File No. 333-[ ]
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 18, 2024
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-14
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No. ☐
Post-Effective Amendment No. ☐
JNL Series Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1 Corporate Way
Lansing, Michigan 48951
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(517) 381-5500
(Registrant’s Area Code and Telephone Number)
225 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(Mailing Address)
With copies to:
EMILY J. BENNETT, ESQ. JNL Series Trust 1 Corporate Way Lansing, Michigan 48951 | PAULITA PIKE, ESQ. Ropes & Gray LLP 191 North Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
It is proposed that this Registration Statement will become effective on January 17, 2025, pursuant to Rule 488 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Title of securities being registered: Class A and Class I Shares of beneficial interest in the series of the registrant designated as the JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund.
No filing fee is required because the registrant is relying on Section 24(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, pursuant to which it has previously registered an indefinite number of shares (File Nos. 033-87244 and 811-08894).
JNL SERIES TRUST
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Registration Statement contains the following papers and documents:
Cover Sheet
Contents of Registration Statement
Letter to Contract Owners
Notice of Special Meeting
Contract Owner Voting Instructions
Part A - Proxy Statement/Prospectus
Part B - Statement of Additional Information
Part C - Other Information
Signature Page
Exhibits
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
1 Corporate Way
Lansing, Michigan 48951
February 14, 2025
Dear Contract Owner:
Enclosed is a notice of a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (the “Western Asset Fund” or the “Acquired Fund”), a series of the JNL Series Trust (the “Trust”). The Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund is scheduled to be held at the offices of Jackson National Life Insurance Company, 1 Corporate Way, Lansing, Michigan 48951, on March 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the shareholders of the Acquired Fund will be asked to approve the proposal described below.
The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) called the Meeting to request shareholder approval of the reorganization (the “Reorganization”) of the Acquired Fund into the JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (the “Neuberger Fund” or the “Acquiring Fund”), also a series of the Trust. The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are each sometimes referred to herein as a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds.”
Both the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are managed by Jackson National Asset Management, LLC (“JNAM”), and each is sub-advised by an investment sub-adviser, while the Acquired Fund also has investment sub-sub-advisers. If the Reorganization is approved and implemented, each person that invests indirectly in the Acquired Fund will automatically become an investor indirectly in the Acquiring Fund.
The Board considered that Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) was appointed as sub-adviser to the Acquired Fund on April 25, 2022, and that following recent Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) investigations into Western Asset’s Co-Chief Investment Officer (“Co-CIO”), criminal charges were brought by the DOJ and civil complaints were filed by the SEC and CFTC against the Co-CIO. The Board also considered JNAM’s statement that the primary driver behind its recommendation to merge the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund is the material increase in the organizational and legal risks to the broader firm and investment personnel at Western Asset. The Board considered the recommendation of JNAM to merge the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund given the Acquiring Fund’s similar risk profile, as evidenced by its standard deviation, with higher returns, over most reported periods, better long-term risk-adjusted performance results, and lower expenses than the Acquired Fund, and because JNAM believes the existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund should benefit from significantly reduced organizational and legal risks of its sub-adviser and economies of scale achieved through the Reorganization with the Acquiring Fund, while allowing the Acquired Fund shareholders to continue to invest in a multi-sector fixed income fund.
After considering JNAM’s recommendation, the Board concluded that: (i) the Reorganization will benefit the shareholders of the Acquired Fund; (ii) the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund; and (iii) the interests of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. No one factor was determinative, and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Board did not determine any considerations related to this Reorganization to be adverse. The Board, after careful consideration, approved the Reorganization.
Pending shareholder approval, effective as of the close of business on April 25, 2025, or on such later date as may be deemed necessary in the judgment of the Board in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization (the “Closing Date”), you will invest indirectly in shares of the Acquiring Fund in an amount equal to the dollar value of your interest in the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date. As of the date hereof, it is not expected that the Closing Date will be postponed. If the Closing Date is postponed to allow for additional time to solicit shareholder votes, shareholders will remain shareholders of their respective Fund(s). No sales charge, redemption fees, or other transaction fees will be imposed in the Reorganization. There will, however, be transaction costs associated with the Reorganization, which typically include, but are not limited to, trade commissions, related fees and taxes, and any foreign exchange spread costs. The Acquired Fund will bear the transaction expenses due to the portfolio repositioning based on its relative net asset value at the time of the Reorganization. Such costs are estimated to be $286,134 (0.08% of net assets). There is no tax impact to contract owners as a result of portfolio repositioning.
The Reorganization will not cause any fees or charges under your contract to be greater after the Reorganization than before the Reorganization, and the Reorganization will not alter your rights under your contract or the obligations of the insurance company that issued the contract. Following the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will be the accounting and performance survivor.
You may wish to take actions relating to your future allocation of premium payments under your insurance contract to the various investment divisions (the “Divisions”) of the separate account. You may execute certain changes prior to the Reorganization, in addition to participating in the Reorganization with regard to the Acquiring Fund, such as allocating your premium payments to other Divisions.
All actions with regard to the Acquired Fund need to be completed by the Closing Date. In the absence of new instructions prior to the Closing Date, future premium payments previously allocated to the Acquired Fund Division will be allocated to the Acquiring Fund Division. The Acquiring Fund Division will be the Division for future allocations under the Dollar Cost Averaging, Earnings Sweep, and Rebalancing Programs (together, the “Programs”). In addition to the Acquiring Fund Division, there are other Divisions investing in mutual funds with similar investment objectives as the Acquiring Fund. If you want to transfer all or a portion of your Contract value out of the Acquired Fund Division prior to the Reorganization, you may do so and that transfer will not be treated as a transfer for the purpose of determining how many subsequent transfers may be made in any period or how many may be made in any period without charge. In addition, if you want to transfer all or a portion of your Contract value out of the Acquiring Fund Division after the Reorganization, you may do so within 60 days following the Closing Date and that transfer will not be treated as a transfer for the purpose of determining how many subsequent transfers may be made in any period or how many may be made in any period without charge. You will be provided with an additional notification of this free-transfer policy on or about April 28, 2025.
If you want to change your allocation instructions as to your future premium payments or the Programs or if you require summary descriptions of the other underlying funds and Divisions available under your contract or additional copies of the prospectuses for other funds underlying the Divisions, please contact:
For Jackson variable annuity policies:
| Annuity Customer Care |
| P.O. Box 24068 |
| Lansing, Michigan 48909-4068 |
| 1-800-644-4565 |
| www.jackson.com |
For Jackson variable universal life policies:
| Jackson® Customer Care |
| P.O. Box 24068 |
| Lansing, Michigan 48909-4068 |
| 1-800-644-4565 |
| www.jackson.com |
For Jackson New York variable annuity policies:
| Jackson of NY Customer Care |
| P.O. Box 24068 |
| Lansing, Michigan 48909-4068 |
| 1-800-599-5651 |
| www.jackson.com |
An owner of a variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract or certificate that participates in the Acquired Fund through the Divisions of separate accounts established by Jackson National Life Insurance Company or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (each, an “Insurance Company”) is entitled to instruct the applicable Insurance Company how to vote the Acquired Fund shares related to the ownership interest in those accounts as of the close of business on January 31, 2025. The attached Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement and Prospectus concerning the Meeting describe the matters to be considered at the Meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting. Because it is important that your vote be represented whether or not you are able to attend, you are urged to consider these matters and to exercise your right to vote your shares by completing, dating, signing, and returning the enclosed voting instruction card in the accompanying return envelope at your earliest convenience or by relaying your voting instructions via telephone or the Internet by following the enclosed instructions. Of course, we hope that you will be able to attend the Meeting, and if you wish, you may vote your shares in person, even if you may have already returned a voting instruction card or submitted your voting instructions via telephone or the Internet. At any time prior to the Meeting, you may revoke your voting instructions by providing the Insurance Company with a properly executed written revocation of such voting instructions, properly executing later-dated voting instructions by a voting instruction card, telephone, or the Internet, or appearing and voting in person at the Meeting. Please respond promptly in order to save additional costs of proxy solicitation and to make sure you are represented.
| | Very truly yours, |
| | |
| | [•] |
| | |
| | Mark D. Nerud |
| | Trustee, President, and Chief Executive Officer |
| | JNL Series Trust |
JNL SERIES TRUST
JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund
1 Corporate Way
Lansing, Michigan 48951
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 25, 2025
To the Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (the “Western Asset Fund” or the “Acquired Fund”), a series of JNL Series Trust (the “Trust”), will be held on March 25, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time, at the offices of Jackson National Life Insurance Company, 1 Corporate Way, Lansing, Michigan 48951 (the “Meeting”).
The Meeting will be held to act on the following proposals:
| 1. | To approve the Plan of Reorganization, adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), which provides for the reorganization of the Western Asset Fund into the JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund, also a series of the Trust. |
| 2. | To transact other business that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof. |
Please note that owners of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts or certificates (the “Contract Owners”) issued by Jackson National Life Insurance Company or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (each, an “Insurance Company”) who have invested in shares of the Acquired Fund through the investment divisions of a separate account or accounts of an Insurance Company (“Separate Account”) will be given the opportunity, to the extent required by law, to provide the applicable Insurance Company with voting instructions on the above proposals.
