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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-5710
ING VP Natural Resources Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
7337 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Scottsdale, AZ |
| 85258 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip code) |
CT Corporation System, 101 Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-992-0180
Date of fiscal year end: | December 31 |
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Date of reporting period: | January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 |
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
The following is a copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1):
Annual Report
December 31, 2005
ING VP Natural Resources Trust
This report is submitted for general information to shareholders of the ING Funds. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective shareholders unless accompanied or preceded by a prospectus which includes details regarding the funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information. This information should be read carefully. |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
A description of the policies and procedures that the Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at 1-800-992-0180; (2) on the ING Fund’s website at www.ingfunds.com and (3) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Portfolio voted proxies related to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the ING Fund’s website at www.ingfunds.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Registrant files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Registrant’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Registrant’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330; and is available upon request from the Registrant by calling Shareholder Services toll-free at 1-800-992-0180.
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Dear Shareholder,
That enthusiasm, I am happy to report, is continuing to thrive. With the New Year, we have launched a series of new international mutual funds, each created to bring more of the world’s opportunities to you.
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Meanwhile, we have also heard you loud and clear. Our research tells us that many investors report that they find investing an intimidating and overly-complex endeavor. That is why ING is committed to helping investors across the country cut through the confusion and clutter. “Your future. Made easier.SM” is more than words; they represent our promise to you.
Those two objectives — bringing you more of the world’s opportunities and doing it in a way that is | |
| easier for you — are behind the development of the new portfolios. |
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According to a recent finding, 58 percent of the world market capitalization now lies outside of the U.S.1 In other words, the majority of investment opportunities are now beyond our borders and we think that the ING VP Index Plus International Portfolio — a broad-based international portfolio — is an easy, single-step method to gain exposure to many of those opportunities.
Meanwhile, the ING VP Global Real Estate Portfolio was developed as an easy way to bring global — international and domestic — real estate opportunities to the variable portfolio investor. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are becoming more and more popular around the world, and this new portfolio seeks to capitalize on that popularity. But again, we’ve made it easy. With just one investment, investors bring the diversification of global real estate to their investment strategy.
One of our goals at ING Funds is to find tomorrow’s opportunities today, and we believe these two portfolios are just the latest examples of that plan in action.
On behalf of everyone at ING Funds, I thank you for your continued support and loyalty. We look forward to serving you in the future.
Sincerely,
James M. Hennessy
President
ING Funds
January 28, 2006
The views expressed in the President’s Letter reflect those of the President as of the date of the letter. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and ING Funds disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and because investment decisions for an ING Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of investment intent on behalf of any ING Fund. Reference to specific company securities should not be construed as recommendations or investment advice.
International investing does pose special risks including currency fluctuation, economic and political risks not found in investments that are solely domestic. Investments in issuers that are principally engaged in real estate, including REITs, may subject the Fund to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including terrorist attacks, war or other acts that destroy real property (in addition to market risks). These companies are sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements.
1 MSCI December, 2005
1
In our semi-annual report, we referred to mixed markets in which the U.S. investor lost on both domestic and international stocks, with gains in the latter trumped by the rebounding U.S. dollar. In the second half, global equities registered solid gains, although foreign markets ended the 2005 year more convincingly. The Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) World® Index(1) calculated in dollars, including net reinvested dividends rose 10.3% for the six months ended December 31, 2005, and 9.5% for the full year. As for currencies, the dollar extended its first half run for the six months ended December 31, 2005, rising 2.1% against the euro (12.6% for the full year), 6.2% against the yen (14.7% for the full year), and 3.8% against the pound (10.2% for the full year). Commentators explained the U.S. dollar’s unexpected strength by pointing to relatively high U.S. interest rates, the re-cycling of oil exporters’ burgeoning wealth into dollar securities, the tax-related “repatriation” into dollars of U.S. corporations’ foreign currency balances, and, regarding the yen’s particular weakness, non-Japanese investors pouring money into the stock market but hedging their currency risk. Each dynamic was losing steam by 2005 year-end.
For more than a year, the main issue for US fixed income investors had been the unexpected flattening of the yield curve, i.e. the shrinking difference between short-term and long-term interest rates. From June 2004 through June 2005 the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) had raised the Federal Funds Rate by 25 basis points nine times, pulling other short-term rates up. However, the yield on the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note had actually fallen by 0.71% over the same thirteen months. This was put down to an apparently growing perception in the market that inflation was a problem solved, due to a vigilant Federal Reserve, cheap goods and labor abroad, consistent productivity growth at home and foreign investors’ hunger for U.S. investments. Occasionally in the second half, for example when Hurricane Katrina and Rita affected oil prices, having peaked near $70 per barrel at the end of August 2005, there looked to be filtering through to general prices, and the trend seemed about to break. Nevertheless, in the end the forces of curve flattening prevailed. By December 31, 2005, the FOMC had raised rates four more times, oil prices and the inflation scare had subsided and foreigners were still buying record amounts of U.S. securities. For the six months ended December 31, 2005, the yield on the ten-year Treasury rose by 45 basis points to 4.39% (17 basis points for the full year), and on 13-week U.S. Treasury Bills by 93 basis points (180 basis points for the full year) to 3.98%. The returns on the broad Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index(2) and the Lehman Brothers High Yield Bond Index(3) was -0.1% and 1.6% for the six months ended December 31, 2005, and 2.4% and 2.7% for the full year, respectively.
The U.S. equities market in the form of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price (“S&P 500”) Index(4), added 5.8% including dividends in the latter half of 2005 and 4.9% for the full year, thanks to gains of 3.5% in July and November of 2005. Other months were flat to down and by 2005 year-end, the market, trading at a fairly undemanding price-to-earnings level of about 16 times earnings for the current fiscal year, was definitely struggling. Stock investors were initially encouraged by bullish economic reports and even more by second quarter company earnings figures, which were on average up more than 10% year over year. The optimistic mood lasted into early August of 2005, when the S&P 500 reached a four-year high, before drifting back as resurgent oil prices made records almost daily. In September and October of 2005 with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita seldom out of the news, two attempted rallies fizzled. High prices at the gas pump were already here. An expensive winter for heating fuel was certain. Sharply rising factory prices started to be found in local Federal Reserve and purchasing managers’ reports and, with consumer confidence slumping, the word “stagflation” was heard more than once. In spite of this, as November approached, an evidently swift recovery from the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita cheered investors and stock prices powered ahead through mid-December 2005, as oil prices fell back below $60 per barrel, inflation moderated, corporate profits remained buoyant and gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth, at 4.1% per annum, was the envy of the developed world. Yet the market gave back nearly 1.6% between Christmas and New Year, when new reports suggested that the end of the bubbling housing market might be at hand. Rising house prices had encouraged the consumer spending that was largely behind robust GDP growth; spending that is, by people who on average were saving little, if anything.
In international markets Japan was the shining star of the second half, soaring 33.3%, based on the MSCI Japan® Index(5) in dollars plus net dividends for the six months ended December 31, 2005, and 25.5% for the full year, as the market repeatedly broke five-year
2
MARKET PERSPECTIVE: YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
records amid new optimism. Investors, albeit mainly foreign ones, came to the belief that Japan is re-emerging as a balanced economy and less dependent on exports. Japanese corporations and banks have repaired their balance sheets at last. Rising wages are supporting domestic demand, in addition to an expected end to deflation, seems at hand. European ex UK markets leaped 11.8%, according to the MSCI Europe ex UK® Index(6) in dollars including net dividends for the six months ended December 31, 2005 (10.5% for the full year) and 14.7% in local currencies (27.7% for the full year) to the best levels in over four years, despite the first interest rate increase, to 2.5%, in over five years. Mounting evidence of a recovery in local demand, resilient profits and an upsurge of merger and acquisition activity boosted markets that are not particularly expensive. UK equities advanced 6.4% in the six months ended December 31, 2005 (7.4% for the full year) based on the MSCI UK® Index(7) in dollars including net dividends, concealing a more impressive 11.1% increase in pounds (20.1% for the full year), to the highest in four years. The period was dominated by the effect of five interest rate increases to restrain over-stretched consumers and soaring real estate prices. Yet, in the face of mostly miserable economic reports, and despite terrorist attacks in London over two days in July of 2005, investors, encouraged by merger and acquisition activity, supported an inexpensive market yielding over 3%.
(1) The MSCI World® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of over 1,400 securities listed on exchanges in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East.
(2) The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of publicly issued investment grade U.S. Government, mortgage-backed, asset-backed and corporate debt securities.
(3) The Lehman Brothers High Yield Bond Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of fixed-income securities generally representative of corporate bonds rated below investment-grade.
(4) The Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of securities of approximately 500 large-capitalization companies whose securities are traded on major U.S. stock markets.
(5) The MSCI Japan® Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Japan.
(6) The MSCI Europe ex UK® Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Europe, excluding the UK.
(7) The MSCI UK® Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in the UK.
All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance quoted represents past performance. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Funds’ performance is subject to change since the period’s end and may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please call (800) 992-0180 or log on to www.ingfunds.com to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end.
Market Perspective reflects the views of the Chief Investment Risk Officer only through the end of the period, and is subject to change based on market and other conditions.
3
ING VP NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ REPORT |
The ING VP Natural Resources Trust (“Trust”) seeks long-term growth of capital through investment primarily in common stocks of companies that own or develop natural resources and other basic commodities or supply goods and services to such companies. The Trust is managed by James A. Vail, Portfolio Manager, and Anthony Socci, Portfolio Manager, ING Investment Management Co. — the Sub-Adviser.
Performance: For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Trust provided a total return of 42.79% compared to 4.91% for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Stock Price Index(1) (“S&P 500 Index”) and 36.53% for the Goldman Sachs Natural Resources Index(2) for the same period.
Portfolio Specifics: The Trust outperformed its benchmark in 2005 as a result of good stock selection in both the major sectors, energy and materials, achieved in part by emphasizing the stronger subsectors at the expense of the weaker ones. In the energy sector performance was enhanced by our strategy to underweight the large integrated oil companies and to overweight the oil service and exploration companies. Materials provided the greatest contribution to overall returns, with the Trust benefiting from its holdings in Cleveland Cliffs, a U.S. producer of iron ore. The Chinese appetite for steel put significant upward pressure on iron ore prices, which translated into attractive stock performance. Glamis Gold turned in significant outperformance, based on an attractive production growth profile combined with the strong gold price environment.
Gold bullion rose 17.8% for the year ended 2005 and we expect this momentum to continue into the current year. Furthermore, gold should remain strong in the near term, based on a continued U.S. trade imbalance and expected U.S. dollar weakness. Rio Tinto turned in a strong performance as a diversified resource provider of iron ore, coal, copper and other base metal, diamonds and gold. Peabody Energy provided attractive returns, as coal demand for electric generation in the U.S. drove up prices, thus raising its share price. The Trust significantly overweighted Peabody, and our underweighted position in Alcoa helped overall performance as well, as aluminum is a later-cycle metal, and is only now beginning to catch up in price with other materials.
In the energy sector, as mentioned above, our underweight in Chevron, British Petroleum and Royal Dutch proved successful, with each position adding positive results. Moreover, our emphasis on drillers and exploration and production companies also proved successful, with strong performance from Grant Prideco and National Oilwell Varco. Both of these companies are expected to benefit from increased exploration and development work stemming from higher spending from the oil and gas segments. Chesapeake Energy, EOG Resources, Southwestern Energy and Ultra Petroleum are all involved in both oil and natural gas exploration and development, with particular emphasis on domestic natural gas, an area where we see significant upside potential.
