)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.69)
(22.11)
(2.59)
(2.93)
(2.84)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$19.05
$20.82
$30.68
$35.96
$39.33
Total Return2,6
(5.41)%
51.11%
(8.38)%
(0.33)%
(2.56)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.80%7
0.87%7
0.90%
0.90%
0.87%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets8
0.82%
0.92%
0.92%
0.90%
0.88%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
1.19%
0.34%
0.76%
1.20%
0.44%
Portfolio turnover
71%
149%
50%
21%
18%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$74,094
$112,741
$176,807
$1,102,479
$1,754,203

67AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$20.71
$30.63
$35.95
$39.34
$42.98
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income1,2
0.243
0.104
0.28
0.485
0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(1.29)
12.13
(2.94)
(0.89)
(0.98)
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(1.05)
12.23
(2.66)
(0.41)
(0.76)
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.12)
(0.14)
(0.48)
(0.32)
(0.07)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.60)
(22.01)
(2.18)
(2.66)
(2.81)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.72)
(22.15)
(2.66)
(2.98)
(2.88)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$18.94
$20.71
$30.63
$35.95
$39.34
Total Return2,6
(5.34)%
51.18%
(8.32)%
(0.25)%
(2.48)%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
0.75%7
0.80%7
0.82%
0.82%
0.79%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets8
0.77%
0.85%
0.84%
0.82%
0.80%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets2
1.24%
0.41%
0.84%
1.28%
0.52%
Portfolio turnover
71%
149%
50%
21%
18%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$7,221
$8,237
$9,786
$47,907
$205,203
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.05, $0.11 and $0.11 for Class N,
Class I and Class Z, respectively.
4
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.02), $0.05 and $0.06 for
Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively.
5
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.23, $0.33 and $0.36 for Class N,
Class I and Class Z, respectively.
6
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
7
Includes reduction from brokerage recapture amounting to 0.01% and less than 0.01% for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and 2021,
respectively.
8
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.

68AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$9.81
$6.80
$7.84
$7.62
$8.23
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment loss1,2
(0.03)
(0.04)
(0.01)3
(0.02)
(0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(0.11)
3.05
(0.88)
0.78
0.57
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.14)
3.01
(0.89)
0.76
0.54
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.01)
(0.02)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.57)
(0.14)
(0.54)
(1.13)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.57)
(0.15)
(0.54)
(1.15)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$9.10
$9.81
$6.80
$7.84
$7.62
Total Return2,4
(1.64)%
44.27%
(11.65)%
11.82%
7.09%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
1.28%
1.25%
1.31%
1.31%
1.32%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
1.28%
1.27%
1.33%
1.37%
1.36%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets2
(0.28)%
(0.38)%
(0.16)%
(0.27)%
(0.35)%
Portfolio turnover
32%
44%
47%
38%
46%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$18,961
$22,702
$21,618
$24,669
$17,840
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$10.10
$6.98
$8.04
$7.78
$8.38
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
(0.00)7
(0.01)
0.013
(0.00)7
(0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(0.12)
3.13
(0.91)
0.80
0.57
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.12)
3.12
(0.90)
0.80
0.56
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.00)7
(0.02)
(0.03)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.57)
(0.14)
(0.54)
(1.13)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.57)
(0.00)7
(0.16)
(0.54)
(1.16)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$9.41
$10.10
$6.98
$8.04
$7.78
Total Return2,4
(1.38)%
44.70%
(11.47)%
12.12%
7.32%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
1.02%
1.00%
1.05%
1.06%
1.08%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
1.02%
1.02%
1.07%
1.12%
1.12%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net
assets2
(0.02)%
(0.13)%
0.09%
(0.02)%
(0.11)%
Portfolio turnover
32%
44%
47%
38%
46%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$188,163
$218,698
$156,350
$145,620
$51,400

69AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$10.10
$6.98
$8.04
$7.77
$8.37
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
0.008
(0.01)
0.013
0.008
(0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
(0.11)
3.13
(0.91)
0.81
0.58
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.11)
3.12
(0.90)
0.81
0.57
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.00)7
(0.00)7
(0.02)
(0.04)
Net realized gain on investments
(0.57)
(0.14)
(0.54)
(1.13)
Total distributions to shareholders
(0.57)
(0.00)7
(0.16)
(0.54)
(1.17)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$9.42
$10.10
$6.98
$8.04
$7.77
Total Return2,4
(1.26)%
44.77%
(11.43)%
12.26%
7.37%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets5
0.97%
0.95%
1.00%
1.01%
1.03%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets6
0.97%
0.97%
1.02%
1.07%
1.07%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets2
0.03%
(0.08)%
0.14%
0.03%
(0.06)%
Portfolio turnover
32%
44%
47%
38%
46%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$34,477
$35,766
$553
$183
$136
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment (loss) income per share would have been $(0.02), $(0.00), and $0.00 for
Class N, Class I, and Class Z shares, respectively.
4
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
5
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.02%, 0.03%, and 0.01% for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022,
2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
6
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.
7
Less than $(0.005) per share.
8
Less than $0.005 per share.

70AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class N
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$15.45
$10.76
$13.00
$13.26
$14.46
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment loss1,2
(0.09)
(0.09)
(0.02)
(0.04)
(0.05)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
0.06
4.78
(1.43)
1.17
0.79
Total income (loss) from investment operations
(0.03)
4.69
(1.45)
1.13
0.74
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain on investments
(1.16)
(0.79)
(1.39)
(1.94)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$14.26
$15.45
$10.76
$13.00
$13.26
Total Return2,3
(0.35)%
43.59%
(12.09)%
10.86%
5.41%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets4
1.35%
1.33%
1.34%
1.36%
1.35%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5
1.35%
1.35%
1.36%
1.37%
1.36%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets2
(0.60)%
(0.61)%
(0.19)%
(0.33)%
(0.34)%
Portfolio turnover
33%
39%
42%
47%
41%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$37,265
$34,246
$25,920
$29,963
$28,444
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class I
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$15.91
$11.05
$13.30
$13.51
$14.68
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
(0.05)
(0.05)
0.01
(0.01)
(0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
0.06
4.91
(1.46)
1.20
0.79
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.01
4.86
(1.45)
1.19
0.78
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.00)6
(0.01)
(0.01)
(0.01)
Net realized gain on investments
(1.16)
(0.79)
(1.39)
(1.94)
Total distributions to shareholders
(1.16)
(0.00)6
(0.80)
(1.40)
(1.95)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$14.76
$15.91
$11.05
$13.30
$13.51
Total Return2,3
(0.07)%
43.99%
(11.91)%
11.23%
5.60%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets4
1.09%
1.07%
1.07%
1.09%
1.10%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5
1.09%
1.09%
1.09%
1.10%
1.11%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net
assets2
(0.34)%
(0.35)%
0.07%
(0.06)%
(0.09)%
Portfolio turnover
33%
39%
42%
47%
41%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$819,940
$835,473
$487,637
$374,344
$330,245

71AMG Funds

Financial Highlights
 
For the fiscal years ended October 31,
Class Z
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year
$15.92
$11.05
$13.30
$13.51
$14.68
Income (loss) from Investment Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income (loss)1,2
(0.04)
(0.04)
0.02
0.007
0.007
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
0.06
4.92
(1.46)
1.20
0.79
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.02
4.88
(1.44)
1.20
0.79
Less Distributions to Shareholders from:
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
(0.01)
(0.02)
(0.02)
(0.02)
Net realized gain on investments
(1.16)
(0.79)
(1.39)
(1.94)
Total distributions to shareholders
(1.16)
(0.01)
(0.81)
(1.41)
(1.96)
Net Asset Value, End of Year
$14.78
$15.92
$11.05
$13.30
$13.51
Total Return2,3
(0.00)%8
44.17%
(11.78)%
11.29%
5.71%
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets4
1.00%
0.98%
0.99%
1.01%
1.00%
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5
1.00%
1.00%
1.01%
1.02%
1.01%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets2
(0.25)%
(0.26)%
0.16%
0.02%
0.01%
Portfolio turnover
33%
39%
42%
47%
41%
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted
$9,792
$7,911
$1,025
$186
$163
1
Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares.
2
Total returns and net investment income (loss) would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset.
3
The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end.
4
Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to less than 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.02%, 0.01%, and 0.01% for the fiscal years ended October 31,
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
5
Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments
and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses.
6
Less than $(0.005) per share.
7
Less than $0.005 per share.
8
Less than (0.005)%.

72AMG Funds

How To Contact Us
AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund
AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund
AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund
AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND ADMINISTRATOR
AMG Funds LLC
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
203.299.3500 or 800.548.4539
DISTRIBUTOR
AMG Distributors, Inc.
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York Mellon
Mutual Funds Custody
6023 Airport Road
Oriskany, New York 13424
LEGAL COUNSEL
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600
TRANSFER AGENT
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 9769
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9769
800.548.4539
Effective March 9, 2023, the Transfer Agent’s mailing address will change to the following:
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
P.O. Box 534426
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15253-4426
TRUSTEES
Bruce B. Bingham
Kurt A. Keilhacker
Steven J. Paggioli
Eric Rakowski
Victoria L. Sassine
Garret W. Weston

73AMG Funds

AMG Funds
Prospectus
March 1, 2023

Where to find additional information
The Funds' Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) contains additional information about the Funds and their investments. Additional information about the Funds' investments is available in the Funds' Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In each Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.
To request free copies of these materials or to make other inquiries, please contact the Funds:
By telephone:
800.548.4539
By mail:
AMG Funds
680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500
Stamford, Connecticut 06901
On the Internet:
Electronic copies are available on our website
at www.amgfunds.com
Information about the Funds, including the Funds' current SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Funds' SAI is incorporated by reference into (is legally part of) this Prospectus.
Reports and other information about the Funds are also available on the EDGAR database of the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies by electronic request, after paying a duplicating fee, via email to publicinfo@sec.gov.
© 2023 AMG Funds LLC
Investment Company Act Registration Number 811-08004
www.amgfunds.com

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or
determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
P101-0323


AMG FUNDS IV

AMG BEUTEL GOODMAN CORE PLUS BOND FUND

    

CLASS N: ADBLX

CLASS I: ADLIX

CLASS Z: ADZIX

AMG GW&K SMALL/MID CAP GROWTH FUND

    

CLASS N: ACWDX

CLASS I: ACWIX

CLASS Z: ACWZX

AMG MONTRUSCO BOLTON LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND

    

CLASS N: MCGFX

CLASS I: MCGIX

AMG BEUTEL GOODMAN INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

    

CLASS N: APINX

CLASS I: APCTX

CLASS Z: APCZX

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DATED March 1, 2023

You can obtain a free copy of the prospectus for each of AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund, AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund, and AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund (each a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”), dated March 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”), by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com. The Funds’ Prospectus provides basic information about investing in the Funds.

This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Funds. It should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ Prospectus.    

The Funds’ audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and the related Notes to the Financial Statements for the Funds, as well as the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm from each Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information (meaning such documents are legally a part of this Statement of Additional Information) and are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com or the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

SAI086-0323


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

GENERAL INFORMATION

     1  

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

     2  

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     57  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     67  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     73  

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     95  

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

     98  

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

     103  

OTHER INFORMATION

     119  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     123  

APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS ASSIGNED BY S&P GLOBAL RATINGS AND MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

     A-1  

APPENDIX B BEUTEL GOODMAN PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

     B-1  

APPENDIX C GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC PROXY VOTING POLICY AND GUIDELINES

     C-1  

APPENDIX D MONTRUSCO BOLTON INVESTMENTS, INC. PROXY VOTING POLICY

     D-1  

 

i


GENERAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund (the “Core Plus Bond Fund”), AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (the “Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund”), AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Large Cap Growth Fund”), and AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund (the “International Equity Fund”) (each a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”). Each Fund is a series of shares of beneficial interest of AMG Funds IV, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and part of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, a fund complex comprised of 45 different funds, each having distinct investment management objectives, strategies, risks, and policies (the “AMG Fund Complex”). The Trust was organized on September 10, 1993.

Each of the Core Plus Bond Fund, the International Equity Fund, and the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund has established three classes of shares: Class N, Class I and Class Z. The Large Cap Growth Fund has established two classes of shares: Class N and Class I. Effective immediately after the close of business on May 31, 2019, Class R shares of the Large Cap Growth Fund automatically converted to Class N shares.    

Effective as of October 1, 2016, Aston Funds changed its name to AMG Funds IV.

Effective as of October 1, 2016, each Fund’s name changed as follows:

 

Former Name

  

Name as of October 1, 2016

ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund    AMG Managers DoubleLine Core Plus Bond Fund
ASTON/LMCG Small Cap Growth Fund    AMG Managers LMCG Small Cap Growth Fund
ASTON/Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund    AMG Managers Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund
ASTON/Pictet International Fund    AMG Managers Pictet International Fund

Also effective as of October 1, 2016, Aston Asset Management, LLC (“Aston”), the former investment adviser to the Funds and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”), merged with and into AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”), with the Investment Manager becoming the investment manager to the Funds.

Effective as of March 19, 2021 (or, in the case of the Core Plus Bond Fund, March 24, 2021), each Fund’s name changed as follows:

 

Former Name

  

Name as of March 19, 2021 (unless otherwise noted)

AMG Managers DoubleLine Core Plus Bond Fund    AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund (effective March 24, 2021)
AMG Managers LMCG Small Cap Growth Fund    AMG GW&K Small Cap Fund II
AMG Managers Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund    AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
AMG Managers Pictet International Fund    AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund

Effective as of May 21, 2021, AMG GW&K Small Cap Fund II changed its name to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund.

 

1


This SAI describes the financial history, management and operation of the Funds, as well as each Fund’s investment objective(s) and policies. It should be read in conjunction with each Fund’s current prospectus, dated March 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”). The Trust’s executive office is located at 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

The Investment Manager, a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”), serves as investment manager to the Funds and is responsible for each Fund’s overall administration. It selects and recommends, subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”), an independent asset manager, or a team of independent asset managers (the “Subadviser” or “Subadvisers”) to manage each Fund’s investment portfolio. The Investment Manager also monitors the performance, security holdings and investment strategies of these Subadvisers and researches any potential new Subadvisers for the Funds. See “Management of the Funds” for more information.

Investments in the Funds are not:

 

   

Deposits or obligations of any bank;

 

   

Guaranteed or endorsed by any bank; or

 

   

Federally insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other federal agency.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The following is additional information regarding the investment policies used by each Fund in an attempt to achieve its investment objective(s) as stated in its Prospectus. The Trust is an open-end management investment company. Each of the Core Plus Bond Fund and Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund is a diversified series of the Trust. Each of the Large Cap Growth Fund and the International Equity Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust.

The following is information regarding the types of securities and instruments that may be purchased by the Funds (unless otherwise noted) to the extent such investments are permitted by applicable law. The information below does not describe every type of investment, technique or risk to which each Fund may be exposed. Each Fund reserves the right, without notice, to make any investment, or use any investment technique, except to the extent that such activity would require a shareholder vote, as discussed below under “Fundamental Investment Restrictions.”

The Board may, in the future, authorize a Fund to invest in securities other than those listed here and in the Fund’s Prospectus, provided that such investment would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and that it would not violate any fundamental investment policies or restrictions applicable to the Fund.

Any restriction on investments or use of assets, including, but not limited to, market capitalization, geographic, rating and/or any other percentage restrictions, set forth in this SAI or the Funds’ Prospectus shall be measured only at the time of investment, and any subsequent change, whether in the value, market capitalization, rating, percentage held or otherwise, will not constitute a violation of the restriction, except as stated below.

 

2


Investment Techniques and Associated Risks

(1) Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities directly or indirectly represent a participation interest in, or are secured by and are payable from, a stream of payments generated from particular assets, such as automobile and credit card receivables and home equity loans or other asset-backed securities collateralized by those assets. Asset-backed securities provide periodic payments that generally consist of both principal and interest payments that must be guaranteed by a letter of credit from an unaffiliated bank for a specified amount and time.

Asset-backed securities are subject to certain risks. These risks generally arise out of the security interest in the assets collateralizing the security. For example, credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to a number of protections from the state and through federal consumer laws, many of which give the debtor the right to offset certain amounts of credit card debts thereby reducing the amounts due. In general, these types of loans have a shorter life than mortgage loans and are less likely to have substantial prepayments, although in a period of declining interest rates, pre-payments on asset-backed securities may increase and a Fund may be unable to reinvest those prepaid amounts in investments providing the same rate of interest as the pre-paid obligations. Asset-backed securities also involve the risk that borrowers may default on the obligations backing them and that the values of and interest earned on such investments will decline as a result. Loans made to lower quality borrowers, including those of sub-prime quality, involve a higher risk of default. Therefore, the values of asset-backed securities backed by lower quality loans, including those of sub-prime quality, may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults, payment delays or a perceived increased risk of default, especially during periods when economic conditions worsen.

During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving loans, sales contracts, receivables and other obligations underlying asset-backed securities.

The Funds also invest in mortgage-backed securities, which are asset-backed securities associated with mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities and the risks associated with them are discussed under “Mortgage Related Securities” below.

(2) Below Investment Grade Securities

In General. Certain Funds may invest in below investment grade securities, subject to any limitations set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI. Below investment grade securities (also referred to as “high yield securities” or “junk bonds”) are securities rated below BBB by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), securities comparably rated by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”), or unrated securities of equivalent quality. See Appendix A for further discussion regarding securities ratings. Below investment grade securities are deemed by the rating agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and may involve major risk or exposure to adverse conditions. Below investment grade securities, while generally offering higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. The special risk considerations in connection with investments in these securities are discussed below.

Below investment grade securities generally offer a higher yield than that available from higher-rated issues with similar maturities, as compensation for holding a security that is subject to greater risk. Lower-rated securities involve higher risks in that they are especially subject to (1) adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, (2) adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuers, (3) price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates and (4) limited liquidity and secondary market support.

 

3


Effect of Interest Rates and Economic Changes. All interest-bearing securities typically experience appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. The market values of below investment grade securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Below investment grade securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. As a result, they generally involve more credit risks than securities in the higher-rated categories. During an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of below investment grade securities may experience financial stress which may adversely affect their ability to service their debt obligations, meet projected business goals, and obtain additional financing. Periods of economic uncertainty and changes would also generally result in increased volatility in the market prices of these securities and thus in a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).

Payment Expectations. Below investment grade securities may contain redemption, call or prepayment provisions which permit the issuer of such securities to, at its discretion, redeem the securities. During periods of falling interest rates, issuers of these securities are likely to redeem or prepay the securities and refinance them with debt securities with a lower interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the securities, or otherwise redeem them, a Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security, which would result in a lower return.

Credit Ratings. Credit ratings issued by credit-rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of lower-quality securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. With regard to an investment in below investment grade securities, the achievement of a Fund’s investment objective(s) may be more dependent on the Subadviser’s own credit analysis than is the case for higher rated securities. Although the Subadviser considers security ratings when making investment decisions, it does not rely solely on the ratings assigned by the rating services. Rather, the Subadviser performs research and independently assesses the value of particular securities relative to the market. The Subadviser’s analysis may include consideration of the issuer’s experience and managerial strength, changing financial condition, borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, and the issuer’s responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. It also considers relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage and earnings prospects.

A Fund’s Subadviser buys and sells debt securities principally in response to its evaluation of an issuer’s continuing ability to meet its obligations, the availability of better investment opportunities, and its assessment of changes in business conditions and interest rates.

Liquidity and Valuation. Below investment grade securities may lack an established retail secondary market, and to the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it may be less liquid than the secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may negatively impact a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

Because of the many risks involved in investing in below investment grade securities, the success of such investments is dependent upon the credit analysis of the Subadviser. Although the market for below investment grade securities is not new, and the market has previously weathered economic downturns, the past performance of the market for such securities may not be an accurate indication of its performance during future economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates. Differing yields on debt securities of the same maturity are a function of several factors, including the relative financial strength of the issuers.

 

4


(3) Borrowing

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a Fund may borrow from any bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by the Fund and provided further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, the Fund shall, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) thereafter or such longer period as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%. In addition, each Fund may borrow up to 33 1/3% of its total assets through an interfund lending program with other eligible funds in the AMG Fund Complex (as further described below). The 1940 Act also permits an open-end investment company to borrow money from a bank or other person provided that such loan is for temporary purposes only and is in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the investment company’s total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed. Typically, a Fund may pledge up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to secure these borrowings. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has entered into a master interfund lending agreement that would allow each Fund to borrow, for temporary purposes only, from other eligible funds in the AMG Fund Complex, subject to each Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions and provided such borrowings do not exceed the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as modified by the below mentioned and any other applicable exemptive order or other relief. Please see “Interfund Lending” below for more information. If a Fund’s asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take prompt action to reduce its borrowings even though it may be disadvantageous at that time from an investment point of view. A Fund will incur costs when it borrows, including payment of interest and any fee necessary to maintain a line of credit, and may be required to maintain a minimum average balance. If a Fund is permitted to borrow money to take advantage of investment opportunities, if the income and appreciation on assets acquired with such borrowed funds exceed their borrowing cost, a Fund’s investment performance will increase, whereas if the income and appreciation on assets acquired with borrowed funds are less than their borrowing costs, investment performance will decrease. In addition, if a Fund borrows to invest in securities, any investment gains made on the securities in excess of the costs of the borrowing, and any gain or loss on hedging, will cause the NAV of the shares to rise faster than would otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if the investment performance of the additional securities purchased fails to cover their cost (including any interest paid on the money borrowed) to the Fund, the NAV of the Fund’s shares will decrease faster than would otherwise be the case. This speculative characteristic is known as “leverage.”

(4) Cash Equivalents

The Funds may invest in cash equivalents to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and as discussed in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI. A description of the various types of cash equivalents that may be purchased by certain Funds appears below.

Bank Obligations. Certain Funds may purchase obligations of domestic and foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations. These regulations place limitations on the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments which may be made by the bank and the interest rates and fees which may be charged on these loans and commitments. The profitability of the banking industry depends on the availability and costs of capital funds for the purpose of financing loans under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions also play a key role in the operations of the banking industry. Exposure to credit losses arising from potential financial difficulties of borrowers may affect the ability of the bank to meet its obligations under a letter of credit.

 

5


Bankers Acceptances. Bankers acceptances are short-term credit instruments used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. These instruments become “accepted” when a bank guarantees their payment upon maturity. Eurodollar bankers acceptances are bankers acceptances denominated in U.S. dollars and are “accepted” by foreign branches of major U.S. commercial banks.

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are issued against money deposited into a bank (including eligible foreign branches of U.S. banks) or a savings and loan association (“S&L”) for a definite period of time. They earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable.

Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, a Fund buys a security from a bank or a broker-dealer that has agreed to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. The resale price normally reflects the purchase price plus a mutually agreed-upon interest rate. This interest rate is effective for the period of time a Fund is invested in the agreement and is not related to the coupon rate on the underlying security. Repurchase agreements are subject to certain risks that may adversely affect the Funds. If a seller defaults, a Fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines and may incur disposition costs in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to a seller of the security, a Fund’s ability to dispose of the collateral may be delayed or limited. Generally, the period of these repurchase agreements will be short.

The financial institutions with which a Fund may enter into repurchase agreements are banks and non-bank dealers of U.S. government securities that are listed on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s list of reporting dealers and banks, if such banks and non-bank dealers are deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager or Subadviser. The Investment Manager or Subadviser will continue to monitor the creditworthiness of the seller under a repurchase agreement and will require the seller to maintain during the term of the agreement the value of the securities subject to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price.

In certain instances, a Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions that are novated to the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”). FICC acts as the common counterparty to all repurchase transactions that enter its netting system and guarantees that participants will receive their cash or securities collateral (as applicable) back at the close of the repurchase transaction. While this guarantee is intended to mitigate counterparty/credit risk that exists in the case of a bilateral repurchase transaction, a Fund is exposed to risk of delays or losses in the event of a bankruptcy or other default or nonperformance by the FICC or the FICC sponsoring member through which the Fund acts in connection with such transactions.

Short-Term Corporate Debt Securities. Short-term corporate debt securities include bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities, and are generally used by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors for such purposes as working capital or capital expenditures. The issuer pays the investor a variable or fixed rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earnings and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate debt obligation may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates generally. In addition to interest rate risk, corporate debt securities also involve the risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. 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.

 

6


Time Deposits. Time deposits in banks or S&Ls are generally similar to certificates of deposit, but are uncertificated.

(5) Collateralized Debt Obligations

A Fund may invest in or have exposure to collateralized obligations. Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) are a type of asset-backed security and include, among other things, collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. A CBO is a trust which may be backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, second lien loans or other types of subordinate loans, and mezzanine loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans and including loans that may be covenant-lite. Other CDOs are trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various parties. CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses and may involve a level of active management by a collateral manager.

The cash flows from the CDO trust are generally split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is typically the “equity” or “first loss” tranche, which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Senior tranches are paid from the cash flows from the underlying assets before the junior tranches and equity tranches. Losses are first borne by the equity tranches, next by the junior tranches, and finally by the senior tranches. Senior tranches pay the lowest interest rates but are generally safer investments than more junior tranches because, should there be any default, senior tranches are typically paid first.

The most junior tranches, such as equity tranches, would attract the highest interest rates but suffer the highest risk of loss should the holder of an underlying loan default. If some loans default and the cash collected by the CDO is insufficient to pay all of its investors, those in the lowest, most junior tranches suffer losses first. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CDO trust typically has higher ratings and lower yields than the underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, more senior CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults and aversion to CDO securities as a class.

The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the quality and type of the collateral and the tranche of the CDO in which a Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, there may be a limited secondary market for investments in CDOs and such investments may be illiquid. In addition to the risks associated with debt instruments (e.g., interest rate risk and credit risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that a Fund may invest in CDOs that are subordinate to other classes of the issuer’s securities; (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results; (v) the collateral and accompanying risks underlying a CDO in which a Fund invests will change, and will do so without transparency; (vi) risk of forced liquidation of collateral securities due to technical defaults such as the failure of coverage tests designed to protect investors in more senior tranches; and (vii) the CBO’s, CLO’s or CDO’s collateral manager may perform poorly.

 

7


(6) Commercial Paper

Commercial paper refers to promissory notes that represent an unsecured debt of a corporation or finance company. They have a maturity of up to nine (9) months. Eurodollar commercial paper refers to promissory notes payable in U.S. dollars by European issuers.

(7) Commodities Exposure

Certain Funds may obtain exposure to commodities indirectly by investing in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest in securities of companies engaged in the production and distribution of commodities and commodity-related products, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) that are linked to the returns of one or more commodity indices that reflect the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee (see “Exchange-Traded Notes” below), and such other instruments as deemed appropriate from time to time. A Fund may be exposed to a wide variety of commodity sectors, including, without limitation, agriculture, livestock, base/industrial metals, oil, energy and precious metals.

Exposure to commodities may result in losses for a Fund. Commodity prices, and the value of stocks of companies exposed to commodities, can be extremely volatile and are affected by a wide range of factors, including market movements, supply and demand imbalances, inflationary trends or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. Increased demand for commodities by emerging market countries may result in shortages and cause prices to rise, potentially resulting in speculative investments in commodities. In addition, with respect to a Fund’s exposure to commodities indirectly through companies in the commodities sector and ETNs, there are additional risks to the Fund as there is no guarantee that those companies’ investments and business strategies relating to commodities will be successful, and the value of the Fund’s investments in ETFs or other instruments exposed to companies in the commodities sector, and the value of the companies themselves, may fluctuate more than the value of the relevant underlying commodity or commodities or commodity index.

See “Exchange-Traded Notes” below for specific risks relating to a Fund’s investments in exchange-traded notes that are linked to the returns of one or more commodity indices.

(8) Contingent Convertible Securities

Contingent convertible securities (“CoCos”) are hybrid bonds typically issued by banks. When the issuer’s capital ratio falls below a specified trigger level, or in a regulator’s discretion depending on the regulator’s judgment about the issuer’s solvency prospects, a CoCo may be written down, written off or converted into an equity security. Due to the contingent write-down, write-off and conversion feature,

 

8


CoCos may have substantially greater risk than other securities in times of financial stress. If the trigger level is breached, the issuer’s decision to write down, write off or convert a CoCo may be outside a Fund’s control. Any such action could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s returns, and the Fund may suffer a complete loss on an investment in CoCos with no chance of recovery even if the issuer remains in existence.

(9) Corporate and Other Debt Securities

Certain Funds, subject to their applicable investment policies, may invest in corporate debt securities issued by U.S. and foreign companies, banks and other corporate entities.

Corporate debt securities include bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities, and are generally used by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors for such purposes as working capital or capital expenditures. The issuer pays the investor a variable or fixed rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earnings and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate debt obligation may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates generally. In addition to interest rate risk, corporate debt securities also involve the risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. 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.

(10) Derivative Instruments

The following describes certain derivative instruments and products in which certain Funds may invest and risks associated therewith. The use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks, such as liquidity risk, correlation risk, market risk, credit risk, leveraging risk, counterparty risk, tax risk and management risk, as well as risks arising from changes in applicable requirements.

A Fund might not employ any of the strategies described below or be permitted by applicable law to do so, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. Also, suitable derivative and/or hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to identify or employ a desirable derivative and/or hedging transaction at any time or from time to time or that any such transactions will be successful.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, a Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, including futures contracts on global equity and fixed-income securities, interest rate futures contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and futures contracts on security indices (including broad-based security indices), for any purpose. A Fund may invest in foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon (“options on futures”) that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system as an adjunct to their securities activities. A Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on various securities indices (“Index Futures”), including indices of U.S. government securities, foreign government securities, equity securities or fixed-income securities, and related options. Through the use of Index Futures and related options, a Fund may create economic exposure in its portfolio to long and short positions in the global (U.S. and non-U.S.) equity, bond and currency markets without incurring the substantial brokerage costs which may be associated with investment in the securities of multiple issuers. A Fund may enter into futures contracts for the purchase or sale of fixed-income securities, equity securities or foreign currencies, and may also use options on securities or currency futures contracts.

 

9


A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, foreign currency or the cash value of an index at a specified price and time. An Index Future 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 a securities index (“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 unit is the value of the relevant Index from time to time. Entering into a contract to buy units is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in an Index. Index Futures contracts can be traded through major commodity brokers. As described below, a Fund will be required to segregate initial margin in the name of the futures broker upon entering into an Index Future. Variation margin will be paid to and received from the broker on a daily basis as the contracts are marked to market, as a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. For example, when a Fund has purchased an Index Future and the price of the relevant Index has risen, that position will have increased in value and a Fund will receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, when a Fund has purchased an Index Future and the price of the relevant Index has declined, the position would be less valuable and a Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker.

A Fund will ordinarily be able to close open positions on the futures exchanges on which Index Futures are traded at any time up to and including the expiration day. All positions which remain open at the close of the last business day of the contract’s life are required to settle on the next business day (based upon the value of the relevant Index on the expiration day), with settlement made with the appropriate clearing house. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures position, and the Fund would be obligated to meet margin requirements (as discussed below) until the position is closed. Additional or different margin requirements as well as settlement procedures may be applicable to foreign stock Index Futures at the time a Fund purchases such instruments. Positions in Index Futures may be closed out by a Fund only on the futures exchanges upon which the Index Futures are then traded.

The following example illustrates generally the manner in which Index Futures operate. The S&P 100 Index is composed of 100 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The S&P 100 Index assigns relative weightings to the common stocks included in the Index, and the Index fluctuates with changes in the market values of those common stocks. In the case of the S&P 100 Index, contracts are to buy or sell 100 units. Thus, if the value of the S&P 100 Index were $180, one contract would be worth $18,000 (100 units x $180). The Index Future specifies that no delivery of the actual stocks making up the Index will take place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the contract, with the settlement being the difference between the contract price and the actual level of the Index at the expiration of the contract. For example, if a Fund enters into a futures contract to buy 100 units of the S&P 100 Index at a specified future date at a contract price of $180 and the S&P 100 Index value is $184 on that future date, the Fund will gain $400 (100 units x gain of $4). If a Fund enters into a futures contract to sell 100 units of the Index at a specified future date at a contract price of $180 and the S&P 100 Index value is $182 on that future date, the Fund will lose $200 (100 units x loss of $2). Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of Indices as well as financial instruments and foreign currencies, including but not limited to: the S&P 500; the S&P Midcap 400; the Nikkei 225; the NYSE Composite; U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; Government National Mortgage Association (“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 in which a Fund may invest will be developed and traded in the future.    

 

10


A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures. Options on futures possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indices (discussed below). An option on a futures contract 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 and time(s) 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 holder acquires a short position and the writer is assigned the opposite long position. 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.

When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with its futures commission merchant an amount of margin set by the clearing house on which the contract is cleared and the Fund’s futures commission merchant. This amount may be modified by the exchange or the futures commission merchant 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 which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. A Fund may earn interest income on its initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by a Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day a 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” and is generally considered a settlement between the Fund and the exchange of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. In computing daily NAV, a 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 a Fund.

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (i.e., with the same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). 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, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. Positions in futures and options on futures may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position, and the Fund would be obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s ability to effectively hedge.    

Interest Rate Futures Contracts. An interest rate futures contract is an obligation traded on an exchange or board of trade that requires the purchaser to accept delivery, and the seller to make delivery, of a specified quantity of the underlying financial instrument, such as U.S. Treasury bills and bonds, in a stated delivery month at a price fixed in the contract. Interest rate futures contracts may be purchased on debt securities such as U.S. Treasury bills and bonds, Eurodollar instruments, U.S. Treasury Notes and interest rate swaps.

 

11


Certain Funds may purchase and sell interest rate futures as a hedge against changes in interest rates that would adversely impact the value of debt instruments and other interest rate sensitive securities being held or to be purchased by a Fund. A Fund might employ a hedging strategy whereby it would purchase an interest rate futures contract when it intends to invest in long-term debt securities but wishes to defer their purchase until it can orderly invest in such securities or because short-term yields are higher than long-term yields. Such a purchase would be intended to enable the Fund to earn the income on a short-term security while at the same time minimizing the effect of all or part of an increase in the market price of the long-term debt security which the Fund intends to purchase in the future. A rise in the price of the long-term debt security prior to its purchase either would be offset by an increase in the value of the futures contract purchased by the Fund or avoided by taking delivery of the debt securities under the futures contract.

A Fund may sell an interest rate futures contract in order to continue to receive the income from a long-term debt security, while endeavoring to avoid part or all of the decline in market value of that security which would accompany an increase in interest rates. If interest rates rise, a decline in the value of the debt security held by the Fund would be substantially offset by the ability of the Fund to repurchase at a lower price the interest rate futures contract previously sold. While the Fund could sell the long-term debt security and invest in a short-term security, this would ordinarily cause the Fund to give up income on its investment since long-term rates normally exceed short-term rates.

Limitations on Use of Futures and Options on Futures. A Fund may only enter into futures contracts or options on futures 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, or in the case of options on futures, for which an established over-the-counter (“OTC”) option market exists. A Fund may utilize futures contracts and related options for any purpose, including for investment purposes and for “bona fide hedging” purposes (as such term is defined in applicable regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”)), for example, to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices. For instance, a Fund may invest to a significant degree in Index Futures on stock indices and related options (including those which may trade outside of the United States) as an alternative to purchasing individual stocks in order to adjust their exposure to a particular market.

    

Risks Associated with Futures and Options on Futures. There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options on futures 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. Some of the risk may be caused by an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contract and the price of the security or other investment being hedged. The hedge will not be fully effective where there is such imperfect correlation. Also, an incorrect correlation could result in a loss on both the hedged securities in a Fund and the hedging vehicle, so that the portfolio return might have been greater had hedging not been attempted. For example, if the price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the hedged security, a Fund would experience either a loss or gain on the future which is not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. 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 options on futures on securities, including technical influences in futures trading and options on futures, 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

 

12


creditworthiness of issuers. To compensate for imperfect correlations, a Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities if the volatility of the hedged securities is historically greater than the volatility of the futures contracts. Conversely, a Fund may purchase or sell fewer contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged securities is historically less than that of the futures contracts. The risk of imperfect correlation generally tends to diminish as the maturity date of the futures contract approaches. 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. Also, suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances.

Additionally, the price of Index Futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the relevant index due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the index and futures markets. Second, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a result, the futures market may attract more speculators than does the securities market. Increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. In addition, trading hours for foreign stock Index Futures may not correspond perfectly to hours of trading on the foreign exchange to which a particular foreign stock Index Future relates. This may result in a disparity between the price of Index Futures and the value of the relevant index due to the lack of continuous arbitrage between the Index Futures price and the value of the underlying index.

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 work to 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. If a Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it could incur substantial losses. A Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. Also, except in the case of purchased options, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain a position being hedged by the future or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account. In addition, many of the contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist. In addition, a Fund’s futures broker may limit a Fund’s ability to invest in certain futures contracts. Such restrictions may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Utilization of futures transactions by a Fund involves the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker or clearing house with whom a Fund has an open position in a futures contract or related option. See “Derivatives Counterparty Risk” and “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

 

13


Forward Currency Contracts. A Fund may enter into forward currency contracts for any purpose, including to attempt to hedge currency exposure or to enhance return. A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a currency against another currency at a future date and price as agreed-upon by the parties. A Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the forward contract or, prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, with the result that closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty. Thus, there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a forward currency contract at a favorable price prior to maturity.

A Fund may engage in forward currency transactions in anticipation of, or to attempt to protect itself against, fluctuations in exchange rates. A Fund might sell a particular currency forward, for example, when it wanted to hold bonds denominated in that currency but anticipated, and sought to be protected against, a decline in the currency against the U.S. dollar. Similarly, a Fund might purchase a currency forward to “lock in” the dollar price of securities denominated in that currency which it anticipated purchasing. See “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

Forward currency contracts are not traded on regulated exchanges. When a Fund enters into a forward currency contract, it incurs the risk of default by the counterparty to the transaction. See “Derivatives Counterparty Risk” below.

Options. A Fund may purchase and sell both put options and call options on a variety of underlying securities and instruments, including, but not limited to, specific securities, securities indices, futures contracts and foreign currencies. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security or instrument at the agreed-upon price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security or instrument at the agreed-upon price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right under the option contract.

A Fund can use both European-style and American-style options. A European-style option is only exercisable at a specified time and date. This is in contrast to American-style options, which are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.

A Fund may purchase call options for any purpose. For example, a call option may be purchased by a Fund as a long hedge. Call options also may be used as a means of participating in an anticipated price increase of a security or instrument on a more limited risk basis than would be possible if the security or instrument itself were purchased. In the event of a decline in the price of the underlying security or instrument, use of this strategy would serve to limit a Fund’s potential loss to the option premium paid; conversely, if the market price of the underlying security or instrument increases above the exercise price and the Fund either sells or exercises the option, any profit realized would be reduced by the premium. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

A Fund may purchase put options for any purpose. For example, a put option may be purchased by a Fund as a short hedge. The put option enables a Fund to sell the underlying security or instrument at the predetermined exercise price; thus the potential for loss to a Fund below the exercise price is limited to the option premium paid. If the market price of the underlying security or instrument is lower than the exercise price of the put option, any profit a Fund realizes on the sale of the security or instrument would be reduced by the premium paid for the put option less any amount for which the put option may be sold.

A Fund may write call or put options for any purpose. For example, writing put or call options can enable a Fund to enhance income or yield by reason of the premiums paid by the purchasers of such options. However, a Fund may also suffer a loss as a result of writing options. For example, if the market price of the security or instrument underlying a put option declines to less than the exercise price of the option, minus the premium received, a Fund would suffer a loss.

 

14


Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge, because declines in the value of the hedged security or instrument would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, when securities prices increase, a Fund is exposed to an increased risk of loss, because if the price of the underlying security or instrument exceeds the option’s exercise price, the Fund will suffer a loss equal to the amount by which the market price exceeds the exercise price at the time the call option is exercised, minus the premium received. If the call option is an OTC option, any securities or other assets used as cover may be considered illiquid.

Writing put options can serve as a limited long hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the underlying security or instrument depreciates to a price lower than the exercise price of the put option, it can be expected that the put option will be exercised and a Fund will be obligated to purchase the underlying security or instrument at more than its market value. If the put option is an OTC option, any securities or other assets used as cover may be considered illiquid.

The value of an option position will be affected by, among other things, the current market value of the underlying security or instrument, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying security or instrument, the historical price volatility of the underlying security or instrument and general market conditions.

A Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, a Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, a Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option; this is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit a Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.

Risks of Options. Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in a Fund’s NAV being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related instrument. A Fund may purchase or write both exchange-traded and OTC options. Exchange-traded options in the United States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between a Fund and its counterparty (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when a Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by a Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.

A Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-listed options depends on the existence of a liquid market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time. Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counterparty, or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. There can be no assurance that a Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, a Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration, if at all.

If a Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, due to the absence of a counterparty or secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit. The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by a Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.

 

15


Options have varying expiration dates. The exercise price of the options may be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security or instrument. Options purchased by a Fund that expire unexercised have no value, and the Fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid and any transaction costs. If an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. Transaction costs must be included in these calculations.

Additional risks related to options are discussed below (“Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives,” “Risks Related to OTC Options” and “Derivatives Counterparty Risk”).

Options on Indices. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, the Funds may invest in options on indices, including broad-based security indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on other investments except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities, futures contracts or other investments. When a Fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When a Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When a Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the Fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When a Fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.

Risks of Options on Indices. The risks of investments in options on indices may be greater than options on securities, futures contracts or other investments. Because index options are settled in cash, when a Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying index. A Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities or instruments similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, a Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities or instruments as those that underlie the index and, as a result, the Fund bears a risk that the value of the securities or instruments held will vary from the value of the index.

Even if a Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the “timing risk” inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, a Fund as the call writer will not learn of the assignment until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security or instrument, such as common stock, because there the writer’s obligation is to deliver the underlying security or instrument, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the underlying security or instrument, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering

 

16


it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds investments that exactly match the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those investments against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This “timing risk” is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding security or instrument positions.

If a Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.

Risks Related to OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows a Fund great flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded. In addition, OTC options are generally considered illiquid by the SEC.

Foreign Currency Options. A Fund may use currency options, for example, to cross-hedge or to increase total return when the Subadviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value. A Fund may additionally buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies as a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in relation to a foreign currency in which the Fund’s securities may be denominated. 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. A Fund might purchase a currency put option, for example, to attempt to protect itself during the contract period against a decline in the dollar value of a currency in which it holds or anticipates holding securities. If the currency’s value should decline against the dollar, the loss in currency value should be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the put. If the value of the currency instead should rise against the dollar, any gain to a Fund would be reduced by the premium paid for the put option. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. A currency call option might be purchased, for example, in anticipation of, or to attempt to protect against, a rise in the value against the dollar of a currency in which the Fund anticipates purchasing securities.

A Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the OTC market. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options. Listed options are third party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller is guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation), and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options differ from listed options in that they are bilateral contracts with strike prices, expiration dates 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 CFTC and SEC, many foreign currency options are considered swaps for certain purposes, including determination of whether such instruments need to be exchange-traded and centrally cleared, as discussed further in “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

 

17


Additional Risks of Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts, Options on Securities and Forward Currency Exchange Contracts and Options thereon. Options on securities, futures contracts, options on 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, or the prices of, foreign securities. Some foreign exchanges may be principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and a Fund may look only to the broker with whom a position is held for performance of the contract. 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. In addition, unless a Fund hedges against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which trading is done on foreign exchanges, any profits that the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.

The value of some derivative instruments in which a Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of a Fund, the ability of a Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Subadviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the Subadviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, a Fund could be exposed to risk of loss. In addition, a Fund’s use of such instruments may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments.

Certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If such a difference arises, and a Fund’s book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. A Fund may be required to accrue and distribute imputed income from certain derivative investments on a current basis, even though the Fund does not receive the income currently. A Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce the Fund’s assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return. For U.S. federal income tax information regarding derivative instruments, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below.

Swap Agreements. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, a Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, but not limited to swap transactions on interest rates, security indices (including broad-based security indices), specific securities and currency exchange rates.

A Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective(s) and policies, such as 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 a Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in a more cost-efficient manner.

Swap agreements include two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to a number of years. Swap agreements are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of types of investments or market factors. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or

 

18


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 calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” such as the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of a swap transaction is the agreed upon basis for calculating the payments that the parties have agreed to exchange.

Most swap agreements entered into by the Funds calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, a Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only 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 will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party that is engaged in a securities related business if the net amount owed or to be received under existing contracts with that party, along with investments in other securities issued by such counterparty, would exceed 5% of the Fund’s assets.

Whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective(s) will depend on many factors, including the Subadviser’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), may limit the Funds’ ability to use swap agreements.

Because swap agreements are two-party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven calendar days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses, and a Fund’s obligation under such agreement, together with other illiquid assets and securities, will not exceed 15% of a Fund’s net assets.

Moreover, a 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. Transactions in some types of swaps (including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps) are required to be centrally cleared and a Fund may also elect to choose other transactions that are available for clearing. In a transaction involving those swaps, a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than the original counterparty to the derivatives transaction (i.e., a bank or broker), so the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the member of the clearing house (“clearing member”) through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. See also “Derivatives Counterparty Risk” and “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

Many OTC derivatives are complex and their valuation often requires modeling and judgment, which increases the risk of mispricing or incorrect valuation. The pricing models used may not produce valuations that are consistent with the values a Fund realizes when it closes or sells an OTC derivative. Valuation risk is more pronounced when a Fund enters into OTC derivatives with specialized terms because the market value of those derivatives in some cases is determined in part by reference to similar derivatives with more standardized terms. Incorrect valuations may result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties, undercollateralization and/or errors in calculation of a Fund’s NAV.

A Fund may enter into interest rate and currency swap transactions and purchase or sell interest rate and currency caps and floors. A Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e. the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

 

19


Derivatives Counterparty Risk. A Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to derivative contracts. There can be no assurance that a counterparty will be able or willing to meet its obligations. Events that affect the ability of a Fund’s counterparties to comply with the terms of the derivative contracts may have an adverse effect on the Fund. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the Fund will succeed in enforcing contractual remedies. Counterparty risk still exists even if a counterparty’s obligations are secured by collateral because a Fund’s interest in collateral may not be perfected or additional collateral may not be promptly posted as required. Counterparty risk also may be more pronounced if a counterparty’s obligations exceed the amount of collateral held by a Fund, if any, a Fund is unable to exercise its interest in collateral upon default by the counterparty, or the termination value of the instrument varies significantly from the marked-to-market value of the instrument. If a counterparty becomes insolvent, a Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding or may obtain a limited or no recovery of amounts due to it under the derivative contract.

Transactions in certain types of derivatives including futures and options on futures as well as some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a transaction involving such derivatives, a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house so the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the member of the clearing house (the “clearing member”) through which it holds its position. Credit risk of market participants with respect to such derivatives is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is generally obligated to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing member on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing member may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Fund’s clearing member, because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for a relevant account class. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with applicable regulations or its agreement with a Fund, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, the Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member.

Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives. It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures 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(s). Rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to a Fund of derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. It is impossible to predict fully the effects of legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.

The CFTC has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and their investment advisers to regulation by the CFTC if the registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in futures, options on futures or commodities, swaps, or other financial instruments regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act (“commodity interests”), or if a registered investment company markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds are operated by a person, the Investment Manager, who has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act

 

20


(the “CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 thereunder (the “exclusion”) promulgated by the CFTC (with respect to the Funds). Accordingly, the Investment Manager (with respect to the Funds) is not subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA. To remain eligible for the exclusion, each of the Funds will be limited in its ability to use any commodity interests and in the manner in which it holds out its use of such commodity interests. In the event that a Fund’s investments in commodity interests are not within the thresholds set forth in the exclusion, the Investment Manager may be required to register as a “commodity pool operator” and/or “commodity trading advisor” with the CFTC with respect to that Fund. The Investment Manager’s eligibility to claim the exclusion with respect to a Fund will be based upon, among other things, the level and scope of a Fund’s investment in commodity interests, the purposes of such investments and the manner in which the Fund holds out its use of commodity interests. Each Fund’s ability to invest in commodity interests (including, but not limited to, futures and swaps on broad-based securities indexes and interest rates) is limited by the Investment Manager’s intention to operate the Fund in a manner that would permit the Investment Manager to continue to claim the exclusion under Rule 4.5, which may adversely affect the Fund’s total return. In the event the Investment Manager becomes unable to rely on the exclusion in Rule 4.5 and is required to register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator with respect to a Fund, the Fund’s expenses may increase, adversely affecting the Fund’s total return.

The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. The CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.

The CFTC and U.S. futures exchanges have established (and continue to evaluate and monitor) speculative position limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. In addition, federal position limits apply to swaps that are economically equivalent to futures contracts that are subject to CFTC-set speculative limits. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, must be aggregated for purposes of complying with speculative limits. Thus, even if a Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that positions of different clients managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. Although it is possible that the trading decisions of the Investment Manager (acting in its capacity as investment manager of a Fund) may have to be modified and that positions held by a Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits, the Investment Manager (acting in its capacity as investment manager of a Fund) believes that this is unlikely. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of a Fund. A violation of position limits could also lead to regulatory action materially adverse to a Fund’s investment strategy.

The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S., the European Union (“EU”), the United Kingdom (the “UK”) and other jurisdictions is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. Recent legislative and regulatory reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), have resulted in new regulation of derivatives, including clearing, margin, reporting, recordkeeping and registration requirements for certain types of swaps contracts and other derivatives. Because these requirements are relatively new and evolving, and certain of the rules are not yet final, their ultimate impact remains unclear. Such regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in swap transactions (for example, by making certain types of swap transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such swap transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may as a result be unable to execute its investment strategies in a manner the Subadviser might otherwise choose. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in a Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to

 

21


implement its investment strategies. Rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act require certain OTC derivatives, including certain interest rate swaps and certain credit default swaps (and potentially other types of OTC derivatives in the future), to be executed on a regulated market and cleared through a central counterparty, which may result in increased margin requirements and costs for the Funds. See “Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions” below. It is also unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.

Additionally, U.S. regulators, the EU, the UK, and certain other jurisdictions have adopted minimum margin and capital requirements for uncleared OTC derivatives transactions. These rules impose minimum margin requirements on derivatives transactions between a Fund and its swap counterparties. They impose regulatory requirements on the timing of transferring margin. The Funds are already subject to variation margin requirements under such rules and may in the future become subject to initial margin requirements under such rules. Such requirements could increase the amount of margin a Fund needs to provide in connection with uncleared derivatives transactions and, therefore, make such transactions more expensive.

Also, as noted above, in the event of a counterparty’s (or its affiliate’s) insolvency, a Fund’s ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated. Relatively new special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the EU, the UK and various other jurisdictions provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty and may prohibit a Fund from exercising termination rights based on the financial institution’s insolvency. In particular, in the EU and the UK, governmental authorities could reduce, eliminate or convert to equity the liabilities to the Funds of a counterparty experiencing financial difficulties (sometimes referred to as a “bail in”).

Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 18f-4”) governs registered investment companies’ use of derivatives and certain financing transactions (e.g., reverse repurchase agreements). Among other things, Rule 18f-4 limits derivatives exposure through one of two value-at-risk tests, requires funds to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program (including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and subjects funds to certain reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Limited derivatives users (as determined by Rule 18f-4) are not, however, subject to the full requirements under the rule. In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC also eliminated the asset segregation framework for covering certain derivatives instruments and certain financing transactions arising from the SEC’s Release 10666 and ensuing staff guidance. Compliance with the new rule by the Funds could, among other things, make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, or otherwise adversely affect their performance. The new rule may limit each Fund’s ability to use derivatives as part of its investment strategy.

Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions. Transactions in some types of swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default swaps on North American and European indices) are required to be centrally cleared, and additional types of swaps may be required to be centrally cleared in the future. In a transaction involving those swaps (“cleared derivatives”), a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Funds are not members of clearing houses and only clearing members can participate directly in the clearing house, the Funds will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house.

 

22


In some ways, cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, a Fund may be required to provide more margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to a bilateral derivatives transaction, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives transaction 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 transactions or to terminate those transactions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could expose a Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of a clearing house’s margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, a Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Investment Manager or Subadviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. In those cases, the transaction might have to be terminated, and a Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and/or loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Fund and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, documentation relating to cleared derivatives generally includes a one-way indemnity by the Fund in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as the Fund’s clearing member and typically does not provide the Fund any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent. While futures contracts entail similar risks, the risks likely are more pronounced for cleared swaps due to their more limited liquidity and market history.

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 a Fund. For example, swap execution facilities typically charge fees, and if a Fund executes derivatives 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 who executes cleared derivatives on a swap execution facility on the Fund’s behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Fund’s transactions on the swap execution facility. If a Fund wishes to execute a package of transactions that include a swap that is required to be executed on a swap execution facility as well as other transactions (for example, a transaction that includes both a security and an interest rate swap that hedges interest rate exposure with respect to such security), it is possible the Fund could not execute all components of the package on the swap execution facility. In that case, the Fund would need to trade certain components of the package on the swap execution facility and other components of the package in another manner, which could subject the Fund to the risk that certain of the components of the package would be executed successfully and others would not, or that the components would be executed at different times, leaving the Fund with an unhedged position for a period of time.

        

(11) Emerging Market Securities

Investments in securities in emerging market countries may be considered to be speculative and may have additional risks from those associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers. There may be limited information available to investors that is publicly available, and generally emerging market issuers are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements like those required by U.S. issuers.

 

23


Investors should be aware that the value of a Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities may be adversely affected by changes in the political, economic or social conditions, embargoes, economic sanctions, expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, controls, tax regulations and other restrictions in emerging market countries. These risks may be more severe than those experienced in non-emerging market countries. Emerging market securities trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may have greater price volatility and lack liquidity. Furthermore, there is often no legal structure governing private or foreign investment or private property in some emerging market countries. This may adversely affect a Fund’s operations and the ability to obtain a judgment against an issuer in an emerging market country.

The risks outlined above are often more pronounced in “frontier markets” in which a Fund may invest. Frontier markets are those emerging markets that are considered to be among the smallest, least mature and least liquid, and as a result, the risks of investing in emerging markets are magnified in frontier markets. This magnification of risks is the result of a number of factors, including: government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers; exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; less uniformity in accounting and reporting requirements; unreliable securities valuation; greater risk associated with custody of securities; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. In addition, the markets of frontier countries typically have low trading volumes, leading to a greater potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity. This volatility may be further increased by the actions of a few major investors. For example, a substantial increase or decrease in cash flows of institutional investors investing in these markets could significantly affect local securities prices and, therefore, the NAV of a Fund. All of these factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in other countries, including more developed and traditional emerging market countries, and any one of them could cause the NAV of a Fund’s shares to decline.

(12) Equity Investments

Certain Funds may invest in equity securities subject to any restrictions set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI. These securities may include securities listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange and securities traded in the OTC market. More information on the various types of equity investments in which certain Funds may invest appears below.

Common Stock. Common stocks are securities that represent a unit of ownership in a corporation. A Fund’s transactions in common stock represent “long” transactions where the Fund owns the securities being sold, or will own the securities being purchased. Prices of common stocks will rise and fall due to a variety of factors, which include changing economic, political or market conditions that affect particular industries or companies.

The Large Cap Growth Fund may invest to a significant extent in large-capitalization companies, and the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund may invest to a significant extent in small- and mid-capitalization companies.

Large-capitalization companies tend to compete in mature product markets and do not typically experience the level of sustained growth of smaller companies and companies competing in less mature product markets. Also, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to competitive challenges or changes in business, product, financial, or other market conditions.

The stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies involve more risk than the stocks of larger, more established companies because they often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources, and less competitive strength than larger companies.

 

24


Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. Convertible securities are usually subordinated to comparable tier non-convertible securities but rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure.

The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies, whose stock prices may be volatile. The price of a convertible security often reflects such variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt does not. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument, which could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective(s).

Depositary Receipts. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a United States bank or trust company, trade in U.S. markets and evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust’s office or agent in a foreign country. European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”) are trading instruments issued by the Thai NVDR Company Limited, a subsidiary wholly owned by The Stock Exchange of Thailand (the “SET”), intended to stimulate trading activity in the Thai stock market. NVDRs are automatically regarded as listed securities in the SET. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are receipts that may trade in U.S. or non-U.S. markets. Positions in GDRs, ADRs and EDRs are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the common stocks into which they may be converted. With respect to investments in NVDRs, investors will receive all financial benefits, e.g., dividends and right issues, as if they had invested in a company’s ordinary shares, except that NVDR holders do not have the voting rights associated with the shares.

Investing in depositary receipts presents risks not present to the same degree as investing in domestic securities even though a Fund will purchase, sell and be paid dividends on depositary receipts in U.S. dollars. These risks include fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which are affected by international balances of payments and other economic and financial conditions; government intervention; speculation; and other factors. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation and political, social and economic instability. A Fund may be required to pay foreign withholding or other taxes on certain of its depositary receipts. A Fund may not be eligible to elect or may not elect to permit United States shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. In such case, the foreign taxes paid or withheld will nonetheless reduce the Fund’s taxable income. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below. Unsponsored depositary receipts are offered by companies which are not prepared to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. While readily exchangeable with stock in local markets, unsponsored depositary receipts may be less liquid than sponsored depositary receipts. Additionally, there generally is less publicly available information with respect to unsponsored depositary receipts.

 

25


Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”). Certain Funds may purchase securities in IPOs. These securities are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods. The prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, a Fund may not be able to invest in securities issued in IPOs, or invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion, if any, of the securities being offered in an IPO may be made available to the Fund. In addition, under certain market conditions, a relatively small number of companies may issue securities in IPOs. Similarly, as the number of funds to which IPO securities are allocated increases, the number of securities issued to any one fund may decrease. The investment performance of a Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as a Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease.

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock pays dividends at a specified rate and generally has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuer’s assets but is junior to the debt securities of the issuer in those same respects. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors, and shareholders may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. Preferred shareholders generally have no legal recourse against the issuer if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Under ordinary circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting rights. Prices of preferred stocks may rise and fall rapidly and unpredictably due to a variety of factors, which include changing economic, political or market conditions that affect particular industries or companies. Preferred stocks of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than those of larger companies.

Secondary Offerings. A Fund may invest in secondary offerings. A secondary offering is a registered offering of a large block of a security that has been previously issued to the public. A secondary offering can occur when an investor sells to the public a large block of stock or other securities it has been holding in its portfolio. In a sale of this kind, all of the profits go to the seller rather than the issuer. Secondary offerings can also originate when the issuer issues new shares of its stock over and above those sold in its IPO, usually in order to raise additional capital. However, because an increase in the number of shares devalues those that have already been issued, many companies make a secondary offering only if their stock prices are high or they are in need of capital. Secondary offerings may have a magnified impact on the performance of a Fund with a small asset base. Secondary offering shares frequently are volatile in price. Therefore, a Fund may hold secondary offering shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the portfolio turnover rate of a Fund and may lead to increased expenses for the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, secondary offering shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

(13) Eurodollar and Yankeedollar Obligations

Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar obligations issued outside the United States by domestic or foreign entities. Yankeedollar obligations are U.S. dollar obligations issued inside the United States by foreign entities.

 

26


(14) Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a financial institution, listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. They are designed to provide investors with a way to access the returns of specific benchmark indices. ETNs are not equities or index funds, but they do share several characteristics with such investments. For example, like equities, they trade on an exchange and can be shorted. Like an index fund, they are linked to the return of a benchmark index. Unlike regular bonds, there are no periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected. An investor could lose some of or the entire amount invested. The price in the secondary market is determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the index, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. At maturity, the issuer pays a return linked to the performance of the market index, such as a commodity index, to which the ETN is linked, minus the issuer’s fee. ETNs are subject to the risk of a breakdown in the futures markets they use.

A Fund may invest in one or more ETNs linked to commodity indices as a means to obtain commodity exposure. See “Commodities Exposure” above. ETNs held by a Fund are typically linked to the performance of a commodities index that reflects the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee.

Each Fund invests in a manner that is consistent with its current understanding of the 90% gross income requirement for qualification as a regulated investment company. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below. There is some uncertainty under current law whether income and gain derived from commodity-linked ETNs constitute qualifying income to a Fund for purposes of this 90% gross income requirement.

A Fund’s investments in ETNs may include leveraged ETNs. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. The market value of ETNs may differ from their NAV per share. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying investments that the ETN holds. There may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.

(15) Floating Rate and Variable Rate Demand Notes

Certain Funds may purchase taxable or tax-exempt floating rate and variable rate demand notes and bonds in implementing their investment programs. Floating rate and variable rate demand notes and bonds may have a stated maturity in excess of one year, but may have features that permit the 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 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 on a variable rate demand note is reset at specified intervals at a market rate.

(16) Foreign Currencies and Related Transactions

Subject to applicable limits set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI, a Fund may invest in or utilize foreign currencies and other foreign currency-related transactions. These instruments may be used for a variety of reasons, including to hedge against foreign exchange risk arising from a Fund’s investment or anticipated investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies, to increase exposure to a foreign currency for investment or hedging purposes, or to shift exposure of foreign currency fluctuations from one currency to another.

 

27


A Fund may (but is not required to) hedge some or all of its exposure to foreign currencies derived through its investments to reduce the risk of loss due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Suitable currency hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will engage in such transactions at any given time or from time to time when it may be beneficial to do so. Foreign currency transactions may also be unsuccessful and may result in losses or may eliminate any chance for a Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.

(17) Foreign Securities

Certain Funds may invest in foreign securities, subject to any restrictions set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI.

