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Previous: FEDERATED STOCK TRUST, 485BPOS, 2000-12-27 |
Next: FEDERATED STOCK TRUST, 485BPOS, EX-99.(A)(I), 2000-12-27 |
Exhibit (a) under Form N-1A
Exhibit 3 (i) under Item 601/Reg. S-K
RESTATEMENT AND AMENDMENT #3
TO THE
DECLARATION OF TRUST
FEDERATED STOCK TRUST
Dated May 19, 2000
THIS RESTATEMENT AND AMENDMENT, dated May 19, 2000, by the undersigned, and by the holders of shares of beneficial interest to be issued hereunder as hereinafter provided.
WHEREAS, the Trustees desire to establish a trust fund for the investment and reinvestment of funds contributed thereto;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees declare that all money and property contributed to the trust fund hereunder shall be held and managed under this Declaration of Trust IN TRUST as herein set forth below.
ARTICLE I
NAMES AND DEFINITIONS
| Section 1. Name. This Trust shall be known as the “FEDERATED STOCK TRUST”. |
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| Section 2. Definitions. Wherever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided: |
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| (a) The terms “Affiliated Person,” “Assignment,” “Commission,” “Interested Person,” “Majority Shareholder Vote” (the 67% or 50% requirement of Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, whichever may be applicable) and “Principal Underwriter” shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time; | |
| (b) The "Trust" refers to the FEDERATED STOCK TRUST; | |
| (c) "Class" refers to a class of Shares established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article III; | |
| (d) "Series" refers to a series of Shares established and designated under or in accordance with the provisions of Article III; | |
| (e) “Series Company” refers to the form of a registered open-end investment company described in Section 18(f)(2) of the 1940 Act or in any successor statutory provision; | |
| (f) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares of any Series or Class; | |
| (g) The “Trustees” refer to the individual Trustees in their capacity as Trustees hereunder of the Trust and their successor or successors for the time being in office as such Trustees; | |
| (h) “Shares” means the equal proportionate units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time, or if more than one Series or Class of Shares is authorized by the Trustees, the equal proportionate units into which each Series or Class of Shares shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares; and | |
| (i) The “1940 Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time. |
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE OF TRUST
The purpose of this Trust is to provide investors a continuous source of managed investments primarily in securities.
ARTICLE III
BENEFICIAL INTEREST
Section 1. Shares of Beneficial Interest.
The beneficial interest in the
Trust shall at all times be divided into transferable Shares, without par value.
Subject to the provisions of Section 5 of this Article III, each Share shall
have voting rights as provided in Article VIII hereof, and holders of the Shares
of any Series shall be entitled to receive dividends, when and as declared with
respect thereto in the manner provided in Article X, Section 1 hereof. The
Shares of any Series may be issued in two or more Classes, as the Trustees may
authorize pursuant to Article XII, Section 8 hereof. Unless the Trustees have
authorized the issuance of Shares of a Series in two or more Classes, each Share
of a Series shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets and
liabilities of the Series with each other Share of the same Series, none having
priority or preference over another. If the Trustees have authorized the
issuance of Shares of a Series in two or more Classes, then the Classes may have
such variations as to dividend, redemption, and voting rights, net asset values,
expenses borne by the Classes, and other matters as the Trustees have authorized
provided that each Share of a Class shall represent an equal proportionate
interest in the assets and liabilities of the Class with each other Share of the
same Class, none having priority or preference over another. The number of
Shares authorized shall be unlimited. The Trustees may from time to time divide
or combine the Shares of any Series or Class into a greater or lesser number
without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Series or
Class. Contributions to the Trust may be accepted for, and Shares shall be
redeemed as, whole Shares and/or fractions.
Section 2. Ownership of Shares.
The ownership of Shares shall be
recorded in the books of the Trust or a transfer agent which books shall be
maintained separately for the Shares of each Series or Class. The Trustees may
make such rules as they consider appropriate for the transfer of Shares and
similar matters. The record books of the Trust or any transfer agent, as the
case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders of each Series
or Class and as to the number of Shares of each Series or Class held from time
to time by each.
Section 3. Investment in the Trust.
The Trustees shall accept
investments in the Trust from such persons and on such terms as they may from
time to time authorize. After the date of the initial contribution of capital
(which shall occur prior to the initial public offering of Shares), the number
of Shares to represent the initial contribution shall be considered as
outstanding and the amount received by the Trustees on account of the
contribution shall be treated as an asset of the Trust to be allocated among any
Series or Classes in the manner described in Section 5(a) of this Article.
Subsequent to such initial contribution of capital, Shares (including Shares
which may have been redeemed or repurchased by the Trust) may be issued or sold
at a price which will net the relevant Series or Class, as the case may be,
before paying any taxes in connection with such issue or sale, not less than the
net asset value (as defined in Article X, Section 4) thereof; provided,
however, that the Trustees may in their discretion impose a sales charge upon
investments in the Trust.
Section 4. No Pre-emptive Rights.
Shareholders shall have no
pre-emptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other
securities issued by the Trust or the Trustees.
Section 5. Establishment and Designation of Series or Class.
Without limiting the authority of
the Trustees set forth in Article XII, Section 8, inter alia, to establish and
designate any additional series or class or to modify the rights and preferences
of any existing Series or Class, the initial series shall be, and is established
without class designation as, Federated Stock Trust.