You should read the Proxy Statement and Prospectus attached to this notice prior to completing your proxy or voting instruction card. The record date for determining the number of shares outstanding, the shareholders entitled to vote, and the Contract Owners entitled to provide voting instructions at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof has been fixed as the close of business on January 31, 2025. If you attend the Meeting, you may vote or give your voting instructions in person.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD PROMPTLY.
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Meeting, you should vote or give voting instructions by promptly completing, dating, signing, and returning the enclosed proxy or voting instruction card for the Acquired Fund in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You also can vote or provide voting instructions through the Internet or by telephone using the 12-digit control number that appears on the enclosed proxy or voting instruction card and following the simple instructions. At any time prior to the Meeting, you may revoke your voting instructions by providing the Insurance Company with a properly executed written revocation of such voting instructions, properly executing later-dated voting instructions by a voting instruction card, telephone, or the Internet, or appearing and voting in person at the Meeting. If you are present at the Meeting, you may change your vote or voting instructions, if desired, at that time. The Board recommends that you vote or provide voting instructions to vote FOR the proposal.
| | By order of the Board, |
| | |
| | [•] |
| | |
| | Mark D. Nerud |
| | Trustee, President, and Chief Executive Officer |
| | JNL Series Trust |
February 14, 2025
Lansing, Michigan
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
JACKSON NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
CONTRACT OWNER VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
REGARDING A SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
JNL/WESTERN ASSET GLOBAL MULTI-SECTOR BOND FUND
A SERIES OF THE JNL SERIES TRUST
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 25, 2025
DATED: FEBRUARY 14, 2025
GENERAL
These Contract Owner voting instructions are being furnished by Jackson National Life Insurance Company (“Jackson National”), or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (each, an “Insurance Company” and, together, the “Insurance Companies”), to owners of their variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts or certificates (the “Contracts”) (the “Contract Owners”) who, as of January 31, 2025 (the “Record Date”), had net premiums or contributions allocated to the investment divisions of their separate accounts (the “Separate Accounts”) that are invested in shares of the JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (the “Western Asset Fund” or “Acquired Fund”), a series of the JNL Series Trust (the “Trust”).
The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an open-end management investment company.
Each Insurance Company is required to offer Contract Owners the opportunity to instruct it, as the record owner of all of the shares of beneficial interest in the Acquired Fund (the “Shares”) held by its Separate Accounts, as to how it should vote on the reorganization proposal (the “Proposal”) to be considered at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund referred to in the preceding Notice and at any adjournments (the “Meeting”). The enclosed Proxy Statement and Prospectus, which you should retain for future reference, concisely sets forth information about the proposed reorganization involving the Acquired Fund and another series of the Trust that a Contract Owner should know before completing the enclosed voting instruction card.
These Contract Owner Voting Instructions and the accompanying voting instruction card are being mailed to Contract Owners on or about February 20, 2025.
HOW TO INSTRUCT AN INSURANCE COMPANY
To instruct an Insurance Company as to how to vote the Shares held in the investment divisions of its Separate Accounts, Contract Owners are asked to promptly complete their voting instructions on the enclosed voting instruction card(s) and sign, date, and mail the voting instruction card(s) in the accompanying postage-paid envelope. Contract Owners also may provide voting instructions by phone at 1-866-256-0779 or by Internet at our website at www.proxypush.com/JNL.
If a voting instruction card is not marked to indicate voting instructions but is signed, dated, and returned, it will be treated as an instruction to vote the Shares in favor of the Proposal.
The number of Shares held in the investment division of a Separate Account corresponding to the Acquired Fund for which a Contract Owner may provide voting instructions was determined as of the Record Date by dividing (i) a Contract’s account value (minus any Contract indebtedness) allocable to that investment division by (ii) the net asset value of one Share of the Acquired Fund. At any time prior to an Insurance Company’s voting at the Meeting, a Contract Owner may revoke his or her voting instructions with respect to that investment division by providing the Insurance Company with a properly executed written revocation of such voting instructions, properly executing later-dated voting instructions by a voting instruction card, telephone or the Internet, or appearing and voting in person at the Meeting.
HOW AN INSURANCE COMPANY WILL VOTE
An Insurance Company will vote the Shares for which it receives timely voting instructions from Contract Owners in accordance with those instructions. Shares in each investment division of a Separate Account for which an Insurance Company receives a voting instruction card that is signed, dated, and timely returned but is not marked to indicate voting instructions will be treated as an instruction to vote the Shares in favor of the Proposal. Shares in each investment division of a Separate Account for which an Insurance Company receives no timely voting instructions from a Contract Owner, or that are attributable to amounts retained by an Insurance Company or its affiliate as surplus or seed money, will be voted by the applicable Insurance Company either for or against approval of the Proposal, or as an abstention, in the same proportion as the Shares for which Contract Owners (other than the Insurance Company) have provided voting instructions to the Insurance Company. Similarly, the Insurance Companies and their affiliates will vote their own shares and will vote shares that are held by the Fund of Funds whose shares are held by a Separate Account in the same proportion as voting instructions timely given by Contract Owners. As a result of proportionate voting, a small number of Contract Owners could determine the outcome of the Proposal. Please see “Additional Information about the Funds – Tax Status” below.
OTHER MATTERS
The Insurance Companies are not aware of any matters, other than the Proposal, to be acted on at the Meeting. If any other matters come before the Meeting, an Insurance Company will vote the Shares upon such matters in its discretion. Voting instruction cards may be solicited by employees of Jackson National or its affiliates as well as officers and agents of the Trust. The principal solicitation will be by mail, but voting instructions may also be solicited by telephone, personal interview, the Internet, or other permissible means.
The Meeting may be adjourned whether or not a quorum is present, by the chairperson of the Meeting from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place as determined by the chairperson of the Meeting for any reason, including failure of a Proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No shareholder vote shall be required for any adjournment. No notice need be given that the Meeting has been adjourned other than by announcement at the Meeting. Any business that might have been transacted at the original Meeting may be transacted at any adjourned Meeting.
It is important that your Contract be represented. Please promptly mark your voting instructions on the enclosed voting instruction card; then sign, date, and mail the voting instruction card in the accompanying postage-paid envelope. You may also provide your voting instructions by telephone at 1-866-256-0779 or by Internet at our website at www.proxypush.com/JNL.
PROXY STATEMENT
for
JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund, a series of JNL Series Trust
and
PROSPECTUS
for
JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund, a series of JNL Series Trust
Dated
February 14, 2025
1 Corporate Way
Lansing, Michigan 48951
(517) 381-5500
This Proxy Statement and Prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) is being furnished to owners of variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts or certificates (the “Contracts”) (the “Contract Owners”) issued by Jackson National Life Insurance Company (“Jackson National”) or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (each, an “Insurance Company” and together, the “Insurance Companies”) who, as of January 31, 2025, had net premiums or contributions allocated to the investment divisions of an Insurance Company’s separate accounts (the “Separate Accounts”) that are invested in shares of beneficial interest in the JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (the “Western Asset Fund” or the “Acquired Fund”), a series of the JNL Series Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The purpose of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is for shareholders of the Western Asset Fund to vote on a Plan of Reorganization, adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), which provides for the reorganization of the Western Asset Fund into the JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (the “Neuberger Fund” or the “Acquiring Fund”), also a series of the Trust.
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus also is being furnished to the Insurance Companies as the record owners of shares and to other shareholders that were invested in the Acquired Fund as of January 31, 2025. Contract Owners are being provided the opportunity to instruct the applicable Insurance Company to approve or disapprove the proposal contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus in connection with the solicitation by the Board of proxies to be used at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund to be held at 1 Corporate Way, Lansing, Michigan 48951, on March 25, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof (the “Meeting”).
| THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. |
The proposal described in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is as follows:
| Proposal | Shareholders Entitled to
Vote on the Proposal |
| 1. | To approve the Plan of Reorganization, adopted by the Board, which provides for the reorganization of the Western Asset Fund into the Neuberger Fund. | Shareholders of the Western Asset Fund
|
The reorganization referred to in the above proposal is referred to herein as the “Reorganization.”
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which you should retain for future reference, contains important information regarding the proposal that you should know before voting or providing voting instructions. Additional information about the Trust has been filed with the SEC and is available upon oral or written request without charge. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being provided to the Insurance Companies and mailed to Contract Owners on or about February 20, 2025. It is expected that one or more representatives of each Insurance Company will attend the Meeting in person or by proxy and will vote shares held by the Insurance Company in accordance with voting instructions received from its Contract Owners and in accordance with voting procedures established by the Trust.
The following documents have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus:
| 4. | The Statement of Additional Information dated February 14, 2025, relating to the Reorganization (File No. 333-[ ]). |
For a free copy of any of the above documents, please call or write to the phone numbers or address below.
