fee at an annual rate of 1.50% of the Fund’s gross investment income plus an amount determined by applying percentage rates to the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund and its variable annuity counterpart, Evergreen VA Diversified Capital Builder Fund, starting at 0.41% and declining to 0.21% as the aggregate average daily net assets increase. For the year ended March 31, 2009, the advisory fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.39% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
On October 3, 2008, Wells Fargo and Wachovia Corporation (“Wachovia”) announced that Wells Fargo agreed to acquire Wachovia in a whole company transaction that would include all of Wachovia’s banking and other businesses. In connection with this transaction, Wachovia issued preferred shares to Wells Fargo representing approximately a 40% voting interest in Wachovia. Due to its ownership of preferred shares, Wells Fargo may have been deemed to control EIMC. If Wells Fargo was deemed to control EIMC, then the existing advisory agreement between the Fund and EIMC would have terminated automatically in connection with the issuance of preferred shares. To address this possibility, on October 20, 2008 the Board of Trustees approved an interim advisory agreement with EIMC with the same terms and conditions as the existing agreement which became effective upon the issuance of the preferred shares. EIMC’s receipt of the advisory fees under the interim advisory agreement was subject to the approval by shareholders of the Fund of a new advisory agreement with EIMC.
On December 31, 2008, Wachovia merged with and into Wells Fargo and as a result of the merger, EIMC, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. (“EIS”) and Evergreen Service Company, LLC (“ESC”) became subsidiaries of Wells Fargo. After the merger, a new interim advisory agreement with the same terms and conditions between the Fund and EIMC went into effect.
Shareholders approved the new advisory agreement between the Fund and EIMC on February 12, 2009.
From time to time, EIMC may voluntarily or contractually waive its fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit operating expenses. During the year ended March 31, 2009, EIMC voluntarily waived its advisory fee in the amount of $137,154.
The Fund may invest in money market funds which are advised by EIMC. Income earned on these investments is included in income from affiliated issuers on the Statement of Operations.
EIMC also serves as the administrator to the Fund providing the Fund with facilities, equipment and personnel. EIMC is paid an annual rate determined by applying percentage rates to the aggregate average daily net assets of the Evergreen funds (excluding money market funds) starting at 0.10% and declining to 0.05% as the aggregate average daily net assets of the Evergreen funds (excluding money market funds) increase. For the year ended March 31, 2009, the administrative services fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
ESC, an affiliate of EIMC and a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. ESC receives account fees that vary based on the type of account held by the shareholders in the Fund. For the year ended March 31, 2009, the transfer agent fees were equivalent to an annual rate of 0.27% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Wachovia Bank NA, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo and an affiliate of EIMC, through its securities lending division, Wachovia Global Securities Lending, acts as the securities lending agent for the Fund (see Note 5).
The Fund has placed a portion of its portfolio transactions with brokerage firms that are affiliates of Wells Fargo. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $170,185 to Wachovia Securities, LLC, a broker-dealer affiliated with Wells Fargo.
4. DISTRIBUTION PLANS
EIS, an affiliate of EIMC and a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, serves as distributor of the Fund’s shares. The Fund has adopted Distribution Plans, as allowed by Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act, for each class of shares, except Class I. Under the Distribution Plans, the Fund is permitted to pay distribution fees at an annual rate of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets for Class A shares and up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets for each of Class B and Class C shares. However, currently the distribution fees for Class A shares are limited to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the class.
For the year ended March 31, 2009, EIS received $12,034 from the sale of Class A shares and $408, $76,092 and $1,630 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class A, Class B and Class C shares, respectively.
5. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) were $456,639,116 and $625,274,998, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2009.