Current Strategy and Outlook: The natural resources sector had a strong 2005, bolstered by robust global demand from China and Asia. The U.S. also contributed to sector strength, as did Europe to a lesser extent. However, in the face of increased demand, supply was constrained by a lack of investment over the last five to ten years. This imbalance resulted in higher prices from aluminum to zinc. Given the long lead times, we expect this supply-demand imbalance to last for the intermediate term, setting the stage for continued outperformance in energy, base metals and precious metals.
Industry Allocation
as of December 31, 2005
(as a percent of total investments)
Portfolio holdings are subject to change daily.
Top Ten Holdings* | |||
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Exxon Mobil Corp. |
| 4.2 | % |
Total SA ADR |
| 3.1 | % |
Peabody Energy Corp. |
| 2.9 | % |
Southwestern Energy Co. |
| 2.7 | % |
Schlumberger Ltd. |
| 2.6 | % |
Glamis Gold Ltd. |
| 2.6 | % |
Halliburton Co. |
| 2.5 | % |
Amerada Hess Corp. |
| 2.2 | % |
Alcan |
| 2.2 | % |
Dresser-Rand Group, Inc. |
| 2.0 | % |
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* Excludes short-term investments |
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Portfolio holdings are subject to change daily.
4
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS’ REPORT |
| ING VP NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST |
| Average Annual Total Returns for the Years Ended December 31, 2005 |
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| 1 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year |
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| ING VP Natural Resources Trust |
| 42.79 | % |
| 11.56 | % |
| 9.81 | % |
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| S&P 500 Index(1) |
| 4.91 | % |
| 0.54 | % |
| 9.07 | % |
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| Goldman Sachs Natural Resources Index(2) |
| 36.53 | % |
| 10.74 | % |
| N/A | (3) |
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Based on a $10,000 initial investment, the graph and table above illustrate the total return of ING VP Natural Resources Trust against the S&P 500 Index and the Goldman Sachs Natural Resources Index. The indices are unmanaged, have no cash in their portfolio, impose no sales charges and incur no operating expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index. The Trust’s performance is shown without the imposition of any expenses or charges which are, or may be, imposed under your annuity contract. Total returns would have been lower if such expenses or charges were included.
The performance graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder will pay on Trust distributions or the redemption of Trust shares.
The performance shown may include the effect of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Investment Manager and/or other service providers, which have the effect to increasing total return. Had all fees and expenses been considered, the total returns would have been lower.
The performance update illustrates performance for a variable investment option available through a variable annuity contract. The performance shown indicates past performance and is not a projection or prediction of future results. Actual investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that shares and/or units, at redemption, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Please call (800) 922-0180 to get performance through the most recent month end.
This report contains statements that may be “forward-looking” statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the “forward-looking” statements.
The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers, only through the end of the period as stated on the cover. The portfolio managers’ views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions.
Trust holdings are subject to change daily.
(1) The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of securities of approximately 500 of the largest companies in the U.S.
(2) The Goldman Sachs Natural Resources Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 112 stocks designed to measure the performance of companies in the natural resources sector, which include energy, precious metals, timber, and other sub-sectors.
(3) The Index commenced in August 1996.
5
As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments; redemption fees; and exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution [and/or service] (12b–1) fees; and other Fund expenses. These Examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
Actual Expenses
The first section of the table shown, “Actual Fund Return”, provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second section of the table shown, “Hypothetical 5% Return”, provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical lines of the table are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
ING VP Natural Resources Trust |
| Beginning |
| Ending |
| Expenses Paid |
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Actual Fund Return |
| $1,000.00 |
| $1,264.60 |
| $6.74 |
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Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) |
| $1,000.00 |
| $1,019.26 |
| $6.01 |
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* Expenses are equal to the Trust annualized expense ratios of 1.18%; multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 to reflect the most recent fiscal half-year.
6
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
ING VP Natural Resources Trust
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of ING VP Natural Resources Trust as of December 31, 2005, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the 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 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 audits 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 December 31, 2005 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures when 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 ING VP Natural Resources Trust as of December 31, 2005, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods specified in the first paragraph above, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts
February 17, 2006
7
ASSETS: |
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Investments in securities at value* |
| $ | 92,475,303 |
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Repurchase agreement |
| 4,131,000 |
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Receivables: |
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Investment securities sold |
| 163,254 |
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Fund shares sold |
| 5,577 |
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Dividends and interest |
| 30,218 |
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Prepaid expenses |
| 1,438 |
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Reimbursement due from manager |
| 7,070 |
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Total assets |
| 96,813,860 |
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LIABILITIES: |
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Payable for investment securities purchased |
| 1,640,062 |
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Payable for fund shares redeemed |
| 826,257 |
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Payable to affiliates |
| 87,449 |
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Payable to custodian due to bank overdraft |
| 9,201 |
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Payable to custodian due to foreign currency overdraft** |
| 464 |
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Payable for trustee fees |
| 34,036 |
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Other accrued expenses and liabilities |
| 58,077 |
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Total liabilities |
| 2,655,546 |
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NET ASSETS (equivalent to $23.89 per share on 3,941,226 shares outstanding) |
| $ | 94,158,314 |
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NET ASSETS WERE COMPRISED OF: |
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Paid-in capital — shares of beneficial interest $0.001 par value (unlimited shares authorized) |
| $ | 67,308,536 |
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Undistributed net investment income |
| 628 |
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Accumulated net realized gain on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 9,500,482 |
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Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 17,348,668 |
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NET ASSETS |
| $ | 94,158,314 |
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* Cost of investments in securities |
| $ | 75,126,701 |
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** Cost of foreign currency overdraft |
| $ | 164 |
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See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
8
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
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Dividends, net of foreign taxes withheld* |
| $ | 591,225 |
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Interest |
| 114,999 |
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Total investment income |
| 706,224 |
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EXPENSES: |
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Investment management fees |
| 612,002 |
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Transfer agent fees |
| 518 |
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Administrative service fees |
| 61,199 |
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Shareholder reporting expense |
| 57,231 |
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Professional fees |
| 56,669 |
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Custody and accounting expense |
| 17,954 |
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Trustee fees |
| 1,245 |
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Insurance expense |
| 604 |
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Miscellaneous expense |
| 4,752 |
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Total expenses |
| 812,174 |
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Net waived and reimbursed fees |
| (87,974 | ) | |
Net expenses |
| 724,200 |
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Net investment loss |
| (17,976 | ) | |
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REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND |
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Net realized gain (loss) on: |
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Investments |
| 9,571,385 |
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Foreign currency related transactions |
| (22,703 | ) | |
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 9,548,682 |
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Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on: |
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Investments |
| 11,741,706 |
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Foreign currency related transactions |
| 41 |
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Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 11,741,747 |
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Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 21,290,429 |
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Increase in net assets resulting from operations |
| $ | 21,272,453 |
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* Foreign taxes withheld |
| $ | 41,054 |
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See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
9
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| Year |
| Year |
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FROM OPERATIONS: |
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Net investment loss |
| $ | (17,976 | ) | $ | (183,108 | ) |
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 9,548,682 |
| 2,641,449 |
| ||
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions |
| 11,741,747 |
| 1,013,427 |
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Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
| 21,272,453 |
| 3,471,768 |
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FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: |
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Net investment income |
| (24,672 | ) | (249,957 | ) | ||
Net realized gains |
| (2,421,351 | ) | — |
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Total distributions |
| (2,446,023 | ) | (249,957 | ) | ||
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FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS: |
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Net proceeds from sale of shares |
| 61,859,638 |
| 14,449,413 |
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Dividends reinvested |
| 2,446,023 |
| 249,957 |
| ||
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| 64,305,661 |
| 14,699,370 |
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Cost of shares redeemed |
| (23,956,863 | ) | (7,673,468 | ) | ||
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions |
| 40,348,798 |
| 7,025,902 |
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Net increase in net assets |
| 59,175,228 |
| 10,247,713 |
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NET ASSETS: |
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Beginning of year |
| 34,983,086 |
| 24,735,373 |
| ||
End of year |
| $ | 94,158,314 |
| $ | 34,983,086 |
|
Undistributed net investment income at end of year |
| $ | 628 |
| $ | — |
|
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
10
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period.
|
|
|
| Year Ended December 31, |
| ||||||||
|
|
|
| 2005 |
| 2004 |
| 2003 |
| 2002 |
| 2001 |
|
Per Share Operating Performance: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year |
| $ |
| 17.65 |
| 15.82 |
| 12.12 |
| 12.40 |
| 14.75 |
|
Income (loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) |
| $ |
| (0.00 | )* | (0.10 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.05 | ) | 0.03 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
| $ |
| 7.28 |
| 2.09 |
| 3.78 |
| (0.21 | ) | (2.38 | ) |
Total income (loss) from investment operations |
| $ |
| 7.28 |
| 1.99 |
| 3.70 |
| (0.26 | ) | (2.35 | ) |
Less distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
| $ |
| 0.01 |
| 0.16 |
| — |
| 0.02 |
| — |
|
Net realized gains on investments |
| $ |
| 1.03 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Total distributions |
| $ |
| 1.04 |
| 0.16 |
| — |
| 0.02 |
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year |
| $ |
| 23.89 |
| 17.65 |
| 15.82 |
| 12.12 |
| 12.40 |
|
Total Return(1) |
| % |
| 42.79 |
| 12.66 |
| 30.53 |
| (2.10 | ) | (15.93 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s) |
| $ |
| 94,158 |
| 34,983 |
| 24,735 |
| 21,237 |
| 23,741 |
|
Ratio to average net assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net expenses after expense reimbursement |
| % |
| 1.18 |
| 1.33 |
| 1.61 |
| 1.64 |
| 1.35 |
|
Gross expenses prior to expense reimbursement |
| % |
| 1.33 |
| 1.33 |
| 1.61 |
| 1.64 |
| 1.35 |
|
Net investment income (loss) |
| % |
| (0.03 | ) | (0.68 | ) | (0.58 | ) | (0.41 | ) | 0.17 |
|
Portfolio turnover rate |
| % |
| 122 |
| 106 |
| 121 |
| 80 |
| 85 |
|
(1) Total return is calculated assuming reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions at net asset value and does not reflect the effect of insurance contract charges.
* Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
11
NOTE 1 — ORGANIZATION
Organization. ING VP Natural Resources Trust (“Trust”) is an open-end, non-diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 15, 1988 and commenced operation in 1991. The Trust’s primary investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital.
Shares of the Trust may be offered to segregated asset accounts of insurance companies as an investment option under variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Shares may also be offered to qualified pension and retirement plans and to certain investment advisers and their affiliates.
Participating insurance companies and other designated organizations are authorized to receive purchase orders on the Trust’s behalf.
NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following significant accounting policies are consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements and such policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies:
A. Security Valuation. Investments in equity securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sale price. Securities reported by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ official closing prices. Securities traded on an exchange or NASDAQ for which there has been no sale and equity securities traded in the over-the-counter-market are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices. All investments quoted in foreign currencies will be valued daily in U.S. dollars on the basis of the foreign currency exchange rates prevailing at that time. Debt securities are valued at prices obtained from independent services or from one or more dealers making markets in the securities and may be adjusted based on the Trust’s valuation procedures. U.S. government obligations are valued by using market quotations or independent pricing services which use prices provided by market-makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics.
Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available (which may include certain restricted securities which are subject to limitations as to their sale) are valued at their fair values as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”), in accordance with methods that are specifically authorized by the Board. Securities traded on exchanges, including foreign exchanges, which close earlier than the time that the Trust calculates its net asset value (“NAV”) may also be valued at their fair values as determined in good faith by or under the supervision of the Trust’s Board, in accordance with methods that are specifically authorized by the Board. The value of a foreign security traded on an exchange outside the United States is generally based on its price on the principal foreign exchange where it trades as of the time the Trust determines its NAV or if the foreign exchange closes prior to the time the Trust determines its NAV, the most recent closing price of the foreign security on its principal exchange. Trading in certain non-U.S. securities may not take place on all days on which the New York Stock exchange (“NYSE”) is open. Further, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days on which the NYSE is not open. Consequently, the calculation of the Trust’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of securities held by the Trust in foreign securities markets. Further, the value of the Trust’s assets may be significantly affected by foreign trading on days when a shareholder cannot purchase or redeem shares of the Trust. In calculating the Trust’s NAV, foreign securities denominated in foreign currency are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents. If an event occurs after the time at which the market for foreign securities held by the Trust closes but before the time that the Trust’s NAV is calculated, such event may cause the closing price on the foreign exchange to not represent a readily available reliable market value quotation for such securities at the time the Trust determines its NAV. In such a case, the Trust will use the fair value of such securities as determined under the Portfolio’s valuation procedures. Events after the close of trading on a foreign market that could require the Trust to fair value some or all of its foreign securities include, among others, securities trading in the U.S. and other markets, corporate announcements, natural and other disasters, and political and other events. Among other elements of analysis in the determination of a security’s fair value, the Board has authorized the use of one or more independent research services to assist with such determinations. An independent research service may use statistical
12
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
analyses and quantitative models to help determine fair value as of the time a Trust calculates its NAV. There can be no assurance that such models accurately reflect the behavior of the applicable markets or the effect of the behavior of such markets on the fair value of securities, or that such markets will continue to behave in a fashion that is consistent with such models. Unlike the closing price of a security on an exchange, fair value determinations employ elements of judgment. Consequently, the fair value assigned to a security may not represent the actual value that the Trust could obtain if it were to sell the security at the time of the close of the NYSE. Pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board, the Trust is not obligated to use the fair valuations suggested by any research service, and valuation recommendations provided by such research services may be overridden if other events have occurred or if other fair valuations are determined in good faith to be more accurate. Unless an event is such that it causes the Trust to determine that the closing prices for one or more securities do not represent readily available reliable market value quotations at the time the Trust determines its NAV, events that occur between the time of the close of the foreign market on which they are traded and the close of regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in the Trust’s NAV. Investments in securities maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which, when combined with accrued interest, approximates market value. The price of silver and gold bullion is determined by measuring the mean between the closing bid and asked quotations of silver and gold bullion set at the time of the close of the NYSE, as supplied by the Trust’s custodian bank or other broker-dealers or banks approved by the Trust, on each date that the NYSE is open for business.
B. Security Transactions and Revenue Recognition. Securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the basis of identified cost of securities sold. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis except when collection is not expected. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, or for certain foreign securities, when the information becomes available to the Trust. Premium amortization and discount accretion are determined by the effective yield method.
C. Federal Income Taxes. It is the policy of the Trust to comply with subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and related excise tax provisons applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. No capital gain distributions shall be made until any capital loss carryforwards have been fully utilized or expired.
D. Distributions to Shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, if any are declared and paid annually by the Trust. Distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax principles which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. The Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
E. Use of Estimates. Management of the Trust has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
F. Foreign Currency Translation. The books and records of the Trust are maintained in U.S. dollars. Any foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
(1) Market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities — at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the day.
(2) Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses — at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
Although the net assets and the market values are presented at the foreign exchange rates at the end of the day, the Trust does not isolate the portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. For securities which are subject to foreign withholding tax upon disposition, liabilities are recorded on the
13
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 2 — SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the estimated tax withholding based on the securities current market value. Upon disposition, realized gains or losses on such securities are recorded net of foreign withholding tax.
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Trust’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at period end, resulting from changes in the exchange rate. Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and U.S. government securities. These risks include, but are not limited to, revaluation of currencies and future adverse political and economic developments which could cause securities and their markets to be less liquid and prices more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies and U.S. government securities.
G. Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. The Trust may enter into forward foreign currency contracts primarily to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risks on their non-U.S. dollar denominated investment securities. When entering into a currency forward contract, the Trust agrees to receive or deliver a fixed quantity of foreign currency for an agreed-upon price on an agreed future date. These contracts are valued daily and the Trust’s net equity therein, representing unrealized gain or loss on the contracts as measured by the difference between the forward foreign exchange rates at the dates of entry into the contracts and the forward rates at the reporting date, is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are included on the Statement of Operations. These instruments involve market and/or credit risk in excess of the amount recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movement in currency and securities values and interest rates.
H. Repurchase Agreements. The Trust may invest in repurchase agreements only with government securities dealers recognized by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Under such agreements, the seller of the security agrees to repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon interest rate for the period of time the agreement is outstanding. The period of the repurchase agreements is usually short, from overnight to one week, while the underlying securities generally have longer maturities. The Trust will receive as collateral securities acceptable to it whose market value is equal to at least 100% of the carrying amount of the repurchase agreements, plus accrued interest, being invested by the Trust. The underlying collateral is valued daily on a mark to market basis to assure that the value, including accrued interest, is at least equal to the repurchase price. There would be potential loss to the Trust in the event the Trust is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, and it might incur disposition costs in liquidating the collateral.
NOTE 3 — INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
The Trust pays an investment management fee to ING Investments, LLC (the “Investment Manager”), at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Trust’s average daily net assets.
The Investment Manager has entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement with the Trust, under which it will limit expenses of the Trust to the extent of 2.50% of the value of the Trust’s average daily net assets, excluding interest, taxes, brokerage and extraordinary expenses. Fee waivers and/or reimbursements by the Investment Manager may vary in order to achieve such contractually obligated expense limit.
The Expense Limitation Agreement is contractual and shall renew automatically for one-year terms unless ING Investments provides written notice of the termination of the Expense Limitation Agreement within 90 days of the end of the then current term.
The Investment Manager may at a later date recoup from the Trust for management fees waived and other expenses assumed by the Investment Manager during the previous 36 months, but only if, after such reimbursement, the Trust’s expense ratio does not exceed the percentage described above.
14
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 3 — INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES (continued)
Effective January 1, 2005, pursuant to a side agreement, the Investment Manager lowered the expense limit for the Trust to 1.18% through at least December 31, 2005. Effective January 1, 2006, the Investment Manager further lowered the expense limit for the trust to 1.08% through at least December 31, 2006. There is no guarantee that this side agreement will continue after that date. The side agreement will only renew if the Investment Manager elects to renew it. If after December 31, 2006, the Investment Manager elects not to renew the side agreement, the expense limit will revert to the limitation under the Trust’s expense limitation agreement of 2.50%. The Trust waived $87,974 pursuant to the side agreement during the year ended December 31, 2005. Any fees waived pursuant to the side agreement shall not be eligible for recoupment.
The Investment Manager has entered into a Sub-Advisory Agreement with ING Investment Management Co. (“ING IM”).
ING Funds Services, LLC (the “Administrator”) serves as Administrator to the Trust. The Trust pays the Administrator a fee calculated at an annual rate of 0.10% of the Trust’s average daily net assets.
The Investment Manager, ING IM and the Administrator are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ING Groep N.V. (“ING Groep”). ING Groep is one of the largest financial services organizations in the world, and offers an array of banking, insurance and asset management services to both individuals and institutional investors.
NOTE 4 — OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED AND RELATED PARTIES
At December 31, 2005, the Trust had the following amounts recorded in payable to affiliates on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
Accrued |
| Accrued |
| Total |
|
$79,499 |
| $7,950 |
| $87,449 |
|
The Trust has adopted a Retirement Policy covering all Independent Trustees of the Trust who will have served as an Independent Trustee for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on an annual rate as defined in the plan agreement.
At December 31, 2005 the following indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of ING Groep owned more than 5% of the following Portfolio: ING VP Natural Resources Trust — ING Life Insurance Annuity Company (72.11%); Kemper Investors Life Insurance Company (13.46%); and Reliastar Life Insurance Company (5.59%). And Symetra Life Insurance Company also owned 6.52% of the Portfolio.
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments for the year ended December 31, 2005, excluding short-term securities, were $110,144,683 and $69,919,446, respectively.
NOTE 6 — CONCENTRATION OF INVESTMENT RISKS
Foreign Securities. The Trust may invest in foreign securities and has a policy of investing in the securities of companies that own or develop natural resources and other basic commodities, or supply goods and services to such companies. There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities or concentrating in specific industries such as natural resources that are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political and economic developments, as well as the possible imposition of foreign exchange or other foreign governmental restrictions or laws, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
Non-Diversified. The Portfolio is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the Investment Company Act, which means that the Trust is not limited in the proportion of its assets in a single issuer. The investment of a large percentage of a Trust’s assets in the securities of a small number of issuers may cause the Trust’s share price to fluctuate more than that of a diversified investment company.
NOTE 7 — LINE OF CREDIT
The Trust, in addition to certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager, have entered into an unsecured committed revolving line of credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with The Bank of New York for an aggregate amount of $125,000,000. The proceeds may be used to: (1) temporarily finance the purchase and sale of securities; (2) finance the redemption of shares of an investor in the funds; and (3) enable the funds to meet other emergency expenses as defined in the Credit Agreement. The funds to which the line of credit is available pay a commitment fee equal to 0.09% per annum on the daily unused portion of the committed line amount payable quarterly in arrears.
15
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 7 — LINE OF CREDIT (continued)
The Trust utilized the line of credit for nine days during the year ended December 31, 2005, with an approximate average daily balance of $1,931,667 for those days and an approximate weighted average interest rate of 3.51%. Interest expense is included in Miscellaneous expense on the Statement of Operations.
NOTE 8 — CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Transactions in capital shares and dollars were as follows:
|
| Year Ended |
| Year Ended |
| ||||||
|
| Shares |
| Dollars |
| Shares |
| Dollars |
| ||
Shares sold |
| 3,020,350 |
| $ | 61,859,638 |
| 882,300 |
| $ | 14,449,413 |
|
Dividends reinvested |
| 129,395 |
| 2,446,023 |
| 15,701 |
| 249,957 |
| ||
Shares redeemed |
| (1,190,830 | ) | (23,956,863 | ) | (479,037 | ) | (7,673,468 | ) | ||
Net increase |
| 1,958,915 |
| $ | 40,348,798 |
| 418,964 |
| $ | 7,025,902 |
|
NOTE 9 — FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. These book/tax differences may be either temporary or permanent. Permanent differences are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences are not reclassified. Key differences include the treatment of short-term capital gains, foreign currency transactions and wash sale deferrals. Distributions in excess of net investment income and/or net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of paid-in capital.