Contract Owners can learn more about the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund in any of the documents incorporated into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Financial Statements listed above, which have been furnished to Contract Owners. Contract Owners may request a copy thereof, without charge, by calling 1-800-644-4565 (Jackson Customer Care) or 1-800-599-5651 (Jackson NY Customer Care), by writing JNL Series Trust, P.O. Box 30314, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7814, or by visiting www.jackson.com.
The Trust is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Accordingly, it must file certain reports and other information with the SEC. Proxy materials, reports, and other information filed by the Trust are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY
You should read this entire Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully. For additional information, you should consult the Plan of Reorganization, a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A.
The Proposed Reorganization
The proposed Reorganization is as follows:
| Proposal | Shareholders Entitled to
Vote on the Proposal |
| 1. | To approve the Plan of Reorganization, adopted by the Board, which provides for the Reorganization of the Western Asset Fund into the Neuberger Fund. | Shareholders of the Western Asset Fund |
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is soliciting shareholders with amounts invested in the Acquired Fund as of January 31, 2025, to approve the Plan of Reorganization, whereby the Acquired Fund will be reorganized into the Acquiring Fund. (The Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund are each sometimes referred to herein as a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds.”)
The Acquired Fund has two share classes, designated Class A and Class I shares (“Acquired Fund Shares”). The Acquiring Fund also has two share classes, designated Class A and Class I shares (“Acquiring Fund Shares”).
The Plan of Reorganization provides for:
| ● | the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares having an aggregate net asset value equal to the Acquired Fund’s net assets; |
| ● | the Acquiring Fund’s assumption of all the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; |
| ● | the distribution to the shareholders (for the benefit of the Separate Accounts, as applicable, and thus the Contract Owners) of those Acquiring Fund Shares; and |
| ● | the complete termination of the Acquired Fund. |
A comparison of the investment objective(s), principal investment policies and strategies, and principal risks of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund is included in the “Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies,” “Comparison of Principal Risk Factors,” and “Comparison of Fundamental Policies” sections below. The Funds have identical distribution procedures, purchase procedures, exchange rights, and redemption procedures, which are discussed in “Additional Information about the Funds” below. Each Fund offers its shares to Separate Accounts and certain other eligible investors. Shares of each Fund are offered and redeemed at their net asset value without any sales load. You will not incur any sales loads or similar transaction charges as a result of the Reorganization.
The Reorganization is expected to be effective as of the close of business on April 25, 2025, or on such later date as may be deemed necessary in the judgment of the Board in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization (the “Closing Date”). As a result of the Reorganization, a shareholder invested in shares of the Acquired Fund would become an owner of shares of the Acquiring Fund. Such shareholder would hold, immediately after the Closing Date, Acquiring Fund Shares having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired Fund Shares that were held by the shareholder as of the Closing Date. Similarly, each Contract Owner whose Contract values are invested indirectly in shares of the Acquired Fund through the Investment Divisions of a Separate Account would become indirectly invested in shares of the Acquiring Fund through the Investment Divisions of a Separate Account. The Contract value of each such Contract Owner would be invested indirectly through the Investment Divisions of a Separate Account, immediately after the Closing Date, in shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired Fund Shares in which the Contract Owner invested indirectly through the Investment Divisions of a Separate Account as of the Closing Date. Following the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will be the accounting and legal survivor. It is expected that the Reorganization will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes for Contract Owners. Please see “Additional Information about the Reorganization – Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reorganization” below for further information.
The Board unanimously approved the Plan of Reorganization with respect to the Western Asset Fund. Accordingly, the Board is submitting the Plan of Reorganization for approval by the Acquired Fund’s shareholders. In considering whether to approve the proposal (“Proposal”), you should review the Proposal for the Acquired Fund in which you were invested on the Record Date (as defined under “Voting Information”). In addition, you should review the information in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus that relates to the Proposal and the Plan of Reorganization generally.
The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the Proposal to approve the Plan of Reorganization.
PROPOSAL: APPROVAL OF THE PLAN OF REORGANIZATION WITH RESPECT TO THE REORGANIZATION OF THE WESTERN ASSET FUND INTO THE NEUBERGER FUND.
This Proposal requests the approval of Western Asset Fund shareholders of the Plan of Reorganization pursuant to which the Western Asset Fund will be reorganized into the Neuberger Fund.
In considering whether you should approve this Proposal, you should note that:
| ● | Investment Objectives. The Funds have similar investment objectives, but there are slight differences. The Western Asset Fund seeks to maximize total return through income and capital appreciation, while the Neuberger Fund seeks high current income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s investment policies and strategies, see “Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies” below and Appendix B. |
| ● | Principal Investment Strategies. The Funds also have similar principal investment strategies, though there are some notable differences. While both Funds are sub-advised, actively managed fixed income funds that invest in a broad array of fixed-income securities, which include corporate bonds, obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, among others, the Funds have differences with respect to certain investment strategies, investment tests and expected average portfolio credit quality. The Western Asset Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus the amount of any borrowings made for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities and quality across different industries and sectors of the fixed income market, while the Acquiring Fund does not have an 80% investment policy. The Western Asset Fund invests at least 40% of its assets, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable, in which case the Acquired Fund would invest at least 30% of its assets, in securities of non-U.S. issuers. Additionally, the Western Asset Fund does not cap its permitted investments in emerging markets. By contrast, the Neuberger Fund does not have a minimum stated percentage of investments in foreign securities, although it may invest without limit in foreign securities, and normally will not invest more than 50% of its total assets at the time of investment in obligations of issuers in emerging market countries. The Neuberger Fund may invest without limit in below investment grade securities, though it seeks to maintain a portfolio with an average credit quality of investment grade, while the Western Asset Fund may invest up to 70% of its assets in below investment grade securities, but does not have a stated percentage of its portfolio that will be investment grade in quality. |
Both Funds also have differences with respect to portfolio duration. For the Western Asset Fund, the average dollar-weighted effective duration normally varies between zero and ten years, while the Neuberger Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity and does not have a target average duration, though Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“NBIA”) anticipates that the Neuberger Fund’s average duration will be between two and eight years. Both Funds may use various derivatives for investment and hedging purposes, although the listed types of derivatives used by each Fund differ to some extent. The Western Asset Fund may use futures and options on futures to alter its duration and lists the use of currency futures and options, interest rate swaps, floors and caps, credit default swaps, and currency swaps, which are not listed as corresponding principal investment strategies for the Neuberger Fund. The Neuberger Fund’s use of derivatives may include total return swaps, which are not listed as a corresponding principal investment strategy for the Western Asset Fund. For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s investment policies and strategies, see “Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies” below and Appendix B.
| ● | Fundamental Policies. The Funds have similar fundamental policies. The Neuberger Fund lists one fundamental policy that is not listed for the Western Asset Fund. The Western Asset Fund is a “non-diversified” fund, whereas the Neuberger Fund is a “diversified” fund. A non-diversified fund may invest in a limited number of issuers. |
Under a definition provided by the 1940 Act, a non-diversified fund may invest in fewer securities, or in larger proportions of the securities of single companies or industries. If these securities were to decline in value, there could be a substantial loss of the investment. In addition, because of the investment strategies of a non-diversified fund, the fund may hold a smaller number of issuers than if it were “diversified.” There is increased risk in investing in a smaller number of different issuers than there is in investing in a larger number of issuers since changes in the financial condition or market status of a single issuer may cause greater fluctuation in a non-diversified portfolio with respect to total return and share price. For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s fundamental investment policies, see “Comparison of Fundamental Policies” below.