Investment in securities of foreign entities, whether directly or indirectly in the form of ADRs, EDRs, GDRs or similar instruments, and securities denominated in foreign currencies involves risks typically not present to the same degree in domestic investments. Such risks include potential future adverse political and economic developments, possible embargoes or economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, possible imposition of withholding or other taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers or securities than about U.S. issuers or securities, foreign investments may be effected through structures that may be complex or obfuscatory, and foreign issuers are often subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements and engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. With respect to unsponsored ADRs, these programs cover securities of companies that are not required to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. Foreign issuers also are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as domestic issuers, and many foreign financial markets, while generally growing in volume, continue to experience substantially less volume than domestic markets, and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and their prices are more volatile than the securities of comparable U.S. companies. In addition, brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs related to investment in foreign markets (particularly emerging markets) generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such foreign markets also may have longer settlement periods than markets in the United States as well as different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of a Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in value of a portfolio security or, if the Fund had entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Settlement procedures in certain emerging markets also carry with them a heightened risk of loss due to the failure of the broker or other service provider to deliver cash or securities.

The value of a Fund’s portfolio securities computed in U.S. dollars will vary with increases and decreases in the exchange rate between the currencies in which the Fund has invested and the U.S. dollar. A decline in the value of any particular currency against the U.S. dollar will cause a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s holdings of securities denominated in such currency and, therefore, will cause an overall decline in the Fund’s NAV and net investment income and capital gains, if any, to be distributed in U.S. dollars to shareholders by the Fund. A Fund may be required to liquidate other assets in order to make up the shortfall.

 

28


The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is influenced by many factors, including the supply and demand for particular currencies, central bank efforts to support particular currencies, the movement of interest rates, the price of oil, the pace of activity in the industrial countries, including the United States, and other economic and financial conditions affecting the world economy.

A Fund may purchase securities that are issued by the government, a corporation, or a financial institution of one nation but denominated in the currency of another nation. To the extent that a Fund invests in ADRs, the depositary bank generally pays cash dividends in U.S. dollars regardless of the currency in which such dividends originally are paid by the issuer of the underlying security.

Several of the countries in which a Fund may invest restrict, to varying degrees, foreign investments in their securities markets. Governmental and private restrictions take a variety of forms, including (i) limitation on the amount of funds that may be invested into or repatriated from the country (including limitations on repatriation of investment income and capital gains), (ii) prohibitions or substantial restrictions on foreign investment in certain industries or market sectors, such as defense, energy and transportation, (iii) restrictions (whether contained in the charter of an individual company or mandated by the government) on the percentage of securities of a single issuer which may be owned by a foreign investor, (iv) limitations on the types of securities which a foreign investor may purchase and (v) restrictions on a foreign investor’s right to invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded. In some circumstances, these restrictions may limit or preclude investment in certain countries. Therefore, a Fund may invest in such countries through the purchase of shares of investment companies organized under the laws of such countries.

A Fund’s interest and dividend income from, or proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the securities of, foreign issuers may be subject to non-U.S. withholding and other foreign taxes. A Fund also may be subject to taxes on trading profits in some countries. In addition, certain countries impose a transfer or stamp duties tax on certain securities transactions. The imposition of these taxes may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to a Fund by domestic companies, and thus increase the cost to the Fund of investing in any country imposing such taxes. A Fund may not be eligible to elect or may not elect to permit United States shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any foreign income taxes paid by a Fund. In such case, the foreign taxes paid or withheld will nonetheless reduce the Fund’s taxable income. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below.

Emerging Markets. The risks of foreign investing are of greater concern in the case of investments in emerging markets, which may exhibit greater price volatility and risk of principal, have less liquidity and have settlement arrangements which are less efficient than in developed markets. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which regulates auditors of U.S. public companies, is unable to inspect audit work papers in certain foreign countries. Investors in foreign countries often have limited rights and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims, including class actions or fraud claims, and the ability of the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities to bring and enforce actions against foreign issuers or foreign persons is limited. Furthermore, the economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These emerging market economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. See “Emerging Market Securities” above.

 

29


Russia Sanctions Risk. In late February 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, significantly amplifying already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the West. Russia’s invasion, the responses of countries and political bodies to Russia’s actions, and the potential for wider conflict may increase financial market volatility and could have severe adverse effects on regional and global economic markets, including the markets for certain securities and commodities such as oil and natural gas. Following Russia’s actions, various countries, including the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, and France, as well as the EU, issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia. Sanctions threatened or imposed by these jurisdictions, and other intergovernmental actions that have been or may be undertaken in the future, against Russia, Russian entities or Russian individuals, may result in the devaluation of Russian currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, an immediate freeze of Russian assets, a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, property or interests, and/or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy or the Funds. The scope and scale of sanctions in place at a particular time may be expanded or otherwise modified in a way that may have negative effects on the Funds. Sanctions, or the threat of new or modified sanctions, could impair the ability of the Funds to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver or otherwise transact in certain affected securities or other investment instruments. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or other actions in response, which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. The extent and duration of the military actions associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the resulting sanctions, and the resulting disruption of the Russian economy are impossible to predict but may cause volatility in other regional and global markets and may negatively impact the performance of various sectors and industries, as well as companies in other countries, which could have a negative effect on the performance of a Fund, even if the Fund does not have direct exposure to securities of Russian issuers.

(18) Forward Commitments

Certain Funds may make contracts to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period for such securities (“forward commitments”) if the Fund segregates liquid assets, consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or other appropriate securities, in an amount at least equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitments. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the securities to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in value of a Fund’s other assets. A Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement and may realize short-term capital gains or losses upon such disposition. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can also involve the risk of default by the other party on its obligation, delaying or preventing the Fund from recovering the collateral or completing the transaction.

(19) Illiquid Securities, Private Placements and Certain Unregistered Securities

Certain Funds may invest in privately placed, restricted, Rule 144A or other unregistered securities. Rule 144A securities are securities that are eligible for resale without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. A Fund may not acquire illiquid holdings if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be in illiquid investments. If a Fund determines at any time that it owns illiquid securities in excess of 15% of its net assets, it will cease to undertake new commitments to acquire illiquid securities until its holdings are no longer in excess of 15% of its NAV, and, depending on circumstances, may take additional steps to reduce its holdings of illiquid securities. Subject to these limitations, a Fund may acquire investments that are illiquid or have limited liquidity, such as private placements or investments that are not registered under the 1933 Act and cannot be offered for public sale in the United States without first being registered under the 1933 Act. An investment is considered “illiquid” if the Fund reasonably expects the investment cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven (7) calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The price a Fund’s portfolio may pay for illiquid securities or receive upon resale may be lower than the price paid or received for similar securities with a more liquid market. Accordingly, the valuation of these securities will take into account any limitations on their liquidity.

 

30


The SEC has adopted a liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”) that requires the Funds to establish a liquidity risk management program (the “LRMP”). The Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees (defined infra), have designated the Investment Manager to administer the Funds’ LRMP and the Investment Manager has formed a Liquidity Risk Management Committee to which it has delegated responsibilities for the ongoing operation and management of the LRMP. Under the LRMP, the Investment Manager assesses, manages, and periodically reviews the Funds’ liquidity risk. The Liquidity Rule defines “liquidity risk” as the risk that the Funds could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Funds without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Funds. The liquidity of the Funds’ portfolio investments is determined based on relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the LRMP. To the extent that an investment is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Funds can expect to be exposed to greater liquidity risk. The SEC has recently proposed amendments to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act and Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act that, if adopted, would, among other things, cause more investments to be treated as illiquid, and could prevent a Fund from investing in securities that the Investment Manager or Subadviser believes are appropriate or desirable.

Rule 144A securities may be determined to be liquid or illiquid in accordance with the guidelines established by the Investment Manager and approved by the Trustees. The Trustees will monitor compliance with these guidelines on a periodic basis.

Investment in these securities entails the risk to a Fund that there may not be a buyer for these securities at a price that a Fund believes represents the security’s value should the Fund wish to sell the security. If a security a Fund holds must be registered under the 1933 Act before it may be sold, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses. In addition, in these circumstances a considerable time may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions develop, the Fund may obtain a less favorable price than when it first decided to sell the security.

(20) Interfund Lending

To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls (due to “sales fails” or other factors), the Funds have entered into a master interfund lending agreement (“Interfund Lending Agreement”) under which a Fund would lend money and borrow money for temporary purposes directly to and from another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex through a credit facility (each an “Interfund Loan”), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Fund permitting such interfund lending. No Fund may borrow more than the lesser of the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as modified by the above mentioned and any other applicable SEC exemptive order or other relief, or the amount permitted by its fundamental investment restrictions. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments either directly or through a money market fund.

If a Fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund (a) will be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) will be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) will have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) will provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement

 

31


evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral) and that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing fund.

A Fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex, the Fund’s Interfund Loan will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a Fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility only on a secured basis. A Fund may not borrow through the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would exceed the limits imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions.

No Fund may lend to another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex through the interfund lending credit facility if the Interfund Loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending fund’s current net assets at the time of the Interfund Loan. A Fund’s Interfund Loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund’s net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event may the duration exceed seven days. Interfund Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund.

The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the Interfund Loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another fund. A delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.

(21) Investment Company Securities

The Funds may invest some portion of their assets in shares of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), open-end mutual funds (including money market funds) and closed-end funds, to the extent that they may facilitate achieving the investment objectives of the Funds or to the extent that they afford the principal or most practical means of access to a particular market or markets or they represent attractive investments in their own right. A Fund’s purchase of shares of investment companies may result in the payment by a shareholder of duplicative management fees. The Investment Manager and Subadviser to a Fund will consider such fees in determining whether to invest in other investment companies. A Fund will invest only in investment companies, or classes thereof, that do not charge a sales load; however, the Fund may invest in such companies with distribution plans and fees, and may pay customary brokerage commissions to buy and sell shares of closed-end investment companies and ETFs.

The return on a Fund’s investments in investment companies will be reduced by the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administrative fees, of such companies. A Fund’s investments in a closed-end investment company may require the payment of a premium above the NAV of the investment company’s shares, and the market price of the investment company thereafter may decline without any change in the value of the investment company’s assets. A Fund, however, will not invest in any investment company or trust unless it is believed that the potential benefits of such investment are sufficient to warrant the payment of any such premium.

 

32


ETFs that are linked to a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of investments underlying the applicable index and will incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index. Certain investments comprising the index tracked by an ETF may, at times, be temporarily unavailable, which may impede an ETF’s ability to track its index.

The market value of ETF shares may differ from their NAV per share. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the value of the underlying investments that the ETF holds. There may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.

The provisions of the 1940 Act may impose certain limitations on a Fund’s investments in other investment companies. In particular, each Fund’s investments in investment companies are limited to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company, and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to investment companies in the aggregate (the “Limitation”). Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, a Fund may invest in excess of the Limitation if the Fund and the investment company in which the Fund would like to invest comply with certain conditions, including limits on control and voting, required evaluations and findings, required fund investment agreements and limits on complex fund of funds structures. Certain of these conditions do not apply if the Fund is investing in shares issued by affiliated funds. In addition, a Fund may invest in shares issued by money market funds, including certain unregistered money market funds, in excess of the Limitation.

As an exception to the above, each Fund has the authority to invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, restrictions, and policies as that of the Fund. A Fund will notify its shareholders prior to initiating such an arrangement.

(22) Mortgage Related Securities

Mortgage-related securities include collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMIC Certificates”), mortgage-backed bonds and “pass-throughs.” Pass-throughs, which are certificates that are issued by governmental, government-related or private organizations, are backed by pools of mortgage loans and provide investors with monthly payments. Pools that are created by non-government issuers generally have a higher rate of interest than pools of government and government-related issuers. This is because there is no express or implied government backing associated with non-government issuers.

Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA), or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”)). Mortgage pass-through securities created by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other secondary market issuers) may be uninsured or 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, private insurers, or the mortgage poolers.

 

33


Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. CMOs are obligations that are fully collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-related securities. REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, which generally holds mortgages or mortgage-related securities. There are different classes of CMOs and REMIC Certificates, and certain classes have priority over others with respect to prepayment on the mortgages. Therefore, a Fund may be subject to greater or lesser prepayment risk depending on the type of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in which the Fund invests. Although the mortgage-related securities securing these obligations may be subject to a government guarantee or third-party support, the obligation itself is not so guaranteed. Therefore, if the collateral securing the obligation is insufficient to make payment on the obligation, the Fund could sustain a loss.

A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (“Z Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes of REMIC Certificates (“PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the mortgage-backed securities are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage-backed securities. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

One or more tranches of a CMO or a REMIC Certificate (collectively, “floating-rate CMOs”) may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a specified increment over an index such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). These floating-rate CMOs may be backed by fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages. Floating-rate CMOs are typically issued with lifetime “caps” on the coupon rate. These caps, similar to the caps on adjustable-rate mortgages, represent a ceiling beyond which the coupon rate on a floating-rate CMO may not be increased regardless of increases in the interest rate index to which the floating-rate CMO is geared. The structure and performance of floating-rate tranches will vary widely as interest rates change.

Resets. The interest rates paid on the floating-rate CMOs in which a Fund may invest generally are readjusted at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are three main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities, those derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include: the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury rates, the three-month Treasury bill rate, the six-month Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds Index, the National Monthly Median Cost of Funds, the one-, three- or six-month or one-year LIBOR, the prime rate of a specific bank or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds Index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

Caps and Floors. The underlying mortgages which collateralize the floating-rate CMOs in which a Fund may invest will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down (1) per reset or adjustment interval and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization.

 

34


CMOs and REMIC Certificates are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. Generally, CMOs and REMIC Certificates issued by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities have lower credit risk than private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates because the underlying mortgages are either guaranteed by the U.S. government or carry an implicit guarantee of a government-sponsored enterprise. Private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates may carry higher credit risk, depending on the underlying collateral. The degree of credit risk will be reflected in the credit rating of the security. Yields on private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates historically have been higher than the yields on CMOs and REMIC Certificates issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. However, the risk of loss due to default on such instruments is higher since they are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Funds will not invest in subordinated privately issued CMOs and REMIC Certificates. CMOs and REMIC Certificates have a high degree of interest rate risk. The value of a CMO and a REMIC Certificate will fluctuate more widely in response to interest rate changes than a standard debt security.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the investor will be unable to find a buyer interested in purchasing the security or willing to pay the desired price for the security. If a Fund has to sell the security before maturity, some of the principal could be lost. The markets for CMOs and REMIC Certificates, particularly private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates, at times may be very thin. A Fund’s ability to dispose of its positions in such securities will depend upon the degree of liquidity in the market for such securities. It is impossible to predict the degree of liquidity of such securities in the future.

The prices of certain CMOs and REMIC Certificates, depending on their structure and the rate of prepayments, may be volatile. Some CMOs may also not be as liquid as other securities. In addition, the value of a CMO or REMIC Certificate, including those collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, may be affected by other factors, such as the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the underlying assets, or the entities providing credit enhancement. The value of these securities also can depend on the ability of their servicers to service the underlying collateral and is, therefore, subject to risks associated with servicers’ performance, including mishandling of documentation. A Fund is permitted to invest in other types of mortgage-backed securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are derivative securities usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying pool of mortgage assets. A Fund may purchase securities representing only the interest payment portion of the underlying mortgage pools (commonly referred to as “IOs”) or only the principal portion of the underlying mortgage pools (commonly referred to as “POs”). Stripped mortgage-backed securities are more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates and the market for such securities is less liquid than is the case for traditional debt securities and mortgage-backed securities. The yield on IOs is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of repayment may have a material adverse effect on such securities’ yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund will fail to recoup fully its initial investment in these securities, even if they are rated high quality. Stripped mortgage-backed securities not issued by Federal agencies will be treated by the Funds as illiquid securities so long as the staff of the SEC maintains its position that such securities are illiquid.

 

35


Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits are CMO vehicles that qualify for special tax treatment under the Code and invest in mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other investments permitted by the Code.

GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (“Ginnie Maes”) are undivided interests in a pool of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the Farmers Home Administration or the Veterans Administration. They entitle the holder to receive all payments of principal and interest, net of fees due to GNMA and the issuer. Payments are made to holders of Ginnie Maes whether payments are actually received on the underlying mortgages. This is because Ginnie Maes are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA has the unlimited authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments to these holders.

FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. FNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates are undivided interests in a pool of conventional mortgages. They are secured by the first mortgages or deeds of trust on residential properties. There is no obligation to distribute monthly payments of principal and interest on the mortgages in the pool. They are guaranteed only by FNMA and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

FHLMC Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government, issues participation certificates which represent interests in pools of conventional mortgage loans. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate collection of principal, and maintains reserves to protect holders against losses due to default, but these securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Mortgage-Backed Bonds. Mortgage-backed bonds are general obligations of the issuer fully collateralized directly or indirectly by a pool of mortgages. The mortgages serve as collateral for the issuer’s payment obligations on the bonds but interest and principal payments on the mortgages are not passed through either directly (as with GNMA certificates and FNMA and FHLMC pass-through securities) or on a modified basis (as with CMOs). Accordingly, a change in the rate of prepayments on the pool of mortgages could change the effective maturity of a CMO but not that of a mortgage-backed bond (although, like many bonds, mortgage-backed bonds may be callable by the issuer prior to maturity). Although the mortgage-related securities securing these obligations may be subject to a government guarantee or third-party support, the obligation itself is not so guaranteed. Therefore, if the collateral securing the obligation is insufficient to make payment on the obligation, the Fund could sustain a loss.

Recent Events Regarding FNMA and FHLMC Securities. 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 will purchase up to an aggregate of $100 billion of each of FNMA and FHLMC to maintain a positive net worth in each enterprise. This agreement contains various covenants, discussed below, 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 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. The U.S. Treasury’s obligations under the Senior Preferred Stock Program are for an indefinite period of time for a maximum amount of $200 billion per enterprise. In 2009, the U.S. Treasury further amended the

 

36


Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to allow the cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in FNMA’s and FHLMC’s net worth through the end of 2012. In August 2012, the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement was further amended to, among other things, accelerate the wind down of the retained portfolio, terminate the requirement that FNMA 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.

FNMA and FHLMC are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remain liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is 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 enterprise to a safe and solvent condition has been completed.

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. FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has indicated that it has no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of FNMA or FHLMC because FHFA views 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. 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 any approval, assignment or consent. 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 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. 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.

 

37


In addition, in a February 2011 report to Congress from the Treasury Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Obama administration provided a plan to reform America’s housing finance market. The plan would reduce the role of and eventually eliminate FNMA and FHLMC. Notably, the plan does not propose similar significant changes to GNMA, which guarantees payments on mortgage-related securities backed by federally insured or guaranteed loans such as those issued by the Federal Housing Association or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The report also identified three proposals for Congress and the administration to consider for the long-term structure of the housing finance markets after the elimination of FNMA and FHLMC, including implementing: (i) a privatized system of housing finance that limits government insurance to very limited groups of creditworthy low- and moderate-income borrowers; (ii) a privatized system with a government backstop mechanism that would allow the government to insure a larger share of the housing finance market during a future housing crisis; and (iii) a privatized system where the government would offer reinsurance to holders of certain highly-rated mortgage-related securities insured by private insurers and would pay out under the reinsurance arrangements only if the private mortgage insurers were insolvent.

The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA and the issuance of senior preferred stock place significant restrictions on the activities of FHLMC and FNMA. FHLMC and FNMA must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things, (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions are placed on the maximum size of each of FHLMC’s and FNMA’s respective portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, and the purchase agreements entered into by FHLMC and FNMA provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of FHLMC and FNMA could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on FHLMC and FNMA by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on FHLMC’s and FNMA’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the U.S. Treasury, market responses to developments at FHLMC and FNMA, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by FHLMC and FNMA, including any such mortgage-backed securities held by a Fund.

On June 3, 2019, under the FHFA’s “Single Security Initiative,” FHLMC and FNMA entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of a “uniform mortgage-backed security” or “UMBS,” in place of their separate offerings of “to be announced” (TBA)-eligible mortgage-backed securities. The Single Security Initiative seeks to generally align the characteristics of FHLMC and FNMA mortgage-backed securities. The effects it may have on the market for mortgage-backed securities are uncertain and the issuance of UMBS may not achieve the intended results and may have unanticipated or adverse effects on the market for mortgage-backed securities.

A Fund’s ability to invest in UMBS to the same degree that the Fund currently invests in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities is uncertain. While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have taken steps for a smooth transition to the issuance of UMBS, there may be factors that affect the timing of the transition to UMBS or the ability of market participants, including the Funds, to adapt to the issuance of UMBS. A Fund may need to consider the tax and accounting issues raised by investments in UMBS and/or the exchange of legacy Freddie Mac securities for UMBS. Additionally, there could be divergence in prepayment rates of UMBS issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could lead to differences in the prices of Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-issued UMBS if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fail to align programs, policies and practices that affect prepayments.

 

38


Other Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Investment Manager or Subadviser anticipates that governmental, government-related or private entities may create mortgage loan pools and other mortgage-related securities offering mortgage pass-through and mortgage-collateralized investments in addition to those described above. The mortgages underlying these securities may include alternative mortgage instruments, that is, mortgage instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms to maturity may differ from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. As new types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors, the Investment Manager or Subadviser will, consistent with a Fund’s investment objective(s) and policies, consider making investments in such new types of mortgage-related securities.

Risks Associated with Mortgage-Related and other Asset-Backed Securities. There are certain risks associated with mortgage-related securities, such as prepayment risk and default risk. Although there is generally a liquid market for these investments, those certificates issued by private organizations may not be readily marketable. The value of mortgage-related securities depends primarily on the level of interest rates, the coupon rates of the certificates and the payment history of the underlying mortgages. The risk of defaults associated with mortgage-related securities is generally higher in the case of mortgage-backed investments that include so-called “sub-prime” mortgages.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to their underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which must pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount becomes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. This partial payment of principal may comprise a scheduled principal payment as well as an unscheduled payment from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying loans. As a result of these unscheduled payments of principal, or prepayments on the underlying securities, the price and yield of mortgage-backed securities can be adversely affected. For example, during periods of declining interest rates, prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and a Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest rates then available.

Prepayments of mortgages that underlie securities purchased at a premium could result in capital losses because the premium may not have been fully amortized at the time the obligation is prepaid. In addition, like other interest-bearing securities, the values of mortgage-backed securities generally fall when interest rates rise, but when interest rates fall, their potential for capital appreciation is limited due to the existence of the prepayment feature. In order to hedge against possible prepayment, a Fund may purchase certain options and options on futures contracts as described more fully above under “Derivative Instruments.”

Ongoing developments in the residential and commercial mortgage markets may have additional consequences for the market for mortgage-backed securities. During the periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving mortgage loans. Many sub-prime mortgage pools have become distressed during the periods of economic distress and may trade at significant discounts to their face value during such periods.

 

39


(23) Municipal Obligations

Certain Funds may invest in many types of municipal bonds, including, but not limited to: general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds, short-term municipal notes (including tax and revenue authorization notes), housing bonds and tax-exempt commercial paper. General obligation bonds are bonds issued by states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds from these bonds are used to fund municipal projects. Revenue bonds are bonds that receive net revenues from a particular facility or other specific source. Private activity and industrial development bonds are considered to be municipal bonds if the interest paid on these bonds is exempt from U.S. federal income tax. They are issued by public authorities and are used to raise money to finance public and privately owned facilities for business, manufacturing and housing. Short-term municipal notes are issued with a short-term maturity in anticipation of the receipt of tax funds, the proceeds of bond placements, or other revenues, and include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, and bond anticipation notes. Housing bonds are short- or long-term bonds issued by a local housing authority to finance short-term construction of typically low- or middle-income housing or long-term commitments for housing, plants, pollution control facilities, or similar projects. Tax-exempt (municipal) commercial paper typically consists of very short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes that are sold to meet the seasonal working capital or interim construction financing needs of a municipality or agency. While these obligations are intended to be paid from general revenues or refinanced with long-term debt, they frequently are backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or institutions.

Investments in municipal bonds may result in liability for federal alternative minimum tax, for both individual and corporate shareholders.

Municipal issuers of securities are not usually subject to the securities registration and public reporting requirements of the SEC and state securities regulators. As a result, the amount of information available about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal obligations may not be as extensive as that which is made available by corporations whose securities are publicly traded.

A Fund’s investments in municipal securities is limited to those obligations that are sufficiently liquid that they can be sold at or near their carrying value within a reasonably short period of time and either (i) are subject to no greater than moderate credit risk; or (ii) if the issuer of the municipal securities, or the entity supplying the revenues or other payments from which the issue is to be paid, has been in continuous operation for less than three years, including the operation of any predecessors, the securities are subject to a minimal or low amount of credit risk.

(24) Obligations of Domestic and Foreign Banks

Each Fund may purchase obligations of domestic and foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations. These regulations place limitations on the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments which may be made by the bank and the interest rates and fees which may be charged on these loans and commitments. The profitability of the banking industry depends on the availability and costs of capital funds for the purpose of financing loans under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions also play a key role in the operations of the banking industry. Exposure to credit losses arising from potential financial difficulties of borrowers may affect the ability of the bank to meet its obligations under a letter of credit.

 

40


(25) Participations

Certain Funds may invest in loan participations or assignments. In purchasing a loan participation or assignment, a Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a corporate borrower. Both the lending bank and the borrower may be deemed to be “issuers” of a loan participation. Many such loans are secured and most impose restrictive covenants which must be met by the borrower and which are generally more stringent than the covenants available in publicly traded debt securities. However, interests in some loans may not be secured, and a Fund will be exposed to a risk of loss if the borrower defaults. There is no assurance that the collateral can be liquidated in particular cases, or that its liquidation value will be equal to the value of the debt. Loan participations may also be purchased by a Fund when the borrowing company is already in default. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay only a small portion of the amount owed, if they are able to pay at all. Where a Fund purchases a loan through an assignment, there is a possibility that the Fund will, in the event the borrower is unable to pay the loan, become the owner of the collateral. This involves certain risks to a Fund as a property owner.

In purchasing a loan participation, a Fund may have less protection under the federal securities laws than it has in purchasing traditional types of securities. Loans are often administered by a lead bank, which acts as agent for the lenders in dealing with the borrower. In asserting rights against the borrower, a Fund may be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights, or upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action. Assets held by the lead bank for the benefit of a Fund may be subject to claims of the lead bank’s creditors. A Fund’s ability to assert its rights against the borrower will also depend on the particular terms of the loan agreement among the parties. Many of the interests in loans purchased by a Fund will be illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund’s limit on illiquid investments.

(26) Pooled Vehicles

The Funds may invest in debt securities indirectly through pooled products typically organized as trust structures (e.g., TRAINS and TRACERS) and typically sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. TRAINS, TRACERS and similar products contain a basket of debt securities that are designed to provide broad credit exposure in a single product. A Fund will incur transaction costs associated with such products and may be subject to the credit risk of the sponsoring entity.

(27) Publicly Traded Partnerships

Publicly traded partnerships are generally limited partnerships (or limited liability companies), the units of which may be listed and traded on a securities exchange or are readily tradable on a secondary market (or its substantial equivalent). Although publicly traded partnerships are generally taxable as corporations, the Funds may invest in certain publicly traded partnerships, including master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), that qualify for treatment as partnerships for federal income tax purposes pursuant to certain limited exceptions under the Code. A Fund’s investments in such entities may be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can bear on the Fund’s ability to qualify as such. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.” Many MLPs derive income and gain from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation or marketing of any mineral or natural resource or from real property. The value of MLP units fluctuates predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. The Funds may purchase common units of an MLP on an exchange as well as directly from the MLP or other parties in private placements. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units of an MLP have limited voting rights and have no ability to annually elect directors. MLPs generally distribute all available cash flow (cash flow from operations less maintenance capital expenditures) in the form of quarterly distributions, but a Fund will be required to include in its taxable income its allocable share of the MLP’s income regardless of whether any distributions are made by the MLP. Thus, if the distributions

 

41


received by a Fund are less than that Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s income, the Fund may be required to sell other securities so that it may satisfy the requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income and excise taxes. Common units typically have priority as to minimum quarterly distributions. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

An investment in MLP units involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. Holders of MLP units of a particular MLP are also exposed to a remote possibility of liability for the obligations of that MLP under limited circumstances not expected to be applicable to the Funds. A Fund will not acquire any interests in MLPs that are believed to expose the assets of a Fund to liabilities incurred by the MLP. In addition, the value of a Fund’s investment in MLPs depends largely on the MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. If an MLP does not meet certain federal income tax requirements to maintain partnership status, or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes, it would be taxed as a corporation. In that case, the MLP would be obligated to pay income tax at the entity level and distributions received by a Fund generally would be taxed as dividend income. As a result, there could be a reduction in a Fund’s cash flow and there could be a material decrease in the value of that Fund’s shares.

(28) Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

Certain Funds may invest in REITs, which are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in income-producing real estate or real-estate-related loans or interest.

REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as a Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided that they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund.

Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risk of financing projects. During periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, and such prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such mortgage REITs. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for the favorable tax treatment accorded REITs under the Code and failing to maintain their exemption from the 1940 Act. REITs, and mortgage REITs in particular, are also subject to interest rate risk.

(29) Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll Agreements

Certain Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar roll agreements with commercial banks and registered broker-dealers to seek to enhance returns. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells a security and agrees to repurchase the same security at a price and on a date mutually agreed-upon by the parties. The difference between the repurchase price and the original price is the reverse repurchase agreement rate, which reflects the interest rate in effect for the term of the agreement. Dollar rolls are transactions in which a Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month

 

42


and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase under the agreement. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether or not to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. For the purposes of the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls can be viewed as the borrowing of money by a Fund and, therefore, a form of leverage which may magnify any gains or losses for the Fund. A Fund may only enter into reverse repurchase agreements up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets taken at market value (computed at the time the loan is made), including the amount borrowed.

(30) Securities Lending

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in order to realize additional income. This lending is subject to a Fund’s policies and restrictions. A Fund may lend its investment securities so long as (i) the loan is secured by collateral having a market value at all times not less than 102% (105% in the case of certain foreign securities) of the value of the securities loaned, (ii) such collateral is marked to market on a daily basis, (iii) the loan is subject to termination by the Fund at any time, and (iv) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan. When cash is received as collateral, each Fund will invest the cash received in short-term instruments to earn additional income. The Fund will bear the risk of any loss on any such investment; however, the Funds’ securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify each Fund against loss on the investment of the cash collateral. The Fund may pay reasonable finders, administrative and custodial fees to persons that are unaffiliated with the Fund for services in connection with loans of portfolio securities. While voting rights may pass with the loaned portfolio securities, to the extent possible, the loan will be recalled on a reasonable efforts basis and the securities voted by the Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Funds’ securities lending agent.

(31) Short Sales

The Funds may engage in “short sales against the box,” which involve selling short a security in which the Fund currently holds a position or that the Fund has a right to acquire, while at the same time maintaining its current position in that security or retaining the right to acquire the security. In order to engage in a short sale against the box, a Fund arranges with a broker or other counterparty, which may be the Fund’s custodian, to borrow the security being sold short. A Fund must deposit with or for the benefit of the broker or other counterparty collateral, consisting of cash, or marketable securities, to secure the Fund’s obligation to replace the security and segregate liquid assets, so that the total of the amounts deposited with the broker or other counterparty and segregated is equal to the current value of the securities sold short. In addition, a Fund must pay the broker or other counterparty any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed security during the time the short position is open. In order to close out its short position, the Fund will replace the security by purchasing the security at the price prevailing at the time of replacement or taking the security the Fund otherwise holds and delivering it to the broker or other counterparty. If the price of the security sold short has increased since the time of the short sale, the Fund will incur a loss in addition to the costs associated with establishing, maintaining and closing out the short position. A Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited because there is no upward limit on the price the security sold short could attain. If the price of the security sold short has decreased since the time of the short sale, the Fund will experience a gain to the extent the difference in price is greater than the costs associated with establishing, maintaining and closing out the short position. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

 

43


A Fund may also engage in short sales “not against the box,” which are generally short sales of securities in which the Fund does not currently hold a long position. Short sales that are not made “against the box” create opportunities to increase a Fund’s return but, at the same time, involve special risk considerations and may be considered a speculative technique. Since a Fund in effect profits from a decline in the price of the securities sold short without the need to invest the full purchase price of the securities on the date of the short sale, the Fund’s NAV per share will tend to increase more when the securities it has sold short decrease in value, and to decrease more when the securities it has sold short increase in value, than would otherwise be the case if it had not engaged in short sales. Similar to short sales against the box, short sales not against the box theoretically involve unlimited loss potential, as the market price of securities sold short may continuously increase. Under adverse market conditions, a Fund might have difficulty purchasing securities to meet its short sale delivery obligations, and might have to sell portfolio securities to raise the capital necessary to meet its short sale obligations at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.

A Fund may also maintain short positions in forward currency exchange transactions, in which a Fund agrees to exchange currency that it does not own at that time for another currency at a future date and specified price in anticipation of a decline in the value of the currency sold short relative to the currency that a Fund has contracted to receive in the exchange. To ensure that any short position of a Fund is not used to achieve leverage, a Fund segregates cash or liquid assets equal to the fluctuating market value of the currency as to which any short position is being maintained. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account.

The SEC and other (including non-U.S.) regulatory authorities have imposed, and may in the future impose, restrictions on short selling, either on a temporary or permanent basis, which may include placing limitations on specific companies and/or industries with respect to which a Fund may enter into short positions. Any such restrictions may hinder a Fund in, or prevent it from, fully implementing its investment strategies, and may negatively affect performance.

(32) Special Purpose Acquisition Companies

A Fund may invest in stock, rights, warrants, and other securities of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) or similar special purpose entities. A SPAC is a publicly traded company that raises investment capital in the form of a blind pool via an IPO for the purpose of acquiring an existing company. The shares of a SPAC are typically issued in “units” that include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares or partial shares. At a specified time following the SPAC’s IPO (generally 1-2 months), the rights and warrants may be separated from the common stock at the election of the holder, after which they become freely tradeable. After going public and until an acquisition is completed, a SPAC generally invests the proceeds of its IPO (less a portion retained to cover expenses), which are held in trust, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash. To the extent the SPAC is invested in cash or similar securities, this may impact a Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. If a SPAC does not complete an acquisition within a specified period of time after going public, the SPAC is dissolved, at which point the invested funds are returned to the SPAC’s shareholders (less certain permitted expenses) and any rights or warrants issued by the SPAC expire worthless.

 

44


Because SPACs and similar entities are in essence blank check companies without an operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the entity’s management to identify and complete a profitable acquisition. Some SPACs may pursue acquisitions only within certain industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices. In addition, the securities issued by a SPAC, which are typically traded in the OTC market, may be considered illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale.

(33) Stripped Securities

Stripped Securities (“STRIPS”) are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of underlying assets. A common type of STRIP will have one class receiving all of the interest from the underlying assets (“interest-only” or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (“principal only” or “PO” class). However, in some instances, one class will receive some of the interest and most of the principal while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. STRIPS are unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yield to maturity on an IO class of STRIPS is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurably adverse effect on a Fund’s yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs.

Conversely, POs tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. Thus, if the underlying assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail to fully recover its initial investment in these securities, even if the STRIPS were rated of the highest credit quality by S&P or Moody’s, respectively. These risks (and potential benefits), as described in “Derivatives Risk” in the Prospectus, will be managed by investing in a variety of such securities and by using certain hedging techniques. In addition, the secondary market for STRIPS may be less liquid than that for other mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, potentially limiting a Fund’s ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Interest-only STRIPS may be purchased for their hedging characteristics. Because of their structure, interest-only STRIPS will most likely move differently than typical fixed-income securities in relation to changes in interest rates. For example, with increases in interest rates, these securities will typically increase rather than decrease in value. As a result, since they move differently in relation to changes in interest rates than the typical investments held by a Fund, interest-only STRIPS can be used as hedging instruments to reduce the variance of a Fund’s NAV from its targeted option-adjusted duration. There can be no assurance that the use of interest-only STRIPS will be effective as a hedging technique, in which event, a Fund’s overall performance may be less than if the Fund had not purchased the STRIPS.

The determination of whether certain IO and PO STRIPS issued by the U.S. Government and backed by fixed-rate mortgages are liquid shall be made by the Trustees in accordance with applicable pronouncements of the SEC. At present all other IO and PO STRIPS are treated as illiquid securities for the purposes of the 15% limitation on illiquid securities as a percentage of a Fund’s net assets.

In addition to STRIPS issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, the Funds may purchase STRIPS issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of these entities. However, each Fund will purchase only STRIPS that are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

 

45


(34) Temporary Defensive Positioning

The investments and strategies described throughout the Prospectus are those the Subadvisers intend to use under normal circumstances. When a Subadviser determines that market or other conditions warrant, a Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments or hold U.S. dollars. When a Fund is investing for temporary or defensive purposes, it is not pursuing its investment objective(s).

(35) Trust Originated Preferred Securities

Certain Funds may invest in trust originated preferred securities, a relatively new type of security issued by financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies and other issuers. Trust originated preferred securities represent interests in a trust formed by the issuer. The trust sells preferred shares and invests the proceeds in notes issued by the same entity. These notes may be subordinated and unsecured. Distributions on the trust originated preferred securities match the interest payments on the notes; if no interest is paid on the notes, the trust will not make current payments on its preferred securities. Issuers of the notes currently enjoy favorable tax treatment. If the tax characterization of these securities were to change adversely, they could be redeemed by the issuers, which could result in a loss to the Fund. In addition, some trust originated preferred securities are available only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A.

(36) U.S. Treasury and Government Securities and Securities of International Organizations

The Funds may invest in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury. These obligations include Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which have their principal and interest payments backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

The Funds may invest in obligations issued by the agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. These obligations may or may not be backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include obligations of the GNMA, the Farmers Home Administration and the Export-Import Bank. For those securities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Fund must principally look to the federal agency guaranteeing or issuing the obligation for ultimate repayment and therefore may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself for repayment in the event that the issuer does not meet its commitments. The securities in which the Funds may invest that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include, but are not limited to: (a) obligations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the FHLMC, the Federal Home Loan Banks and the U.S. Postal Service, each of which has the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations; (b) securities issued by the FNMA, which are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and (c) obligations of the Federal Farm Credit System and the Student Loan Marketing Association, each of whose obligations may be satisfied only by the individual credits of the issuing agency. Such securities may involve increased risk, including loss of principal and interest, compared to government debt securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Securities issued by international organizations, such as Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian-American Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), are not U.S. government securities. These international organizations, while not U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, have the ability to borrow from member countries, including the United States.

 

46


(37) Unit Investment Trusts

A Unit Investment Trust (“UIT”) is a type of investment company. Investments in UITs are subject to regulations limiting a Fund’s acquisition of investment company securities. Standard and Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), DIAMONDS, MDYs and similar investments are interests in UITs that may be obtained directly from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market. SPDRs consist of a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index. DIAMONDS and MDYs consist of a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and of the Standard and Poor’s MidCap 400 Index, respectively.

The price of a UIT interest is derived and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a UIT interest is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for UITs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying UITs purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on UITs. Trading in UITs involves risks similar to the risks, involved in the writing of options on securities, described above under “Derivative Instruments—Options.”

Interests in UITs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, a Fund must accumulate a certain amount of UIT interests. The liquidity of small holdings of UITs, therefore, depends upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a UIT interest, a Fund receives securities and cash identical to the deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a UIT interest that day.

(38) Unit Trusts

Unit trusts are pooled investment vehicles located outside the United States that are operated similarly to mutual funds in the United States. In a unit trust, an asset management firm solicits a pool of capital from investors by issuing a specific quantity of shares and uses the capital for professional investments. An investment in units of a unit trust is subject to risks similar to those applicable to an investment in an open-end mutual fund, including that market risk, which is the risk that the market value of the trust’s investments could decline as a result of business, economic, political or other factors, resulting in a decline in the trust’s NAV. When a Fund invests in units of a unit trust, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the trust’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. In addition, an investment in units of a unit trust is subject to general foreign securities risks, including currency risk, and may be less liquid than an investment in a U.S. mutual fund.

(39) Variable and Floating Rate Securities

Variable rate securities provide for automatic establishment of a new interest rate at fixed intervals (i.e., daily, monthly, semi-annually, etc.). Floating rate securities provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever some specified interest rate index changes. The amount of interest to be paid to the holder is typically contingent on another rate (“contingent security”) such as the yield on 90-day Treasury bills. Variable rate securities may also include debt securities which have an interest rate which resets in the opposite direction of the rate of the contingent security.

(40) Warrants and Rights

Rights are short-term obligations issued in conjunction with new stock issues. Warrants give the holder the right to buy an issuer’s securities at a stated price for a stated time. The holder of a right or warrant has the right to purchase a given number of shares of a security of a particular issuer at a specified price until expiration of the right or warrant. Such investments provide greater potential for profit than a direct purchase of the same amount of the securities. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move in

 

47


tandem with the prices of the underlying securities, and warrants are considered speculative investments. They pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option. If the price of the underlying securities does not rise above the exercise price before the date of expiration of a warrant or right, or if a warrant or right is not otherwise exercised by the date of its expiration, a Fund would lose its entire investment in such warrant or right.

(41) When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and To-Be-Announced Securities

Certain Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. The purchase price and the interest rate payable, if any, on the securities are fixed on the purchase commitment date or at the time the settlement date is fixed. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation. For fixed-income securities, no interest accrues to a Fund until a settlement takes place. At the time a Fund makes a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, it will record the transaction, reflect the daily value of the securities when determining its NAV, and if applicable, calculate the maturity for the purposes of determining its average maturity from the date of the transaction. At the time of settlement, a when-issued or delayed-delivery security may be valued below the amount of its purchase price.

If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued or delayed-delivery security prior to its acquisition, it could incur a loss or a gain due to market fluctuation. Furthermore, a Fund may be at a disadvantage if the other party to the transaction defaults. When-issued and delayed-delivery transactions may allow a Fund to hedge against changes in interest rates.

In addition, certain Funds may purchase or sell securities, including mortgage-backed securities, in the to-be-announced (“TBA”) market. A TBA purchase commitment is a security that is purchased or sold for a fixed price and the underlying securities are announced at a future date. The seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, a Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. For example, in a TBA mortgage-backed security transaction, a Fund and the seller would agree upon the issuer, interest rate and terms of the underlying mortgages. The seller would not identify the specific underlying mortgages until it issues the security. The purchaser of TBA securities generally is subject to increased market risk and interest rate risk because the delivered securities may be less favorable than anticipated by the purchaser.

Proposed Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules include mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market that would, if implemented, require the Funds to post collateral in connection with their TBA transactions. There is no similar requirement applicable to the Funds’ TBA counterparties. If those rules are implemented, the required collateralization of TBA trades could increase the cost of TBA transactions to the Funds and impose added operational complexity.

(42) Zero Coupon Securities

Certain Funds may invest in zero coupon securities. “Zero coupon” securities are issued at a significant discount from face value and pay interest only at maturity rather than at intervals during the life of the security. Zero coupon securities tend to be more volatile than other securities with similar stated maturities, but which make regular payments of either principal or interest.

A Fund is required to accrue and distribute imputed income from zero coupon securities on a current basis, even though it does not receive the income currently. A Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce a Fund’s assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return.

 

48


Additional Risks

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

The Funds are subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including widespread epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and systemic market dislocations can be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Those events as well as other changes in non-U.S. and domestic economic and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Fund’s investments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations or reductions, disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment. The impact of this outbreak and any other epidemic or pandemic that may arise in the future could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of capital markets and other markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways. This crisis or other public health crises may also exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. At this time, it is still not possible to estimate the severity or duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the severity, duration and frequency of any additional “waves” or emerging variants of COVID-19, or the efficacy or utilization of any therapeutic treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 or variants thereof. It is likewise still not possible to predict or estimate the longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or any actions taken to contain or address the pandemic, on the Funds, the financial markets, and the economy at large. The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates, supply chain disruptions and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of securities or other assets. Such impacts, which may vary across asset classes, may adversely affect the performance of a Fund’s investments, the Fund and your investment in the Fund.

Given the increasing interdependence between global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the Euro and the European Monetary Union (the “EMU”) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU, or any continued uncertainty as to its status, could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of a Fund’s investments. The UK left the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”) on January 31, 2020. An agreement between the UK and the EU governing their future trade relationship became effective January 1, 2021, but critical aspects of the relationship remain unresolved and subject to further negotiation and agreement. Brexit has resulted in volatility in European and global markets and could have negative long-term impacts on financial markets in the UK and throughout Europe. Significant uncertainty remains in the market regarding the ramifications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and the arrangements that will apply to the UK’s relationship with the EU and other countries following its withdrawal; the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes are difficult to

 

49


predict. Moreover, other countries may seek to withdraw from the EU and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the EU. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. Whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after the end of 2021. The transition away from and eventual elimination of LIBOR may adversely affect the interest rates on, and liquidity and value of, certain assets and liabilities of a Fund that are tied to LIBOR. These may include bank loans, floating rate securities, structured securities (including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities), other debt securities, derivatives, and other assets or liabilities tied to LIBOR, particularly insofar as the documentation governing such instruments does not include “fall back” provisions addressing the transition from LIBOR. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR, and the Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate, which is intended to replace GBP LIBOR). Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity of investments impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Funds. The effect of any changes to, or discontinuation of, LIBOR on the Funds will vary depending, among other things, on (1) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts and (2) the extent to which industry participants adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. A Subadviser may have discretion to determine a successor or substitute reference rate, including any price or other adjustments to account for differences between the successor or substitute reference rate and previous rate. Such successor or substitute reference rate and any adjustments selected may negatively impact a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition, and may expose the Fund to additional tax, accounting and regulatory risks. The transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain Fund investments and may result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades, adversely impacting a Fund’s overall financial condition or results of operations. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates on the Funds.

Unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the United States and abroad, such as the U.S.-China “trade war” that intensified in 2018, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The current political climate and the further escalation of a trade war between China and the United States may have an adverse effect on both the U.S. and Chinese economies, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. In January 2020, the U.S. and China signed a “Phase 1” trade agreement that reduced some U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods while boosting Chinese purchases of American goods. However, this agreement left in place a number of existing tariffs, and it is unclear whether further trade agreements may be reached in the future. Events such as these and their impact on the Funds are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

 

50


Cyber Security Risk

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, investment companies (such as the Funds) and their service providers (including the Investment Manager) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, the Investment Manager, the Subadvisers, or a custodian, transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. The Funds may also incur substantial costs for cyber security risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. While the Investment Manager has established business continuity plans and systems designed to prevent cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. The Funds rely on third-party service providers for many of their day-to-day operations, and are subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Funds from cyber-attack. Any problems relating to the performance and effectiveness of security procedures used by the Funds or third-party service providers to protect the Funds’ assets, such as algorithms, codes, passwords, multiple signature systems, encryption and telephone call-backs, may have an adverse impact on an investment in a Fund. The Investment Manager does not control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Investment Manager or the Funds. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

Diversification Requirements for the Funds

Each Fund, with the exception of the Large Cap Growth Fund and the International Equity Fund, intends to meet the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act as in effect from time to time. Currently under the 1940 Act, a “diversified” fund generally may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer (except, in each case, U.S. Government securities, cash, cash items and the securities of other investment companies). The remaining 25% of a fund’s total assets is not subject to this limitation. A fund that is non-diversified can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer or a group of issuers, and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit, market, and other risks than a diversified fund. The poor performance by a single issuer may have a greater impact on the performance of a non-diversified fund. A non-diversified fund’s shares tend to be more volatile than shares of a diversified fund and are more susceptible to the risks of focusing investments in a small number of issuers or industries, and the risks of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

 

51


Quality Requirements for the Core Plus Bond Fund

With respect to the Core Plus Bond Fund, determinations of comparable quality for unrated securities are made by the Subadviser based on its own credit research. Any credit quality restrictions or standards for the Fund with respect to a particular security in which the Fund may invest must be satisfied at the time the investment is made. If the Subadviser determines that the quality of a rated or unrated investment has declined since investment by the Fund or in the event of certain ratings downgrades by NRSROs of the Fund’s rated securities, the Fund may continue to hold the applicable investment.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The following investment restrictions have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Funds. Except as otherwise stated, these investment restrictions are “fundamental” policies. A “fundamental” policy is defined in the 1940 Act to mean that the restriction cannot be changed without the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Funds. A majority of the outstanding voting securities is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund

The Fund may:

(1) Borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

(2) Lend money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

The Fund may not (except as noted):

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate), interests in oil, gas and/or mineral exploration or development programs or leases.

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, the Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of companies less than three years old. Such three-year periods shall include the operation of any predecessor trust or companies.

(5) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with such Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

(6) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

 

52


(7) Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by the Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

(8) Invest in puts, calls, straddles or combinations thereof, except to the extent disclosed in the SAI.

With respect to limitation (5) above, such limitation should not be deemed to prohibit investments in forwards, swaps or other instruments that were not deemed “commodity interests” prior to July 21, 2010.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund and AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund

Each Fund may:

(1) Borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

(2) Lend money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

Each Fund may not (except as noted):

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Funds from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of a Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, a Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with such Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

(5) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(6) Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by a Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

 

53


(7) Invest in puts, calls, straddles or combinations thereof, except to the extent disclosed in the SAI.

(8)(a) Except for AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund: As to 75% of the total assets of the Fund, purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than cash, other investment companies and securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer. In addition, AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund may not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

(b) For AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund: As to 75% of the total assets of the Fund, (i) purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than cash, other investment companies and securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of such issuer; or (ii) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

(9) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

With respect to limitation (4) above, such limitation should not be deemed to prohibit investments in forwards, swaps or other instruments that were not deemed “commodity interests” prior to July 21, 2010.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund

The Fund may:

(1) may borrow money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

The Fund may not:

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, a Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(5) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

 

54


(6) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(7) Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by the Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts or other financial instruments is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

(8) Purchase physical commodities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief or unless acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or instruments, but this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing futures contracts, options, foreign currencies or forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors and other financial instruments or from investing in securities of any kind.

Portfolio Turnover

Generally, the Funds purchase securities for investment purposes and not for short-term trading profits. However, each Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time that the security is held in the portfolio when the Fund believes the sale is consistent with the Fund’s investment strategies and in the Fund’s best interest to do so. A higher degree of portfolio activity may increase brokerage costs to a Fund and may increase shareholders’ tax liability.

The portfolio turnover rates for each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Core Plus Bond Fund*   
Fiscal Year Ended    Portfolio Turnover Rate
October 31, 2021    174%
October 31, 2022    76%
Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund**   
Fiscal Year Ended    Portfolio Turnover Rate
October 31, 2021    158%
October 31, 2022    23%
Large Cap Growth Fund***   
Fiscal Year Ended    Portfolio Turnover Rate
October 31, 2021    109%
October 31, 2022    68%
International Equity Fund****   
Fiscal Year Ended    Portfolio Turnover Rate
October 31, 2021    152%
October 31, 2022    23%

 

*

The Core Plus Bond Fund’s higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 from that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 24, 2021.

**

The Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund’s higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 from that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021 and May 21, 2021.

 

55


***

The Large Cap Growth Fund’s higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 from that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021.

****

The International Equity Fund’s higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 from that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent selective disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio holdings to third parties, other than disclosures that are consistent with the best interests of shareholders of a Fund. Each Fund will disclose its portfolio holdings on a monthly basis on or about the 10th business day of the following month by posting this information on the Fund’s website. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust may designate an earlier or later date for public disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. In addition, each Fund (i) may disclose the top 10 portfolio holdings at any time following the disclosure of portfolio holdings, and (ii) may disclose statistical information regarding such Fund’s portfolio allocation characteristics on or about 10 business days after each month-end, or may disclose such information if it is derived from publicly available portfolio holdings, in each case, by posting the information on the Fund’s website. Non-public portfolio holdings may also be disclosed by a Fund or its duly authorized service providers to certain third parties, including mutual fund evaluation services, rating agencies, lenders or providers of borrowing facilities, if (i) the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust has made a determination that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information in the manner and at the time proposed is consistent with a legitimate business purpose of the Fund; and (ii) the recipient has been informed in writing that it is subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to that information and undertakes not to trade in securities or other property on the basis of that information unless and until that information is made publicly available. The Board of Trustees receives reports of any potential exceptions to, or violations of, the Trust’s policies and procedures governing disclosure of portfolio holdings that are deemed to constitute a material compliance matter. The Chief Compliance Officer or his designee is responsible for monitoring compliance with these procedures, including requesting information from service providers.

The Trust has arrangements with the persons indicated below to make available information about a Fund’s portfolio securities. The Trust’s policies and procedures prohibit any person or entity from receiving compensation or consideration of any kind in connection with the release of information relating to a Fund’s portfolio holdings.

The Funds may regularly provide non-public portfolio holdings information, including current portfolio holdings information, to the following third parties in the normal course of their performance of services to the Funds: the Subadvisers; the independent registered public accounting firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP); the custodian and securities lending agent (The Bank of New York Mellon); financial printer (Donnelley Financial Solutions); counsel to the Funds (Ropes & Gray LLP) or counsel to the independent trustees of the Funds (Sullivan & Worcester LLP); regulatory authorities; and securities exchanges and other listing organizations. Disclosures of current portfolio holdings information will be made on a daily basis with respect to the Subadviser and the custodian. Disclosures of portfolio holdings information will be made to the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm on an annual basis in connection with the annual audit of the Funds’ financial statements and to the Funds’ financial printer on a quarterly basis in connection with the preparation of public filings, and from time to time in the course of Fund operations. Disclosures of portfolio holdings information, including current portfolio holdings information, may be made to counsel to the Funds or counsel to the Funds’

 

56


independent trustees in connection with periodic meetings of the Board of Trustees and otherwise from time to time in connection with the Funds’ operations. In addition, the Funds provide portfolio holdings information to the following data providers, fund ranking/rating services, independent consultants, fair valuation services and other service providers: Lipper, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., ICE Data Services, FactSet Research Systems Inc., Bloomberg L.P., Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., Davison, Dietsch & McCarthy, Inc., Seismic Professional Services, eVestment Alliance, LLC, HedgeMark Risk Analytics, LLC, Confluence Technologies, Inc., and VATIT USA Inc. (d/b/a WTax). The Funds may disclose non-public current portfolio holdings information to ICE Data Services on a monthly basis for valuation purposes, to FactSet Research Systems Inc. on a daily basis for portfolio holdings analysis, to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. on a daily basis for proxy voting and class action processing purposes, to Davison, Dietsch, & McCarthy, Inc. and Seismic Professional Services on a quarterly basis for services related to Fund marketing materials, to eVestment Alliance, LLC on a quarterly basis for services related to Fund marketing, to HedgeMark Risk Analytics, LLC on a daily basis for liquidity classification services, to Confluence Technologies, Inc. on a monthly basis in connection with regulatory filings and on a daily basis for services related to Rule 18f-4, and to VATIT USA Inc. (d/b/a WTax) on a daily basis for tax services relating to foreign securities. The Funds also provide current portfolio holdings information to Lipper, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Bloomberg L.P. and various institutional investment consultants and other related firms, but only after such information has already been disclosed to the general public.

The entities to which the Funds voluntarily disclose portfolio holdings information are required, either by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding selective disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings will protect the Funds from potential misuse of that information by individuals or entities to which it is disclosed.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their business addresses, principal occupations for the past five years and ages are listed below. The Trustees provide broad supervision over the affairs of the Trust and the Funds. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Funds’ activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Funds, and review the Funds’ performance. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee or Officer is the address of the Trust: 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

There is no stated term of office for Trustees. Each Trustee serves during the continued lifetime of the Trust until he or she dies, resigns or is removed, or, if sooner, until the next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor in accordance with the Trust’s organizational documents and the Board’s policy that a Trustee retire at the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee reaches the age of 75. The Chairman of the Board, the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary and such other Officers as the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time elect each hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each Officer holds office at the pleasure of the Trustees.

 

57


Independent Trustees

The Trustees in the following table are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). Eric Rakowski serves as the Independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

 

NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

THE TRUST

AND

LENGTH OF

TIME SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5
YEARS

   NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE
  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES,
SKILLS FOR BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Bruce B.

Bingham

    YOB: 1948

  

Trustee since

2014

   Partner, Hamilton Partners (real estate development firm) (1987-Present)    41    Director of The Yacktman Funds, Inc. (2 portfolios) (2000-2012)    Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; business experience as a partner of a real estate development and investment firm; familiar with financial statements.

Kurt A.

Keilhacker

    YOB: 1963

  

Trustee since 2014;

Chairman of

the Audit Committee

since 2020

   Managing Partner, TechFund Europe (2000-Present); Managing Partner, TechFund Capital (1997-Present); Managing Partner, Elementum Ventures (2013-Present); Director, MetricStory, Inc. (2017-Present); Trustee, Wheaton College (2018-Present); Trustee, Gordon College (2001-2016); Board Member, 6wind SA (2002-2019)    45    None    Significant board experience, including as a board member of private companies; significant experience as a managing member of private companies; significant experience in the venture capital industry; significant experience as co-founder of a number of technology companies.

 

58


NAME

AND YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

THE TRUST

AND

LENGTH OF

TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5
YEARS

   NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE
  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES, SKILLS FOR
BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Steven J. Paggioli

    YOB: 1950

   Trustee since 2010    Independent Consultant (2002-Present); Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Investment Company Administration, LLC (1990-2001)    41    Trustee, Professionally Managed Portfolios (28 portfolios); Advisory Board Member, Sustainable Growth Advisors, LP; Independent Director, Muzinich BDC, Inc. (business development company) (2019-Present); Independent Director, Chase Investment Counsel (2008-2019)    Significant board experience, including as a board member of mutual funds; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; former service with financial service regulator; Audit Committee financial expert.

Eric Rakowski

    YOB: 1958

   Trustee since 2010; Independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2017; Chairman of the Governance Committee since 2017    Professor of Law, University of California at Berkeley School of Law (1990-Present)    45    Trustee of Parnassus Funds (3 portfolios) (2021-Present); Trustee of Parnassus Income Funds (2 portfolios) (2021-Present); Director of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (10 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (3 portfolios) (2002-2019); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio) (2002-2019)    Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; former practicing attorney; currently professor of law.

 

59


NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

THE TRUST

AND

LENGTH OF

TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S) DURING
PAST 5 YEARS

   NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE
  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES, SKILLS
FOR BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Victoria L. Sassine

    YOB: 1965

   Trustee since 2014    Adjunct Professor, Babson College (2007-Present); Director, Board of Directors, PRG Group (2017-Present); CEO, Founder, Scale Smarter Partners, LLC (2018-Present); Adviser, EVOFEM Biosciences (2019-Present); Chairperson, Board of Directors, Business Management Associates (2018-2019)    45    None    Currently professor of finance; significant business and finance experience in strategic financial and operation management positions in a variety of industries; accounting experience in a global accounting firm; experience as a board member of various organizations; Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Interested Trustee

Mr. Weston is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act by virtue of his position with, and interest in securities of, AMG.

 

NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

THE TRUST

AND

LENGTH OF

TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5
YEARS

   NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE
  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES,
SKILLS FOR
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Garret W. Weston

    YOB: 1981

   Trustee since 2021    Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2008-Present): Managing Director, Co-Head of Affiliate Engagement (2021-Present), Senior Vice President, Affiliate Development (2016-2021), Vice President, Office of the CEO (2015-2016), Vice President, New Investments (2012-2015), Senior Associate, New Investments (2008-2012); Associate, Madison Dearborn Partners (2006-2008); Analyst, Merrill Lynch (2004-2006)    45    None    Significant senior leadership role within AMG across a number of areas, including responsibilities since 2020 for the AMG Funds business and other distribution related activities, as well as prior significant experience with AMG’s investments and relationships with its Affiliates. Prior to AMG, significant business, investment and corporate finance experience within the financial services industry.