Shares of any Series or Class established in this Section 5 shall have the following relative rights and preferences:
| (a) Assets belonging to Series or Class. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series or Class, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source derived, including, without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably belong to that Series or Class for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever source derived, including, without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, are herein referred to as “assets belonging to” that Series or Class. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds or payments which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series or Class (collectively “General Assets”), the Trustees shall allocate such General Assets to, between or among any one or more of the Series or Classes established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as they, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable, and any General Assets so allocated to a particular Series or Class shall belong to that Series or Class. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series or Classes for all purposes. | |
| (b) Liabilities Belonging to Series or Class. The assets belonging to each particular Series or Class shall be charged with the liabilities of the Trust in respect to that Series or Class and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that Series or Class, and any general liabilities of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Series or Class shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among any one or more of the Series or Classes established and designated from time to time in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves so charged to a Series or Class are herein referred to as “liabilities belonging to” that Series or Class. Each allocation of liabilities belonging to a Series or class by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series or Classes for all purposes. | |
| (c) Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions, Repurchases and Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Declaration, including, without limitation, Article X, no dividend or distribution (including, without limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of the Trust or of any Series or Class) with respect to, nor any redemption or repurchase of the Shares of any Series or Class shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets belonging to such Series or Class, nor except as specifically provided in Section 1 of Article XI hereof, shall any Shareholder of any particular Series or Class otherwise have any right or claim against the assets belonging to any other Series or Class except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Series or Class. | |
| (d) Voting. Notwithstanding any of the other provisions of this Declaration, including, without limitation, Section 1 of Article VIII, only Shareholders of a particular Series or Class shall be entitled to vote on any matters affecting such Series or Class. Except with respect to matters as to which any particular Series or Class is affected, all of the Shares of each Series or Class shall, on matters as to which such Series or Class is entitled to vote, vote with other Series or Classes so entitled as a single class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to matters which would otherwise be voted on by two or more Series or Classes as a single class, the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, submit such matters to the Shareholders of any or all such Series or Classes, separately. | |
| (e) Fraction. Any fractional Share of a Series or Class shall carry proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of that Series or Class, including rights with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions, redemption of Shares and termination of the Trust or of any Series or Class. | |
| (f) Exchange Privilege. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the holders of Shares of any Series or Class shall have the right to exchange said Shares for Shares of one or more other Series or Classes in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees. | |
| (g) Combination of Series or Classes. The Trustees shall have the authority, without the approval of the Shareholders of any Series or Class, unless otherwise required by applicable law, to combine the assets and liabilities belonging to a single Series or Class with the assets and liabilities of one or more other Series or Classes. | |
| (h) Elimination of Series or Classes. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular Series or Class previously established and designated, the Trustees may amend this Declaration of Trust to abolish that Series or Class and to rescind the establishment and designation thereof. |
ARTICLE IV
THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Management of the Trust.
The business and affairs of the
Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary
and desirable to carry out that responsibility.
Section 2. Election of Trustees at Meeting of
Shareholders.
On a date fixed by the Trustees,
which shall be subsequent to the initial public offering of Shares, the
Shareholders shall elect Trustees. The number of Trustees shall be determined by
the Trustees pursuant to Article IV, Section 6.
Section 3. Term of Office of Trustees.
The Trustees shall hold office
during the lifetime of this Trust, and until its termination as hereinafter
provided; except (a) that any Trustee may resign his office at any time by
written instrument signed by him and delivered to the other Trustees, which
shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified
therein; (b) that any Trustee may be removed at any time by written instrument
signed by at least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such removal,
specifying the date when such removal shall become effective; (c) that any
Trustee who requests in writing to be retired or who has become mentally or
physically incapacitated may be retired by written instrument signed by a
majority of the other Trustees, specifying the date of his retirement; and (d) a
Trustee may be removed at any special meeting of Shareholders of the Trust by a
vote of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares.
Section 4. Termination of Service and Appointment of Trustees.
In case of the death, resignation,
retirement, removal or mental or physical incapacity of any of the Trustees, or
in case a vacancy shall, by reason of an increase in number, or for any other
reason, exist, the remaining Trustees shall fill such vacancy by appointing such
other person as they in their discretion shall see fit. Such appointment shall
be effected by the signing of a written instrument by a majority of the Trustees
in office. Within three months of such appointment, the Trustees shall cause
notice of such appointment to be mailed to each Shareholder at his address
recorded on the books of the Trust. An appointment of a Trustee may be made by
the Trustees then in office and notice thereof mailed to Shareholders as
aforesaid in anticipation of a vacancy to occur by reason of retirement,
resignation or increase in number of Trustees effective at a later date,
provided that said appointment shall become effective only at or after the
effective date of said retirement, resignation or increase in number of
Trustees. As soon as any Trustee so appointed shall have accepted this Trust,
the trust estate shall vest in the new Trustee or Trustees, together with the
continuing Trustees, without any further act or conveyance, and he shall be
deemed a Trustee hereunder. Any appointment authorized by this Section 4 is
subject to the provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
Section 5. Temporary Absence of Trustee.
Any Trustee may, by power of
attorney, delegate his power for a period not exeeding six months at any one
time to any other Trustee or Trustees, provided that in no case shall fewer than
two of the Trustees personally exercise the other power hereunder except as
herein otherwise expressly provided.
Section 6. Number of Trustees.
The number of Trustees, not less
than three (3) nor more than twenty (20) serving hereunder at any time, shall be
determined by the Trustees themselves.
Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled or while any Trustee is physically or mentally incapacitated, the other Trustees shall have all the powers hereunder and the certificate signed by a majority of the other Trustees of such vacancy, absence or incapacity, shall be conclusive, provided, however, that no vacancy which reduces the number of Trustees below three (3) shall remain unfilled for a period longer than six calendar months.
Section 7. Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee.
The death, resignation,
retirement, removal, or mental or physical incapacity of the Trustees, or any
one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing
agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
Section 8. Ownership of Assets.
The assets belonging to each
Series or Class shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or
hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees
or any successor Trustee. All of the assets belonging to each Series or Class or
owned by the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees.
No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership interest in any
individual asset belonging to any Series or Class or owned by the Trust or any
right of partition or possession thereof, but each Shareholder shall have a
proportionate undivided beneficial interest in a Series or Class.