| ● | Principal Risks. While there are some similarities in the risk profiles of the Funds, there are also some differences of which you should be aware. Each Fund’s principal risks include corporate loan, sovereign entity loan, and bank loan risk, credit risk, currency risk, debt securities ratings risk, derivatives risk, emerging markets and less developed countries risk, fixed-income risk, foreign securities risk, high-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities risk, interest rate risk, investment in money market funds risk, issuer risk, liquidity risk, managed portfolio risk, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities risk, sector risk, sovereign debt risk, and U.S. Government securities risk. However, the Western Asset Fund is also subject to allocation risk, asset-based securities risk, banking industry investment risk, China risk, commercial mortgage-backed securities risk, concentration risk, contingent convertible securities risk, convertible securities risk, currency management strategies risk, equity securities risk, European investment risk, financial services risk, foreign exchange and currency derivatives trading risk, forward and futures contract risk, government regulatory risk, hedging instruments risk, income risk, investment strategy risk, Latin America concentration risk, market direction risk, market risk, non-diversification risk, Russia investment risk, speculative exposure risk, and volatility risk, which are not principal risks of investing in the Neuberger Fund. In addition, the principal risks of investing in the Neuberger Fund include call risk, currency transaction risk, distressed securities risk, exchange-traded funds investing risk, extension risk, investment in other investment companies risk, portfolio turnover risk, prepayment risk, private placement and other restricted securities risk, restricted securities risk, settlement risk, structured investments risk, tender option bonds and related securities risk, TIPS and inflation-linked bonds risk, and when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments risk, which are not principal risks of investing in the Western Asset Fund. For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s risks, see both “Comparison of Principal Risk Factors” below and Appendix B. |
| ● | Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers. Jackson National Asset Management, LLC (“JNAM” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser and administrator for each Fund and would continue to manage and administer the Neuberger Fund after the Reorganization. JNAM has received an exemptive order from the SEC that generally permits JNAM, with approval from the Board, to appoint, dismiss, and replace each Fund’s unaffiliated sub-adviser(s) and to amend the advisory agreements between JNAM and the unaffiliated sub-advisers, without obtaining shareholder approval. However, any amendment to an advisory agreement between JNAM and the Trust that would result in an increase in the management fee rate specified in that agreement (i.e., the aggregate management fee) charged to a Fund will be submitted to shareholders for approval. JNAM has appointed Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) as the sub-adviser and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset Ltd.”) and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Pte. Ltd.”) as sub-sub-advisers to manage the assets of the Western Asset Fund, and NBIA as the sub-adviser to manage the assets of the Neuberger Fund. It is anticipated that NBIA will continue to sub-advise the Neuberger Fund after the Reorganization. For a detailed description of JNAM, Western Asset, Western Asset Ltd., Western Asset Pte. Ltd., and NBIA, please see “Additional Information about the Funds - The Adviser” and “Additional Information about the Funds - The Sub-Advisers and Sub-Sub-Advisers” below. |
| ● | Asset Base. The Western Asset Fund and Neuberger Fund had net assets of approximately $362.53 million and $685.73 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2024. Thus, if the Reorganization had been in effect on that date, the combined Fund (the “Combined Fund”) would have had net assets of approximately $1.05 billion (net of estimated transaction expenses). |
| ● | Description of the Securities to be Issued. Class A Shareholders of the Western Asset Fund will receive Class A shares of the Neuberger Fund, and Class I Shareholders of the Western Asset Fund will receive Class I shares of the Neuberger Fund pursuant to the Reorganization. Shareholders will not pay any sales charges in connection with the Reorganization. Please see “Comparative Fee and Expense Tables,” “Additional Information about the Reorganization,” and “Additional Information about the Funds” below for more information. |
| ● | Operating Expenses. Following the Reorganization, the total annual fund operating expense ratio and management fee for the Neuberger Fund are expected to be lower than that of the Western Asset Fund currently. For a more detailed comparison of the fees and expenses of the Funds, please see “Comparative Fee and Expense Tables” and “Additional Information about the Funds” below. |
The maximum management fee for each Fund is equal to an annual rate of 0.50% of its average daily net assets. The minimum management fee for the Western Asset Fund is equal to an annual rate of 0.40% of its average daily net assets over $5 billion, while the minimum management fee for the Neuberger Fund is equal to an annual rate of 0.38% of its average daily net assets over $5 billion. As of December 31, 2023, the actual management fees of the Western Asset Fund and the Neuberger Fund were 0.53% and 0.49%, respectively. In addition, the maximum administrative fee for each of the Western Asset Fund and the Neuberger Fund is equal to an annual rate of 0.15% of its average daily net assets. As of December 31, 2023, the actual administrative fees of both the Western Asset Fund and the Neuberger Fund were 0.15%. For a more detailed description of the fees and expenses of the Funds, please see “Comparative Fee and Expense Tables” and “Additional Information about the Funds” below.
| ● | Costs of Reorganization. Following the Reorganization, the Combined Fund will be managed in accordance with the investment objective, policies and strategies of the Neuberger Fund. It is currently anticipated that approximately 98.72% of the Western Asset Fund’s holdings will be transferred to the Neuberger Fund in connection with the Reorganization. It is anticipated that, in advance of the Reorganization, approximately 1.28% of the Western Asset Fund’s holdings will be sold and the proceeds allocated to the Neuberger Fund in accordance with the Neuberger Fund’s principal investment strategies. It is not expected that the Neuberger Fund will revise any of its investment policies following the Reorganization to reflect those of the Western Asset Fund. |
The costs and expenses associated with the Reorganization relating to the solicitation of proxies, including preparing, filing, printing, and mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and related disclosure documents, and the related legal fees, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the analysis under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) of the tax treatment of this transaction, and the costs associated with the preparation of the tax opinion, and obtaining a consent of independent registered public accounting firm will be borne by JNAM whether or not the Reorganization is consummated. No sales or other charges will be imposed on Contract Owners in connection with the Reorganization. The Western Asset Fund will bear transaction expenses, which typically include, but are not limited to, trade commissions, related fees and taxes, and any foreign exchange spread costs, where applicable (the “Transaction Costs”), associated with the Reorganization. Such Transaction Costs are estimated to be $286,134 (0.08% of net assets). Please see “Additional Information about the Reorganization” below for more information.
| ● | Federal Income Tax Consequences. The Reorganization is not expected to be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes for owners of variable contracts whose contract values are determined by investment in shares of the Western Asset Fund. Provided that the Contracts qualify to be treated as life insurance contracts under Section 7702(a) of the Code or annuity contracts under Section 72 of the Code, the Reorganization will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes for Contract Owners regardless of the tax status of the Reorganization, and any dividends declared, allocations or distributions in connection with the Reorganization will not be taxable to Contract Owners. The Insurance Companies, as shareholders, and Contract Owners are urged to consult with their own tax advisers as to the specific consequences to them of the Reorganizations, including the applicability and effect of any possible state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences of the Reorganization. Please see “Additional Information about the Reorganization – Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reorganization” below for more information. |
Comparative Fee and Expense Tables
The following tables show the current fees and expenses of each Fund and the estimated pro forma fees and expenses of Class A and Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund after giving effect to the proposed Reorganization. The fee and expense information is presented as of December 31, 2023. The tables below do not reflect any fees and expenses related to the Contracts, which would increase overall fees and expenses. See a Contract prospectus for a description of those fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
| | Acquired Fund: Western Asset Fund | Acquiring Fund: Neuberger Fund | Pro Forma Neuberger Fund (assuming expected operating expenses if the Reorganization is approved) |
| | Class A | Class I | Class A | Class I | Class A | Class I |
| Management Fee | 0.50% | 0.50% | 0.49% | 0.49% | 0.47% | 0.47% |
| Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.30% | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.00% |
| Other Expenses1 | 0.16% | 0.16% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.96%3 | 0.66%3 | 0.95% | 0.65% | 0.93% | 0.63% |
| 1 | “Other Expenses” include an Administrative Fee of 0.15% for both Funds, which is payable to JNAM. |
| 2 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect expenses of investing in other investment companies. Accordingly, the expense ratio presented in the Financial Highlights section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not correlate to the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses disclosed above. |
| 3 | Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees. |
| | | | | | | | |
Expense Examples
This example is intended to help you compare the costs of investing in the Funds with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. This example does not reflect fees and expenses related to the Contracts, and the total expenses would be higher if they were included. The example assumes that:
| ● | You invest $10,000 in a Fund for the time periods indicated; |
| ● | Your investment has a 5% annual return; |
| ● | The Fund’s operating expenses remain the same as they were as of December 31, 2023; and |
| ● | You redeem your investment at the end of each time period. |
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
| | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
| Western Asset Fund (Acquired Fund) | | | | |
| Class A | $98 | $306 | $531 | $1,178 |
| Class I | $67 | $211 | $368 | $822 |
| Neuberger Fund (Acquiring Fund) | | | | |
| Class A | $97 | $303 | $525 | $1,166 |
| Class I | $66 | $208 | $362 | $810 |
Pro Forma Neuberger Fund (assuming expected operating expenses if the Reorganization is approved) | | | | |
| Class A | $95 | $296 | $515 | $1,143 |
| Class I | $64 | $202 | $351 | $786 |
Portfolio Turnover
Each Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Expense Examples, affect a Fund’s performance. For the period ended June 30, 2024, the portfolio turnover rates for the Western Asset Fund and the Neuberger Fund were 25% and 31%, respectively, of the average value of each portfolio.
Comparison of Investment Adviser, Sub-Advisers, and Sub-Sub-Advisers
The following table compares the investment adviser, sub-adviser, and sub-sub-advisers of the Western Asset Fund with that of the Neuberger Fund.
| Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
Investment Adviser Jackson National Asset Management, LLC Investment Sub-Adviser Western Asset Management Company, LLC Investment Sub-Sub-Adviser(s) Western Asset Management Company Limited Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. | Investment Adviser Jackson National Asset Management, LLC Investment Sub-Adviser Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC Investment Sub-Sub-Adviser(s) None |
Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies
The following table compares the investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Western Asset Fund with those of the Neuberger Fund. The Funds have similar investment objectives, but there are slight differences. The Western Asset Fund seeks to maximize total return through income and capital appreciation, while the Neuberger Fund seeks high current income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Funds also have similar principal investment strategies, though there are some notable differences. While both Funds are sub-advised, actively managed fixed income funds that invest in a broad array of fixed-income securities, which include corporate bonds, obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, among others, the Funds have differences with respect to certain investment strategies, investment tests and expected average portfolio credit quality. The Western Asset Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus the amount of any borrowings made for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments of varying maturities and quality across different industries and sectors of the fixed income market, while the Acquiring Fund does not have an 80% investment policy. The Western Asset Fund invests at least 40% of its assets, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable, in which case the Acquired Fund would invest at least 30% of its assets, in securities of non-U.S. issuers. Additionally, the Western Asset Fund does not cap its permitted investments in emerging markets. By contrast, the Neuberger Fund does not have a minimum stated percentage of investments in foreign securities, although it may invest without limit in foreign securities, and normally will not invest more than 50% of its total assets at the time of investment in obligations of issuers in emerging market countries. The Neuberger Fund may invest without limit in below investment grade securities, though it seeks to maintain a portfolio with an average credit quality of investment grade, while the Western Asset Fund may invest up to 70% of its assets in below investment grade securities, but does not have a stated percentage of its portfolio that will be investment grade in quality.
