As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1998
File No. 811-8012
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
AMENDMENT NO. 5 [X]
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS PORTFOLIO
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
24 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(617) 482-8260
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Alan R. Dynner
24 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
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Throughout this Registration Statement, information concerning Government
Obligations Portfolio (the "Portfolio") is incorporated by reference from
Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust
(File No. 2-90946 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act")) (the
"Amendment"), which was filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 27, 1998 (Accession No. 0000950156-98-000328). The Amendment
contains the prospectus and statement of additional information ("SAI") of Eaton
Vance Government Obligations Fund (the "Feeder Fund"), which invests
substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio.
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PART A
Responses to Items 1 through 3 and 5A have been omitted pursuant to
Paragraph 4 of Instruction F of the General Instructions to Form N-1A.
ITEM 4. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT
The Portfolio is a diversified, open-end management investment company that
was organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New York on May 1, 1992.
Interests in the Portfolio are issued solely in private placement transactions
that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of Section 4(2) of
the 1933 Act. Investments in the Portfolio may be made only by U.S. and foreign
investment companies, common or commingled trust funds or similar organizations
or entities that are "accredited investors" within the meaning of Regulation D
under the 1933 Act. This Registration Statement, as amended, does not constitute
an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any "security" within
the meaning of the 1933 Act.
The Portfolio is not intended to be a complete investment program, and a
prospective investor should take into account its objectives and other
investments when considering the purchase of an interest in the Portfolio. The
Portfolio cannot assure achievement of its investment objective.
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the Portfolio's
investment objective and investment practices from "The Fund's Investment
Objective" and "Investment Policies and Risks" in the Feeder Fund prospectus.
ITEM 5. MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the Portfolio's
management from "Management of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the Feeder Fund
prospectus.
ITEM 6. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning interests in
the Portfolio from "Organization of the Fund and the Portfolio" in the Feeder
Fund prospectus and "Other Information" in the Feeder Fund SAI. An interest in
the Portfolio has no preemptive or conversion rights and is fully paid and
nonassessable by the Portfolio, except as described Item 18 below.
As of March 31, 1998, the Feeder Fund controlled the Portfolio by virtue of
owning approximately 99.9% of the outstanding voting interests in the Portfolio.
The net asset value of the Portfolio is determined each day on which the
New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is open for trading ("Portfolio
Business Day"). This determination is made each Portfolio Business Day as of the
close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., New York time)
(the "Portfolio Valuation Time").
Each investor in the Portfolio may add to or reduce its investment in the
Portfolio on each Portfolio Business Day as of the Portfolio Valuation Time. The
value of each investor's interest in the Portfolio will be determined by
multiplying the net asset value of the Portfolio by the percentage, determined
on the prior Portfolio Business Day, which represented that investor's share of
the aggregate interest in the Portfolio on such prior day. Any additions or
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withdrawals for the current Portfolio Business Day will then be recorded.
Each investor's percentage of the aggregate interest in the Portfolio will then
be recomputed as a percentage equal to a fraction (i) the numerator of which is
the value of such investor's investment in the Portfolio as of the Portfolio
Valuation Time on the prior Portfolio Business Day plus or minus, as the case
may be, the amount of any additions to or withdrawals from the investor's
investment in the Portfolio on the current Portfolio Business Day and (ii) the
denominator of which is the aggregate net asset value of the Portfolio as of the
Portfolio Valuation Time on the prior Portfolio Business Day plus or minus, as
the case may be, the amount of the net additions to or withdrawals from the
aggregate investment in the Portfolio on the current Portfolio Business Day by
all investors in the Portfolio. The percentage so determined will then be
applied to determine the value of the investor's interest in the Portfolio for
the current Portfolio Business Day.
The Portfolio will allocate at least annually among its investors each
investor's distributive share of the Portfolio's net investment income, net
realized capital gains, and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or
credit. The Portfolio's net investment income consists of all income accrued on
the Portfolio's assets, less all actual and accrued expenses of the Portfolio,
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Under the anticipated method of operation of the Portfolio, the Portfolio
will not be subject to any federal income tax. (See Part B, Item 20.) However,
each investor in the Portfolio will take into account its allocable share of the
Portfolio's ordinary income and capital gain in determining its federal income
tax liability. The determination of each such share will be made in accordance
with the governing instruments of the Portfolio, which are intended to comply
with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code") and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
It is intended that the Portfolio's assets and income will be managed in
such a way that an investor in the Portfolio that seeks to qualify as a
regulated investment company (a "RIC") under the Code will be able to satisfy
the requirements for such qualification.