The following permanent tax differences have been reclassified as of December 31, 2005:
Undistributed |
| Accumulated |
|
$43,276 |
| $(43,276) |
|
Dividends paid by the Trust from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
The tax composition of dividends and distributions to shareholders was as follows:
Year ended |
| Year ended |
| ||
Ordinary |
| Long-Term |
| Ordinary |
|
$596,034 |
| $1,849,989 |
| $249,957 |
|
As of December 31, 2005, there were no capital loss carryforwards which may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. The tax-basis components of distributable earnings as of December 31, 2005:
Undistributed |
| Undistributed |
| Unrealized |
|
$5,780,549 |
| $3,908,883 |
| $17,160,346 |
|
NOTE 10 — INFORMATION REGARDING TRADING OF ING’S U.S. MUTUAL FUNDS
In 2004 ING Investments reported to the Boards of Trustees (the “Boards”) of the ING Funds that, like many U.S. financial services companies, ING Investments and certain of its U.S. affiliates have received informal and formal requests for information since September 2003 from various governmental and self-regulatory agencies in connection with investigations related to mutual funds and variable insurance products. ING Investments has advised the Boards that it and its affiliates have cooperated fully with each request.
In addition to responding to regulatory and governmental requests, ING Investments reported that management of U.S. affiliates of ING Groep N.V., including ING Investments (collectively, “ING”), on their own initiative, have conducted, through independent special counsel and a national accounting firm, an extensive internal review of trading in ING insurance, retirement, and mutual fund products. The goal of this review was to identify any instances of inappropriate trading in those products by third parties or by ING investment professionals and other ING personnel. ING’s internal review related to mutual fund trading is now substantially completed. ING has reported that, of the millions of customer relationships that ING maintains, the internal review identified several isolated arrangements allowing third parties to engage in frequent trading of mutual funds within ING’s variable insurance and mutual fund products, and identified other circumstances where frequent trading occurred, despite measures taken by ING intended to combat market timing. ING further reported that each of these arrangements has been terminated and fully disclosed to regulators. The results of the internal
16
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 10 — INFORMATION REGARDING TRADING OF ING’S U.S. MUTUAL FUNDS (continued)
review were also reported to the independent members of the Board.
ING Investments has advised the Board that most of the identified arrangements were initiated prior to ING’s acquisition of the businesses in question in the U.S. ING Investments further reported that the companies in question did not receive special benefits in return for any of these arrangements, which have all been terminated.
Based on the internal review, ING Investments has advised the Board that the identified arrangements do not represent a systemic problem in any of the companies that were involved.
In September 2005, ING Funds Distributor, LLC (“IFD”), the distributor of certain ING Funds, settled an administrative proceeding with the NASD regarding three arrangements, dating from 1995, 1996 and 1998, under which the administrator to the then-Pilgrim Funds, which subsequently became part of the ING Funds, entered into formal and informal arrangements that permitted frequent trading. Under the terms of the Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”) with the NASD, under which IFD neither admitted nor denied the allegations or findings, IFD consented to the following sanctions: (i) a censure; (ii) a fine of $1.5 million; (iii) restitution of approximately $1.44 million to certain ING Funds for losses attributable to excessive trading described in the AWC; and (iv) agreement to make certification to NASD regarding the review and establishment of certain procedures.
In addition to the arrangements discussed above, in 2004 ING Investments reported to the Board that, at that time, these instances include the following, in addition to the arrangements subject to the AWC discussed above:
• Aeltus Investment Management, Inc. (a predecessor entity to ING Investment Management Co.) has identified two investment professionals who engaged in extensive frequent trading in certain ING Funds. One was subsequently terminated for cause and incurred substantial financial penalties in connection with this conduct and the second has been disciplined.
• ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (“ReliaStar”) entered into agreements seven years ago permitting the owner of policies issued by the insurer to engage in frequent trading and to submit orders until 4pm Central Time. In 2001 ReliaStar also entered into a selling agreement with a broker-dealer that engaged in frequent trading. Employees of ING affiliates were terminated and/or disciplined in connection with these matters.
• In 1998, Golden American Life Insurance Company entered into arrangements permitting a broker-dealer to frequently trade up to certain specific limits in a fund available in an ING variable annuity product. No employee responsible for this arrangement remains at the company.
For additional information regarding these matters, you may consult the Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A for each of four life insurance companies, ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company, ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company, ING Insurance Company of America, and ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York, each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 29, 2004 and September 8, 2004. These Forms 8-K and Forms 8-K/A can be accessed through the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov. Despite the extensive internal review conducted through independent special counsel and a national accounting firm, there can be no assurance that the instances of inappropriate trading reported to the Board are the only instances of such trading respecting the ING Funds.
ING Investments reported to the Board that ING is committed to conducting its business with the highest standards of ethical conduct with zero tolerance for noncompliance. Accordingly, ING Investments advised the Board that ING management was disappointed that its voluntary internal review identified these situations. Viewed in the context of the breadth and magnitude of its U.S. business as a whole, ING management does not believe that ING’s acquired companies had systemic ethical or compliance issues in these areas. Nonetheless, ING Investments reported that given ING’s refusal to tolerate any lapses, it has taken the steps noted below, and will continue to seek opportunities to further strengthen the internal controls of its affiliates.
• ING has agreed with the ING Funds to indemnify and hold harmless the ING Funds from all damages resulting from wrongful conduct by ING or its employees or from ING’s internal investigation, any investigations conducted by any governmental or self-regulatory agencies, litigation or other formal proceedings, including any proceedings by the Securities and Exchange Commission. ING Investments reported to the Board that ING management believes that the
17
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED)
NOTE 10 — INFORMATION REGARDING TRADING OF ING’S U.S. MUTUAL FUNDS (continued)
total amount of any indemnification obligations will not be material to ING or its U.S. business.
• ING updated its Code of Conduct for employees reinforcing its employees’ obligation to conduct personal trading activity consistent with the law, disclosed limits, and other requirements.
• The ING Funds, upon a recommendation from ING, updated their respective Codes of Ethics applicable to investment professionals with ING entities and certain other fund personnel, requiring such personnel to pre-clear any purchases or sales of ING Funds that are not systematic in nature (i.e., dividend reinvestment), and imposing minimum holding periods for shares of ING Funds.
• ING instituted excessive trading policies for all customers in its variable insurance and retirement products and for shareholders of the ING Funds sold to the public through financial intermediaries. ING does not make exceptions to these policies.
• ING reorganized and expanded its U.S. Compliance Department, and created an Enterprise Compliance team to enhance controls and consistency in regulatory compliance.
As has been widely reported in the media, the New York Attorney General’s office (“NYAG”) is conducting broad investigations regarding insurance quoting and brokerage practices. ING U.S. has been subpoenaed in this regard, and is cooperating fully with these NYAG requests for information.
ING U.S. believes that its practices are consistent with our business principles and our commitment to our customers.
At this time, in light of the current regulatory factors, ING U.S. is actively engaged in reviewing whether any modifications in our practices are appropriate for the future.
There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares, or other adverse consequences to ING Funds.
18
Shares |
|
|
|
|
| Value |
| |
COMMON STOCK: 98.2% |
|
|
| |||||
|
|
|
| Coal: 2.9% |
|
|
| |
33,600 |
|
|
| Peabody Energy Corp. |
| $ | 2,769,312 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,769,312 |
| |
|
|
|
| Electric: 1.3% |
|
|
| |
55,000 |
| @ |
| Mirant Corp. |
| 1,237,500 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1,237,500 |
| |
|
|
|
| Energy - Alternate Sources: 1.3% |
|
|
| |
69,000 |
| @ |
| KFX, Inc. |
| 1,180,590 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1,180,590 |
| |
|
|
|
| Iron/Steel: 0.5% |
|
|
| |
5,600 |
|
|
| Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. |
| 495,992 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 495,992 |
| |
|
|
|
| Mining: 25.4% |
|
|
| |
56,600 |
| @@ |
| Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. |
| 1,118,389 |
| |
25,200 |
| @@ |
| Alcan, Inc. |
| 1,031,940 |
| |
34,500 |
|
|
| Alcoa, Inc. |
| 1,020,165 |
| |
21,900 |
| @@ |
| Barrick Gold Corp. |
| 610,240 |
| |
20,800 |
| @@ |
| BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR |
| 695,136 |
| |
24,400 |
| @@ |
| Cameco Corp. |
| 1,541,305 |
| |
13,500 |
| @ |
| Century Aluminum Co. |
| 353,835 |
| |
30,600 |
| @@ |
| Cia Vale do Rio Doce ADR |
| 1,258,884 |
| |
223,100 |
| @,@@ |
| Eldorado Gold Corp. |
| 1,086,709 |
| |
7,000 |
|
|
| Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. |
| 376,600 |
| |
89,200 |
| @,@@ |
| Glamis Gold Ltd. |
| 2,446,604 |
| |
73,100 |
| @@ |
| GoldCorp, Inc. |
| 1,628,560 |
| |
79,900 |
| @,@@ |
| Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. ADR |
| 1,042,695 |
| |
157,900 |
| @,@@ |
| Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. |
| 1,135,301 |
| |
115,900 |
| @,@@ |
| Kinross Gold Corp. |
| 1,068,598 |
| |
675,000 |
| @,@@ |
| Lihir Gold Ltd. |
| 1,076,599 |
| |
15,950 |
| @@ |
| Lonmin PLC |
| 441,919 |
| |
27,600 |
| @,@@ |
| Major Drilling Group Intl. |
| 415,601 |
| |
26,417 |
| @@ |
| Newcrest Mining Ltd. |
| 469,135 |
| |
2,800 |
|
|
| Phelps Dodge Corp. |
| 402,836 |
| |
80,200 |
| @,@@ |
| Randgold Resources Ltd. ADR |
| 1,293,626 |
| |
4,600 |
| @@ |
| Rio Tinto PLC ADR |
| 840,834 |
| |
162,500 |
| @,@@ |
| Shore Gold, Inc. |
| 1,068,356 |
| |
300,000 |
| @,@@ |
| Teal Exploration & Mining, Inc. |
| 629,200 |
| |
16,900 |
| @@,# |
| Teck Cominco Ltd. |
| 897,697 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 23,950,764 |
| |
|
|
|
| Oil & Gas: 44.1% |
|
|
| |
16,500 |
|
|
| Amerada Hess Corp. |
| 2,092,530 |
| |
11,500 |
|
|
| Anadarko Petroleum Corp. |
| 1,089,625 |