ARTICLE V
POWERS OF THE TRUSTEES
Section 1. Powers.
The Trustees in all instances
shall act as principals, and are and shall be free from the control of the
Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all
acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may
consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust
or a Series or Class. The Trustees shall not be bound or limited by present or
future laws or customs in regard to trust investments, but shall have full
authority and power to make any and all investments which they, in their
uncontrolled discretion, shall deem proper to accomplish the purpose of this
Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have the following
specific powers and authority, subject to any applicable limitation in this
Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws of the Trust:
(a) To buy, and invest funds in their hands in securities including, but not limited to, common stocks, preferred stocks, bonds, debentures, warrants and rights to purchase securities, options, certificates of beneficial interest, money market instruments, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued by any corporation, trust or association, domestic or foreign, or issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof, by the government of any foreign country, by any State of the United States, or by any political subdivision or agency or instrumentality of any State or foreign country, or in “when-issued” or “delayed-delivery” contracts for any such securities, or in any repurchase agreement (agreements under which the seller agrees at the time of sale to repurchase the security at an agreed time and price), or to retain assets belonging to each and every Series or Class in cash, and from time to time to change the investments of the assets belonging to each Series or Class; |
(b) To adopt By-Laws of the Trust not inconsistent with the Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders; |
(c) To Elect and remove such officers of the Trust and appoint and terminate such agents of the Trust as they consider appropriate; |
(d) To appoint or otherwise engage a bank or trust company as custodian of any assets belonging to any Series or Class subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws; |
(e) To appoint or otherwise engage transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, Shareholder servicing agents, investment advisers, sub-investment advisers, principal underwriters, administrative service agents, and such other agents as the Trustees may from time to time appoint or otherwise engage; |
(f) To provide for the distribution of any Shares of any Series or Class either through a principal underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the Trust itself, or both; |
(g) To set record dates in the manner hereinafter provided for; |
(h) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to a committee or committees composed of Trustees, including without limitation, an Executive Committee, or to any officers of the Trust and to any agent, custodian or underwriter; |
(i) To sell or exchange any or all of the assets belonging to one or more Series or Classes, subject to the provisions of Article XII, Section 4(b) hereof; |
(j) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper; |
(k) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities; |
(l) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in its own name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees, subject in either case to proper safeguards according to the usual practice of Massachusetts trust companies or investment companies; |
(m) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or concern, any security of which belongs to any Series or Class; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or concern, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security which belongs to any Series or Class; |
(n) To engage in and to prosecute, compound, compromise, abandon, or adjust, by arbitration, or otherwise, any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims, demands, and things relating to the Trust, and out of the assets belonging to any Series or Class to pay, or to satisfy, any debts, claims or expenses incurred in connection therewith, including those of litigation, upon any evidence that the Trustees may deem sufficient (such powers shall include without limitation any actions, suits, proceedings, disputes, claims, demands and things relating to the Trust wherein any of the Trustees may be named individually and the subject matter of which arises by reason of business for or on behalf of the Trust); |
(o) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to Shareholders in the manner hereinafter provided for; |
(p)
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(q) From time to time to issue and sell the Shares of any Series or Class either for cash or for property whenever and in such amounts as the Trustees may deem desirable, but subject to the limitation set forth in Section 3 of Article III; |
(r) To purchase insurance of any kind, including, without limitation, insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, Officer, employee or agent of the Trust, or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a Trustee, Director, Officer, agent or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such. |
No one dealing with the Trustees shall be under any obligation to made an inquiry concerning the authority of the Trustees, or to see the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trustees or upon their order. The Trustees shall have all of the powers set forth in this Section 1 with respect to all assets and liabilities of each Series and Class. |
Section 2. Principal Transactions.
The Trustees shall not cause the
Trust on behalf of any Series or Class to buy any securities (other than Shares)
from or sell any securities (other than Shares) to, or lend any assets belonging
to any Series or Class to any Trustee or officer or employee of the Trust or any
firm of which any such Trustee or officer is a member acting as principal unless
permitted by the 1940 Act, but the Trust may employ any such other party or any
such person or firm or company in which any such person is an interested person
in any capacity not prohibited by the 1940 Act.
Section 3. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders.
Any Trustee, officer or other
agent of the Trust or any Series or Class may acquire, own and dispose of Shares
of any Series or Class to the same extent as if he were not a Trustee, officer
or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell or cause to be issued or sold
Shares of any Series or Class to and buy such Shares from any such person or any
firm or company in which he is an interested person subject only to the general
limitations herein contained as to the sale and purchase of such Shares; and all
subject to any restrictions which may be contained in the By-Laws.
Section 4. Parties to Contract.
The Trustees may enter into any
contract of the character described in Section 1, 2, 3, or 4 of Article VII or
in Article IX hereof or any other capacity not prohibited by the 1940 Act with
any corporation, firm, trust or association, although one or more of the
shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust or any Series
or Class or their affiliates may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder
or interested person of such other party to the contract, and no such contract
shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such
relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by
reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust or any Series
or Class under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit
realized directly or indirectly therefrom, in the absence of actual fraud. The
same person (including a firm, corporation, trust or association) may be the
other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Section 1, 2, 3, or 4 of
Article VII or Article IX or any other capacity deemed legal under the 1940 Act,
and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise an interested
person of persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in
this Section 4.
ARTICLE VI
TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION
Section 1. Trustee Reimbursement.