 

60


Information About Each Trustee’s Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills

Trustees of the Trust, together with information as to their positions with the Trust, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, and experience, qualifications, attributes or skills for serving as Trustees are shown in the tables above. The summaries relating to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of the Trustees are required by the registration form adopted by the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case. The Board believes that the significance of each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Trustee may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Trustee, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Trustees need to be able to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Trust management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties. The Board believes that each of its members has these abilities. Experience relevant to having these abilities may be achieved through a Trustee’s educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., finance or law), or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board) or as an executive of investment funds, significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Independent Trustees are counseled by their own separate, independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Manager, and also may benefit from information provided by the Trust’s and the Investment Manager’s legal counsel. Both Independent Trustee and Trust counsel have significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts, including the Funds’ independent public accounting firm, as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

 

61


Officers

 

NAME AND YEAR
OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S) HELD

WITH THE TRUST
AND

LENGTH OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING

PAST 5 YEARS

Keitha L. Kinne

    YOB: 1958

   Chief Operating Officer since 2016; President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer since 2018    Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2007-Present); Chief Investment Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2008-Present); President and Principal, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2018-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2007-Present); President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2018-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2007-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds IV (2016-Present); Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Aston Asset Management, LLC (2016); President and Principal Executive Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2012-2014); Managing Partner, AMG Funds LLC (2007-2014); President and Principal, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2012-2014); Managing Director, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (2006-2007); Managing Director, Citigroup Asset Management (2004-2006)

Thomas G. Disbrow

YOB: 1966

   Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer since 2017    Vice President, Mutual Fund Treasurer & CFO, AMG Funds, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2017-Present); Managing Director—Global Head of Traditional Funds Product Control, UBS Asset Management (Americas), Inc. (2015-2017); Managing Director—Head of North American Funds Treasury, UBS Asset Management (Americas), Inc. (2011-2015)

 

62


NAME AND YEAR
OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S) HELD

WITH THE TRUST
AND

LENGTH OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING

PAST 5 YEARS

Mark J. Duggan

    YOB: 1965

   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2015    Managing Director and Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2021-Present); Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2015-2021); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2015-Present); Attorney, K&L Gates, LLP (2009-2015)

Patrick J. Spellman

    YOB: 1974

   Chief Compliance Officer and Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2022    Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2010-Present); Chief Compliance Officer and Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2019-Present); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, and AMG Funds III (2014-2019; 2022-Present); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, AMG Funds IV (2016-2019; 2022-Present); Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2011-2017); Compliance Manager, Legal and Compliance, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2005-2011)

John A. Starace

    YOB: 1970

   Deputy Treasurer since 2017    Vice President, Mutual Fund Accounting, AMG Funds LLC (2021-Present); Director, Mutual Fund Accounting, AMG Funds LLC (2017-2021); Vice President, Deputy Treasurer of Mutual Funds Services, AMG Funds LLC (2014-2017); Deputy Treasurer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2017-Present); Vice President, Citi Hedge Fund Services (2010-2014); Audit Senior Manager (2005-2010) and Audit Manager (2001-2005), Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

63


NAME AND YEAR
OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S) HELD

WITH THE TRUST
AND

LENGTH OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING

PAST 5 YEARS

Maureen M. Kerrigan

    YOB: 1985

   Assistant Secretary since 2016    Vice President, Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2021-Present); Vice President, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2019-2021); Director, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2017-2018); Vice President, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2015-2017); Assistant Secretary, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2016-Present); Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (2011-2015); Law Fellow, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (2010-2011)

Trustee Share Ownership

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in the Funds

Beneficially Owned as of

December 31, 2022

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of

Equity Securities in All

Registered Investment

Companies Overseen by

Trustee in the Family of

Investment Companies

Beneficially Owned as of

December 31, 2022

Independent Trustees:

 

Bruce B. Bingham

Kurt A. Keilhacker

Steven J. Paggioli

Eric Rakowski

Victoria L. Sassine

  

 

None

None

None

None

None

  

 

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Interested Trustee:

 

Garret W. Weston

  

 

None

  

 

Over $100,000

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The following provides an overview of the leadership structure of the Board of Trustees of AMG Funds IV (the “Board”) and the Board’s oversight of the Funds’ risk management process. The Board consists of six Trustees, five of whom are Independent Trustees. An Independent Trustee serves as Chairman of the Board. In addition, the Board also has two standing committees, the Audit Committee and Governance Committee (the “Committees”) (discussed below), each comprised of all of the Independent Trustees, to which the Board has delegated certain authority and oversight responsibilities.

 

64


The Board’s role in management of the Trust is oversight, including oversight of the Funds’ risk management process. The Board meets regularly on at least a quarterly basis and at these meetings the officers of the Funds and the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer report to the Board on a variety of matters. A portion of each regular meeting is devoted to an executive session of the Independent Trustees, the Independent Trustees’ separate, independent legal counsel, and the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, at which no members of management are present. In a separate executive session of the Independent Trustees and the Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel, the Independent Trustees consider a variety of matters that are required by law to be considered by the Independent Trustees, as well as matters that are scheduled to come before the full Board, including fund governance, compliance, and leadership issues. When considering these matters, the Independent Trustees are advised by their independent legal counsel. The Board reviews its leadership structure periodically and believes that its structure is appropriate to enable the Board to exercise its oversight of the Funds.

AMG Funds IV has retained AMG Funds LLC as the Funds’ investment adviser and administrator. The Investment Manager is responsible for the Funds’ overall administration and operations, including management of the risks that arise from the Funds’ investments and operations. Employees of the Investment Manager serve as several of the Funds’ officers, including the Funds’ President. The Board provides oversight of the services provided by the Investment Manager and the Funds’ officers, including their risk management activities. On an annual basis, the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer conducts a compliance review and risk assessment and prepares a written report relating to the review that is provided to the Board for review and discussion. The assessment includes a broad-based review of the risks inherent to the Funds, the controls designed to address those risks, and selective testing of those controls to determine whether they are operating effectively and are reasonably designed. In the course of providing oversight, the Board and the Committees receive a wide range of reports on the Funds’ activities, including regarding each Fund’s investment portfolio, the compliance of the Funds with applicable laws, and the Funds’ financial accounting and reporting. The Board receives periodic reports from the Funds’ Chief Legal Officer on the Investment Manager’s risk management activities. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer regarding the compliance of the Funds with federal and state securities laws and the Funds’ internal compliance policies and procedures. In addition, the Board receives periodic reports from the portfolio managers of the Subadvisers and the Investment Manager’s investment research team regarding the management of the Funds, including their investment risks. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Funds’ Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and other senior personnel of the Investment Manager regarding the Investment Manager’s general business operations.

Board Committees

As described below, the Board of Trustees has two standing Committees, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Board has not established a formal risk oversight committee. However, much of the regular work of the Board and its standing Committees addresses aspects of risk oversight.

Audit Committee

The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee consisting of all of the Independent Trustees. Kurt A. Keilhacker serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee. Under the terms of its charter, the Audit Committee: (a) acts for the Trustees in overseeing the Trust’s financial reporting and auditing processes; (b) receives and reviews communications from the independent registered public accounting firm relating to its review of the Funds’ financial statements; (c) reviews and assesses the performance, approves the compensation, and approves or ratifies the appointment, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; (d) meets periodically with the independent

 

65


registered public accounting firm to review the annual audits of the series of the Trust, including the audits of the Funds, and pre-approves the audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm; (e) considers and acts upon proposals for the independent registered public accounting firm to provide non-audit services to the Trust or the Investment Manager or its affiliates to the extent that such approval is required by applicable laws or regulations; (f) considers and reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm, periodically as the need arises, but not less frequently than annually, matters bearing upon the registered public accounting firm’s status as “independent” under applicable standards of independence established from time to time by the SEC and other regulatory authorities; and (g) reviews and reports to the full Board with respect to any material accounting, tax, valuation or recordkeeping issues of which the Audit Committee is aware that may affect the Trust, the Trust’s financial statements or the amount of any dividend or distribution right, among other matters. The chairman of the Audit Committee or his designee also may carry out the duties of the Board’s pricing oversight committee from time to time. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

Governance Committee

The Board of Trustees has a Governance Committee consisting of all of the Independent Trustees. Eric Rakowski serves as the chairman of the Governance Committee. Under the terms of its charter, the Governance Committee is empowered to perform a variety of functions on behalf of the Board, including responsibility to make recommendations with respect to the following matters: (i) individuals to be appointed or nominated for election as Independent Trustees; (ii) the designation and responsibilities of the chairperson of the Board (who shall be an Independent Trustee) and Board committees, such other officers of the Board, if any, as the Governance Committee deems appropriate, and officers of the Funds; (iii) the compensation to be paid to Independent Trustees; and (iv) other matters the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Governance Committee is also empowered to: (i) set any desired standards or qualifications for service as a Trustee; (ii) conduct self-evaluations of the performance of the Trustees and help facilitate the Board’s evaluation of the performance of the Board at least annually; (iii) oversee the selection of independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and review reports from independent legal counsel regarding potential conflicts of interest; and (iv) consider and evaluate any other matter the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate. It is the policy of the Governance Committee to consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Shareholders who would like to recommend nominees to the Governance Committee should submit the candidate’s name and background information in a sufficiently timely manner (and in any event, no later than the date specified for receipt of shareholder proposals in any applicable proxy statement of the Funds) and should address their recommendations to the attention of the Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Funds, 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. The Governance Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

Trustees’ Compensation

For their services as Trustees of the Trust and other funds within the AMG Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Trustees were compensated as follows:

 

66


Compensation Table:

 

Name of

Trustee

  

Aggregate

Compensation

from the Funds (a)

    

Total Compensation

from the

Fund Complex

Paid to Trustees (b)

 

Independent Trustees:

     

Bruce B. Bingham

   $ 5,964      $ 250,000  

Kurt A. Keilhacker(c)

   $ 6,560      $ 316,000  

Steven J. Paggioli

   $ 5,964      $ 250,000  

Eric Rakowski(d)

   $ 7,276      $ 355,000  

Victoria L. Sassine

   $ 5,964      $ 299,750  

Thomas R. Schneeweis(e)

   $ 5,964      $ 250,000  

Interested Trustee:

     

Garret W. Weston

     None        None  

 

(a)

Compensation is calculated for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The Trust does not provide any pension or retirement benefits for the Trustees.

(b)

Total compensation includes compensation paid during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2022 for services as a Trustee to any fund currently in the AMG Fund Complex. As of October 31, 2022, each of Messrs. Bingham, Paggioli, and Schneeweis served as a trustee to 40 funds in the AMG Fund Complex and each of Messrs. Keilhacker, Rakowski and Weston and Ms. Sassine served as a trustee or director to 44 funds in the AMG Fund Complex.

(c)

Mr. Keilhacker receives an additional $25,000 annually for serving as the Audit Committee Chairman, which is reflected in the chart above.

(d)

Mr. Rakowski receives an additional $55,000 annually for serving as the Independent Chairman, which is reflected in the chart above.

(e)

Mr. Schneeweis retired from the Board effective October 31, 2022.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of January 31, 2023, the following persons and/or entities owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund.

Core Plus Bond Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

First Community Trust NA*

     55.14

3385 Hillcrest Road, Suite 100

  

Dubuque, Iowa 52002

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     14.11

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     6.44

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

  

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

 

67


UBS WM USA

     5.10

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers of UBSFSI

1000 Harbor Boulevard

  

Weehawken, New Jersey 07086

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.

     56.42

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     29.02

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds 101

Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  
Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Gerald Dillenburg & Cheryl Dillenburg JTWROS

     32.99

316 Ridge Avenue

  

Clarendon Hills, Illinois 60514-1313

  

BNYM I S Trust Co Cust Rollover IRA

     25.82

Annie Faye Carter Powell

68 Pinnacle Shores Drive

  

Okatie, South Carolina 29909

  

BNYM I S Trust Co Cust Roth IRA

     15.35

FBO Pradeep Y. Naik

732 North Lenore Street

  

Addison, Illinois 60101-2621

  

BNYM I S Trust Co Cust Rollover IRA

     7.76

Michael J. Wszolek

8908 Saddle Red Avenue

  

Las Vegas, Nevada 89143

  

BNYM I S Trust Co Cust Rollover IRA

     5.83

Edward M. Lurie

7 Gaslight Lane

  

North Easton, Massachusetts 02356-0000

  

BNYM I S Trust Co Cust Rollover IRA

     5.81

Edith A. Etheridge

49 McDaniel Drive

  

Blairsville, Georgia 30512

  

 

68


Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     17.65

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

LPL Financial

     16.26

Omnibus Customer Account

  

Attn: Lindsay O’Toole

4707 Executive Drive

  

San Diego, California 92121

  

Pershing LLC

     14.92

1 Pershing Plaza

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07399-0002

  

Gerald Dillenburg & Cheryl Dillenburg JTWROS

     11.69

316 Ridge Avenue

  

Clarendon Hills, Illinois 60514-1313

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     7.61

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC

     7.56

2801 Market Street

  

Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

  

Matrix Trust Company Cust FBO

     5.65

Stoel Rives Retirement Plan

  

P.O. Box 52129

  

Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2129

  

 

69


Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     27.08

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     23.54

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

TD Ameritrade Inc.

     6.09

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

  

P.O. Box 2226

  

Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226

  

Suzanne Joplin

     5.47

1815 Dawkins Road

  

Lagrange, Kentucky 40031-9718

  
Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

AMG Funds LLC

     50.35

680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500

  

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

  

David H. Voelkel

     49.65

101 North 5th Street

  

Bellevue, Iowa 52031-1501

  

Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

     19.64

For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers

1 New York Plaza, Floor 12

  

New York, New York 10004-1901

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     17.78

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

 

70


National Financial Services Corp.

     12.67

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

UBS WM USA

     9.70

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers of UBSFSI

1000 Harbor Boulevard

  

Weehawken, New Jersey 07086

  

Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC

     5.21

2801 Market Street

  

Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.

     15.13

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     14.30

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

TD Ameritrade Inc.

     6.23

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

  

P.O. Box 2226

  

Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226

  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

     5.16

For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers

1 New York Plaza, Floor 12

  

New York, New York 10004-1901

  

International Equity Fund

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.*

     49.67

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

 

71


Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     17.78

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

TD Ameritrade Inc.

     7.92

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

  

P.O. Box 2226

  

Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226

  

LPL Financial

     5.88

Omnibus Customer Account

  

Attn: Lindsay O’Toole

4707 Executive Drive

  

San Diego, California 92121

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.

     40.65

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     23.73

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

TD Ameritrade Inc.

     14.47

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

  

P.O. Box 2226

  

Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226

  

LPL Financial

     8.53

Omnibus Customer Account

  

Attn: Lindsay O’Toole

4707 Executive Drive

  

San Diego, California 92121

  

Pershing LLC

     6.80

1 Pershing Plaza

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07399-0002

  

 

72


Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

JP Morgan Securities LLC

     78.87%  

Omnibus Account for the Exclusive

  

Benefit of Customers 4 Chase Metrotech Center, 3rd Floor

  

Mutual Fund Department

  

Brooklyn, New York 11245

  

 

*

Denotes persons or entities that owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund as of January 31, 2023, and therefore may be presumed to “control” the Fund under the 1940 Act. Except for these persons or entities, the Trust did not know of any person or entity who, as of January 31, 2023, “controlled” (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) the Fund. A person or entity that “controls” the Fund could have effective voting control over the Fund. It may not be possible for matters subject to a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to be approved without the affirmative vote of such “controlling” shareholders, and it may be possible for such matters to be approved by such shareholders without the affirmative vote of any other shareholders.

Management Ownership

As of January 31, 2023, all management personnel (i.e., Trustees and Officers) as a group owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund, with the exception of the International Equity Fund, where all management personnel as a group owned 4.85% of the outstanding shares of Class N.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

Investment Manager and Subadvisers

The Trustees provide broad supervision over the operations and affairs of the Trust and the Funds. The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to each Fund. The Investment Manager also serves as administrator of the Funds and carries out the daily administration of the Trust and the Funds. The Investment Manager’s principal address is 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. The Investment Manager is a subsidiary of AMG, and a subsidiary of AMG serves as the Managing Member of the Investment Manager. AMG is located at 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. AMG (NYSE: AMG) is a global asset management company with equity investments in leading boutique investment management firms. AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, serves as distributor of the Funds. The Distributor’s principal address is 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.    

Effective as of October 1, 2016, Aston, the former investment adviser to the Funds and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of AMG, merged with and into the Investment Manager, with the Investment Manager becoming the investment manager to the Funds.

The assets of each Fund are managed by a Subadviser selected by the Investment Manager, subject to the review and approval of the Trustees. The Investment Manager recommends Subadvisers for the Funds to the Trustees based upon continuing quantitative and qualitative evaluation of each Subadviser’s skills in managing assets subject to specific investment styles and strategies. Short-term investment performance, by itself, is not a significant factor in hiring or terminating a Subadviser, and the Investment Manager does not expect to make frequent changes of Subadvisers. The Investment Manager and its corporate predecessors have over 20 years of experience in evaluating subadvisers for individuals and institutional investors.

 

73


For its investment management services, the Investment Manager receives an investment management fee from each Fund. The Investment Manager uses a portion of the investment management fees it receives from each Fund to pay the subadvisory fees of the Subadviser that manages the assets of the Fund. Because each Subadviser is an affiliate of the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager indirectly benefits from the compensation received by the Subadvisers.

Each Subadviser has discretion, subject to oversight by the Trustees and the Investment Manager, to purchase and sell portfolio assets, consistent with each Fund’s investment objective(s), policies and restrictions. Generally, the services that a Subadviser provides to a Fund are limited to asset management and related recordkeeping services.

A Subadviser or an affiliated broker-dealer may execute portfolio transactions for a Fund and receive brokerage commissions, or markups/markdowns, in connection with the transaction as permitted by Sections 17(a) and 17(e) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, and the terms of any exemptive order issued by the SEC. The Board of Trustees has approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Funds may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the Subadviser participates. For underwritings where a Subadviser affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that a Fund could purchase in the underwritings.

A Subadviser may also serve as a discretionary or non-discretionary investment adviser to management or advisory or other accounts which are unrelated in any manner to the Funds or the Investment Manager and its affiliates.

Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements

The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to the Funds pursuant to an investment management agreement with the Trust (the “Investment Management Agreement”). The Investment Management Agreement permits the Investment Manager to engage, from time to time, one or more Subadvisers to assist in the performance of its services. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with the Subadvisers (each a “Subadvisory Agreement” and collectively the “Subadvisory Agreements”).

Effective as of October 1, 2016, in connection with the merger of Aston with and into the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager, as Aston’s legal successor, replaced Aston as a party to the Investment Management Agreement.

Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with the performance of the Investment Management Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.

 

74


The Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and the Investment Manager may be terminated with respect to a Fund by vote of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, at any time without penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager may also terminate its advisory relationship with respect to a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Investment Management Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Investment Manager is specifically responsible for the following advisory services:

 

   

manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds,

 

   

continuously review, supervise and administer the investment program of the Funds,

 

   

determine in its discretion, the assets to be held uninvested,

 

   

provide the Trust with records concerning the Investment Manager’s activities which are required to be maintained by the Trust, and

 

   

render regular reports to the Trust’s officers and Board concerning the Investment Manager’s discharge of the foregoing responsibilities.

The Investment Manager shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the oversight of the Trust’s officers and the Board and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s then-effective prospectus and SAI.

With respect to each Fund, the Investment Management Agreement provides for an initial term of two years and thereafter continues in effect for the Fund from year to year, so long as its continuation is approved at least annually by (i) the Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund; and in either event by a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party in the matter provided in Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act.

The Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Manager also provides that the Investment Manager shall have the authority, subject to applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder, to select one or more Subadvisers to provide day-to-day portfolio management with respect to all or a portion of the assets of any of the Funds and to allocate and reallocate the assets of a Fund between and among any Subadvisers so selected pursuant to a “manager-of-managers” structure.

Under the Subadvisory Agreement between the Investment Manager and the Subadviser for each Fund, each Subadviser manages a portfolio of the Fund, selects investments and places all orders for purchases and sales of that Fund’s securities, subject to the general oversight of the Board and the Investment Manager. In addition, except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation, a Subadviser may, in its discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

Each Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Subadviser shall not be subject to any liability for any act or omission, error of judgment, or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Investment Manager or the Trust in connection with the Subadvisory Agreement, except by reason of the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of the Subadviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Subadvisory Agreement.

 

75


Each Subadvisory Agreement provides for an initial term of two years and thereafter shall continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually (i) by either the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and (ii) in either event, by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval to the extent required by applicable law. Each Subadvisory Agreement may be terminated, without penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), by the Investment Manager, and by the Subadviser, in each case upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party. Each Subadvisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

For the services provided pursuant to each Subadvisory Agreement, the Investment Manager pays each Subadviser a fee computed daily and payable monthly.

Under the Subadvisory Agreements, each Subadviser manages all of a Fund’s portfolio, including the determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of securities, cash, and other investments for the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective(s), policies, and investment restrictions. The Subadvisers provide these services subject to the general supervision of the Investment Manager and the Trustees. The provision of investment advisory services by a Subadviser to its Fund will not be exclusive under the terms of the Subadvisory Agreements, and the Subadviser will be free to and expects to render investment advisory services to others.

In performing the functions set forth above and supervising the Subadvisers, the Investment Manager:

 

   

performs periodic detailed analysis and reviews of the performance by each Subadviser of its obligations to a Fund, including without limitation analysis and review of portfolio and other compliance matters and a review of each Subadviser’s investment performance in respect of a Fund;

 

   

prepares and presents periodic reports to the Board regarding the investment performance of each Subadviser and other information regarding each Subadviser, at such times and in such forms as the Board may reasonably request;

 

   

reviews and considers any changes in the personnel of each Subadviser responsible for performing the Subadviser’s obligations and makes appropriate reports to the Board;

 

   

reviews and considers any changes in the ownership or senior management of each Subadviser and makes appropriate reports to the Board;

 

   

performs periodic in-person or telephonic diligence meetings, including with respect to compliance matters, with representatives of each Subadviser;

 

   

assists the Board and management of the Trust in developing and reviewing information with respect to the initial approval of each Subadvisory Agreement with a Subadviser and annual consideration of each Subadvisory Agreement thereafter;

 

   

prepares recommendations with respect to the continued retention of any Subadviser or the replacement of any Subadviser, including at the request of the Board;

 

76


   

identifies potential successors to or replacements of any Subadviser or potential additional subadvisers, performs appropriate due diligence, and develops and presents to the Board a recommendation as to any such successor, replacement, or additional subadviser, including at the request of the Board;

 

   

designates and compensates from its own resources such personnel as the Investment Manager may consider necessary or appropriate to the performance of its services; and

 

   

performs such other review and reporting functions as the Board shall reasonably request consistent with the Investment Management Agreement and applicable law.

Each Fund pays all expenses not borne by the Investment Manager or Subadvisers including, but not limited to, advisory fees; distribution fees; interest; taxes; governmental fees; voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; organizational costs of the Fund; the cost (including brokerage commissions, transaction fees or charges, if any) in connection with the purchase or sale of the Fund’s securities and other investments and any losses in connection therewith; fees and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, administrators, registrars, independent pricing vendors or other agents; legal expenses; loan commitment fees; expenses relating to share certificates; expenses relating to the issuing and redemption or repurchase of the Fund’s shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of registering and qualifying the Fund’s shares for sale under applicable federal and state law; expenses of preparing, setting in print, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and any supplements thereto, reports, proxy statements, notices and dividends to the Fund’s shareholders; costs of stationery; website costs; costs of meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, meetings of shareholders and other meetings of the Fund except as otherwise determined by the Trustees; Board fees; audit fees; travel expenses of officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are not officers, employees or directors of the Investment Manager or its affiliates, if any; and the Trust’s pro rata portion of premiums on any fidelity bond and other insurance covering the Trust and its officers, Trustees and employees; litigation expenses and any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including, without limitation, those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and the legal obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto.

The Trust may rely on an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Investment Manager, subject to certain conditions and oversight by the Board of Trustees, to enter into subadvisory agreements with subadvisers approved by the Trustees but without the requirement of shareholder approval. Under the terms of this exemptive order, the Investment Manager is able, subject to certain conditions (including a 90-day notification requirement discussed below) and approval by the Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, to hire subadvisers for the Funds, change the terms of a subadvisory agreement for a subadviser, or continue the employment of a subadviser after events that under the 1940 Act and the subadvisory agreement would be deemed to be an automatic termination of the subadvisory agreement provided that the Investment Manager provides notification to shareholders within 90 days of the hiring of a subadviser. In addition, subject to approval by the SEC of an amendment to the Funds’ exemptive order, the Funds may disclose fees paid to subadvisers on an aggregate, rather than individual, basis. The Investment Manager, subject to oversight by the Trustees, has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Although shareholder approval will not be required for the termination of subadvisory agreements, shareholders of a Fund will continue to have the right to terminate such subadvisory agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Investment Manager may not change a subadviser to the Funds without approval of the Board of Trustees and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, shareholder approval.

 

77


Compensation of the Investment Manager and each Subadviser

As compensation for the investment management services rendered and related expenses under the Investment Management Agreement, each Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Manager an investment management fee, at the annual rates included in the table below, which is computed daily as a percentage of the value of the average daily net assets of the applicable Fund and may be paid monthly.

 

Fund

   Investment Management Fee  

Core Plus Bond Fund

     0.23

Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund

     0.62

Large Cap Growth Fund

     0.48

International Equity Fund

     0.54

As compensation for the investment management services rendered and related expenses under the Subadvisory Agreements, the Investment Manager has agreed to pay each Subadviser a portion of the investment management fee (net of all mutually agreed-upon fee waivers and reimbursements) for managing the portfolio, which is also computed daily and paid monthly based on the average daily net assets that the Subadviser manages. The fee paid to each Subadviser is paid out of the fee the Investment Manager receives from a Fund and does not increase a Fund’s expenses.

With respect to each Fund, the Subadviser has agreed to reimburse the Investment Manager for certain fees and expenses incurred by the Investment Manager or Distributor on behalf of the Fund, by the Investment Manager, or by the Distributor, which may include, but are not limited to, shareholder servicing fees and distribution-related expenses.

Investment Management Fees Paid by the Funds. Investment management fees paid to the Investment Manager by each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows. The Investment Manager may voluntarily agree to waive or reimburse a portion of its management fee from time to time. Any voluntary waiver or reimbursement by the Investment Manager may be terminated or reduced in amount at any time and solely in the discretion of the Investment Manager. Amounts shown for the Core Plus Bond Fund reflect, in part, such Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.45%. Amounts shown for the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund reflect, in part, such Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.90%. Amounts shown for the Large Cap Growth Fund reflect, in part, such Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.70% for the first $800,000,000 of assets under management, 0.50% for amounts in excess of $800,000,000 up to $6,000,000,000, 0.45% on amounts in excess of $6,000,000,000 up to $12,000,000,000 and 0.40% on amounts in excess of $12,000,000,000. Amounts shown for the International Equity Fund reflect, in part, such Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.67% and, for periods prior to January 1, 2020, the International Equity Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.70%.

 

Fund

   Total      Waived/Reimbursed*      Net  

Core Plus Bond Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 506,292      $ 0      $ 506,292  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,579,425      $ 0      $ 1,579,425  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 2,559,075      $ 134,092      $ 2,424,983  

 

78


Fund

   Total      Waived/Reimbursed*      Net  
Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund         

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 217,378      $ 0      $ 217,378  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 337,346      $ 0      $ 337,346  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 322,632      $ 0      $ 322,632  
Large Cap Growth Fund         

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,245,919      $ 0      $ 1,245,919  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 2,742,997      $ 0      $ 2,742,997  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 3,359,593      $ 0      $ 3,359,593  
International Equity Fund         

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 208,008      $ 0      $ 208,008  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 901,975      $ 0      $ 901,975  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,576,447      $ 0      $ 1,576,447  

 

 

*

As further described under “Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares—Exchange of Shares” below, an investor may exchange shares of the Funds through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the “JPMorgan Fund”). The Investment Manager has entered into a Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement with the JPMorgan Fund’s distributor and investment adviser, respectively, that provide for a cash payment to the Investment Manager that compensates the Investment Manager for providing, directly or through an agent, administrative, sub-transfer agent and other shareholder services. The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive or reimburse a portion of its management fee in the amount of the cash payments it receives under these agreements, amounts which are reflected in the table as amounts waived/reimbursed. Any such voluntary waiver or reimbursement is not recoverable by the Investment Manager from a Fund under the expense limitations described under “Expense Limitations” below. See “Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares—Exchange of Shares” below for more information on the JPMorgan Fund and the Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement.

Subadvisory Fees Paid by the Investment Manager. Fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Subadvisers for subadvisory services with respect to each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows. A Subadviser may voluntarily agree to waive or reimburse a portion of its subadvisory fee from time to time. Any voluntary waiver or reimbursement by any Subadviser may be terminated or reduced in amount at any time and solely in the discretion of the Subadviser concerned.

 

     Core Plus Bond Fund*  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 418,242  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,035,811  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,563,879  
     Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund**  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 134,985  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 193,744  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 179,240  

 

79


     Large Cap Growth Fund***  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 661,895  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,476,978  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,919,767  
     International Equity Fund****  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 132,894  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 526,927  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 904,814  

 

*

Reflects, in part, subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Fund’s former subadviser for periods prior to the hiring of Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. on March 24, 2021.

**

Reflects, in part, subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Fund’s former subadviser for periods prior to the hiring of GW&K Investment Management, LLC on March 19, 2021.

***

Reflects, in part, subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Fund’s former subadviser for periods prior to the hiring of Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc. on March 19, 2021.

****

Reflects, in part, subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Fund’s former subadviser for periods prior to the hiring of Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. on March 19, 2021.

Expense Limitations

From time to time, the Investment Manager may agree to limit a Fund’s expenses by agreeing to waive all or a portion of the investment management fee and certain other fees it would otherwise be entitled to receive from a Fund and/or pay or reimburse certain Fund expenses above a specified maximum amount (i.e., an “expense limitation”). The Investment Manager may waive all or a portion of its fees and/or pay or reimburse Fund expenses for a number of reasons, such as passing on to the Fund and its shareholders the benefit of reduced portfolio management fees resulting from a waiver by the Investment Manager or Subadviser of all or a portion of the fees it would otherwise be entitled to receive from the Fund, or attempting to make a Fund’s performance more competitive as compared to similar funds. The tables below and, if applicable, the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table (including footnotes thereto) located in the front of the Funds’ Prospectus reflect the impact of a Fund’s contractual expense limitations, if any, in effect during the periods shown. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived, or reimbursed by the Investment Manager pursuant to a Fund’s contractual expense limitation, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (exclusive of the items noted in the Funds’ Prospectus) to exceed either (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. In general, contractual expense limitations are only terminated at the end of a term, and shareholders will generally be notified of any change on or about the time that it becomes effective.

All fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed to (or repayments by) each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are set forth in the table below. These amounts include fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed to (or repayments by) the Funds pursuant to expense reimbursement agreements between the Funds and the Investment Manager that were in place prior to November 1, 2017, or, in the case of the International Equity Fund, prior to July 1, 2017.

 

     Core Plus Bond Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 98,353  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 227,438  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 236,714  

 

80


     Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 89,139  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 103,778  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 111,190  
     Large Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 86,244  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 95,910  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 0  
     International Equity Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 63,329  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 156,919  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 102,321  

In connection with the merger of Aston with and into the Investment Manager on October 1, 2016, all obligations of the Funds and Aston existing under expense reimbursement agreements between the Funds and Aston that were in place at the time of the merger, including any future obligations of the Funds to reimburse Aston for fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed, were expressly assumed by the Funds and the Investment Manager, respectively, under the expense reimbursement agreements between the Trust and the Investment Manager with respect to each of the Funds and are reflected in the table above.    

The Investment Manager also serves as the administrator to the Funds and receives compensation from the Trust pursuant to an administration agreement between the Trust and the Investment Manager. For more information about the administration agreement, see “Administrative Services” below.

Portfolio Managers of the Funds

Unless indicated otherwise, all information below is as of October 31, 2022.

AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund and AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund

Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. (“Beutel Goodman”)

Beutel Goodman has served as Subadviser to the Core Plus Bond Fund and the International Equity Fund since March 2021. Beutel Goodman is located at 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4R 1K8. As of December 31, 2022, Beutel Goodman had assets under management of approximately $32.18 billion. Beutel Goodman’s principal owners are the Beutel Goodman Voting Trust and AMG. Beutel Goodman Voting Trust is composed of a group of current and former employees of Beutel Goodman and holds as a group a 51% interest in Beutel Goodman. AMG holds an indirect minority 49% position. David Gregoris, Derek Brown, Sue McNamara and Neil McCabe are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Core Plus Bond Fund. Effective June 30, 2023, Mr. Gregoris will retire from Beutel Goodman and no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Core Plus Bond Fund. KC Parker and Stanley Wu are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the International Equity Fund.

 

81


Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

Portfolio Manager: David Gregoris*

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed**
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)***
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     33      $ 1,934.72        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     31      $ 4,583.54        None      $ 0  

* Effective June 30, 2023, Mr. Gregoris will retire from Beutel Goodman and no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Core Plus Bond Fund.

** Represents the number of institutional and separately managed accounts which employ the fixed income strategies. There are other accounts which may follow these strategies in whole or part but which are not included in this number of accounts because they are not serviced by this team of portfolio managers.

*** Represents total fixed income assets managed firm-wide as at the date indicated, which includes all assets held in accounts that employ these strategies in whole or part. Assets not held in accounts directly managed by the portfolio managers are held in accounts that use strategies designed or maintained by the portfolio managers.

 

Portfolio Manager: Derek Brown

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed*
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)**
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     33      $ 1,934.72        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     31      $ 4,583.54        None      $ 0  

 

*

Represents the number of institutional and separately managed accounts which employ the fixed income strategies. There are other accounts which may follow these strategies in whole or part but which are not included in this number of accounts because they are not serviced by this team of portfolio managers.

**

Represents total fixed income assets managed firm-wide as at the date indicated, which includes all assets held in accounts that employ these strategies in whole or part. Assets not held in accounts directly managed by the portfolio managers are held in accounts that use strategies designed or maintained by the portfolio managers.

 

82


Portfolio Manager: Sue McNamara

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed*
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)**
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     33      $ 1,934.72        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     31      $ 4,583.54        None      $ 0  

 

*

Represents the number of institutional and separately managed accounts which employ the fixed income strategies. There are other accounts which may follow these strategies in whole or part but which are not included in this number of accounts because they are not serviced by this team of portfolio managers.

**

Represents total fixed income assets managed firm-wide as at the date indicated, which includes all assets held in accounts that employ these strategies in whole or part. Assets not held in accounts directly managed by the portfolio managers are held in accounts that use strategies designed or maintained by the portfolio managers.

 

Portfolio Manager: Neil McCabe

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed*
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)**
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     33      $ 1,934.72        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     31      $ 4,583.54        None      $ 0  

 

*

Represents the number of institutional and separately managed accounts which employ the fixed income strategies. There are other accounts which may follow these strategies in whole or part but which are not included in this number of accounts because they are not serviced by this team of portfolio managers.

**

Represents total fixed income assets managed firm-wide as at the date indicated, which includes all assets held in accounts that employ these strategies in whole or part. Assets not held in accounts directly managed by the portfolio managers are held in accounts that use strategies designed or maintained by the portfolio managers.

 

83


Portfolio Manager: KC Parker

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed*
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)**
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     1      $ 1,405.10        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     42      $ 2,639.91        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     29      $ 5,056.16        None      $ 0  

 

*

Represents the number of institutional and separately managed accounts which employ the US and international strategies. There are other accounts which may follow these strategies in whole or part but which are not included in this number of accounts because they are not serviced by this team of portfolio managers.

**

Represents total US and international assets managed firm-wide as at the date indicated, which includes all assets held in accounts that employ these strategies in whole or part. Assets not held in accounts directly managed by the portfolio managers are held in accounts that use strategies designed or maintained by the portfolio managers.

 

Portfolio Manager: Stanley Wu

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed*
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)**
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     1      $ 1,405.10        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     42      $ 2,639.91        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     29      $ 5,056.16        None      $ 0  

 

*

Represents the number of institutional and separately managed accounts which employ the US and international strategies. There are other accounts which may follow these strategies in whole or part but which are not included in this number of accounts because they are not serviced by this team of portfolio managers.

**

Represents total US and international assets managed firm-wide as at the date indicated, which includes all assets held in accounts that employ these strategies in whole or part. Assets not held in accounts directly managed by the portfolio managers are held in accounts that use strategies designed or maintained by the portfolio managers.

 

84


Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

Beutel Goodman has adopted policies and procedures that address conflicts of interest that may arise between a portfolio manager’s management of a Fund and their management of other accounts. Potential areas of conflict could involve allocation of investment opportunities and trades among a Fund and other accounts, use of information regarding the timing of a Fund’s trades, and personal investing activities. Beutel Goodman 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 Beutel Goodman will anticipate all potential conflicts of interest.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Portfolio managers are compensated by a combination of fixed salary, pre-tax performance-based bonus and share ownership payments. Beutel Goodman aims to align compensation with the results the firm achieves for its clients. With respect to bonus compensation, portfolio managers are compensated according to how their strategies perform compared to peers and an appropriate benchmark over a rolling three-year period (the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index in the case of the Core Plus Bond Fund and the MSCI EAFE Index in the case of the International Equity Fund). No portion of the bonus is deferred. Portfolio managers are also compensated through their ownership of private shares of Beutel Goodman. Additional equity in the firm may be distributed based upon contributions to the company through research, portfolio management, marketing or general administrative responsibilities.

Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of Fund Shares

Core Plus Bond Fund

Mr. Gregoris: None*

Mr. Brown: None

Ms. McNamara: None

Mr. McCabe: None

 

*

Effective June 30, 2023, Mr. Gregoris will retire from Beutel Goodman and no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Core Plus Bond Fund.

International Equity Fund

Mr. Parker: None

Mr. Wu: None

AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund

GW&K Investment Management, LLC (“GW&K”)

GW&K has served as Subadviser to the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund since March 2021. AMG indirectly owns a majority interest in GW&K. As of December 31, 2022, GW&K’s assets under management were approximately $46.8 billion. Daniel L. Miller, CFA and Joseph C. Craigen, CFA are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

85


Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

Portfolio Manager: Daniel L. Miller, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based*
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)*
 

Registered Investment Companies

     9      $ 2,336        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     9      $ 2,013        1      $ 22  

Other Accounts

     5,361      $ 5,849        1      $ 106  

 

*

While certain pooled investment vehicles may pay GW&K a fee based on the assets under management, certain investors in the pooled investment vehicles may have negotiated performance fee arrangements directly with GW&K. For purposes of this disclosure, each investor that has a performance fee arrangement is counted as an “account” and the total assets in the pooled investment vehicle that have a performance component are included in the respective column for assets that have a performance fee.

 

Portfolio Manager: Joseph C. Craigen, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed ($
millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     2      $ 342        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     1      $ 65        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     181      $ 166        None      $ 0  

 

86


Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

GW&K’s portfolio managers simultaneously manage multiple types of portfolios, including separate accounts, wrap fee programs and sub advised mutual funds, according to the same or a similar investment strategy as the applicable Fund. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund managed by the portfolio manager due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or funds but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Fund and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers (see “Portfolio Manager Compensation” below) generally does not provide any incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others.

While GW&K has policies and procedures to help ensure accounts are treated fairly and equitably over time not all accounts within a strategy will be managed the same at all times. Different client guidelines and/or differences within the investment strategies may lead to the use of different investment practices for accounts within the same or similar investment strategy.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Portfolio manager compensation is a formula that balances investment management results and growth of the product. Compensation is comprised of a fixed base salary which is determined by the individual’s experience and position relative to market data, as well as a bonus that incorporates 3 components:

 

   

Performance (of strategies managed by the portfolio manager based on composite returns)

 

   

Relative to Peers

 

   

Risk-Adjusted Performance (of strategies managed by the portfolio manager based on composite returns) Relative to applicable Benchmarks

 

   

Discretionary

The bonus is not based specifically on the performance of the Fund nor is it based specifically on the assets held by the Fund.

Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of Fund Shares

Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund

Mr. Miller: None

Mr. Craigen: None

 

87


AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund

Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc. (“Montrusco Bolton”)

Montrusco Bolton has served as Subadviser to AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund since March 2021. AMG indirectly owns a majority interest in Montrusco Bolton. As of December 31, 2022, Montrusco Bolton had assets under management of approximately $7.6 billion. Jean David Meloche is the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund.

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager

 

Portfolio Manager: Jean David Meloche

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets
Managed
For Which
Advisory
Fee is
Performance
Based
($millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     5      $ 2,559.5        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     4      $ 725.0        1      $ 191.2  

Other Accounts

     5      $ 597.3        1      $ 161.6  

Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

The portfolio manager manages multiple accounts, including the Large Cap Growth Fund. The portfolio manager makes investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives, policies and other relevant investment considerations that the portfolio manager believes are applicable to each account. Such actions may be taken for one account and not another and may result in varying holdings and performance among clients. Each portfolio manager must avoid any situation in which the personal interests conflict with their duties as an employee, officer or director of Montrusco Bolton. When the portfolio manager is faced with a real or possible conflict of interest, he is required to exercise the business judgement of responsible persons, uninfluenced by considerations other than the best interests of the clients and accounts, including the Large Cap Growth Fund. Montrusco Bolton has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, although there can be no assurance that such policies and procedures will adequately address such conflicts.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Compensation for portfolio managers and analysts is based on a base salary, a bonus as a percentage of base salary (contractual bonus) and based on the annualized revenue that is brought in by the manager’s particular team (such compensation plan, “CP2020”), as well as an extra compensation plan, “CP2021”, for bonus shares.

The contractual bonuses are split 70% quantitative and 30% qualitative (based on 360 degree peer reviews). The quantitative component is based on the ability to beat a product specific benchmark (the S&P 500 Growth Index in the case of the Large Cap Growth Fund) on a pre-tax basis over a 1-year, 3-year and 5-year time frame. The weighting per product is determined by the revenue weighting of the product in the line of business.

 

88


The global investment team is allocated 10% of the new annual revenues (CP2020) for their asset class and vests over 4 years (25% per year). This allows Montrusco Bolton to align the team objectives with clients’ requirements of stability and minimizing team turnover.

The extra compensation plan, CP2021, for the Global Team is based on the new revenue from a specific client. Montrusco Bolton will allocate 4 basis points of the annual revenue as a bonus share, vest over a 4-year period (25% per year) to align the team objectives with clients’ requirements of stability and minimizing team turnover.

Portfolio Manager’s Ownership of Fund Shares

Large Cap Growth Fund

Mr. Meloche: None

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

Proxies for each Fund’s portfolio securities are voted in accordance with the applicable Subadviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The proxy voting policies and procedures (or summaries thereof) for Beutel Goodman, GW&K, and Montrusco Bolton are attached to this SAI as Appendix B, C, and D, respectively. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 548-4539; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Codes of Ethics

The Trust, the Investment Manager, the Distributor and the Subadvisers have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics, which generally permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, contain procedures that are designed to avoid the conflicts of interest that may be presented by personal securities investing.

Administrative Services

Effective October 1, 2016, the Investment Manager entered into an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Fund Administration Agreement”) with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Under the Fund Administration Agreement, the Investment Manager also serves as administrator of each Fund and is responsible for certain aspects of managing the Funds’ operations, including administration and shareholder servicing. The administrative and shareholder services to be provided include, but are not limited to, processing and/or coordinating Fund share purchases and redemptions, responding to inquiries from shareholders, providing omnibus level support for financial intermediaries who perform sub-accounting for shares held of record by financial intermediaries for the benefit of other beneficial owners and other general and administrative responsibilities for the Funds. For providing these services, each Fund pays the Investment Manager 0.15% of its average daily net assets per annum. The Fund Administration Agreement generally may be terminated by the Investment Manager upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, and by the Trust upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Investment Manager.

Fees paid by the Funds under the Fund Administration Agreement for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows.

 

89


     Core Plus Bond Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 330,191  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 631,195  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 853,025  
     Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 52,592  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 63,507  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 53,772  
     Large Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 389,350  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 650,185  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 719,913  
     International Equity Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 57,780  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 209,171  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 349,771  

Distribution Arrangements

Under a Distribution Agreement between the Trust and the Distributor (the “Distribution Agreement”), the Distributor serves as the principal distributor and underwriter for the Funds. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA. Shares of each Fund will be continuously offered and will be sold directly to prospective purchasers and through brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries who have executed selling agreements with the Distributor. Subject to the compensation arrangements discussed below, generally the Distributor bears all or a portion of the expenses of providing services pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, including the payment of the expenses relating to the distribution of the Funds’ Prospectus for sales purposes and any advertising or sales literature. Any costs and expenses not allocated to the Distributor shall be borne by the Investment Manager or an affiliate of the Investment Manager as agreed-upon between the Distributor and the Investment Manager from time to time. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Funds.

The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by either party under certain specified circumstances and will automatically terminate on assignment in the same manner as the Investment Management Agreement. The Distribution Agreement remains in effect for one year from the date of its execution and thereafter from year to year, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by vote of the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement or any plan adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Agreement.

For sales of Fund shares, the Distributor may provide promotional incentives including cash compensation to certain brokers, dealers, or financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares of a Fund. Other programs may provide, subject to certain conditions, additional compensation to brokers, dealers, or financial intermediaries based on a combination of aggregate shares sold and increases of assets under management. All of the above payments will be made pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 distribution and services plan described below and possibly supplemented by payments by the Distributor or its affiliates out of their own assets, or, in the case of such shares that are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 distribution and services plan, only by the Distributor or its affiliates out of their own assets.

 

90


The Distributor’s principal address is 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

Prior to October 1, 2016, the Funds had a different principal distributor and underwriter.

Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Services Plans. The Trust has adopted distribution and services plans with respect to Class N shares of the Funds (each a “Plan”, and collectively, the “Plans”), in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and the requirements of the applicable rules of FINRA regarding asset-based sales charges. All share classes of the Funds are sold without a front end or contingent deferred sales load and Class I and Class Z shares of the Funds are not subject to the expenses of any Rule 12b-1 distribution and services plan.

To the Trust’s knowledge, no “interested person” of the Trust, nor any Independent Trustee has a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans.

The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Funds for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 plan is effective, as applicable.

Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund and Large Cap Growth Fund. Pursuant to the Plan for the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund and the Large Cap Growth Fund, a Fund may compensate the Distributor for services relating to the distribution of Class N shares and for payments the Distributor makes to brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries for distribution services and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance or the maintenance and personal service provided to existing shareholders of that class. The Plan authorizes payments of up to 0.25% annually of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to its Class N shares. The Plan is characterized as a reimbursement plan and is directly tied to expenses incurred by the Distributor; the payments the Distributor receives during any year may not exceed its actual expenses. Rule 12b-1 regulates the circumstances under which an investment company, like a Fund, may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees and by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or the Distributor, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“12b-1 Independent Trustees”). In adopting the Plan, the Independent Trustees concluded in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each Fund and its shareholders by resulting in greater sales of Fund shares. The Plan requires that quarterly written reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Plan may be terminated with respect to any Fund by a vote of a majority of the 12b-1 Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund. The Plan may be amended by vote of the Board, including a majority of the 12b-1 Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, except that any change that would effect a material increase in any distribution fee with respect to a Fund (or class) requires the approval of that Fund’s (or class’s) shareholders. All material amendments of the Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the Independent Trustees.

 

91


Core Plus Bond Fund and International Equity Fund. Pursuant to the Plan for the Core Plus Bond Fund and the International Eqiuty Fund, the Funds may compensate the Distributor, brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries (in each case, not limited to expenses incurred) for engaging, directly or indirectly, in any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class N shares, for the reimbursement of related expenses, and for the maintenance and personal service (“servicing”) provided to existing shareholders of that class. The Plan authorizes payments of up to 0.25% annually of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class N shares.

The portion of payments made by Class N shares of each Fund under the Plan for servicing may not exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily NAV of the Fund’s shares of that class owned by clients of any broker, dealer or financial intermediary.

In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Distributor provides to each Fund, for review by the Trustees, a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees’ quarterly review of the Plan, they will review the level of compensation the Plan provides in considering the continued appropriateness of the Plan.

Under its terms, the Plan remains in effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of the Trustees in the manner described therein. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent under the Plan without approval of the shareholders of the affected share class, and material amendments to the Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in a manner described therein. The Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan or any related agreements, or by “the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund or share class.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Class N shares of each Fund paid the following amounts under the Plan.

 

     Core Plus Bond Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 74,267  
     Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 53,569  
     Large Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 218,879  
     International Equity Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 8,005  

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (the “Custodian”), 6023 Airport Road, Oriskany, New York 13424, is the custodian for the Funds. The Custodian is responsible for holding all cash assets and all portfolio securities of the Funds, releasing and delivering such securities as directed by the Funds, maintaining bank accounts in the names of the Funds, receiving for deposit into such accounts payments for shares of the Funds, collecting income and other payments due to the Funds with respect to portfolio securities and paying out monies of the Funds.

The Custodian is authorized to deposit securities in securities depositories or to use the services of sub-custodians, including foreign sub-custodians, to the extent permitted by and subject to the regulations of the SEC.

 

92


Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 (the “Transfer Agent”), is the transfer agent for the Funds and also serves as the dividend disbursing agent for the Funds. Effective March 9, 2023, the Transfer Agent’s address will change to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., Attn: 534426, AIM 154-0520, 500 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15262.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducts an annual audit of the financial statements of each Fund, assists in the preparation and/or review of each Fund’s federal and state income tax returns and may provide other audit, tax and related services.

Securities Lending

The Board of Trustees has approved each Fund’s participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, the Trust has retained The Bank of New York Mellon to serve as its securities lending agent.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the income earned by the Funds as well as the fees and/or compensation paid by such Funds (in dollars) pursuant to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between AMG Funds IV and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Funds were as follows:

 

93


     AMG Beutel
Goodman Core
Plus Bond Fund
     AMG GW&K
Small/Mid Cap
Growth Fund
     AMG Montrusco
Bolton Large Cap
Growth Fund
 

Gross income earned by the Fund from securities lending activities

   $ 13,699.53      $ 16,683.36      $ 2,487.31  

Fees and/or compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities and related services

 

•  Fees paid to The Bank of New York Mellon from a revenue split

   $ 838.37      $ 1,980.45      $ 334.34  

•  Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Administrative fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Indemnification fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Rebate (paid to borrower)

   $ 8,106.98      $ 3,469.80      $ 257.67  

Aggregate fees/compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities

   $ 8,945.35      $ 5,450.25      $ 592.01  

Net income from securities lending activities

   $ 4,754.18      $ 11,233.11      $ 1,895.30  

 

94


     AMG Beutel Goodman
International Equity Fund
 

Gross income earned by the Fund from securities lending activities

   $ 4,839.46  

Fees and/or compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities and related services

 

•  Fees paid to The Bank of New York Mellon from a revenue split

   $ 253.97  

•  Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00  

•  Administrative fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00  

•  Indemnification fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00  

•  Rebate (paid to borrower)

   $ 3,145.91  

Aggregate fees/compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities

   $ 3,399.88  

Net income from securities lending activities

   $ 1,439.58  

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, The Bank of New York Mellon, acting as agent of the Funds, provided the following services to the Funds in connection with the Funds’ securities lending activities: (i) locating borrowers; (ii) monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral; (iii) seeking additional collateral as necessary from borrowers, and returning collateral to borrowers; (iv) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of cash collateral; (v) negotiating loan terms, including, but not limited to, the amount of any loan premium; (vi) selecting securities to be loaned; (vii) recordkeeping and account servicing; (viii) carrying out instructions of clients with respect to dividend activity and material proxy votes; and (ix) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Fund at loan termination.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

The Subadvisory Agreements provide that each Subadviser places all orders for the purchase and sale of securities that are held in each Fund’s portfolio. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, it is the policy and principal objective of each Subadviser to seek to obtain best price and execution. It is expected that securities will ordinarily be purchased in the primary markets. Each Subadviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant when assessing best price and execution for a Fund, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any (for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).

 

95


In addition, when selecting brokers to execute transactions and in evaluating the best available net price and execution, each Subadviser is authorized by the Trustees to consider the “brokerage and research services” (as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provided by the broker. Each Subadviser is also authorized to cause a Fund to pay a commission to a broker who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. Each Subadviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which each Subadviser exercises investment discretion. Brokerage and research services received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by each Subadviser. Each Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities through brokers who provide the Subadvisers with research services. Brokerage commissions may be used for the general benefit of all other clients of the Subadvisers where legally and contractually permissible.

The revised EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID II”), which became effective January 3, 2018, requires EU investment managers in the scope of the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive to pay for research services from brokers and dealers directly out of their own resources or by establishing “research payment accounts” for each client, rather than through client commissions. MiFID II’s research requirements present various compliance and operational considerations for investment advisers and broker-dealers serving clients in both the United States and the EU. It is possible that a Subadviser subject to MiFID II will cause a Fund to pay for research services with soft dollars in circumstances where the Subadviser is prohibited from causing its other client accounts to do so, including where the Subadviser aggregates trades on behalf of a Fund and those other client accounts. In such situations, a Fund would bear the additional amounts for the research services and the Fund’s Subadviser’s other client accounts would not, although the Subadviser’s other client accounts might nonetheless benefit from those research services.

The Trustees will periodically review the total amount of commissions paid by the Funds to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to commissions being charged by other brokers and the benefits to the Funds of using particular brokers or dealers. It is possible that certain of the services received by a Subadviser attributable to a particular transaction will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Subadviser.

The fees of each Subadviser are not reduced by reason of its receipt, if any, of such brokerage and research services. Generally, a Subadviser does not provide any services to a Fund except portfolio investment management and related recordkeeping services. The Investment Manager may request that a Subadviser employ certain specific brokers who have agreed to pay certain Fund expenses. The use of such brokers is subject to best price and execution, and there is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers.

Brokerage Commissions

Aggregate brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

     Core Plus Bond Fund*  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 0  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 175,524  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 0  

 

96


     Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund**  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 10,551  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 36,807  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 51,220  
     Large Cap Growth Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 108,719  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 132,663  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 86,764  
     International Equity Fund***  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 81,914  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 306,649  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 81,868  

 

*

The higher brokerage commissions paid by the Core Plus Bond Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2022 were attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 24, 2021.

**

The decrease in brokerage commissions paid by the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 from the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2021 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021 and May 21, 2021.

***

The higher brokerage commissions paid by the International Equity Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2022 were attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021.

Brokerage Recapture Arrangements

For certain Funds, the Trust may enter into arrangements with various brokers pursuant to which a portion of the commissions paid by the Funds may be directed by the Funds to pay expenses of the Funds. Consistent with its policy and principal objective of seeking best price and execution, the Subadviser may consider these brokerage recapture arrangements in selecting brokers to execute transactions for the Funds. There is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers. In all cases, brokerage recapture arrangements relate solely to expenses of the Funds and not to expenses of the Investment Manager or the Subadviser.

Fund Ownership of Broker-Dealer Securities

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Core Plus Bond Fund acquired securities of its “regular broker-dealers” as such term is defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act. As of October 31, 2022, the Core Plus Bond Fund held $2,463,928 worth of securities of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, $2,148,701 worth of securities of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., $2,123,948 worth of securities of Morgan Stanley & Company LLC, $2,022,500 worth of securities of Toronto Dominion Securities, and $1,807,167 worth of securities of Wells Fargo Securities LLC.

 

97


Affiliated Brokerage

Certain affiliates of JP Morgan Securities LLC may be deemed to be affiliated persons of the International Equity Fund because of their record ownership of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to such broker-dealer affiliates of $47,053.27, $4,666 and $0, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 0% of the Fund’s aggregate brokerage commissions were paid to such broker-dealer affiliates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 0% of the Fund’s aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions were effected through such broker-dealer affiliates.

Certain affiliates of Morgan Stanley & Company LLC may be deemed to be affiliated persons of the Large Cap Growth Fund because of their record ownership of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to such broker-dealer affiliates of $8,668, $11,978 and $281, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 0.26% of the Fund’s aggregate brokerage commissions were paid to such broker-dealer affiliates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 0.54% of the Fund’s aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions were effected through such broker-dealer affiliates.

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Purchasing Shares

Investors may open accounts directly with the Funds or through their financial planners or investment professionals, or directly with the Trust in circumstances as described in each Fund’s current Prospectus. Shares may also be purchased through bank trust departments on behalf of their clients and tax-exempt employee welfare, pension and profit-sharing plans. The Trust reserves the right to determine which customers and which purchase orders the Trust will accept.

The Investment Manager, the Subadviser, and/or the Distributor may pay compensation (out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Funds) to certain affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, or other financial intermediaries or service providers in connection with the sale or retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. This compensation may provide such affiliated or unaffiliated entities with an incentive to favor sales of shares of a Fund over other investment options. Any such payments will not change the NAV or the price of a Fund’s shares.

Certain investors may purchase or sell a Fund’s shares through a third party such as a bank, broker-dealer (including through a fund supermarket platform), trust company or other financial intermediary (each of the above, a “Financial Intermediary”) that may impose transaction fees or other charges in connection with this service. Shares purchased in this way may be treated as a single account for purposes of the minimum initial investment. Each Fund has authorized one or more Financial Intermediaries to (i) receive purchase and redemption orders on its behalf and (ii) designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf. A Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized Financial Intermediary or an authorized Financial Intermediary’s authorized designee receives the order. These orders will be priced at a Fund’s NAV next calculated after they are so received by an authorized Financial Intermediary or such Financial Intermediary’s authorized designee and accepted by the Fund. The Funds may from time to time make payments to Financial Intermediaries for certain services, such as account maintenance, recordkeeping or sub-accounting, forwarding communications to shareholders, providing shareholders with account statements, transaction processing and customer liaison services. Investors who do not wish to receive the services of a Financial Intermediary may consider investing directly with the Trust. Shares held through a Financial Intermediary may be transferred into the investor’s name by contacting the Financial Intermediary or the Transfer Agent. Certain Financial Intermediaries may receive compensation from the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor out of their legitimate profits in exchange for selling shares or for recordkeeping or other shareholder related services.

 

98


Purchase orders received by the Trust by 4:00 p.m. New York time at the address listed in each Fund’s current Prospectus on any day that the NYSE is open for business will receive the NAV computed that day. Purchase orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Fund(s) will also receive that day’s offering price, provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to the Fund(s) were received in proper form by the processing organization before 4:00 p.m. The broker-dealer, omnibus processor or investment professional is responsible for promptly transmitting orders to the Trust. Orders transmitted to the Trust at the address indicated in the Prospectus will be promptly forwarded to the Transfer Agent.

Federal funds or bank wires used to pay for purchase orders must be in U.S. dollars and received in advance, except for certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Trust. Purchases made by check are effected when the check is received, but are accepted subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank.

To ensure that checks are collected by the Trust, if shares purchased by check or by Automated Clearing House funds (“ACH”) are sold before the check has cleared, the redemption proceeds will not be processed until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days unless arrangements are made with the Investment Manager. However, during this 15 calendar day period, such shareholder may exchange such shares into any series of the Trust, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II or AMG Funds III, subject to applicable restrictions such as minimum investment amounts. The 15 calendar day holding period for redemptions would still apply to shares received through such exchanges.

If the check accompanying any purchase order does not clear, or if there are insufficient funds in your bank account, the transaction will be canceled and you will be responsible for any loss the Trust incurs. For current shareholders, the Trust can redeem shares from any identically registered account in the Trust as reimbursement for any loss incurred. The Trust has the right to prohibit or restrict all future purchases in the Trust in the event of any nonpayment for shares.    The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of shares in whole or in part. The Trust reserves the right to cancel any purchase order for which payment has not been received by the third business day following placement of the order.

In the interest of economy and convenience, share certificates will not be issued. All share purchases are confirmed to the record holder and credited to such holder’s account on the Trust’s books maintained by the Transfer Agent.

Redeeming Shares

Any redemption orders received in proper form by the Trust before 4:00 p.m. New York time on any day that the NYSE is open for business will receive the NAV determined at the close of regular business of the NYSE on that day. Redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also be redeemed at the NAV computed that day, provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to a Fund were received in proper form by the processing organization before 4:00 p.m.

Redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. New York time will be redeemed at the NAV determined at the close of trading on the next business day. Redemption orders transmitted to the Trust at the address indicated in each Fund’s current Prospectus will be promptly forwarded to the Transfer Agent. If you are trading through a broker-dealer or investment adviser, such investment professional is responsible for promptly transmitting orders.

 

99


The Trust reserves the right to redeem a shareholder account if its value (i) falls below $500 for Class N shares, $25,000 for Class I shares, or $50,000 for Class Z shares due to redemptions the shareholder makes; or (ii) is below $100, but, in each case, not until after the Fund gives the shareholder at least 60 days’ notice and the opportunity to increase the account balance to the minimum account balance amount. Whether the Trust will exercise its right to redeem shareholder accounts will be determined by the Investment Manager on a case-by-case basis. We may convert your position(s) in Class I shares of a Fund to the respective Class N shares of that Fund, if applicable. Unless you did not meet the minimum initial investment, we will give you 30 days’ notice before we convert your Fund position(s). This gives you an opportunity to purchase enough shares to raise the value of your Fund position(s) above the applicable minimum initial investment. We will not redeem or close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans because they do not meet the applicable minimum investment requirement. We may close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures. If these account types are invested in Class I shares below the required minimum investment, we may convert the Fund position(s) to the Class N. Additionally, we will not convert Class I Fund position(s) where there is an effective “letter of intent.”

A Fund may pay all or a portion of redemption proceeds with a distribution in kind of its portfolio securities, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable law, when such payment is in the best interest of the Fund. If shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur transaction costs in converting the assets to cash and the assets will be subject to market and other risks until they are sold. The method of valuing portfolio securities is described under “Net Asset Value” below, and such valuation will be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.

Investors should be aware that redemptions from a Fund may not be processed if a redemption request is not submitted in proper form. To be in proper form, the request must include the shareholder’s taxpayer identification number, account number, Fund number and signatures of all account holders. All redemptions will be mailed to the address of record on the shareholder’s account. In addition, if shares purchased by check or ACH are sold before the check has cleared, the redemption proceeds will not be sent to the shareholder until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days unless arrangements are made with the Investment Manager. The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and to postpone the date of payment upon redemption beyond seven days as follows: (i) during periods when the NYSE is closed for business other than weekends and holidays or when trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation, (ii) during periods in which an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists that causes disposal by a Fund of, or evaluation of the NAV of, portfolio securities to be unreasonable or impracticable, or (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit.

A Fund or the Transfer Agent may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the account of a “Specified Adult” (as that term is defined in FINRA Rule 2165) based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, subject to certain conditions.