| |
25,168 |
| @ |
| ATP Oil & Gas Corp. |
| 931,468 |
| |
40,000 |
| @ |
| Bill Barrett Corp. |
| 1,544,400 |
| |
26,300 |
| @,@@ |
| BP PLC ADR |
| 1,688,986 |
| |
35,400 |
|
|
| Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. |
| 1,596,540 |
| |
52,270 |
| @ |
| Delta Petroleum Corp. |
| 1,137,918 |
| |
40,000 |
| @ |
| Denbury Resources, Inc. |
| 911,200 |
| |
10,000 |
| @@ |
| ENI S.p.A. ADR |
| 1,394,600 |
| |
32,500 |
|
|
| ENSCO Intl., Inc. |
| 1,441,375 |
| |
70,800 |
| S |
| Exxon Mobil Corp. |
| 3,976,836 |
| |
100,000 |
| @ |
| Gasco Energy, Inc. |
| 653,000 |
| |
32,300 |
|
|
| Global Santa Fe Corp. |
| 1,555,245 |
| |
29,000 |
|
|
| Marathon Oil Corp. |
| 1,768,130 |
| |
33,800 |
| @ |
| Newfield Exploration Co. |
| 1,692,366 |
| |
14,800 |
|
|
| Noble Energy, Inc. |
| 596,440 |
| |
60,000 |
| @ |
| PetroHawk Energy Corp. |
| 793,200 |
| |
25,000 |
| @@ |
| Petroleo Brasileiro SA ADR |
|
| 1,609,250 |
|
45,300 |
| @ |
| Plains Exploration & Production Co. |
| 1,799,769 |
| |
28,200 |
| @ |
| Pride International, Inc. |
| 867,150 |
| |
14,000 |
| @ |
| Rowan Cos., Inc. |
| 498,960 |
| |
70,800 |
| @ |
| Southwestern Energy Co. |
| 2,544,552 |
| |
13,000 |
| @@ |
| Suncor Energy, Inc. |
| 820,690 |
| |
16,800 |
| @@ |
| Talisman Energy, Inc. |
| 888,266 |
| |
22,800 |
| @@ |
| Total SA ADR |
| 2,881,920 |
| |
10,200 |
| @ |
| Transocean, Inc. |
| 710,838 |
| |
18,655 |
| @ |
| Ultra Petroleum Corp. |
| 1,040,949 |
| |
21,000 |
|
|
| Valero Energy Corp. |
| 1,083,600 |
| |
42,800 |
|
|
| XTO Energy, Inc. |
| 1,880,632 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 41,490,435 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Oil & Gas Services: 19.6% |
|
|
| |
47,800 |
| @ |
| Basic Energy Services, Inc. |
| 953,610 |
| |
26,800 |
|
|
| BJ Services Co. |
| 982,756 |
| |
17,200 |
| @ |
| Cooper Cameron Corp. |
| 712,080 |
| |
78,231 |
| @ |
| Dresser-Rand Group, Inc. |
| 1,891,626 |
| |
37,400 |
| @ |
| FMC Technologies, Inc. |
| 1,605,208 |
| |
38,200 |
| @ |
| Grant Prideco, Inc. |
| 1,685,384 |
| |
38,200 |
|
|
| Halliburton Co. |
| 2,366,872 |
| |
22,700 |
| @ |
| Lone Star Technologies |
| 1,172,682 |
| |
16,400 |
| @ |
| National-Oilwell, Inc. |
| 1,028,280 |
| |
25,500 |
|
|
| Schlumberger Ltd. |
| 2,477,325 |
| |
65,000 |
| @ |
| Superior Energy Services |
| 1,368,250 |
| |
13,600 |
| @ |
| Universal Compression Holdings, Inc. |
| 559,232 |
| |
46,400 |
| @ |
| Weatherford Intl. Ltd. |
| 1,679,680 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 18,482,985 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Pipelines: 3.1% |
|
|
| |
135,000 |
|
|
| Genesis Energy LP |
| 1,572,750 |
| |
27,500 |
|
|
| Western Gas Resources, Inc. |
| 1,294,975 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,867,725 |
| |
|
|
|
| Total Common Stock |
| 92,475,303 |
|
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
19
|
| PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS |
ING VP NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 (CONTINUED) |
Principal Amount |
| Value |
| |||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT: 4.4% |
|
|
| |||||||
|
| Repurchase Agreement: 4.4% |
|
|
| |||||
$4,131,000 |
| Goldman Sachs Repurchase |
|
|
| |||||
|
| Agreement dated 12/30/05, 4.250%, |
|
|
| |||||
|
| due 01/03/06, $4,132,951 to be |
|
|
| |||||
|
| received upon repurchase |
|
|
| |||||
|
| (Collateralized by $4,285,000 |
|
|
| |||||
|
| Federal Home Loan Mortgage |
|
|
| |||||
|
| Corporation, 3.625%, Market Value |
|
|
| |||||
|
| plus accrued interest $4,213,796 |
|
|
| |||||
|
| due 09/15/08) |
| $ | 4,131,000 |
| ||||
|
| Total Short-Term Investments |
| 4,131,000 |
| |||||
|
| Total Investments In Securities | 102.6 | % | $ | 96,606,303 |
| |||
|
| Other Assets and Liabilities—Net | (2.6 | ) | (2,447,989 | ) | ||||
|
| Net Assets | 100.0 | % | $ | 94,158,314 |
| |||
|
| |||||||||
| Certain foreign securities have been fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2A). |
| ||||||||
@ | Non-income producing security |
|
|
|
| |||||
@@ | Foreign Issuer |
|
|
|
| |||||
# | Securities with purchases pursuant to Rule 144A, under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. These securities have been determined to be liquid under the guidelines established by the Portfolios’ Board of Trustees. |
| ||||||||
ADR | American Depositary Receipt |
| ||||||||
S | Segregated securities for certain derivatives, when-issued or delayed delivery securities and forward currency exchange contracts. |
| ||||||||
* | Cost for federal income tax purposes is $79,446,651. |
|
|
|
| |||||
| Net unrealized appreciation consists of: |
|
|
|
| |||||
| Gross Unrealized Appreciation |
|
| $ | 17,804,400 |
| ||||
| Gross Unrealized Depreciation |
|
| (644,748 | ) | |||||
| Net Unrealized Appreciation |
|
| $ | 17,159,652 |
| ||||
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
20
Dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 2005 were as follows:
Fund Name |
| Type |
| Per Share Amount |
|
ING VP Natural Resources Trust |
| NII |
| $0.0084 |
|
|
| STCG |
| $0.2430 |
|
|
| LTCG |
| $0.7868 |
|
NII — Net investment income
STCG — Short-term capital gain
LTCG — Long-term capital gain
Of the ordinary distributions made during the year ended December 31, 2005, the following percentage qualifies for the dividends received deduction (DRD) available to corporate shareholders:
VP Natural Resources Trust: |
| 21.28 | % |
Above figures may differ from those cited elsewhere in this report due to differences in the calculation of income and gains under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (book) purposes and Internal Revenue Service (tax) purposes.
Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investments in the Funds. In January, shareholders, excluding corporate shareholders, receive an IRS 1099-DIV regarding the federal tax status of the dividends and distributions they received in the calendar year.
21
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. A Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, is an independent trustee (“Independent Trustee”). The Trustees and Officers of the Funds are listed below. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about trustees of the Registrant and is available, without charge, upon request at 1-800-992-0180.
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Term of |
| Principal |
| Number of |
| Other |
Independent Trustees: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John V. Boyer(3) |
| Trustee |
| January 2005 - Present |
| Unemployed. Formerly, Executive Director, The Mark Twain House & Museum(2) (September 1989 - November 2005). |
| 172 |
| None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Michael Earley(4) |
| Trustee |
| January 1997 - Present |
| President and Chief Executive Officer, Bankers Trust Company, N.A. (June 1992 - Present). |
| 172 |
| None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Barbara Gitenstein(3) |
| Trustee |
| January 1997 - Present |
| President, College of New Jersey (January 1999 - Present). |
| 172 |
| None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick W. Kenny(4) |
| Trustee |
| January 2005 - Present |
| President and Chief Executive Officer, International Insurance Society (June 2001 - Present). and Executive Vice President, Frontier Insurance Group, Inc. (September 1998 - March 2001). |
| 172 |
| Assured Guaranty Ltd. (November 2003 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Walter H. May(3) |
| Trustee |
| February 2002 - Present |
| Retired. |
| 172 |
| BestPrep (September 1991 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jock Patton(3) |
| Chairman and Trustee |
| February 2002 - Present |
| Private Investor (June 1997 - Present). Formerly, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rainbow Multimedia Group, Inc. (January 1999 - December 2001). |
| 172 |
| JDA Software Group, Inc. (January 1999 - Present); and Swift Transportation Co. (March 2004 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David W.C. Putnam(4) |
| Trustee |
| February 2001 - Present |
| President and Director, F.L. Putnam Securities Company, Inc. (June 1978 - Present). |
| 172 |
| Progressive Capital Accumulation Trust (August 1998 - Present); Principled Equity Market Trust (November 1996 - Present); Mercy Endowment Foundation (September 1995 - Present); Asian American Bank and Trust Company (June 1992 - Present); and Notre Dame Health Care Center (July 1991 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roger B. Vincent(4) |
| Trustee |
| January 1994 - Present |
| President, Springwell Corporation (March 1989 - Present). |
| 172 |
| AmeriGas Propane, Inc. (January 1998 - Present). |
22
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Term of |
| Principal |
| Number of |
| Other |
Richard A. Wedemeyer(3) |
| Trustee |
| February 2002 - Present |
| Retired. Formerly, Vice President - Finance and Administration, The Channel Corporation (June 1996 - April 2002). Formerly, Trustee, First Choice Funds (February 1997 - April 2001). |
| 172 |
| Touchstone Consulting Group (June 1997 - Present); and Jim Henson Legacy (April 1994 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trustees who are “Interested Persons”: |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. McInerney(5) |
| Trustee |
| February 2002 - Present |
| Chief Executive Officer, ING U.S. Financial Services (January 2005 - Present); General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Financial Services (December 2003 - December 2004); Chief Executive Officer, ING U.S. Financial Services (September 2001 - December 2003); and General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Worksite Financial Services (December 2000 - September 2001). |
| 212 |
| Equitable Life Insurance Co., Golden American Life Insurance Co., Life Insurance Company of Georgia, Midwestern United Life Insurance Co., ReliaStar Life Insurance Co., Security Life of Denver, Security Connecticut Life Insurance Co., Southland Life Insurance Co., USG Annuity and Life Company, and United Life and Annuity Insurance Co. Inc.; Ameribest Life Insurance Co.; First Columbine Life Insurance Co.; and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce (January 2003 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John G. Turner(6) |
| Trustee |
| February 2002 - Present |
| Retired. Formerly, Vice Chairman of ING Americas (September 2000 - January 2002); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Relia Star Financial Corp. and Relia Star Life Insurance Company (July 1993 - September 2000) Director of ReliaStar Life Insurance Company of New York (April 1975 - December 2001); and Chairman and Trustee of the Northstar affiliated investment companies (May 1993 - December 2001). |
| 172 |
| Hormel Foods Corporation (March 2000 - Present); ShopKo Stores, Inc. (August 1999 - Present); and Conseco, Inc. (September 2003 - Present). |
(1) Trustees serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified, subject to the Board’s retirement policy.
(2) Shaun Mathews, Senior Vice President of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company, has held a seat on the board of directors of The Mark Twain House & Museum since September 19, 2002. ING Groep N.V. makes non-material, charitable contributions to The Mark Twain House & Museum.
(3) Valuation, Proxy and Brokerage Committee member.
(4) Audit Committee member.
(5) Mr. McInerney is an “interested person,” as defined under the 1940 Act, because of his affiliation with ING Groep N.V., the parent corporation of the Investment Manager, ING Investments, LLC and the Distributor, ING Funds Distributor, LLC.
(6) Mr. Turner is an “interested person,” as defined under the 1940 Act, because of his affiliation with ING Groep N.V., the parent corporation of the Investment Manager, ING Investments, LLC and the Distributor, ING Funds Distributor, LLC.