The Trustees shall be reimbursed
from the assets belonging to each particular Series or Class for all their
expenses and disbursements as such expenses are allocated to and among any one
or more of the Series or Classes pursuant to Article III, Section 5(b),
including, without limitation, expenses of organizing the Trust or any Series or
Class and continuing its or their existence; fees and expenses of Trustees and
Officers of the Trust; fees for investment advisory services, administrative
services and principal underwriting services provided for in Article VII,
Sections 1, 2 and 3; fees and expenses of preparing and printing Registration
Statements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act and any amendments
thereto; expenses of registering and qualifying the Trust and any Series or
Class and the Shares of any Series or Class under federal and state laws and
regulations; expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and
any amendments thereto sent to shareholders, underwriters, broker-dealers and to
investors who may be considering the purchase of Shares; expenses of
registering, licensing or other authorization of the Trust or any Series or
Class as a broker-dealer and of its or their officers as agents and salesmen
under federal and state laws and regulations; interest expenses, taxes, fees and
commissions of every kind; expenses of issue (including cost of share
certificates), purchases, repurchases and redemptions of Shares, including
expenses attributable to a program of periodic issue; charges and expenses of
custodians, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, Shareholder servicing
agents and registrars; printing and mailing costs; auditing, accounting and
legal expenses; reports to Shareholders and governmental officers and
commissions; expenses of meetings of Shareholders and proxy solicitations
therefor; insurance expenses; association membership dues and nonrecurring items
as may arise, including all losses and liabilities by them incurred in
administering the Trust and any Series or Class, including expenses incurred in
connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and the obligations of the
Trust under Article XI hereof to indemnify its Trustees, Officers, employees,
shareholders and agents, and any contract obligation to indemnify principal
underwriters under Section 3 of Article VII; and for the payment of such
expenses, disbursements, losses and liabilities, the Trustees shall have a lien
on the assets belonging to each Series or Class prior to any rights or interests
of the Shareholders of any Series or Class. This section shall not preclude the
Trust from directly paying any of the aforementioned fees and expenses.
Section 2. Trustee Compensation.
The Trustees shall be entitled to
compensation from the Trust from the assets belonging to any Series or Class for
their respective services as Trustees, to be determined from time to time by
vote of the Trustees, and the Trustees shall also determine the compensation of
all Officers, consultants and agents whom they may elect or appoint. The Trust
may pay out of the assets belonging to any Series or Class any Trustee or any
corporation, firm, trust or other entity of which a Trustee is an interested
person for services rendered in any capacity not prohibited by the 1940 Act, and
such payments shall not be deemed compensation for services as a Trustee under
the first sentence of this Section 2 of Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
INVESTMENT ADVISER, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND TRANSFER AGENT
Section 1. Investment Adviser.
Subject to a Majority Shareholder
Vote by the relevant Series or Class, the Trustees may in their discretion from
time to time enter into an investment advisory contract whereby the other party
to such contract shall undertake to furnish the Trustees investment advisory
services for such Series or Class upon such terms and conditions and for such
compensation as the Trustees may in their discretion determine. Subject to a
Majority Shareholder Vote by the relevant Series or Class, the investment
adviser may enter into a sub-investment advisory contract to receive investment
advice and/or statistical and factual information from the sub-investment
adviser for such Series or Class upon such terms and conditions and for such
compensation as the Trustees may in their discretion agree to. Notwithstanding
any provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize the
investment adviser or sub-investment adviser or any person furnishing
administrative personnel and services as set forth in Article VII, Section 2
(subject to such general or specific instructions as the Trustees may from time
to time adopt) to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of portfolio securities
belonging to a Series or Class on behalf of the Trustees or may authorize any
officer or Trustee to effect such purchases, sales, or exchanges pursuant to
recommendations of the investment adviser (and all without further action by the
Trustees). Any such purchases, sales and exchanges shall be deemed to have been
authorized by the Trustees. The Trustees may also authorize the investment
adviser to determine what firms shall be employed to effect transactions in
securities for the account of a Series or Class and to determine what firms
shall participate in any such transactions or shall share in commissions or fees
charged in connection with such transactions.
Section 2. Administrative Services.
The Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time contract for administrative personnel and services
whereby the other party shall agree to provide the Trustees administrative
personnel and services to operate the Trust or a Series or Class on a daily
basis, on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion
determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust or
of the By-Laws. Such services may be provided by one or more entities.
Section 3. Principal Underwriter.
The Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time enter into an exclusive or nonexclusive contract or
contracts providing for the sale of the Shares of a Series or Class to net such
Series or Class not less than the amount provided in Article III, Section 3
hereof, whereby a Series or Class may either agree to sell the Shares to the
other party to the contract or appoint such other party its sales agent for such
shares. In either case, the contract shall be on such terms and conditions
(including indemnification of principal underwriters allowable under applicable
law and regulation) as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VII; and such contract may also
provide for the repurchase or sale of Shares of a Series or Class by such other
party as principal or as agent of the Trust and may provide that the other party
may maintain a market for shares of a Series or Class.
Section 4. Transfer Agent.
The Trustees may in their
discretion from time to time enter into transfer agency and shareholder services
contracts whereby the other party shall undertake to furnish a transfer agency
and shareholder services. The contracts shall be on such terms and conditions as
the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Declaration of Trust or of the By-Laws. Such services may be
provided by one or more entities.
Section 5. Provisions and Amendments.
Any contract entered into pursuant
to Section 1 or 3 of this Article VII shall be consistent with and subject to
the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act (including any amendments thereof
or other applicable Act of Congress hereafter enacted) with respect to its
continuance in effect, its termination and the method of authorization and
approval of such contract or renewal thereof.
ARTICLE VIII
SHAREHOLDERS’ VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Section 1. Voting Powers.