Exchange of Shares

As described in the Funds’ Prospectus, an investor may exchange shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of other funds in the Trust or for shares of other funds managed by the Investment Manager, subject to the applicable investment minimum. Not all funds managed by the Investment Manager offer all classes of shares or are open to new investors. In addition to exchanging into other funds managed by the Investment Manager as described above, an investor also may exchange shares of

 

100


the Funds through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan Fund (see below for more information about the JPMorgan Fund). Because an exchange is the sale of shares of the Fund exchanged out of and the purchase of shares of the fund exchanged into, the usual purchase and redemption procedures, requirements and restrictions apply to each exchange. The value of the shares exchanged must meet the minimum purchase requirement of the fund and class for which you are exchanging them, except that there is no minimum purchase requirement to exchange into the JPMorgan Fund if you exchange out of a Fund through the Investment Manager. Investors may exchange only into accounts that are registered in the same name with the same address and taxpayer identification number. In addition, an investor who intends to continue to maintain an account in a Fund may make an exchange out of that Fund only if following the exchange the investor would continue to meet the Fund’s minimum investment amount. Settlement on the purchase of shares of another fund will occur when the proceeds from the redemption become available. Shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax may recognize capital gains or losses on the exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust reserves the right to discontinue, alter or limit the exchange privilege at any time, subject to applicable law. Holding your shares through a financial intermediary, such as a broker, may affect your ability to use the exchange privilege or other investor services.

The JPMorgan Fund is advised, offered and distributed by JPMorgan Asset Management and its affiliates, but an investor may place an exchange order in the same manner as the investor places other exchange orders and as described in the Funds’ Prospectus, subject to the restrictions above. The Investment Manager has entered into a Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement with the JPMorgan Fund’s distributor and investment adviser, respectively, that provide for a cash payment to the Investment Manager with respect to the average daily NAV of the total number of shares of the JPMorgan Fund held by customers investing through the Investment Manager. This cash payment compensates the Investment Manager for providing, directly or through an agent, administrative, sub-transfer agent and other shareholder services, and not investment advisory or distribution related services.

Cost Basis Reporting

Upon the sale, redemption or exchange of a Fund’s shares, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund’s shares you redeemed or exchanged. See each Fund’s current Prospectus for more information.

Net Asset Value

Each Fund computes its NAV for each class of shares once daily on Monday through Friday on each day on which the NYSE is open for trading, at the close of business of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NAV will not be computed on the day the following legal holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Funds may close for purchases and redemptions at such other times as may be determined by the Board of Trustees to the extent permitted by applicable law. The time at which orders are accepted and shares are redeemed may be changed in case of an emergency or if the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time.

The NAV per share of each class of a Fund is equal to the value of the class’s net worth (assets minus liabilities) divided by the number of shares outstanding for that class. Equity securities traded on a national securities exchange or reported on the NASDAQ national market system (“NMS”) are valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, if applicable, the NASDAQ official closing price or the official closing price of the relevant exchange or, lacking any sales, at the last quoted bid price.

 

101


Equity securities traded in the OTC market (other than NMS securities) are valued at the bid price. Foreign equity securities (securities principally traded in markets other than U.S. markets) are valued at the official closing price on the primary exchange or, for markets that either do not offer an official closing price or where the official closing price may not be representative of the overall market, the last quoted sale price as of the close of the regular trading hours of the primary market or the value obtained for the security in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities. In addition, if a foreign exchange or market is closed on a day when the NYSE is open, the value of a security that is traded in the affected foreign exchange or market is the value obtained for the security in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities, if available, or the last value assigned to the security on the immediately preceding valuation date (unless such value is deemed to be unreliable). Unless a foreign equity security is valued in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities, a foreign equity security for which there are no reported sales on the valuation date may be valued at the last quoted bid price. Fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity exceeding 60 days are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an authorized pricing service or, if an evaluated price is not available, by reference to other securities which are considered comparable in credit rating, interest rate, due date and other features (generally referred to as “matrix pricing”) or other similar pricing methodologies. In addition, foreign fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity exceeding 60 days may be valued in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities. Fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided that the amortized cost value is approximately the same as the fair value of the security valued without the use of amortized cost. With respect to foreign equity securities and foreign fixed-income securities, securities held in a Fund that can be fair valued by the applicable fair value pricing service are fair valued on each business day provided that each individual price exceeds a pre-established confidence level. Notwithstanding the foregoing, foreign currency exchange contracts, subscription stock rights, warrants and other redeemable securities with predetermined values, shares of open-end registered investment companies (excluding ETFs), foreign currencies, IPOs, financial derivatives, foreign investor-only common stock issued by companies in various countries that issue two separate common stock lines (one for foreign investors and one for local investors), and securities halted or delisted due to a corporate action will be valued in accordance with the Funds’ valuation procedures adopted from time to time. The Funds’ portfolio instruments are generally valued using third-party pricing services. In the event that the market quotation, price or market based valuation for a portfolio instrument is not readily available or otherwise not determinable pursuant to the Funds’ valuation procedures, if the Investment Manager believes the quotation, price or market based valuation to be unreliable, or in certain other circumstances, the portfolio instrument may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith under the general supervision of the Board. All portfolio instrument valuations described above on a valuation date shall be valuations of such instruments as of or prior to the close of business of the NYSE.

Frequent Purchase and Redemption Arrangements

The Trust does not have any arrangements with any person to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of a Fund’s shares, and no compensation or other consideration is received by a Fund, the Investment Manager or any other party in this regard.

Dividends and Distributions

Each Fund declares and pays dividends and distributions as described in its Prospectus.

If a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or their distributions in cash and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver the checks to the shareholder’s address of record, the dividends and/or distributions will automatically be converted to having the dividends and/or distributions reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed dividend or redemption checks.

 

102


CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

The following summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is intended for general informational purposes only. This discussion is not tax advice. This discussion does not address all aspects of taxation (including state, local, and foreign taxes) that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their own investment or tax circumstances, or to particular types of shareholders (including insurance companies, tax-advantaged retirement plans, financial institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations, and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. This summary is based on the Code, the regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, in effect as of the date of this SAI. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Funds—in General

Each Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify and to be eligible to be treated each taxable year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as such and to be so treated, each Fund must, among other things:

(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below) (all such income, “Qualifying Income”);

(b) invest the Fund’s assets in such a manner that, as of the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer (except with regard to certain investment companies furnishing capital to development corporations) to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in (x) the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers each of which the Fund owns 20% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (y) the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below); and

(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid—generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such year.

 

103


In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as Qualifying Income to a Fund only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be Qualifying Income if realized by the Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the Qualifying Income described in paragraph (a)(i) above) will be treated as Qualifying Income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Section 7704(c)(2) of the Code. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the diversification test in paragraph (b) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in paragraph (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to meet the diversification test in paragraph (b) above.

Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute Qualifying Income for purposes of the 90% test. However, the Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly retroactively) excluding from the definition of Qualifying Income a Fund’s foreign currency gains to the extent that such income is not directly related to the Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities. This could affect the qualification of certain of the Funds as regulated investment companies. In addition, as further discussed below, a Fund’s investments in commodity-linked ETNs and other commodity-linked instruments, if any, can be limited by such Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and can limit such Fund’s ability to so qualify.

If a Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and net capital gain (net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, in each case determined with reference to capital losses carried forward from prior years), if any, that it distributes in a timely manner to shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below).

If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution tests described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions or disposing of certain assets. If a Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any taxable year, or if a Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company for such taxable year, it would lose the beneficial tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. All distributions by such Fund, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income, if any, and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders in the same manner as other regular corporate dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Some portions of such distributions might be eligible for treatment as “qualified dividend income” for individuals and for the “dividends-received deduction” for corporate shareholders, in each case as described below. A Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

104


If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year (or November 30 or December 31 of that year if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a Fund’s ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or November 30 of that year, if the Fund is eligible to make and makes the election described above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a fund with a December 31 year end that is eligible to make and makes the election described above, no such gains or losses will be so treated. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. A dividend paid by a Fund to shareholders in January of a year generally is deemed to have been paid by such a Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November, or December of that preceding year. Each Fund intends generally to make sufficient distributions to avoid the imposition of this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any “net capital loss” attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund’s net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable years. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether a Fund retains or distributes such gains. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses, those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration to offset capital gains realized during such subsequent taxable years; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. A Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character.

See each Fund’s most recent annual shareholder report for such Fund’s available capital loss carryforwards as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.

Taxation of the Funds’ Investments

Certain Debt Obligations; Original Issue Discount; Market Discount. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as having original issue discount (“OID”). OID is, very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a debt obligation over the issue price. OID is treated

 

105


for U.S. federal income tax purposes as interest income earned by a Fund, which will comprise a part of the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net tax-exempt income, if any, required to be distributed to shareholders as described above, whether or not cash on the debt obligation is actually received. Generally, the amount of OID accrued each year is determined on the basis of a constant yield to maturity which takes into account the compounding of interest (as potentially reduced by any amortizable bond premium—see below).

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation 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 obligation. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance may be treated as having OID or, in certain cases, “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). Generally, a Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount or OID in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

Pay-in-kind bonds also will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund holding the obligation receives no interest payment in cash on the obligation during the year.

If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of a Fund or, if necessary, by selling of portfolio obligations including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event a Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend (see “Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders,” below) than if a Fund had not held such obligations.

Securities Issued or Purchased at a Premium. Very generally, where a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the stated principal amount (or revised issue price)—that is, at a premium—the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortizable premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond (or the upward basis adjustment attributable to any OID) by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct, against stated interest from other bonds, any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require a Fund to reduce its tax basis by the amount of amortizable premium.

 

106


Junk Bonds. To the extent such investments are permissible, the Funds may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. If a Fund invests in high-yield OID obligations issued by corporations (including tax-exempt obligations), a portion of the OID accruing on the obligation may be treated as taxable dividend income. In such cases, if the issuer of the high-yield discount obligation is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund attributable to such portion of accrued OID may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high-yield discount obligations owned by a Fund may not be deductible to (and thus, may affect the cash flow of) the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends-received deduction (described below). In such cases, if the issuer of the high-yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction (described below) to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.

REITs. Any investment by a Fund in equity securities of REITs qualifying as real estate investment trusts under Subchapter M of the Code may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income (see “Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders,” below).

Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that the Fund properly reports as “section 199A dividends,” as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, are treated as qualified REIT dividends in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. Non-corporate shareholders are permitted a federal income tax deduction equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends received by them, subject to certain limitations. Very generally, a “section 199A dividend” is any dividend or portion thereof that is attributable to certain dividends received by a Fund from REITs, to the extent such dividends are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to its shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying Fund shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. Subject to future regulatory guidance to the contrary, distributions attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund’s investments in MLPs will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction available to non-corporate taxpayers in respect of such amounts received directly from an MLP.

 

107


Mortgage-Related Securities. Certain of the Funds may invest directly or indirectly (e.g. through REITs) in residual interests in REMICs, including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect, or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued, but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Fund from a REIT or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a Fund investing in such interests may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) (see “Tax-Exempt Shareholders” below).

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

Options, Futures, Foreign Currencies, Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, and Other Derivatives. A Fund’s use of options contracts, futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, ETNs, swap agreements and other derivatives, if any, may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such instruments. As a result, a Fund could be required at times to sell other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements under the Code. A Fund’s use of derivatives might also affect the amount, timing, or character of a Fund’s distributions. The character of a Fund’s taxable income will, in some cases, be determined on the basis of reports made to the Fund by the issuers of the securities in which they invest. In addition, because the tax rules applicable to such investments may be uncertain under current U.S. federal income tax law, an adverse determination or future IRS guidance with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has derived its income from the proper sources, made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and avoid a Fund-level tax.

Certain of a Fund’s investments may be subject to provisions of the Code that (i) require inclusion of unrealized gains in the Fund’s income for purposes of the excise tax and the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies; (ii) defer recognition of realized losses; (iii) cause adjustments in the holding periods of portfolio securities; (iv) convert capital gains into ordinary income; (v) characterize both realized and unrealized gains or losses as short-term or long-term, irrespective of the holding period of the investment; and (vi) require inclusion of unrealized gains or losses in the Fund’s income for purposes of determining whether 90% of the Fund’s gross income is Qualifying Income. Such provisions may apply to, among other investments, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options on securities, options on security indices, forward contracts, swaps, credit default swaps, short sales, securities loans or other similar transactions, and foreign securities. Each Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections available to it in order to mitigate the impact of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.

 

108


In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Fund’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund, if any, in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Fund (including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character (See “Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging” below). 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 ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.

The timing and character of income and losses arising in respect of swap contracts are, in many instances, unclear. In addition, the tax treatment of a payment made or received on a swap contract held by a Fund, and in particular, whether such payment is, in whole or in part, capital or ordinary in character, will vary depending upon the terms of the particular swap contract.

Transactions in options, futures and forward contracts, and swaps 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, and 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 taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. In addition, certain carrying charges (including interest expenses) associated with positions in a straddle may be required to be capitalized rather than deducted currently. Certain elections that a Fund may make with respect to its straddle positions may also affect the amount, character, and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected positions.

The straddle rules may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. 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 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 transactions. The consequences to a Fund of certain transactions under the straddle rules remain unclear.

 

109


Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging. Any transaction by a Fund in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years. However, in certain circumstances, a Fund may elect to treat gains or losses from certain foreign currency positions as capital gains or losses.

Commodity-Linked Instruments. A Fund’s investments in commodity-linked instruments can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and can bear on the Fund’s ability to so qualify. Income and gains from certain commodity-linked instruments do not constitute Qualifying Income to a regulated investment company for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of some other commodity-linked instruments in which a Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute Qualifying Income to a regulated investment company. If a Fund were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as Qualifying Income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute Qualifying Income and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused the Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Fund level to cure such failure.

Exchange-Traded Notes. The tax rules are uncertain with respect to the treatment of income or gains arising in respect of commodity-linked ETNs and certain commodity-linked structured notes; also, the timing and character of income or gains arising from ETNs can be uncertain. An adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect a Fund’s ability to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and to avoid a Fund-level tax.

Book-Tax Differences. Certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of a Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between the Fund’s book income and the sum of the Fund’s taxable income and net tax-exempt income, if any. If such a difference arises, and a Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, if any, the distribution, if any, of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. In the alternative, if a Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, if any, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

Repurchase Agreements and Securities Loans. Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by a Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders, in each case as described below. In addition, withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by a Fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by the Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the Fund were otherwise to meet the requirements described in “Foreign Taxes,” below.

 

110


Master Limited Partnerships and other Publicly Traded Partnerships. Subject to any future regulatory guidance to the contrary, any distribution of income attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund’s investment in an MLP or other publicly traded partnership will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction that would be available to a non-corporate shareholder were the shareholder to own such MLP or publicly traded partnership directly. If such distributions do not so qualify, a non-corporate shareholder will generally be subject to a higher effective tax rate on any such amounts received from a Fund compared to the effective rate applicable to any qualified publicly traded partnership income the shareholder would receive if the shareholder invested directly in an MLP or other publicly traded partnership.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Under the Code, investments in certain foreign investment companies that qualify as “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) are subject to special tax rules. A PFIC is any foreign corporation in which (i) 75% or more of the gross income for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, “passive income” for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active business and certain income received from related persons.

Equity investments by a Fund in certain PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to that Fund’s shareholders. However, in certain circumstances, a Fund may avoid this tax treatment by electing to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF” election), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its PFIC holdings “to the market” as though it had sold (and repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may have the effect of accelerating the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increasing the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to sell other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. If a Fund indirectly invests in PFICs by virtue of the Fund’s investment in underlying U.S. funds, it may not make such elections; rather, the underlying U.S. funds directly investing in PFICs would decide whether to make such elections.

Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.” See “Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders,” below.

 

111


Investments in Other RICs. A Fund’s investments in shares of other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are treated as regulated investment companies (each, an “underlying RIC”), as well as certain investments in REITs, can cause the Fund to be required to distribute greater amounts of net investment income or net capital gain than the Fund would have distributed had it invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC, rather than in shares of the underlying RIC. Further, the amount or timing of distributions from a Fund qualifying for treatment as a particular character (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC.

If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC, and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” then the Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.

If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report its distributions derived from those dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC. Qualified dividend income and the dividends-received deduction are described below.    

Taxation of Certain Investments. Including as described above, certain of each Fund’s investments will create taxable income in excess of the cash they generate. In such cases, a Fund may be required to sell assets (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to generate the cash necessary to distribute to its shareholders all of its income and gains and therefore to eliminate any tax liability at the Fund level. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below) than if the Fund had not held such investments. The character of a Fund’s taxable income will, in many cases, be determined on the basis of reports made to the Fund by the issuers of the securities in which they invest. The tax treatment of certain securities in which a Fund may invest is not free from doubt and it is possible that an IRS examination of the issuers of such securities could result in adjustments to the income of such Fund.

Foreign Taxes. Income, proceeds and gains received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. This will decrease a Fund’s yield on securities subject to such taxes. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance because the amount of a Fund’s assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of a Fund’s assets at the end of its taxable year consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their U.S. federal income tax returns for their pro rata portions of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A shareholder’s ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder’s not receiving a full credit or deduction, if any, for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in a Fund through tax-advantaged accounts (including those who invest through individual retirement accounts or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund.

 

112


If a Fund is not eligible to or does not make the above election, the Fund’s taxable income will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid or withheld, and shareholders will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction with respect to such taxes. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the treatment of foreign source income and foreign taxes under the U.S. federal income tax laws.

Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income other than exempt-interest dividends, if any, are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned or is considered to have owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder may have owned shares in such Fund. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to loss carryforwards) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain, and taxed to individuals at reduced rates relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued final regulations that impose special rules in respect of Capital Gain Dividends received through partnership interests constituting “applicable partnership interests” under Section 1061 of the Code.

The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange, or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.

Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income, if any, and may distribute its net capital gain. Taxable income that is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. Each Fund may also retain for investment its net capital gain. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a timely notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. A Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

 

113


Distributions are taxable to shareholders as described herein whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through a dividend reinvestment plan.

Distributions by a Fund will result in a reduction in the fair market value of such Fund’s shares. A distribution may be taxable to the shareholder, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, a shareholder that purchases shares of a Fund just prior to a taxable distribution will then receive a return of investment upon distribution which may nevertheless be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain.

Qualified dividend income received by an individual will be taxed at the reduced rates applicable to net capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a PFIC. Distributions received by a Fund from REITs generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares.

If the aggregate qualified dividend income received by a Fund during any taxable year is 95% or more of its “gross income,” then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only capital gain included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.

A portion of the dividends paid by the Funds to shareholders that are corporations (other than S corporations) may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction (subject to a holding period requirement imposed by the Code) to the extent such dividends are derived from dividends received from U.S. corporations. However, any distributions received by a Fund from REITs or PFICs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (i) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (ii) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (i) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (ii) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)).

 

114


The ultimate tax characterization of a Fund’s distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined until after the end of that taxable year. As a result, there is a possibility that a Fund may make total distributions during a taxable year in an amount that exceeds the net investment income and net capital gains the Fund realizes that year, in which case the excess generally will be treated as a return of capital to shareholders, reducing their tax basis in such Fund’s shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of such shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in its Fund shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on the subsequent taxable disposition by a shareholder of those shares.

As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information with respect to each calendar year will be furnished to each shareholder early in the succeeding year.

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares

The sale, exchange, or redemption of shares of a Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of a Fund will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to those shares. Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of a Fund will be disallowed under the Code’s “wash sale” rule if other substantially identical shares of a Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary, may be required to provide a shareholder and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares the shareholder sold, exchanged or redeemed. See the Funds’ Prospectus for more information.

Backup Withholding

Each Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to such Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the Fund. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs, as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).    

 

115


In addition, special tax consequences apply to CRTs that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October of 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, a Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other disqualified organization shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a Fund.

Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans.

Foreign Shareholders

Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the Code (“foreign shareholders”) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.

In general, the Code defines (1) “short-term capital gain dividends” as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) “interest-related dividends” as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by a Fund in a written notice to shareholders. The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation. If a Fund invests in a regulated investment company that pays Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends or interest-related dividends to the Fund,

 

116


such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.

    

Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends (e.g. dividends attributable to foreign-source dividend and interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).

A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).

Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (“QIE”) because it is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition of USRPIs described below. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A RIC that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and regulated investment companies that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in regulated investment companies generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE. If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

If a Fund were a QIE, under a special “look through” rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund’s foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of a Fund.

 

117


Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and -payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.

Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.

Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in a Fund.

Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts

Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”) generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an “IGA”) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or Capital Gain Dividends the Fund pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends).

 

118


Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

State and Local Taxes

Each Fund is a series of a Delaware statutory trust. Each Fund may be subject to state and/or local taxes in jurisdictions in which such Fund is deemed to be doing business. In addition, the treatment of each Fund and its shareholders in those states which have income tax laws might differ from treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors concerning the state and local tax consequences of investing in a Fund.

EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS TO AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IN LIGHT OF THE SHAREHOLDER’S PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.

OTHER INFORMATION

Delaware Statutory Trust

Each Fund is a series of a “Delaware statutory trust.” The Trust is governed by its Trust Instrument and Certificate of Trust, as amended (“Trust Instrument”), and Amended and Restated By-Laws (“By-Laws”).

The Trust Instrument provides that the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he or she may be involved or with which he or she may be threatened, while as a Trustee or thereafter, by reason of his or her being or having been such a Trustee except with respect to any matter as to which he or she shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties, provided that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of bad faith had been adjudicated, it would in the opinion of such counsel have been adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he or she may be lawfully entitled, provided that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement hereunder except out of the property of the Trust. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection with the indemnification under the Trust Instrument, provided that the indemnified person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined that he or she is not entitled to such indemnification.

The Trust shall indemnify officers, and shall have the power to indemnify representatives and employees of the Trust, to the same extent that Trustees are entitled to indemnification pursuant to the Trust Instrument.

 

119


The Trust Instrument also provides that, in case any shareholder or former shareholder of any Fund shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of the shareholder’s being or having been a shareholder of such Fund and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Fund to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Fund, shall, upon request by the shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Fund.

The Trust shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in the Trust Instrument concerning termination by action of the Trustees.

Description of Shares

The Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust in which the Funds each represent a separate series of shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees may, without shareholder approval, divide the shares of any series of the Trust into one or more classes and combine the shares of two or more classes of any series into a single class. The Trustees have authorized the issuance of three classes of shares of each of the Core Plus Bond Fund, the Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, and the International Equity Fund—Class N, Class I and Class Z. The Trustees have authorized two classes of shares of the Large Cap Growth Fund—Class N and Class I.

The Trust Instrument permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest without par value of one or more series and to divide or combine the shares of any series or class, if applicable, into a greater or lesser number without changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the series or class. Each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in such Fund with each other share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. Shares of the Funds have no preemptive or conversion rights. The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectus and in this SAI.

The shareholders of the Trust are entitled to one vote for each whole share held of a Fund (or a class thereof) (or a proportionate fractional vote in respect of a fractional share), on matters on which shares of the Fund (or a class thereof) shall be entitled to vote.

Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, and to set the length of their own terms subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the Trust. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative in the election of Trustees so that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected while the shareholders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. It is the intention of the Trust not to hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required or permitted by either the 1940 Act or by the Trust’s Trust Instrument.

The Trustees have authorized the issuance and sale to the public of shares of several series of the Trust. The Trustees may authorize the issuance of shares of additional series of the Trust. The proceeds from the issuance of any additional series would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios with distinct investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and share purchase, redemption and NAV procedures. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series, and all

 

120


assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Trust and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Shareholders of any additional series will approve the adoption of any management contract, distribution agreement and any changes in the investment policies of any such additional series, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.

Conduct of the Trust’s Business

Forum for Adjudication of Disputes. The By-Laws of the Trust provide that unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust or the shareholders, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer, or other agent of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws or any agreement contemplated by any provision of the 1940 Act, the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (each, a “Covered Action”). The By-Laws further provide that if any Covered Action is filed in a court other than the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any shareholder, such shareholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such courts to enforce the preceding sentence (an “Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such shareholder in any such Enforcement Action by service upon such shareholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such shareholder.

The By-Laws provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be (i) deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing paragraph and (ii) deemed to have waived any argument relating to the inconvenience of the forum referenced above in connection with any action or proceeding described in the foregoing paragraph.

This forum selection provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims. If a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the By-Laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

Derivative and Direct Claims of Shareholders. The By-Laws contain provisions regarding derivative and direct claims of shareholders. As used in the By-Laws, a “direct” shareholder claim refers to (i) a claim based upon alleged violations of a shareholder’s individual rights independent of any harm to the Trust, including a shareholder’s voting rights under Article V of the By-Laws, rights to receive a dividend payment as may be declared from time to time, rights to inspect books and records, or other similar rights personal to the shareholder and independent of any harm to the Trust; and (ii) a claim for which a direct shareholder action is expressly provided under the U.S. federal securities laws. The By-Laws provide that any other claim asserted by a shareholder, including without limitation any claims purporting to be brought on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust, are considered a “derivative” claim as used in the By-Laws.

 

121


The By-Laws provide that a shareholder may not bring or maintain any court action or other proceeding asserting a derivative claim or any claim asserted on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees, unless the shareholder makes a specific showing that irreparable nonmonetary injury to the Trust would otherwise result. The By-Laws provide that the Trustees shall consider such demand within 90 days of its receipt by the Trust. The By-Laws provide that, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or any series or class of shares, as appropriate. The By-Laws provide that any decision by the Trustees to bring, maintain or settle (or not to bring, maintain or settle) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholders, and no suit, proceeding or other action shall be commenced or maintained after a decision to reject a demand. The By-Laws provide that any Trustee acting in connection with any demand or any proceeding relating to a claim on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust who is not an “interested person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) will be deemed to be independent and disinterested with respect to such demand, proceeding or claim.

The By-Laws provide that a shareholder may not bring or maintain a court action or other proceeding asserting a direct claim against the Trust, the Trustees, or officers predicated upon an express or implied right of action under the Trust Instrument or U.S. federal securities laws (excepting direct shareholder actions expressly provided by U.S. federal securities laws), unless the shareholder has obtained authorization from the Trustees to bring the action. The By-Laws provide that the requirement of authorization shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees. The By-Laws provide that the Trustees shall consider such request within 90 days after its receipt by the Trust. The By-Laws provide that the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class of shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to settle or to authorize (or not to settle or to authorize) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholder seeking authorization.

The By-Laws provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. These forgoing provisions may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim against the Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims. If a court were to find that any of the foregoing provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

Additional Information

This SAI and the Funds’ Prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, certain portions have been omitted. The Trust’s Registration Statement, including the Exhibits filed therewith, may be examined on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Statements contained in this SAI and the Funds’ Prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an Exhibit to the Trust’s Registration Statement. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.

No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the Funds’ Prospectus or this SAI, in connection with the offer of shares of the Funds and, if given or made, such other representations or information must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust, the Funds or the Distributor. The Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI do not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy any of the securities offered thereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Funds or the Distributor to make such offer in such jurisdictions.

 

122


FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Funds’ audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and the related Notes to the Financial Statements for the Funds, as well as the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, from each Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 are incorporated by reference into this SAI (meaning such documents are legally a part of this SAI) and are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

123


APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS ASSIGNED BY

S&P GLOBAL RATINGS AND MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

A Fund’s investments may range in quality from securities rated in the lowest category in which the Fund is permitted to invest to securities rated in the highest category (as rated by Moody’s or S&P or, if unrated, determined by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality). The percentage of a Fund’s assets invested in securities in a particular rating category will vary. The following is a description of Moody’s and S&P’s rating categories applicable to fixed income securities.

Moody’s Investors Service

Global Rating Scales

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The contractual financial obligations addressed by Moody’s ratings are those that call for, without regard to enforceability, the payment of an ascertainable amount, which may vary based upon standard sources of variation (e.g., floating interest rates), by an ascertainable date. Moody’s rating addresses the issuer’s ability to obtain cash sufficient to service the obligation, and its willingness to pay. Moody’s ratings do not address non-standard sources of variation in the amount of the principal obligation (e.g., equity indexed), absent an express statement to the contrary in a press release accompanying an initial rating. Short-term ratings are assigned for obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Moody’s issues ratings at the issuer level and instrument level on both the long-term scale and the short-term scale. Typically, ratings are made publicly available although private and unpublished ratings may also be assigned.

Moody’s differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution, and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf) to all structured finance ratings. The addition of (sf) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same. The (sf) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moody’s aspires to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.

 

A-1


Global Long-Term Rating Scale

 

Aaa:    Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa:    Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A:    Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa:    Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba:    Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B:    Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa:    Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca:    Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C:    Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*

* By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

Global Short-Term Rating Scale

 

P-1:    Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.
P-2:    Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.
P-3:    Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP:    Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

US Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings

Short-Term Obligation Ratings

Moody’s uses the global short-term Prime rating scale for commercial paper issued by US municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity.

 

A-2


For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody’s uses one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed below.

Moody’s uses the MIG scale for US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, Moody’s uses the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

 

MIG 1:    This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2:    This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3:    This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG:    This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Demand Obligation Ratings

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), Moody’s assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligation resulting from optional tenders (“on demand”) and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

Moody’s typically assigns a VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years, but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as “NR”.

 

VMIG 1:    This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 2:    This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3:    This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG:    This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

A-3


S&P Global Ratings

Issue Credit Rating Definitions

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*

 

AAA:    An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA:    An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.
A:    An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.
BBB:    An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
BB; B; CCC;   
CC; and C:    Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having
   significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

 

A-4


BB:    An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
B:    An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
CCC:    An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
CC:    An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
C:    An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.
D:    An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

* Ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

 

A-5


Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

A-1:    A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2:    A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3:    A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
B:    A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C:    A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
D:    A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

SPUR (S&P Underlying Rating)

A SPUR is an opinion about the stand-alone capacity of an obligor to pay debt service on a credit-enhanced debt issue, without giving effect to the enhancement that applies to it. These ratings are published only at the request of the debt issuer or obligor with the designation SPUR to distinguish them from the credit-enhanced rating that applies to the debt issue. S&P Global Ratings maintains surveillance of an issue with a published SPUR.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:

 

   

Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

   

Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

A-6


Municipal short-term note rating symbols are as follows:

 

SP-1:    Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2:    Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3:    Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
D:    ‘D’ is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

Dual Ratings

Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)

S&P Global Ratings uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a ‘p’ qualifier, which indicates the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.

 

L:    Ratings qualified with ‘L’ apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.
p:    This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The ‘p’ suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.
prelim:    Preliminary ratings, with the ‘prelim’ suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.

 

   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.

 

A-7


   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor’s emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation, and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).

 

   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings’ opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.

 

   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing, or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.

 

   

A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.

 

t:    This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.
cir:    This symbol indicates a counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.

Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)

 

*:    This symbol indicated that the rating was contingent upon S&P Global Ratings’ receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.
c:    This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer was lowered to below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds were deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.
G:    The letter ‘G’ followed the rating symbol when a fund’s portfolio consisted primarily of direct U.S. government securities.

 

A-8


i:    This suffix was used for issues in which the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of interest are different from the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of principal on the obligation. The ‘i’ suffix indicated that the rating addressed the interest portion of the obligation only. The ‘i’ suffix was always used in conjunction with the ‘p’ suffix, which addresses likelihood of receipt of principal. For example, a rated obligation could have been assigned a rating of ‘AAApNRi’ indicating that the principal portion was rated ‘AAA’ and the interest portion of the obligation was not rated.
pi:    This qualifier was used to indicate ratings that were based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. Such ratings did not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management and therefore could have been based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a ‘pi’ suffix. Discontinued use as of December 2014 and as of August 2015 for Lloyd’s Syndicate Assessments.
pr:    The letters ‘pr’ indicate that the rating was provisional. A provisional rating assumed the successful completion of a project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements was largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, made no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion.
q:    A ‘q’ subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.
r:    The ‘r’ modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an ‘r’ modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation would not exhibit extraordinary noncredit-related risks. S&P Global Ratings discontinued the use of the ‘r’ modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings

S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer can differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

A-9


APPENDIX B

Beutel Goodman

Proxy Voting Guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Proxy voting is a key element of Beutel Goodman’s active ownership approach, as outlined in our Responsible Investment Policy Statement. We believe that voting proxies can encourage sound corporate governance and improve environmental and social policies, and that it is essential to advance shareholder value. We assess all ballot items, including those relating to ESG practices, based on whether they are consistent with long-term shareholder value creation.

PROCESS

As part of our portfolio management responsibilities, we review each proxy item for all Canadian, U.S. and international equity holdings before casting our votes.

In support of the process, we subscribe to a proxy voting services firm, which provides a detailed analysis and comprehensive report relating to all proxy voting issues. The proxy interpretations reflect the corporate governance standards of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC). While we use the proxy voting services as research and consider their recommendations, we form our own views on all proxy items and vote accordingly. As responsible investors, we make informed voting decisions through thoughtful research; this includes direct dialogue with companies, which allows us to gather additional information and voice our concerns.

All upcoming proxies are reviewed regularly, and votes are cast by the deadline. This is typically two to three weeks before the meeting date. For international securities, there may be different proxy voting considerations because of share blocking or re-registration rules in other jurisdictions. We may choose a “do not vote” option in such cases rather than have securities blocked for sale for the period until a vote. Beutel Goodman will always act in the best interest of its clients.

As and when necessary, voting issues are discussed among equity team members. All final voting decisions are made by the primary analyst.

We evaluate shareholder proposals based on whether the proposal aligns with the interests of shareholders, encourages value creation, and is consistent with our objective of advancing companies’ performance on the material ESG factors considered in our investment process. We also consider the steps that the company may already have taken to address the issues raised in the proposal.

Our research process strives to identify companies whose boards and management are aligned with shareholder interests and the creation of long-term shareholder value. We view ourselves as partners of the companies in which we invest. As such, we approach ownership as an ongoing collaboration in the creation of long-term shareholder value.

When we determine that a vote against management is in the best interests of our clients, we endeavour to routinely engage the issuer in advance of voting.

For clients who take part in securities lending programs, we generally do not recall shares for proxy voting unless there are ballot items that are deemed important. Situations in which we would typically recall shares include the case of the collapse of a dual-class share structure.    

Proxy voting is less common in fixed income, and typically only occurs when a company is seeking to change its trust indentures. In these cases, we are guided by the same principles as for proxy voting in the equity context.

 

B-1


REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE

Given the importance of proxy voting, we provide a detailed proxy voting report for our clients with segregated mandates, which is offered as part of our standard quarterly report package. This report provides information on all issues voted during the quarter.

As part of our commitment to transparency, our proxy voting decisions and rationales (in the event of a vote against management or proxy voting provider) are publicly disclosed on an ongoing basis throughout the year in a database accessible on our website.

PROXY VOTING PRINCIPLES

We list below certain positive and negative attributes that we encourage or discourage in our proxy voting. Note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended as a general overview of factors we take into consideration when casting our votes. Each proxy item is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with leniency considered in cases where companies are making progress on relevant issues.

Beutel Goodman generally favours:

 

   

Boards of Directors that are aligned with the interests of shareholders and value creation; i.e., those that:

 

   

Are majority-independent boards

 

   

Have appropriate breadth, depth and diversity

 

   

Have a record of positive performance

 

   

Favour a majority of votes over plurality of votes in board member elections

 

   

Favour individual board member elections over board slates

 

   

Are accessible and responsive to institutional shareholders (with annual interactions, at a minimum, preferred)

 

   

Have oversight of ESG issues

 

   

Separate Board Chair and CEO roles

 

   

Companies with thoughtful, multi-year succession plans

 

   

Executive compensation tied to long-term shareholder value creation; e.g., companies with:

 

   

Transparent compensation directly linked to both short- and long-term strategic targets

 

   

Long-term incentives linked to return metrics rather than pure growth metrics to align capital allocation decisions with shareholder value creation

 

   

Continued share ownership by management and directors to match investors’ risks and benefits

 

   

Companies that tie executive compensation to ESG metrics (or companies that are working towards such targets)

 

   

Companies that have a clear, long-term climate strategy, including emissions targets that align with the Paris Agreement

 

   

Companies that exhibit a focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives at all levels

Beutel Goodman is typically not in favour of:

 

   

Company strategies that lead to poor outcomes for long-term shareholders, such as:

 

   

Poor capital allocation

 

   

Equity issuances that are not accretive to existing shareholders

 

   

Dual-class share structures (i.e., multiple classes of shares with different voting rights)

 

   

Excessive executive pay packages, including excessive stock option plans that may result in dilution of our ownership

 

   

Boards not aligned with shareholders. This could include:

 

   

Overcommitted board members

 

   

Board members with conflicts of interest

 

B-2


APPENDIX C

GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

December 2022

INTRODUCTION

As a U.S. registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a fiduciary to its clients, GW&K Investment Management, LLC (“GW&K” or “Firm”) has implemented this Proxy Voting Policy to establish and maintain internal controls and procedures governing the Firm’s voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts. To assist in the process, GW&K leverages recognized third-party service providers to facilitate the Firm’s proxy voting process.

I. Proxy Guidelines, Voting Advice and Agent

GW&K utilizes proxy voting guidelines developed by Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”), an independent third-party proxy voting advisory firm, which provides GW&K recommendations on ballot items for securities held in client accounts. Proxies are voted on behalf of those GW&K clients, who have delegated proxy voting authority to GW&K. GW&K generally adopts Glass Lewis’ “Investment Manager Policy” guidelines for client accounts but also may, depending on the circumstances of a client account, apply other Glass Lewis proxy voting thematic guidelines; including, Glass Lewis’ ESG Policy guidelines and Taft Hartley Policy guidelines. GW&K reserves the right to cast votes contrary to Glass Lewis guidelines if the Firm believes it to be in the best interest of its clients.    

GW&K has also contracted with Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent third-party proxy voting agent, to act as proxy voting agent and to provide certain proxy voting services to GW&K and its clients. Together, Glass Lewis and Broadridge assist GW&K with various proxy related process components including:

 

   

In-depth proxy research;

 

   

Process and vote proxies in connection with securities held by GW&K clients;

 

   

Maintain appropriate records of proxy statements, research, and recommendations;

 

   

Maintain appropriate records of proxy votes cast on behalf of GW&K clients;

 

   

Proxy related administrative functions.

II. Responsibility and Oversight

GW&K is responsible for maintaining and administering these policies and procedures. GW&K will:

 

   

Annually review the adequacy of these policies and procedures as well as the effectiveness of its proxy voting agent;

 

   

Annually review Glass Lewis’s proxy voting guidelines to ensure they are appropriately designed to meet the best interests of GW&K clients;

 

C-1


   

Provide clients, upon written request, these proxy voting policy and procedures, and information about how proxies were voted on their behalf;

 

   

Conduct regular reconciliations with client’s custodian banks to confirm the appropriate number of votes cast on behalf of clients when GW&K has been delegated proxy voting authority, with the understanding that an exact reconciliation of proxy votes for every share may not be feasible through the various custodians, third party investment platforms and other third parties involved in this process;

 

   

Conduct a periodic review, no less often than annually, of proxy voting records to ensure that proxies are voted in accordance with adopted guidelines; and

 

   

Annually review proxy voting records to ensure that records of proxy statements, research, recommendations, and proxy votes are properly maintained by its proxy voting agent.

III. Conflicts of Interest

In adopting Glass Lewis’s proxy voting guidelines, GW&K seeks to remove potential conflicts of interest that could otherwise potentially influence the proxy voting process. In situations where Broadridge and/or Glass Lewis has a potential conflict of interest with respect to a proxy it is overseeing on behalf of GW&K’s clients, Broadridge and/or Glass Lewis is obligated to fully or partially abstain from voting the ballot as applicable and notify GW&K. GW&K’s Proxy Committee will convene and provide the voting recommendation after discussion with applicable GW&K investment professionals and a review of the measures involved. Similarly, in instances where GW&K becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest pertaining to a proxy vote for a security held in the client’s account, or where a client otherwise makes a request pertaining a specific proxy vote, GW&K’s investment management professionals will provide the voting recommendation after reviewing relevant facts and circumstances.

Voting of Measures Outside of or Contrary to Glass Lewis & Co. Recommendations

In instances when a proxy ballot item does not fall within the Glass Lewis guidelines or where GW&K determines that voting in accordance with the Glass Lewis recommendation is not advisable or consistent with GW&K’s fiduciary duty, GW&K’s portfolio managers, with the support of GW&K’s Legal & Compliance department and other personnel, will review the relevant facts and circumstances and determine how to vote the particular proxy ballot item. A record of any vote that deviates from Glass Lewis’ guidelines along with the rationale will be maintained and reviewed by the Legal & Compliance department.

IV. Disclosure

Clients may obtain Glass Lewis’s proxy voting guidelines or information about how GW&K voted proxies for securities held in their account by submitting a written request to:

Proxy Policy Administrator

GW&K Investment Management, LLC

222 Berkeley Street, 15th Floor

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

 

C-2


V. Recordkeeping

GW&K will maintain the following records in accordance with regulatory requirements:

 

   

These policies and procedures (including any applicable amendments) which shall be made available to clients upon request;

 

   

Proxy statements, research, recommendations, and records of each vote;

 

   

Client written requests for proxy voting information and applicable responses by GW&K.

VI. Oversight and Documentation

Proxy Committee

GW&K has established a Proxy Voting Committee to oversee the firm’s proxy voting process, including the firm’s Proxy Voting Policy, the firm’s service providers and the proxy voting guidelines. In addition, the Committee would address any potential conflicts of interest that are identified by GW&K with respect to voting any specific proxy ballot item. The Committee is comprised of GW&K’s Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, managers of GW&K’s Investment, Operations and Client Services departments, members of the Legal & Compliance department, as well as certain GW&K investment professionals. The Committee meets annually, and more frequently as needed.

GW&K’s Legal & Compliance department is responsible for periodically assessing firm compliance with this policy and the effectiveness of its implementation.

 

 

C-3


APPENDIX D

Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc.

Proxy Voting Policy

December 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

I. PROXY VOTING POLICY & PROCEDURES

     4  

A. PROXY VOTING POLICY

     4  

B. VOTING RESPONSIBILITIES

     4  

C. VOTING PROCEDURES

     5  

D. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

     5  

II. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

     7  

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     7  

A. DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENCE

     7  

B. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     7  

C. CONTESTED DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

     8  

D. CLASSIFIED BOARDS

     8  

E. INDIVIDUAL ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS

     8  

F. SIZE OF THE BOARD

     8  

G. INDEPENDENT BOARD CHAIR AND DIVISION OF THE POSTS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND

  

CHAIRMAN

     9  

H. DIRECTOR / OFFICER INDEMNIFICATION

     9  

I. DIRECTOR OWNERSHIP

     9  

APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     9  

COMPENSATION ISSUES

     10  

A. REASONABLE COMPENSATION

     10  

B. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

     10  

C. BONUS PLANS

     12  

D. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANS

     12  

E. EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS (“GOLDEN PARACHUTES”)

     12  

ANTI-TAKEOVER DEFENSES AND SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS

     12  

A. TAKE-OVER BIDS

     12  

B. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLANS (“POISON PILLS”)

     13  

C. ARTICLE AND BY-LAW AMENDMENTS

     13  

D. CROWN JEWEL DEFENSE

     13  

E. CUMULATIVE VOTING

     14  

F. MAJORITY VOTE REQUIREMENTS FOR DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

     14  

G. SUPERMAJORITY VOTE REQUIREMENTS

     14  

H. RIGHT TO CALL MEETINGS AND ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT

     14  

I. PROXY ACCESS AND ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS

     14  

J. CONFIDENTIAL VOTING

     15  

K. QUORUM AND ENHANCED QUORUM

     15  

CORPORATE STRUCTURE & CAPITALIZATION

     15  

 

D-1


A. CORPORATIVE REORGANIZATION

     15  

B. INCREASES IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL

     15  

C. PRIVATE PLACEMENT ISSUANCES

     15  

D. BLANK CHEQUE PREFERRED STOCK

     16  

E. DUAL CLASSES OF STOCK

     16  

CORPORATE AND SOCIAL POLICY ISSUES

     16  

A. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

     16  

B. TRANSPARENCY AND IMPUTABILITY

     17  

VOTING IN FOREIGN MARKETS

     17  

VOTING ON A FUND’S HOLDINGS OF OTHER FUNDS IN THE FAMILY

     17  

I. PROXY VOTING POLICY & PROCEDURES

A. Proxy Voting Policy

The Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. (“MBII”) objective in proxy voting is simple: to support proposals and director nominees that, in its view, maximize the value of our clients’ investments over the long term. While our goal is simple, the proposals we receive are varied and frequently complex. As such, the Proxy Voting Guidelines adopted by MBII provide a framework for assessing each proposal (the “Guidelines”). MBII has designed the guidelines to stress its role as a fiduciary with responsibility for evaluating each proposal on its merits, based on the particular facts and circumstances as presented.

In evaluating proxy proposals, information from many sources is considered, including the portfolio manager, management or shareholders of a company presenting a proposal and independent proxy research services. Substantial weight will be given to the recommendations of the company’s board, absent guidelines or other specific facts that would support a vote against management.

While serving as a framework, the Guidelines cannot contemplate all possible proposals with which MBII may be presented. In the absence of a specific guideline for a particular proposal (e.g., in the case of a transactional issue or contested proxy), MBII will evaluate the issue and cast its vote in a manner that, in its view, will maximize the value of our clients’ investment.

Because many factors bear on each decision, the Guidelines incorporate factors that should be considered in each voting decision. MBII may refrain from voting if that would be in the clients’ best interests. These circumstances may arise, for example, when the expected cost of voting exceeds the expected benefits of voting, or when exercising the vote results in the imposition of trading or other restrictions.

MBII may vote contrary to these Guidelines in circumstances where it is in the best interests of its clients. Finally, nothing contained in the Guidelines requires MBII to vote accounts alike. For most proxy proposals, particularly those involving corporate governance, the evaluation will result in MBII voting as a block. In some cases, however, MBII may vote its clients accounts differently, depending upon the nature and objective of the client, the composition of their portfolios, and other factors. MBII will document any exceptions to their Proxy voting guidelines.

B. Voting Responsibilities

Securities legislation provides that absent voting instructions received from a client, neither MBII nor the custodian is permitted to vote securities of an issuer registered in MBII’s or the custodian’s name that are not beneficially owned by MBII or the custodian.

Further, materials received by MBII or the custodian in respect of meetings of security holders of an issuer must forthwith be sent to the client where the issuer or client has agreed to pay the reasonable costs incurred by MBII or the custodian to do so. However, MBII in its discretionary management agreements normally receives authorization from each client to exercise voting rights over the securities on the clients’ behalf. Accordingly, the following responsibilities apply:

 

D-2


(a) For each client, there shall be a clear delineation of the proxy voting responsibilities between MBII and the client.

(b) If MBII has proxy voting authority, it will take steps that are reasonable under the circumstances to verify that it actually receives the proxies for which it has voting authority.

(c) A client who has delegated proxy voting authority to MBII may not decide how the proxies are to be voted.

(d) In voting proxies, MBII shall act prudently, solely in the economic interest of clients, and for the exclusive purpose of providing long term benefits to them. MBII will consider those factors that would affect the value of the clients’ investments over time and may not subordinate the interests of clients to unrelated objectives, such as social considerations.

C. Voting Procedures

In an effort to assist MBII in gathering information and voting proxies, MBII has outsourced the administration of its proxy voting to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”). All issuer’s proxy ballots are sent directly to ISS from the custodians. ISS researches the proxy issues and provides a voting recommendation based upon MBII’s Guidelines. MBII accesses this information from ISS and determines if we agree with the recommendations made by ISS. If MBII agrees with ISS’s recommendation, MBII will instruct ISS to vote. Ultimately, MBII maintains the right to determine the final vote.

MBII Operations will conduct periodic review to ensure that ISS has voted all eligible clients’ proxies according to the Guidelines. In addition, MBII Operations will also periodically verify that ISS has received all clients’ proxies from the custodians.

MBII will periodically review the MBII Proxy Voting Policy and MBII Proxy Voting Guidelines (below) and make recommendations for changes where required. Documentation of all proxy voting and authorizations by portfolio managers will be kept on file for at least seven years. Where required MBII will maintain and publish a proxy voting record in accordance with applicable law.

D. Conflicts of Interest

The Firm is not presently aware of any material corporate conflicts. However, should such conflicts arise; MBII will undertake to identify the conflicts that exist between the economic interests of MBII and those of its clients. This examination will include a review of the relationship of MBII to the issuer of the security (and any of the issuer’s affiliates) subject to a proxy vote to determine if the issuer is a client of MBII or has some other material relationship with MBII or a client of MBII.

If ISS determines it has a material conflict of interest regarding a vote they will inform MBII of the conflict. MBII will document any such conflicts and exclude any person(s) from MBII’s decision that have personal conflicts of interest. If it is determined that both ISS and MBII have material conflicts from a corporate standpoint MBII will instruct ISS to hire a third party proxy voting service to determine the recommended vote for the issue for which MBII and ISS have a material conflict. When both MBII and ISS have a material conflict, the effected proxies will be voted in accordance with an independent third party voting service.

II. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

The Board of Directors

A. Definition of Independence

The following individuals are qualified as “non-independent”: a current manager, former members of management (unbounded in time), individuals who maintain significant relationship of an economic nature with the company like its advisers, such as lawyers, bankers or stock brokers, individuals who offer professional services (legal, financial, medical) to members of the management, members of organizations who benefit directly from a program or a financial contribution of the company and finally individuals who have a family tie with a member of the direction.

 

D-3


B. Election of directors

Good governance starts with a majority-independent board, whose key committees are comprised entirely of independent directors. As such, companies should attest to the independence of directors who serve on the Compensation, Nominating, and Audit committees. In any instance in which a director is not categorically independent, the basis for the independence determination should be clearly explained in the proxy statement.

While the board’s nominees will generally be supported, the following factors will be taken into account in determining how to vote proxies:

Factors for Approval

 

   

The board of directors is comprised of a majority of independent directors of 50% plus one.

 

   

All members of Audit, Nominating, and Compensation committees are independent of management.

Factors against Approval

 

   

The board of directors is comprised of a majority non independent directors. Action may be taken against non-independent directors and/or the Nominating committee chair.

 

   

The Audit, Nominating, and/or Compensation committees include non-independent members. For small cap companies, the Nominating and Compensation committees should be at least majority independent with independent committee chairs.

 

   

A current member of the board has an attendance rate to the meetings of the board and its committees lower than 75% without any valid reason.

 

   

A current member has been found guilty by a court of a fault related to a financial scandal.

 

   

The company failed to disclose audit fees paid to the auditor or authorized the payment of excessive non-audit fees to the auditor.

 

   

The company is responsible for poor accounting practices, which rise to a level of serious concern.

 

   

The company is responsible for material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight or fiduciary responsibilities at the company.

 

   

The company is responsible for problematic compensation practices and/or a misalignment between CEO pay and company performance.

 

   

The board refused to implement a shareholders proposal which was adopted by a majority of shareholders. Directors responsible will be opposed for three consecutive years if the board continues to fail to implement the majority-supported shareholder proposal.

The absence of important information related to the board of directors’ members will involve abstention from the vote only for the member whose information is insufficient.

C. Contested director elections

In the case of contested board elections, the nominees’ qualifications and the performance of the incumbent board will be evaluated, as well as the rationale behind the dissidents’ campaign, to determine the outcome that will maximize shareholder value.

D. Classified boards

Proposals to declassify existing boards (whether proposed by management or shareholders) will generally be supported, and efforts by companies to adopt classified board structures, in which only part of the board is elected each year, will be resisted. MBII votes in favor of proposals requiring the annual election of all the administrators.

E. Individual election of the Directors

MBII generally supports managements’ recommendations for directors. However, we may oppose the management slate or individual directors if we believe the election of any director is not in the best interest of the shareholders

 

D-4


F. Size of the board

The size of the board can vary according to the size of the company and the complexity of the business. A company determines, in its statutes, the maximum and minimum size of the board. According to the law, the number must be at least three. A positive vote will be registered for proposals of board size comprised between 5 and 16 members which reflect the shareholding and support the proportional representation.

G. Independent Board Chair and Division of the posts of Chief executive officer and Chairman

In order of allowing the Board to be more autonomous in its role of monitoring, it is often proposed to require an Independent Board Chairman or divide the posts of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. A positive vote will be registered for proposals requiring an Independent Board Chairman or dividing the post of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

H. Director / Officer Indemnification

Proposals to indemnify directors and officers will generally be supported to ensure the companies can recruit the most qualified individuals. Individuals may be reluctant to serve as a director or officer if they were to be personally liable for all lawsuits and legal costs.

I. Director Ownership

Proposals that will require independent directors to hold a minimum amount of company stock as individuals will generally be opposed. Such a requirement raises questions about directors’ independence, and qualified candidates may be reluctant to accept directorships in the face of such a requirement.

Approval of independent auditors

The relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not, in the aggregate, raise any appearance of impaired independence. Management’s recommendation for the ratification of the auditors, except in instances where audit and audit-related fees make up less than 50% of the total fees paid by the company to the audit firm, will generally be supported. Instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with the company (regardless of its size relative to the audit fee) will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine whether there is a concern that independence has been compromised. MBII will vote against the proposed auditors for the following reasons:

 

   

The audit committee is not made solely of independent members

 

   

The majority of the paid fees come from non-audit fees.

 

   

The reputation of the firm questions its ability to verify the financial statements of the company

 

   

The duration of the relation between the auditor firm and the company is considered to be too long (more than 7 years) and compromises the independence of the auditors.

Compensation issues

A. Reasonable compensation

MBII will vote in favor of compensation of managers and directors if it is reasonable. MBII will sanction a company which does not reveal in a detailed way the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer by abstaining from voting on the compensation committee. MBII will vote in favor of proposals requiring the premium return when the financial statements of the company are reprocessed (financial restatement) only if the premium is directly linked to the financial statement.

Concerning compensation of Bank Chief Manager, the evaluation of their reasonable compensation will consider indicators of performance and other advantages, the other advantages being the value of the options accumulated with the passing of years and the value of the pension fund. A period of three years will be taken into account for the evaluation.

 

D-5


While MBII generally supports the Management Say-On-Pay (MSOP) proposal, the following factors will be taken into account in determining how to vote proxies:

Factors for Approval

 

   

The company’s executive pay practices and company performance are aligned, emphasizing long-term shareholder value and eliminating the risk of pay for failure.

 

   

The compensation committee is independent and effective.

 

   

The company provides clear and comprehensive disclosure to shareholders.

 

   

The company avoids inappropriate pay to non-executive directors, which may compromise independence.

Factors against Approval

 

   

There is significant misalignment between Chief Executive Officer pay and company performance;

 

   

The company maintains problematic pay practices; or

 

   

The board exhibits poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

B. Stock-based compensation plans

Appropriately designed stock-based compensation plans, administered by an independent committee of the board and approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of long-term shareholders and the interests of management, employees and directors. Conversely, plans that substantially dilute ownership interest in the company, provide participants with excessive awards or have inherently objectionable structural features, will be opposed. MBII will vote against a proposal of implementing a stock-based compensation plan for which there is not enough detail. Enough detailed means a stock-based compensation plan who indicates the number of shares which are granted and fulfilled every year. Furthermore, the number of shares fulfilled must represent 2% or less of the outstanding shares.

An independent compensation committee should have significant latitude to deliver varied compensation to motivate the company’s employees. However, all compensation proposals will be evaluated in the context of several factors (a company’s industry, market capitalization, competitors for talent, etc.) to determine whether a particular plan or proposal balances the perspectives of employees and the company’s other shareholders. Each proposal will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking all material facts and circumstances into account.

The following factors related to the options granted to the Management will be among those considered in evaluating these proposals:

Factors for Approval

 

   

Company requires senior executives to hold a minimum amount of company stock (frequently expressed as a multiple of salary).

 

   

Company requires stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a minimum period of time.

 

   

Compensation program includes performance-vesting awards, indexed options, or other performance-linked grants.

 

   

Concentration of option grants to senior executives is limited (indicating that the plan is very broad-based).

 

   

Stock-based compensation is clearly used as a substitute for cash in delivering market-competitive total pay.

Factors against Approval

 

   

Total potential dilution (including all stock-based plans) exceeds 10% of shares outstanding.

 

   

Annual grants of equity-based awards have exceeded 2% of shares outstanding.

 

   

Plan permits repricing or replacement of options without shareholder approval.

 

   

Plan provides for the issuance of reload options.

 

   

Plan contains automatic share replenishment (“evergreen”) feature.

 

   

Plan’s amendment provision does not adequately restrict the ability of the board to amend the plan without shareholder approval.

 

   

Plan allows non-employee directors to participate on a discretionary basis.

 

D-6


C. Bonus plans

Bonus plans, which must be periodically submitted for shareholder approval, should have clearly defined performance criteria and maximum awards expressed in dollars. Bonus plans with awards that are excessive in both absolute terms and relative to a comparative group generally will not be supported.

D. Employee stock purchase plans

The use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees will generally be supported provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value, the shares reserved under the plan comprise less than 5% of the outstanding shares and finally the potential effect on dilution is under 10%.

E. Executive severance agreements (“golden parachutes”)

While executives’ incentives for continued employment should be more significant than severance benefits, there are instances—particularly in the event of a change in control— in which severance arrangements may be appropriate. Severance benefits triggered by a change in control that do not exceed three times an executive’s salary and bonus may generally be approved by the compensation committee of the board without submission to shareholders. Any such arrangement under which the beneficiary receives more than three times salary and bonus—or where severance is guaranteed absent a change in control—should be submitted for shareholder approval.

Anti-takeover defenses and shareholder rights

The exercise of shareholder rights, in proportion to economic ownership, is a fundamental privilege of stock ownership that should not be unnecessarily limited. Such limits may be placed on shareholders’ ability to act by corporate charter, bylaw provisions, or the adoption of certain takeover provisions. The market for corporate control should be allowed to function without undue interference from these artificial barriers.

MBII will vote against the structures with unequal voting rights in a general way except in particular contexts. For companies which have existing structures with multiple voting rights, MBII will vote in favor of proposals requiring the approval of the structure with regular interval or will vote in favor of measures limiting the effects.

With respect to a number of the most commonly presented issues in this area:

A. Take-over bids

When an attempt of takeover is considered to be hostile by the Management of the targeted firm, the principal question of the shareholders is to evaluate if the Management works in its own interests or in the true interest of the company and the shareholders. There will be an examination of each take-over bid, both hostile and non hostile, by evaluating the impact on the company.

B. Shareholder rights plans (“poison pills”)

A company’s adoption of a so-called poison pill effectively limits a potential acquirer’s ability to buy a controlling interest without the approval of the target’s board of directors. Such a plan, in conjunction with other takeover defenses, may serve to entrench incumbent management and directors. However, in other cases, a pill may force a suitor to negotiate with the board and result in the payment of a higher acquisition premium.

In general, shareholders should be afforded the opportunity to approve shareholder rights plans within a year of their adoption. This provides the board with the ability to put a poison pill in place for legitimate defensive purposes, subject to subsequent approval by shareholders. In evaluating the approval of proposed shareholder rights plans, the following factors will be considered:

 

D-7


Factors for Approval

 

   

Plan is relatively short-term (3–5 years).

 

   

Plan requires shareholder approval for renewal.

 

   

Plan incorporates review by a committee of independent directors at least every three years (so-called TIDE provisions).

 

   

Plan includes permitted bid/qualified offer feature (“chewable pill”) that mandates shareholder vote in certain situations.

 

   

Ownership trigger is reasonable (15–20%).

 

   

Highly independent, non-classified board.

Factors against Approval

 

   

Plan is long-term (>5 years).

 

   

Renewal of plan is automatic or does not require shareholder approval.

 

   

Ownership trigger is less than 15%.

 

   

Classified board.

 

   

Board with limited independence.

C. Article and by-law amendments

Proposals to adopt or amend by-laws will generally be supported unless the proposal contravenes other MBII guidelines within this document, or otherwise abridges shareholder rights.

D. Crown jewel defense

The sale of assets to “friendly” companies in an effort to frustrate a takeover will generally be opposed as this action could impair share value.

E. Cumulative Voting

Cumulative voting will generally be opposed under the basis that it allows shareholders a voice in director elections that is disproportionate to their economic investment in the corporation.

F. Majority vote requirements for director elections

Shareholders’ ability to approve or reject director nominees presented for a vote based on a simple majority will be supported. Accordingly, proposals to implement a majority vote standard for the election of directors will be supported, and proposals to remove majority vote standards will be opposed.

G. Supermajority vote requirements

Shareholders’ ability to approve or reject matters presented for a vote based on a simple majority will be supported. Accordingly, proposals to remove supermajority requirements will be supported, and proposals to impose them will be opposed. A majority of 50% plus one will be sufficient to meet the supermajority.

H. Right to call meetings and act by written consent

Shareholders’ rights to call special meetings of the board (for good cause and with ample representation) and to act by written consent will generally be supported. Proposals to grant these rights to shareholders will be supported, and proposals to abridge these rights will be opposed.

I. Proxy access and advance notice provisions

Shareholders’ ability to nominate qualified candidates to the board of directors is a fundamental right and will generally be supported, and attempts to impede this right should be opposed. All proxy access proposals will be evaluated for reasonableness, to ensure no provision abridges the right of shareholders. Proxy access proposals permitting shareholders with 3% of the voting power to nominate up to 25% of board nominees will generally be supported provided the maximum

 

D-8


holding requirement is less than 3 years and there are minimal limits on the number of shareholders permitted to form the nominating group. Proposals that are more restrictive will generally be opposed. Advance notice requirements will be evaluated within the overall company framework, to ensure all provisions support the stated purpose of the requirement and no provision abridges the right of shareholders.

J. Confidential voting

The integrity of the voting process is enhanced substantially when shareholders (both institutions and individuals) can vote without fear of coercion or retribution based on their votes. As such, proposals to provide confidential voting, use independent vote tabulators, and use independent inspections of elections will be supported.