ITEM 7. PURCHASE OF INTERESTS IN THE PORTFOLIO
Interests in the Portfolio are issued solely in private placement
transactions that do not involve any "public offering" within the meaning of
Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act. See "General Description of Registrant" above.
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the computation
of net asset value and valuation of Portfolio assets from "Valuing Shares" in
the Feeder Fund prospectus. For further information, see Item 19 of Part B.
There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment in the Portfolio. The
Portfolio reserves the right to cease accepting investments at any time or to
reject any investment order.
The placement agent for the Portfolio is Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
("EVD"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Management. The principal
business address of EVD is 24 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. EVD receives no
compensation for serving as the placement agent for the Portfolio.
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ITEM 8. REDEMPTION OR DECREASE OF INTEREST
An investor in the Portfolio may withdraw all of (redeem) or any portion of
(decrease) its interest in the Portfolio if a withdrawal request in proper form
is furnished by the investor to the Portfolio. All withdrawals will be effected
as of the next Portfolio Valuation Time. The proceeds of a withdrawal will be
paid by the Portfolio normally on the Portfolio Business Day the withdrawal is
effected, but in any event within seven days. The Portfolio reserves the right
to pay the proceeds of a withdrawal (whether a redemption or decrease) by a
distribution in kind of portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities
so distributed would be valued at the same amount as that assigned to them in
calculating the net asset value for the interest (whether complete or partial)
being withdrawn. If an investor received a distribution in kind upon such
withdrawal, the investor could incur brokerage and other charges in converting
the securities to cash. The Portfolio has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") a notification of election on Form N-18F-1
committing to pay in cash all requests for withdrawals by any investor, limited
in amount with respect to such investor during any 90 day period to the lesser
of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the net asset value of the Portfolio at the
beginning of such period.
Investments in the Portfolio may not be transferred.
The right of any investor to receive payment with respect to any withdrawal
may be suspended or the payment of the withdrawal proceeds postponed during any
period in which the Exchange is closed (other than weekends or holidays) or
trading on the Exchange is restricted or, to the extent otherwise permitted by
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"), if an emergency exists, or
during any other period permitted by order of the Commission for the protection
of investors.
ITEM 9. PENDING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Not applicable.
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PART B
ITEM 10. COVER PAGE.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
General Information and History ........................................B-1
Investment Objectives and Policies .....................................B-1
Management of the Portfolio ............................................B-1
Control Persons and Principal Holder of Securities .....................B-1
Investment Advisory and Other Services .................................B-2
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices ...............................B-2
Capital Stock and Other Securities .....................................B-2
Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities .........................B-3
Tax Status .............................................................B-4
Underwriters ...........................................................B-6
Calculation of Performance Data ........................................B-6
Financial Statements ...................................................B-6
ITEM 12. GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY.
Not applicable.
ITEM 13. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES.
Part A contains additional information about the investment objective and
policies of the Portfolio. Capitalized terms used in this Part B and not
otherwise defined have the meanings given them in Part A.
Registrant incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
investment policies of the Portfolio as well as information concerning the
investment restrictions of the Portfolio from "Additional Information about
Investment Policies" and "Investment Restrictions" in the Feeder Fund SAI. The
Portfolio's portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996 were 20% and 11%, respectively.
ITEM 14. MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
Registrant incorporates by reference additional information concerning the
management of the Portfolio from "Trustees and Officers" in the Feeder Fund SAI.
ITEM 15. CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of March 31, 1998, the Feeder Fund controlled the Portfolio by virtue of
owning approximately 99.9% of the value of the outstanding interests in the
Portfolio. Because the Feeder Fund controls the Portfolio, the Feeder Fund may
take actions without the approval of any other investor. The Feeder Fund has
informed the Portfolio that whenever it is requested to vote on matters
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pertaining to the fundamental policies of the Portfolio, it will hold a
meeting of shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by its
shareholders. It is anticipated that any other investor in the Portfolio, which
is an investment company registered under the 1940 Act, would follow the same or
a similar practice. The Feeder Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds
Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a business trust
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The address of the Feeder
Fund is 24 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110.
ITEM 16. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning investment
advisory and other services provided to the Portfolio from "Investment Adviser
and Administrator", "Custodian" and "Independent Accountants" in the Feeder Fund
SAI.