23
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Term of Office and |
| Principal Occupation(s) during the |
Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James M. Hennessy |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
| March 2003 - Present |
| President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, ING Investments, LLC (December 2000 - Present). Formerly, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ING Investments, LLC (April 1995 - December 2000). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Roland |
| Executive Vice President |
| March 2003 - Present |
| Executive Vice President (December 2001 - Present) and Formerly Chief Compliance Officer, ING Investments, LLC (October 2004 - December 2005), ING Investments, LLC. Formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, ING Investments, LLC (December 2001 - March 2005); and Senior Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (June 1998 - December 2001). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stanley D. Vyner |
| Executive Vice President |
| March 2003 - Present |
| Executive Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (July 2000 - Present) and Chief Investment Risk Officer (January 2003 - Present). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of the International Portfolios, ING Investments, LLC (August 2000 - January 2003). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joseph M. O’Donnell |
| Chief Compliance Officer |
| January 2004 - Present |
| Chief Compliance Officer of the ING Funds (November 2004 - Present) and ING Investments, LLC and Directed Services, Inc. (January 2006 - Present). Formerly, Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary of Atlas Securities, Inc., Atlas Advisers, Inc. and Atlas Funds (October 2001 - October 2004); and Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Matthews International Capital Management LLC and Vice President and Secretary of Matthews International Funds (August 1999 - May 2001). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Todd Modic |
| Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary |
| March 2005 - Present |
| Senior Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (April 2005 - Present). Formerly, Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2002 - March 2005); and Director, Financial Reporting, ING Investments, LLC (March 2001 - September 2002); Director of Financial Reporting, Axient Communications, Inc. (May 2000 - January 2001). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert S. Naka |
| Senior Vice President |
| January 2003 - Present |
| Senior Vice President (August 1999 - Present) and Assistant Secretary (October 2001 - Present), ING Funds Services, LLC. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kimberly A. Anderson |
| Senior Vice President |
| November 2003 - Present |
| Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary, ING Investments, LLC (October 2003 - Present). Formerly, Vice President and Assistant Secretary, ING Investments, LLC (January 2001 - October 2003); and Assistant Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (November 1999 - January 2001). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robyn L. Ichilov |
| Vice President |
| January 2003 - Present |
| Vice President and Treasurer, ING Funds Services, LLC (October 2001 - Present) and ING Investments, LLC (August 1997 - Present). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lauren D. Bensinger |
| Vice President |
| February 2003 - Present |
| Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, ING Funds Distributor, LLC (July 1995 - Present); and Vice President, ING Investments, LLC (February 2003 - Present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer, ING Investments, LLC (October 2001 - October 2004). |
24
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Term of Office and |
| Principal Occupation(s) during the |
Mary Bea Wilkinson |
| Vice President |
| March 2003 - Present |
| Head of Strategic Relationships, ING U.S. Financial Services (2003 - Present). Formerly, Senior Vice President, ING Outside Funds Group (2000 - 2002); and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York (1997 - 2000). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maria M. Anderson |
| Vice President |
| September 2004 - Present |
| Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (September 2004 - Present). Formerly, Assistant Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (October 2001 - September 2004); and Manager Fund Accounting and Fund Compliance, ING Investments, LLC (September 1999 - October 2001). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary A. Gaston |
| Vice President |
| March 2005 - Present |
| Vice President, ING Fund Services, LLC (April 2005 - Present). Formerly, Assistant Vice President, Financial Reporting, ING Investments, LLC (April 2004 - April 2005); Manager, Financial Reporting, ING Investments, LLC (August 2002 - April 2004); and Controller Z Seven Fund, Inc. and Ziskin Asset Management, Inc. (January 2000 - March 2002). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Susan P. Kinens |
| Assistant Vice President |
| January 2003 - Present |
| Assistant Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (December 2002 - Present); and has held various other positions with ING Funds Services, LLC for more than the last five years. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kimberly K. Palmer |
| Assistant Vice President |
| September 2004 - Present |
| Assistant Vice President, ING Funds Services, LLC (August 2004 - Present). Formerly, Manager, Registration Statements, ING Funds Services, LLC (May 2003 - August 2004); Associate Partner, AMVESCAP PLC (October 2000 - May 2003); and Director of Federal Filings and Blue Sky Filings, INVESCO Funds Group, Inc. (March 1994 - May 2003). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Huey P. Falgout, Jr. |
| Secretary |
| August 2003 - Present |
| Chief Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (September 2003 - Present). Formerly, Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (November 2002 - September 2003); and Associate General Counsel of AIG American General (January 1999 - November 2002). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theresa K. Kelety |
| Assistant Secretary |
| August 2003 - Present |
| Counsel, ING Americas, U.S. Legal Services (April 2003 - Present). Formerly, Senior Associate with Shearman & Sterling (February 2000 - April 2003). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robin R. Nesbitt |
| Assistant Secretary |
| September 2004 - Present |
| Supervisor, Board Operations, ING Funds Services, LLC (August 2003 - Present). Formerly, Senior Legal Analyst, ING Funds Services, LLC (August 2002 - August 2003); Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers (January 2001 - August 2001); and Paralegal, McManis, Faulkner & Morgan (May 2000 - December 2000). |
(1) The officers hold office until the next annual meeting of the Trustees and until their successors have been elected and qualified.
25
Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) provides that, after an initial period, the existing investment advisory and sub-advisory contracts for ING VP Natural Resources Trust (the “Trust”) remain in effect only if the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ING VP Natural Resources Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who have no direct or indirect interest in the advisory and sub-advisory contracts, and who are not “interest persons” of the Trust, as such term is defined under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), annually review and renew them. In this regard, at a meeting held on November 10, 2005 the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, considered whether to renew the investment advisory contract (the “Advisory Contract”) between ING Investments, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust and the sub-advisory contract (“Sub-Advisory Contract”) with ING Investment Management Co. (“ING IM”), the sub-adviser to the Trust.
The Independent Trustees also held separate meetings on October 11 and November 8, 2005 to consider renewals of the Advisory Contract and Sub-Advisory Contract. Thus, references herein to factors considered and determinations made by the Independent Trustees include, as applicable, factors considered and determinations made on those earlier dates.
At the November 10, 2005 meeting, the Board voted to renew the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Trust. In reaching these decisions, the Board took into account information furnished throughout the year at regular Board meetings, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with the annual review process. The Board’s determination took into account a number of factors that its members believed, in light of the legal advice furnished to them by Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP (“K&LNG”), their independent legal counsel, and their own business judgment, to be relevant. Further, while the Advisory Contract and Sub-Advisory Contract for the Trust were considered at the same Board meeting, the Trustees considered the Trust’s advisory and sub-advisory relationships separately.
Provided below is an overview of the Board’s contract approval process in general, as well as a discussion of certain of the specific factors the Board considered at the November 10, 2005 meeting. While the Board gave its attention to the information furnished, at its request, that was most relevant to its consideration, discussed below are a number of the primary factors relevant to the Board’s consideration as to whether to renew the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the year ending November 30, 2006. Each Trustee may have accorded different weight to the various factors in reaching his or her conclusions with respect to the Trust’s advisory and sub-advisory arrangements.
Overview of the Contract Approval Process
In 2003, the Board determined to undertake steps to further enhance the process under which the Board determines whether to renew existing advisory and sub-advisory contracts for the Funds in the ING mutual funds complex, including the Trust, and to approve new advisory arrangements. Among the measures the Board implemented was to: retain the services of an independent consultant with experience in the mutual fund industry to assist the Independent Trustees of the Board in working with the personnel employed by the Adviser or its affiliates who administer the Trust and other funds in the ING mutual funds complex (“Management”) to identify the types of information presented to the Trustees to inform their deliberations with respect to advisory and sub-advisory relationships; establish the format in which the information requested by the Board is provided to the Board; and determine the process for reviewing such information in connection with the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contract renewal process. The end result was the implementation of the current process relied upon by the Board to review and analyze information in connection with the annual renewal of the Trust’s Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts.
Since this process was implemented, the Board has continuously reviewed and refined the process. In addition, the Board established a Contracts Committee and two Investment Review Committees, including an International Equity and Fixed Income Investment Review Committee. The type and format of the information provided to the Board or its counsel to inform its annual review and renewal process has been codified in the ING Funds’ 15(c) Methodology Guide (the “Methodology Guide”). The Methodology Guide was developed under the direction of the Board, and sets out a written blueprint under which the Board requests certain information necessary to facilitate a thorough and informed review in connection with the annual Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contract renewal process. Management provides information to the Board based on the Methodology Guide through “Fund Analysis and Comparison Tables” or “FACT” sheets prior to the Board’s review of Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts.
26
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
On its own and as part of a regular on-going process, the Board’s Contracts Committee recommends or considers recommendations from Management for refinements and other changes to the Methodology Guide and other aspects of the review process, and the Board’s International Equity and Fixed Income Investment Review Committee reviews benchmarks used to assess the performance of each Fund in the ING Funds complex, including the Trust. The International Equity and Fixed Income Investment Review Committee also meets regularly with the Adviser and periodically with ING IM regarding the ING Funds that each of these firms advises or sub-advises. The Investment Review Committees may apply a heightened level of scrutiny in cases where performance has lagged a benchmark and/or peer group.
The Board employed its process for reviewing contracts when considering the renewals of the advisory and sub-advisory services provided to the Funds in the ING mutual funds complex, including the Trust’s Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts that would be effective through November 30, 2006. A number of the Board’s primary considerations and conclusions resulting from this process are discussed below.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Service
In determining whether to approve the Advisory Contract and Sub-Advisory Contract for the Trust for the year ending November 30, 2006, the Board received and evaluated such information as it deemed necessary regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Trust by the Adviser and ING IM. This included information about the Adviser and ING IM provided throughout the year at regular Board meetings, as well as information furnished for the November 10, 2005 Board meeting, which was held to specifically consider renewal for the period ending November 30, 2006. In addition, the Board’s Independent Trustees also held meetings on October 11th and November 8th, prior to the November 10, 2005 meeting of the full Board, to consider the annual renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts.
The materials requested by and provided to the Board prior to the November 2005 Board meeting included the following items: (1) a FACT sheet for the Trust that provided information about the performance and expenses of the Trust and other, similarly managed funds in a selected peer group (“Selected Peer Group”), as well as information about the Trust’s investment portfolio, objectives and strategies; (2) the Methodology Guide, which describes how the FACT sheet was prepared, including the manner in which the Trust’s benchmarks and Selected Peer Group were selected and how profitability was determined; (3) responses to a detailed series of questions from K&LNG, legal counsel to the Independent Trustees; (4) copies of the form of Advisory Contract and Sub-Advisory Contract for the Trust; (5) copies of the Forms ADV for the Adviser and ING IM; (6) financial statements for the Adviser and ING IM; (7) drafts of a narrative summary addressing key factors the Board considered in evaluating the renewals of the Advisory Contract and the Sub-Advisory Contract, including a written analysis of how the Trust’s performance and fees compare to its Selected Peer Group and designated benchmarks; and (8) other information relevant to the Board’s evaluations.
The Trust has one class of shares, and this class was compared to the funds in the Trust’s Selected Peer Group. The mutual funds chosen for inclusion in the Trust’s Selected Peer group were selected based upon criteria designed to mirror the class being compared to the Selected Peer Group.
In arriving at its conclusions with respect to the advisory arrangements with the Adviser, the Board was mindful of the “manager-of-managers” platform of the ING Funds. The Board considered the techniques that the Adviser developed, in response to the direction of the Board, to screen and perform due diligence on sub-advisers that are recommended to the Board to manage the Funds in the ING Funds complex. The Board also noted the resources that the Adviser has committed to the Board and its International Equity and Fixed Income Investment Review Committee to assist the Board and Committee members with their assessment of the investment performance of these Funds, including the Trust. This includes the appointment of a Chief Investment Risk Officer and his staff, who report directly to the Board, and who have developed attribution analyses and other metrics used by the International Equity and Fixed Income Investment Review Committee to analyze the key factors underlying investment performance for the ING Funds, including the Trust.