Subject to the provisions set
forth in Article III, Section 5(d), the Shareholders shall have power to vote,
(i) for the election of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 2; (ii) for
the removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 3(d); (iii) with
respect to any investment adviser or sub-investment adviser as provided in
Article VII, Section 1; (iv) with respect to the amendment of this Declaration
of Trust as provided in Article XII, Section 7; (v) to the same extent as the
shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a
court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained derivatively
or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the Shareholders; and (vi) with
respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by
law, by this Declaration of Trust, or the By-Laws of the Trust or any regulation
of the Trust or the Commission or any State, or as the Trustees may consider
desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on
which it is entitled to vote, and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a
proportionate fractional vote. There shall be no cumulative voting in the
election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Until Shares of
a Series or Class are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of
Shareholders of such Series or Class with respect to matters affecting such
Series or Class, and may take any action with respect to the Trust or such
Series or Class required or permitted by law, this Declaration of Trust or any
By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
Section 2. Meetings.
A Shareholders meeting shall be
held as specified in Section 2 of Article IV at the principal office of the
Trust or such other place as the Trustees may designate. Special meetings of the
Shareholders may be called by the Trustees or the Chief Executive Officer of the
Trust and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of
Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the outstanding Shares of all Series
and Classes entitled to vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to at least fifteen
days’ notice of any meeting.
Section 3. Quorum and Required Vote.
Except as otherwise provided by
law, to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any meeting
of Shareholders there must be present, in person or by proxy, holders of
one-fourth of the total number of outstanding Shares of all Series and Classes
entitled to vote at such meeting. When any one or more Series or Classes is
entitled to vote as a single Series or Class, one-fourth of the shares of each
such Series or Class entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a
Shareholder’s meeting of that Series or Class. If a quorum, as defined
above, shall not be present for the purpose of any vote that may properly come
before the meeting, the Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled
to vote at such meeting on such matter holding a majority of the Shares present
entitled to vote on such matter may by vote adjourn the meeting from time to
time to be held at the same place without further notice than by announcement to
be given at the meeting until a quorum, as above defined, entitled to vote on
such matter shall be present, whereupon any such matter may be voted upon at the
meeting as though held when originally convened. Subject to any applicable
requirement of law or of this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, a plurality
of the votes cast shall elect a Trustee and all other matters shall be decided
by a majority of the votes cast entitled to vote thereon.
Section 4. Additional Provisions.
The By-Laws may include further
provisions for Shareholders’ votes and meetings and related matters.
ARTICLE IX
CUSTODIAN
Section 1. Appointment and Duties.
The Trustees shall appoint or
otherwise engage a bank or trust company having an aggregate capital, surplus
and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at least two
million dollars ($2,000,000) as custodian with authority as its agent, but
subject to such restrictions, limitations and other requirements, if any, as may
be contained in the By-Laws of the Trust:
| (1) To receive and hold the securities owned by any Series or Class and to deliver the same upon written order; | |
| (2) To receive and receipt for any moneys due to the Trust or any Series or Class thereof and deposit the same in its own banking department or elsewhere as the Trustees may direct; | |
| (3) To disburse such funds upon orders or vouchers; | |
| (4) To keep the books and accounts of the Trust and furnish clerical and accounting services; and | |
| (5) To compute, if authorized to do so by the Trustees, the Accumulated Net Income of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof and the net asset value of the Shares in accordance with the provisions hereof; |
all upon such basis of compensation as may be agreed upon between the Trustees and the custodian. If so directed by a Majority Shareholder Vote, the custodian shall deliver and pay over all property of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof held by it as specified in such vote.
The Trustees may also authorize the custoidan to employ one or more sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodian and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such sub-custodian shall be a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States or one of the states thereof and having an aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits (as shown in its last published report) of at least two million dollars ($2,000,000).
Section 2. Central Certificate System.
Subject to such rules, regulations
and orders as the Commission may adopt, the Trustees may direct the custodian to
deposit all or any part of the securities owned by the Trust or any Series or
Class thereof in a system for the central handling of securities established by
a national securities exchange or a national securities association registered
with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or such other
person as may be permitted by the Commission or otherwise in accordance with the
1940 Act as from time to time amended, pursuant to which system all securities
of any particular class or series of any issuer deposited within the system are
treated as fungible and may be transferred or pledged by bookkeeping entry
without physical delivery of such securities, provided that all such deposits
shall be subject to withdrawal only upon the order of the custodian at the
direction of the Trustees.