On April 1, 2008, the Fund implemented Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy based upon the various inputs used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
As of March 31, 2009, the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets, which are carried at fair value, were as follows:
| | Investments in |
Valuation Inputs | | Securities |
|
|
|
Level 1 – Quoted Prices | | $ | 363,909,710 |
Level 2 – Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | 166,604,891 |
Level 3 – Significant Unobservable Inputs | | | 18,629 |
|
|
|
|
Total | | $ | 530,533,230 |
|
|
|
|
The following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
| | Investments in |
| | Securities |
|
|
|
Balance as of April 1, 2008 | | $ | 1,738,630 | |
Realized gain (loss) | | | 0 | |
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | (1,019,935 | ) |
Net purchases (sales) | | | (700,066 | ) |
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | | | 0 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2009 | | $ | 18,629 | |
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Unrealized Loss included in earnings relating to securities still held at March 31, 2009 | | $ | (1,024,639 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Fund loaned securities to certain brokers and earned $789,838, net of $86,829 paid to Wachovia Global Securities Lending as the securities lending agent. At March 31, 2009, the value of securities on loan and the total value of collateral received for securities loaned amounted to to $43,755,763 and $46,667,340, respectively.
On March 31, 2009, the aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes was $800,618,381. The gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on securities based on tax cost was $5,398,477 and $275,483,628, respectively, with a net unrealized depreciation of $270,085,151.
As of March 31, 2009, the Fund had $29,569,654 in capital loss carryovers for federal income tax purposes with $15,320,915 expiring in 2010, $5,016,277 expiring in 2011 and $9,232,462 expiring in 2017. These losses are subject to certain limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code.
For income tax purposes, capital losses incurred after October 31 within the Fund’s fiscal year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the following fiscal year. As of March 31, 2009, the Fund incurred and will elect to defer post-October losses of $110,864,056.
32
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
6. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund may participate in an interfund lending program with certain funds in the Evergreen fund family. This program allows the Fund to borrow from, or lend money to, other participating funds. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Fund did not participate in the interfund lending program.
7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
As of March 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
| Capital Loss | |
| Carryovers | |
| and | Temporary |
Unrealized | Post-October | Book/Tax |
Depreciation | Losses | Differences |
|
|
|
$270,085,262 | $140,433,710 | $(194,650) |
|
|
|
The differences between the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis and the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities are primarily due to wash sales and partnership investments. The temporary book/tax differences are a result of timing differences between book and tax recognition of income and/or expenses.
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
| | Year Ended March 31, |
| |
|
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Income | | $ | 15,777,050 | | $ | 21,941,835 |
Long-term Capital Gain | | | 83,044,180 | | | 77,497,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS
Through expense offset arrangements with ESC and the Fund’s custodian, a portion of fund expenses has been reduced.
9. DEFERRED TRUSTEES’ FEES
Each Trustee of the Fund may defer any or all compensation related to performance of his or her duties as a Trustee. The Trustees’ deferred balances are allocated to deferral accounts, which are included in the accrued expenses for the Fund. The investment performance of the deferral accounts is based on the investment performance of certain Evergreen funds. Any gains earned or losses incurred in the deferral accounts are reported in the Fund’s Trustees’ fees and expenses. At the election of the Trustees, the deferral account will be paid either in one lump sum or in quarterly installments for up to ten years.
33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
10. FINANCING AGREEMENT
The Fund and certain other Evergreen funds share in a $100 million unsecured revolving credit commitment for temporary and emergency purposes, including the funding of redemptions, as permitted by each participating fund’s borrowing restrictions. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at 0.50% per annum above the Federal Funds rate. All of the participating funds are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.09% on the unused balance, which is allocated pro rata. Prior to June 27, 2008, the annual commitment fee was 0.08%. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Fund had no borrowings.
11. REGULATORY MATTERS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Evergreen funds, EIMC and certain of EIMC’s affiliates are involved in various legal actions, including private litigation and class action lawsuits, and are and may in the future be subject to regulatory inquiries and investigations.
The SEC and the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Securities Division, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are conducting separate investigations of EIMC, EIS and Evergreen Ultra Short Opportunities Fund (the “Ultra Short Fund”) concerning alleged issues surrounding the drop in net asset value of the Ultra Short Fund in May and June 2008. In addition, three purported class actions have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts relating to the same events; defendants include various Evergreen entities, including EIMC and EIS, and Evergreen Fixed Income Trust and its Trustees. The cases generally allege that investors in the Ultra Short Fund suffered losses as a result of (i) misleading statements in Ultra Short Fund’s registration statement and prospectus, (ii) the failure to accurately price securities in the Ultra Short Fund at different points in time and (iii) the failure of the Ultra Short Fund’s risk disclosures and description of its investment strategy to inform investors adequately of the actual risks of the fund.