K. Quorum and enhanced quorum

The provisions of the Canadian Business Corporations Act indicate at section 139. (1) “ Unless the by-laws otherwise provide, a quorum of shareholders is present at a meeting of shareholders, irrespective of the number of persons actually present at the meeting, if the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy. “. However, the companies can fix a quorum level as low as two individuals holding 25% of eligible vote. Proposals to establish an enhanced quorum, with two different quorum levels, will be opposed if the proposal is solely to implement a higher quorum for shareholder meetings where common share investors seek to replace the majority of current board members.

Corporate structure & capitalization

A. Corporative reorganization

When a corporative reorganization occurs, like the sale or acquisition of a company or of important assets, there will be an individual examination of each situation having course in order to evaluate the impact on the company and the shareholders. Each proposal will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking all material facts and circumstances into account.

B. Increases in authorized capital

Capitalization changes that involve a reorganization of existing capital or issuance of new capital will be opposed if they do not align with the interests of long-term shareholders. Each proposal will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking all material facts and circumstances into account.

C. Private Placement Issuances

Private placement issuances will be opposed if they do not align with the interests of long-term shareholders. Each proposal will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking all material facts and circumstances into account.

D. Blank Cheque Preferred Stock

Blank cheque preferred shared issuances should generally be opposed, particularly if the request has no appropriate limits of the company states no purpose for the increase. Proposals to create reasonably limited preferred shares will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking all material facts and circumstances into account.

E. Dual classes of stock

Dual-class capitalization structures that provide disparate voting rights to different groups of shareholders with similar economic investments are objectionable. As such, the creation of separate classes with unequal voting rights will be opposed, and the dissolution of such classes will be supported.

 

D-9


F. Reincorporation proposals

Proposals to change the company’s jurisdiction of incorporation should be evaluated holistically, considering factors such as the company’s stated reason for incorporating, a comparison of the governance provisions, and a comparison of the jurisdictional law. Accordingly, reincorporation provisions with positive financial implications and/or positive governance implications may be supported.

Corporate and social policy issues

Proposals related to corporate issues, initiated primarily by shareholders, typically request that the company disclose or amend certain business practices. These are “ordinary business matters” that are primarily the responsibility of management and should be evaluated and approved solely by the corporation’s board of directors. Typically, we will abstain from voting or vote against these proposals absent a compelling economic impact on shareholder value (e.g., proposals to require expensing of stock options).

Proposals related to modification of the social policies linked with the international standards, the transparency as well as the imputability will have the following treatment:

A. International standards

We evaluate the stakes of social responsibility in the light of the principles establish by the International Conventions to which Canada adhered. We also wish that the companies follow the principles included in the codes of conduct developed with the collaboration of UNO (the Universal declaration of the humans’ rights and the standards of the International Labor Organization). However, proposals requiring the adoption of codes of conduct based on these recognized international standards will be processed individually.

B. Transparency and imputability

In a general way, we believe that it is preferable for shareholders to have access to sufficient information on the social and environmental policies of companies. Proposals requiring the production of reports revealing the risks related to the company’s policy of social and environmental responsibility will be processed individually. In the same way, proposals requiring the realization of independent reports will also be processed individually.

Voting in foreign markets

Corporate governance standards, disclosure requirements, and voting mechanics vary greatly among the markets outside of Canada in which we may invest. Where applicable, votes will be used to advocate for improvements in governance and disclosure by our portfolio companies. Issues presented to shareholders will respect to foreign holdings will be evaluated in the context of the Guidelines, as well as local market standards and best practices. Voting will be done in a manner philosophically consistent with the

Guidelines, while taking into account differing practices by market. In addition, there may be instances in which we will elect not to vote, as described below.

Many foreign markets require that securities be blocked or reregistered to vote at a company’s meeting. Absent an issue of compelling economic importance, we will generally not be subjected to the loss of liquidity imposed by these requirements.

The costs of voting (e.g., custodian fees, vote agency fees) in foreign markets may be substantially higher than for Canadian holdings. As such, we may limit our voting on foreign holdings in instances where the issues presented are unlikely to have a material impact on shareholder value.

Voting on a Fund’s holdings of other Funds in the Family

Certain MBII funds (“owner funds”) may, from time to time, own shares of other MBII funds (“underlying funds”). If an underlying fund submits a matter to a vote of its shareholders, votes for and against such matters on behalf of the owner funds will be cast in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders in the underlying fund.

 

D-10


AMG FUNDS IV

AMG RIVER ROAD DIVIDEND ALL CAP VALUE FUND

CLASS N: ARDEX

CLASS I: ARIDX

CLASS Z: ARZDX

AMG RIVER ROAD FOCUSED ABSOLUTE VALUE FUND

CLASS N: ARRFX

CLASS I: AFAVX

CLASS Z: ARRZX

AMG RIVER ROAD INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY FUND

CLASS N: ARLSX

CLASS I: ALSIX

CLASS Z: ARLZX

AMG RIVER ROAD MID CAP VALUE FUND

CLASS N: CHTTX

CLASS I: ABMIX

CLASS Z: ABIZX

AMG RIVER ROAD SMALL-MID CAP VALUE FUND

CLASS N: ARSMX

CLASS I: ARIMX

CLASS Z: ARSZX

AMG RIVER ROAD SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

CLASS N: ARSVX

CLASS I: ARSIX

CLASS Z: ARZMX

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DATED March 1, 2023

You can obtain a free copy of the prospectus for each of AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund, AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund (each a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”), dated March 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”), by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com. The Funds’ Prospectus provides basic information about investing in the Funds.

This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Funds. It should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ Prospectus.


The Funds’ audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and the related Notes to the Financial Statements for the Funds, as well as the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm from each Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information (meaning such documents are legally a part of this Statement of Additional Information) and are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com or the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

SAI100-0323


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

GENERAL INFORMATION

     1  

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

     2  

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

     63  

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     75  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     83  

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     103  

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

     106  

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

     111  

OTHER INFORMATION

     127  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     131  

APPENDIX A DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS ASSIGNED BY S&P GLOBAL RATINGS AND MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

     A-1  

APPENDIX B RIVER ROAD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC PROXY VOTING POLICY

     B-1  

 

i


GENERAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund (the “All Cap Value Fund”), AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund (the “Focused Absolute Value Fund”), AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund (formerly AMG River Road Long-Short Fund) (the “International Value Equity Fund”), AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly AMG Managers Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund) (the “Mid Cap Value Fund”), AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund (the “Small-Mid Cap Value Fund”) and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund (the “Small Cap Value Fund”) (each a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”). Each Fund is a series of shares of beneficial interest of AMG Funds IV, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and part of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, a fund complex comprised of 45 different funds, each having distinct investment management objectives, strategies, risks, and policies (the “AMG Fund Complex”). The Trust was organized on September 10, 1993.

Each Fund has established three classes of shares: Class N, Class I and Class Z.

Effective as of October 1, 2016, Aston Funds changed its name to AMG Funds IV.

Effective as of October 1, 2016, each Fund’s name changed as follows:

 

Former Name

  

Name as of October 1, 2016

ASTON/River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund    AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund
ASTON/River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund    AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund
ASTON/Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund    AMG Managers Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund
ASTON/River Road Long-Short Fund    AMG River Road Long-Short Fund
ASTON/River Road Select Value Fund    AMG River Road Select Value Fund
ASTON/River Road Small Cap Value Fund    AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund

Also effective as of October 1, 2016, Aston Asset Management, LLC (“Aston”), the former investment adviser to the Funds and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”), merged with and into AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”), with the Investment Manager becoming the investment manager to the Funds.

Effective as of June 30, 2017, AMG River Road Select Value Fund changed its name to AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund.

Effective as of March 19, 2021, AMG Managers Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund changed its name to AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund.

Effective as of August 16, 2021, AMG River Road Long-Short Fund changed its name to AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund.

This SAI describes the financial history, management and operation of the Funds, as well as each Fund’s investment objective(s) and policies. It should be read in conjunction with each Fund’s current prospectus, dated March 1, 2023, as supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectus”). The Trust’s executive office is located at 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

 

1


The Investment Manager, a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”), serves as investment manager to the Funds and is responsible for each Fund’s overall administration. It selects and recommends, subject to the approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”), an independent asset manager, or a team of independent asset managers (the “Subadviser” or “Subadvisers”) to manage each Fund’s investment portfolio. The Investment Manager also monitors the performance, security holdings and investment strategies of the Subadviser and researches any potential new Subadvisers for the Funds. See “Management of the Funds” for more information.

Investments in the Funds are not:

 

   

Deposits or obligations of any bank;

 

   

Guaranteed or endorsed by any bank; or

 

   

Federally insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other federal agency.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The following is additional information regarding the investment policies used by each Fund in an attempt to achieve its investment objective(s) as stated in its Prospectus. The Trust is an open-end management investment company. Each Fund, other than AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, is a diversified series of the Trust. AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust.

The following is information regarding the types of securities and instruments that may be purchased by the Funds (unless otherwise noted) to the extent such investments are permitted by applicable law. The information below does not describe every type of investment, technique or risk to which each Fund may be exposed. Each Fund reserves the right, without notice, to make any investment, or use any investment technique, except to the extent that such activity would require a shareholder vote, as discussed below under “Fundamental Investment Restrictions.”

The Board may, in the future, authorize a Fund to invest in securities other than those listed here and in the Fund’s Prospectus, provided that such investment would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and that it would not violate any fundamental investment policies or restrictions applicable to the Fund.

Any restriction on investments or use of assets, including, but not limited to, market capitalization, geographic, rating and/or any other percentage restrictions, set forth in this SAI or the Funds’ Prospectus shall be measured only at the time of investment, and any subsequent change, whether in the value, market capitalization, rating, percentage held or otherwise, will not constitute a violation of the restriction, except as stated below.

Investment Techniques and Associated Risks

(1) Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities directly or indirectly represent a participation interest in, or are secured by and are payable from, a stream of payments generated from particular assets, such as automobile and credit card receivables and home equity loans or other asset-backed securities collateralized by those assets. Asset-backed securities provide periodic payments that generally consist of both principal and interest payments that must be guaranteed by a letter of credit from an unaffiliated bank for a specified amount and time.

 

2


Asset-backed securities are subject to certain risks. These risks generally arise out of the security interest in the assets collateralizing the security. For example, credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to a number of protections from the state and through federal consumer laws, many of which give the debtor the right to offset certain amounts of credit card debts thereby reducing the amounts due. In general, these types of loans have a shorter life than mortgage loans and are less likely to have substantial prepayments, although in a period of declining interest rates, pre-payments on asset-backed securities may increase and a Fund may be unable to reinvest those prepaid amounts in investments providing the same rate of interest as the pre-paid obligations. Asset-backed securities also involve the risk that borrowers may default on the obligations backing them and that the values of and interest earned on such investments will decline as a result. Loans made to lower quality borrowers, including those of sub-prime quality, involve a higher risk of default. Therefore, the values of asset-backed securities backed by lower quality loans, including those of sub-prime quality, may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults, payment delays or a perceived increased risk of default, especially during periods when economic conditions worsen.

During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving loans, sales contracts, receivables and other obligations underlying asset-backed securities.

The Funds also invest in mortgage-backed securities, which are asset-backed securities associated with mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities and the risks associated with them are discussed under “Mortgage Related Securities” below.

(2) Below Investment Grade Securities

In General. Certain Funds may invest in below investment grade securities, subject to any limitations set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI. Below investment grade securities (also referred to as “high yield securities” or “junk bonds”) are securities rated below BBB by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), securities comparably rated by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”), or unrated securities of equivalent quality. See Appendix A for further discussion regarding securities ratings. Below investment grade securities are deemed by the rating agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and may involve major risk or exposure to adverse conditions. Below investment grade securities, while generally offering higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. The special risk considerations in connection with investments in these securities are discussed below.

Below investment grade securities generally offer a higher yield than that available from higher-rated issues with similar maturities, as compensation for holding a security that is subject to greater risk. Lower-rated securities involve higher risks in that they are especially subject to (1) adverse changes in general economic conditions and in the industries in which the issuers are engaged, (2) adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuers, (3) price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates and (4) limited liquidity and secondary market support.

Effect of Interest Rates and Economic Changes. All interest-bearing securities typically experience appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. The market values of below investment grade securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Below investment grade securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. As a result, they generally involve more credit risks than securities in the higher-

 

3


rated categories. During an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of below investment grade securities may experience financial stress which may adversely affect their ability to service their debt obligations, meet projected business goals, and obtain additional financing. Periods of economic uncertainty and changes would also generally result in increased volatility in the market prices of these securities and thus in a Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”).

Payment Expectations. Below investment grade securities may contain redemption, call or prepayment provisions which permit the issuer of such securities to, at its discretion, redeem the securities. During periods of falling interest rates, issuers of these securities are likely to redeem or prepay the securities and refinance them with debt securities with a lower interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the securities, or otherwise redeem them, a Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security, which would result in a lower return.

Credit Ratings. Credit ratings issued by credit-rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of lower-quality securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. With regard to an investment in below investment grade securities, the achievement of a Fund’s investment objective(s) may be more dependent on the Subadviser’s own credit analysis than is the case for higher rated securities. Although the Subadviser considers security ratings when making investment decisions, it does not rely solely on the ratings assigned by the rating services. Rather, the Subadviser performs research and independently assesses the value of particular securities relative to the market. The Subadviser’s analysis may include consideration of the issuer’s experience and managerial strength, changing financial condition, borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, and the issuer’s responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. It also considers relative values based on anticipated cash flow, interest or dividend coverage, asset coverage and earnings prospects.

The Subadviser buys and sells debt securities principally in response to its evaluation of an issuer’s continuing ability to meet its obligations, the availability of better investment opportunities, and its assessment of changes in business conditions and interest rates.

Liquidity and Valuation. Below investment grade securities may lack an established retail secondary market, and to the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it may be less liquid than the secondary market for higher rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may negatively impact a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a thinly traded market.

Because of the many risks involved in investing in below investment grade securities, the success of such investments is dependent upon the credit analysis of the Subadviser. Although the market for below investment grade securities is not new, and the market has previously weathered economic downturns, the past performance of the market for such securities may not be an accurate indication of its performance during future economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates. Differing yields on debt securities of the same maturity are a function of several factors, including the relative financial strength of the issuers.

 

4


(3) Borrowing

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a Fund may borrow from any bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by the Fund and provided further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, the Fund shall, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) thereafter or such longer period as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%. In addition, each of the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund may borrow up to 33 1/3% of its total assets through an interfund lending program with other eligible funds in the AMG Fund Complex (as further described below). The 1940 Act also permits an open-end investment company to borrow money from a bank or other person provided that such loan is for temporary purposes only and is in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the investment company’s total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed. Typically, a Fund may pledge up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to secure these borrowings. The Trust, on behalf of the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, has entered into a master interfund lending agreement that would allow each such Fund to borrow, for temporary purposes only, from other eligible funds in the AMG Fund Complex, subject to each such Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions and provided such borrowings do not exceed the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as modified by the below mentioned and any other applicable exemptive order or other relief. Please see “Interfund Lending” below for more information. If a Fund’s asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take prompt action to reduce its borrowings even though it may be disadvantageous at that time from an investment point of view. A Fund will incur costs when it borrows, including payment of interest and any fee necessary to maintain a line of credit, and may be required to maintain a minimum average balance. If a Fund is permitted to borrow money to take advantage of investment opportunities, if the income and appreciation on assets acquired with such borrowed funds exceed their borrowing cost, a Fund’s investment performance will increase, whereas if the income and appreciation on assets acquired with borrowed funds are less than their borrowing costs, investment performance will decrease. In addition, if a Fund borrows to invest in securities, any investment gains made on the securities in excess of the costs of the borrowing, and any gain or loss on hedging, will cause the NAV of the shares to rise faster than would otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if the investment performance of the additional securities purchased fails to cover their cost (including any interest paid on the money borrowed) to the Fund, the NAV of the Fund’s shares will decrease faster than would otherwise be the case. This speculative characteristic is known as “leverage.”

(4) Cash Equivalents

The Funds may invest in cash equivalents to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and as discussed in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI. A description of the various types of cash equivalents that may be purchased by certain Funds appears below.

Bank Obligations. Certain Funds may purchase obligations of domestic and foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations. These regulations place limitations on the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments which may be made by the bank and the interest rates and fees which may be charged on these loans and commitments. The profitability of the banking industry depends on the availability and costs of capital funds for the purpose of financing loans under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions also play a key role in the operations of the banking industry. Exposure to credit losses arising from potential financial difficulties of borrowers may affect the ability of the bank to meet its obligations under a letter of credit.

 

5


Bankers Acceptances. Bankers acceptances are short-term credit instruments used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. These instruments become “accepted” when a bank guarantees their payment upon maturity. Eurodollar bankers acceptances are bankers acceptances denominated in U.S. dollars and are “accepted” by foreign branches of major U.S. commercial banks.

Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are issued against money deposited into a bank (including eligible foreign branches of U.S. banks) or a savings and loan association (“S&L”) for a definite period of time. They earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable.

Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, a Fund buys a security from a bank or a broker-dealer that has agreed to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. The resale price normally reflects the purchase price plus a mutually agreed-upon interest rate. This interest rate is effective for the period of time a Fund is invested in the agreement and is not related to the coupon rate on the underlying security. Repurchase agreements are subject to certain risks that may adversely affect the Funds. If a seller defaults, a Fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines and may incur disposition costs in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to a seller of the security, a Fund’s ability to dispose of the collateral may be delayed or limited. Generally, the period of these repurchase agreements will be short.

The financial institutions with which a Fund may enter into repurchase agreements are banks and non-bank dealers of U.S. government securities that are listed on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s list of reporting dealers and banks, if such banks and non-bank dealers are deemed creditworthy by the Investment Manager or Subadviser. The Investment Manager or Subadviser will continue to monitor the creditworthiness of the seller under a repurchase agreement and will require the seller to maintain during the term of the agreement the value of the securities subject to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price.

In certain instances, a Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions that are novated to the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”). FICC acts as the common counterparty to all repurchase transactions that enter its netting system and guarantees that participants will receive their cash or securities collateral (as applicable) back at the close of the repurchase transaction. While this guarantee is intended to mitigate counterparty/credit risk that exists in the case of a bilateral repurchase transaction, a Fund is exposed to risk of delays or losses in the event of a bankruptcy or other default or nonperformance by the FICC or the FICC sponsoring member through which the Fund acts in connection with such transactions.

Short-Term Corporate Debt Securities. Short-term corporate debt securities include bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities, and are generally used by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors for such purposes as working capital or capital expenditures. The issuer pays the investor a variable or fixed rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earnings and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate debt obligation may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates generally. In addition to interest rate risk, corporate debt securities also involve the risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. 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.

 

6


Time Deposits. Time deposits in banks or S&Ls are generally similar to certificates of deposit, but are uncertificated.

(5) Commercial Paper

Commercial paper refers to promissory notes that represent an unsecured debt of a corporation or finance company. They have a maturity of up to nine (9) months. Eurodollar commercial paper refers to promissory notes payable in U.S. dollars by European issuers.

(6) Commodities Exposure

Certain Funds may obtain exposure to commodities indirectly by investing in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest in securities of companies engaged in the production and distribution of commodities and commodity-related products, exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”) that are linked to the returns of one or more commodity indices that reflect the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee (see “Exchange-Traded Notes” below), and such other instruments as deemed appropriate from time to time. A Fund may be exposed to a wide variety of commodity sectors, including, without limitation, agriculture, livestock, base/industrial metals, oil, energy and precious metals.

Exposure to commodities may result in losses for a Fund. Commodity prices, and the value of stocks of companies exposed to commodities, can be extremely volatile and are affected by a wide range of factors, including market movements, supply and demand imbalances, inflationary trends or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. Increased demand for commodities by emerging market countries may result in shortages and cause prices to rise, potentially resulting in speculative investments in commodities. In addition, with respect to a Fund’s exposure to commodities indirectly through companies in the commodities sector and ETNs, there are additional risks to the Fund as there is no guarantee that those companies’ investments and business strategies relating to commodities will be successful, and the value of the Fund’s investments in ETFs or other instruments exposed to companies in the commodities sector, and the value of the companies themselves, may fluctuate more than the value of the relevant underlying commodity or commodities or commodity index.

See “Exchange-Traded Notes” below for specific risks relating to a Fund’s investments in exchange-traded notes that are linked to the returns of one or more commodity indices.

(7) Contingent Convertible Securities

Contingent convertible securities (“CoCos”) are hybrid bonds typically issued by banks. When the issuer’s capital ratio falls below a specified trigger level, or in a regulator’s discretion depending on the regulator’s judgment about the issuer’s solvency prospects, a CoCo may be written down, written off or converted into an equity security. Due to the contingent write-down, write-off and conversion feature,

 

7


CoCos may have substantially greater risk than other securities in times of financial stress. If the trigger level is breached, the issuer’s decision to write down, write off or convert a CoCo may be outside a Fund’s control. Any such action could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s returns, and the Fund may suffer a complete loss on an investment in CoCos with no chance of recovery even if the issuer remains in existence.

(8) Corporate and Other Debt Securities

Certain Funds, subject to their applicable investment policies, may invest in corporate debt securities issued by U.S. and foreign companies, banks and other corporate entities.

Corporate debt securities include bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities, and are generally used by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors for such purposes as working capital or capital expenditures. The issuer pays the investor a variable or fixed rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earnings and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate debt obligation may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates generally. In addition to interest rate risk, corporate debt securities also involve the risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. 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.

(9) Derivative Instruments

The following describes certain derivative instruments and products in which certain Funds may invest and risks associated therewith. The use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks, such as liquidity risk, correlation risk, market risk, credit risk, leveraging risk, counterparty risk, tax risk and management risk, as well as risks arising from changes in applicable requirements.

A Fund might not employ any of the strategies described below or be permitted by applicable law to do so, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. Also, suitable derivative and/or hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to identify or employ a desirable derivative and/or hedging transaction at any time or from time to time or that any such transactions will be successful.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, a Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, including futures contracts on global equity and fixed-income securities, interest rate futures contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and futures contracts on security indices (including broad-based security indices), for any purpose. A Fund may invest in foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon (“options on futures”) that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system as an adjunct to their securities activities. A Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on various securities indices (“Index Futures”), including indices of U.S. government securities, foreign government securities, equity securities or fixed-income securities, and related options. Through the use of Index Futures and related options, a Fund may create economic exposure in its portfolio to long and short positions in the global (U.S. and non-U.S.) equity, bond and currency markets without incurring the substantial brokerage costs which may be associated with investment in the securities of multiple issuers. A Fund may enter into futures contracts for the purchase or sale of fixed-income securities, equity securities or foreign currencies, and may also use options on securities or currency futures contracts.

 

8


A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, foreign currency or the cash value of an index at a specified price and time. An Index Future 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 a securities index (“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 unit is the value of the relevant Index from time to time. Entering into a contract to buy units is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in an Index. Index Futures contracts can be traded through major commodity brokers. As described below, a Fund will be required to segregate initial margin in the name of the futures broker upon entering into an Index Future. Variation margin will be paid to and received from the broker on a daily basis as the contracts are marked to market, as a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. For example, when a Fund has purchased an Index Future and the price of the relevant Index has risen, that position will have increased in value and a Fund will receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, when a Fund has purchased an Index Future and the price of the relevant Index has declined, the position would be less valuable and a Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker.

A Fund will ordinarily be able to close open positions on the futures exchanges on which Index Futures are traded at any time up to and including the expiration day. All positions which remain open at the close of the last business day of the contract’s life are required to settle on the next business day (based upon the value of the relevant Index on the expiration day), with settlement made with the appropriate clearing house. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures position, and the Fund would be obligated to meet margin requirements (as discussed below) until the position is closed. Additional or different margin requirements as well as settlement procedures may be applicable to foreign stock Index Futures at the time a Fund purchases such instruments. Positions in Index Futures may be closed out by a Fund only on the futures exchanges upon which the Index Futures are then traded.

The following example illustrates generally the manner in which Index Futures operate. The S&P 100 Index is composed of 100 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The S&P 100 Index assigns relative weightings to the common stocks included in the Index, and the Index fluctuates with changes in the market values of those common stocks. In the case of the S&P 100 Index, contracts are to buy or sell 100 units. Thus, if the value of the S&P 100 Index were $180, one contract would be worth $18,000 (100 units x $180). The Index Future specifies that no delivery of the actual stocks making up the Index will take place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the contract, with the settlement being the difference between the contract price and the actual level of the Index at the expiration of the contract. For example, if a Fund enters into a futures contract to buy 100 units of the S&P 100 Index at a specified future date at a contract price of $180 and the S&P 100 Index value is $184 on that future date, the Fund will gain $400 (100 units x gain of $4). If a Fund enters into a futures contract to sell 100 units of the Index at a specified future date at a contract price of $180 and the S&P 100 Index value is $182 on that future date, the Fund will lose $200 (100 units x loss of $2). Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of Indices as well as financial instruments and foreign currencies, including but not limited to: the S&P 500; the S&P Midcap 400; the Nikkei 225; the NYSE Composite; U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; Government National Mortgage Association (“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 in which a Fund may invest will be developed and traded in the future.

 

9


A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures. Options on futures possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indices (discussed below). An option on a futures contract 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 and time(s) 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 holder acquires a short position and the writer is assigned the opposite long position. 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.

When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with its futures commission merchant an amount of margin set by the clearing house on which the contract is cleared and the Fund’s futures commission merchant. This amount may be modified by the exchange or the futures commission merchant 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 which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. A Fund may earn interest income on its initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by a Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day a 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” and is generally considered a settlement between the Fund and the exchange of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. In computing daily NAV, a 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 a Fund.

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (i.e., with the same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). 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, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. Positions in futures and options on futures may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position, and the Fund would be obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s ability to effectively hedge.

Interest Rate Futures Contracts. An interest rate futures contract is an obligation traded on an exchange or board of trade that requires the purchaser to accept delivery, and the seller to make delivery, of a specified quantity of the underlying financial instrument, such as U.S. Treasury bills and bonds, in a stated delivery month at a price fixed in the contract. Interest rate futures contracts may be purchased on debt securities such as U.S. Treasury bills and bonds, Eurodollar instruments, U.S. Treasury Notes and interest rate swaps.

 

10


Certain Funds may purchase and sell interest rate futures as a hedge against changes in interest rates that would adversely impact the value of debt instruments and other interest rate sensitive securities being held or to be purchased by a Fund. A Fund might employ a hedging strategy whereby it would purchase an interest rate futures contract when it intends to invest in long-term debt securities but wishes to defer their purchase until it can orderly invest in such securities or because short-term yields are higher than long-term yields. Such a purchase would be intended to enable the Fund to earn the income on a short-term security while at the same time minimizing the effect of all or part of an increase in the market price of the long-term debt security which the Fund intends to purchase in the future. A rise in the price of the long-term debt security prior to its purchase either would be offset by an increase in the value of the futures contract purchased by the Fund or avoided by taking delivery of the debt securities under the futures contract.

A Fund may sell an interest rate futures contract in order to continue to receive the income from a long-term debt security, while endeavoring to avoid part or all of the decline in market value of that security which would accompany an increase in interest rates. If interest rates rise, a decline in the value of the debt security held by the Fund would be substantially offset by the ability of the Fund to repurchase at a lower price the interest rate futures contract previously sold. While the Fund could sell the long-term debt security and invest in a short-term security, this would ordinarily cause the Fund to give up income on its investment since long-term rates normally exceed short-term rates.

Limitations on Use of Futures and Options on Futures. A Fund may only enter into futures contracts or options on futures 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, or in the case of options on futures, for which an established over-the-counter (“OTC”) option market exists. A Fund may utilize futures contracts and related options for any purpose, including for investment purposes and for “bona fide hedging” purposes (as such term is defined in applicable regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”)), for example, to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices. For instance, a Fund may invest to a significant degree in Index Futures on stock indices and related options (including those which may trade outside of the United States) as an alternative to purchasing individual stocks in order to adjust their exposure to a particular market.

        

Risks Associated with Futures and Options on Futures. There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options on futures 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. Some of the risk may be caused by an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contract and the price of the security or other investment being hedged. The hedge will not be fully effective where there is such imperfect correlation. Also, an incorrect correlation could result in a loss on both the hedged securities in a Fund and the hedging vehicle, so that the portfolio return might have been greater had hedging not been attempted. For example, if the price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the hedged security, a Fund would experience either a loss or gain on the future which is not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. 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 options on futures on securities, including technical influences in futures trading and options on futures, 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

 

11


creditworthiness of issuers. To compensate for imperfect correlations, a Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities if the volatility of the hedged securities is historically greater than the volatility of the futures contracts. Conversely, a Fund may purchase or sell fewer contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged securities is historically less than that of the futures contracts. The risk of imperfect correlation generally tends to diminish as the maturity date of the futures contract approaches. 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. Also, suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances.

Additionally, the price of Index Futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the relevant index due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the index and futures markets. Second, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a result, the futures market may attract more speculators than does the securities market. Increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. In addition, trading hours for foreign stock Index Futures may not correspond perfectly to hours of trading on the foreign exchange to which a particular foreign stock Index Future relates. This may result in a disparity between the price of Index Futures and the value of the relevant index due to the lack of continuous arbitrage between the Index Futures price and the value of the underlying index.

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 work to 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. If a Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it could incur substantial losses. A Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. Also, except in the case of purchased options, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain a position being hedged by the future or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account. In addition, many of the contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist. In addition, a Fund’s futures broker may limit a Fund’s ability to invest in certain futures contracts. Such restrictions may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Utilization of futures transactions by a Fund involves the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker or clearing house with whom a Fund has an open position in a futures contract or related option. See “Derivatives Counterparty Risk” and “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

 

12


Forward Currency Contracts. A Fund may enter into forward currency contracts for any purpose, including to attempt to hedge currency exposure or to enhance return. A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a currency against another currency at a future date and price as agreed-upon by the parties. A Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the forward contract or, prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, with the result that closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty. Thus, there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a forward currency contract at a favorable price prior to maturity.

A Fund may engage in forward currency transactions in anticipation of, or to attempt to protect itself against, fluctuations in exchange rates. A Fund might sell a particular currency forward, for example, when it wanted to hold bonds denominated in that currency but anticipated, and sought to be protected against, a decline in the currency against the U.S. dollar. Similarly, a Fund might purchase a currency forward to “lock in” the dollar price of securities denominated in that currency which it anticipated purchasing. See “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

Forward currency contracts are not traded on regulated exchanges. When a Fund enters into a forward currency contract, it incurs the risk of default by the counterparty to the transaction. See “Derivatives Counterparty Risk” below.

Options. A Fund may purchase and sell both put options and call options on a variety of underlying securities and instruments, including, but not limited to, specific securities, securities indices, futures contracts and foreign currencies. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security or instrument at the agreed-upon price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security or instrument at the agreed-upon price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right under the option contract.

A Fund can use both European-style and American-style options. A European-style option is only exercisable at a specified time and date. This is in contrast to American-style options, which are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.

A Fund may purchase call options for any purpose. For example, a call option may be purchased by a Fund as a long hedge. Call options also may be used as a means of participating in an anticipated price increase of a security or instrument on a more limited risk basis than would be possible if the security or instrument itself were purchased. In the event of a decline in the price of the underlying security or instrument, use of this strategy would serve to limit a Fund’s potential loss to the option premium paid; conversely, if the market price of the underlying security or instrument increases above the exercise price and the Fund either sells or exercises the option, any profit realized would be reduced by the premium. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

A Fund may purchase put options for any purpose. For example, a put option may be purchased by a Fund as a short hedge. The put option enables a Fund to sell the underlying security or instrument at the predetermined exercise price; thus the potential for loss to a Fund below the exercise price is limited to the option premium paid. If the market price of the underlying security or instrument is lower than the exercise price of the put option, any profit a Fund realizes on the sale of the security or instrument would be reduced by the premium paid for the put option less any amount for which the put option may be sold.

A Fund may write call or put options for any purpose. For example, writing put or call options can enable a Fund to enhance income or yield by reason of the premiums paid by the purchasers of such options. However, a Fund may also suffer a loss as a result of writing options. For example, if the market price of the security or instrument underlying a put option declines to less than the exercise price of the option, minus the premium received, a Fund would suffer a loss.

 

13


Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge, because declines in the value of the hedged security or instrument would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, when securities prices increase, a Fund is exposed to an increased risk of loss, because if the price of the underlying security or instrument exceeds the option’s exercise price, the Fund will suffer a loss equal to the amount by which the market price exceeds the exercise price at the time the call option is exercised, minus the premium received. If the call option is an OTC option, any securities or other assets used as cover may be considered illiquid.

Writing put options can serve as a limited long hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the underlying security or instrument depreciates to a price lower than the exercise price of the put option, it can be expected that the put option will be exercised and a Fund will be obligated to purchase the underlying security or instrument at more than its market value. If the put option is an OTC option, any securities or other assets used as cover may be considered illiquid.

The value of an option position will be affected by, among other things, the current market value of the underlying security or instrument, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying security or instrument, the historical price volatility of the underlying security or instrument and general market conditions.

A Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, a Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, a Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option; this is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit a Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.

Risks of Options. Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in a Fund’s NAV being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related instrument. A Fund may purchase or write both exchange-traded and OTC options. Exchange-traded options in the United States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between a Fund and its counterparty (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when a Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by a Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.

A Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-listed options depends on the existence of a liquid market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time. Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counterparty, or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. There can be no assurance that a Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, a Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration, if at all.

If a Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, due to the absence of a counterparty or secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit. The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by a Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.

 

14


Options have varying expiration dates. The exercise price of the options may be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security or instrument. Options purchased by a Fund that expire unexercised have no value, and the Fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid and any transaction costs. If an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. Transaction costs must be included in these calculations.

Additional risks related to options are discussed below (“Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives,” “Risks Related to OTC Options” and “Derivatives Counterparty Risk”).

Options on Indices. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, the Funds may invest in options on indices, including broad-based security indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on other investments except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities, futures contracts or other investments. When a Fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When a Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When a Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the Fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When a Fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.

Risks of Options on Indices. The risks of investments in options on indices may be greater than options on securities, futures contracts or other investments. Because index options are settled in cash, when a Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying index. A Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities or instruments similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, a Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities or instruments as those that underlie the index and, as a result, the Fund bears a risk that the value of the securities or instruments held will vary from the value of the index.

Even if a Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the “timing risk” inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, a Fund as the call writer will not learn of the assignment until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security or instrument, such as common stock, because there the writer’s obligation is to deliver the underlying security or instrument, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the underlying security or instrument, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering

 

15


it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds investments that exactly match the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those investments against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This “timing risk” is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding security or instrument positions.

If a Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.

Risks Related to OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows a Fund great flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded. In addition, OTC options are generally considered illiquid by the SEC.

Foreign Currency Options. A Fund may use currency options, for example, to cross-hedge or to increase total return when the Subadviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value. A Fund may additionally buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies as a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in relation to a foreign currency in which the Fund’s securities may be denominated. 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. A Fund might purchase a currency put option, for example, to attempt to protect itself during the contract period against a decline in the dollar value of a currency in which it holds or anticipates holding securities. If the currency’s value should decline against the dollar, the loss in currency value should be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the put. If the value of the currency instead should rise against the dollar, any gain to a Fund would be reduced by the premium paid for the put option. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. A currency call option might be purchased, for example, in anticipation of, or to attempt to protect against, a rise in the value against the dollar of a currency in which the Fund anticipates purchasing securities.

A Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the OTC market. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options. Listed options are third party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller is guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation), and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options differ from listed options in that they are bilateral contracts with strike prices, expiration dates 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 CFTC and SEC, many foreign currency options are considered swaps for certain purposes, including determination of whether such instruments need to be exchange-traded and centrally cleared, as discussed further in “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

 

16


Additional Risks of Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts, Options on Securities and Forward Currency Exchange Contracts and Options thereon. Options on securities, futures contracts, options on 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, or the prices of, foreign securities. Some foreign exchanges may be principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and a Fund may look only to the broker with whom a position is held for performance of the contract. 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. In addition, unless a Fund hedges against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which trading is done on foreign exchanges, any profits that the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.

The value of some derivative instruments in which a Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of a Fund, the ability of a Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Subadviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the Subadviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, a Fund could be exposed to risk of loss. In addition, a Fund’s use of such instruments may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments.

Certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If such a difference arises, and a Fund’s book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. A Fund may be required to accrue and distribute imputed income from certain derivative investments on a current basis, even though the Fund does not receive the income currently. A Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce the Fund’s assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return. For U.S. federal income tax information regarding derivative instruments, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below.

Swap Agreements. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, a Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, but not limited to swap transactions on interest rates, security indices (including broad-based security indices), specific securities and currency exchange rates.

A Fund may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objective(s) and policies, such as 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 a Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in a more cost-efficient manner.

 

17


Swap agreements include two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to a number of years. Swap agreements are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of types of investments or market factors. In a standard “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 calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” such as the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of a swap transaction is the agreed upon basis for calculating the payments that the parties have agreed to exchange.

Most swap agreements entered into by the Funds calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, a Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only 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 will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party that is engaged in a securities related business if the net amount owed or to be received under existing contracts with that party, along with investments in other securities issued by such counterparty, would exceed 5% of the Fund’s assets.

Whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective(s) will depend on many factors, including the Subadviser’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), may limit the Funds’ ability to use swap agreements.

Because swap agreements are two-party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven calendar days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses, and a Fund’s obligation under such agreement, together with other illiquid assets and securities, will not exceed 15% of a Fund’s net assets.

Moreover, a 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. Transactions in some types of swaps (including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps) are required to be centrally cleared and a Fund may also elect to choose other transactions that are available for clearing. In a transaction involving those swaps, a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than the original counterparty to the derivatives transaction (i.e., a bank or broker), so the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the member of the clearing house (“clearing member”) through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. See also “Derivatives Counterparty Risk” and “Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives” below.

Many OTC derivatives are complex and their valuation often requires modeling and judgment, which increases the risk of mispricing or incorrect valuation. The pricing models used may not produce valuations that are consistent with the values a Fund realizes when it closes or sells an OTC derivative. Valuation risk is more pronounced when a Fund enters into OTC derivatives with specialized terms because the market value of those derivatives in some cases is determined in part by reference to similar derivatives with more standardized terms. Incorrect valuations may result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties, undercollateralization and/or errors in calculation of a Fund’s NAV.

A Fund may enter into interest rate and currency swap transactions and purchase or sell interest rate and currency caps and floors. A Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e. the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

 

18


Derivatives Counterparty Risk. A Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to derivative contracts. There can be no assurance that a counterparty will be able or willing to meet its obligations. Events that affect the ability of a Fund’s counterparties to comply with the terms of the derivative contracts may have an adverse effect on the Fund. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there can be no assurance that the Fund will succeed in enforcing contractual remedies. Counterparty risk still exists even if a counterparty’s obligations are secured by collateral because a Fund’s interest in collateral may not be perfected or additional collateral may not be promptly posted as required. Counterparty risk also may be more pronounced if a counterparty’s obligations exceed the amount of collateral held by a Fund, if any, a Fund is unable to exercise its interest in collateral upon default by the counterparty, or the termination value of the instrument varies significantly from the marked-to-market value of the instrument. If a counterparty becomes insolvent, a Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding or may obtain a limited or no recovery of amounts due to it under the derivative contract.

Transactions in certain types of derivatives including futures and options on futures as well as some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a transaction involving such derivatives, a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house so the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the member of the clearing house (the “clearing member”) through which it holds its position. Credit risk of market participants with respect to such derivatives is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is generally obligated to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing member on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing member may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Fund’s clearing member, because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for a relevant account class. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with applicable regulations or its agreement with a Fund, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, the Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member.

Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives. It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures 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(s). Rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to a Fund of derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. It is impossible to predict fully the effects of legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.

The CFTC has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and their investment advisers to regulation by the CFTC if the registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in futures, options on futures or commodities, swaps, or other financial instruments regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act (“commodity interests”), or if a registered investment company markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds are operated by a person, the Investment Manager, who has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act

 

19


(the “CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 thereunder (the “exclusion”) promulgated by the CFTC (with respect to the Funds). Accordingly, the Investment Manager (with respect to the Funds) is not subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA. To remain eligible for the exclusion, each of the Funds will be limited in its ability to use any commodity interests and in the manner in which it holds out its use of such commodity interests. In the event that a Fund’s investments in commodity interests are not within the thresholds set forth in the exclusion, the Investment Manager may be required to register as a “commodity pool operator” and/or “commodity trading advisor” with the CFTC with respect to that Fund. The Investment Manager’s eligibility to claim the exclusion with respect to a Fund will be based upon, among other things, the level and scope of a Fund’s investment in commodity interests, the purposes of such investments and the manner in which the Fund holds out its use of commodity interests. Each Fund’s ability to invest in commodity interests (including, but not limited to, futures and swaps on broad-based securities indexes and interest rates) is limited by the Investment Manager’s intention to operate the Fund in a manner that would permit the Investment Manager to continue to claim the exclusion under Rule 4.5, which may adversely affect the Fund’s total return. In the event the Investment Manager becomes unable to rely on the exclusion in Rule 4.5 and is required to register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator with respect to a Fund, the Fund’s expenses may increase, adversely affecting the Fund’s total return.

The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. The CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.

The CFTC and U.S. futures exchanges have established (and continue to evaluate and monitor) speculative position limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. In addition, federal position limits apply to swaps that are economically equivalent to futures contracts that are subject to CFTC-set speculative limits. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, must be aggregated for purposes of complying with speculative limits. Thus, even if a Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that positions of different clients managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. Although it is possible that the trading decisions of the Investment Manager (acting in its capacity as investment manager of a Fund) may have to be modified and that positions held by a Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits, the Investment Manager (acting in its capacity as investment manager of a Fund) believes that this is unlikely. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of a Fund. A violation of position limits could also lead to regulatory action materially adverse to a Fund’s investment strategy.

The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S., the European Union (“EU”), the United Kingdom (the “UK”) and other jurisdictions is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. Recent legislative and regulatory reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), have resulted in new regulation of derivatives, including clearing, margin, reporting, recordkeeping and registration requirements for certain types of swaps contracts and other derivatives. Because these requirements are relatively new and evolving, and certain of the rules are not yet final, their ultimate impact remains unclear. Such regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in swap transactions (for example, by making certain types of swap transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such swap transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may as a result be unable to execute its investment strategies in a manner the Subadviser might otherwise choose. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in a Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to

 

20


implement its investment strategies. Rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act require certain OTC derivatives, including certain interest rate swaps and certain credit default swaps (and potentially other types of OTC derivatives in the future), to be executed on a regulated market and cleared through a central counterparty, which may result in increased margin requirements and costs for the Funds. See “Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions” below. It is also unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counterparty risk.

Additionally, U.S. regulators, the EU, the UK, and certain other jurisdictions have adopted minimum margin and capital requirements for uncleared OTC derivatives transactions. These rules impose minimum margin requirements on derivatives transactions between a Fund and its swap counterparties. They impose regulatory requirements on the timing of transferring margin. The Funds are already subject to variation margin requirements under such rules and may in the future become subject to initial margin requirements under such rules. Such requirements could increase the amount of margin a Fund needs to provide in connection with uncleared derivatives transactions and, therefore, make such transactions more expensive.

Also, as noted above, in the event of a counterparty’s (or its affiliate’s) insolvency, a Fund’s ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated. Relatively new special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the EU, the UK and various other jurisdictions provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty and may prohibit a Fund from exercising termination rights based on the financial institution’s insolvency. In particular, in the EU and the UK, governmental authorities could reduce, eliminate or convert to equity the liabilities to the Funds of a counterparty experiencing financial difficulties (sometimes referred to as a “bail in”).

Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 18f-4”) governs registered investment companies’ use of derivatives and certain financing transactions (e.g., reverse repurchase agreements). Among other things, Rule 18f-4 limits derivatives exposure through one of two value-at-risk tests, requires funds to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program (including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements), and subjects funds to certain reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Limited derivatives users (as determined by Rule 18f-4) are not, however, subject to the full requirements under the rule. In connection with the adoption of Rule 18f-4, the SEC also eliminated the asset segregation framework for covering certain derivatives instruments and certain financing transactions arising from the SEC’s Release 10666 and ensuing staff guidance. Compliance with the new rule by the Funds could, among other things, make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, or otherwise adversely affect their performance. The new rule may limit each Fund’s ability to use derivatives as part of its investment strategy.

Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions. Transactions in some types of swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default swaps on North American and European indices) are required to be centrally cleared, and additional types of swaps may be required to be centrally cleared in the future. In a transaction involving those swaps (“cleared derivatives”), a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Funds are not members of clearing houses and only clearing members can participate directly in the clearing house, the Funds will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house.

 

21


In some ways, cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, a Fund may be required to provide more margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to a bilateral derivatives transaction, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives transaction 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 transactions or to terminate those transactions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could expose a Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of a clearing house’s margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, a Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Investment Manager or Subadviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. In those cases, the transaction might have to be terminated, and a Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and/or loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Fund and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, documentation relating to cleared derivatives generally includes a one-way indemnity by the Fund in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as the Fund’s clearing member and typically does not provide the Fund any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent. While futures contracts entail similar risks, the risks likely are more pronounced for cleared swaps due to their more limited liquidity and market history.

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 a Fund. For example, swap execution facilities typically charge fees, and if a Fund executes derivatives 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 who executes cleared derivatives on a swap execution facility on the Fund’s behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Fund’s transactions on the swap execution facility. If a Fund wishes to execute a package of transactions that include a swap that is required to be executed on a swap execution facility as well as other transactions (for example, a transaction that includes both a security and an interest rate swap that hedges interest rate exposure with respect to such security), it is possible the Fund could not execute all components of the package on the swap execution facility. In that case, the Fund would need to trade certain components of the package on the swap execution facility and other components of the package in another manner, which could subject the Fund to the risk that certain of the components of the package would be executed successfully and others would not, or that the components would be executed at different times, leaving the Fund with an unhedged position for a period of time.

        

(10) Emerging Market Securities

Investments in securities in emerging market countries may be considered to be speculative and may have additional risks from those associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers. There may be limited information available to investors that is publicly available, and generally emerging market issuers are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements like those required by U.S. issuers.

 

22


Investors should be aware that the value of a Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities may be adversely affected by changes in the political, economic or social conditions, embargoes, economic sanctions, expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, controls, tax regulations and other restrictions in emerging market countries. These risks may be more severe than those experienced in non-emerging market countries. Emerging market securities trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may have greater price volatility and lack liquidity. Furthermore, there is often no legal structure governing private or foreign investment or private property in some emerging market countries. This may adversely affect a Fund’s operations and the ability to obtain a judgment against an issuer in an emerging market country.

The risks outlined above are often more pronounced in “frontier markets” in which a Fund may invest. Frontier markets are those emerging markets that are considered to be among the smallest, least mature and least liquid, and as a result, the risks of investing in emerging markets are magnified in frontier markets. This magnification of risks is the result of a number of factors, including: government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers; exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; less uniformity in accounting and reporting requirements; unreliable securities valuation; greater risk associated with custody of securities; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. In addition, the markets of frontier countries typically have low trading volumes, leading to a greater potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity. This volatility may be further increased by the actions of a few major investors. For example, a substantial increase or decrease in cash flows of institutional investors investing in these markets could significantly affect local securities prices and, therefore, the NAV of a Fund. All of these factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in other countries, including more developed and traditional emerging market countries, and any one of them could cause the NAV of a Fund’s shares to decline.

Greater China. AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund. The Fund may purchase or obtain investment exposure to renminbi-denominated securities traded on exchanges located in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), such as equity securities traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“China A-Shares”), through a variety of mutual market access programs (collectively, “China Connect”) that enable foreign investment in PRC exchange-traded securities via investments made in Hong Kong or other locations that may in the future have China Connect programs with the PRC. Examples of China Connect programs include the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program. The Fund may also invest indirectly in China A-Shares through China A Shares Access Products (“CAAPs”), such as participatory notes, and/or through collective investment schemes directly investing in China A-Shares through qualified foreign institutional investors (“QFIIs”) or Renminbi QFIIs (“RQFIIs”). The Fund may also invest in other investments including “H shares” of companies incorporated in Mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and other foreign exchanges. Trades do not cross between the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges and a separate broker is assigned for each exchange. If a Fund rebalances across both exchanges, the Fund must trade out of stocks listed on one exchange with a broker and trade into stocks on the other exchange with a separate broker. As a result, the Fund may incur additional fees.

Investments in Chinese securities are subject to various risks. In particular, the PRC exchanges have lower trading volumes, the market capitalizations of companies listed on these exchanges are generally smaller, the securities listed on these exchanges are less liquid and may experience materially greater volatility, and government supervision and regulation of the PRC securities markets are less developed than in the United States and other developed markets. The PRC government continues to exercise significant control over the PRC’s economy, and any changes to existing policies and new

 

23


reform-oriented policies and measures, which are often unprecedented or experimental, could negatively impact the Fund’s investments in Chinese securities. The PRC government has frequently and significantly intervened in domestic securities markets, in particular the markets for China A-Shares, and may do so in the future. These interventions may be introduced suddenly and in response to market conditions. Measures have included price supports, bans on short selling and limits and bans on selling securities in general. These measures may not have the desired effect and may have a negative impact on the Fund’s PRC investments. As a result of these measures, from time to time, the Fund may not be able to sell securities of PRC companies at the desired time or price, and quoted prices for securities of PRC companies may not reflect actual market prices. The PRC government has also implemented, and may implement in the future, various measures to control inflation, which if unsuccessful, may negatively impact the PRC economy. The PRC legal system is still developing, and laws, regulations (including those allowing QFIIs to invest in China A-Shares), government policies and the political and economic climate in the PRC may change with little or no advance notice. Any such change could adversely affect market conditions. The QFII rules provide the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of China wide discretion to interpret them, leaving a considerable amount of uncertainty. The application of the tax laws and regulations of the PRC to income, including capital gains, derived from certain investments of the Fund remains unclear, and may well continue to evolve, possibly with retroactive effect. Any taxes imposed on the investments of the Fund pursuant to such laws and regulations will reduce the Fund’s overall returns. Some PRC companies may have less-established shareholder governance and disclosure standards. Accounting, auditing, financial and other reporting standards, practices and disclosure requirements applicable to PRC companies are different, sometimes in fundamental ways, from those applicable to companies in the United States and other developed markets.

The Fund may gain investment exposure to certain Chinese companies through variable interest entity (“VIE”) structures. A VIE structure enables foreign investors, such as the Fund, to obtain investment exposure to a Chinese company in situations in which the Chinese government has limited or prohibited non-Chinese ownership of such company. In order to facilitate foreign investment in these businesses, many Chinese companies have created VIEs to facilitate indirect foreign ownership. In such an arrangement, a China-based company typically establishes an offshore shell company in another jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands. That shell company enters into service and other contracts with the China-based company, then issues shares on a non-Chinese exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange or the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Foreign investors hold stock in the VIE shell company rather than directly in the China-based company. This arrangement allows U.S. investors to obtain economic exposure to the China-based company indirectly through the contractual VIE structure rather than directly through formal equity ownership structure. The contractual arrangements in place with the China-based company provide limited ability for the VIE to exercise control over the China-based company and the China-based company’s actions may negatively impact the investment value of the VIE. Control over a VIE may also be jeopardized if a natural person who holds the equity interest in the VIE breaches the terms of the contractual arrangements, is subject to legal proceedings, or if any physical instruments such as chops and seals are used without authorization.

VIEs are a common industry practice and well known to officials and regulators in China; however, until recently, VIEs are not formally recognized under Chinese law. However, in late 2021, the Chinese government signaled its interest in implementing filing requirement rules that would both affirm the legality of VIE structures and regulate them. How these filing requirements will operate in practice, and what will be required for approval, remains unclear. While there is optimism that these actions will reduce uncertainty over Chinese actions on VIEs, there is also caution given how unresolved the process is. Until these rules are finalized, and potentially afterwards depending on how they are implemented, there remains significant uncertainty associated with VIE investments. If the Chinese government were to determine that the contractual arrangements establishing the VIE structure did not comply with Chinese

 

24


law or regulations, the Chinese operating company could be subject to penalties, revocation of its business and operating license, or forfeiture of ownership interests. Recently, the government of China provided new guidance to and placed restrictions on China-based companies raising capital offshore, including through VIE structures. Investors face uncertainty about future actions by the government of China that could significantly affect a Chinese company’s financial performance and the enforceability of the VIE shell company’s contractual arrangements. Under extreme circumstances, China might prohibit the existence of VIEs, or limit a VIE’s ability to pass through economic and governance rights to foreign individuals and entities. If the Chinese government takes action affecting VIEs, the market value of the Fund’s associated portfolio holdings would likely suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent consequences, which could result in substantial investment losses.

In addition, Chinese companies, including Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges, are not subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements, accounting standards or auditor oversight as companies in more developed countries. As a result, information about the Chinese securities and VIEs in which the Fund invests may be less reliable or complete. As with other Chinese companies with securities listed on U.S. exchanges, U.S. listed VIEs and ADRs may be delisted if they do not meet U.S. accounting standards and auditor oversight requirements. De-listing would significantly decrease the liquidity and value of the securities, decrease the ability of the Fund to transact in such securities and may increase the cost of the Fund if required to seek other markets in which to transact in such securities. There also may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into or litigation against Chinese companies, and shareholders may have limited legal remedies.

China Stock Connect Programs. The risks noted here are in addition to the risks described above. There are significant risks inherent in investing in China A-Shares through China Connect. The China Connect programs are relatively new. There can be no assurance that China Connect programs will not be discontinued without advance notice or that future developments will not restrict or adversely affect the Fund’s investments or returns through China Connect. The less developed state of PRC’s investment and banking systems with respect to foreign investment subjects the settlement, clearing, and registration of China A-Shares transactions to heightened risks. China Connect program restrictions could also limit the ability of the Fund to sell its China A-Shares in a timely manner, or to sell them at all. For instance, China Connect programs involving Hong Kong can only operate when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. As such, if Hong Kong markets are closed but China Connect Securities are trading in the PRC, or where China Connect programs are closed for extended periods of time because of subsequent Hong Kong and PRC holidays (or for other reasons), the Fund may not be able to dispose of its China A-Shares when it wants to in a timely manner, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or ability to meet its investment objective. The Fund’s investments in China A-Shares may only be traded through the relevant China Connect program and are not otherwise transferable.

Investments in eligible China A-Shares through China Connect programs are subject to trading, clearance and settlement procedures that could increase the risk of loss to the Fund and/or affect the Fund’s ability to effectively pursue its investment strategy, such as the prohibition on same day (turnaround) trading through China Connect programs. If an account buys China A-Shares on day “T,” the investor will only be able to sell the securities on or after day T+1. China A-Shares currently eligible for trading under a China Connect program may also lose such designation. Further, all China A-Shares trades must be settled in renminbi (“RMB”), which requires the Fund to have timely access to a reliable supply of RMB in Hong Kong, which cannot be assured.

 

25


China Connect is subject to certain restrictions that create additional operational risks. Settlement of China A-Shares occurs on T+0, which could subject the Fund to additional risk of failed trades, errors, or penalties. Under certain arrangements, investment in China A-Shares through China Connect is available only through a single broker that is an affiliate of the Fund’s sub-custodian, which means that the Fund cannot trade through another broker even if it believes it could achieve better quality of execution by doing so. Additionally, China Connect is subject to daily quota limits on purchases of China A-Shares. Once the daily quota is reached, orders to purchase additional China A-Shares through China Connect will be rejected. Investment quotas are subject to change, and although the current quotas do not place limits on sales of China A-Shares through China Connect programs, there can be no guarantee that capital controls would not be implemented that could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to remove money out of China and use it for other purposes, including to meet redemptions.

China A-Shares purchased through a China Connect program are held through a nominee structure by a Hong Kong-based depository as nominee (the “Nominee”) on behalf of investors. Thus, the Fund’s investments will be registered on the books of the PRC clearinghouse in the name of a Hong Kong clearinghouse, and on the books of a Hong Kong clearinghouse in the name of the Fund’s Hong Kong sub-custodian, and may not be clearly designated as belonging to the Fund. The precise nature and rights of the Fund as the beneficial owner of China A-Shares through the Nominee is not well defined under PRC law and it is not yet clear how such rights will be recognized or enforced under PRC law. If PRC law does not fully recognize the Fund as the beneficial owner of its China A-Shares, this may limit the ability of the Subadviser to effectively manage the Fund. The use of the nominee system also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of its sub-custodian and the depository intermediaries, and to greater risk of expropriation. Different fees, costs and taxes are imposed on foreign investors acquiring China A-Shares through China Connect programs, and these fees, costs and taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of other securities providing similar investment exposure. Furthermore, the securities regimes and legal systems of the PRC and Hong Kong differ significantly from each other and issues may arise based on these differences. Loss of Hong Kong independence or legal distinctiveness, for example, related to the Hong Kong protests that started in 2019, could undermine significant benefits of the China Connect programs. Political, regulatory and diplomatic events, such as the U.S.-China “trade war” that intensified in 2018, could have an adverse effect on the Chinese or Hong Kong economies and on investments made through China Connect programs, and thus could adversely impact funds investing through China Connect programs.

PRC Tax Risk. The Fund’s investments in China A-Shares will be subject to PRC tax rules, the application of many of many of which is uncertain. PRC taxes that may apply to the Fund’s investments include withholding taxes on dividends and interest earned by the Fund, withholding taxes on capital gains, corporate income tax, value added tax and stamp tax.

The PRC generally imposes withholding income tax at a rate of 10% on dividends, royalties, interest, and capital gains originating in the PRC and paid to a company that is not a resident of the PRC for tax purposes and that has no permanent establishment in the PRC. The withholding is in general made by the relevant PRC tax resident company making such payments. The State Administration of Taxation has confirmed the application to QFIIs and RQFIIs of the withholding income tax on dividends, premiums and interest. In the event the relevant PRC tax resident company fails to withhold the relevant PRC withholding income tax or otherwise fails to pay the relevant withholding income tax to the PRC tax authorities, the appropriate PRC tax authorities may, at their sole discretion, impose tax obligations on the Fund.

The PRC tax authorities issued a notice on November 14, 2014 (“Notice 79”) stating that QFIIs and RQFIIs (without an establishment or place of business in the PRC or without income that is effectively connected with such an establishment or place) are temporarily exempt from corporate income tax on gains derived from the trading of PRC equity investments, including China A-Shares, effective from November 17, 2014. Another notice (“Notice 81”), issued on the same day by the PRC tax authorities, states that the capital gain from disposal of China A-Shares by foreign investor enterprises via the China Connect program are temporarily exempt from income tax withholding. Notice 81 also states that the dividends derived from China A-Shares by foreign investor enterprises are subject to 10% withholding income tax.

 

26


There is no indication of how long these temporary exemptions will remain in effect and the Fund may be subject to addition PRC income taxes in the future. If, in the future, the PRC begins applying tax rules regarding the taxation of income from China A-Shares investment to QFIIs and RQFIIs or investments through the China Connect program or begins collecting capital gains taxes on such investments, the Fund could be subject to withholding income tax liability to the extent that any presumptive liability cannot be reduced or eliminated by applicable tax treaties. The negative impact of any such tax liability on the Fund’s return could be substantial.

If the Fund were considered to be a tax resident of the PRC, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide taxable income. If the Fund were considered to be a non-resident enterprise with an “establishment” in the PRC, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax of 25% on the profits attributable to the establishment. The Fund does not expect to be treated as a tax resident of the PRC and or as having an establishment in the PRC. It is possible, however, that the PRC could disagree with that conclusion or that changes in PRC tax law could affect the PRC income tax status of the Fund.

Existing guidance provides a temporary value added tax exemption for QFIIs and RQFIIs in respect of their gains derived from the trading of PRC securities. Since there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Fund may be subject to such value added taxes (and applicable surtaxes), which may be imposed in the form of a withholding tax, in the future. Stamp duty under the PRC laws generally applies to the execution and receipt of taxable documents, which include contracts for the sale of China A-Shares traded on PRC stock exchanges.

The PRC rules for taxation of RQFIIs, QFIIs and the China Connect program are evolving and certain of the tax regulations to be issued by the PRC tax authorities to clarify the subject matter may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. The applicability of reduced treaty rates of withholding in the case of an RQFII acting for a foreign investor such as the Fund is also uncertain. The imposition of any such taxes, including retroactively, could have a significant adverse effect on the Fund’s returns. The taxation of RQFIIs, QFIIs and China Connect transactions may differ from, or be applied in a manner inconsistent with the practices described in this prospectus. The value of the Fund’s investments in the PRC and the amount of its income and gains could be adversely affected by an increase in tax rates or change in PRC tax laws.

Any PRC tax liability incurred by a swap counterparty may be passed on to the Fund. When the Fund sells a swap on China A-Shares, the sale price due to the Fund may be reduced by the RQFII’s tax liability.

The above information is only a summary of the potential PRC tax consequences that may affect the Fund and its investors either directly or indirectly and is not intended to be taken as a definitive, authoritative or comprehensive statement of PRC tax law applicable to the Fund. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Fund under all applicable tax laws.

 

27


(11) Equity Investments

Certain Funds may invest in equity securities subject to any restrictions set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI. These securities may include securities listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange and securities traded in the OTC market. More information on the various types of equity investments in which certain Funds may invest appears below.

Common Stock. Common stocks are securities that represent a unit of ownership in a corporation. A Fund’s transactions in common stock represent “long” transactions where the Fund owns the securities being sold, or will own the securities being purchased. Prices of common stocks will rise and fall due to a variety of factors, which include changing economic, political or market conditions that affect particular industries or companies.