The Board also noted the techniques used by the Adviser to monitor the performance of ING IM, and took note of the pro-active approach that the Adviser, working in cooperation with the Board’s International Equity and Fixed Income Investment Review Committee, has taken to advocate or recommend, when it believed appropriate,
27
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
changes intended to assist performance of the Trust. These changes have included modifications in personnel responsible for managing Trust and corresponding changes to the Trust’s investment strategies.
In considering the Advisory Contract, the Board also considered the extent of benefits provided to the Trust’s shareholders, beyond advisory services, from being part of the ING family of Funds. This includes, in most cases, the right to exchange or transfer investments between the same class of shares of other Funds in the ING Funds complex, without a sales charge, or among ING Funds available in a product platform, and the wide variety in the types of ING Funds available to the Trust for exchange or transfer.
The Board also took into account the Adviser’s extensive efforts in recent years to reduce the expenses of the Trust through re-negotiated arrangements with the Trust’s service providers. Further, the Board received periodic reports showing that the investment policies and restrictions for the Trust were consistently complied with and other periodic reports covering matters such as compliance by Adviser and ING IM personnel with codes of ethics. The Board evaluated the Adviser’s and ING IM’s regulatory compliance systems and procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with the federal securities laws, including those related to late trading and market timing, best execution, fair value pricing, proxy voting procedures, and trade allocation, among others. The Board considered the implementation by the Adviser and ING IM of enhanced compliance policies and procedures in response to SEC rule changes and other regulatory initiatives. The Board also took into account the reports of the Chief Compliance Officer and his recommendations. In this regard, the Board also considered the policies and procedures developed by the Chief Compliance Officer in consultation with the Board’s Compliance Committee that guide the Chief Compliance Officer’s compliance oversight function.
The Board reviewed the level of staffing, quality and experience of the Trust’s portfolio management team. The Board took into account the respective resources and reputations of the Adviser and ING IM, and evaluated the ability of the Adviser and ING IM to attract and retain qualified investment advisory personnel.
Based on their deliberations and the materials presented to them, the Board concluded that the advisory and related services provided by the Adviser and ING IM are appropriate in light of the Trust’s operations, the competitive landscape of the investment company business, and investor needs, and that the nature and quality of the overall services provided by the Adviser and ING IM were appropriate.
Fund Performance
In assessing advisory and sub-advisory relationships, the Board placed emphasis on the investment performance of the Trust, taking into account the importance of such performance to Trust shareholders. While the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Board and Committee meetings during the year, particular attention in assessing performance was given to the FACT sheet furnished in advance of the November meeting of the Independent Trustees. The FACT sheet included the Trust’s investment performance compared to the Morningstar category median, Lipper category median, Selected Peer Group and the Trust’s primary benchmark.
Economies of Scale
In considering the reasonableness of advisory fees, the Board also considered whether economies of scale will be realized by the Adviser as the Trust grows larger and the extent to which this is reflected in the level of management fee rate charged. In this regard, the Board took into consideration that the Trust benefits from waivers to or reimbursements of advisory or other fees, and therefore economies of scale could effectively be realized through such waivers or reimbursements.
Information about Services to Other Clients
The Board requested and considered, to the extent relevant, information about the nature of services and fee rates offered by the Adviser and ING IM to other clients, including other registered investment companies.
Fee Rates and Profitability
The Board reviewed and considered each contractual investment advisory fee rate, combined with the administrative fee rate, payable by the Trust to the Adviser. The Board also considered the contractual sub-advisory
28
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
fee rate payable by the Adviser to ING IM for sub-advisory services. In addition, the Board reviewed and took into account expense limitations applicable to the fees payable by the Trust.
The Board considered the fee structure of the Trust as it relates to the services provided under the Contracts, and the potential fall-out benefits to the Adviser and ING IM, and their respective affiliates, from their association with the Trust. The Board determined that the fees payable to the Adviser and ING IM are reasonable for the services that each performs, which were considered in light of the nature and quality of the services that each has performed and is expected to perform through the year ending November 30, 2006.
The Board considered information on revenues, costs and profits realized by the Adviser, which was prepared by Management in accordance with the allocation methodology (including assumptions) specified in the Methodology Guide. In analyzing the profitability of the Adviser in connection with its services to the Trust, the Board took into account the sub-advisory fee rate payable by the Adviser to the ING IM with respect to the Trust. The Board also considered information that it requested and was provided by Management with respect to the profitability of service providers affiliated with the Adviser, as well as information provided with respect to ING IM’s profitability.
The Board determined that it had requested and received sufficient information to gain a reasonable understanding regarding the Adviser’s and ING IM’s profitability. The Board also recognized that profitability analysis is not an exact science and there is no uniform methodology for determining profitability for this purpose. In this context, the Board realized that Management’s calculations regarding its costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the operations of the Funds in the ING mutual funds complex may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to each such Fund (including the Trust) in determining profitability, and that the information presented may not portray all of the costs borne by Management nor capture Management’s entrepreneurial risk associated with offering and managing a mutual fund complex in today’s regulatory environment.
In their examination of advisory fees, the Independent Trustees have, from time to time, requested the Adviser, and the Adviser has agreed, to implement remedial actions for the Trust. These remedial actions have included reductions in expense caps and changes to the portfolio manager managing the Trust. The Independent Trustees requested these adjustments largely on the basis of: (a) the Trust’s performance, as compared to its Selected Peer Group; (b) the performance of the Trust, as compared to its benchmarks; and (c) the Trust’s expenses in relation to its Selected Peer Group.
Based on the information on revenues, costs, and profitability considered by the Board, after considering the factors described in this section, as well as any remedial actions requested by the Independent Trustees and agreed to by the Adviser, the Board concluded that the profits, if any, realized by the Adviser and ING IM were not excessive.
Specific Factors Considered
The following paragraphs outline certain of the specific factors that the Board considered, and the conclusions reached, at its November 2005 meeting in relation to renewing the Trust’s current Advisory Contract and its Sub-Advisory Contract for the year ending November 30, 2006. These specific factors are in addition to those considerations discussed above. In each case, the Trust’s performance was compared to its Morningstar category median and its primary benchmark, a broad-based securities market index that appears in the Trust’s prospectus. The Trust’s management fee and expense ratio were compared to the fees and expense ratios of the funds in its Selected Peer Group.
In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for ING VP Natural Resources Trust, the Board considered that, based on performance data for the periods ended June 30, 2005: (1) the Trust underperformed its Morningstar category median for all periods presented; (2) the Trust outperformed its primary benchmark for all periods presented and underperformed its style specific benchmark for all periods presented, except the five-year period; and (3) the Trust is ranked in the fifth (lowest) quintile for the one-, three- and five-year periods, and in the fourth quintile for the most recent calendar quarter and the year-to-date period.
29
ADVISORY CONTRACT APPROVAL DISCUSSION (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
In analyzing this performance data, the Board took into account: (1) Management’s analysis of the Sub-Adviser’s rationale for underperformance; and (2) in April 2005, the investment strategy for the Trust was revised in connection with the addition of a new portfolio manager to the portfolio management team, a change intended to enhance the Trust’s performance.
In considering the fees payable under the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Trust, the Board took into account the factors described above and also considered: (1) the fairness of the compensation under an Advisory Contract with level fees that does not include breakpoints; (2) the pricing structure (including the expense ratio to be borne by shareholders) of the Trust, as compared to its Selected Peer Group, including Management’s analysis that: (a) the management fee (inclusive of the advisory fee and a 0.10% administration fee) for the Trust is above the median and the average management fees of the funds in its Selected Peer Group; and (b) the expense ratio for the Trust is above the median and above the average expense ratios of the funds in its Selected Peer Group.
In analyzing this fee data, the Board took into account: (1) in January 2005, the Trust’s expense limit was reduced to 1.18%, resulting in an expense ratio equal to that of the Portfolio’s 2004 Selected Peer Group median; and (2) effective January 1, 2006, at the direction of the Board following the 2005 contract renewal, the Adviser would lower the expense ratio of the Trust by an additional 10 basis points by putting into place a lower expense limit, and in so doing would bring the Trust’s expense ratio below that of the Trust’s 2005 Selected Peer Group median.
After its deliberation, the Board reached the following conclusions: (1) the Trust’s management fee rate is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board; (2) the Trust’s expense ratio is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board; (3) the Trust’s performance is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board; (4) the sub-advisory fee rate payable by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser is reasonable in the context of all factors considered by the Board; and (5) as noted above, there has been a recent portfolio management team change and it is reasonable to permit the new portfolio management team to continue to manage the Trust in order to assess the Trust’s performance. Based on these conclusions and other factors, the Board voted to renew the Advisory and Sub-Advisory Contracts for the Trust for the year ending November 30, 2006. During this renewal process, different Board members may have given different weight to different individual factors and related conclusions.
30
Investment Manager
ING Investments, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Administrator
ING Funds Services, LLC
7337 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
99 High Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Transfer Agent
DST Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 419368
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
Custodian
The Bank of New York
100 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 300
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
Legal Counsel
Dechert LLP
1775 I Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Before investing, carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the variable annuity contract and the underlying variable investment options. This and other information is contained in the prospectus for the variable annuity contract and the underlying variable investment options. Obtain these prospectuses from your agent/registered representative and read them carefully before investing.
| VPAR-UNRT |
| (1205-022306) |
31
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, Registrant had adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer. There were no amendments to the Code during the period covered by the report. The Registrant did not grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from any provisions of the Code during the period covered by this report. The code of ethics is filed herewith pursuant to Item 10(a)(1), Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Board of Trustees has determined that Patrick W. Kenny is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Kenny is “independent” for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) Audit Fees: The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements, for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $16,750 for year ended December 31, 2005 and $16,750 for year ended December 31, 2004.
(b) Audit-Related Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by KPMG that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $1,900 for year ended December 31, 2005 and $0 for year ended December 31, 2004.
(c) Tax Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were $825 in the year ended December 31, 2005 and $3,802 in the year ended December 31, 2004. Such services included review of excise distribution calculations (if applicable), preparation of the Funds’ federal, state and excise tax returns, tax services related to mergers and routine consulting.
(d) All Other Fees: The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by KPMG, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item.
None
(e) (1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
2
FORM OF
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 Directors or Trustees (the “Committee”) of the ING Funds (each a “Fund,” collectively, the “Funds”) set out on Exhibit A to this Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy (“Policy”) is responsible for the oversight of the work of the Funds’ independent auditors. As part of its responsibilities, the Committee must pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the auditors in order to assure that the provision of these services does not impair the auditors’ independence from the Funds. The Committee has adopted, and the Board has ratified, this Policy, which sets out the procedures and conditions under which the services of the independent auditors may be pre-approved.
Under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules promulgated in accordance with the Act, the Funds may establish two different approaches to pre-approving audit and non-audit services. The Committee may approve services without consideration of specific case-by-case services (“general pre-approval”) or it may pre-approve specific services (“specific pre-approval”). The Committee believes that the combination of these approaches contemplated in this Policy results in an effective and efficient method for pre-approving audit and non-audit services to be performed by the Funds’ independent auditors. Under this Policy, services that are not of a type that may receive general pre-approval require specific pre-approval by the Committee. Any proposed services that exceed pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require the Committee’s specific pre-approval.