EIMC does not expect that any of the legal actions, inquiries or investigations currently pending or threatened will have a material adverse impact on the financial position or operations of the Fund to which these financial statements relate. Any publicity surrounding or resulting from any legal actions or regulatory inquiries involving EIMC or its affiliates or any of the Evergreen Funds could result in reduced sales or increased redemptions of Evergreen fund shares, which could increase Evergreen fund transaction costs or operating expenses or have other adverse consequences on the Evergreen funds, including the Fund.
12. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In April 2009, FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (“FAS 157-4”). FAS 157-4 provides additional guidance for determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or a liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not
34
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued
orderly. FAS 157-4 requires enhanced disclosures about the inputs and valuation technique(s) used to measure fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs, if any, during the period. In addition, the three-level hierarchy disclosure and the level three roll-forward disclosure will be expanded for each major category of assets. Management of the Fund does not believe the adoption of FAS 157-4 will materially impact the financial statement amounts, but will require additional disclosures. FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Effective after the close of business on June 30, 2009, Class B shares of the Fund will be closed to new accounts and additional purchases by existing shareholders. After the close of business on June 30, 2009, existing shareholders of Class B shares of the Fund may continue to exchange their Class B shares for Class B shares of other Evergreen Funds subject to the limitations described in each fund’s prospectus and may also continue to add to their accounts through dividend reinvestment. All other Class B share features and attributes, including, but not limited to, the 12b-1 fee, contingent deferred sales charge and conversion after a number of years to Class A shares, remain unchanged. Shareholders of the Fund may continue to redeem Fund shares in the manner described in the Fund’s prospectus.
35
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Trustees and Shareholders
Evergreen Equity Trust
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of the Evergreen Diversified Capital Builder Fund (formerly, the Evergreen Balanced Fund), a series of the Evergreen Equity Trust, as of March 31, 2009 and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Evergreen Diversified Capital Builder Fund as of March 31, 2009, the results of its operations, changes in its net assets and financial highlights for each of the years described above, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts
June 1, 2009
36
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (unaudited)
FEDERAL TAX DISTRIBUTIONS
Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund has designated long-term capital gain distributions of $83,044,180 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
For corporate shareholders, 44.09% of ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 qualified for the dividends received deduction.
With respect to dividends paid from investment company taxable income during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, the Fund designates 35.21% of ordinary income and any short-term capital gain distributions as Qualified Dividend Income in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. Complete 2009 year-end tax information will be reported on your 2009 Form 1099-DIV, which shall be provided to you in early 2010.
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
On February 12, 2009, a Special Meeting of Shareholders for the Fund was held to consider a number of proposals. On December 1, 2008, the record date for the meeting, the Fund had $487,619,225 of net assets outstanding of which $253,345,129 (51.96%) of net assets were represented at the meeting.
Proposal 1 — To consider and act upon a new investment advisory agreement with Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC:
|
|
|
|
Net assets voted “For” | | $ | 231,629,219 |
Net assets voted “Against” | | $ | 8,201,312 |
Net assets voted “Abstain” | | $ | 13,514,598 |
|
|
|
|
37
This page left intentionally blank
38
This page left intentionally blank
39
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
TRUSTEES1 | | |
Charles A. Austin III
Trustee
DOB: 10/23/1934
Term of office since: 1991
Other directorships: None | | Investment Counselor, Anchor Capital Advisors, LLC. (investment advice); Director, The Andover Companies (insurance); Trustee, Arthritis Foundation of New England; Former Director, The Francis Ouimet Society (scholarship program); Former Director, Executive Vice President and Treasurer, State Street Research & Management Company (investment advice) |
|
|
|
K. Dun Gifford
Trustee
DOB: 10/23/1938
Term of office since: 1974
Other directorships: None | | Chairman and President, Oldways Preservation and Exchange Trust (education); Trustee, Member of the Executive Committee, Former Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Former Treasurer, Cambridge College |
|
|
|
Dr. Leroy Keith, Jr.