ARTICLE X
DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
| Section 1. Distributions. (a) The Trustees may from time to time declare and pay dividends to the Shareholders of any Series or Class, and the amount of such dividends and the payment of them shall be wholly in the discretion of the Trustees. |
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| (b) The Trustees may, on each day Accumulated Net Income of the Trust as defined in Section 3 of this Article X) is determined and is positive, declare such Accumulated Net Income as a dividend to Shareholders of record at such time as the Trustees shall designate, payable in additional full and fractional Shares or in cash. | |
| (c) The Trustees may distribute in respect of any fiscal year as ordinary dividends and as capital gains distributions, respectively, amounts sufficient to enable any Series or Class to qualify as a regulated investment company to avoid any liability for federal income taxes in respect of that year. | |
| (d) The decision of the Trustees as to what, in accordance with good accounting practice, is income and what is principal shall be final, and except as specifically provided herein the decision of the Trustees as to what expenses and charges of any Series or Class shall be charged against principal and what against the income shall be final. Any income not distributed in any year may be permitted to accumulate and as long as not distributed may be invested from time to time in the same manner as the principal funds of any Series or Class. | |
| (e) The Trustees shall have power, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of Massachusetts, at any time, or from time to time, to declare and cause to be paid dividends, which dividends, at the election of the Trustees, may be accrued, automatically reinvested in additional Shares (or fractions thereof) of the trust or paid in cash or additional Shares, all upon such terms and conditions as the Trustees may prescribe. | |
| (f) Anything in this instrument to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees may at any time declare and distribute a dvidend consisting of Shares of the Trust. | |
| (g) All dividends and distributions on Shares of a particular Series or Class shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of that Series or Class in proportion to the number of Shares of that Series or Class held by such holders and recorded on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent at the date and time of record established for that payment. | |
| Section 2. Redemptions and Repurchases. (a) In case any Shareholder of record of any Series or Class at any time desires to dispose of Shares of such Series or Class recorded in his name, he may deposit a written request (or such other form of request as the Trustees may from time to time authorize) requesting that the Trust purchase his Shares, together with such other instruments or authorizations to effect the transfer as the Trustees may from time to time require, at the office of the custodian, and the Trust shall purchase his Shares out of assets belonging to such Series or Class. The purchase price shall be the net asset value of his shares reduced by any redemption charge as the Trustees from time to time may determine. |
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| Payment for such Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder of record within seven (7) days after the date upon which the request (and, if required, such other instruments or authorizations of transfer) is deposited, subject to the right of the Trustees to postpone the date of payment pursuant to Section 5 of this Article X. If the redemption is postponed beyond the date on which it would normally occur by reason of a declaration by the Trustees suspending the right of redemption pursuant to Section 5 of this Article X, the right of the Shareholder to have his Shares purchased by the Trust shall be similarly suspended, and he may withdraw his request (or such other instruments or authorizations of transfer) from deposit if he so elects; or, if he does not so elect, the purchase price shall be the net asset value of his Shares, determined next after termination of such suspension (reduced by any redemption charge) and payment therefor shall be made within seven days thereafter. | |
| (b) The Trust may purchase Shares of a Series or Class by agreement with the owner thereof (1) at a price not exceeding the net asset value per Share (reduced by any redemption charge) determined next after the purchase or contract of purchase is made or (2) at a price not exceeding the net asset value per Share determined at some later time. | |
| (c) Shares purchased by the Trust either pursuant to paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Section 2 shall be deemed treasury Shares and may be resold by the Trust. | |
| (d) If the Trustees determine that economic conditions would make it seriously detrimental to the best interests of the remaining Shareholders of the Trust to make payment wholly or partly in cash, the Trust may pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from the portfolio of the Trust, in lieu of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, taking such securities at the same value employed in determining net asset value, and selecting the securities in such manner as the Trustees may deem fair and equitable. |
Section 3. Determination of Accumulated Net Income.
The Accumulated Net Income of the
Trust shall be determined by or on behalf of the Trustees at such time or times
as the Trustees shall in their discretion determine. Such determination shall be
made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices
and may include realized and/or unrealized gains from the sale or other
disposition of securities or other property of the Trust. The power and duty to
determine Accumulated Net Income may be delegated by the Trustees from time to
time to one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust, to the other party
to any contract entered into pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of Article VII, to the
custodian, or to a transfer agent.
Section 4. Net Asset Value of Shares.
The net asset value of each Share
of a Series or Class outstanding shall be determined at such time or times as
may be determined by or on behalf of the Trustees. The power and duty to
determine net asset value may be delegated by the Trustees from time to time to
one or more of the Trustees or Officers of the Trust, to the other party to any
contract entered into pursuant to Section 1 or 2 of Article VII, to the
custodian, or to a transfer agent.
The net asset value of each Share
of a Series or Class as of any particular time shall be the quotient (adjusted
to the nearer cent) obtained by dividing the value, as of such time, of the net
assets belonging to such Series or Class (i.e., the value of the assets
belonging to such Series or Class less the liabilities belonging to such Series
or Class exclusive of capital and surplus) by the total number of Shares
outstanding of the Series or Class (exclusive of treasury Shares) at such time
in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and applicable provisions of
the By-Laws of the Trust in conformity with generally accepted accounting
practices and principles.
The Trustees may declare a
suspension of the determination of net asset value for the whole or any part of
any period in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules
and regulations adopted thereunder.
Section 5. Suspension of the Right of Redemption.
The Trustees may declare a
suspension of the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment for the
whole or any part of any period in accordance with the Investment Company Act of
1940 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
Section 6. Trust's Right to Redeem Shares.
The Trust shall have the right to
cause the redemption of Shares of any Series or Class in any Shareholder’s
account for their then current net asset value (which will be promptly paid to
the Shareholder in cash) (which payment may be reduced by any applicable
redemption charge), if at any time the total investment in the account does not
have a minimum dollar value determined from time to time by the Trustees in
their sole discretion. Shares of any Series or Class are redeemable at the
option of the Trust if, in the opinion of the Trustees, ownership of Shares has
or may become concentrated to an extent which would cause any Series or Class to
be a personal holding company within the meaning of the Federal Internal Revenue
Code (and thereby disqualified under Sub-chapter M of said Code); in such
circumstances the Trust may compel the redemption of Shares, reject any order
for the purchase of Shares or refuse to give effect to the transfer of Shares.
ARTICLE XI
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Limitation of Personal Liability and Indemnification of Shareholders.
The Trustees, officers, employees
or agents of the Trust shall have no power to bind any Shareholder of any Series
or Class personally or to call upon such Shareholder for the payment of any sum
of money or assessment whatsoever, other than such as the Shareholder may at any
time agree to pay by way of subscription to any Shares or otherwise.
No Shareholder or former
Shareholder of any Series or Class shall be liable solely by reason of his being
or having been a Shareholder for any debt, claim, action, demand, suit,
proceeding, judgment, decree, liability or obligation of any kind, against, or
with respect to the Trust or any Series or Class arising out of any action taken
or omitted for or on behalf of the Trust or such Series or Class, and the Trust
or such Series or Class shall be solely liable therefor and resort shall be had
solely to the property of the relevant Series or Class of the Trust for the
payment or performance thereof.