For both types of approval, the Committee considers whether the subject services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence and that such services are compatible with maintaining the auditors independence. The Committee also considers whether a particular audit firm is in the best position to provide effective and efficient services to the Funds. Reasons that the auditors are in the best position include the auditors’ familiarity with the Funds’ business, personnel, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and other factors, and whether the services will enhance the Funds’ ability to manage and control risk or improve audit quality. Such factors will be considered as a whole, with no one factor being determinative.
The appendices attached to this Policy describe the audit, audit-related, tax-related, and other services that have the Committee’s general pre-approval. For any service that has been approved through general pre-approval, the general pre-approval will remain in place for a period 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the independent auditors without specific pre-approval. The Committee will revise the list of services subject to general pre-approval as appropriate. This Policy does not serve as a delegation to Fund management of the Committee’s duty to pre-approve services performed by the Funds’ independent auditors.
3
II. Audit Services
The annual audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the Committee’s specific pre-approval. Audit services are those services that are normally provided by auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements or those that generally only independent auditors can reasonably provide. They include the Funds’ annual financial statement audit and procedures that the independent auditors must perform in order to form an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements (e.g., information systems and procedural reviews and testing). The Committee will monitor the audit services engagement and approve any changes in terms, conditions or fees deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate.
The Committee may grant general pre-approval to other audit services, such as statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or issued in connection with securities offerings.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit services listed on Appendix A. The Committee must specifically approve all audit services not listed on Appendix A.
III. Audit-related Services
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the Funds’ financial statements or are traditionally performed by the independent auditors. The Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services will not impair the independent auditors’ independence, and therefore may grant pre-approval to audit-related services. Audit-related services include 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 relating to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR.
The Committee has pre-approved the audit-related services listed on Appendix B. The Committee must specifically approve all audit-related services not listed on Appendix B.
IV. Tax Services
The Committee believes the independent auditors can provide tax services to the Funds, including tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice, without compromising the auditors’ independence. Therefore, the Committee may grant general pre-approval with respect to tax services historically provided by the Funds’ independent auditors that do not, in the Committee’s view, impair auditor independence and that are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
The Committee will not grant pre-approval if the independent auditors initially recommends a transaction the sole business purpose of which is tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Committee may consult
4
outside counsel to determine that tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this Policy.
The Committee has pre-approved the tax-related services listed on Appendix C. The Committee must specifically approve all tax-related services not listed on Appendix C.
V. Other Services
The Committee believes it may grant approval of non-audit services that are permissible services for independent auditors to a Fund. The Committee has determined to grant general pre-approval to other services that it believes are routine and recurring, do not impair auditor independence, and are consistent with SEC rules on auditor independence.
The Committee has pre-approved the non-audit services listed on Appendix D. The Committee must specifically approve all non-audit services not listed on Appendix D.
A list of the SEC’s prohibited non-audit services is attached to this Policy as Appendix E. The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these impermissible services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the SEC’s prohibitions.
VI. Pre-approval of Fee levels and Budgeted Amounts
The Committee will annually establish pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for audit, audit-related, tax and non-audit services to be provided to the Funds by the independent auditors. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts require the Committee’s specific pre-approval. The Committee considers fees for audit and non-audit services when deciding whether to pre-approve services. The Committee may determine, for a pre-approval period of 12 months, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for the Fund’s audit, audit-related, and tax services (including fees for services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services for the Fund classified as other services (including any such services provided to Fund affiliates that are subject to pre-approval).
VII. Procedures
Requests or applications for services to be provided by the independent auditors will be submitted to management. If management determines that the services do not fall within those services generally pre-approved by the Committee and set out in the appendices to these procedures, management will submit the services to the Committee or its delagee. Any such submission will include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the Committee will, on a quarterly basis, receive from the independent auditors a list of services provided for the previous calendar quarter on a cumulative basis by the auditors during the Pre-Approval Period.
5
VIII. Delegation
The Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of the Committee’s members. Any member or members to whom such pre-approval authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions, including any pre-approved services, to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will identify any member to whom pre-approval authority is delegated in writing. The member will retain such authority for a period of 12 months from the date of pre-approval unless the Committee determines that a different period is appropriate. The period of delegated authority may be terminated by the Committee or at the option of the member.
IX. Additional Requirements
The Committee will take any measures the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to oversee the work of the independent auditors and to assure the auditors’ independence from the Funds. This may include reviewing a formal written statement from the independent auditors delineating all relationships between the auditors and the Funds, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the auditors their methods and procedures for ensuring independence.
Amended: November 9, 2005
6
Appendix A
Pre-Approved Audit Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006
Service
|
| The Fund(s) |
| Fee Range |
Statutory audits or financial audits (including tax services associated with audit services) |
| ý |
| As presented to Audit Committee(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
Services associated with SEC registration statements, periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters. |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $9,300 per filing |
|
|
|
|
|
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $8,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
Seed capital audit and related review and issuance of consent on the N-2 registration statement |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $12,000 per audit |
(1) For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling.
7
Appendix B
Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006
Service
|
| The Fund(s) |
| Fund Affiliates |
| Fee Range |
Services related to Fund mergers (Excludes tax services - See Appendix C for tax services associated with Fund mergers) |
| ý |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $10,000 per merger |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consultations by Fund management with respect to accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential effect of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, Financial Accounting Standards Board, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies. [Note: Under SEC rules some consultations may be “audit” services and others may be “audit-related” services.] |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review of the Funds’ semi-annual financial statements |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $2,100 per set of financial statements per fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reports to regulatory or government agencies related to the annual engagement |
| ý |
|
|
| Up to $5,000 per occurrence during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regulatory compliance assistance |
| ý |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $5,000 per quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Training courses |
| ý |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $2,000 per course |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Prime Rate Trust, agreed upon procedures for quarterly reports to rating agencies |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $9,000 per quarter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Prime Rate Trust and Senior Income Fund, agreed upon procedures for the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement with Citigroup |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $20,000 per fund per year |
8
Appendix C
Pre-Approved Tax Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006
Service
|
| The Fund(s) |
| Fund |
| Fee Range |
Preparation of federal and state income tax returns and federal excise tax returns for the Funds including assistance and review with excise tax distributions |
| ý |
|
|
| As presented to Audit Committee(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review of IRC Sections 851(b) and 817(h) diversification testing on a real-time basis |
| ý |
|
|
| As presented to Audit Committee(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assistance and advice regarding year-end reporting for 1099’s |
| ý |
|
|
| As presented to Audit Committee(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax assistance and advice regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments |
| ý |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $5,000 for the Funds or for the Funds’ investment adviser during the Pre-Approval Period |
(2) For new Funds launched during the Pre-Approval Period, the fee ranges pre-approved will be the same as those for existing Funds, pro-rated in accordance with inception dates as provided in the auditors’ Proposal or any Engagement Letter covering the period at issue. Fees in the Engagement Letter will be controlling.
9
|
| The Fund(s) |
| Fund Affiliates |
| Fee Range |
Tax training courses |
| ý |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $2,000 per course during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax services associated with Fund mergers |
| ý |
| ý |
| Not to exceed $4,000 per fund per merger during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan Staff Services |
|
|
| ý |
| Not to exceed $15,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other tax-related assistance and consultation, including, without limitation, assistance in evaluating derivative financial instruments and international tax issues, qualification and distribution issues, and similar routine tax consultations. |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $120,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
10
Appendix D
Pre-Approved Other Services for the Pre-Approval Period January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006
Service
|
| The Fund(s) |
| Fund Affiliates |
| Fee Range |
Agreed-upon procedures for Class B share 12b-1 programs |
|
|
| ý |
| Not to exceed $50,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security counts performed pursuant to Rule 17f-2 of the 1940 Act (i.e., counts for Funds holding securities with affiliated sub-custodians) |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $5,000 per Fund during the Pre-Approval Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agreed upon procedures for 15 (c) FACT Books |
| ý |
|
|
| Not to exceed $35,000 during the Pre-Approval Period |
11
Appendix E
Prohibited Non-Audit Services
Dated: January 1, 2006
• Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Funds
• Financial information systems design and implementation
• Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind reports
• Actuarial services
• Internal audit outsourcing services
• Management functions
• Human resources
• Broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services
• Legal services
• Expert services unrelated to the audit
• Any other service that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible
12
EXHIBIT A
ING EQUITY TRUST
ING FUNDS TRUST
ING GLOBAL ADVANTAGE AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING GLOBAL EQUITY DIVIDEND AND PREMIUM OPPORTUNITY FUND
ING INVESTMENT FUNDS, INC.
ING INVESTORS TRUST
ING MAYFLOWER TRUST
ING MUTUAL FUNDS
ING PARTNERS, INC.
ING PRIME RATE TRUST
ING SENIOR INCOME FUND
ING VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
ING VARIABLE PRODUCTS TRUST
ING VP EMERGING MARKETS FUND, INC.
ING VP NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST
USLICO SERIES FUND
(e) (2) Percentage of services referred to in 4(b) — (4)(d) that were approved by the audit committee
100% of the services were approved by the audit committee.
(f) Percentage of hours expended attributable to work performed by other than full time employees of KPMG if greater than 50%.
Not applicable.
(g) Non-Audit Fees: The non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were $277,464 for year ended December 31, 2005 and $431,132 for year ended December 31, 2004.
(h) Principal Accountants Independence: The Registrant’s Audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining KPMG’s independence.
13
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
Schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
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.
The Board has a Nominating Committee for the purpose of considering and presenting to the Board candidates it proposes for nomination to fill Independent Trustee vacancies on the Board. The Committee currently consists of all Independent Trustees of the Board (6 individuals). The Nominating Committee operates pursuant to a Charter approved by the Board. The primary purpose of the Nominating Committee is to consider and present to the Board the candidates it proposes for nomination to fill vacancies on the Board. In evaluating candidates, the Nominating Committee may consider a variety of factors, but it has not at this time set any specific minimum qualifications that must be met. Specific qualifications of candidates for Board membership will be based on the needs of the Board at the time of nomination.
The Nominating Committee is willing to consider nominations received from shareholders and shall assess shareholder nominees in the same manner as it reviews its own nominees. A shareholder nominee for director should be submitted in writing to the Fund’s Secretary. Any such shareholder nomination should include at a minimum the following information as to each individual proposed for nomination as trustee: such individual’s written consent to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee (if nominated) and to serve as a trustee (if elected), and all information relating to such individual that is required to be disclosed in the solicitation of proxies for election of trustees, or is otherwise required, in each case under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations.
The Secretary shall submit all nominations received in a timely manner to the Nominating Committee. To be timely, any such submission must be delivered to the Fund’s Secretary not earlier than the 90th day prior to such meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made, by either disclosure in a press release or in a document publicly filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Based on our evaluation conducted within 90 days of the filing date, hereof, the design and operation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to the certifying officers by others within the appropriate entities, particularly during the period in which Forms N-CSR are being prepared, and the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures allow timely preparation and review of the information for the registrant’s Form N-CSR and the officer certifications of such Form N-CSR.
(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal controls that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as
EX-99.CODE ETH.
(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2) is attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.
(b) The officer certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as EX-99.906CERT.
(3) Not applicable.
14
SIGNATURES
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.
(Registrant): VP Natural Resources Trust
By | /s/ James M. Hennessy |
| James M. Hennessy |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: March 10, 2006
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/ James M. Hennessy |
| James M. Hennessy |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: March 10, 2006
By | /s/ Todd Modic |
| Todd Modic |
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: March 10, 2006
15