Trustee
DOB: 2/14/1939
Term of office since: 1983
Other directorships: Trustee,
Phoenix Fund Complex
(consisting of 50 portfolios
as of 12/31/2008) | | Managing Director, Almanac Capital Management (commodities firm); Trustee, Phoenix Fund Complex; Director, Diversapack Co. (packaging company); Former Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc. (private equity fund); Former Director, Obagi Medical Products Co.; Former Director, Lincoln Educational Services |
|
|
|
Carol A. Kosel
Trustee
DOB: 12/25/1963
Term of office since: 2008
Other directorships: None | | Former Consultant to the Evergreen Boards of Trustees; Former Vice President and Senior Vice President, Evergreen Investments, Inc.; Former Treasurer, Evergreen Funds; Former Treasurer, Vestaur Securities Fund |
|
|
|
Gerald M. McDonnell
Trustee
DOB: 7/14/1939
Term of office since: 1988
Other directorships: None | | Former Manager of Commercial Operations, CMC Steel (steel producer) |
|
|
|
Patricia B. Norris
Trustee
DOB: 4/9/1948
Term of office since: 2006
Other directorships: None | | President and Director of Buckleys of Kezar Lake, Inc. (real estate company); Former President and Director of Phillips Pond Homes Association (home community); Former Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (independent registered public accounting firm) |
|
|
|
William Walt Pettit2
Trustee
DOB: 8/26/1955
Term of office since: 1988
Other directorships: None | | Partner and Vice President, Kellam & Pettit, P.A. (law firm); Director, Superior Packaging Corp. (packaging company); Member, Superior Land, LLC (real estate holding company), Member, K&P Development, LLC (real estate development); Former Director, National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. (non-profit organization) |
|
|
|
David M. Richardson
Trustee
DOB: 9/19/1941
Term of office since: 1982
Other directorships: None | | President, Richardson, Runden LLC (executive recruitment advisory services); Director, J&M Cumming Paper Co. (paper merchandising); Former Trustee, NDI Technologies, LLP (communications); Former Consultant, AESC (The Association of Executive Search Consultants) |
|
|
|
Russell A. Salton III, MD
Trustee
DOB: 6/2/1947
Term of office since: 1984
Other directorships: None | | President/CEO, AccessOne MedCard, Inc. |
|
|
|
40
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS continued
Michael S. Scofield
Trustee
DOB: 2/20/1943
Term of office since: 1984
Other directorships: None | | Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield; Former Director and Chairman, Branded Media Corporation (multi-media branding company) |
|
|
|
Richard J. Shima
Trustee
DOB: 8/11/1939
Term of office since: 1993
Other directorships: None | | Independent Consultant; Director, Hartford Hospital; Trustee, Greater Hartford YMCA; Former Director, Trust Company of CT; Former Trustee, Saint Joseph College (CT) |
|
|
|
Richard K. Wagoner, CFA3
Trustee
DOB: 12/12/1937
Term of office since: 1999
Other directorships: None | | Member and Former President, North Carolina Securities Traders Association; Member, Financial Analysts Society |
|
|
|
OFFICERS | | |
W. Douglas Munn4
President
DOB: 4/21/1963
Term of office since: 2009 | | Principal occupations: Chief Operating Officer, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC; former Chief Operating Officer, Evergreen Investment Company, Inc. |
|
|
|
Jeremy DePalma4
Treasurer
DOB: 2/5/1974
Term of office since: 2005 | | Principal occupations: Senior Vice President, Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC; Former Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.; Former Assistant Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. |
|
|
|
Michael H. Koonce4
Secretary
DOB: 4/20/1960
Term of office since: 2000 | | Principal occupations: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc.; Secretary, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC and Evergreen Service Company, LLC |
|
|
|
Robert Guerin4
Chief Compliance Officer
DOB: 9/20/1965
Term of office since: 2007 | | Principal occupations: Chief Compliance Officer, Evergreen Funds and Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Company, Inc.; Former Managing Director and Senior Compliance Officer, Babson Capital Management LLC; Former Principal and Director, Compliance and Risk Management, State Street Global Advisors; Former Vice President and Manager, Sales Practice Compliance, Deutsche Asset Management |
|
|
|
1 | Each Trustee serves until a successor is duly elected or qualified or until his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office. Each Trustee oversaw 77 Evergreen funds as of December 31, 2008. Correspondence for each Trustee may be sent to Evergreen Board of Trustees, P.O. Box 20083, Charlotte, NC 28202. |