Both Funds also have differences with respect to portfolio duration. For the Western Asset Fund, the average dollar-weighted effective duration normally varies between zero and ten years, while the Neuberger Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity and does not have a target average duration, though NBIA anticipates that the Neuberger Fund’s average duration will be between two and eight years. Both Funds may use various derivatives for investment and hedging purposes, although the listed types of derivatives used by each Fund differ to some extent. The Western Asset Fund may use futures and options on futures to alter its duration and lists the use of currency futures and options, interest rate swaps, floors and caps, credit default swaps, and currency swaps, which are not listed as corresponding principal investment strategies for the Neuberger Fund. The Neuberger Fund’s use of derivatives may include total return swaps, which are not listed as a corresponding principal investment strategy for the Western Asset Fund.
For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s investment policies and strategies, see “Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies” below and Appendix B.
| Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
Investment Objective The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize total return through income and capital appreciation. | Investment Objective The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high current income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. |
Principal Investment Strategies Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus the amount of any borrowings made for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income instruments of varying maturities and quality across different industries and sectors of the fixed-income market. | Principal Investment Strategies To pursue its investment objective, the Fund invests primarily in a diversified mix of fixed rate and floating rate debt securities. |
| The Fund invests in globally diversified fixed income securities and rotates portfolio allocations among global sectors, including, below-investment grade (i.e., high yield securities or “junk” bonds) and investment grade corporate securities located in the United States and in non-U.S. developed and emerging markets; obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, banks and corporations and foreign governments, banks and corporations of developed and emerging markets; mortgage- and asset-backed securities; bank loans, structured notes, contingent convertible securities, common stock and warrants held as part of a corporate action. | The Fund’s investments may include securities issued by domestic and foreign governments, corporate entities, and trust structures. The Fund may invest in a broad array of securities, including: securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities; corporate bonds; commercial paper; currencies and non-U.S. securities; mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities; and loans. Securities in which the Fund may invest may be structured as fixed rate debt; floating rate debt; and debt that may not pay interest at the time of issuance. While the Fund may invest in debt securities across the credit spectrum, including investment grade securities, below investment grade securities (“high yield bonds,” commonly called “junk bonds”) and unrated securities, under normal market conditions the Fund seeks to maintain a portfolio with an average credit quality of investment grade. |
The Fund will invest at least 40% its assets, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30% of its assets, in securities of non-U.S. issuers. A corporate issuer is considered to be from the country where it is headquartered or incorporated, where the majority of its assets are located or where it generates the majority of its operating income. The Fund will allocate its assets among no less than three countries. The Fund may invest a substantial portion of total assets in securities denominated in foreign currencies and in U.S. dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers. In addition, the Fund may hedge its exposure to foreign currency. Both long and short currency exposures are permissible. | The Fund may also invest without limit in foreign securities, but normally will not invest more than 50% of its total assets at the time of investment in obligations of issuers in emerging market countries. The Fund considers emerging market countries to be countries included in the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index - Global Diversified, the JPMorgan Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index - Diversified, the JPMorgan Emerging Local Markets Index or the JPMorgan Government Bond Index - Emerging Markets Global Diversified, as well as those countries which are not defined as a High Income Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member country by the World Bank. |
| Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
| The Fund may invest up to 70% of its assets in below investment grade securities (i.e., high yield securities or “junk” bonds) (“Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investment Service or the equivalent by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch, Inc./Fitch Ratings Ltd.). Mortgage- and asset-backed securities held by the Fund may include those backed by loans to subprime borrowers. | The Fund may invest without limit in below investment grade securities. The Fund considers debt securities to be below investment grade if, at the time of investment, they are rated below the four highest categories by at least one independent credit rating agency or, if unrated, are deemed by Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, the Fund’s sub-adviser (“Sub-Adviser”) to be of comparable quality. The Fund does not normally invest in or continue to hold securities that are in default or have defaulted with respect to the payment of interest or repayment of principal, but may do so depending on market conditions. The Fund may invest in securities whose ratings imply an imminent risk of default with respect to such payments. |
| The average dollar-weighted effective duration of the Fund normally varies between zero and ten years. Duration measures the sensitivity of a fixed income security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a fixed income security’s duration, the more sensitive that security will be to changes in interest rates. Similarly, the longer the Fund’s dollar-weighted average duration, the more sensitive the Fund will be to interest rate changes than a fund with a shorter dollar-weighted average duration. | The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity and while the Fund does not have a target average duration, under normal market conditions the Sub-Adviser anticipates that the Fund’s average duration will be between two and eight years. |
| The Fund may use various types of derivative instruments for hedging and for investment purposes including, but not limited to, futures contracts and options on futures (including U.S. Treasury futures contracts and options on futures) to alter the duration of the Fund and increase potential returns; forward currency exchange contracts; currency futures and options thereon; interest rate swaps, floors and caps; and credit default swaps and currency swaps. The Fund may also use other types of derivative instruments, such as futures and options, contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements as a substitute for investing directly in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risk, or as part of a hedging strategy. | The Fund may also invest without limit in derivative instruments as a means of hedging risk and/or for investment purposes, which may include altering the Fund’s exposure to interest rates, sectors and individual issuers. These derivative instruments may include, but are not limited to, futures, forward foreign currency contracts, and swaps, such as total return swaps, credit default swaps and interest rate swaps. |
| The Fund may invest its uninvested cash in high-quality, short-term debt securities, which may include repurchase agreements and high-quality money market instruments. | The Fund may also hold short-term securities including cash equivalents and other debt obligations. |
| For purposes of satisfying the 80% requirement, the Fund may also invest in derivative instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the fixed-income instruments mentioned above. | No corresponding strategy. |
| Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
The Fund is a “non-diversified” fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds. | |
| No corresponding strategy. | Additionally, the Fund may invest in tender option bonds (which include inverse floaters created as part of tender option bond transactions), convertible securities, restricted securities, and preferred securities. The Fund may also engage in when-issued and forward-settling securities (such as to-be-announced (“TBA”) mortgage-backed securities), which involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase securities that will be issued or settled at a later date. The Fund may enter into a TBA agreement and “roll over” such agreement prior to the settlement date by selling the obligation to purchase the securities set forth in the agreement and entering into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage-backed securities. In an effort to achieve its investment objective, the Fund may engage in active and frequent trading. The Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, money market funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds, including affiliated investment companies. |
Comparison of Principal Risk Factors
While there are some similarities in the risk profiles of the Funds, there are also some differences of which you should be aware. Each Fund’s principal risks include corporate loan, sovereign entity loan, and bank loan risk, credit risk, currency risk, debt securities ratings risk, derivatives risk, emerging markets and less developed countries risk, fixed-income risk, foreign securities risk, high-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities risk, interest rate risk, investment in money market funds risk, issuer risk, liquidity risk, managed portfolio risk, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities risk, sector risk, sovereign debt risk, and U.S. Government securities risk. However, the Western Asset Fund is also subject to allocation risk, asset-based securities risk, banking industry investment risk, China risk, commercial mortgage-backed securities risk, concentration risk, contingent convertible securities risk, convertible securities risk, currency management strategies risk, equity securities risk, European investment risk, financial services risk, foreign exchange and currency derivatives trading risk, forward and futures contract risk, government regulatory risk, hedging instruments risk, income risk, investment strategy risk, Latin America concentration risk, market direction risk, market risk, non-diversification risk, Russia investment risk, speculative exposure risk, and volatility risk, which are not principal risks of investing in the Neuberger Fund. In addition, the principal risks of investing in the Neuberger Fund include call risk, currency transaction risk, distressed securities risk, exchange-traded funds investing risk, extension risk, investment in other investment companies risk, portfolio turnover risk, prepayment risk, private placement and other restricted securities risk, restricted securities risk, settlement risk, structured investments risk, tender option bonds and related securities risk, TIPS and inflation-linked bonds risk, and when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments risk, which are not principal risks of investing in the Western Asset Fund. For a detailed comparison of each Fund’s risks, see both the table below and Appendix B.