Each Shareholder or former
Shareholder of any Series or Class (or their heirs, executors, administrators or
other legal representatives or, in case of a corporate entity, its corporate or
general successor) shall be entitled to indemnity and reimbursement out of the
Trust property to the full extent of such liability and the costs of any
litigation or other proceedings in which such liability shall have been
determined, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel
if, contrary to the provisions hereof, such Shareholder or former Shareholder of
such Series or Class shall be held to be personally liable. Such indemnification
and reimbursement shall come exclusively from the assets of the relevant Series
or Class.
The Trust shall, upon request by a
Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against
any Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust or any Series or Class
and satisfy any judgment thereon.
Section 2. Limitation of Personal Liability of Trustees, Officers, Employees
or Agents of the Trust.
No Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust
shall have the power to bind any other Trustee,officer, employee or agent of the Trust
personally. The Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust incurring any debts,
liabilities or obligations, or in taking or omitting any other actions for or in
connection with the Trust are, and each shall be deemed to be, acting as
Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust and not in his own individual
capacity.
Provided they have acted under the
belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustee and
officers shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for neglect or
wrongdoing by them or any officer, agent, employee, invetment adviser or
principal underwriter of the Trust or of any entity providing administrative
services for the Trust, but nothing herein contained shall protect any Trustee
or officer against any liability to which he wuld otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Section 3. Express Exculpatory Clauses and Instruments.
The Trustees shall use every
reasonable means to assure that all persons having dealings with the Trust or
any Series or Class shall be informed that the property of the Shareholders and
the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust or any Series or Class
shall not be subject to claims against or obligations of the Trust or any other
Series or Class to any extent whatsoever. The Trustees shall cause to be
inserted in any written agreement, undertaking or obligation made or issued on
behalf of the Trust or any Series or Class (including certificates for Shares of
any Series or Class) an appropriate reference to the provisions of this
Declaration, providing that neither the Shareholders, the Trustees, the
officers, the employees nor any agent of the Trust or any Series or Class shall
be liable thereunder, and that the other parties to such instrument shall look
solely to the assets belonging to the relevant Series or Class for the payment
of any claim thereunder or for the performance thereof; but the omission of such
provisions from any such instrument shall not render any Shareholder, Trustee,
officer, employee or agent liable, nor shall the Trustee, or any officer, agent
or employee of the Trust or any Series or Class be liable to anyone for such
omission. If, notwithstanding this provision, any Shareholder, Trustee, officer,
employee or agent shall be held liable to any other person by reason of the
omission of such provision from any such agreement, undertaking or obligation,
the Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee or agent shall be indemnified and
reimbursed out of the Trust property, as provided in this Article XI.
| Section 4. Indemnification of Trustees, Officers,
Employees and Agents. (a) Every person who is or has been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust and persons who serve at the Trust’s request as director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall be indemnified by the Trust to fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any debt, claim, action, demand, suit, proceeding, judgment, decree, liability or obligaiton of any kind in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust or of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of the Trust and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof. |
|
| (b) The words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, invetigative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities. | |
| (c) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Trustee, officer, employee or agent against any liability to the Trust or its Sharesholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. | |
| (d) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Trustees, officer, employee or agent may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Trustee, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. | |
| (e) Expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of a character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 4 may be paid by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Trustee, officer, employee or agent secured by a surety bond or other suitable insurance that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4. |
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Trust is not a Partnership.
It is hereby expressly declared
that a trust and not a partnership is created hereby.
Section 2. Trustee's Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety.
The exercise by the Trustees of their
powers and discretions hereunder in good faith and with reasonable care under
the circumstances then prevailing, shall be binding upon everyone interested.
Subject to the provisions of Article XI, the Trustees shall not be liable for
errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of
counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this
Declaration of Trust and, subject to the provisions of Article XI, shall be
under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for
failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any
bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 3. Establishment of Record Dates.
The Trustees may close the Share
transfer books of the Trust maintained with respect to any Series or Class for a
period not exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of
Shareholders of the Trust or any Series or Class, or the date for the payment of
any dividend or the making of any distribution to Shareholders, or the date for
the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange
of Shares of any Series or Class shall go into effect; or in lieu of closing the
Share transfer books as aforesaid, the Trustees may fix in advance a date, not
exceeding sixty (60) days preceding the date of any meeting of Shareholders of
the Trust or any Series or Class, or the date for the payment of any dividend or
the making of any distribution to Shareholders of any Series or Class, or the
date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or
exchange of Shares of any Series or Class shall go into effect, or the last day
on which the consent or dissent of Shareholders of any Series or Class may be
effectively expressed for any purpose, as a record date for the determination of
the Shareholders entitled to notice of, and, to vote at, any such meeting and
any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or
distribution, or to any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in
respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of shares, or to exercise the
right to give such consent or dissent, and in such case such Shareholders and
only such Shareholders as shall be Shareholders of record on the date so fixed
shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, such meeting, or to receive
payment of such dividend or distribution, or to receive such allotment or
rights, or to exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any
transfer of any Shares on the books of the Trust, after any such date fixed as
aforesiad, maintained with respect to any Series or Class. Nothing in the
foregoing sentence shall be construed as precluding the Trustees from setting
different record dates for different Series or Classes.