2 | It is possible that Mr. Pettit may be viewed as an “interested person” of the Evergreen funds, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of his law firm’s previous representation of affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), the parent to the Evergreen funds’ investment advisor, EIMC. The Trustees are treating Mr. Pettit as an interested trustee for the time being. |
3 | Mr. Wagoner is an “interested person” of the Evergreen funds because of his ownership of shares in Wells Fargo & Company, the parent to the Evergreen funds’ investment advisor. |
4 | The address of the Officer is 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116. |
Additional information about the Fund’s Board of Trustees and Officers can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) and is available upon request without charge by calling 800.343.2898.
41
566390 rv6 05/2009
Item 2 - Code of Ethics
(a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer.
(b) During the period covered by this report, there were no amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2.(a) above.
(c) During the period covered by this report, there were no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in 2.(a) above.
Item 3 - Audit Committee Financial Expert
Charles A. Austin III and Patricia B. Norris have been determined by the Registrant’s Board of Trustees to be audit committee financial experts within the meaning of Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These financial experts are independent of management.
Items 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table represents fees for professional audit services rendered by KPMG LLP, for the audits of the one series of the Registrant’s annual financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008, and fees billed for other services rendered by KPMG LLP.
| | 2009 | | 2008 |
| |
| |
|
Audit fees | | $28,600 | | $26,300 |
Audit-related fees | | $0 | | $0 |
Tax fees (1) | | $1,500 | | $0 |
Non-audit fees (2) | | $815,000 | | $1,082,374 |
All other fees | | $0 | | $0 |
(1) | Tax fees consists of fees for tax consultation, tax compliance and tax review. |
(2) | Non-audit fees consists of the aggregate fees for non-audit services rendered to the Fund, EIMC (not including any sub-advisor whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment advisor) and EIS. |
Evergreen Funds
Evergreen Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
Evergreen Income Advantage Fund
Evergreen International Balanced Income Fund
Evergreen Multi-Sector Income Fund
Evergreen Utilities and High Income Fund
Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy
I. Statement of Principles
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees/Directors is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor for the Funds, as well as non-audit services performed by the independent auditor for the Funds’ investment adviser or any of its control affiliates that relates directly to the Funds’ operations and financial reporting, in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Funds. To implement these provisions of the Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as regarding the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. Accordingly, the Audit Committee has adopted, and the Board of Trustees has ratified, the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre Approval Policy (the “Policy”), which sets
forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditor may be pre-approved.
The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures that describe the types of services for which the independent auditor may be engaged (“general pre-approval”); or may be expressly pre-approved by the Audit Committee (“specific pre-approval”). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches expressed in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee if it is to be provided by the independent auditor.
For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will also consider whether the independent auditor is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, for reasons such as its familiarity with the Funds’ business people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and other factors, and whether the service might enhance the Funds’ ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality. All such factors will be considered as a whole, and no one factor should necessarily be determinative.
The Audit Committee is also mindful of the relationship between fees for audit and non-audit services in deciding whether to pre-approve any such services and may determine, for each fiscal year, the ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit, Audit-related and Tax services and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services.
The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add or subtract to the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.
The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor to management.
The independent auditor has reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the policy will not adversely affect the auditor’s independence.