An investment in a Fund is not guaranteed. As with any mutual fund, the value of a Fund’s shares will change, and an investor could lose money by investing in a Fund. The following table compares the principal risks of an investment in each Fund. For additional information about each principal risk and other applicable risks, see Appendix B.
| | Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Risks | Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
| Allocation risk | X | |
| Asset-based securities risk | X | |
| Banking industry investment risk | X | |
| Call risk | | X |
| China risk | X | |
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities risk | X | |
| Concentration risk | X | |
| Contingent convertible securities risk | X | |
| Convertible securities risk | X | |
| Corporate loan, sovereign entity loan, and bank loan risk | X | X |
| Credit risk | X | X |
| Currency management strategies risk | X | |
| Currency risk | X | X |
| Currency transaction risk | | X |
| Debt securities ratings risk | X | X |
| Derivatives risk | X | X |
| Distressed securities risk | | X |
| Emerging markets and less developed countries risk | X | X |
| Equity securities risk | X | |
| European investment risk | X | |
| Exchange-traded funds investing risk | | X |
| Extension risk | | X |
| Financial services risk | X | |
| | Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Risks | Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
| Fixed-income risk | X | X |
| Foreign exchange and currency derivatives trading risk | X | |
| Foreign securities risk | X | X |
| Forward and futures contract risk | X | |
| Government regulatory risk | X | |
| Hedging instruments risk | X | |
| High-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities risk | X | X |
| Income risk | X | |
| Interest rate risk | X | X |
| Investment in money market funds risk | X | X |
| Investment in other investment companies risk | | X |
| Investment strategy risk | X | |
| Issuer risk | X | X |
| Latin America concentration risk | X | |
| Liquidity risk | X | X |
| Managed portfolio risk | X | X |
| Market direction risk | X | |
| Market risk | X | |
| Mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities risk | X | X |
| Non-diversification risk | X | |
| Portfolio turnover risk | | X |
| Prepayment risk | | X |
| Private placement and other restricted securities risk | | X |
| | Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Risks | Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
| Restricted securities risk | | X |
| Russia investment risk | X | |
| Sector risk | X | X |
| Settlement risk | | X |
| Sovereign debt risk | X | X |
| Speculative exposure risk | X | |
| Structured investments risk | | X |
| Tender option bonds and related securities risk | | X |
| TIPS and inflation-linked bonds risk | | X |
| U.S. Government securities risk | X | X |
| Volatility risk | X | |
| When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments risk | | X |
Comparison of Fundamental Policies
Each Fund is subject to certain fundamental policies and restrictions that may not be changed without shareholder approval. The following table compares the fundamental policies of the Western Asset Fund with those of the Neuberger Fund.
The Neuberger Fund is a diversified fund, which means that at least 75% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, government securities, securities of other investment companies or other securities. For purposes of this calculation, the Neuberger Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one issuer nor may the Fund own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. The Western Asset Fund is a non-diversified fund and, as such, is not subject to such requirements.
| Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
| (1) The Fund will not invest more than 25% of the value of its assets in any particular industry (other than U.S. Government securities and/or foreign sovereign debt securities). | Same. |
| (2) The Fund may not invest directly in real estate or interests in real estate; however, the Fund may own debt or equity securities issued by companies engaged in those businesses. | Same. |
| Acquired Fund | Acquiring Fund |
| Western Asset Fund | Neuberger Fund |
| (3) The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities other than foreign currencies unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (but this limitation shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures, swaps and forward contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities). | Same. |
| (4) The Fund may not lend any security or make any other loan if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets would be lent to other parties (but this limitation does not apply to purchases of commercial paper, debt securities or repurchase agreements). | Same. |
| (5) The Fund may not act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities of the Fund. | Same. |
| (6) The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. | Same. |
| (7) The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief. | Same. |
Comparative Performance Information
The performance information shown below provides some indication of the risks of investing in each Fund by showing changes in each Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how each Fund’s average annual returns compared with those of a broad-based securities market index, and for the Acquired Fund, an additional index that the Adviser believes more closely reflects the market segments in which the Fund invests. Each Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
The returns shown in the bar charts and tables below do not include charges imposed under the Contracts. If these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown.
Effective December 31, 2023, for consistency with the Acquired Fund’s principal investment strategies, the Acquired Fund replaced the 50% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index (Unhedged), 25% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus, 25% Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Indexes with the 50% Bloomberg Global Aggregate, 25% Bloomberg EM USD Aggregate, 25% Bloomberg US HY 2% Issuer Cap Indexes as the Acquired Fund’s secondary benchmark.
Performance prior to April 25, 2022, reflects the Acquired Fund’s results when managed by the former sub-adviser, Franklin Advisers, Inc. Performance results include the effect of expense waiver/reduction arrangements for some or all of the periods shown. If such arrangements had not been in place, performance for those periods would have been lower.
Following the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will be the accounting and performance survivor.
Western Asset Fund – Calendar Year Total Returns
(Acquired Fund)
Class A
Best Quarter (ended 12/31/2023): 7.24%; Worst Quarter (ended 3/31/2020): -7.00%
Class I
Best Quarter (ended 12/31/2023): 7.38%; Worst Quarter (ended 3/31/2020): -6.93%
Neuberger Fund – Calendar Year Total Returns
(Acquiring Fund)
Class A
Best Quarter (ended 6/30/2020): 10.34%; Worst Quarter (ended 3/31/2020): -9.94%
Class I
Best Quarter (ended 6/30/2020): 10.45%; Worst Quarter (ended 3/31/2020): -9.86%
| Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2023 | | | | | |
| | 1 year | 5 year | 10 year |
| Western Asset Fund (Class A) | 8.60 | % | -1.58 | % | -0.47 | % |
| Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 5.71 | % | -0.32 | % | 0.38 | % |
| 50% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, 25% Bloomberg EM USD Aggregate Index, 25% Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 8.47 | % | 1.68 | % | 2.13 | % |
| Bloomberg EM USD Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 9.09 | % | 1.84 | % | 3.03 | % |
| Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 13.44 | % | 5.35 | % | 4.59 | % |
| 50% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, 25% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus, 25% Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 8.80 | % | 1.03 | % | 1.77 | % |
| JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 10.30 | % | -0.89 | % | 1.51 | % |
| Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2023 | | | | | |
| | 1 year | 5 year | 10 year |
| Western Asset Fund (Class I) | 9.02 | % | -1.27 | % | -0.20 | % |
| Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 5.71 | % | -0.32 | % | 0.38 | % |
| 50% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, 25% Bloomberg EM USD Aggregate Index, 25% Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 8.47 | % | 1.68 | % | 2.13 | % |
| Bloomberg EM USD Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 9.09 | % | 1.84 | % | 3.03 | % |
| Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 13.44 | % | 5.35 | % | 4.59 | % |
| 50% Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, 25% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus, 25% Bloomberg U.S. High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 8.80 | % | 1.03 | % | 1.77 | % |
| JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 10.30 | % | -0.89 | % | 1.51 | % |
| Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2023 | | | | | | |
| | 1 year | 5 year | 10 year |
| Neuberger Fund (Class A) | 9.78 | % | 3.30 | % | 2.99 | % |
| Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 5.53 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.81 | % |
| Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2023 | | | | | |
| | 1 year | 5 year | 10 year |
| Neuberger Fund (Class I) | 10.15 | % | 3.60 | % | 3.28 | % |
| Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 5.53 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.81 | % |
Capitalization
The following table shows the capitalization of each Fund as of June 30, 2024, and of the Neuberger Fund on a pro forma combined basis as of June 30, 2024 after giving effect to the proposed Reorganization. The actual net assets of the Western Asset Fund and the Neuberger Fund on the Closing Date will differ due to fluctuations in net asset values, subsequent purchases, and redemptions of shares. No assurance can be given as to how many shares of the Neuberger Fund will be received by shareholders of Western Asset Fund on the Closing Date, and the following table should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of the Neuberger Fund that will actually be received.
| | Net Assets | Net Asset Value
Per Share | Shares Outstanding |
| Western Asset Fund (Acquired Fund) – Class A | $358,073,904 | 7.73 | 46,334,054 |
| Neuberger Fund (Acquiring Fund) – Class A | $607,836,463 | 12.27 | 49,526,944 |
| Adjustments | $(282,619) (a) | 0 | (17,174,210) (b) |
| Pro forma Neuberger Fund – Class A (assuming the Reorganization is approved) | $965,627,748 | 12.27 | 78,686,788 |
| Western Asset Fund (Acquired Fund) – Class I | $4,454,036 | 7.90 | 563,892 |
| Neuberger Fund (Acquiring Fund) – Class I | $77,897,184 | 12.54 | 6,210,649 |
| Adjustments | $(3,515) (a) | 0 | (208,986) (b) |
| Pro forma Neuberger Fund – Class I (assuming the Reorganization is approved) | $82,347,705 | 12.54 | 6,565,555 |
| (a) | The costs and expenses associated with the Reorganization relating to the solicitation of proxies, including preparing, filing, printing, and mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and related disclosure documents, and the related legal fees, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the analysis under the Code of the tax treatment of this Reorganization as well as the costs associated with the preparation of the tax opinion and obtaining a consent of independent registered public accounting firm, will be borne by JNAM whether or not the Reorganization is consummated. No sales or other charges will be imposed on Contract Owners in connection with the Reorganization. It is currently anticipated that approximately 98.72% of the Acquired Fund’s holdings will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund in connection with the Reorganization. It is anticipated that, in advance of the Reorganization, approximately 1.28% of the Acquired Fund’s holdings will be sold and the proceeds allocated to the Acquiring Fund in accordance with the Acquiring Fund’s principal investment strategies. The Acquired Fund will bear the Transaction Costs associated with the Reorganization. Such Transaction Costs are estimated to be $286,134 (0.08% of net assets). |
| (b) | The adjustment to the pro forma shares outstanding number represents a decrease in shares outstanding of the Acquiring Fund to reflect the exchange of shares of the Acquired Fund. |
| | | | | |
The Reorganization provides for the acquisition of all the assets and all the liabilities of the Western Asset Fund by the Neuberger Fund. If the Reorganization had taken place on June 30, 2024, shareholders of the Western Asset Fund would have received 29,159,844 and 354,906 Class A and Class I shares, respectively, of the Neuberger Fund.