Large-capitalization companies tend to compete in mature product markets and do not typically experience the level of sustained growth of smaller companies and companies competing in less mature product markets. Also, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to competitive challenges or changes in business, product, financial, or other market conditions.

The Small Cap Value Fund may invest to a significant extent in small-capitalization companies, the Mid Cap Value Fund may invest to a significant extent in mid-capitalization companies and the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund may invest to a significant extent in small- and mid-capitalization companies.

The stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies involve more risk than the stocks of larger, more established companies because they often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources, and less competitive strength than larger companies.

Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. Convertible securities are usually subordinated to comparable tier non-convertible securities but rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure.

The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies, whose stock prices may be volatile. The price of a convertible security often reflects such variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt does not. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument, which could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective(s).

Depositary Receipts. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a United States bank or trust company, trade in U.S. markets and evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust’s office or agent in a foreign country. European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”) are trading instruments issued by the Thai NVDR Company Limited, a subsidiary wholly owned by The Stock Exchange of Thailand (the “SET”), intended to stimulate trading activity in

 

28


the Thai stock market. NVDRs are automatically regarded as listed securities in the SET. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are receipts that may trade in U.S. or non-U.S. markets. Positions in GDRs, ADRs and EDRs are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the common stocks into which they may be converted. With respect to investments in NVDRs, investors will receive all financial benefits, e.g., dividends and right issues, as if they had invested in a company’s ordinary shares, except that NVDR holders do not have the voting rights associated with the shares.

Investing in depositary receipts presents risks not present to the same degree as investing in domestic securities even though a Fund will purchase, sell and be paid dividends on depositary receipts in U.S. dollars. These risks include fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which are affected by international balances of payments and other economic and financial conditions; government intervention; speculation; and other factors. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation and political, social and economic instability. A Fund may be required to pay foreign withholding or other taxes on certain of its depositary receipts. A Fund may not be eligible to elect or may not elect to permit United States shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. In such case, the foreign taxes paid or withheld will nonetheless reduce the Fund’s taxable income. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below. Unsponsored depositary receipts are offered by companies which are not prepared to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. While readily exchangeable with stock in local markets, unsponsored depositary receipts may be less liquid than sponsored depositary receipts. Additionally, there generally is less publicly available information with respect to unsponsored depositary receipts.

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”). Certain Funds may purchase securities in IPOs. These securities are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods. The prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, a Fund may not be able to invest in securities issued in IPOs, or invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion, if any, of the securities being offered in an IPO may be made available to the Fund. In addition, under certain market conditions, a relatively small number of companies may issue securities in IPOs. Similarly, as the number of funds to which IPO securities are allocated increases, the number of securities issued to any one fund may decrease. The investment performance of a Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as a Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease.

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock pays dividends at a specified rate and generally has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuer’s assets but is junior to the debt securities of the issuer in those same respects. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors, and shareholders may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. Preferred shareholders generally have no legal recourse against the issuer if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Under ordinary circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting rights. Prices of preferred stocks may rise and fall rapidly and unpredictably due to a variety of factors, which include changing economic, political or market conditions that affect particular industries or companies. Preferred stocks of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than those of larger companies.

 

29


Secondary Offerings. A Fund may invest in secondary offerings. A secondary offering is a registered offering of a large block of a security that has been previously issued to the public. A secondary offering can occur when an investor sells to the public a large block of stock or other securities it has been holding in its portfolio. In a sale of this kind, all of the profits go to the seller rather than the issuer. Secondary offerings can also originate when the issuer issues new shares of its stock over and above those sold in its IPO, usually in order to raise additional capital. However, because an increase in the number of shares devalues those that have already been issued, many companies make a secondary offering only if their stock prices are high or they are in need of capital. Secondary offerings may have a magnified impact on the performance of a Fund with a small asset base. Secondary offering shares frequently are volatile in price. Therefore, a Fund may hold secondary offering shares for a very short period of time. This may increase the portfolio turnover rate of a Fund and may lead to increased expenses for the Fund, such as commissions and transaction costs. In addition, secondary offering shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price.

(12) Eurodollar and Yankeedollar Obligations

Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar obligations issued outside the United States by domestic or foreign entities. Yankeedollar obligations are U.S. dollar obligations issued inside the United States by foreign entities.

(13) Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a financial institution, listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. They are designed to provide investors with a way to access the returns of specific benchmark indices. ETNs are not equities or index funds, but they do share several characteristics with such investments. For example, like equities, they trade on an exchange and can be shorted. Like an index fund, they are linked to the return of a benchmark index. Unlike regular bonds, there are no periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected. An investor could lose some of or the entire amount invested. The price in the secondary market is determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the index, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. At maturity, the issuer pays a return linked to the performance of the market index, such as a commodity index, to which the ETN is linked, minus the issuer’s fee. ETNs are subject to the risk of a breakdown in the futures markets they use.

A Fund may invest in one or more ETNs linked to commodity indices as a means to obtain commodity exposure. See “Commodities Exposure” above. ETNs held by a Fund are typically linked to the performance of a commodities index that reflects the potential return on leveraged and unleveraged investments in futures contracts of physical commodities, plus interest that could be earned on cash collateral, and minus the issuer’s fee.

Each Fund invests in a manner that is consistent with its current understanding of the 90% gross income requirement for qualification as a regulated investment company. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below. There is some uncertainty under current law whether income and gain derived from commodity-linked ETNs constitute qualifying income to a Fund for purposes of this 90% gross income requirement.

A Fund’s investments in ETNs may include leveraged ETNs. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. The market value of ETNs may differ from their NAV per share. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying investments that the ETN holds. There may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.

 

30


(14) Floating Rate and Variable Rate Demand Notes

Certain Funds may purchase taxable or tax-exempt floating rate and variable rate demand notes and bonds in implementing their investment programs. Floating rate and variable rate demand notes and bonds may have a stated maturity in excess of one year, but may have features that permit the 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 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 on a variable rate demand note is reset at specified intervals at a market rate.

(15) Foreign Currencies and Related Transactions

Subject to applicable limits set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI, a Fund may invest in or utilize foreign currencies and other foreign currency-related transactions. These instruments may be used for a variety of reasons, including to hedge against foreign exchange risk arising from a Fund’s investment or anticipated investment in securities denominated in foreign currencies, to increase exposure to a foreign currency for investment or hedging purposes, or to shift exposure of foreign currency fluctuations from one currency to another.

A Fund may (but is not required to) hedge some or all of its exposure to foreign currencies derived through its investments to reduce the risk of loss due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Suitable currency hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will engage in such transactions at any given time or from time to time when it may be beneficial to do so. Foreign currency transactions may also be unsuccessful and may result in losses or may eliminate any chance for a Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.

(16) Foreign Securities

Certain Funds may invest in foreign securities, subject to any restrictions set forth in the Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI.

Investment in securities of foreign entities, whether directly or indirectly in the form of ADRs, EDRs, GDRs or similar instruments, and securities denominated in foreign currencies involves risks typically not present to the same degree in domestic investments. Such risks include potential future adverse political and economic developments, possible embargoes or economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, possible imposition of withholding or other taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers or securities than about U.S. issuers or securities, foreign investments may be effected through structures that may be complex or obfuscatory, and foreign issuers are often subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements and engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. With respect to unsponsored ADRs, these programs cover securities of companies that are not required to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. Foreign issuers also are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as domestic issuers, and many foreign financial markets, while generally growing in volume, continue to experience substantially less volume than domestic markets, and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and their

 

31


prices are more volatile than the securities of comparable U.S. companies. In addition, brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs related to investment in foreign markets (particularly emerging markets) generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such foreign markets also may have longer settlement periods than markets in the United States as well as different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of a Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in value of a portfolio security or, if the Fund had entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Settlement procedures in certain emerging markets also carry with them a heightened risk of loss due to the failure of the broker or other service provider to deliver cash or securities.

The value of a Fund’s portfolio securities computed in U.S. dollars will vary with increases and decreases in the exchange rate between the currencies in which the Fund has invested and the U.S. dollar. A decline in the value of any particular currency against the U.S. dollar will cause a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s holdings of securities denominated in such currency and, therefore, will cause an overall decline in the Fund’s NAV and net investment income and capital gains, if any, to be distributed in U.S. dollars to shareholders by the Fund. A Fund may be required to liquidate other assets in order to make up the shortfall.

The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is influenced by many factors, including the supply and demand for particular currencies, central bank efforts to support particular currencies, the movement of interest rates, the price of oil, the pace of activity in the industrial countries, including the United States, and other economic and financial conditions affecting the world economy.

A Fund may purchase securities that are issued by the government, a corporation, or a financial institution of one nation but denominated in the currency of another nation. To the extent that a Fund invests in ADRs, the depositary bank generally pays cash dividends in U.S. dollars regardless of the currency in which such dividends originally are paid by the issuer of the underlying security.

Several of the countries in which a Fund may invest restrict, to varying degrees, foreign investments in their securities markets. Governmental and private restrictions take a variety of forms, including (i) limitation on the amount of funds that may be invested into or repatriated from the country (including limitations on repatriation of investment income and capital gains), (ii) prohibitions or substantial restrictions on foreign investment in certain industries or market sectors, such as defense, energy and transportation, (iii) restrictions (whether contained in the charter of an individual company or mandated by the government) on the percentage of securities of a single issuer which may be owned by a foreign investor, (iv) limitations on the types of securities which a foreign investor may purchase and (v) restrictions on a foreign investor’s right to invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded. In some circumstances, these restrictions may limit or preclude investment in certain countries. Therefore, a Fund may invest in such countries through the purchase of shares of investment companies organized under the laws of such countries.

A Fund’s interest and dividend income from, or proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the securities of, foreign issuers may be subject to non-U.S. withholding and other foreign taxes. A Fund also may be subject to taxes on trading profits in some countries. In addition, certain countries impose a transfer or stamp duties tax on certain securities transactions. The imposition of these taxes may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to a Fund by domestic companies, and thus increase the cost to the Fund of investing in any country imposing such taxes. A

 

32


Fund may not be eligible to elect or may not elect to permit United States shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any foreign income taxes paid by a Fund. In such case, the foreign taxes paid or withheld will nonetheless reduce the Fund’s taxable income. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters” below.

Emerging Markets. The risks of foreign investing are of greater concern in the case of investments in emerging markets, which may exhibit greater price volatility and risk of principal, have less liquidity and have settlement arrangements which are less efficient than in developed markets. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which regulates auditors of U.S. public companies, is unable to inspect audit work papers in certain foreign countries. Investors in foreign countries often have limited rights and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims, including class actions or fraud claims, and the ability of the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice and other authorities to bring and enforce actions against foreign issuers or foreign persons is limited. Furthermore, the economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These emerging market economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. See “Emerging Market Securities” above.

Russia Sanctions Risk. In late February 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, significantly amplifying already existing geopolitical tensions among Russia, Ukraine, Europe, NATO and the West. Russia’s invasion, the responses of countries and political bodies to Russia’s actions, and the potential for wider conflict may increase financial market volatility and could have severe adverse effects on regional and global economic markets, including the markets for certain securities and commodities such as oil and natural gas. Following Russia’s actions, various countries, including the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, and France, as well as the EU, issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia. Sanctions threatened or imposed by these jurisdictions, and other intergovernmental actions that have been or may be undertaken in the future, against Russia, Russian entities or Russian individuals, may result in the devaluation of Russian currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, an immediate freeze of Russian assets, a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, property or interests, and/or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy or the Funds. The scope and scale of sanctions in place at a particular time may be expanded or otherwise modified in a way that may have negative effects on the Funds. Sanctions, or the threat of new or modified sanctions, could impair the ability of the Funds to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver or otherwise transact in certain affected securities or other investment instruments. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or other actions in response, which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. The extent and duration of the military actions associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the resulting sanctions, and the resulting disruption of the Russian economy are impossible to predict but may cause volatility in other regional and global markets and may negatively impact the performance of various sectors and industries, as well as companies in other countries, which could have a negative effect on the performance of a Fund, even if the Fund does not have direct exposure to securities of Russian issuers.

(17) Forward Commitments

Certain Funds may make contracts to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period for such securities (“forward commitments”) if the Fund segregates liquid assets, consisting of cash, U.S. government securities or other appropriate securities, in an amount at least equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitments. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the securities to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in value of a Fund’s other assets. A Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement and may realize short-term capital gains or losses upon such disposition. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can also involve the risk of default by the other party on its obligation, delaying or preventing the Fund from recovering the collateral or completing the transaction.

 

33


(18) Illiquid Securities, Private Placements and Certain Unregistered Securities

Certain Funds may invest in privately placed, restricted, Rule 144A or other unregistered securities. Rule 144A securities are securities that are eligible for resale without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. A Fund may not acquire illiquid holdings if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be in illiquid investments. If a Fund determines at any time that it owns illiquid securities in excess of 15% of its net assets, it will cease to undertake new commitments to acquire illiquid securities until its holdings are no longer in excess of 15% of its NAV, and, depending on circumstances, may take additional steps to reduce its holdings of illiquid securities. Subject to these limitations, a Fund may acquire investments that are illiquid or have limited liquidity, such as private placements or investments that are not registered under the 1933 Act and cannot be offered for public sale in the United States without first being registered under the 1933 Act. An investment is considered “illiquid” if the Fund reasonably expects the investment cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven (7) calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The price a Fund’s portfolio may pay for illiquid securities or receive upon resale may be lower than the price paid or received for similar securities with a more liquid market. Accordingly, the valuation of these securities will take into account any limitations on their liquidity.

The SEC has adopted a liquidity risk management rule (the “Liquidity Rule”) that requires the Funds to establish a liquidity risk management program (the “LRMP”). The Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees (defined infra), have designated the Investment Manager to administer the Funds’ LRMP and the Investment Manager has formed a Liquidity Risk Management Committee to which it has delegated responsibilities for the ongoing operation and management of the LRMP. Under the LRMP, the Investment Manager assesses, manages, and periodically reviews the Funds’ liquidity risk. The Liquidity Rule defines “liquidity risk” as the risk that the Funds could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Funds without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Funds. The liquidity of the Funds’ portfolio investments is determined based on relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the LRMP. To the extent that an investment is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Funds can expect to be exposed to greater liquidity risk. The SEC has recently proposed amendments to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act and Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act that, if adopted, would, among other things, cause more investments to be treated as illiquid, and could prevent a Fund from investing in securities that the Investment Manager or Subadviser believes are appropriate or desirable.

Rule 144A securities may be determined to be liquid or illiquid in accordance with the guidelines established by the Investment Manager and approved by the Trustees. The Trustees will monitor compliance with these guidelines on a periodic basis.

Investment in these securities entails the risk to a Fund that there may not be a buyer for these securities at a price that a Fund believes represents the security’s value should the Fund wish to sell the security. If a security a Fund holds must be registered under the 1933 Act before it may be sold, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses. In addition, in these circumstances a considerable time may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions develop, the Fund may obtain a less favorable price than when it first decided to sell the security.

 

34


(19) Interfund Lending

To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls (due to “sales fails” or other factors), each of the Focused Absolute Value Fund, International Value Equity Fund and Mid Cap Value Fund has entered into a master interfund lending agreement (“Interfund Lending Agreement”) under which a Fund would lend money and, if applicable, borrow money for temporary purposes directly to and from another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex through a credit facility (each an “Interfund Loan”), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Fund permitting such interfund lending. No Fund may borrow more than the lesser of the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as modified by the above mentioned and any other applicable SEC exemptive order or other relief, or the amount permitted by its fundamental investment restrictions. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments either directly or through a money market fund. The Focused Absolute Value Fund is not currently eligible to participate in the interfund lending program as a borrower based on the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions with respect to borrowing.

If a Fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund (a) will be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) will be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) will have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) will provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral) and that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing fund.

A Fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex, the Fund’s Interfund Loan will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a Fund’s total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility only on a secured basis. A Fund may not borrow through the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would exceed the limits imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions.

No Fund may lend to another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex through the interfund lending credit facility if the Interfund Loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending fund’s current net assets at the time of the Interfund Loan. A Fund’s Interfund Loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund’s net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event may the duration exceed seven days. Interfund Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day’s notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund.

 

35


The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the Interfund Loan could be called on one day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another fund. A delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.

(20) Investment Company Securities

The Funds may invest some portion of their assets in shares of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), open-end mutual funds (including money market funds) and closed-end funds, to the extent that they may facilitate achieving the investment objectives of the Funds or to the extent that they afford the principal or most practical means of access to a particular market or markets or they represent attractive investments in their own right. A Fund’s purchase of shares of investment companies may result in the payment by a shareholder of duplicative management fees. The Investment Manager and Subadviser to a Fund will consider such fees in determining whether to invest in other investment companies. A Fund will invest only in investment companies, or classes thereof, that do not charge a sales load; however, the Fund may invest in such companies with distribution plans and fees, and may pay customary brokerage commissions to buy and sell shares of closed-end investment companies and ETFs.

The return on a Fund’s investments in investment companies will be reduced by the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administrative fees, of such companies. A Fund’s investments in a closed-end investment company may require the payment of a premium above the NAV of the investment company’s shares, and the market price of the investment company thereafter may decline without any change in the value of the investment company’s assets. A Fund, however, will not invest in any investment company or trust unless it is believed that the potential benefits of such investment are sufficient to warrant the payment of any such premium.

ETFs that are linked to a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of investments underlying the applicable index and will incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index. Certain investments comprising the index tracked by an ETF may, at times, be temporarily unavailable, which may impede an ETF’s ability to track its index.

The market value of ETF shares may differ from their NAV per share. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the value of the underlying investments that the ETF holds. There may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.

The provisions of the 1940 Act may impose certain limitations on a Fund’s investments in other investment companies. In particular, each Fund’s investments in investment companies are limited to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company, and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to investment companies in the aggregate (the “Limitation”). Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, a Fund may invest in excess of the Limitation if the Fund and the investment company in which the Fund would like to invest comply with certain conditions, including limits on control and voting, required evaluations and findings, required fund investment agreements and limits on complex fund of funds structures. Certain of these conditions do not apply if the Fund is investing in shares issued by affiliated funds. In addition, a Fund may invest in shares issued by money market funds, including certain unregistered money market funds, in excess of the Limitation.    

 

36


As an exception to the above, each Fund has the authority to invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, restrictions, and policies as that of the Fund. A Fund will notify its shareholders prior to initiating such an arrangement.

(21) Mortgage Related Securities

Mortgage-related securities include collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMIC Certificates”), mortgage-backed bonds and “pass-throughs.” Pass-throughs, which are certificates that are issued by governmental, government-related or private organizations, are backed by pools of mortgage loans and provide investors with monthly payments. Pools that are created by non-government issuers generally have a higher rate of interest than pools of government and government-related issuers. This is because there is no express or implied government backing associated with non-government issuers.

Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA), or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (in the case of securities guaranteed by Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”)). Mortgage pass-through securities created by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other secondary market issuers) may be uninsured or 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, private insurers, or the mortgage poolers.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. CMOs are obligations that are fully collateralized by a portfolio of mortgages or mortgage-related securities. REMIC Certificates represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust, which generally holds mortgages or mortgage-related securities. There are different classes of CMOs and REMIC Certificates, and certain classes have priority over others with respect to prepayment on the mortgages. Therefore, a Fund may be subject to greater or lesser prepayment risk depending on the type of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in which the Fund invests. Although the mortgage-related securities securing these obligations may be subject to a government guarantee or third-party support, the obligation itself is not so guaranteed. Therefore, if the collateral securing the obligation is insufficient to make payment on the obligation, the Fund could sustain a loss.

A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (“Z Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security, and planned amortization class (“PAC”) certificates, which are parallel pay REMIC Certificates that generally require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes of REMIC Certificates (“PAC Certificates”), even though all other principal payments and prepayments of the mortgage-backed securities are then required to be applied to one or more other classes of the PAC Certificates. The scheduled principal payments for the PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage-backed securities. These tranches tend to have market prices and yields that are much more volatile than other PAC classes.

 

37


One or more tranches of a CMO or a REMIC Certificate (collectively, “floating-rate CMOs”) may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a specified increment over an index such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). These floating-rate CMOs may be backed by fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages. Floating-rate CMOs are typically issued with lifetime “caps” on the coupon rate. These caps, similar to the caps on adjustable-rate mortgages, represent a ceiling beyond which the coupon rate on a floating-rate CMO may not be increased regardless of increases in the interest rate index to which the floating-rate CMO is geared. The structure and performance of floating-rate tranches will vary widely as interest rates change.

Resets. The interest rates paid on the floating-rate CMOs in which a Fund may invest generally are readjusted at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are three main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities, those derived from a calculated measure such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include: the one-year, three-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury rates, the three-month Treasury bill rate, the six-month Treasury bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds Index, the National Monthly Median Cost of Funds, the one-, three- or six-month or one-year LIBOR, the prime rate of a specific bank or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others, such as the 11th District Federal Home Loan Bank Cost of Funds Index, tend to lag behind changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

Caps and Floors. The underlying mortgages which collateralize the floating-rate CMOs in which a Fund may invest will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down (1) per reset or adjustment interval and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization.

CMOs and REMIC Certificates are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. Generally, CMOs and REMIC Certificates issued by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities have lower credit risk than private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates because the underlying mortgages are either guaranteed by the U.S. government or carry an implicit guarantee of a government-sponsored enterprise. Private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates may carry higher credit risk, depending on the underlying collateral. The degree of credit risk will be reflected in the credit rating of the security. Yields on private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates historically have been higher than the yields on CMOs and REMIC Certificates issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies. However, the risk of loss due to default on such instruments is higher since they are not guaranteed by the U.S. government. The Funds will not invest in subordinated privately issued CMOs and REMIC Certificates. CMOs and REMIC Certificates have a high degree of interest rate risk. The value of a CMO and a REMIC Certificate will fluctuate more widely in response to interest rate changes than a standard debt security.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the investor will be unable to find a buyer interested in purchasing the security or willing to pay the desired price for the security. If a Fund has to sell the security before maturity, some of the principal could be lost. The markets for CMOs and REMIC Certificates, particularly private label CMOs and REMIC Certificates, at times may be very thin. A Fund’s ability to dispose of its positions in such securities will depend upon the degree of liquidity in the market for such securities. It is impossible to predict the degree of liquidity of such securities in the future.

The prices of certain CMOs and REMIC Certificates, depending on their structure and the rate of prepayments, may be volatile. Some CMOs may also not be as liquid as other securities. In addition, the value of a CMO or REMIC Certificate, including those collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, may be affected by other factors, such as the availability of information concerning the pool and its structure, the creditworthiness of the

 

38


servicing agent for the pool, the originator of the underlying assets, or the entities providing credit enhancement. The value of these securities also can depend on the ability of their servicers to service the underlying collateral and is, therefore, subject to risks associated with servicers’ performance, including mishandling of documentation. A Fund is permitted to invest in other types of mortgage-backed securities that may be available in the future to the extent consistent with its investment policies and objective.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are derivative securities usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from an underlying pool of mortgage assets. A Fund may purchase securities representing only the interest payment portion of the underlying mortgage pools (commonly referred to as “IOs”) or only the principal portion of the underlying mortgage pools (commonly referred to as “POs”). Stripped mortgage-backed securities are more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates and the market for such securities is less liquid than is the case for traditional debt securities and mortgage-backed securities. The yield on IOs is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of repayment may have a material adverse effect on such securities’ yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund will fail to recoup fully its initial investment in these securities, even if they are rated high quality. Stripped mortgage-backed securities not issued by Federal agencies will be treated by the Funds as illiquid securities so long as the staff of the SEC maintains its position that such securities are illiquid.

Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits are CMO vehicles that qualify for special tax treatment under the Code and invest in mortgages principally secured by interests in real property and other investments permitted by the Code.

GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (“Ginnie Maes”) are undivided interests in a pool of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the Farmers Home Administration or the Veterans Administration. They entitle the holder to receive all payments of principal and interest, net of fees due to GNMA and the issuer. Payments are made to holders of Ginnie Maes whether payments are actually received on the underlying mortgages. This is because Ginnie Maes are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA has the unlimited authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments to these holders.

FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. FNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates are undivided interests in a pool of conventional mortgages. They are secured by the first mortgages or deeds of trust on residential properties. There is no obligation to distribute monthly payments of principal and interest on the mortgages in the pool. They are guaranteed only by FNMA and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.

FHLMC Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates. FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government, issues participation certificates which represent interests in pools of conventional mortgage loans. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and the ultimate collection of principal, and maintains reserves to protect holders against losses due to default, but these securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Mortgage-Backed Bonds. Mortgage-backed bonds are general obligations of the issuer fully collateralized directly or indirectly by a pool of mortgages. The mortgages serve as collateral for the issuer’s payment obligations on the bonds but interest and principal payments on the mortgages are not passed through either directly (as with GNMA certificates and FNMA and FHLMC pass-through securities) or on a modified basis (as with CMOs). Accordingly, a change in the rate of prepayments on the pool of mortgages could change the effective maturity of a CMO but not that of a mortgage-backed

 

39


bond (although, like many bonds, mortgage-backed bonds may be callable by the issuer prior to maturity). Although the mortgage-related securities securing these obligations may be subject to a government guarantee or third-party support, the obligation itself is not so guaranteed. Therefore, if the collateral securing the obligation is insufficient to make payment on the obligation, the Fund could sustain a loss.

Recent Events Regarding FNMA and FHLMC Securities. 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 will purchase up to an aggregate of $100 billion of each of FNMA and FHLMC to maintain a positive net worth in each enterprise. This agreement contains various covenants, discussed below, 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 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. The U.S. Treasury’s obligations under the Senior Preferred Stock Program are for an indefinite period of time for a maximum amount of $200 billion per enterprise. In 2009, the U.S. Treasury further amended the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement to allow the cap on the U.S. Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in FNMA’s and FHLMC’s net worth through the end of 2012. In August 2012, the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement was further amended to, among other things, accelerate the wind down of the retained portfolio, terminate the requirement that FNMA 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.

FNMA and FHLMC are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remain liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement is 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 enterprise to a safe and solvent condition has been completed.

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. FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has indicated that it has no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of FNMA or FHLMC because FHFA views 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

 

40


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. 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 any approval, assignment or consent. 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 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. 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.

In addition, in a February 2011 report to Congress from the Treasury Department and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Obama administration provided a plan to reform America’s housing finance market. The plan would reduce the role of and eventually eliminate FNMA and FHLMC. Notably, the plan does not propose similar significant changes to GNMA, which guarantees payments on mortgage-related securities backed by federally insured or guaranteed loans such as those issued by the Federal Housing Association or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The report also identified three proposals for Congress and the administration to consider for the long-term structure of the housing finance markets after the elimination of FNMA and FHLMC, including implementing: (i) a privatized system of housing finance that limits government insurance to very limited groups of creditworthy low- and moderate-income borrowers; (ii) a privatized system with a government backstop mechanism that would allow the government to insure a larger share of the housing finance market during a future housing crisis; and (iii) a privatized system where the government would offer reinsurance to holders of certain highly-rated mortgage-related securities insured by private insurers and would pay out under the reinsurance arrangements only if the private mortgage insurers were insolvent.

The conditions attached to the financial contribution made by the Treasury to FHLMC and FNMA and the issuance of senior preferred stock place significant restrictions on the activities of FHLMC and FNMA. FHLMC and FNMA must obtain the consent of the Treasury to, among other things, (i) make any payment to purchase or redeem its capital stock or pay any dividend other than in respect of the senior preferred stock, (ii) issue capital stock of any kind, (iii) terminate the conservatorship of the FHFA except in connection with a receivership, or (iv) increase its debt beyond certain specified levels. In addition, significant restrictions are placed on the maximum size of each of FHLMC’s and FNMA’s respective portfolios of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, and the purchase agreements entered into by FHLMC and FNMA provide that the maximum size of their portfolios of these assets must decrease by a specified percentage each year. The future status and role of FHLMC and FNMA could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on FHLMC and

 

41


FNMA by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on FHLMC’s and FNMA’s operations and activities as a result of the senior preferred stock investment made by the U.S. Treasury, market responses to developments at FHLMC and FNMA, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by FHLMC and FNMA, including any such mortgage-backed securities held by a Fund.

On June 3, 2019, under the FHFA’s “Single Security Initiative,” FHLMC and FNMA entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of a “uniform mortgage-backed security” or “UMBS,” in place of their separate offerings of “to be announced” (TBA)-eligible mortgage-backed securities. The Single Security Initiative seeks to generally align the characteristics of FHLMC and FNMA mortgage-backed securities. The effects it may have on the market for mortgage-backed securities are uncertain and the issuance of UMBS may not achieve the intended results and may have unanticipated or adverse effects on the market for mortgage-backed securities.

A Fund’s ability to invest in UMBS to the same degree that the Fund currently invests in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities is uncertain. While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have taken steps for a smooth transition to the issuance of UMBS, there may be factors that affect the timing of the transition to UMBS or the ability of market participants, including the Funds, to adapt to the issuance of UMBS. A Fund may need to consider the tax and accounting issues raised by investments in UMBS and/or the exchange of legacy Freddie Mac securities for UMBS. Additionally, there could be divergence in prepayment rates of UMBS issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could lead to differences in the prices of Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-issued UMBS if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fail to align programs, policies and practices that affect prepayments.

Other Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Investment Manager or Subadviser anticipates that governmental, government-related or private entities may create mortgage loan pools and other mortgage-related securities offering mortgage pass-through and mortgage-collateralized investments in addition to those described above. The mortgages underlying these securities may include alternative mortgage instruments, that is, mortgage instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms to maturity may differ from customary long-term fixed-rate mortgages. As new types of mortgage-related securities are developed and offered to investors, the Investment Manager or Subadviser will, consistent with a Fund’s investment objective(s) and policies, consider making investments in such new types of mortgage-related securities.

Risks Associated with Mortgage-Related and other Asset-Backed Securities. There are certain risks associated with mortgage-related securities, such as prepayment risk and default risk. Although there is generally a liquid market for these investments, those certificates issued by private organizations may not be readily marketable. The value of mortgage-related securities depends primarily on the level of interest rates, the coupon rates of the certificates and the payment history of the underlying mortgages. The risk of defaults associated with mortgage-related securities is generally higher in the case of mortgage-backed investments that include so-called “sub-prime” mortgages.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to their underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which must pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount becomes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. This partial payment of principal may comprise a scheduled principal payment as well as an unscheduled payment from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying loans. As a result of these unscheduled payments of principal, or prepayments on the underlying securities, the price and yield of mortgage-backed securities can be adversely affected. For example, during periods of declining interest rates, prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and a Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds at the lower interest rates then available.

 

42


Prepayments of mortgages that underlie securities purchased at a premium could result in capital losses because the premium may not have been fully amortized at the time the obligation is prepaid. In addition, like other interest-bearing securities, the values of mortgage-backed securities generally fall when interest rates rise, but when interest rates fall, their potential for capital appreciation is limited due to the existence of the prepayment feature. In order to hedge against possible prepayment, a Fund may purchase certain options and options on futures contracts as described more fully above under “Derivative Instruments.”

Ongoing developments in the residential and commercial mortgage markets may have additional consequences for the market for mortgage-backed securities. During the periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving mortgage loans. Many sub-prime mortgage pools have become distressed during the periods of economic distress and may trade at significant discounts to their face value during such periods.

(22) Municipal Obligations

Certain Funds may invest in many types of municipal bonds, including, but not limited to: general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds, short-term municipal notes (including tax and revenue authorization notes), housing bonds and tax-exempt commercial paper. General obligation bonds are bonds issued by states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds from these bonds are used to fund municipal projects. Revenue bonds are bonds that receive net revenues from a particular facility or other specific source. Private activity and industrial development bonds are considered to be municipal bonds if the interest paid on these bonds is exempt from U.S. federal income tax. They are issued by public authorities and are used to raise money to finance public and privately owned facilities for business, manufacturing and housing. Short-term municipal notes are issued with a short-term maturity in anticipation of the receipt of tax funds, the proceeds of bond placements, or other revenues, and include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, and bond anticipation notes. Housing bonds are short- or long-term bonds issued by a local housing authority to finance short-term construction of typically low- or middle-income housing or long-term commitments for housing, plants, pollution control facilities, or similar projects. Tax-exempt (municipal) commercial paper typically consists of very short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes that are sold to meet the seasonal working capital or interim construction financing needs of a municipality or agency. While these obligations are intended to be paid from general revenues or refinanced with long-term debt, they frequently are backed by letters of credit, lending agreements, note repurchase agreements or other credit facility agreements offered by banks or institutions.

Investments in municipal bonds may result in liability for federal alternative minimum tax, for both individual and corporate shareholders.

Municipal issuers of securities are not usually subject to the securities registration and public reporting requirements of the SEC and state securities regulators. As a result, the amount of information available about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal obligations may not be as extensive as that which is made available by corporations whose securities are publicly traded.

A Fund’s investments in municipal securities is limited to those obligations that are sufficiently liquid that they can be sold at or near their carrying value within a reasonably short period of time and either (i) are subject to no greater than moderate credit risk; or (ii) if the issuer of the municipal securities, or the entity supplying the revenues or other payments from which the issue is to be paid, has been in continuous operation for less than three years, including the operation of any predecessors, the securities are subject to a minimal or low amount of credit risk.

 

43


(23) Obligations of Domestic and Foreign Banks

Each Fund may purchase obligations of domestic and foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations. These regulations place limitations on the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments which may be made by the bank and the interest rates and fees which may be charged on these loans and commitments. The profitability of the banking industry depends on the availability and costs of capital funds for the purpose of financing loans under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions also play a key role in the operations of the banking industry. Exposure to credit losses arising from potential financial difficulties of borrowers may affect the ability of the bank to meet its obligations under a letter of credit.

(24) Participations

Certain Funds may invest in loan participations or assignments. In purchasing a loan participation or assignment, a Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a corporate borrower. Both the lending bank and the borrower may be deemed to be “issuers” of a loan participation. Many such loans are secured and most impose restrictive covenants which must be met by the borrower and which are generally more stringent than the covenants available in publicly traded debt securities. However, interests in some loans may not be secured, and a Fund will be exposed to a risk of loss if the borrower defaults. There is no assurance that the collateral can be liquidated in particular cases, or that its liquidation value will be equal to the value of the debt. Loan participations may also be purchased by a Fund when the borrowing company is already in default. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay only a small portion of the amount owed, if they are able to pay at all. Where a Fund purchases a loan through an assignment, there is a possibility that the Fund will, in the event the borrower is unable to pay the loan, become the owner of the collateral. This involves certain risks to a Fund as a property owner.

In purchasing a loan participation, a Fund may have less protection under the federal securities laws than it has in purchasing traditional types of securities. Loans are often administered by a lead bank, which acts as agent for the lenders in dealing with the borrower. In asserting rights against the borrower, a Fund may be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights, or upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action. Assets held by the lead bank for the benefit of a Fund may be subject to claims of the lead bank’s creditors. A Fund’s ability to assert its rights against the borrower will also depend on the particular terms of the loan agreement among the parties. Many of the interests in loans purchased by a Fund will be illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund’s limit on illiquid investments.

(25) Participatory Notes and Non-Standard Warrants

AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund. The Fund may use non-standard warrants, including participatory notes (“P-Notes”), to gain exposure to issuers in certain countries. P-Notes are a type of equity-linked derivative that generally are traded OTC and constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. Generally, banks and broker-dealers associated with non-U.S.-based brokerage firms buy securities listed on certain foreign exchanges and then issue P-Notes which are designed to replicate the performance of certain issuers and markets. The performance results of P-Notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. The return on a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security generally is increased to the extent of any dividends paid in connection with the underlying security. However, the holder of a P-Note typically does not receive

 

44


voting or other rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security, and P-Notes present similar risks to investing directly in the underlying security. Additionally, P-Notes entail the same risks as other OTC derivatives. These include the risk that the counterparty or issuer of the P-Note may not be able to fulfill its obligations, that the holder and counterparty or issuer may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the instrument may not perform as expected. Additionally, while P-Notes may be listed on an exchange, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist or that the counterparty or issuer of a P-Note will be willing to repurchase such instrument when the Fund wishes to sell it.

(26) Pooled Vehicles

The Funds may invest in debt securities indirectly through pooled products typically organized as trust structures (e.g., TRAINS and TRACERS) and typically sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. TRAINS, TRACERS and similar products contain a basket of debt securities that are designed to provide broad credit exposure in a single product. A Fund will incur transaction costs associated with such products and may be subject to the credit risk of the sponsoring entity.

(27) Publicly Traded Partnerships

Publicly traded partnerships are generally limited partnerships (or limited liability companies), the units of which may be listed and traded on a securities exchange or are readily tradable on a secondary market (or its substantial equivalent). Although publicly traded partnerships are generally taxable as corporations, the Funds may invest in certain publicly traded partnerships, including master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), that qualify for treatment as partnerships for federal income tax purposes pursuant to certain limited exceptions under the Code. A Fund’s investments in such entities may be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and can bear on the Fund’s ability to qualify as such. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.” Many MLPs derive income and gain from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation or marketing of any mineral or natural resource or from real property. The value of MLP units fluctuates predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. The Funds may purchase common units of an MLP on an exchange as well as directly from the MLP or other parties in private placements. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units of an MLP have limited voting rights and have no ability to annually elect directors. MLPs generally distribute all available cash flow (cash flow from operations less maintenance capital expenditures) in the form of quarterly distributions, but a Fund will be required to include in its taxable income its allocable share of the MLP’s income regardless of whether any distributions are made by the MLP. Thus, if the distributions received by a Fund are less than that Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s income, the Fund may be required to sell other securities so that it may satisfy the requirements to qualify as a regulated investment company and avoid federal income and excise taxes. Common units typically have priority as to minimum quarterly distributions. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

An investment in MLP units involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have limited control and voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. Holders of MLP units of a particular MLP are also exposed to a remote possibility of liability for the obligations of that MLP under limited circumstances not expected to be applicable to the Funds. A Fund will not acquire any interests in MLPs that are believed to expose the assets of a Fund to liabilities incurred by the MLP. In addition, the value of a Fund’s investment in MLPs depends largely on the MLPs being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. If an MLP does not meet certain federal income tax requirements to maintain partnership status, or if it is unable to do so because of tax law changes, it would be taxed as a corporation. In that case, the MLP would be obligated to pay income tax at the entity level and distributions received by a Fund generally would be taxed as dividend income. As a result, there could be a reduction in a Fund’s cash flow and there could be a material decrease in the value of that Fund’s shares.

 

45


(28) Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

Certain Funds may invest in REITs, which are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in income-producing real estate or real-estate-related loans or interest.

REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as a Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided that they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund.

Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risk of financing projects. During periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, and such prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such mortgage REITs. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for the favorable tax treatment accorded REITs under the Code and failing to maintain their exemption from the 1940 Act. REITs, and mortgage REITs in particular, are also subject to interest rate risk.

(29) Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll Agreements

Certain Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar roll agreements with commercial banks and registered broker-dealers to seek to enhance returns. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells a security and agrees to repurchase the same security at a price and on a date mutually agreed-upon by the parties. The difference between the repurchase price and the original price is the reverse repurchase agreement rate, which reflects the interest rate in effect for the term of the agreement. Dollar rolls are transactions in which a Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase under the agreement. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement or dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether or not to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. For the purposes of the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls can be viewed as the borrowing of money by a Fund and, therefore, a form of leverage which may magnify any gains or losses for the Fund. A Fund may only enter into reverse repurchase agreements up to 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets taken at market value (computed at the time the loan is made), including the amount borrowed.

 

46


(30) Securities Lending

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in order to realize additional income. This lending is subject to a Fund’s policies and restrictions. A Fund may lend its investment securities so long as (i) the loan is secured by collateral having a market value at all times not less than 102% (105% in the case of certain foreign securities) of the value of the securities loaned, (ii) such collateral is marked to market on a daily basis, (iii) the loan is subject to termination by the Fund at any time, and (iv) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan. When cash is received as collateral, each Fund will invest the cash received in short-term instruments to earn additional income. The Fund will bear the risk of any loss on any such investment; however, the Funds’ securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify each Fund against loss on the investment of the cash collateral. The Fund may pay reasonable finders, administrative and custodial fees to persons that are unaffiliated with the Fund for services in connection with loans of portfolio securities. While voting rights may pass with the loaned portfolio securities, to the extent possible, the loan will be recalled on a reasonable efforts basis and the securities voted by the Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Funds’ securities lending agent.

(31) Short Sales

The Funds may engage in “short sales against the box,” which involve selling short a security in which the Fund currently holds a position or that the Fund has a right to acquire, while at the same time maintaining its current position in that security or retaining the right to acquire the security. In order to engage in a short sale against the box, a Fund arranges with a broker or other counterparty, which may be the Fund’s custodian, to borrow the security being sold short. A Fund must deposit with or for the benefit of the broker or other counterparty collateral, consisting of cash, or marketable securities, to secure the Fund’s obligation to replace the security and segregate liquid assets, so that the total of the amounts deposited with the broker or other counterparty and segregated is equal to the current value of the securities sold short. In addition, a Fund must pay the broker or other counterparty any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed security during the time the short position is open. In order to close out its short position, the Fund will replace the security by purchasing the security at the price prevailing at the time of replacement or taking the security the Fund otherwise holds and delivering it to the broker or other counterparty. If the price of the security sold short has increased since the time of the short sale, the Fund will incur a loss in addition to the costs associated with establishing, maintaining and closing out the short position. A Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited because there is no upward limit on the price the security sold short could attain. If the price of the security sold short has decreased since the time of the short sale, the Fund will experience a gain to the extent the difference in price is greater than the costs associated with establishing, maintaining and closing out the short position. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

A Fund may also engage in short sales “not against the box,” which are generally short sales of securities in which the Fund does not currently hold a long position. Short sales that are not made “against the box” create opportunities to increase a Fund’s return but, at the same time, involve special risk considerations and may be considered a speculative technique. Since a Fund in effect profits from a decline in the price of the securities sold short without the need to invest the full purchase price of the securities on the date of the short sale, the Fund’s NAV per share will tend to increase more when the securities it has sold short decrease in value, and to decrease more when the securities it has sold short increase in value, than would otherwise be the case if it had not engaged in short sales. Similar to short sales against the box, short sales not against the box theoretically involve unlimited loss potential, as the

 

47


market price of securities sold short may continuously increase. Under adverse market conditions, a Fund might have difficulty purchasing securities to meet its short sale delivery obligations, and might have to sell portfolio securities to raise the capital necessary to meet its short sale obligations at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.

A Fund may also maintain short positions in forward currency exchange transactions, in which a Fund agrees to exchange currency that it does not own at that time for another currency at a future date and specified price in anticipation of a decline in the value of the currency sold short relative to the currency that a Fund has contracted to receive in the exchange. To ensure that any short position of a Fund is not used to achieve leverage, a Fund segregates cash or liquid assets equal to the fluctuating market value of the currency as to which any short position is being maintained. Whenever a Fund is required to segregate assets for 1940 Act purposes, notations on the books of the Trust’s custodian or fund accounting agent are sufficient to constitute a segregated account.

The SEC and other (including non-U.S.) regulatory authorities have imposed, and may in the future impose, restrictions on short selling, either on a temporary or permanent basis, which may include placing limitations on specific companies and/or industries with respect to which a Fund may enter into short positions. Any such restrictions may hinder a Fund in, or prevent it from, fully implementing its investment strategies, and may negatively affect performance.

(32) Special Purpose Acquisition Companies

The Funds may invest in stock, rights, warrants, and other securities of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) or similar special purpose entities. A SPAC is a publicly traded company that raises investment capital in the form of a blind pool via an IPO for the purpose of acquiring an existing company. The shares of a SPAC are typically issued in “units” that include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares or partial shares. At a specified time following the SPAC’s IPO (generally 1-2 months), the rights and warrants may be separated from the common stock at the election of the holder, after which they become freely tradeable. After going public and until an acquisition is completed, a SPAC generally invests the proceeds of its IPO (less a portion retained to cover expenses), which are held in trust, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash. To the extent the SPAC is invested in cash or similar securities, this may impact a Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. If a SPAC does not complete an acquisition within a specified period of time after going public, the SPAC is dissolved, at which point the invested funds are returned to the SPAC’s shareholders (less certain permitted expenses) and any rights or warrants issued by the SPAC expire worthless.

Because SPACs and similar entities are in essence blank check companies without an operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the entity’s management to identify and complete a profitable acquisition. Some SPACs may pursue acquisitions only within certain industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their prices. In addition, the securities issued by a SPAC, which are typically traded in the OTC market, may be considered illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale.

(33) Stripped Securities

Stripped Securities (“STRIPS”) are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of underlying assets. A common type of STRIP will have one class receiving all of the interest from the underlying assets (“interest-only” or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (“principal only” or “PO” class). However, in some instances, one class will receive some of the interest and most of the principal while the other class

 

48


will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. STRIPS are unusually volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yield to maturity on an IO class of STRIPS is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurably adverse effect on a Fund’s yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs.

Conversely, POs tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. Thus, if the underlying assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may fail to fully recover its initial investment in these securities, even if the STRIPS were rated of the highest credit quality by S&P or Moody’s, respectively. These risks (and potential benefits), as described in “Derivatives Risk” in the Prospectus, will be managed by investing in a variety of such securities and by using certain hedging techniques. In addition, the secondary market for STRIPS may be less liquid than that for other mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, potentially limiting a Fund’s ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Interest-only STRIPS may be purchased for their hedging characteristics. Because of their structure, interest-only STRIPS will most likely move differently than typical fixed-income securities in relation to changes in interest rates. For example, with increases in interest rates, these securities will typically increase rather than decrease in value. As a result, since they move differently in relation to changes in interest rates than the typical investments held by a Fund, interest-only STRIPS can be used as hedging instruments to reduce the variance of a Fund’s NAV from its targeted option-adjusted duration. There can be no assurance that the use of interest-only STRIPS will be effective as a hedging technique, in which event, a Fund’s overall performance may be less than if the Fund had not purchased the STRIPS.

The determination of whether certain IO and PO STRIPS issued by the U.S. Government and backed by fixed-rate mortgages are liquid shall be made by the Trustees in accordance with applicable pronouncements of the SEC. At present all other IO and PO STRIPS are treated as illiquid securities for the purposes of the 15% limitation on illiquid securities as a percentage of a Fund’s net assets.

In addition to STRIPS issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, the Funds may purchase STRIPS issued by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of these entities. However, each Fund will purchase only STRIPS that are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

(34) Temporary Defensive Positioning

The investments and strategies described throughout the Prospectus are those the Subadviser intends to use under normal circumstances. When the Subadviser determines that market or other conditions warrant, a Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in money market instruments or hold U.S. dollars. When a Fund is investing for temporary or defensive purposes, it is not pursuing its investment objective(s).

(35) Trust Originated Preferred Securities

Certain Funds may invest in trust originated preferred securities, a relatively new type of security issued by financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies and other issuers. Trust originated preferred securities represent interests in a trust formed by the issuer. The trust sells preferred shares and invests the proceeds in notes issued by the same entity. These notes may be subordinated and unsecured. Distributions on the trust originated preferred securities match the interest payments on the notes; if no interest is paid on the notes, the trust will not make current payments on its preferred securities. Issuers of the notes currently enjoy favorable tax treatment. If the tax characterization of these securities were to change adversely, they could be redeemed by the issuers, which could result in a loss to the Fund. In addition, some trust originated preferred securities are available only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A.

 

49


(36) U.S. Treasury and Government Securities and Securities of International Organizations

The Funds may invest in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury. These obligations include Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which have their principal and interest payments backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

The Funds may invest in obligations issued by the agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. These obligations may or may not be backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include obligations of the GNMA, the Farmers Home Administration and the Export-Import Bank. For those securities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Fund must principally look to the federal agency guaranteeing or issuing the obligation for ultimate repayment and therefore may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself for repayment in the event that the issuer does not meet its commitments. The securities in which the Funds may invest that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include, but are not limited to: (a) obligations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the FHLMC, the Federal Home Loan Banks and the U.S. Postal Service, each of which has the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations; (b) securities issued by the FNMA, which are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and (c) obligations of the Federal Farm Credit System and the Student Loan Marketing Association, each of whose obligations may be satisfied only by the individual credits of the issuing agency. Such securities may involve increased risk, including loss of principal and interest, compared to government debt securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Securities issued by international organizations, such as Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian-American Development Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), are not U.S. government securities. These international organizations, while not U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, have the ability to borrow from member countries, including the United States.

(37) Unit Investment Trusts

A Unit Investment Trust (“UIT”) is a type of investment company. Investments in UITs are subject to regulations limiting a Fund’s acquisition of investment company securities. Standard and Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), DIAMONDS, MDYs and similar investments are interests in UITs that may be obtained directly from the UIT or purchased in the secondary market. SPDRs consist of a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index. DIAMONDS and MDYs consist of a portfolio of securities substantially similar to the component securities of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and of the Standard and Poor’s MidCap 400 Index, respectively.

The price of a UIT interest is derived and based upon the securities held by the UIT. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of a UIT interest is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for UITs is based on a basket of stocks. Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying UITs purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on UITs. Trading in UITs involves risks similar to the risks, involved in the writing of options on securities, described above under “Derivative Instruments—Options.”

 

50


Interests in UITs are not individually redeemable, except upon termination of the UIT. To redeem, a Fund must accumulate a certain amount of UIT interests. The liquidity of small holdings of UITs, therefore, depends upon the existence of a secondary market. Upon redemption of a UIT interest, a Fund receives securities and cash identical to the deposit required of an investor wishing to purchase a UIT interest that day.

(38) Unit Trusts

Unit trusts are pooled investment vehicles located outside the United States that are operated similarly to mutual funds in the United States. In a unit trust, an asset management firm solicits a pool of capital from investors by issuing a specific quantity of shares and uses the capital for professional investments. An investment in units of a unit trust is subject to risks similar to those applicable to an investment in an open-end mutual fund, including that market risk, which is the risk that the market value of the trust’s investments could decline as a result of business, economic, political or other factors, resulting in a decline in the trust’s NAV. When a Fund invests in units of a unit trust, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the trust’s fees and expenses, as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. In addition, an investment in units of a unit trust is subject to general foreign securities risks, including currency risk, and may be less liquid than an investment in a U.S. mutual fund.

(39) Variable and Floating Rate Securities

Variable rate securities provide for automatic establishment of a new interest rate at fixed intervals (i.e., daily, monthly, semi-annually, etc.). Floating rate securities provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever some specified interest rate index changes. The amount of interest to be paid to the holder is typically contingent on another rate (“contingent security”) such as the yield on 90-day Treasury bills. Variable rate securities may also include debt securities which have an interest rate which resets in the opposite direction of the rate of the contingent security.

(40) Warrants and Rights

Rights are short-term obligations issued in conjunction with new stock issues. Warrants give the holder the right to buy an issuer’s securities at a stated price for a stated time. The holder of a right or warrant has the right to purchase a given number of shares of a security of a particular issuer at a specified price until expiration of the right or warrant. Such investments provide greater potential for profit than a direct purchase of the same amount of the securities. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities, and warrants are considered speculative investments. They pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option. If the price of the underlying securities does not rise above the exercise price before the date of expiration of a warrant or right, or if a warrant or right is not otherwise exercised by the date of its expiration, a Fund would lose its entire investment in such warrant or right.

(41) When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and To-Be-Announced Securities

Certain Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. The purchase price and the interest rate payable, if any, on the securities are fixed on the purchase commitment date or at the time the settlement date is fixed. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation. For fixed-income securities, no interest accrues to a Fund until a settlement takes place. At the time a Fund makes a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, it will record the transaction, reflect the daily value of the securities when determining its NAV, and if applicable, calculate the maturity for the purposes of determining its average maturity from the date of the transaction. At the time of settlement, a when-issued or delayed-delivery security may be valued below the amount of its purchase price.

 

51


If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued or delayed-delivery security prior to its acquisition, it could incur a loss or a gain due to market fluctuation. Furthermore, a Fund may be at a disadvantage if the other party to the transaction defaults. When-issued and delayed-delivery transactions may allow a Fund to hedge against changes in interest rates.

In addition, certain Funds may purchase or sell securities, including mortgage-backed securities, in the to-be-announced (“TBA”) market. A TBA purchase commitment is a security that is purchased or sold for a fixed price and the underlying securities are announced at a future date. The seller does not specify the particular securities to be delivered. Instead, a Fund agrees to accept any security that meets specified terms. For example, in a TBA mortgage-backed security transaction, a Fund and the seller would agree upon the issuer, interest rate and terms of the underlying mortgages. The seller would not identify the specific underlying mortgages until it issues the security. The purchaser of TBA securities generally is subject to increased market risk and interest rate risk because the delivered securities may be less favorable than anticipated by the purchaser.

Proposed Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) rules include mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market that would, if implemented, require a Fund to post collateral in connection with its TBA transactions. There is no similar requirement applicable to a Fund’s TBA counterparties. If those rules are implemented, the required collateralization of TBA trades could increase the cost of TBA transactions to a Fund and impose added operational complexity.

(42) Zero Coupon Securities

Certain Funds may invest in zero coupon securities. “Zero coupon” securities are issued at a significant discount from face value and pay interest only at maturity rather than at intervals during the life of the security. Zero coupon securities tend to be more volatile than other securities with similar stated maturities, but which make regular payments of either principal or interest.

A Fund is required to accrue and distribute imputed income from zero coupon securities on a current basis, even though it does not receive the income currently. A Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce a Fund’s assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return.

Additional Risks

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

The Funds are subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, including widespread epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and systemic market dislocations can be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Those events as well as other changes in non-U.S. and domestic economic and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Fund’s investments.

 

52


The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations or reductions, disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment. The impact of this outbreak and any other epidemic or pandemic that may arise in the future could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of capital markets and other markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways. This crisis or other public health crises may also exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. At this time, it is still not possible to estimate the severity or duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the severity, duration and frequency of any additional “waves” or emerging variants of COVID-19, or the efficacy or utilization of any therapeutic treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 or variants thereof. It is likewise still not possible to predict or estimate the longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, or any actions taken to contain or address the pandemic, on the Funds, the financial markets, and the economy at large. The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates, supply chain disruptions and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of securities or other assets. Such impacts, which may vary across asset classes, may adversely affect the performance of a Fund’s investments, the Fund and your investment in the Fund.

Given the increasing interdependence between global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the Euro and the European Monetary Union (the “EMU”) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU, or any continued uncertainty as to its status, could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of a Fund’s investments. The UK left the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”) on January 31, 2020. An agreement between the UK and the EU governing their future trade relationship became effective January 1, 2021, but critical aspects of the relationship remain unresolved and subject to further negotiation and agreement. Brexit has resulted in volatility in European and global markets and could have negative long-term impacts on financial markets in the UK and throughout Europe. Significant uncertainty remains in the market regarding the ramifications of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and the arrangements that will apply to the UK’s relationship with the EU and other countries following its withdrawal; the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes are difficult to predict. Moreover, other countries may seek to withdraw from the EU and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the EU. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. Whether or not a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of a majority of U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after the end of 2021. The transition away from and eventual elimination of LIBOR may adversely affect the

 

53


interest rates on, and liquidity and value of, certain assets and liabilities of a Fund that are tied to LIBOR. These may include bank loans, floating rate securities, structured securities (including asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities), other debt securities, derivatives, and other assets or liabilities tied to LIBOR, particularly insofar as the documentation governing such instruments does not include “fall back” provisions addressing the transition from LIBOR. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR, and the Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate, which is intended to replace GBP LIBOR). Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity of investments impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Funds. The effect of any changes to, or discontinuation of, LIBOR on the Funds will vary depending, among other things, on (1) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts and (2) the extent to which industry participants adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. A Subadviser may have discretion to determine a successor or substitute reference rate, including any price or other adjustments to account for differences between the successor or substitute reference rate and previous rate. Such successor or substitute reference rate and any adjustments selected may negatively impact a Fund’s investments, performance or financial condition, and may expose the Fund to additional tax, accounting and regulatory risks. The transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates may affect the value, liquidity or return on certain Fund investments and may result in costs incurred in connection with closing out positions and entering into new trades, adversely impacting a Fund’s overall financial condition or results of operations. It is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of alternative reference rates on the Funds.

Unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the United States and abroad, such as the U.S.-China “trade war” that intensified in 2018, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The current political climate and the further escalation of a trade war between China and the United States may have an adverse effect on both the U.S. and Chinese economies, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. In January 2020, the U.S. and China signed a “Phase 1” trade agreement that reduced some U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods while boosting Chinese purchases of American goods. However, this agreement left in place a number of existing tariffs, and it is unclear whether further trade agreements may be reached in the future. Events such as these and their impact on the Funds are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.

Cyber Security Risk

With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, investment companies (such as the Funds) and their service providers (including the Investment Manager) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, the Investment Manager, the Subadviser, or a custodian, transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions,

 

54


shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. The Funds may also incur substantial costs for cyber security risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. While the Investment Manager has established business continuity plans and systems designed to prevent cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. The Funds rely on third-party service providers for many of their day-to-day operations, and are subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Funds from cyber-attack. Any problems relating to the performance and effectiveness of security procedures used by the Funds or third-party service providers to protect the Funds’ assets, such as algorithms, codes, passwords, multiple signature systems, encryption and telephone call-backs, may have an adverse impact on an investment in a Fund. The Investment Manager does not control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Investment Manager or the Funds. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

Diversification Requirements for the Funds

Each Fund, with the exception of the Focused Absolute Value Fund, intends to meet the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act as in effect from time to time. Currently under the 1940 Act, a “diversified” fund generally may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer (except, in each case, U.S. Government securities, cash, cash items and the securities of other investment companies). The remaining 25% of a fund’s total assets is not subject to this limitation. A fund that is non-diversified can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer or a group of issuers, and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit, market, and other risks than a diversified fund. The poor performance by a single issuer may have a greater impact on the performance of a non-diversified fund. A non-diversified fund’s shares tend to be more volatile than shares of a diversified fund and are more susceptible to the risks of focusing investments in a small number of issuers or industries, and the risks of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The following investment restrictions have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Funds. Except as otherwise stated, these investment restrictions are “fundamental” policies. A “fundamental” policy is defined in the 1940 Act to mean that the restriction cannot be changed without the vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Funds. A majority of the outstanding voting securities is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund

The Fund may not (except as noted):

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

 

55


(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, the Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) As to 75% of the total assets of the Fund, purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of such issuer.

(5) Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that the Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowing. The Fund may not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets, except in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not in excess of the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the time of its borrowing. All borrowings will be done from a bank and asset coverage of at least 300% is required. The Fund will not purchase securities when borrowings exceed 5% of that Fund’s total assets.

(6) Invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of companies less than three years old. Such three-year periods shall include the operation of any predecessor trust or companies.

(7) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

(8) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(9) Purchase the securities of any one issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

(10) Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by the Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

(11) Make loans, except that this restriction shall not prohibit (a) the purchase and holding of debt instruments in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, (b) the lending of portfolio securities, or (c) the entry into repurchase agreements with banks or broker-dealers.

(12) Invest in puts, calls, straddles or combinations thereof, except to the extent disclosed in the SAI.

(13) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

With respect to limitation (7) above, such limitation should not be deemed to prohibit investments in forwards, swaps or other instruments that were not deemed “commodity interests” prior to July 21, 2010.

 

56


Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund and AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund

Each Fund may not (except as noted):

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Funds from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of a Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, a Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with such Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

(5) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(6) Purchase the securities of any one issuer if, immediately after such purchase, a Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

(7) Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by a Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

(8) Make loans, except that this restriction shall not prohibit (a) the purchase and holding of debt instruments in accordance with a Fund’s investment objectives and policies, (b) the lending of portfolio securities, or (c) the entry into repurchase agreements with banks or broker-dealers.

(9) Invest in puts, calls, straddles or combinations thereof, except to the extent disclosed in the SAI.

(10)(a) Except for AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund: Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that a Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowing.

(b) For AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund: Borrow money or issue senior securities, except that each Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowing. The Funds may not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any assets, except in connection with any such borrowing and in amounts not in excess of the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the time of its borrowing. All borrowings will be done from a bank and asset coverage of at least 300% is required. A Fund will not purchase securities when borrowings exceed 5% of that Fund’s total assets.

 

57


(11) Except for AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund: As to 75% of the total assets of the Fund, purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than cash, other investment companies and securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer.

(12) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

With respect to limitation (4) above, such limitation should not be deemed to prohibit investments in forwards, swaps or other instruments that were not deemed “commodity interests” prior to July 21, 2010.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund

The Fund may not (except as noted):

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, the Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

(5) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

(5) Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from banks and enter into reverse repurchase agreements for temporary purposes in amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets at the time of such borrowing.

(6) Purchase physical commodities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief or unless acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or instruments, but this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing futures contracts, options, foreign currencies or forward contracts, swaps, caps, collars, floors and other financial instruments or from investing in securities of any kind.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund

The Fund may:

(1) Borrow money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

 

58


The Fund may not:

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate).

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, the Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

(5) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(6) Issue senior securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), except in connection with permitted borrowings as described above or as permitted by rule, regulation or order of the SEC.

(7) Make loans, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(8) Purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by the Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

With respect to limitation (4) above, such limitation should not be deemed to prohibit investments in forwards, swaps or other instruments that were not deemed “commodity interests” prior to July 21, 2010.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions of AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund

The Fund may:

(1) Borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

 

59


(2) Lend money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.