ITEM 17. BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning the brokerage
practices of the Portfolio from "Portfolio Security Transactions" in the Feeder
Fund SAI.
ITEM 18. CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
Under the Portfolio's Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to
issue interests in the Portfolio. Investors are entitled to participate pro rata
in distributions of taxable income, loss, gain and credit of the Portfolio. Upon
dissolution of the Portfolio, the Trustees shall liquidate the assets of the
Portfolio and apply and distribute the proceeds thereof as follows: (a) first,
to the payment of all debts and obligations of the Portfolio to third parties
including, without limitation, the retirement of outstanding debt, including any
debt owed to holders of record of interests in the Portfolio ("Holders") or
their affiliates, and the expenses of liquidation, and to the setting up of any
reserves for contingencies which may be necessary; and (b) second, in accordance
with the Holders' positive Book Capital Account balances after adjusting Book
Capital Accounts for certain allocations provided in the Declaration of Trust
and in accordance with the requirements described in Treasury Regulations
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Trustees
shall determine that an immediate sale of part or all of the assets of the
Portfolio would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Trustees, in order to avoid
such loss, may, after having given notification to all the Holders, to the
extent not then prohibited by the law of any jurisdiction in which the Portfolio
is then formed or qualified and applicable in the circumstances, either defer
liquidation of and withhold from distribution for a reasonable time any assets
of the Portfolio except those necessary to satisfy the Portfolio's debts and
obligations or distribute the Portfolio's assets to the Holders in liquidation.
Certificates representing an investor's interest in the Portfolio are issued
only upon the written request of a Holder.
Each Holder is entitled to vote in proportion to the amount of its interest
in the Portfolio. Holders do not have cumulative voting rights. The Portfolio is
not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of Holders but
the Portfolio will hold meetings of Holders when in the judgment of the
Portfolio's Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters to a vote of
Holders at a meeting. Any action which may be taken by Holders may be taken
without a meeting if Holders holding more than 50% of all interests entitled to
vote (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required by any express
provision of the Declaration of Trust of the Portfolio) consent to the action in
writing and the consents are filed with the records of meetings of Holders.
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The Portfolio's Declaration of Trust may be amended by vote of Holders of
more than 50% of all interests in the Portfolio at any meeting of Holders or by
an instrument in writing without a meeting, executed by a majority of the
Trustees and consented to by the Holders of more than 50% of all interests. The
Trustees may also amend the Declaration of Trust (without the vote or consent of
Holders) to change the Portfolio's name or the state or other jurisdiction whose
law shall be the governing law, to supply any omission or cure, correct or
supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision, to conform the
Declaration of Trust to applicable federal law or regulations or to the
requirements of the Code, or to change, modify or rescind any provision,
provided that such change, modification or rescission is determined by the
Trustees to be necessary or appropriate and not to have a materially adverse
effect on the financial interests of the Holders. No amendment of the
Declaration of Trust which would change any rights with respect to any Holder's
interest in the Portfolio by reducing the amount payable thereon upon
liquidation of the Portfolio may be made, except with the vote or consent of the
Holders of two-thirds of all interests. References in the Declaration of Trust
and in Part A or this Part B to a specified percentage of, or fraction of,
interests in the Portfolio, means Holders whose combined Book Capital Account
balances represent such specified percentage or fraction of the combined Book
Capital Account balance of all, or a specified group of, Holders.
The Portfolio may merge or consolidate with any other corporation,
association, trust or other organization or may sell or exchange all or
substantially all of its assets upon such terms and conditions and for such
consideration when and as authorized by the Holders of (a) 67% or more of the
interests in the Portfolio present or represented at the meeting of Holders, if
Holders of more than 50% of all interests are present or represented by proxy,
or (b) more than 50% of all interests, whichever is less. The Portfolio may be
terminated (i) by the affirmative vote of Holders of not less than two-thirds of
all interests at any meeting of Holders or by an instrument in writing without a
meeting, executed by a majority of the Trustees and consented to by Holders of
not less than two-thirds of all interests, or (ii) by the Trustees by written
notice to the Holders.