II. Delegation
As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
III. Audit Services
The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the independent auditor to be able to form an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit. Audit services also include the attestation engagement for the independent auditor’s report on management’s report on internal controls for financial reporting. The Audit Committee will monitor the Audit services engagement as necessary, but on no less than on a quarterly basis, and will also
approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund service providers or other items.
In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for other Audit services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. Other Audit services may include services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with mergers or acquisitions.
The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix A. All other audit services not listed in Appendix A must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
IV. Audit-related Services
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Funds’ financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for Audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, due diligence services pertaining to potential business acquisitions/dispositions; accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements.
The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B. All other Audit-related services not listed in appendix B must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
V. Tax Services
The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide Tax services to the Funds such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the independent auditor may provide such services. Hence, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those Tax services that have historically been provided by the auditor, that the Audit Committee has reviewed and believes would not impair the independence of the auditor, and that are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the sole business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee will consult with the Director of Fund Administration, the Senior Vice President of Tax Services or outside counsel to determine that the tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this policy.
Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax services in Appendix C. All Tax services involving large and complex transactions not listed in Appendix C must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee, including: tax services proposed to be provide by the independent auditor to any executive officer or director of the Funds, in his or her individual capacity, where such services are paid for by the Funds or the investment advisor.
VI. All Other Services
The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the independent auditor from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix C. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix C must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
A list of the SEC’s prohibited non-audit services is attached to this policy as Exhibit 1. The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.
VII. Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts
Fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the independent auditor subject to general pre-approval will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Fee levels or budgeted amounts for services to be provided by the independent auditor subject to specific pre-approval will be established at the time of the specific pre-approval. Any proposed fees exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services. For each fiscal year, the Audit Committee may determine to ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit, Audit-related and Tax services, and the total amount of fees for services classified as All Other services.
VIII. Procedures
All requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditor that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Director of Fund Administration or Assistant Director of Fund Administration and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Director/Assistant Director of Fund Administration will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a quarterly basis (or more frequent if requested by the Audit Committee) of any such services rendered by the independent auditor.
Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the independent auditor and the Director/Assistant Director of Fund Administration, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
The Director/Assistant Director of Fund Administration will report to the Audit Committee at each of its regular meetings regarding all services provided by the independent auditor that are subject to this policy since the last such report was rendered, including: (1) a general description of the services; (2) actual billed and projected fees; and (3) the means by which such services were pre-approved by the Audit Committee, as well as the date of approval and any related fee level or budgeted amount to which the services are subject.
The Audit Committee has designated the Chief Compliance Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the independent auditor and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this policy. The Chief Compliance Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. Both the Chief Compliance Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this policy that comes to the attention of the Chief Compliance Officer or any member of management.
IX. Additional Requirements
The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the independent auditor and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Funds, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Funds, the Funds’ investment advisor and related parties of the investment advisor, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and discussing with the independent auditor its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.
Items 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
On January 1, 2009, Patricia B. Norris replaced Charles A. Austin III as chair of the Audit Committee.
Item 6 – Schedule of Investments
Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
Item 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s board of trustees that have been implemented since the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.
Item 11 - Controls and Procedures
(a) | The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely. |
(b) | There has been no changes in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting . |
Item 12 - Exhibits
File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form. Letter or number the exhibits in the sequence indicated.
(a) | Any code of ethics, or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the Registrant intends to satisfy the Item 2 requirements through filing of an exhibit. |
(b)(1) | Separate certifications for the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached as EX99.CERT. |
(b)(2) | Separate certifications for the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Section 1350 of Title 18 of United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached as EX99.906CERT. The certifications furnished pursuant to this paragraph are not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certifications are not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Registrant specifically incorporates them by reference. |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Evergreen Equity Trust
By: |
/s/ W. Douglas Munn
|
|
|
| W. Douglas Munn |
| Principal Executive Officer |
Date: June 1, 2009
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: |
/s/ W. Douglas Munn
|
|
|
| W. Douglas Munn |
| Principal Executive Officer |
Date: June 1, 2009
By: |
/s/ Jeremy DePalma
|
|
|
| Jeremy DePalma |
| Principal Financial Officer |
Date: June 1, 2009