After careful consideration, the Board unanimously approved the Plan of Reorganization with respect to the Western Asset Fund. Accordingly, the Board has submitted the Plan of Reorganization for approval by the Western Asset Fund’s shareholders. The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this Proposal.
* * * * *
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REORGANIZATION
Terms of the Plan of Reorganization
The terms of the Plan of Reorganization are summarized below. For additional information, you should consult the Plan of Reorganization, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A.
If shareholders of the Acquired Fund approve the Plan of Reorganization, then the assets of the Acquired Fund will be acquired by, and in exchange for, Class A and Class I shares, respectively, of the Acquiring Fund and the liabilities of the Acquired Fund will be assumed by the Acquiring Fund. The Acquired Fund will then be terminated by the Trust, and the Class A and Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund distributed to the Class A and Class I shareholders, respectively, of the Acquired Fund in the redemption of the Class A and Class I Acquired Fund Shares. Immediately after completion of the Reorganization, the number of shares of the Acquiring Fund then held by former shareholders of the Acquired Fund may be different than the number of shares of the Acquired Fund that had been held immediately before completion of the Reorganization, but the total investment will remain the same (i.e., the total value of the Acquiring Fund shares held immediately after the completion of the Reorganization will be the same as the total value of the Acquired Fund shares formerly held immediately before completion of the Reorganization).
It is anticipated that the Reorganization will be consummated as of the close of business on April 25, 2025, or on such later date as may be deemed necessary in the judgment of the Board and in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, subject to the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to the closing. It is not anticipated that the Acquired Fund will hold any investment that the Acquiring Fund would not be permitted to hold (“non-permitted investments”).
Description of the Securities to Be Issued
The Class A shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund, and the Class I shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Plan of Reorganization. Each such share will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Trust when issued and will have no preemptive or conversion rights.
The Trust may issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund and divide or combine such shares into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interests in the Trust. Each share of the Acquiring Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that Fund with each other share. The Trust reserves the right to create and issue any number of Fund shares. In that case, the shares of the Acquiring Fund would participate equally in the earnings, dividends, and assets of the Fund. Upon liquidation of the Acquiring Fund, shareholders are entitled to share proportionally (according to the net asset value of their shares of the Acquiring Fund) in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders. The Acquiring Fund is a series of the Trust.
The Trust currently offers two classes of shares, Class A and Class I shares, for the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Each series of the Trust has adopted a distribution plan in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the distribution plan, Class A shares of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund are charged a Rule 12b-1 fee at the annual rate of 0.30% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A shares of the respective Fund. Because these distribution/service fees are paid out of the Funds’ assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase your cost of investing and may cost more than paying other types of charges. Class I shares are not charged a Rule 12b-1 fee.
Board Considerations
At a meeting of the Board held on December 10-12, 2024, (the “Board Meeting”), the Board, including all of the independent trustees, who are not interested persons of the Funds (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) (the “Independent Trustees”), considered information relating to the proposed reorganization of the Acquired Fund, a series of the Trust, into the Acquiring Fund, also a series of the Trust (the “Reorganization”). Before approving the Reorganization, the Independent Trustees reviewed the foregoing information with their independent legal counsel and with management, reviewed with independent legal counsel applicable law and their duties in considering such matters, and met with independent legal counsel in a private session without management present.
The Board considered that Western Asset was appointed as sub-adviser to the Acquired Fund on April 25, 2022, and that following recent SEC, U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) investigations into Western Asset’s Co-Chief Investment Officer (“Co-CIO”), criminal charges were brought by the DOJ and civil complaints were filed by the SEC and CFTC against the Co-CIO. The Board also considered JNAM’s statement that the primary driver behind its recommendation to merge the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund is the material increase in organizational and legal risks to the broader firm and investment personnel at Western Asset. The Board considered that the Reorganization is part of an overall rationalization of the Trust’s offerings and is designed to eliminate inefficiencies arising from offering overlapping funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies that serve as investment options for the Contracts issued by the Insurance Companies and certain non-qualified plans. The Board also considered that the Reorganization seeks to increase assets under management in the Acquiring Fund in an effort to achieve additional economies of scale for beneficial owners of the Acquired Fund. The Board noted that the objective of the Reorganization is to seek to ensure that a consolidated family of investments offers a streamlined, complete, and competitive set of underlying investment options to serve the interests of shareholders and Contract Owners. Thus, the Board considered the recommendation of JNAM to merge the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund given the Acquiring Fund’s similar risk profile, as evidenced by its standard deviation, with higher returns over most reported periods, better long-term risk-adjusted performance results, and lower expenses than the Acquired Fund, and because JNAM believes the existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund should benefit from significantly reduced organizational and legal risks of its sub-adviser and economies of scale achieved through the Reorganization with the Acquiring Fund, while allowing the Acquired Fund shareholders to continue to invest in a multi-sector fixed income fund. The Board considered a number of principal factors presented at the time of the Board Meeting in reaching its determinations, including the following:
| ● | Investment Objectives and Investment Strategies. The Board considered that the Reorganization will permit the Contract Owners and others with beneficial interest in the Acquired Fund to continue to invest in a professionally managed fund that invests in a broad array of fixed-income securities, noting that the Acquired Fund’s investment objective is similar to that of the Acquiring Fund, but there are slight differences. The Board noted that the Acquired Fund’s investment objective is to seek to maximize total return through income and capital appreciation, while the Acquiring Fund seeks high current income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Board also considered management’s belief that because the Acquiring Fund will continue to provide Acquired Fund shareholders with a multi-sector fixed income fund management approach, while also significantly reducing organizational and legal risks, it should provide the Acquired Fund’s shareholders with a better investor experience. For a full description of the investment objectives and investment strategies of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund, see “Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies.” |
| ● | Operating Expenses. The Board considered that, if approved by the Acquired Fund’s shareholders, the Reorganization is expected to result in a Combined Fund with a total annual fund operating expense ratio and management fee that are expected to be lower than those of the Acquired Fund currently. The Board further noted that the Acquiring Fund’s total annual fund operating expense ratio and management fee are expected to be lower as a result of the Reorganization. See “Comparative Fee and Expense Tables.” |
| ● | Larger Asset Base. The Board considered that the Reorganization may benefit Contract Owners and others with beneficial interests in the Acquired Fund by allowing them to invest in the Combined Fund that has a larger asset base than that of the Acquired Fund currently. The Board noted that as of September 30, 2024, the Acquired Fund had assets of $369.97 million as compared to assets of $720.52 million for the Acquiring Fund. The Board considered that reorganizing the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund offers Contract Owners and other investors the ability to benefit from economies of scale. |
| ● | Performance. The Board considered that the Acquiring Fund has had a better performance track record than the Acquired Fund over most reported trailing time periods. The Board noted that the Acquiring Fund has outperformed the Acquired Fund for the quarter, one-, five-, and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2024, while the Acquired Fund outperformed the Acquiring Fund for the three-year period ended September 30, 2024. The Board noted that during the 2023 calendar year, the Acquiring Fund returned (net-of-fees) 9.78%, while the Acquired Fund returned (net-of-fees) 8.60%. The Board also noted that the Acquiring Fund had better performance than the Acquired Fund for the 2021, 2020, and 2019 calendar years. The Acquired Fund had better performance than the Acquiring Fund for the 2022 calendar year, though the Acquired Fund benefitted in large part due to the Acquired Fund’s sub-adviser transition in April of that year as the Acquired Fund held large amounts of cash during a bond market selloff. |
| ● | Investment Adviser and Other Service Providers. The Board considered that the Funds currently have the same investment adviser and administrator, JNAM, and many of the same service providers, with the exception of having different sub-advisers and the Acquired Fund having sub-sub-advisers. Specifically, the Board considered that the Acquired Fund is sub-advised by Western Asset and sub-sub-advised by Western Asset Ltd. and Western Asset Pte. Ltd., while the Acquiring Fund is sub-advised by NBIA and does not have sub-sub-advisers. The Board also noted that the custodian for both Funds is State Street Bank & Trust Company. The Board also considered that the transfer agent for the Acquiring Fund, JNAM, and the Distributor for shares of the Acquiring Fund, Jackson National Life Distributors LLC, is the same as for the Acquired Fund and will remain the same immediately after the Reorganization. |
| ● | Federal Income Tax Consequences. The Board considered that the Reorganization is not expected to be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes for Contract Owners. |
| ● | Costs of Reorganization. The Board considered that the costs and expenses associated with the Reorganization relating to the solicitation of proxies, including preparing, filing, printing, and mailing of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and related disclosure documents, the related legal fees, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the analysis under the Code of the tax treatment of this transaction, as well as the costs associated with the preparation of the tax opinion, and obtaining a consent of independent registered public accounting firm will be borne by JNAM whether or not the Reorganization is consummated. No sales or other charges will be imposed on Contract Owners in connection with the Reorganization. The Board considered that it is currently anticipated that approximately 98.72% of the Acquired Fund’s holdings will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund in connection with the Reorganization. It is anticipated that, in advance of the Reorganization, approximately 1.28% of the Acquired Fund’s holdings will be sold and the proceeds allocated to the Acquiring Fund in accordance with the Acquiring Fund’s principal investment strategies. Thus, the Board also considered that the Acquired Fund will bear the Transaction Costs associated with the Reorganization and that such Transaction Costs are estimated to be $286,134 (0.08% of net assets). |
In summary, in determining whether to recommend approval of the Reorganization, the Board considered factors including (1) the terms and conditions of the Reorganization and whether the Reorganization would result in dilution of the Acquired Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s shareholders’, Contract Owners’, and plan participants’ interests; (2) the compatibility of the Funds’ investment objectives, investment strategies, and investment restrictions, as well as shareholder services offered by the Funds; (3) the expense ratios and information regarding the fees and expenses of the Funds; (4) the advantages and disadvantages to the Acquired Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s shareholders, Contract Owners, and plan participants of having a larger asset base in the Combined Fund; (5) the relative historical performance of the Funds; (6) the management of the Funds; (7) the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization; and (8) the costs of the Reorganization. No one factor was determinative and each Trustee may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Board did not determine any considerations related to the Reorganization to be adverse.