The Portfolio is organized as a trust under the laws of the State of New
York. Investors in the Portfolio will be held personally liable for its
obligations and liabilities, subject, however, to indemnification by the
Portfolio in the event that there is imposed upon an investor a greater portion
of the liabilities and obligations of the Portfolio than its proportionate
interest in the Portfolio. The Portfolio intends to maintain fidelity and errors
and omissions insurance deemed adequate by the Trustees. Therefore, the risk of
an investor incurring financial loss on account of investor liability is limited
to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance exists and the Portfolio
itself is unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust provides that obligations of the Portfolio are not
binding upon the Trustees individually but only upon the property of the
Portfolio and that the Trustees will not be liable for any action or failure to
act, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any
liability to which he would 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.
ITEM 19. PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SECURITIES
See "Purchase of Interests in the Portfolio" and "Redemption or Decrease of
Interest" in Part A.
Registrant incorporates by reference information concerning valuation of
the Portfolio's assets from "Determination of Net Asset Value" in the Feeder
Fund SAI.
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ITEM 20. TAX STATUS
The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that, provided the Portfolio
is operated at all times during its existence in accordance with certain
organizational and operational documents, the Portfolio should be classified as
a partnership under the Code, and it should not be a "publicly traded
partnership" within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. Consequently, the
Portfolio does not expect that it will be required to pay any federal income
tax, and a Holder will be required to take into account in determining its
federal income tax liability its share of the Portfolio's income, gain, losses
and credits.
Under Subchapter K of the Code, a partnership is considered to be either an
aggregate of its members or a separate entity, depending upon the factual and
legal context in which the question arises. Under the aggregate approach, each
partner is treated as an owner of an undivided interest in partnership assets
and operations. Under the entity approach, the partnership is treated as a
separate entity in which partners have no direct interest in partnership assets
and operations. The Portfolio has been advised by tax counsel that, in the case
of a Holder that seeks to qualify as a RIC, the aggregate approach should apply,
and each such Holder should accordingly be deemed to own a proportionate share
of each of the assets of the Portfolio and to be entitled to the gross income of
the Portfolio attributable to that share for purposes of all requirements of
Sections 851(b), 852(b)(5), 853(a) and 854 of the Code. Further, the Portfolio
has been advised by tax counsel that each Holder that seeks to qualify as a RIC
should be deemed to hold its proportionate share of the Portfolio's assets for
the period the Portfolio has held the assets or for the period the Holder has
been an investor in the Portfolio, whichever is shorter. Investors should
consult their tax advisers regarding whether the entity or the aggregate
approach applies to their investment in the Portfolio in light of their
particular tax status and any special tax rules applicable to them.
In order to enable a Holder (that is otherwise eligible) to qualify as a
RIC, the Portfolio intends to satisfy the requirements of Subchapter M of the
Code relating to sources of income and diversification of assets as if they were
applicable to the Portfolio and to allocate and permit withdrawals in a manner
that will enable a Holder that is a RIC to comply with the distribution
requirements applicable to RICs (including those under Sections 852 and 4982 of
the Code). The Portfolio will allocate at least annually to each Holder such
Holder's distributive share of the Portfolio's net investment income, net
realized capital gains, and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or
credit in a manner intended to comply with the Code and applicable Treasury
regulations. Tax counsel has advised the Portfolio that the Portfolio's
allocations of taxable income and loss should have "economic effect" under
applicable Treasury regulations.
To the extent the cash proceeds of any withdrawal (or, under certain
circumstances, such proceeds plus the value of any marketable securities
distributed to an investor) ("liquid proceeds") exceed a Holder's adjusted basis
of his interest in the Portfolio, the Holder will generally realize a gain for
federal income tax purposes. In addition, on a distribution to a Holder from the
Portfolio (whether pursuant to a partial or complete withdrawal or otherwise),
(1) income or gain will be recognized if the distribution is in liquidation of
the Holder's entire interest in the Portfolio and includes a disproportionate
share of any unrealized receivables held by the Portfolio and (2) gain or loss
may be recognized on a distribution to a Holder that contributed property to the
Portfolio. If, upon a complete withdrawal (redemption of the entire interest), a
Holder receives only liquid proceeds (and/or unrealized receivables) and the
Holder's adjusted basis of his interest exceeds the liquid proceeds of such
withdrawal, the Holder will generally realize a loss for federal income tax
purposes. The tax consequences of a withdrawal of property (instead of or in
addition to liquid proceeds) will be different and will depend on the specific
factual circumstances. A Holder's adjusted basis of an interest in the Portfolio
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(including the adjusted basis of contributed property and any gain recognized on
the contribution thereof), increased by the amounts of the Holder's distributive
share of items of income (including interest income exempt from federal income
tax) and realized net gain of the Portfolio, and reduced, but not below zero, by
(i) the amounts of the Holder's distributive share of items of Portfolio loss,
and (ii) the amount of any cash distributions (including distributions of
interest income exempt from federal income tax and cash distributions on
withdrawals from the Portfolio) and the basis to the Holder of any property
received by such Holder other than in liquidation, and (iii) the Holder's
distributive share of the Portfolio's nondeductible expenditures not properly
chargeable to capital account. Increases or decreases in a Holder's share of the
Portfolio's liabilities may also result in corresponding increases or decreases
in such adjusted basis.