The Fund may not (except as noted):

(1) Purchase or sell real estate (but this restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing directly or indirectly in portfolio instruments secured by real estate or interests therein or acquiring securities of real estate investment trusts or other issuers that deal in real estate), interests in oil, gas and/or mineral exploration or development programs or leases.

(2) Purchase the securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase the value of the Fund’s investments in such industry would exceed 25% of the value of the total assets of the Fund.

(3) Act as an underwriter of securities, except that, in connection with the disposition of a security, the Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.

(4) As to 75% of the total assets of the Fund, purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such purchase, more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of such issuer.

(5) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may enter into futures contracts and options thereon in accordance with such Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

(6) Make investments in securities for the purpose of exercising control.

(7) Purchase the securities of any one issuer if, immediately after such purchase, the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

(8) Sell securities short or purchase securities on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions. For this purpose, the deposit or payment by the Fund for initial or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts is not considered to be the purchase or sale of a security on margin.

(9) Invest in puts, calls, straddles or combinations thereof, except to the extent disclosed in the SAI.

With respect to limitation (5) above, such limitation should not be deemed to prohibit investments in forwards, swaps or other instruments that were not deemed “commodity interests” prior to July 21, 2010.

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions of Funds Other Than AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund

The following restrictions are designated as non-fundamental with respect to each Fund other than AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund and may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder approval.

 

60


(1) Except as otherwise provided in a Fund’s Prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund will only purchase call options to the extent that the premiums paid on all outstanding call options do not exceed 20% of that Fund’s total assets.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in a Fund’s Prospectus or in this SAI, a Fund will only purchase put options to the extent that the premiums paid on all outstanding put options do not exceed 20% of that Fund’s total assets.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in a Fund’s Prospectus or in this SAI, with regard to the writing of put options, a Fund will limit the aggregate value of the obligations underlying such put options to 50% of its total assets.

(4) Each Fund will limit investments in securities of issuers which a Fund is restricted from selling to the public without registration under the 1933 Act to no more than 5% of a Fund’s total assets, excluding restricted securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the 1933 Act, that have been deemed to be liquid pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board. Securities of foreign issuers that are restricted as to resale in the U.S., but are freely tradable in their local market, are not subject to this restriction.

Portfolio Turnover

Generally, the Funds purchase securities for investment purposes and not for short-term trading profits. However, each Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time that the security is held in the portfolio when the Fund believes the sale is consistent with the Fund’s investment strategies and in the Fund’s best interest to do so. A higher degree of portfolio activity may increase brokerage costs to a Fund and may increase shareholders’ tax liability.

The portfolio turnover rates for each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 were as follows:

All Cap Value Fund

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Portfolio Turnover Rate  

October 31, 2021

     20

October 31, 2022

     30

Focused Absolute Value Fund

 

Period/Fiscal Year Ended

   Portfolio Turnover Rate  

October 31, 2021

     83

October 31, 2022

     113

International Value Equity Fund*

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Portfolio Turnover Rate  

October 31, 2021

     159

October 31, 2022

     51

Mid Cap Value Fund**

 

Fiscal Year Ended

   Portfolio Turnover Rate  

October 31, 2021

     149

October 31, 2022

     71

 

61


Small-Mid Cap Value Fund

 

Fiscal Year Ended    Portfolio Turnover Rate  

October 31, 2021

     44

October 31, 2022

     32

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Fiscal Year Ended    Portfolio Turnover Rate  

October 31, 2021

     39

October 31, 2022

     33

 

*

The International Value Equity Fund’s higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 from that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on August 16, 2021.

**

The Mid Cap Value Fund’s higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 from that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is attributable to changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent selective disclosure of each Fund’s portfolio holdings to third parties, other than disclosures that are consistent with the best interests of shareholders of a Fund. Each Fund will disclose its portfolio holdings on a monthly basis on or about the 10th business day of the following month by posting this information on the Fund’s website. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust may designate an earlier or later date for public disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings. In addition, each Fund (i) may disclose the top 10 portfolio holdings at any time following the disclosure of portfolio holdings, and (ii) may disclose statistical information regarding such Fund’s portfolio allocation characteristics on or about 10 business days after each month-end, or may disclose such information if it is derived from publicly available portfolio holdings, in each case, by posting the information on the Fund’s website. Non-public portfolio holdings may also be disclosed by a Fund or its duly authorized service providers to certain third parties, including mutual fund evaluation services, rating agencies, lenders or providers of borrowing facilities, if (i) the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust has made a determination that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information in the manner and at the time proposed is consistent with a legitimate business purpose of the Fund; and (ii) the recipient has been informed in writing that it is subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to that information and undertakes not to trade in securities or other property on the basis of that information unless and until that information is made publicly available. The Board of Trustees receives reports of any potential exceptions to, or violations of, the Trust’s policies and procedures governing disclosure of portfolio holdings that are deemed to constitute a material compliance matter. The Chief Compliance Officer or his designee is responsible for monitoring compliance with these procedures, including requesting information from service providers.

The Trust has arrangements with the persons indicated below to make available information about a Fund’s portfolio securities. The Trust’s policies and procedures prohibit any person or entity from receiving compensation or consideration of any kind in connection with the release of information relating to a Fund’s portfolio holdings.

The Funds may regularly provide non-public portfolio holdings information, including current portfolio holdings information, to the following third parties in the normal course of their performance of services to the Funds: the Subadviser; the independent registered public accounting firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP); the custodian and securities lending agent (The Bank of New York

 

62


Mellon); financial printer (Donnelley Financial Solutions); counsel to the Funds (Ropes & Gray LLP) or counsel to the independent trustees of the Funds (Sullivan & Worcester LLP); regulatory authorities; and securities exchanges and other listing organizations. Disclosures of current portfolio holdings information will be made on a daily basis with respect to the Subadviser and the custodian. Disclosures of portfolio holdings information will be made to the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm on an annual basis in connection with the annual audit of the Funds’ financial statements and to the Funds’ financial printer on a quarterly basis in connection with the preparation of public filings, and from time to time in the course of Fund operations. Disclosures of portfolio holdings information, including current portfolio holdings information, may be made to counsel to the Funds or counsel to the Funds’ independent trustees in connection with periodic meetings of the Board of Trustees and otherwise from time to time in connection with the Funds’ operations. In addition, the Funds provide portfolio holdings information to the following data providers, fund ranking/rating services, independent consultants, fair valuation services and other service providers: Lipper, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., ICE Data Services, FactSet Research Systems Inc., Bloomberg L.P., Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., Davison, Dietsch & McCarthy, Inc., Seismic Professional Services, eVestment Alliance, LLC, HedgeMark Risk Analytics, LLC, Confluence Technologies, Inc., and VATIT USA Inc. (d/b/a WTax). The Funds may disclose non-public current portfolio holdings information to ICE Data Services on a monthly basis for valuation purposes, to FactSet Research Systems Inc. on a daily basis for portfolio holdings analysis, to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. on a daily basis for proxy voting and class action processing purposes, to Davison, Dietsch, & McCarthy, Inc. and Seismic Professional Services on a quarterly basis for services related to Fund marketing materials, to eVestment Alliance, LLC on a quarterly basis for services related to Fund marketing, to HedgeMark Risk Analytics, LLC on a daily basis for liquidity classification services, to Confluence Technologies, Inc. on a monthly basis in connection with regulatory filings and on a daily basis for services related to Rule 18f-4, and to VATIT USA Inc. (d/b/a WTax) on a daily basis for tax services relating to foreign securities. The Funds also provide current portfolio holdings information to Lipper, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Bloomberg L.P. and various institutional investment consultants and other related firms, but only after such information has already been disclosed to the general public.

The entities to which the Funds voluntarily disclose portfolio holdings information are required, either by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding selective disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings will protect the Funds from potential misuse of that information by individuals or entities to which it is disclosed.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their business addresses, principal occupations for the past five years and ages are listed below. The Trustees provide broad supervision over the affairs of the Trust and the Funds. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Funds’ activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Funds, and review the Funds’ performance. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee or Officer is the address of the Trust: 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

There is no stated term of office for Trustees. Each Trustee serves during the continued lifetime of the Trust until he or she dies, resigns or is removed, or, if sooner, until the next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor in accordance with the Trust’s organizational documents and the Board’s policy that a Trustee retire at the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee reaches the age of 75. The Chairman of the Board, the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary and such other Officers as the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time elect each hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each Officer holds office at the pleasure of the Trustees.

 

63


Independent Trustees

The Trustees in the following table are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). Eric Rakowski serves as the Independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

 

NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD

WITH THE

TRUST

AND

LENGTH

OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST

5 YEARS

  

NUMBER
OF
FUNDS
IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE

  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES,
SKILLS FOR
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Bruce B.

Bingham

YOB: 1948

  

Trustee

since 2014

   Partner, Hamilton Partners (real estate development firm) (1987-Present)    41    Director of The Yacktman Funds, Inc. (2 portfolios) (2000-2012)    Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; business experience as a partner of a real estate development and investment firm; familiar with financial statements.

 

64


NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD

WITH THE

TRUST

AND

LENGTH

OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST

5 YEARS

  

NUMBER
OF
FUNDS
IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE

  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES,
SKILLS FOR
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Kurt A.

Keilhacker

YOB: 1963

   Trustee since 2014; Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2020    Managing Partner, TechFund Europe (2000-Present); Managing Partner, TechFund Capital (1997-Present); Managing Partner, Elementum Ventures (2013-Present); Director, MetricStory, Inc. (2017-Present); Trustee, Wheaton College (2018-Present); Trustee, Gordon College (2001-2016); Board Member, 6wind SA (2002-2019)    45    None    Significant board experience, including as a board member of private companies; significant experience as a managing member of private companies; significant experience in the venture capital industry; significant experience as co-founder of a number of technology companies.

 

65


NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD

WITH THE

TRUST

AND

LENGTH

OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST

5 YEARS

  

NUMBER
OF
FUNDS
IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE

  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES,
SKILLS FOR
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Steven J. Paggioli

YOB: 1950

   Trustee since 2010    Independent Consultant (2002-Present); Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Investment Company Administration, LLC (1990-2001)    41    Trustee, Professionally Managed Portfolios (28 portfolios); Advisory Board Member, Sustainable Growth Advisors, LP; Independent Director, Muzinich BDC, Inc. (business development company) (2019-Present); Independent Director, Chase Investment Counsel (2008-2019)    Significant board experience, including as a board member of mutual funds; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; former service with financial service regulator; Audit Committee financial expert.

Eric Rakowski

YOB: 1958

   Trustee since 2010; Independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2017; Chairman of the Governance Committee since 2017    Professor of Law, University of California at Berkeley School of Law (1990-Present)    45    Trustee of Parnassus Funds (3 portfolios) (2021-Present); Trustee of Parnassus Income Funds (2 portfolios) (2021-Present); Director of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (10 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (3 portfolios) (2002-2019); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio) (2002-2019)    Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; former practicing attorney; currently professor of law.

 

66


NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD

WITH THE

TRUST

AND

LENGTH

OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST

5 YEARS

  

NUMBER
OF
FUNDS
IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY
TRUSTEE

  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES,
SKILLS FOR
BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Victoria L. Sassine

YOB: 1965

   Trustee since 2014    Adjunct Professor, Babson College (2007-Present); Director, Board of Directors, PRG Group (2017-Present); CEO, Founder, Scale Smarter Partners, LLC (2018-Present); Adviser, EVOFEM Biosciences (2019-Present); Chairperson, Board of Directors, Business Management Associates (2018-2019)    45    None    Currently professor of finance; significant business and finance experience in strategic financial and operation management positions in a variety of industries; accounting experience in a global accounting firm; experience as a board member of various organizations; Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Interested Trustee

Mr. Weston is an “interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act by virtue of his position with, and interest in securities of, AMG.

 

67


NAME

AND

YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

THE TRUST

AND

LENGTH OF

TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL
OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5

YEARS

  

NUMBER

OF FUNDS

IN FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN

BY

TRUSTEE

  

OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE

  

EXPERIENCE,
QUALIFICATIONS,
ATTRIBUTES, SKILLS
FOR BOARD
MEMBERSHIP

Garret W.

Weston

YOB: 1981

  

Trustee

since 2021

   Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2008-Present): Managing Director, Co-Head of Affiliate Engagement (2021-Present), Senior Vice President, Affiliate Development (2016-2021), Vice President, Office of the CEO (2015-2016), Vice President, New Investments (2012-2015), Senior Associate, New Investments (2008-2012); Associate, Madison Dearborn Partners (2006-2008); Analyst, Merrill Lynch (2004-2006)    45    None    Significant senior leadership role within AMG across a number of areas, including responsibilities since 2020 for the AMG Funds business and other distribution related activities, as well as prior significant experience with AMG’s investments and relationships with its Affiliates. Prior to AMG, significant business, investment and corporate finance experience within the financial services industry.

Information About Each Trustee’s Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills

Trustees of the Trust, together with information as to their positions with the Trust, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, and experience, qualifications, attributes or skills for serving as Trustees are shown in the tables above. The summaries relating to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of the Trustees are required by the registration form adopted by the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case. The Board believes that the significance of each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Trustee may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Trustee, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Trustees need to be able to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Trust management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties. The Board believes that each of its members has these abilities. Experience relevant to having these abilities may be achieved through a Trustee’s educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., finance or law), or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the Board) or as an executive of investment funds, significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Independent Trustees are counseled by their own separate, independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Manager, and also may benefit from information provided by the Trust’s and the Investment Manager’s legal counsel. Both Independent Trustee and Trust counsel have significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts, including the Funds’ independent public accounting firm, as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

 

68


Officers

 

NAME AND YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S) HELD

WITH THE TRUST AND

LENGTH OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING

PAST 5 YEARS

Keitha L. Kinne

YOB: 1958

   Chief Operating Officer since 2016; President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer since 2018    Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2007-Present); Chief Investment Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2008-Present); President and Principal, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2018-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2007-Present); President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2018-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2007-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds IV (2016-Present); Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Aston Asset Management, LLC (2016); President and Principal Executive Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2012-2014); Managing Partner, AMG Funds LLC (2007-2014); President and Principal, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2012-2014); Managing Director, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (2006-2007); Managing Director, Citigroup Asset Management (2004-2006)

 

69


NAME AND YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S) HELD

WITH THE TRUST AND

LENGTH OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING

PAST 5 YEARS

Thomas G. Disbrow

YOB: 1966

   Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer since 2017    Vice President, Mutual Fund Treasurer & CFO, AMG Funds, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2017-Present); Managing Director—Global Head of Traditional Funds Product Control, UBS Asset Management (Americas), Inc. (2015-2017); Managing Director—Head of North American Funds Treasury, UBS Asset Management (Americas), Inc. (2011-2015)

Mark J. Duggan

YOB: 1965

   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2015    Managing Director and Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2021-Present); Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2015-2021); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2015-Present); Attorney, K&L Gates, LLP (2009-2015)

Patrick J. Spellman

YOB: 1974

   Chief Compliance Officer and Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer since 2019; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2022    Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2010-Present); Chief Compliance Officer and Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2019-Present); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, and AMG Funds III (2014-2019; 2022-Present); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, AMG Funds IV (2016-2019; 2022-Present); Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2011-2017); Compliance Manager, Legal and Compliance, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2005-2011)

 

70


NAME AND YEAR OF

BIRTH

  

POSITION(S) HELD

WITH THE TRUST AND

LENGTH OF TIME

SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)

DURING

PAST 5 YEARS

John A. Starace

YOB: 1970

   Deputy Treasurer since 2017    Vice President, Mutual Fund Accounting, AMG Funds LLC (2021-Present); Director, Mutual Fund Accounting, AMG Funds LLC (2017-2021); Vice President, Deputy Treasurer of Mutual Funds Services, AMG Funds LLC (2014-2017); Deputy Treasurer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2017-Present); Vice President, Citi Hedge Fund Services (2010-2014); Audit Senior Manager (2005-2010) and Audit Manager (2001-2005), Deloitte & Touche LLP

Maureen M. Kerrigan

YOB: 1985

   Assistant Secretary since 2016    Vice President, Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2021-Present); Vice President, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2019-2021); Director, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2017-2018); Vice President, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2015-2017); Assistant Secretary, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2016-Present); Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (2011-2015); Law Fellow, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (2010-2011)

 

71


Trustee Share Ownership

 

Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Funds
Beneficially Owned as of

December 31, 2022

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee in the Family of
Investment Companies
Beneficially Owned as of
December 31, 2022

Independent Trustees:

Bruce B. Bingham

Kurt A. Keilhacker

Steven J. Paggioli

Eric Rakowski

Victoria L. Sassine

  

None

None

Over $100,000

None

$1 – $10,000

  

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Over $100,000

Interested Trustee:

Garret W. Weston

   None    Over $100,000

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

The following provides an overview of the leadership structure of the Board of Trustees of AMG Funds IV (the “Board”) and the Board’s oversight of the Funds’ risk management process. The Board consists of six Trustees, five of whom are Independent Trustees. An Independent Trustee serves as Chairman of the Board. In addition, the Board also has two standing committees, the Audit Committee and Governance Committee (the “Committees”) (discussed below), each comprised of all of the Independent Trustees, to which the Board has delegated certain authority and oversight responsibilities.

The Board’s role in management of the Trust is oversight, including oversight of the Funds’ risk management process. The Board meets regularly on at least a quarterly basis and at these meetings the officers of the Funds and the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer report to the Board on a variety of matters. A portion of each regular meeting is devoted to an executive session of the Independent Trustees, the Independent Trustees’ separate, independent legal counsel, and the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, at which no members of management are present. In a separate executive session of the Independent Trustees and the Independent Trustees’ independent legal counsel, the Independent Trustees consider a variety of matters that are required by law to be considered by the Independent Trustees, as well as matters that are scheduled to come before the full Board, including fund governance, compliance, and leadership issues. When considering these matters, the Independent Trustees are advised by their independent legal counsel. The Board reviews its leadership structure periodically and believes that its structure is appropriate to enable the Board to exercise its oversight of the Funds.

AMG Funds IV has retained AMG Funds LLC as the Funds’ investment adviser and administrator. The Investment Manager is responsible for the Funds’ overall administration and operations, including management of the risks that arise from the Funds’ investments and operations. Employees of the Investment Manager serve as several of the Funds’ officers, including the Funds’ President. The Board provides oversight of the services provided by the Investment Manager and the Funds’ officers, including their risk management activities. On an annual basis, the Funds’ Chief

 

72


Compliance Officer conducts a compliance review and risk assessment and prepares a written report relating to the review that is provided to the Board for review and discussion. The assessment includes a broad-based review of the risks inherent to the Funds, the controls designed to address those risks, and selective testing of those controls to determine whether they are operating effectively and are reasonably designed. In the course of providing oversight, the Board and the Committees receive a wide range of reports on the Funds’ activities, including regarding each Fund’s investment portfolio, the compliance of the Funds with applicable laws, and the Funds’ financial accounting and reporting. The Board receives periodic reports from the Funds’ Chief Legal Officer on the Investment Manager’s risk management activities. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer regarding the compliance of the Funds with federal and state securities laws and the Funds’ internal compliance policies and procedures. In addition, the Board receives periodic reports from the portfolio managers of the Subadviser and the Investment Manager’s investment research team regarding the management of the Funds, including their investment risks. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Funds’ Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and other senior personnel of the Investment Manager regarding the Investment Manager’s general business operations.

Board Committees

As described below, the Board of Trustees has two standing Committees, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Board has not established a formal risk oversight committee. However, much of the regular work of the Board and its standing Committees addresses aspects of risk oversight.

Audit Committee

The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee consisting of all of the Independent Trustees. Kurt A. Keilhacker serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee. Under the terms of its charter, the Audit Committee: (a) acts for the Trustees in overseeing the Trust’s financial reporting and auditing processes; (b) receives and reviews communications from the independent registered public accounting firm relating to its review of the Funds’ financial statements; (c) reviews and assesses the performance, approves the compensation, and approves or ratifies the appointment, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; (d) meets periodically with the independent registered public accounting firm to review the annual audits of the series of the Trust, including the audits of the Funds, and pre-approves the audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm; (e) considers and acts upon proposals for the independent registered public accounting firm to provide non-audit services to the Trust or the Investment Manager or its affiliates to the extent that such approval is required by applicable laws or regulations; (f) considers and reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm, periodically as the need arises, but not less frequently than annually, matters bearing upon the registered public accounting firm’s status as “independent” under applicable standards of independence established from time to time by the SEC and other regulatory authorities; and (g) reviews and reports to the full Board with respect to any material accounting, tax, valuation or recordkeeping issues of which the Audit Committee is aware that may affect the Trust, the Trust’s financial statements or the amount of any dividend or distribution right, among other matters. The chairman of the Audit Committee or his designee also may carry out the duties of the Board’s pricing oversight committee from time to time. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

 

73


Governance Committee

The Board of Trustees has a Governance Committee consisting of all of the Independent Trustees. Eric Rakowski serves as the chairman of the Governance Committee. Under the terms of its charter, the Governance Committee is empowered to perform a variety of functions on behalf of the Board, including responsibility to make recommendations with respect to the following matters: (i) individuals to be appointed or nominated for election as Independent Trustees; (ii) the designation and responsibilities of the chairperson of the Board (who shall be an Independent Trustee) and Board committees, such other officers of the Board, if any, as the Governance Committee deems appropriate, and officers of the Funds; (iii) the compensation to be paid to Independent Trustees; and (iv) other matters the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Governance Committee is also empowered to: (i) set any desired standards or qualifications for service as a Trustee; (ii) conduct self-evaluations of the performance of the Trustees and help facilitate the Board’s evaluation of the performance of the Board at least annually; (iii) oversee the selection of independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and review reports from independent legal counsel regarding potential conflicts of interest; and (iv) consider and evaluate any other matter the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate. It is the policy of the Governance Committee to consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Shareholders who would like to recommend nominees to the Governance Committee should submit the candidate’s name and background information in a sufficiently timely manner (and in any event, no later than the date specified for receipt of shareholder proposals in any applicable proxy statement of the Funds) and should address their recommendations to the attention of the Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Funds, 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. The Governance Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.

Trustees’ Compensation

For their services as Trustees of the Trust and other funds within the AMG Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Trustees were compensated as follows:

Compensation Table:

 

Name of

Trustee

  

Aggregate

Compensation

from the Funds (a)

    

Total Compensation

from the

Fund Complex

Paid to Trustees (b)

 

Independent Trustees:

     

Bruce B. Bingham

   $ 20,766      $ 250,000  

Kurt A. Keilhacker(c)

   $ 22,843      $ 316,000  

Steven J. Paggioli

   $ 20,766      $ 250,000  

Eric Rakowski(d)

   $ 25,335      $ 355,000  

Victoria L. Sassine

   $ 20,766      $ 299,750  

Thomas R. Schneeweis(e)

   $ 20,766      $ 250,000  

Interested Trustee:

     

Garret W. Weston

     None        None  

 

(a)

Compensation is calculated for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The Trust does not provide any pension or retirement benefits for the Trustees.

(b)

Total compensation includes compensation paid during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2022 for services as a Trustee to any fund currently in the AMG Fund Complex. As of October 31, 2022, each of Messrs. Bingham, Paggioli, and Schneeweis served as a trustee to 40 funds in the AMG Fund Complex and each of Messrs. Keilhacker, Rakowski and Weston and Ms. Sassine served as a trustee or director to 44 funds in the AMG Fund Complex.

 

74


(c)

Mr. Keilhacker receives an additional $25,000 annually for serving as the Audit Committee Chairman, which is reflected in the chart above.

(d)

Mr. Rakowski receives an additional $55,000 annually for serving as the Independent Chairman, which is reflected in the chart above.

(e)

Mr. Schneeweis retired from the Board effective October 31, 2022.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of January 31, 2023, the following persons and/or entities owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund.

All Cap Value Fund

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Raymond James*

     74.60

Omnibus for Mutual Funds

  

Attn: Courtney Waller

880 Carillon Parkway

  

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     9.03

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     6.64

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.

     54.22

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     24.17

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

 

75


Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Empower Trust

     81.60

FBO Empower Benefit Plans

8515 East Orchard Road 2T2

  

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

  

BNYM I S Trust Co. Cust IRA FBO

     5.20

Charlene Dixon

7712 South Vernon

  

Chicago, Illinois 60619-2923

                                   

Focused Absolute Value Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.*

     41.74

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Raymond James

     17.74

Omnibus for Mutual Funds

  

Attn: Courtney Waller

880 Carillon Parkway

  

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

  

Reliance Trust Company

     17.13

FBO CHI STD WM Blair Equity

  

P.O. Box 78446

  

Atlanta, Georgia 30357

  

Reliance Trust Company

     11.54

FBO CHICAGOSRDINSVA

  

P.O. Box 78446

  

Atlanta, Georgia 30357

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     9.69

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

 

76


Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     33.99

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

  

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     33.69

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

  

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

TD Ameritrade Inc.

     13.05

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

  

P.O. Box 2226

  

Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226

  

Raymond James

     8.13

Omnibus for Mutual Funds

  

Attn: Courtney Waller

  

880 Carillon Parkway

  

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

  
Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

SEI Private Trust Company

     54.99

c/o Truist

  

Attn: Mutual Fund Admin

  

1 Freedom Valley Drive

  

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456-9989

  

Empower Trust

     36.88

FBO Empower Benefit Plans

  

8515 East Orchard Road 2T2

  

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

  

SEI Private Trust Company

     5.45

c/o Truist

  

Attn: Mutual Fund Admin

  

1 Freedom Valley Drive

  

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

  

 

77


International Value Equity Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.*

     81.47

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     7.99

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     44.94

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     17.90

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Pershing LLC

     11.52

1 Pershing Plaza

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07399-0002

  

Vanguard Brokerage Services

     8.95

P.O. Box 1170

  

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19482-1170

  

BNYM I S Trust Co Cust Rollover IRA

     6.86

Lauren Berzins

4738 Post Oak Timber Drive #46

  

Houston, Texas 77056-2237

  

 

78


Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Empower Trust

     96.72

FBO Empower Benefit Plans

  

8515 East Orchard Road 2T2

  

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

  

Mid Cap Value Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.

     36.36

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

  

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     17.36

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

  

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.

     20.77

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

  

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     13.30

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

  

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

John Hancock Life Insurance Co. USA

     11.87

Attn: JHRPS Trading Ops ST6

  

200 Berkeley Street

  

Boston, Massachusetts 02116-5010

  

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

     8.89

1 Orange Way

  

Windsor, Connecticut 06095-4774

  

UMB Bank N/A FBO

     8.20

Fiduciary for Tax Deferred Accounts

  

1 Security Benefit Place

  

Topeka, Kansas 66636-0001

  

 

79


Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

     6.00

For the Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers

1 New York Plaza, 39th Floor

  

New York, New York 10004

  
Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

BNC Partnership FBO BNCCORP

     9.35

In 401(k) Savings Plan

322 East Main Avenue

  

Bismarck, North Dakota 58501

  

National Financial Services LLC

     6.13

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310-2010

  

JP Morgan Securities LLC

     5.59
Omnibus Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers 4 Chase Metrotech Center, 3rd Floor   

Mutual Fund Department

  

Brooklyn, New York 11245

  
  

Small-Mid Cap Value Fund

 

Class I       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

National Financial Services Corp.*

     31.81

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     13.06

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

Raymond James

     9.10

Omnibus for Mutual Funds

  

Attn: Courtney Waller

880 Carillon Parkway

  

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

  

 

80


SEI Private Trust Company

     5.34

c/o Legacy SWP

1 Freedom Valley Drive

  

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

  

SEI Private Trust Company

     5.16

Attn: Mutual Funds

1 Freedom Valley Drive

  

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

  

UBS WM USA

     5.07

Special Custody Account for the

  

Exclusive Benefit of Customers of UBSFSI

1000 Harbor Boulevard

  

Weehawken, New Jersey 07086

  
Class N       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     51.16

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     18.67

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

TD Ameritrade Inc.

     8.48

For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

  

P.O. Box 2226

  

Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226

  
Class Z       

Name and Address

   Percentage Ownership  

Shepherd Center Inc.

     59.59

2020 Peachtree Road Northwest

  

Atlanta, Georgia 30309-1426

  

SEI Private Trust Company

     34.73

c/o Truist

  

Attn: Mutual Fund Admin

1 Freedom Valley Drive

  

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

  

 

81


Small Cap Value Fund

 

Class I       
Name and Address    Percentage Ownership  

Raymond James

     21.29

Omnibus for Mutual Funds

  

Attn: Courtney Waller

880 Carillon Parkway

  

St. Petersburg, Florida 33716

  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     19.11

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     15.00

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

SEI Private Trust Company

     12.82

Attn: Mutual Funds

  

One Freedom Valley Drive

  

Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456

  

Pershing LLC

     10.94

1 Pershing Plaza

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07399-0002

  
Class N       
Name and Address    Percentage Ownership  

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

     46.67

Special Custody Account

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

  

San Francisco, California 94104-4122

  

National Financial Services Corp.

     43.72

(FBO) Our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Department, 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

  

Jersey City, New Jersey 07310

  

 

82


Class Z       
Name and Address    Percentage Ownership  

Associated Trust Company

     66.46

FBO Plumbers & Steamfitters

  

P.O. Box 22037

  

Green Bay, Wisconsin 54305

  

Empower Trust

     14.13

FBO Empower Benefit Plans

  

8515 East Orchard Road 2T2

  

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

  

Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co.

     10.66

P.O. Box 2600

  

Attn: Outside Funds

  

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 19482-2600

  

 

*

Denotes persons or entities that owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund as of January 31, 2023, and therefore may be presumed to “control” the Fund under the 1940 Act. Except for these persons or entities, the Trust did not know of any person or entity who, as of January 31, 2023, “controlled” (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) the Fund. A person or entity that “controls” the Fund could have effective voting control over the Fund. It may not be possible for matters subject to a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to be approved without the affirmative vote of such “controlling” shareholders, and it may be possible for such matters to be approved by such shareholders without the affirmative vote of any other shareholders.

Management Ownership

As of January 31, 2023, all management personnel (i.e., Trustees and Officers) as a group owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund, with the exception of the All Cap Value Fund, where all management personnel as a group owned 7.205% of the outstanding shares of Class Z.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

Investment Manager and Subadviser

The Trustees provide broad supervision over the operations and affairs of the Trust and the Funds. The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to each Fund. The Investment Manager also serves as administrator of the Funds and carries out the daily administration of the Trust and the Funds. The Investment Manager’s principal address is 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. The Investment Manager is a subsidiary of AMG, and a subsidiary of AMG serves as the Managing Member of the Investment Manager. AMG is located at 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. AMG (NYSE: AMG) is a global asset management company with equity investments in leading boutique investment management firms. AMG Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, serves as distributor of the Funds. The Distributor’s principal address is 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

 

83


Effective as of October 1, 2016, Aston, the former investment adviser to the Funds and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of AMG, merged with and into the Investment Manager, with the Investment Manager becoming the investment manager to the Funds.

The assets of each Fund are managed by a Subadviser selected by the Investment Manager, subject to the review and approval of the Trustees. The Investment Manager recommends Subadvisers for the Funds to the Trustees based upon continuing quantitative and qualitative evaluation of each Subadviser’s skills in managing assets subject to specific investment styles and strategies. Short-term investment performance, by itself, is not a significant factor in hiring or terminating a Subadviser, and the Investment Manager does not expect to make frequent changes of Subadvisers. The Investment Manager and its corporate predecessors have over 20 years of experience in evaluating subadvisers for individuals and institutional investors.

For its investment management services, the Investment Manager receives an investment management fee from each Fund. The Investment Manager uses a portion of the investment management fees it receives from each Fund to pay the subadvisory fees of the Subadviser that manages the assets of the Fund. Because River Road Asset Management, LLC (“River Road”) is an affiliate of the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager indirectly benefits from the compensation received by the Subadviser.

The Subadviser has discretion, subject to oversight by the Trustees and the Investment Manager, to purchase and sell portfolio assets, consistent with each Fund’s investment objective(s), policies and restrictions. Generally, the services that the Subadviser provides to the Funds are limited to asset management and related recordkeeping services.

The Subadviser or an affiliated broker-dealer may execute portfolio transactions for the Funds and receive brokerage commissions, or markups/markdowns, in connection with the transaction as permitted by Sections 17(a) and 17(e) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, and the terms of any exemptive order issued by the SEC. The Board of Trustees has approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Funds may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the Subadviser participates. For underwritings where a Subadviser affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that a Fund could purchase in the underwritings.

The Subadviser may also serve as a discretionary or non-discretionary investment adviser to management or advisory or other accounts which are unrelated in any manner to the Funds or the Investment Manager and its affiliates.

Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements

The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to the Funds pursuant to an investment management agreement with the Trust (the “Investment Management Agreement”). The Investment Management Agreement permits the Investment Manager to engage, from time to time, one or more Subadvisers to assist in the performance of its services. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with the Subadviser (each a “Subadvisory Agreement” and collectively the “Subadvisory Agreements”).

Effective as of October 1, 2016, in connection with the merger of Aston with and into the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager, as Aston’s legal successor, replaced Aston as a party to the Investment Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement between the Investment Manager and the Subadviser with respect to the All Cap Value Fund, the Focused Absolute Value Fund, the International Value Equity Fund, the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, and the Small Cap Value Fund.

 

84


Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or a Fund in connection with the performance of the Investment Management Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.

The Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and the Investment Manager may be terminated with respect to a Fund by vote of the Board or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, at any time without penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager may also terminate its advisory relationship with respect to a Fund upon 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Investment Management Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Investment Manager is specifically responsible for the following advisory services:

 

   

manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds,

 

   

continuously review, supervise and administer the investment program of the Funds,

 

   

determine in its discretion, the assets to be held uninvested,

 

   

provide the Trust with records concerning the Investment Manager’s activities which are required to be maintained by the Trust, and

 

   

render regular reports to the Trust’s officers and Board concerning the Investment Manager’s discharge of the foregoing responsibilities.

The Investment Manager shall discharge the foregoing responsibilities subject to the oversight of the Trust’s officers and the Board and in compliance with the objectives, policies and limitations set forth in the Trust’s then-effective prospectus and SAI.

With respect to each Fund, the Investment Management Agreement provides for an initial term of two years and thereafter continues in effect for the Fund from year to year, so long as its continuation is approved at least annually by (i) the Board or (ii) the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund; and in either event by a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party in the matter provided in Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act.

The Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Manager also provides that the Investment Manager shall have the authority, subject to applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder, to select one or more Subadvisers to provide day-to-day portfolio management with respect to all or a portion of the assets of any of the Funds and to allocate and reallocate the assets of a Fund between and among any Subadvisers so selected pursuant to a “manager-of-managers” structure.

Under the Subadvisory Agreements between the Investment Manager and the Subadviser for each Fund, the Subadviser manages a portfolio of the Fund, selects investments and places all orders for purchases and sales of that Fund’s securities, subject to the general oversight of the Board and the Investment Manager. In addition, except as may otherwise be prohibited by law or regulation, the Subadviser may, in its discretion and from time to time, waive a portion of its fee.

 

85


The Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the All Cap Value Fund, the Focused Absolute Value Fund, the International Value Equity Fund, the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and the Small Cap Value Fund provides that neither the Subadviser nor any of its directors, officers, stockholders, agents or employees shall have any liability to a Fund or the Investment Manager for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or any loss arising out of any investment, or for any other act or omission in the performance by the Subadviser of its duties under the Subadvisory Agreement except for liability resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the Subadvisory Agreement. The Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the Mid Cap Value Fund provides that neither the Subadviser nor its officers, directors, employees, agents or legal representatives shall be subject to any liability for any act or omission, error of judgment, or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Investment Manager or the Trust in connection with the Subadvisory Agreement, except by reason of the Subadviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of the Subadviser’s reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Subadvisory Agreement.

Each Subadvisory Agreement provides for an initial term of two years and thereafter shall continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually (i) by either the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and (ii) in either event, by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval to the extent required by applicable law. The Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the All Cap Value Fund, the Focused Absolute Value Fund, the International Value Equity Fund, the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and the Small Cap Value Fund will be terminated without the payment of any penalty upon termination of the Investment Management Agreement by either party thereto (accompanied by simultaneous notice to the Subadviser) or upon ten days’ written notice to the Subadviser that the Trustees of the Trust, the Investment Manager or the shareholders by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund, as provided by the 1940 Act, have terminated the Subadvisory Agreement, or upon sixy days’ written notice from the Subadviser to the Investment Manager and the Trust. The Subadvisory Agreement with respect to the Mid Cap Value Fund may be terminated, without penalty, by vote of the Board of Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), by the Investment Manager, and by the Subadviser, in each case upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party. Each Subadvisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

For the services provided pursuant to each Subadvisory Agreement, the Investment Manager pays the Subadviser a fee computed daily and payable monthly.

Under each Subadvisory Agreement, the Subadviser manages all of a Fund’s portfolio, including the determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of securities, cash, and other investments for the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective(s), policies, and investment restrictions. The Subadviser provides these services subject to the general supervision of the Investment Manager and the Trustees. The provision of investment advisory services by the Subadviser to its Fund will not be exclusive under the terms of the Subadvisory Agreements, and the Subadviser will be free to and expects to render investment advisory services to others.

In performing the functions set forth above and supervising the Subadviser, the Investment Manager:

 

   

performs periodic detailed analysis and reviews of the performance by the Subadviser of its obligations to a Fund, including without limitation analysis and review of portfolio and other compliance matters and a review of the Subadviser’s investment performance in respect of a Fund;

 

86


   

prepares and presents periodic reports to the Board regarding the investment performance of the Subadviser and other information regarding the Subadviser, at such times and in such forms as the Board may reasonably request;

 

   

reviews and considers any changes in the personnel of the Subadviser responsible for performing the Subadviser’s obligations and makes appropriate reports to the Board;

 

   

reviews and considers any changes in the ownership or senior management of the Subadviser and makes appropriate reports to the Board;

 

   

performs periodic in-person or telephonic diligence meetings, including with respect to compliance matters, with representatives of the Subadviser;

 

   

assists the Board and management of the Trust in developing and reviewing information with respect to the initial approval of each Subadvisory Agreement with the Subadviser and annual consideration of each Subadvisory Agreement thereafter;

 

   

prepares recommendations with respect to the continued retention of the Subadviser or the replacement of the Subadviser, including at the request of the Board;

 

   

identifies potential successors to or replacements of the Subadviser or potential additional subadvisers, performs appropriate due diligence, and develops and presents to the Board a recommendation as to any such successor, replacement, or additional subadviser, including at the request of the Board;

 

   

designates and compensates from its own resources such personnel as the Investment Manager may consider necessary or appropriate to the performance of its services; and

 

   

performs such other review and reporting functions as the Board shall reasonably request consistent with the Investment Management Agreement and applicable law.

Each Fund pays all expenses not borne by the Investment Manager or Subadviser including, but not limited to, advisory fees; distribution fees; interest; taxes; governmental fees; voluntary assessments and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; organizational costs of the Fund; the cost (including brokerage commissions, transaction fees or charges, if any) in connection with the purchase or sale of the Fund’s securities and other investments and any losses in connection therewith; fees and expenses of custodians, transfer agents, administrators, registrars, independent pricing vendors or other agents; legal expenses; loan commitment fees; expenses relating to share certificates; expenses relating to the issuing and redemption or repurchase of the Fund’s shares and servicing shareholder accounts; expenses of registering and qualifying the Fund’s shares for sale under applicable federal and state law; expenses of preparing, setting in print, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and any supplements thereto, reports, proxy statements, notices and dividends to the Fund’s shareholders; costs of stationery; website costs; costs of meetings of the Board or any committee thereof, meetings of shareholders and other meetings of the Fund except as otherwise determined by the Trustees; Board fees; audit fees; travel expenses of officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are not officers, employees or directors of the Investment Manager or its affiliates, if any; and the Trust’s pro rata portion of premiums on any fidelity bond and other insurance covering the Trust and its officers, Trustees and employees; litigation expenses and any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including, without limitation, those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the Fund is a party and the legal obligation which the Fund may have to indemnify the Trust’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto.

 

87


The Trust may rely on an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Investment Manager, subject to certain conditions and oversight by the Board of Trustees, to enter into subadvisory agreements with unaffiliated subadvisers (and, with respect to the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, affiliated subadvisers) approved by the Trustees but without the requirement of shareholder approval. Under the terms of this exemptive order, the Investment Manager is able, subject to certain conditions (including a 90-day notification requirement discussed below) and approval by the Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, to hire new unaffiliated subadvisers (and, with respect to the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, affiliated subadvisers) for the Funds, change the terms of a subadvisory agreement for an unaffiliated subadviser (or, with respect to the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, an affiliated subadviser), or continue the employment of an unaffiliated subadviser (or, with respect to the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, an affiliated subadviser) after events that under the 1940 Act and the subadvisory agreement would be deemed to be an automatic termination of the subadvisory agreement provided that the Investment Manager provides notification to shareholders within 90 days of the hiring of such subadviser. In addition, with respect to the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, subject to approval by the SEC of an amendment to the Fund’s exemptive order, the Fund may disclose fees paid to subadvisers on an aggregate, rather than individual, basis. The Investment Manager, subject to oversight by the Trustees, has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Although shareholder approval will not be required for the termination of subadvisory agreements, shareholders of a Fund will continue to have the right to terminate such subadvisory agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Investment Manager may not change a subadviser to the Funds without approval of the Board of Trustees and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, shareholder approval. Except with respect to the International Value Equity Fund and the Mid Cap Value Fund, affiliated subadvisers selected by the Investment Manager are subject to shareholder approval.

Compensation of the Investment Manager and the Subadviser

As compensation for the investment management services rendered and related expenses under the Investment Management Agreement, each Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Manager an investment management fee, at the annual rates included in the table below, which is computed daily as a percentage of the value of the average daily net assets of the applicable Fund and may be paid monthly.

 

Fund

   Investment Management Fee  

All Cap Value Fund

     0.50

Focused Absolute Value Fund

     0.60

International Value Equity Fund

     0.53

Mid Cap Value Fund

     0.56

Small-Mid Cap Value Fund

     0.75

Small Cap Value Fund

     0.80

 

88


As compensation for the investment management services rendered and related expenses under the Subadvisory Agreements, the Investment Manager has agreed to pay the Subadviser a portion of the investment management fee (net of all mutually agreed-upon fee waivers and reimbursements) for managing the portfolio, which is also computed daily and paid monthly based on the average daily net assets that the Subadviser manages. The fee paid to the Subadviser is paid out of the fee the Investment Manager receives from a Fund and does not increase a Fund’s expenses.

Investment Management Fees Paid by the Funds. Investment management fees paid to the Investment Manager by each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows. The Investment Manager may voluntarily agree to waive or reimburse a portion of its management fee from time to time. Any voluntary waiver or reimbursement by the Investment Manager may be terminated or reduced in amount at any time and solely in the discretion of the Investment Manager. Amounts shown reflect, in part, the All Cap Value Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.60%, the International Value Equity Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.85%, and the Mid Cap Value Fund’s previous investment management fee of 0.70% for the first $100,000,000 of assets under management, 0.65% for the next $300,000,000 and 0.60% on amounts in excess of $400,000,000.

 

Fund

   Total      Waived/Reimbursed*      Net  

All Cap Value Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 2,005,238      $ 0      $ 2,005,238  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 3,060,349      $ 0      $ 3,060,349  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 3,076,734      $ 0      $ 3,076,734  

Focused Absolute Value Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 788,816      $ 0      $ 788,816  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,167,575      $ 0      $ 1,167,575  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 923,146      $ 0      $ 923,146  

International Value Equity Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 42,852      $ 0      $ 42,852  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 123,794      $ 0      $ 123,794  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 175,965      $ 0      $ 175,965  

Mid Cap Value Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,960,465      $ 0      $ 1,960,465  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 2,816,151      $ 0      $ 2,816,151  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 4,632,984      $ 0      $ 4,632,984  

Small-Mid Cap Value Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,896,998      $ 0      $ 1,896,998  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,860,628      $ 0      $ 1,860,628  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,345,765      $ 0      $ 1,345,765  

Small Cap Value Fund

        

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 6,802,408      $ 0      $ 6,802,408  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 6,294,216      $ 0      $ 6,294,216  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 3,658,731      $ 0      $ 3,658,731  

 

89


 

 

*

As further described under “Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares—Exchange of Shares” below, an investor may exchange shares of the Funds through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the “JPMorgan Fund”). The Investment Manager has entered into a Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement with the JPMorgan Fund’s distributor and investment adviser, respectively, that provide for a cash payment to the Investment Manager that compensates the Investment Manager for providing, directly or through an agent, administrative, sub-transfer agent and other shareholder services. The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive or reimburse a portion of its management fee in the amount of the cash payments it receives under these agreements, amounts which are reflected in the table as amounts waived/reimbursed. Any such voluntary waiver or reimbursement is not recoverable by the Investment Manager from a Fund under the expense limitations described under “Expense Limitations” below. See “Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Shares—Exchange of Shares” below for more information on the JPMorgan Fund and the Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement.

Subadvisory Fees Paid by the Investment Manager. Fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Subadviser for subadvisory services with respect to each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows. The Subadviser may voluntarily agree to waive or reimburse a portion of its subadvisory fee from time to time. Any voluntary waiver or reimbursement by the Subadviser may be terminated or reduced in amount at any time and solely in the discretion of the Subadviser.

 

     All Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,178,907  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,785,203  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,794,761  
     Focused Absolute Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 460,143  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 681,086  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 538,502  
     International Value Equity Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 25,469  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 69,554  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 98,333  
     Mid Cap Value Fund*  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,155,274  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,266,751  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,772,203  
     Small-Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,074,966  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,054,356  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 762,600  
     Small Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 3,826,355  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 3,540,497  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 2,058,036  

 

*

Reflects, in part, subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to the Fund’s former subadviser for periods prior to the hiring of River Road on March 19, 2021.

 

90


Expense Limitations

From time to time, the Investment Manager may agree to limit a Fund’s expenses by agreeing to waive all or a portion of the investment management fee and certain other fees it would otherwise be entitled to receive from a Fund and/or pay or reimburse certain Fund expenses above a specified maximum amount (i.e., an “expense limitation”). The Investment Manager may waive all or a portion of its fees and/or pay or reimburse Fund expenses for a number of reasons, such as passing on to the Fund and its shareholders the benefit of reduced portfolio management fees resulting from a waiver by the Investment Manager or Subadviser of all or a portion of the fees it would otherwise be entitled to receive from the Fund, or attempting to make a Fund’s performance more competitive as compared to similar funds. The tables below and, if applicable, the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table (including footnotes thereto) located in the front of the Funds’ Prospectus reflect the impact of a Fund’s contractual expense limitations, if any, in effect during the periods shown. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived, or reimbursed by the Investment Manager pursuant to a Fund’s contractual expense limitation, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (exclusive of the items noted in the Funds’ Prospectus) to exceed either (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. In general, contractual expense limitations are only terminated at the end of a term, and shareholders will generally be notified of any change on or about the time that it becomes effective.

All fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed to (or repayments by) each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are set forth in the table below. These amounts include fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed to (or repayments by) the Funds pursuant to expense reimbursement agreements between the Funds and the Investment Manager that were in place prior to November 1, 2017.

 

     All Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 117,693  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 97,897  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 0  
     Focused Absolute Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 98,288  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 98,605  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 176,679  
     International Value Equity Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 86,935  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 79,873  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 84,419  
     Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 27,037  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 219,148  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 176,021  

 

91


     Small-Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 0  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 0  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ (28,445
     Small Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 0  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 0  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 0  

In connection with the merger of Aston with and into the Investment Manager on October 1, 2016, all obligations of the Funds and Aston existing under expense reimbursement agreements between the Funds and Aston that were in place at the time of the merger, including any future obligations of the Funds to reimburse Aston for fees previously waived or expenses reimbursed, were expressly assumed by the Funds and the Investment Manager, respectively, under the expense reimbursement agreements between the Trust and the Investment Manager with respect to each of the Funds and are reflected in the table above.

The Investment Manager also serves as the administrator to the Funds and receives compensation from the Trust pursuant to an administration agreement between the Trust and the Investment Manager. For more information about the administration agreement, see “Administrative Services” below.

Portfolio Managers of the Funds

Unless otherwise indicated, all information below is as of October 31, 2022.

AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund, AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund

River Road Asset Management, LLC (“River Road”)

River Road has served as Subadviser to each of the All Cap Value Fund, the Focused Absolute Value Fund, the International Value Equity Fund, the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and the Small Cap Value Fund since the Fund’s inception. River Road has served as Subadviser to the Mid Cap Value Fund since March 2021. AMG holds an indirect, majority equity interest in River Road and River Road’s senior management team holds a substantial minority equity interest in River Road. As of December 31, 2022, River Road’s assets under management totaled approximately $7.8 billion.

Henry W. Sanders, III, CFA, Thomas S. Forsha, CFA, and Andrew R. McIntosh, CFA, are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the All Cap Value Fund. R. Andrew Beck and J. Alex Brown are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Focused Absolute Value Fund. Wenjun (William) Yang, CFA, and Jeffrey B. Hoskins, CFA, are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the International Value Equity Fund. Matthew W. Moran, CFA, Daniel R. Johnson, CFA, CPA, and R. Andrew Beck are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Mid Cap Value Fund. J. Justin Akin, R. Andrew Beck and James C. Shircliff, CFA, are the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund and the Small Cap Value Fund. Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund or the Small Cap Value Fund.

 

92


Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

Portfolio Manager: Henry W. Sanders, III, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     5      $ 403        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     30      $ 181        None      $ 0  

 

Portfolio Manager: Thomas S. Forsha, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     5      $ 403        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     30      $ 181        None      $ 0  

 

Portfolio Manager: Andrew R. McIntosh, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     5      $ 403        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     30      $ 181        None      $ 0  

 

Portfolio Manager: R. Andrew Beck

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     4      $ 1,046        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     13      $ 1,126        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     43      $ 2,403        2      $ 325  

 

93


Portfolio Manager: Wenjun (William) Yang, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     5      $ 3        None      $ 0  

 

Portfolio Manager: Jeffrey B. Hoskins, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     1      $ 259        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     9      $ 4        None      $ 0  

 

Portfolio Manager: Matthew W. Moran, CFA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     2      $ 933        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     1      $ 59        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     3      $ 2        None      $ 0  

 

94


Portfolio Manager: Daniel R. Johnson, CFA, CPA

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     2      $ 933        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     1      $ 59        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     3      $ 2        None      $ 0  

 

Portfolio Manager: J. Justin Akin

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     4      $ 1,046        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     11      $ 630        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     31      $ 1,968        2      $ 325  

 

Portfolio Manager: James C. Shircliff, CFA*

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     4      $ 1,046        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     11      $ 630        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     31      $ 1,968        2      $ 325  

 

Portfolio Manager: J. Alex Brown

 

Type of Account

   Number Of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
($ millions)
     Number of Accounts
Managed For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance Based
     Assets Managed
For Which
Advisory Fee is
Performance
Based
($ millions)
 

Registered Investment Companies

     None      $ 0        None      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     2      $ 496        None      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     11      $ 435        None      $ 0  

 

*

Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund or the Small Cap Value Fund.

 

95


Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

The portfolio managers for each Fund manage multiple accounts, including their respective Fund. The portfolio managers make decisions for each account based on the investment objectives, policies, practices and other relevant investment considerations that the portfolio managers believe are applicable to that account. Consequently, the portfolio managers may purchase securities for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of a Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for a Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the security position obtainable for a Fund. River Road has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, although there can be no assurance that such policies and procedures will adequately address such conflicts.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

Compensation for portfolio managers includes an annual fixed base salary and an annual performance bonus. Portfolio manager performance assessments are based on pre-tax portfolio performance relative to the respective benchmark index (depending on portfolio objectives) typically over the one-, three-, five-, and seven-year/since inception periods (with the three- and five-year periods typically receiving the greatest emphasis). Additionally, qualitative consideration is given to overall performance at the investment business group and firm level. Achievement of ESG, CSR, and DEI initiatives is included in the firm performance assessment. Portfolio managers are eligible for equity participation or participation in the firm’s deferred bonus incentive plan. All instances of equity participation are accompanied by an employment agreement with long-term incentives. Additionally, portfolio managers who contribute to the firm’s derived strategies are eligible to receive secondary bonus compensation associated with the derived strategy performance.

Portfolio Managers’ Ownership of Fund Shares

All Cap Value Fund

Mr. Sanders: Over $1,000,000

Mr. Forsha: Over $1,000,000

Mr. McIntosh: $100,001 to $500,000

Focused Absolute Value Fund

Mr. Beck: None*

Mr. Brown: $100,001 to $500,000

International Value Equity Fund

Mr. Yang: $10,001 to $50,000

Mr. Hoskins: $100,001 to $500,000

 

96


Mid Cap Value Fund

Mr. Moran: $1 to $10,000

Mr. Johnson: $50,001 to $100,000

Mr. Beck: None**

Small-Mid Cap Value Fund

Mr. Akin: $100,001 to $500,000

Mr. Beck: $100,001 to $500,000

Mr. Shircliff: $500,001 to $1,000,000***

Small Cap Value Fund

Mr. Akin: $500,001 to $1,000,000

Mr. Beck: Over $1,000,000

Mr. Shircliff: Over $1,000,000***

 

*

$100,001 to $500,000 held in a no-fee separate account managed by River Road using the Focused Absolute Value® III strategy, which is the same strategy utilized by River Road to manage the Focused Absolute Value Fund’s assets.

**

$100,001 to $500,000 held in a no-fee separate account managed by River Road using the Mid Cap Value strategy, which is the same strategy utilized by River Road to manage the Mid Cap Value Fund’s assets.

***

Effective March 31, 2023, Mr. Shircliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager of the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund or the Small Cap Value Fund.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

Proxies for each Fund’s portfolio securities are voted in accordance with the applicable Subadviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures. The proxy voting policies and procedures for River Road are attached to this SAI as Appendix B. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve months ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 548-4539; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Codes of Ethics

The Trust, the Investment Manager, the Distributor and the Subadviser have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics, which generally permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds, contain procedures that are designed to avoid the conflicts of interest that may be presented by personal securities investing.

Administrative Services

Effective October 1, 2016, the Investment Manager entered into an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Fund Administration Agreement”) with the Trust on behalf of each Fund. Under the Fund Administration Agreement, the Investment Manager also serves as administrator of each Fund and is responsible for certain aspects of managing the Funds’ operations, including administration and shareholder servicing. The administrative and shareholder services to be provided include, but are not limited to, processing and/or coordinating Fund share purchases and redemptions, responding to inquiries from shareholders, providing omnibus level support for financial intermediaries who perform sub-accounting for shares held of record by financial intermediaries for the benefit of other

 

97


beneficial owners and other general and administrative responsibilities for the Funds. For providing these services, each Fund pays the Investment Manager 0.15% of its average daily net assets per annum. The Fund Administration Agreement generally may be terminated by the Investment Manager upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, and by the Trust upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Investment Manager.

Fees paid by the Funds under the Fund Administration Agreement for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows.

 

     All Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 528,864  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 765,087  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 769,183  
     Focused Absolute Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 197,204  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 291,894  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 230,787  
     International Value Equity
Fund
 

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 12,128  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 22,971  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 31,053  
     Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 525,124  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 681,025  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 1,095,746  
     Small-Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 379,400  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 372,126  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 269,153  
     Small Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 1,275,452  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 1,180,166  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 686,012  

Distribution Arrangements

Under a Distribution Agreement between the Trust and the Distributor (the “Distribution Agreement”), the Distributor serves as the principal distributor and underwriter for the Funds. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of each Fund will be continuously offered and will be sold directly to prospective purchasers and through brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries who have executed selling agreements with the Distributor. Subject to the compensation arrangements discussed below, generally the Distributor bears all or a portion of the expenses of providing services pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, including the payment of the expenses relating to the distribution of the Funds’ Prospectus for sales purposes and any advertising or sales literature. Any costs and expenses not allocated to the Distributor shall be borne by the Investment Manager or an affiliate of the Investment Manager as agreed-upon between the Distributor and the Investment Manager from time to time. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Funds.

 

98


The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by either party under certain specified circumstances and will automatically terminate on assignment in the same manner as the Investment Management Agreement. The Distribution Agreement remains in effect for one year from the date of its execution and thereafter from year to year, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by vote of the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement or any plan adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Agreement.

For sales of Fund shares, the Distributor may provide promotional incentives including cash compensation to certain brokers, dealers, or financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares of a Fund. Other programs may provide, subject to certain conditions, additional compensation to brokers, dealers, or financial intermediaries based on a combination of aggregate shares sold and increases of assets under management. All of the above payments will be made pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 distribution and services plan described below and possibly supplemented by payments by the Distributor or its affiliates out of their own assets, or, in the case of such shares that are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 distribution and services plan, only by the Distributor or its affiliates out of their own assets.

The Distributor’s principal address is 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901.

Prior to October 1, 2016, the Funds had a different principal distributor and underwriter.

Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Services Plan. The Trust has adopted a distribution and services plan with respect to Class N shares of the Funds (the “Plan”), in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and the requirements of the applicable rules of FINRA regarding asset-based sales charges. All share classes of the Funds are sold without a front end or contingent deferred sales load and Class I and Class Z shares of the Funds are not subject to the expenses of any Rule 12b-1 distribution and services plan.

Pursuant to the Plan, a Fund may compensate the Distributor for services relating to the distribution of Class N shares and for payments the Distributor makes to brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries for distribution services and reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with distribution assistance or the maintenance and personal service provided to existing shareholders of that class. The Plan authorizes payments of up to 0.25% annually of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to its Class N shares. The Plan is characterized as a reimbursement plan and is directly tied to expenses incurred by the Distributor; the payments the Distributor receives during any year may not exceed its actual expenses.

Rule 12b-1 regulates the circumstances under which an investment company, like a Fund, may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution of its shares. Continuance of the Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees and by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or the Distributor, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“12b-1 Independent Trustees”). In adopting the Plan, the Independent Trustees concluded in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each Fund and its shareholders by resulting in greater sales of Fund shares. The Plan requires that quarterly written

 

99


reports of amounts spent under the Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to and reviewed by the Trustees. In accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Plan may be terminated with respect to any Fund by a vote of a majority of the 12b-1 Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund. The Plan may be amended by vote of the Board, including a majority of the 12b-1 Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, except that any change that would effect a material increase in any distribution fee with respect to a Fund (or class) requires the approval of that Fund’s (or class’s) shareholders. All material amendments of the Plan will require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust and of the Independent Trustees.

To the Trust’s knowledge, no “interested person” of the Trust, nor any Independent Trustee has a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan.

The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 plan is effective, as applicable.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, Class N shares of each Fund paid the following amounts under the Plan.

 

     All Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 98,590  
     Focused Absolute Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 6,955  
     International Value Equity Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 3,052  
     Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 609,063  
     Small-Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 50,993  
     Small Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 83,932  

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (the “Custodian”), 6023 Airport Road, Oriskany, New York 13424, is the custodian for the Funds. The Custodian is responsible for holding all cash assets and all portfolio securities of the Funds, releasing and delivering such securities as directed by the Funds, maintaining bank accounts in the names of the Funds, receiving for deposit into such accounts payments for shares of the Funds, collecting income and other payments due to the Funds with respect to portfolio securities and paying out monies of the Funds.

The Custodian is authorized to deposit securities in securities depositories or to use the services of sub-custodians, including foreign sub-custodians, to the extent permitted by and subject to the regulations of the SEC.

 

100


Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581 (the “Transfer Agent”), is the transfer agent for the Funds and also serves as the dividend disbursing agent for the Funds. Effective March 9, 2023, the Transfer Agent’s address will change to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., Attn: 534426, AIM 154-0520, 500 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15262.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducts an annual audit of the financial statements of each Fund, assists in the preparation and/or review of each Fund’s federal and state income tax returns and may provide other audit, tax and related services.

Securities Lending

The Board of Trustees has approved each Fund’s participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, the Trust has retained The Bank of New York Mellon to serve as its securities lending agent.

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the income earned by the Funds as well as the fees and/or compensation paid by such Funds (in dollars) pursuant to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between AMG Funds IV and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Funds were as follows:

 

101


     AMG River
Road
Dividend All
Cap Value
Fund
     AMG River
Road Focused
Absolute Value
Fund
     AMG River
Road
International
Value Equity
Fund
     AMG River
Road Mid Cap
Value Fund
 

Gross income earned by the Fund from securities lending activities

   $ 29,487.40      $ 3,839.48      $ 1,917.25      $ 22,132.42  

Fees and/or compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities and related services

 

•  Fees paid to The Bank of New York Mellon from a revenue split

   $ 2,957.69      $ 537.97      $ 48.60      $ 450.04  

•  Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Administrative fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Indemnification fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Rebate (paid to borrower)

   $ 9,763.48      $ 251.48      $ 1,592.78      $ 19,131.35  

Aggregate fees/compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities

   $ 12,721.17      $ 789.45      $ 1,641.38      $ 19,581.39  

Net income from securities lending activities

   $ 16,766.23      $ 3,050.03      $ 275.87      $ 2,551.03  

 

102


     AMG River Road
Small-Mid Cap
Value Fund
     AMG River Road
Small Cap Value
Fund
 

Gross income earned by the Fund from securities lending activities

   $ 23,515.35      $ 27,013.60  

Fees and/or compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities and related services

 

•  Fees paid to The Bank of New York Mellon from a revenue split

   $ 2,863.49      $ 2,903.69  

•  Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Administrative fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Indemnification fees not included in a revenue split

   $ 0.00      $ 0.00  

•  Rebate (paid to borrower)

   $ 4,420.70      $ 7,648.26  

Aggregate fees/compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities

   $ 7,284.19      $ 10,551.95  

Net income from securities lending activities

   $ 16,231.16      $ 16,461.65  

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, The Bank of New York Mellon, acting as agent of the Funds, provided the following services to the Funds in connection with the Funds’ securities lending activities: (i) locating borrowers; (ii) monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral; (iii) seeking additional collateral as necessary from borrowers, and returning collateral to borrowers; (iv) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of cash collateral; (v) negotiating loan terms, including, but not limited to, the amount of any loan premium; (vi) selecting securities to be loaned; (vii) recordkeeping and account servicing; (viii) carrying out instructions of clients with respect to dividend activity and material proxy votes; and (ix) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Fund at loan termination.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

The Subadvisory Agreements provide that the Subadviser places all orders for the purchase and sale of securities that are held in each Fund’s portfolio. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, it is the policy and principal objective of the Subadviser to seek to obtain best price and execution. It is expected that securities will ordinarily be purchased in the primary markets. The Subadviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant when assessing best price and execution for a Fund, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any (for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).