Section 4. Termination of Trust.
| (a) This Trust shall continue without limitation of time but subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 4. | |
| (b) The Trustees, with the approval of a Majority Shareholder Vote of each Series or Class, may sell and convey the assets of the Trust, or a Class or Series of the Trust, to another trust or corporation organized under the laws of any State of the United States, which is a diversified open-end management investment company as defined in the 1940 Act, for an adequate consideration which may include assumption of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of the Trust, of each Class or Series of the Trust, and which may include Shares of beneficial interest or stock of such trust or corporation. Upon making provision for the payment of all such liabilities, by such assumption or otherwise, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining proceeds belonging to each Series or Class ratably among the holders of the Shares of that Series or Class of the Trust, then outstanding. For the purposes of this provision, a “Majority Shareholder Vote” means the affirmative vote of the lesser of: (a) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote upon the matter, or (b) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the meeting if the holders of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities entitled to vote on the matter are present at the meeting in person or by proxy. | |
| (c) The Trustees may at any time sell and convert into money all the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class, without shareholder approval, unless otherwise required by applicable law. Upon making provision for the payment of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, belonging to each Series or Class, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining assets belonging to each Series or Class ratably among the holders of the outstanding Shares of that Series or Class. | |
| (d) Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds of the remaining assets as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), the Trust or the applicable Series or Class shall terminate and the Trustees shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder or with respect thereto and the right, title and interest of all parties shall be canceled and discharged. |
Section 5. Offices of the Trust, Filing of Copies, References, Headings.
The Trust shall maintain a usual
place of business in Massachusetts, which shall be determined by the Trustees,
and shall continue to maintain an office at such address unless changed by the
Trustees to another location in Massachusetts. The Trust may maintain other
offices as the Trustees may from time to time determine. The original or a copy
of this instrument and of each Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto shall be
kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A
copy of this instrument and of each supplemental Declaration of Trust shall be
filed by the Trustees with the Massachusetts Secretary of State and the Boston
City Clerk, as well as any other governmental office where such filing may from
time to time be required. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a
certificate by an officer of the Trust as to whether or not any such
supplemental declaration of trust has been made and as to any matters in
connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the
original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy
of this instrument or of any such supplemental declaration of trust. In this
instrument or in any such supplemental Declaration of Trust, references to this
instrument, and all expressions like “herein” or
“hereunder,” shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended or
affected by any such supplemental declaration of trust. Headings are placed
herein for convenience of reference only and in case of any conflict, the text
of this instrument, rather than the headings shall control. This instrument may
be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an
original.
Section 6. Applicable Law.
The Trust set forth in this
instrument is created under and is to be governed by and construed and
administered according to the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The
Trust shall be of the type commonly called a Massachusetts business trust, and
without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which
are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.
Section 7. Amendments -- General.
Prior to the initial issuance of
Shares pursuant to Section 3 of Article III, a majority of the Trustees then in
office may amend or otherwise supplement this instrument by making a Declaration
of Trust supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form a part hereof.
Subsequent to such initial issuance of Shares, amendments or supplements to this
instrument may be authorized by a majority of the Trustees then in office and by
the holders of a majority of the Shares of all Series and classes then
outstanding and entitled to vote thereon or by any larger vote which may be
required by applicable law or this Declaration of Trust in any particular case,
which thereafter shall form a part hereof. Any such supplement Declaration of
Trust shall be signed by at least a majority of the Trustees then in office.
Copies of the supplemental Declaration of Trust or the certificate of the
President and Secretary, as the case may be, shall be filed as specified in
Section 5 of this Article XII.
Section 8. Amendments -- Series and Classes.
The establishment and designation
of any Series or Class of Shares in addition to those established and designated
in Section 5 of Article III hereof shall be effective upon the execution by a
majority of the then Trustees of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust,
taking the form of a complete restatement or otherwise, setting forth such
establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of any
such Series or Class, or as otherwise provided in such instrument.
Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Declaration of the Trust may be amended to:
| (a) create one or more Series or Classes of Shares (in addition to any Series or Classes already existing or otherwise) with such rights and preferences and such eligibility requirements for investment therein as the Trustees shall determine and reclassify any or all outstanding Shares as Shares of particular Series or Classes in accordance with such eligibility requirements; | |
| (b) combine two or more Series or Classes of Shares into a single Series or Class on such terms and conditions as the Trustees shall determine; | |
| (c) change or eliminate any eligibility requirements for investment in Shares of any Series or Class, including without limitation the power to provide for the issue of Shares of any Series or Class in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Trust with another trust or company or any acquisition by the Trust of part or all of the assets of another trust or company; | |
| (d) change the designation of any Series or Class of Shares; | |
| (e) change the method of allocating dividends among the various Series and Classes of Shares; | |
| (f) allocate any specific assets or liabilities of the Trust or any specific items of income or expense of the Trust to one or more Series and Classes of Shares; | |
| (g) specifically allocate assets to any or all Series or Classes of Shares or create one or more additional Series or Classes of Shares which are preferred over all other Series or Classes of Shares in respect of assets specifically allocated thereto or any dividends paid by the Trust with respect to any net income, however determined, earned from the investment and reinvestment of any assets so allocated or otherwise and provide for any special voting or other rights with respect to such Series or Classes. |
Section 9. Use of Name.
The Trust acknowledges that
Federated Investors has reserved the right to grant the non-exclusive use of the
name “FEDERATED” or any derivative thereof to any other investment
company, investment company portfolio, investment adviser, distributor, or other
business enterprise, and to withdraw from the Trust or one or more Series or
Classes any right to the use of the name “FEDERATED”.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument the day and year first above written.
| /s/ John F. Donahue | /s/ Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. | ||
| John F. Donahue | Lawrence D. Ellis, M.D. | ||
| /s/ Thomas G. Bigley | /s/ Peter E. Madden | ||
| Thomas G. Bigley | Peter E. Madden | ||
| /s/ John T. Conroy, Jr. | /s/ Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. | ||
| John T. Conroy, Jr. | Charles F. Mansfield, Jr. | ||
| /s/ Nicholas P. Constantakis | /s/ John E. Murray, Jr. | ||
| Nicholas P. Constantakis | John E. Murray, Jr. | ||
| /s/ John F. Cunningham | /s/ Marjorie P. Smuts | ||
| John F. Cunningham | Marjorie P. Smuts | ||
| /s/ J. Christopher Donahue | /s/ John S. Walsh | ||
| J. Christopher Donahue | John S. Walsh | ||
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