The Portfolio's transactions in options, futures contracts, forward
contracts and certain other transactions involving foreign exchange gain or loss
will be subject to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate
income to the Portfolio, defer Portfolio losses, cause adjustments in the
holding periods of Portfolio securities, convert capital gain into ordinary
income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. For
example, the tax treatment of many types of options, futures contracts and
forward contacts entered into by the Portfolio will be governed by Section 1256
of the Code. Absent a tax election for "mixed straddles" (see below), each such
position held by the Portfolio on the last business day of each taxable year
will be marked to market (i.e., treated as if it were closed out on such day),
and any resulting gain or loss, except for certain currency-related positions,
will generally be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or
loss, with subsequent adjustments made to any gain or loss realized upon an
actual disposition of such positions. When the Portfolio holds an option or
contract governed by Section 1256 which substantially diminishes the Holder's
risk of loss with respect to another position of the Portfolio not governed by
Section 1256 (as might occur in some hedging transactions), this combination of
positions could be a "mixed straddle" which is generally subject to special tax
rules requiring deferral of losses and other adjustments in addition to being
subject in part to Section 1256. The Portfolio may make certain tax elections
for its "mixed straddles" which could alter certain effects of these rules.
Income from transactions in options and futures contracts derived by the
Portfolio with respect to its business of investing in securities will qualify
as permissible income from its Holders that are RICs under the requirement that
at least 90% of a RIC's gross income each taxable year consist of specified
types of income.
Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Portfolio and allocated
to the RIC in connection with the Portfolio's investments in foreign currency,
foreign currency-related transactions and certain options, futures or forward
contracts may be treated as ordinary income and losses under special tax rules.
Certain options futures or forward contracts of the Portfolio may be required to
be marked to market (i.e., treated as if closed out) on the last day of each
taxable year, and any gain or loss realized with respect to these contracts may
be required to be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term gain or loss.
Positions of the Portfolio in offsetting options, futures or forward contracts
may be treated as "straddles" and be subject to other special rules that may,
upon allocation of the Portfolio's income, gain or loss to the RIC, affect the
amount, timing and character of the RIC's distributions to shareholders. Certain
uses of foreign currency and foreign currency derivatives such as options,
futures, forward contracts and swaps and investment by the Portfolio in the
stock of certain "passive foreign investment companies" may be limited or a tax
election may be made, if available, in order to enable an investor that is a RIC
to preserve its qualification as a RIC and/or avoid imposition of a tax on such
an investor.
The Portfolio anticipates that it will be subject to foreign withholding
and other taxes on its income (including, in some cases, capital gains) from
foreign securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may
reduce or eliminate such taxes.
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The Portfolio's investment in securities acquired at a market discount, or
zero coupon and certain other securities with original issue discount will cause
it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these
securities. Such income will be allocated daily among investors in the
Portfolio. To enable an investor that is a RIC to distribute its proportionate
share of this income and avoid a tax on such investor, the Portfolio may be
required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have
continued to hold, in order to generate cash for distribution to the RIC.
The Portfolio's investments, if any, in securities issued with original
issue discount (possible including certain asset-related securities) or
securities acquired at a market discount (if an election is made to include
accrued market discount in current income) will cause it to realize income prior
to the receipts of cash payments with respect to these securities. In order to
enable a Holder to distribute its proportionate share of this income, the
Portfolio may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that is might
otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash that the Holder may
withdraw from the Portfolio for subsequent distribution to such Holder's
shareholders.
An entity that is treated as a partnership under the Code, such as the
Portfolio, is generally treated as a partnership under state and local tax laws,
but certain states may have different entity classification criteria and may
therefore reach a different conclusion. Entities that are classified as
partnerships are not treated as taxable entities under most state and local tax
laws, and the income of a partnership is considered to be income of partners
both in timing and in character. The laws of the various states and local taxing
authorities vary with respect to the status of a partnership interest under
state and local tax laws, and each Holder of an interest in the Portfolio is
advised to consult his own tax adviser.