In addition, when selecting brokers to execute transactions and in evaluating the best available net price and execution, the Subadviser is authorized by the Trustees to consider the “brokerage and research services” (as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provided by the broker. The Subadviser is also authorized to cause a Fund to pay a commission to a broker who

 

103


provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. The Subadviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion. Brokerage and research services received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Subadviser. Each Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities through brokers who provide the Subadviser with research services. Brokerage commissions may be used for the general benefit of all other clients of the Subadviser where legally and contractually permissible.

The revised EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID II”), which became effective January 3, 2018, requires EU investment managers in the scope of the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive to pay for research services from brokers and dealers directly out of their own resources or by establishing “research payment accounts” for each client, rather than through client commissions. MiFID II’s research requirements present various compliance and operational considerations for investment advisers and broker-dealers serving clients in both the United States and the EU. It is possible that a Subadviser subject to MiFID II will cause a Fund to pay for research services with soft dollars in circumstances where the Subadviser is prohibited from causing its other client accounts to do so, including where the Subadviser aggregates trades on behalf of a Fund and those other client accounts. In such situations, a Fund would bear the additional amounts for the research services and the Fund’s Subadviser’s other client accounts would not, although the Subadviser’s other client accounts might nonetheless benefit from those research services.

The Trustees will periodically review the total amount of commissions paid by the Funds to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to commissions being charged by other brokers and the benefits to the Funds of using particular brokers or dealers. It is possible that certain of the services received by the Subadviser attributable to a particular transaction will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Subadviser.

The fees of the Subadviser are not reduced by reason of its receipt, if any, of such brokerage and research services. Generally, the Subadviser does not provide any services to a Fund except portfolio investment management and related recordkeeping services. The Investment Manager may request that the Subadviser employ certain specific brokers who have agreed to pay certain Fund expenses. The use of such brokers is subject to best price and execution, and there is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers.

Brokerage Commissions

Aggregate brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022 are as follows:

 

     All Cap Value Fund*  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 91,735  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 108,809  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 239,576  
     Focused Absolute Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 174,326  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 138,982  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 226,209  

 

104


     International Value Equity Fund**  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 8,034  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 31,005  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 99,278  
     Mid Cap Value Fund***  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 216,382  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 505,922  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 902,337  
     Small-Mid Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 136,645  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 183,549  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 188,048  
     Small Cap Value Fund  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2022

   $ 457,242  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

   $ 687,774  

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020

   $ 577,803  

 

*

The decrease in brokerage fees paid by the All Cap Value Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 was the result of changes in Fund assets.

**

The decrease in brokerage fees paid by the International Value Equity Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 was the result of changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on August 16, 2021. The decrease in brokerage fees paid by the International Value Equity Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 was the result of changes in Fund assets.

***

The decrease in brokerage fees paid by the Mid Cap Value Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 was the result of changes in the Fund’s subadviser and investment strategy that took effect on March 19, 2021. The decrease in brokerage fees paid by the Mid Cap Value Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 was the result of changes in Fund assets.

Brokerage Recapture Arrangements

For certain Funds, the Trust may enter into arrangements with various brokers pursuant to which a portion of the commissions paid by the Funds may be directed by the Funds to pay expenses of the Funds. Consistent with its policy and principal objective of seeking best price and execution, the Subadviser may consider these brokerage recapture arrangements in selecting brokers to execute transactions for the Funds. There is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers. In all cases, brokerage recapture arrangements relate solely to expenses of the Funds and not to expenses of the Investment Manager or the Subadviser.

 

105


Affiliated Brokerage

Certain affiliates of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. may be deemed to be affiliated persons of the All Cap Value Fund because of their record ownership of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to such broker-dealer affiliates of $1,056, $4,034, and $0, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 0% of the Fund’s aggregate brokerage commissions were paid to such broker-dealer affiliates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 0% of the Fund’s aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions were effected through such broker-dealer affiliates.

Certain affiliates of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. may be deemed to be affiliated persons of the Focused Absolute Value Fund because of their record ownership of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to such broker-dealer affiliates of $15,199, $5,040, and $6,546, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 3.75% of the Fund’s aggregate brokerage commissions were paid to such broker-dealer affiliates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 4.38% of the Fund’s aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions were effected through such broker-dealer affiliates.

Certain affiliates of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. may be deemed to be affiliated persons of the Small-Mid Cap Value Fund because of their record ownership of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to such broker-dealer affiliates of $4,428, $5,940, and $3,914, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 2.86% of the Fund’s aggregate brokerage commissions were paid to such broker-dealer affiliates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 1.71% of the Fund’s aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions were effected through such broker-dealer affiliates.

Certain affiliates of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. may be deemed to be affiliated persons of the Small Cap Value Fund because of their record ownership of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2022, the Fund paid brokerage commissions to such broker-dealer affiliates of $12,933, $26,290, and $13,371, respectively. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 2.92% of the Fund’s aggregate brokerage commissions were paid to such broker-dealer affiliates. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, 1.29% of the Fund’s aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of brokerage commissions were effected through such broker-dealer affiliates.

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Purchasing Shares

Investors may open accounts directly with the Funds or through their financial planners or investment professionals, or directly with the Trust in circumstances as described in each Fund’s current Prospectus. Shares may also be purchased through bank trust departments on behalf of their clients and tax-exempt employee welfare, pension and profit-sharing plans. The Trust reserves the right to determine which customers and which purchase orders the Trust will accept.

The Investment Manager, the Subadviser, and/or the Distributor may pay compensation (out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Funds) to certain affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, or other financial intermediaries or service providers in connection with the sale or retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. This compensation may provide such affiliated or unaffiliated entities with an incentive to favor sales of shares of a Fund over other investment options. Any such payments will not change the NAV or the price of a Fund’s shares.

 

106


Certain investors may purchase or sell a Fund’s shares through a third party such as a bank, broker-dealer (including through a fund supermarket platform), trust company or other financial intermediary (each of the above, a “Financial Intermediary”) that may impose transaction fees or other charges in connection with this service. Shares purchased in this way may be treated as a single account for purposes of the minimum initial investment. Each Fund has authorized one or more Financial Intermediaries to (i) receive purchase and redemption orders on its behalf and (ii) designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf. A Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized Financial Intermediary or an authorized Financial Intermediary’s authorized designee receives the order. These orders will be priced at a Fund’s NAV next calculated after they are so received by an authorized Financial Intermediary or such Financial Intermediary’s authorized designee and accepted by the Fund. The Funds may from time to time make payments to Financial Intermediaries for certain services, such as account maintenance, recordkeeping or sub-accounting, forwarding communications to shareholders, providing shareholders with account statements, transaction processing and customer liaison services. Investors who do not wish to receive the services of a Financial Intermediary may consider investing directly with the Trust. Shares held through a Financial Intermediary may be transferred into the investor’s name by contacting the Financial Intermediary or the Transfer Agent. Certain Financial Intermediaries may receive compensation from the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor out of their legitimate profits in exchange for selling shares or for recordkeeping or other shareholder related services.

Purchase orders received by the Trust by 4:00 p.m. New York time at the address listed in each Fund’s current Prospectus on any day that the NYSE is open for business will receive the NAV computed that day. Purchase orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Fund(s) will also receive that day’s offering price, provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to the Fund(s) were received in proper form by the processing organization before 4:00 p.m. The broker-dealer, omnibus processor or investment professional is responsible for promptly transmitting orders to the Trust. Orders transmitted to the Trust at the address indicated in the Prospectus will be promptly forwarded to the Transfer Agent.

Federal funds or bank wires used to pay for purchase orders must be in U.S. dollars and received in advance, except for certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Trust. Purchases made by check are effected when the check is received, but are accepted subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank.

To ensure that checks are collected by the Trust, if shares purchased by check or by Automated Clearing House funds (“ACH”) are sold before the check has cleared, the redemption proceeds will not be processed until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days unless arrangements are made with the Investment Manager. However, during this 15 calendar day period, such shareholder may exchange such shares into any series of the Trust, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II or AMG Funds III, subject to applicable restrictions such as minimum investment amounts. The 15 calendar day holding period for redemptions would still apply to shares received through such exchanges.

If the check accompanying any purchase order does not clear, or if there are insufficient funds in your bank account, the transaction will be canceled and you will be responsible for any loss the Trust incurs. For current shareholders, the Trust can redeem shares from any identically registered account in the Trust as reimbursement for any loss incurred. The Trust has the right to prohibit or restrict all future purchases in the Trust in the event of any nonpayment for shares. The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of shares in whole or in part. The Trust reserves the right to cancel any purchase order for which payment has not been received by the third business day following placement of the order.

 

107


In the interest of economy and convenience, share certificates will not be issued. All share purchases are confirmed to the record holder and credited to such holder’s account on the Trust’s books maintained by the Transfer Agent.

Redeeming Shares

Any redemption orders received in proper form by the Trust before 4:00 p.m. New York time on any day that the NYSE is open for business will receive the NAV determined at the close of regular business of the NYSE on that day. Redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also be redeemed at the NAV computed that day, provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to a Fund were received in proper form by the processing organization before 4:00 p.m.

Redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. New York time will be redeemed at the NAV determined at the close of trading on the next business day. Redemption orders transmitted to the Trust at the address indicated in each Fund’s current Prospectus will be promptly forwarded to the Transfer Agent. If you are trading through a broker-dealer or investment adviser, such investment professional is responsible for promptly transmitting orders.

The Trust reserves the right to redeem a shareholder account if its value (i) falls below $500 for Class N shares, $25,000 for Class I shares, or $50,000 for Class Z shares due to redemptions the shareholder makes; or (ii) is below $100, but, in each case, not until after the Fund gives the shareholder at least 60 days’ notice and the opportunity to increase the account balance to the minimum account balance amount. Whether the Trust will exercise its right to redeem shareholder accounts will be determined by the Investment Manager on a case-by-case basis. We may convert your position(s) in Class I shares of a Fund to the respective Class N shares of that Fund, if applicable. Unless you did not meet the minimum initial investment, we will give you 30 days’ notice before we convert your Fund position(s). This gives you an opportunity to purchase enough shares to raise the value of your Fund position(s) above the applicable minimum initial investment. We will not redeem or close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans because they do not meet the applicable minimum investment requirement. We may close Fund position(s) in IRAs, Education Savings Accounts, custodial accounts for minors, or active Automatic Investment Plans due to insufficient information as it relates to customer identification procedures. If these account types are invested in Class I shares below the required minimum investment, we may convert the Fund position(s) to the Class N. Additionally, we will not convert Class I Fund position(s) where there is an effective “letter of intent.”

A Fund may pay all or a portion of redemption proceeds with a distribution in kind of its portfolio securities, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable law, when such payment is in the best interest of the Fund. If shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur transaction costs in converting the assets to cash and the assets will be subject to market and other risks until they are sold. The method of valuing portfolio securities is described under “Net Asset Value” below, and such valuation will be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.

Investors should be aware that redemptions from a Fund may not be processed if a redemption request is not submitted in proper form. To be in proper form, the request must include the shareholder’s taxpayer identification number, account number, Fund number and signatures of all account holders. All redemptions will be mailed to the address of record on the shareholder’s account. In addition, if shares purchased by check or ACH are sold before the check has cleared, the redemption proceeds will not be sent to the shareholder until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days unless arrangements are made with the Investment Manager. The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and to postpone the date of payment upon redemption beyond seven days as follows:

 

108


(i) during periods when the NYSE is closed for business other than weekends and holidays or when trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation, (ii) during periods in which an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists that causes disposal by a Fund of, or evaluation of the NAV of, portfolio securities to be unreasonable or impracticable, or (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit.

A Fund or the Transfer Agent may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the account of a “Specified Adult” (as that term is defined in FINRA Rule 2165) based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, subject to certain conditions.

Exchange of Shares

As described in the Funds’ Prospectus, an investor may exchange shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of other funds in the Trust or for shares of other funds managed by the Investment Manager, subject to the applicable investment minimum. Not all funds managed by the Investment Manager offer all classes of shares or are open to new investors. In addition to exchanging into other funds managed by the Investment Manager as described above, an investor also may exchange shares of the Funds through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan Fund (see below for more information about the JPMorgan Fund). Because an exchange is the sale of shares of the Fund exchanged out of and the purchase of shares of the fund exchanged into, the usual purchase and redemption procedures, requirements and restrictions apply to each exchange. The value of the shares exchanged must meet the minimum purchase requirement of the fund and class for which you are exchanging them, except that there is no minimum purchase requirement to exchange into the JPMorgan Fund if you exchange out of a Fund through the Investment Manager. Investors may exchange only into accounts that are registered in the same name with the same address and taxpayer identification number. In addition, an investor who intends to continue to maintain an account in a Fund may make an exchange out of that Fund only if following the exchange the investor would continue to meet the Fund’s minimum investment amount. Settlement on the purchase of shares of another fund will occur when the proceeds from the redemption become available. Shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax may recognize capital gains or losses on the exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust reserves the right to discontinue, alter or limit the exchange privilege at any time, subject to applicable law. Holding your shares through a financial intermediary, such as a broker, may affect your ability to use the exchange privilege or other investor services.

The JPMorgan Fund is advised, offered and distributed by JPMorgan Asset Management and its affiliates, but an investor may place an exchange order in the same manner as the investor places other exchange orders and as described in the Funds’ Prospectus, subject to the restrictions above. The Investment Manager has entered into a Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement with the JPMorgan Fund’s distributor and investment adviser, respectively, that provide for a cash payment to the Investment Manager with respect to the average daily NAV of the total number of shares of the JPMorgan Fund held by customers investing through the Investment Manager. This cash payment compensates the Investment Manager for providing, directly or through an agent, administrative, sub-transfer agent and other shareholder services, and not investment advisory or distribution related services.

Cost Basis Reporting

Upon the sale, redemption or exchange of a Fund’s shares, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund’s shares you redeemed or exchanged. See each Fund’s current Prospectus for more information.

 

109


Net Asset Value

Each Fund computes its NAV for each class of shares once daily on Monday through Friday on each day on which the NYSE is open for trading, at the close of business of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NAV will not be computed on the day the following legal holidays are observed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Funds may close for purchases and redemptions at such other times as may be determined by the Board of Trustees to the extent permitted by applicable law. The time at which orders are accepted and shares are redeemed may be changed in case of an emergency or if the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time.

The NAV per share of each class of a Fund is equal to the value of the class’s net worth (assets minus liabilities) divided by the number of shares outstanding for that class. Equity securities traded on a national securities exchange or reported on the NASDAQ national market system (“NMS”) are valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, if applicable, the NASDAQ official closing price or the official closing price of the relevant exchange or, lacking any sales, at the last quoted bid price. Equity securities traded in the OTC market (other than NMS securities) are valued at the bid price. Foreign equity securities (securities principally traded in markets other than U.S. markets) are valued at the official closing price on the primary exchange or, for markets that either do not offer an official closing price or where the official closing price may not be representative of the overall market, the last quoted sale price as of the close of the regular trading hours of the primary market or the value obtained for the security in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities. In addition, if a foreign exchange or market is closed on a day when the NYSE is open, the value of a security that is traded in the affected foreign exchange or market is the value obtained for the security in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities, if available, or the last value assigned to the security on the immediately preceding valuation date (unless such value is deemed to be unreliable). Unless a foreign equity security is valued in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities, a foreign equity security for which there are no reported sales on the valuation date may be valued at the last quoted bid price. Fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity exceeding 60 days are valued at the evaluated bid price provided by an authorized pricing service or, if an evaluated price is not available, by reference to other securities which are considered comparable in credit rating, interest rate, due date and other features (generally referred to as “matrix pricing”) or other similar pricing methodologies. In addition, foreign fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity exceeding 60 days may be valued in accordance with the Trust’s procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities. Fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided that the amortized cost value is approximately the same as the fair value of the security valued without the use of amortized cost. With respect to foreign equity securities and foreign fixed-income securities, securities held in a Fund that can be fair valued by the applicable fair value pricing service are fair valued on each business day provided that each individual price exceeds a pre-established confidence level. Notwithstanding the foregoing, foreign currency exchange contracts, subscription stock rights, warrants and other redeemable securities with predetermined values, shares of open-end registered investment companies (excluding ETFs), foreign currencies, IPOs, financial derivatives, foreign investor-only common stock issued by companies in various countries that issue two separate common stock lines (one for foreign investors and one for local investors), and securities halted or delisted due to a corporate action will be valued in accordance with the Funds’ valuation procedures adopted from time to time. The Funds’ portfolio instruments are generally valued using third-party pricing services. In the event that the market quotation, price or market based valuation for a portfolio instrument is not readily available or otherwise not determinable pursuant to the Funds’ valuation procedures, if the Investment Manager believes the quotation, price or market based valuation to be unreliable, or in certain other circumstances, the portfolio instrument may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith under the general supervision of the Board. All portfolio instrument valuations described above on a valuation date shall be valuations of such instruments as of or prior to the close of business of the NYSE.

 

110


Frequent Purchase and Redemption Arrangements

The Trust does not have any arrangements with any person to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of a Fund’s shares, and no compensation or other consideration is received by a Fund, the Investment Manager or any other party in this regard.

Dividends and Distributions

Each Fund declares and pays dividends and distributions as described in its Prospectus.

If a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or their distributions in cash and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver the checks to the shareholder’s address of record, the dividends and/or distributions will automatically be converted to having the dividends and/or distributions reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed dividend or redemption checks.

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

The following summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is intended for general informational purposes only. This discussion is not tax advice. This discussion does not address all aspects of taxation (including state, local, and foreign taxes) that may be relevant to particular shareholders in light of their own investment or tax circumstances, or to particular types of shareholders (including insurance companies, tax-advantaged retirement plans, financial institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations, and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. This summary is based on the Code, the regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, in effect as of the date of this SAI. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Funds—in General

Each Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify and to be eligible to be treated each taxable year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as such and to be so treated, each Fund must, among other things:

(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below) (all such income, “Qualifying Income”);

 

111


(b) invest the Fund’s assets in such a manner that, as of the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer (except with regard to certain investment companies furnishing capital to development corporations) to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in (x) the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers each of which the Fund owns 20% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (y) the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below); and

(c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid—generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such year.

In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as Qualifying Income to a Fund only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be Qualifying Income if realized by the Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the Qualifying Income described in paragraph (a)(i) above) will be treated as Qualifying Income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Section 7704(c)(2) of the Code. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the diversification test in paragraph (b) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in paragraph (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to meet the diversification test in paragraph (b) above.

Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute Qualifying Income for purposes of the 90% test. However, the Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly retroactively) excluding from the definition of Qualifying Income a Fund’s foreign currency gains to the extent that such income is not directly related to the Fund’s principal business of investing in stock or securities. This could affect the qualification of certain of the Funds as regulated investment companies. In addition, as further discussed below, a Fund’s investments in commodity-linked ETNs and other commodity-linked instruments, if any, can be limited by such Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and can limit such Fund’s ability to so qualify.

 

112


If a Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and net capital gain (net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, in each case determined with reference to capital losses carried forward from prior years), if any, that it distributes in a timely manner to shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below).

If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution tests described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions or disposing of certain assets. If a Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any taxable year, or if a Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company for such taxable year, it would lose the beneficial tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. All distributions by such Fund, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income, if any, and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders in the same manner as other regular corporate dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Some portions of such distributions might be eligible for treatment as “qualified dividend income” for individuals and for the “dividends-received deduction” for corporate shareholders, in each case as described below. A Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year (or November 30 or December 31 of that year if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a Fund’s ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or November 30 of that year, if the Fund is eligible to make and makes the election described above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a fund with a December 31 year end that is eligible to make and makes the election described above, no such gains or losses will be so treated. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. A dividend paid by a Fund to shareholders in January of a year generally is deemed to have been paid by such a Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November, or December of that preceding year. Each Fund intends generally to make sufficient distributions to avoid the imposition of this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any “net capital loss” attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

 

113


Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund’s net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable years. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether a Fund retains or distributes such gains. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses, those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration to offset capital gains realized during such subsequent taxable years; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. A Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character.

See each Fund’s most recent annual shareholder report for such Fund’s available capital loss carryforwards as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.

Taxation of the Funds’ Investments

Certain Debt Obligations; Original Issue Discount; Market Discount. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as having original issue discount (“OID”). OID is, very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a debt obligation over the issue price. OID is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as interest income earned by a Fund, which will comprise a part of the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net tax-exempt income, if any, required to be distributed to shareholders as described above, whether or not cash on the debt obligation is actually received. Generally, the amount of OID accrued each year is determined on the basis of a constant yield to maturity which takes into account the compounding of interest (as potentially reduced by any amortizable bond premium—see below).

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation 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 obligation. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance may be treated as having OID or, in certain cases, “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). Generally, a Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount or OID in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

Pay-in-kind bonds also will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund holding the obligation receives no interest payment in cash on the obligation during the year.

 

114


If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of a Fund or, if necessary, by selling of portfolio obligations including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event a Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend (see “Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders,” below) than if a Fund had not held such obligations.

Securities Issued or Purchased at a Premium. Very generally, where a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the stated principal amount (or revised issue price)—that is, at a premium—the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortizable premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond (or the upward basis adjustment attributable to any OID) by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct, against stated interest from other bonds, any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require a Fund to reduce its tax basis by the amount of amortizable premium.

Junk Bonds. To the extent such investments are permissible, the Funds may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. If a Fund invests in high-yield OID obligations issued by corporations (including tax-exempt obligations), a portion of the OID accruing on the obligation may be treated as taxable dividend income. In such cases, if the issuer of the high-yield discount obligation is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund attributable to such portion of accrued OID may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high-yield discount obligations owned by a Fund may not be deductible to (and thus, may affect the cash flow of) the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends-received deduction (described below). In such cases, if the issuer of the high-yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction (described below) to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.

REITs. Any investment by a Fund in equity securities of REITs qualifying as real estate investment trusts under Subchapter M of the Code may result in the Fund’s receipt of cash in excess of the REIT’s earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income (see “Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders,” below).

 

115


Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that the Fund properly reports as “section 199A dividends,” as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, are treated as qualified REIT dividends in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. Non-corporate shareholders are permitted a federal income tax deduction equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends received by them, subject to certain limitations. Very generally, a “section 199A dividend” is any dividend or portion thereof that is attributable to certain dividends received by a Fund from REITs, to the extent such dividends are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to its shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying Fund shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. Subject to future regulatory guidance to the contrary, distributions attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund’s investments in MLPs will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction available to non-corporate taxpayers in respect of such amounts received directly from an MLP.

Mortgage-Related Securities. Certain of the Funds may invest directly or indirectly (e.g. through REITs) in residual interests in REMICs, including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect, or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued, but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Fund from a REIT or other pass-through entity) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a Fund investing in such interests may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) (see “Tax-Exempt Shareholders” below).

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

Options, Futures, Foreign Currencies, Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, and Other Derivatives. A Fund’s use of options contracts, futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, ETNs, swap agreements and other derivatives, if any, may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such instruments. As a result, a Fund could be required at times to sell other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements under the Code. A Fund’s use of derivatives might also affect the amount, timing, or character of a Fund’s distributions. The character of a Fund’s taxable income will, in some cases, be determined on the basis of reports made to the Fund by the issuers of the securities in which they invest. In addition, because the tax rules applicable to such

 

116


investments may be uncertain under current U.S. federal income tax law, an adverse determination or future IRS guidance with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has derived its income from the proper sources, made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and avoid a Fund-level tax.

Certain of a Fund’s investments may be subject to provisions of the Code that (i) require inclusion of unrealized gains in the Fund’s income for purposes of the excise tax and the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies; (ii) defer recognition of realized losses; (iii) cause adjustments in the holding periods of portfolio securities; (iv) convert capital gains into ordinary income; (v) characterize both realized and unrealized gains or losses as short-term or long-term, irrespective of the holding period of the investment; and (vi) require inclusion of unrealized gains or losses in the Fund’s income for purposes of determining whether 90% of the Fund’s gross income is Qualifying Income. Such provisions may apply to, among other investments, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options on securities, options on security indices, forward contracts, swaps, credit default swaps, short sales, securities loans or other similar transactions, and foreign securities. Each Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections available to it in order to mitigate the impact of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.

In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Fund’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund, if any, in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Fund (including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character (See “Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging” below). 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 ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.

The timing and character of income and losses arising in respect of swap contracts are, in many instances, unclear. In addition, the tax treatment of a payment made or received on a swap contract held by a Fund, and in particular, whether such payment is, in whole or in part, capital or ordinary in character, will vary depending upon the terms of the particular swap contract.

 

117


Transactions in options, futures and forward contracts, and swaps 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, and 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 taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. In addition, certain carrying charges (including interest expenses) associated with positions in a straddle may be required to be capitalized rather than deducted currently. Certain elections that a Fund may make with respect to its straddle positions may also affect the amount, character, and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected positions.

The straddle rules may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. 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 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 transactions. The consequences to a Fund of certain transactions under the straddle rules remain unclear.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging. Any transaction by a Fund in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years. However, in certain circumstances, a Fund may elect to treat gains or losses from certain foreign currency positions as capital gains or losses.

Commodity-Linked Instruments. A Fund’s investments in commodity-linked instruments can be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and can bear on the Fund’s ability to so qualify. Income and gains from certain commodity-linked instruments do not constitute Qualifying Income to a regulated investment company for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of some other commodity-linked instruments in which a Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute Qualifying Income to a regulated investment company. If a Fund were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as Qualifying Income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute Qualifying Income and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused the Fund’s nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Fund level to cure such failure.

Exchange-Traded Notes. The tax rules are uncertain with respect to the treatment of income or gains arising in respect of commodity-linked ETNs and certain commodity-linked structured notes; also, the timing and character of income or gains arising from ETNs can be uncertain. An adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect a Fund’s ability to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and to avoid a Fund-level tax.

 

118


Book-Tax Differences. Certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of a Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between the Fund’s book income and the sum of the Fund’s taxable income and net tax-exempt income, if any. If such a difference arises, and a Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, if any, the distribution, if any, of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. In the alternative, if a Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, if any, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

Repurchase Agreements and Securities Loans. Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by a Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders, in each case as described below. In addition, withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by a Fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by the Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the Fund were otherwise to meet the requirements described in “Foreign Taxes,” below.

Master Limited Partnerships and other Publicly Traded Partnerships. Subject to any future regulatory guidance to the contrary, any distribution of income attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund’s investment in an MLP or other publicly traded partnership will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction that would be available to a non-corporate shareholder were the shareholder to own such MLP or publicly traded partnership directly. If such distributions do not so qualify, a non-corporate shareholder will generally be subject to a higher effective tax rate on any such amounts received from a Fund compared to the effective rate applicable to any qualified publicly traded partnership income the shareholder would receive if the shareholder invested directly in an MLP or other publicly traded partnership.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Under the Code, investments in certain foreign investment companies that qualify as “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) are subject to special tax rules. A PFIC is any foreign corporation in which (i) 75% or more of the gross income for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, “passive income” for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active business and certain income received from related persons.

Equity investments by a Fund in certain PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to that Fund’s shareholders. However, in certain circumstances, a Fund may avoid this tax treatment by electing to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF” election), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gains

 

119


annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its PFIC holdings “to the market” as though it had sold (and repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may have the effect of accelerating the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increasing the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to sell other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return. If a Fund indirectly invests in PFICs by virtue of the Fund’s investment in underlying U.S. funds, it may not make such elections; rather, the underlying U.S. funds directly investing in PFICs would decide whether to make such elections.

Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.” See “Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders,” below.

Investments in Other RICs. A Fund’s investments in shares of other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are treated as regulated investment companies (each, an “underlying RIC”), as well as certain investments in REITs, can cause the Fund to be required to distribute greater amounts of net investment income or net capital gain than the Fund would have distributed had it invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC, rather than in shares of the underlying RIC. Further, the amount or timing of distributions from a Fund qualifying for treatment as a particular character (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC.

If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC, and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” then the Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.

If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report its distributions derived from those dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC. Qualified dividend income and the dividends-received deduction are described below.

Taxation of Certain Investments. Including as described above, certain of each Fund’s investments will create taxable income in excess of the cash they generate. In such cases, a Fund may be required to sell assets (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to generate the cash necessary to distribute to its shareholders all of its income and gains and therefore to eliminate any tax liability at the Fund level. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below) than if the Fund had not held such investments. The character of a Fund’s taxable income will, in many cases, be determined on the basis of reports made to the Fund by the issuers of the securities in which they invest. The tax treatment of certain securities in which a Fund may invest is not free from doubt and it is possible that an IRS examination of the issuers of such securities could result in adjustments to the income of such Fund.

 

120


Foreign Taxes. Income, proceeds and gains received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. This will decrease a Fund’s yield on securities subject to such taxes. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance because the amount of a Fund’s assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of a Fund’s assets at the end of its taxable year consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their U.S. federal income tax returns for their pro rata portions of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A shareholder’s ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder’s not receiving a full credit or deduction, if any, for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in a Fund through tax-advantaged accounts (including those who invest through individual retirement accounts or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund.

If a Fund is not eligible to or does not make the above election, the Fund’s taxable income will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid or withheld, and shareholders will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction with respect to such taxes. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the treatment of foreign source income and foreign taxes under the U.S. federal income tax laws.

Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income other than exempt-interest dividends, if any, are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned or is considered to have owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder may have owned shares in such Fund. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to loss carryforwards) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain, and taxed to individuals at reduced rates relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued final regulations that impose special rules in respect of Capital Gain Dividends received through partnership interests constituting “applicable partnership interests” under Section 1061 of the Code.

The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange, or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.

 

121


Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income, if any, and may distribute its net capital gain. Taxable income that is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. Each Fund may also retain for investment its net capital gain. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a timely notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. A Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

Distributions are taxable to shareholders as described herein whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through a dividend reinvestment plan.

Distributions by a Fund will result in a reduction in the fair market value of such Fund’s shares. A distribution may be taxable to the shareholder, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, a shareholder that purchases shares of a Fund just prior to a taxable distribution will then receive a return of investment upon distribution which may nevertheless be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain.

Qualified dividend income received by an individual will be taxed at the reduced rates applicable to net capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares.

In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a PFIC. Distributions received by a Fund from REITs generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. If the aggregate qualified dividend income received by a Fund during any taxable year is 95% or more of its “gross income,” then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only capital gain included in the term “gross income” is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.

 

122


A portion of the dividends paid by the Funds to shareholders that are corporations (other than S corporations) may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction (subject to a holding period requirement imposed by the Code) to the extent such dividends are derived from dividends received from U.S. corporations. However, any distributions received by a Fund from REITs or PFICs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (i) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (ii) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (i) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (ii) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)).

The ultimate tax characterization of a Fund’s distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined until after the end of that taxable year. As a result, there is a possibility that a Fund may make total distributions during a taxable year in an amount that exceeds the net investment income and net capital gains the Fund realizes that year, in which case the excess generally will be treated as a return of capital to shareholders, reducing their tax basis in such Fund’s shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of such shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in its Fund shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on the subsequent taxable disposition by a shareholder of those shares.

As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information with respect to each calendar year will be furnished to each shareholder early in the succeeding year.

Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares

The sale, exchange, or redemption of shares of a Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of a Fund will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to those shares. Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of a Fund will be disallowed under the Code’s “wash sale” rule if other substantially identical shares of a Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary, may be required to provide a shareholder and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares the shareholder sold, exchanged or redeemed. See the Funds’ Prospectus for more information.

 

123


Backup Withholding

Each Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to such Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the Fund. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs, as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

In addition, special tax consequences apply to CRTs that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October of 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, a Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other disqualified organization shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a Fund.

Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans.

Foreign Shareholders

Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the Code (“foreign shareholders”) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.

 

124


In general, the Code defines (1) “short-term capital gain dividends” as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) “interest-related dividends” as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by a Fund in a written notice to shareholders. The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation. If a Fund invests in a regulated investment company that pays Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends or interest-related dividends to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.

 

    

Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends (e.g. dividends attributable to foreign-source dividend and interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).

A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).

Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (“QIE”) because it is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition of USRPIs described below. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A RIC that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and regulated investment companies that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in regulated investment companies generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE. If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

 

125


If a Fund were a QIE, under a special “look through” rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund’s foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of a Fund.

Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and -payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.

Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.

Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in a Fund.

Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

126


Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts

Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”) generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an “IGA”) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or Capital Gain Dividends the Fund pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends).

Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

State and Local Taxes

Each Fund is a series of a Delaware statutory trust. Each Fund may be subject to state and/or local taxes in jurisdictions in which such Fund is deemed to be doing business. In addition, the treatment of each Fund and its shareholders in those states which have income tax laws might differ from treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors concerning the state and local tax consequences of investing in a Fund.

EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS TO AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IN LIGHT OF THE SHAREHOLDER’S PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.

OTHER INFORMATION

Delaware Statutory Trust

Each Fund is a series of a “Delaware statutory trust.” The Trust is governed by its Trust Instrument and Certificate of Trust, as amended (“Trust Instrument”), and Amended and Restated By-Laws (“By-Laws”).

The Trust Instrument provides that the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he or she may be

 

127


involved or with which he or she may be threatened, while as a Trustee or thereafter, by reason of his or her being or having been such a Trustee except with respect to any matter as to which he or she shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties, provided that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of bad faith had been adjudicated, it would in the opinion of such counsel have been adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he or she may be lawfully entitled, provided that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement hereunder except out of the property of the Trust. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection with the indemnification under the Trust Instrument, provided that the indemnified person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined that he or she is not entitled to such indemnification.

The Trust shall indemnify officers, and shall have the power to indemnify representatives and employees of the Trust, to the same extent that Trustees are entitled to indemnification pursuant to the Trust Instrument.

The Trust Instrument also provides that, in case any shareholder or former shareholder of any Fund shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of the shareholder’s being or having been a shareholder of such Fund and not because of the shareholder’s acts or omissions or for some other reason, the shareholder or former shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Fund to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Fund, shall, upon request by the shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Fund.

The Trust shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in the Trust Instrument concerning termination by action of the Trustees.

Description of Shares

The Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust in which the Funds each represent a separate series of shares of beneficial interest. The Trustees may, without shareholder approval, divide the shares of any series of the Trust into one or more classes and combine the shares of two or more classes of any series into a single class. The Trustees have authorized the issuance of three classes of shares of each Fund—Class N, Class I and Class Z.

The Trust Instrument permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest without par value of one or more series and to divide or combine the shares of any series or class, if applicable, into a greater or lesser number without changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the series or class. Each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in such Fund with each other share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. Shares of the Funds have no preemptive or conversion rights. The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectus and in this SAI.

 

128


The shareholders of the Trust are entitled to one vote for each whole share held of a Fund (or a class thereof) (or a proportionate fractional vote in respect of a fractional share), on matters on which shares of the Fund (or a class thereof) shall be entitled to vote.

Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, and to set the length of their own terms subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the Trust. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative in the election of Trustees so that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected while the shareholders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. It is the intention of the Trust not to hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required or permitted by either the 1940 Act or by the Trust’s Trust Instrument.

The Trustees have authorized the issuance and sale to the public of shares of several series of the Trust. The Trustees may authorize the issuance of shares of additional series of the Trust. The proceeds from the issuance of any additional series would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios with distinct investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and share purchase, redemption and NAV procedures. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Trust and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Shareholders of any additional series will approve the adoption of any management contract, distribution agreement and any changes in the investment policies of any such additional series, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.

Conduct of the Trust’s Business

Forum for Adjudication of Disputes. The By-Laws of the Trust provide that unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust or the shareholders, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer, or other agent of the Trust to the Trust or the Trust’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Statutory Trust Act or the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws or any agreement contemplated by any provision of the 1940 Act, the Trust Instrument or the By-Laws, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (each, a “Covered Action”). The By-Laws further provide that if any Covered Action is filed in a court other than the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any shareholder, such shareholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such courts to enforce the preceding sentence (an “Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such shareholder in any such Enforcement Action by service upon such shareholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such shareholder.

The By-Laws provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be (i) deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing paragraph and (ii) deemed to have waived any argument relating to the inconvenience of the forum referenced above in connection with any action or proceeding described in the foregoing paragraph.

 

129


This forum selection provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims. If a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the By-Laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

Derivative and Direct Claims of Shareholders. The By-Laws contain provisions regarding derivative and direct claims of shareholders. As used in the By-Laws, a “direct” shareholder claim refers to (i) a claim based upon alleged violations of a shareholder’s individual rights independent of any harm to the Trust, including a shareholder’s voting rights under Article V of the By-Laws, rights to receive a dividend payment as may be declared from time to time, rights to inspect books and records, or other similar rights personal to the shareholder and independent of any harm to the Trust; and (ii) a claim for which a direct shareholder action is expressly provided under the U.S. federal securities laws. The By-Laws provide that any other claim asserted by a shareholder, including without limitation any claims purporting to be brought on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust, are considered a “derivative” claim as used in the By-Laws.

The By-Laws provide that a shareholder may not bring or maintain any court action or other proceeding asserting a derivative claim or any claim asserted on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees, unless the shareholder makes a specific showing that irreparable nonmonetary injury to the Trust would otherwise result. The By-Laws provide that the Trustees shall consider such demand within 90 days of its receipt by the Trust. The By-Laws provide that, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or any series or class of shares, as appropriate. The By-Laws provide that any decision by the Trustees to bring, maintain or settle (or not to bring, maintain or settle) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholders, and no suit, proceeding or other action shall be commenced or maintained after a decision to reject a demand. The By-Laws provide that any Trustee acting in connection with any demand or any proceeding relating to a claim on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust who is not an “interested person” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) will be deemed to be independent and disinterested with respect to such demand, proceeding or claim.

The By-Laws provide that a shareholder may not bring or maintain a court action or other proceeding asserting a direct claim against the Trust, the Trustees, or officers predicated upon an express or implied right of action under the Trust Instrument or U.S. federal securities laws (excepting direct shareholder actions expressly provided by U.S. federal securities laws), unless the shareholder has obtained authorization from the Trustees to bring the action. The By-Laws provide that the requirement of authorization shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees. The By-Laws provide that the Trustees shall consider such request within 90 days after its receipt by the Trust. The By-Laws provide that the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class of shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to settle or to authorize (or not to settle or to authorize) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholder seeking authorization.

The By-Laws provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. These forgoing provisions may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim against the Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims. If a court were to find that any of the foregoing provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.

 

130


Additional Information

This SAI and the Funds’ Prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the Trust’s Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, certain portions have been omitted. The Trust’s Registration Statement, including the Exhibits filed therewith, may be examined on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Statements contained in this SAI and the Funds’ Prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an Exhibit to the Trust’s Registration Statement. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.

No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the Funds’ Prospectus or this SAI, in connection with the offer of shares of the Funds and, if given or made, such other representations or information must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust, the Funds or the Distributor. The Funds’ Prospectus and this SAI do not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy any of the securities offered thereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Funds or the Distributor to make such offer in such jurisdictions.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Funds’ audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 and the related Notes to the Financial Statements for the Funds, as well as the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, from each Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 are incorporated by reference into this SAI (meaning such documents are legally a part of this SAI) and are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.amgfunds.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

131


APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS ASSIGNED BY

S&P GLOBAL RATINGS AND MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.

A Fund’s investments may range in quality from securities rated in the lowest category in which the Fund is permitted to invest to securities rated in the highest category (as rated by Moody’s or S&P or, if unrated, determined by the Subadviser to be of comparable quality). The percentage of a Fund’s assets invested in securities in a particular rating category will vary. The following is a description of Moody’s and S&P’s rating categories applicable to fixed income securities.

Moody’s Investors Service

Global Rating Scales

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. The contractual financial obligations addressed by Moody’s ratings are those that call for, without regard to enforceability, the payment of an ascertainable amount, which may vary based upon standard sources of variation (e.g., floating interest rates), by an ascertainable date. Moody’s rating addresses the issuer’s ability to obtain cash sufficient to service the obligation, and its willingness to pay. Moody’s ratings do not address non-standard sources of variation in the amount of the principal obligation (e.g., equity indexed), absent an express statement to the contrary in a press release accompanying an initial rating. Short-term ratings are assigned for obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Moody’s issues ratings at the issuer level and instrument level on both the long-term scale and the short-term scale. Typically, ratings are made publicly available although private and unpublished ratings may also be assigned.

Moody’s differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution, and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf) to all structured finance ratings. The addition of (sf) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same. The (sf) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moody’s aspires to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.

Global Long-Term Rating Scale

 

  Aaa:

Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

  Aa:

Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A-1


  A:

Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

  Baa:

Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

  Ba:

Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

  B:

Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

  Caa:

Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

  Ca:

Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

  C:

Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*

* By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

Global Short-Term Rating Scale

 

  P-1:

Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

  P-2:

Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

  P-3:

Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

  NP:

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

US Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings

Short-Term Obligation Ratings

Moody’s uses the global short-term Prime rating scale for commercial paper issued by US municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity.

 

A-2


For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody’s uses one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed below.

Moody’s uses the MIG scale for US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, Moody’s uses the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

 

  MIG 1:

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

  MIG 2:

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

  MIG 3:

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

  SG:

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Demand Obligation Ratings

In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), Moody’s assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligation resulting from optional tenders (“on demand”) and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment grade.

Moody’s typically assigns a VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years, but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as “NR”.

 

  VMIG 1:

This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

  VMIG 2:

This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

  VMIG 3:

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

A-3


  SG:

This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

S&P Global Ratings

Issue Credit Rating Definitions

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market, typically with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Short-term issue credit ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings*

 

  AAA:

An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

  AA:

An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

 

  A:

An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

 

  BBB:

An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

BB; B; CCC;

  CC; and C:

Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

 

A-4


  BB:

An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

  B:

An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

  CCC:

An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

  CC:

An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

  C:

An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

 

  D:

An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

 

*

Ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

 

  A-1:

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

A-5


  A-2:

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

  A-3:

A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

  B:

A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

  C:

A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

  D:

A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

SPUR (S&P Underlying Rating)

A SPUR is an opinion about the stand-alone capacity of an obligor to pay debt service on a credit-enhanced debt issue, without giving effect to the enhancement that applies to it. These ratings are published only at the request of the debt issuer or obligor with the designation SPUR to distinguish them from the credit-enhanced rating that applies to the debt issue. S&P Global Ratings maintains surveillance of an issue with a published SPUR.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings

An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings’ opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings’ analysis will review the following considerations:

 

   

Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

 

   

Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

 

A-6


Municipal short-term note rating symbols are as follows:

 

  SP-1:

Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

 

  SP-2:

Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

  SP-3:

Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

  D:

‘D’ is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

Dual Ratings

Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

Active Qualifiers (Currently applied and/or outstanding)

S&P Global Ratings uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a ‘p’ qualifier, which indicates the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.

 

  L:

Ratings qualified with ‘L’ apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

 

  p:

This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The ‘p’ suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.

 

  prelim:

Preliminary ratings, with the ‘prelim’ suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.

 

   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.

 

A-7


   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor’s emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation, and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).

 

   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings’ opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.

 

   

Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing, or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.

 

   

A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.

 

  t:

This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

 

  cir:

This symbol indicates a counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.

Inactive Qualifiers (No longer applied or outstanding)

 

  *:

This symbol indicated that the rating was contingent upon S&P Global Ratings’ receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows. Discontinued use in August 1998.

 

  c:

This qualifier was used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer was lowered to below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds were deemed taxable. Discontinued use in January 2001.

 

  G:

The letter ‘G’ followed the rating symbol when a fund’s portfolio consisted primarily of direct U.S. government securities.

 

  i:

This suffix was used for issues in which the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of interest are different from the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of

 

A-8


  principal on the obligation. The ‘i’ suffix indicated that the rating addressed the interest portion of the obligation only. The ‘i’ suffix was always used in conjunction with the ‘p’ suffix, which addresses likelihood of receipt of principal. For example, a rated obligation could have been assigned a rating of ‘AAApNRi’ indicating that the principal portion was rated ‘AAA’ and the interest portion of the obligation was not rated.

 

  pi:

This qualifier was used to indicate ratings that were based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain. Such ratings did not, however, reflect in-depth meetings with an issuer’s management and therefore could have been based on less comprehensive information than ratings without a ‘pi’ suffix. Discontinued use as of December 2014 and as of August 2015 for Lloyd’s Syndicate Assessments.

 

  pr:

The letters ‘pr’ indicate that the rating was provisional. A provisional rating assumed the successful completion of a project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements was largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, made no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion.

 

  q:

A ‘q’ subscript indicates that the rating is based solely on quantitative analysis of publicly available information. Discontinued use in April 2001.

 

  r:

The ‘r’ modifier was assigned to securities containing extraordinary risks, particularly market risks, that are not covered in the credit rating. The absence of an ‘r’ modifier should not be taken as an indication that an obligation would not exhibit extraordinary noncredit-related risks. S&P Global Ratings discontinued the use of the ‘r’ modifier for most obligations in June 2000 and for the balance of obligations (mainly structured finance transactions) in November 2002.

Local Currency and Foreign Currency Ratings

S&P Global Ratings’ issuer credit ratings make a distinction between foreign currency ratings and local currency ratings. A foreign currency rating on an issuer can differ from the local currency rating on it when the obligor has a different capacity to meet its obligations denominated in its local currency versus obligations denominated in a foreign currency.

 

A-9


APPENDIX B

 

LOGO

Updated January 3, 2023

PROXY VOTING

Policy. River Road Asset Management, LLC’s (“River Road”) exercises discretionary voting authority over proxies issued on securities held in client accounts unless the client has explicitly reserved voting authority. River Road, as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our clients, votes proxies for client securities consistent with the best economic interests of the clients. River Road maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting. River Road has established the Proxy Voting Policy Committee for reviewing voting guidelines and special issues. River Road’s compliance department oversees the operational and procedural aspects of the proxy voting process. Additionally, to help discharge its duties, River Road uses Glass Lewis & Co. (“Glass Lewis”) as its voting agent. Glass Lewis performs the following services:

 

   

provides analysis of proxy proposals,

 

   

tracks and receives proxies for which River Road clients are entitled to vote,

 

   

votes the proxies as directed by River Road; and,

 

   

compiles and provides client voting records.

Voting Process. River Road will generally instruct Glass Lewis to vote proxies pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Proxy Voting Policy Committee at the beginning of each year. If the Glass Lewis/River Road policy recommendation and the management recommendation for all votes on a ballot are the same, the compliance department will typically vote accordingly. There are limited instances where River Road has (and may in the future) vote differently from the policy and management recommendation.

For each instance when the Glass Lewis recommended vote contradicts the recommendation of management, the primary analyst assigned to the stock consults with the relevant portfolio manager(s) and reviews the proposal and the respective arguments of management and Glass Lewis. The analyst and portfolio manager(s) then recommend voting the issue in the way River Road believes is most beneficial to shareholder value. If this vote decision is different than River Road’s policy recommendation (i.e., the Glass Lewis recommendation in most instances), the rationale is documented and a member of River Road’s ESG team and compliance team reviews and approves the rationale before submitting the final vote.

For a period, the Proxy Voting Policy Committee has determined that ballots for non-U.S. companies will typically receive an individual voting review in all instances. This will help identify differences between Glass Lewis’ policy for various countries to identify an approach more like U.S. voting going forward. If the vote decision goes against the Glass Lewis recommendation, an ESG review is completed.

 

COMPLIANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

B-1


Conflicts of Interest. River Road has eliminated most conflicts of interest by using an independent third party (Glass Lewis) that votes pursuant to the guidelines adopted by the Proxy Voting Policy Committee or in accordance with River Road’s direction based on the above process. Additionally, River Road’s voting process of voting with Glass Lewis/River Road policy recommendation and requiring the compliance department signoff if voting differently addresses any potential conflict of River Road voting shares for a public company that is also a River Road client or an affiliate of a River Road client. In cases where River Road believes there may be an actual or perceived conflict of interest, River Road requires additional steps that may include the following:

 

  i.

documenting the potential conflict of interest;

 

  ii.

obtaining the prior approval of the Chief Investment Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer;

 

  iii.

obtaining Proxy Voting Policy Committee review or approval;

 

  iv.

deferring to the voting recommendation of a third party;

 

  v.

voting pursuant to client direction (following disclosure of the conflict);

 

  vi.

abstaining from voting;

 

  vii.

voting reflectively (in the same proportion and manner as other shareholders); or,

 

  viii.

taking such other action as necessary to protect the interests of clients.

COMPLIANCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

B-2


PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 28.

EXHIBITS

 

(a)    (1)    Trust Instrument dated September 10, 1993 is incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 13, 1993 (Registration Nos. 033-68666 and 811-08004). (P)
   (2)    State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated February 25, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.
   (3)    State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated September 10, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement as filed on September 21, 2001.
   (4)    State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated November 29, 2006 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registration Statement as filed on November 30, 2006.
   (5)    State of Delaware Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust dated September 29, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2016.
   (6)    Amendment No. 1 to Trust Instrument dated March 18, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
(b)    (1)    Amended and Restated By-Laws dated March 18, 2021 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 193 to the Registration Statement as filed on March 22, 2021.
(c)    Not applicable.
(d)    (1)    Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 30, 2014 between AMG Funds IV (formerly, Aston Funds) and AMG Funds LLC1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 159 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 19, 2014.
   (2)    Amendment No. 1 to Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 1, 2016 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2016.
   (3)    Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (4)    Form of Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement dated February 27, 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.

 

1 

Effective as of October 1, 2016, in connection with the merger of Aston Asset Management, LLC with and into AMG Funds LLC, AMG Funds LLC, as Aston Asset Management, LLC’s legal successor, replaced Aston Asset Management, LLC as a party to the Investment Advisory Agreement and to each Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement referenced herein.

 

1


   (5)    Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 1, 2017 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 to the Registration Statement as filed on July 31, 2017.
   (6)    Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2020 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 190 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2020.
   (7)    Form of Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund (formerly AMG Managers DoubleLine Core Plus Bond Fund, which was formerly ASTON/DoubleLine Core Plus Fixed Income Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (8)    Form of Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund (formerly AMG Managers Pictet International Fund, which was formerly ASTON/Pictet International Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (9)    Form of Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Small Cap Fund II, which was formerly AMG Managers LMCG Small Cap Growth Fund, which was formerly ASTON/LMCG Small Cap Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (10)    Form of Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund (formerly AMG Managers Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund, which was formerly ASTON/Montag & Caldwell Growth Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (11)    Form of Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly AMG Managers Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund, which was formerly ASTON/Fairpointe Mid Cap Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (12)    Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund (formerly AMG River Road Long-Short Fund, which was formerly ASTON/River Road Long-Short Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 26, 2021.
   (13)    Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund is filed herewith.
   (14)    Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 30, 2014 between AMG Funds LLC1 and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund (formerly ASTON/River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund), AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund (formerly ASTON/River Road Small Cap Value Fund), AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund (formerly AMG River Road Select Value Fund, which was formerly ASTON/River Road Select Value Fund) and AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 160 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 30, 2014.

 

2


   (15)    Revised Schedule A to the Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated June 30, 2014 between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund and AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund (formerly ASTON/River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 167 to the Registration Statement as filed on October 30, 2015.
   (16)    Form of Amendment No. 1 to Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund and AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (17)    Form of Letter Agreement to Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund and AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (18)    Letter Agreement to Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 26, 2021.
   (19)    Letter Agreement to Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund is filed herewith.
   (20)    Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (21)    Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(19) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (22)    Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(21) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (23)    Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc. with respect to AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(23) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.

 

3


   (24)    Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(25) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
(e)    (1)    Distribution Agreement dated October 1, 2016 between AMG Funds IV and AMG Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2016.
   (2)    Letter Agreement to Distribution Agreement dated July 1, 2019 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 190 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2020.
   (3)    Letter Agreement to Distribution Agreement dated July 1, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 26, 2021.
(f)    Not applicable.
(g)    (1)    Form of Custody Agreement between AMG Funds IV and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (2)    Letter Agreement between AMG Funds IV and The Bank of New York Mellon appointing The Bank of New York Mellon as Foreign Custody Manager is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 29, 2012.
   (3)    Amended and Restated Exhibit A to the Letter Agreement between AMG Funds IV and The Bank of New York Mellon appointing The Bank of New York Mellon as Foreign Custody Manager is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 169 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 15, 2015.
(h)    (1)    Form of Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement between AMG Funds IV and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (2)    Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated October 1, 2016 between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 to the Registration Statement as filed on December 29, 2016.
   (3)    Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 190 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2020.
   (4)    Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.

 

4


   (5)    Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (6)    Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (7)    Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (8)    Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 192 to the Registration Statement as filed on January 28, 2021.
   (9)    Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 26, 2021.
   (10)    Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2019.
   (11)    Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund is filed herewith.
   (12)    Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (13)    BlackRock Rule 12d1-4 Fund of Funds Investment Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(13) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2022.
(i)   

(1)

   Opinion of Vedder Price P.C. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 172 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 26, 2016.
   (2)    Opinion of Smith, Katzenstein & Jenkins, LLC with respect to Class Z shares of AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 26, 2021.
(j)   

(1)

   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is filed herewith.
   (2)    Power of Attorney for Trustees and certain Officers is filed herewith.

 

5


(k)    Not applicable.
(l)    Not applicable.
(m)    (1)    Amended and Restated Distribution and Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N shares of AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund, AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund, AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund, AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund and AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2022.
   (2)    Amended and Restated Distribution and Services Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N shares of AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund and AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 28, 2022.
(n)    (1)    Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the Registration Statement as filed on August 26, 2021.
(o)    Not applicable.
(p)    (1)    Code of Ethics of AMG Funds IV is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (2)    Code of Ethics of River Road Asset Management, LLC is filed herewith.
   (3)    Code of Ethics of AMG Funds LLC and AMG Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 178 to the Registration Statement as filed on February 27, 2017.
   (4)    Code of Ethics of Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (5)    Code of Ethics of GW&K Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
   (6)    Code of Ethics of Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registration Statement as filed on May 21, 2021.
101.INS       XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear on the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE       XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

6


ITEM 29.

PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE FUND

None.

 

ITEM 30.

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 10.2 of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument provides as follows:

10.2 Indemnification. AMG Funds IV (the “Trust”) shall indemnify each of its Trustees against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Trustee or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a Trustee except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties, provided that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of bad faith had been adjudicated, it would in the opinion of such counsel have been adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled, provided that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement hereunder except out of the property of the Trust. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection with the indemnification under this Section 10.2, provided that the indemnified person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such indemnification.

The Trust shall indemnify officers, and shall have the power to indemnify representatives and employees of the Trust, to the same extent that Trustees are entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 10.2.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in that Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in that Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Section 10.3 of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument, also provides for the indemnification of shareholders of the Registrant. Section 10.3 states as follows:

10.3 Shareholders. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a shareholder of such Series and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets of the Series.

 

7


In addition, the Registrant currently has a trustees’ and officers’ liability policy covering certain types of errors and omissions.

 

ITEM 31.

BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

AMG Funds LLC, a registered investment adviser, serves as investment manager to the Trust. Effective as of October 1, 2016, in connection with the merger of Aston Asset Management, LLC with and into AMG Funds LLC, AMG Funds LLC, as Aston Asset Management, LLC’s legal successor, replaced Aston Asset Management, LLC as investment manager to the Trust. AMG Funds LLC is a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (“AMG”) and AMG serves as its Managing Member. AMG Funds LLC serves as an investment manager to investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to various separate accounts. AMG Funds LLC also provides non-discretionary back office, trading execution and support, administrative and/or marketing services to affiliated entities in connection with such entities’ provision of advisory services to or through various investment products and programs. The business and other connections of the officers and directors of AMG Funds LLC are listed in Schedules A and D of its Form ADV as currently on file with the SEC, the text of which Schedules are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The file number of this Form ADV is 801-56365.

AMG Funds LLC has hired one or more Subadviser(s) for each series of the Trust. The business and other connections of the officers and directors of each Subadviser are listed in their respective Schedules A and D of their Forms ADV as currently on file with the SEC, the text of which Schedules are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The file numbers of said Forms ADV are listed below. Each Subadviser is an affiliate of AMG Funds LLC and the Registrant. Each of River Road Asset Management, LLC, GW&K Investment Management, LLC, and Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc. is majority owned by AMG. AMG holds a minority interest in Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd.

 

Subadviser

  

File Number

  

Funds

Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd.    801-64420    AMG Beutel Goodman Core Plus Bond Fund; AMG Beutel Goodman International Equity Fund
GW&K Investment Management, LLC    801-61559    AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund
Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc.    801-71803    AMG Montrusco Bolton Large Cap Growth Fund
River Road Asset Management, LLC    801-64175    AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Focused Absolute Value Fund, AMG River Road International Value Equity Fund, AMG River Road Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small-Mid Cap Value Fund, AMG River Road Small Cap Value Fund

 

8


ITEM 32.

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

 

(a)    AMG Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for the Registrant. AMG Distributors, Inc. also acts as principal underwriter for AMG Funds (formerly Managers AMG Funds), AMG Funds I (formerly Managers Trust I), AMG Funds II (formerly Managers Trust II), AMG Funds III (formerly The Managers Funds), AMG Pantheon Fund, LLC, Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. and Tweedy, Browne Value Funds SICAV (an offshore fund series not offered to U.S. persons).
(b)    The following information relates to the directors, officers and partners of AMG Distributors, Inc.:

 

Name and Principal

Business Address

  

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

  

Positions and

Offices with Funds

Aaron Galis

c/o Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

600 Hale Street

Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965

   Director    None

Keitha L. Kinne

c/o AMG Funds LLC

680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

  

President, Principal and

Chief Operating Officer

   President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Andrew Reid

c/o AMG Funds LLC

680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

   Principal Financial Officer    None

Patrick Spellman

c/o AMG Funds LLC

680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500

Stamford, Connecticut 06901

   Chief Compliance
Officer
   Chief Compliance Officer, Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

 

(c)    Not applicable.

 

ITEM 33.

LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are kept by the Registrant, each Subadviser, and the listed entities at the following offices:

 

9


(1) At the offices of the Registrant at 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901, at the offices of AMG Funds LLC, 680 Washington Boulevard, Suite 500, Stamford, Connecticut 06901, at the offices of the Custodian, The Bank of New York Mellon, 6023 Airport Road, Oriskany, New York 13424, and at the offices of the Transfer Agent, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. Effective March 9, 2023, the Transfer Agent’s address will change to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., Attn: 534426, AIM 154-0520, 500 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15262.

(2) Beutel, Goodman & Company Ltd., 20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4R 1K8.

(3) GW&K Investment Management, LLC, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

(4) Montrusco Bolton Investments, Inc., 1501 McGill College Avenue, Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A3M8.

(5) River Road Asset Management, LLC, Meidinger Tower, 462 South Fourth Street, Suite 2000, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.

 

ITEM 34.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 35.

UNDERTAKINGS

Not Applicable.

 

10


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended, AMG Funds IV certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Stamford, and State of Connecticut, on the 28th day of February, 2023.

 

AMG FUNDS IV
By:  

/s/ Thomas Disbrow

  Thomas Disbrow
  Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and
  Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

 

Signature

     

Title

 

Date

/s/ Bruce B. Bingham*

    Trustee   February 28, 2023
Bruce B. Bingham      

/s/ Kurt A. Keilhacker*

    Trustee   February 28, 2023
Kurt A. Keilhacker      

/s/ Steven J. Paggioli*

    Trustee   February 28, 2023
Steven J. Paggioli      

/s/ Eric Rakowski*

    Trustee   February 28, 2023
Eric Rakowski      

/s/ Victoria L. Sassine*

    Trustee   February 28, 2023
Victoria L. Sassine      

/s/ Garret W. Weston*

    Trustee   February 28, 2023
Garret W. Weston      

/s/ Keitha L. Kinne

    President and   February 28, 2023
Keitha L. Kinne     Principal Executive Officer  
    (Principal Executive Officer)  

/s/ Thomas Disbrow

    Treasurer,   February 28, 2023
Thomas Disbrow     Chief Financial Officer, and
    Principal Financial Officer
    (Principal Accounting Officer)
    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

*By  

/s/ Thomas Disbrow

  Thomas Disbrow

* Pursuant to the Power of Attorney for Trustees and certain Officers filed herewith.

Date: February 28, 2023


AMG Funds IV

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

(d)(13)   Letter Agreement to Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund.
(d)(19)   Letter Agreement to Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund.
(h)(11)   Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between AMG Funds IV and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG River Road Dividend All Cap Value Fund.
(j)(1)   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
(j)(2)   Power of Attorney for Trustees and certain Officers.
(p)(2)   Code of Ethics of River Road Asset Management, LLC.
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear on the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.