The foregoing discussion does not address the special tax rules applicable
to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance
companies and financial institutions. Investors should consult their own tax
advisers with respect to special tax rules that may apply in their particular
situations, as well as the state, local or foreign tax consequences of investing
in the Portfolio.
ITEM 21. UNDERWRITERS
The placement agent for the Portfolio is EVD. Investment companies, common
and commingled trust funds, and similar organizations and entities may
continuously invest in the Portfolio.
ITEM 22. CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
Not applicable.
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ITEM 23. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following audited financial statements of the Portfolio are
incorporated by reference into this Part B and have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants,
as experts in accounting and auditing.
Portfolio of Investments as of December 31, 1997
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 1997
Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the fiscal years ended December
31, 1997 and 1996
Supplementary Data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and
1996
Notes to Financial Statements
Independent Auditors' Report
For purposes of the EDGAR filing of this amendment to the Portfolio's
registration statement, the Portfolio incorporates by reference the above
audited financial statements, as previously filed electronically with the
Commission (Accession Number 0000950109-98-001698).
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PART C
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Financial Statements
The financial statements called for by this Item are incorporated
by reference in Part B and listed in Item 23 hereof.
(b) Exhibits
1. Declaration of Trust dated May 1, 1992, filed as Exhibit 1 to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by
reference.
1(a) Amendment to Declaration of Trust date June 14, 1993 filed as
Exhibit (1)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 and incorporated
herein by reference.
2 By-Laws of the Registrant adopted May 1, 1992, filed as Exhibit 2
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 and incorporated herein by
reference.
5 Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Boston
Management and Research dated October 28, 1993, filed as Exhibit
5 to Post-Effective Amendment 2 and incorporated herein by
reference.
6 Placement Agent Agreement between the Registrant and Eaton Vance
Distributors, Inc. date November 1, 1996 filed as Exhibit (6) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 and incorporated herein by
reference.
7 The Securities and Exchange Commission has granted the Registrant
an exemptive order that permits the Registrant to enter into
deferred compensation arrangements with its independent Trustees.
See In the Matter of Capital Exchange Fund, Inc., Release No.
IC-20671 (November 1, 1994).
8(a) Custodian Agreement with Investors Bank & Trust Company dated
October 23, 1995, filed as Exhibit 8(a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 3 and incorporated herein by reference.
8(b) Amendment to Custodian Agreement with Investors Bank & Trust
Company dated October 23, 1995, filed as Exhibit 8(b) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 and incorporated herein by
reference.
13 Investment representation letter of Eaton Vance Government
Obligations Trust, on behalf of EV Traditional Government
Obligations Fund, dated September 27, 1993, filed as Exhibit 13
to Post-Effective Amendment No.2 and incorporated herein by
reference.
C-1
<PAGE>
14 Securities Lending Agreement between Merrill Lynch and Government
Securities Portfolio dated November 18, 1996 filed as Exhibit
(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 and incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
(1) (2)
Number of
Title of Class Record Holders
-------------- --------------
As of March 31, 1998
Interests 2
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION
Article V of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust contains indemnification
provisions for Trustees and officers. The Trustees and officers of the
Registrant and the personnel of the Registrant's investment adviser are insured
under an errors and omissions liability insurance policy.
The Placement Agent Agreement also provides for reciprocal indemnity of the
placement agent, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers on the other.
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS
To the knowledge of the Portfolio, none of the trustees or officers of the
Portfolio's investment adviser, except as set forth on its Form ADV as filed
with the Commission, is engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or
employment of a substantial nature, except that certain trustees and officers
also hold various positions with and engage in business for affiliates of the
investment adviser.
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by
the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended, and the Rules
promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Registrant's
custodian, Investors Bank & Trust Company, 200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor,
Mail Code ADM27, Boston, MA 02116, with the exception of certain corporate
documents and portfolio trading documents, which are in the possession and
custody of the Registrant's investment adviser, Boston Management and Research,
24 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110. The Registrant is informed that all
applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered
investment advisers are in the custody and possession of the Registrant's
investment adviser.
C-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS
Not applicable.
C-3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 5 to its Registration Statement on
Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 24th
day of April, 1998.
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS PORTFOLIO
By: /s/ M. Dozier Gardner
----------------------
M. Dozier Gardner
President
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