The Board, including the Independent Trustees, determined that the Reorganization would be in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the Acquired Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s Contract Owners and other investors would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Board voted unanimously to approve the Reorganization and recommended its approval by Contract Owners and others with beneficial interests in the Acquired Fund.
If the Reorganization is not approved by shareholders, the Funds will continue to operate as they currently do. While the Board has made no determination regarding this contingency, the Board will consider what actions are appropriate and in the best interests of Contract Owners that have assets invested in the Acquired Fund.
Description of Risk Factors
A Fund’s performance may be affected by one or more risk factors. For a detailed description of each Fund’s risk factors, please see “More Information on Strategies and Risk Factors” in Appendix B.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reorganization
As a condition to the consummation of the Reorganization, each Fund will have received one or more opinions of Ropes & Gray LLP, dated on or before the effective date of the Reorganization, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of the existing provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations issued thereunder, current administrative rules, pronouncements and court decisions, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Reorganization will not be a taxable event for Contract Owners whose contract values are determined by investment in shares of the Acquired Fund. The opinion will be based on certain factual certifications made by officers of the Funds, the Adviser and the Insurance Companies offering the Contracts, and will also be based on reasonable assumptions.
None of the Trust, the Acquired Fund, or the Acquiring Fund has sought a tax ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), but each is acting in reliance upon the opinions of counsel discussed in the previous paragraph. The opinions are not binding on the IRS and do not preclude the IRS from adopting a contrary position. Contract Owners should consult their own tax advisors concerning the potential tax consequences, including state and local income taxes.
Contingency Plan
If the Reorganization is not approved by shareholders, the Funds will continue to operate as they currently do and the Board will consider what actions are appropriate and in the best interests of Contract Owners that have assets invested in the Acquired Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Management of the Trust
This section provides information about the Trust, the Adviser, and the sub-advisers for the Funds and sub-sub-advisers for the Acquired Fund.
The Trust
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust and is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company. Under Massachusetts law and the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the management of the business and affairs of the Trust is the responsibility of its Board. Each Fund is a series of the Trust.
The Adviser
JNAM, located at 1 Corporate Way, Lansing, Michigan 48951, serves as the investment adviser to the Trust and provides the Funds with professional investment supervision and management. JNAM is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. JNAM is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Jackson Financial Inc. (“Jackson”), a leading provider of retirement products for industry professionals and their clients. Jackson and its affiliates offer variable, fixed and fixed index annuities designed for tax-efficient growth and distribution of retirement income for retail customers, as well as products for institutional investors.
JNAM acts as investment adviser to the Trust pursuant to an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement. Under the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, JNAM is responsible for managing the affairs and overseeing the investments of the Funds and determining how voting and other rights with respect to securities owned by the Funds will be exercised. JNAM also provides recordkeeping, administrative and exempt transfer agent services to the Funds and oversees the performance of services provided to the Funds by other service providers, including the custodian and shareholder servicing agent. JNAM is authorized to delegate certain of its duties with respect to a Fund to a sub-adviser, subject to the approval of the Board, and is responsible for overseeing that sub-adviser’s performance. JNAM is solely responsible for payment of any fees to the sub-adviser.
JNAM plays an active role in advising and monitoring each Fund and sub-adviser. When appropriate, JNAM recommends to the Board potential sub-advisers for a Fund. For those Funds managed by a sub-adviser, JNAM monitors each sub-adviser’s Fund management team to determine whether its investment activities remain consistent with the Funds’ investment strategies and objectives. JNAM also monitors changes that may impact the sub-adviser’s overall business, including the sub-adviser’s operations and changes in investment personnel and senior management, and regularly performs due diligence reviews of each sub-adviser. In addition, JNAM obtains detailed, comprehensive information concerning each Fund’s and sub-adviser’s performance and Fund operations. JNAM is responsible for providing regular reports on these matters to the Board.
The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement continues in effect for each Fund from year to year after its initial two-year term so long as its continuation is approved at least annually by (i) a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any such party except in their capacity as Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) the shareholders of the affected Fund or the Board. It may be terminated at any time upon 60 days’ notice by JNAM, or by a majority vote of the outstanding shares of a Fund with respect to that Fund, and will terminate automatically upon assignment. Additional Funds may be subject to a different agreement. The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement provides that JNAM shall not be liable for any error of judgment, or for any loss suffered by any Fund in connection with the matters to which the agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of JNAM in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the agreement. As compensation for its services, the Trust pays JNAM a fee in respect of each Fund as described in each Fund’s Prospectus.
Management Fees
As compensation for its advisory services, JNAM receives a fee from the Trust computed separately for the Funds, accrued daily and payable monthly. The fee JNAM receives from each Fund is set forth below as an annual percentage of the net assets of the Fund.
The table below shows the advisory fee rate schedule for each Fund as set forth in the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement and the aggregate annual fee the Fund paid to JNAM for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Each Fund’s advisory fee rate schedule is subject to contractual breakpoints that reduce the advisory fee rate should the Fund’s average daily net assets exceed specified amounts.
| Fund | Assets | Advisory Fee (Annual Rate Based on Average Daily Net Assets of each Fund) | Aggregate Fee Paid to Adviser based on Average Daily Net Assets as of December 31, 2023 |
| Western Asset Fund1 | $0 to $1 billion $1 billion to $2 billion $2 billion to $3 billion $3 billion to $5 billion Over $5 billion | 0.500% 0.475% 0.450% 0.425% 0.400% | 0.53% |
| Neuberger Fund | $0 to $500 million $500 million to $1 billion $1 billion to $3 billion $3 billion to $5 billion Over $5 billion | 0.500% 0.450% 0.400% 0.390% 0.380% | 0.49% |
| 1 | Advisory fee rate schedule is as of April 29, 2024, when the Fund’s new advisory fee schedule became effective. |
| | | | | |
A discussion regarding the Board’s basis for approving the Investment Advisory and Management Agreement for the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund is available in the applicable Fund’s Annual Report for the period ended December 31, 2023, and will be available in the Trust’s N-CSR filing for the year ended December 31, 2024.
JNAM selects, contracts with, and compensates the sub-advisers to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds. JNAM monitors the compliance of the sub-advisers and sub-sub-advisers with the investment objectives and related policies of the Funds, reviews the performance of the sub-advisers and sub-sub-advisers, and reports periodically on such performance to the Board. Under the terms of each of the sub-advisory agreements, the sub-adviser is responsible for supervising and managing the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the assigned Fund and for directing the purchase and sale of the Fund’s investment securities, subject to the oversight and supervision of JNAM and the Board. The sub-advisers and the Acquired Fund’s sub-sub-advisers formulate a continuous investment program for an assigned Fund consistent with the Fund’s investment strategies, objectives and policies outlined in its Prospectus. Each sub-adviser implements such program by purchases and sales of securities and regularly reports to JNAM and the Board with respect to the implementation of such programs. As compensation for its sub-advisory services, each sub-adviser receives a fee from JNAM, computed separately for the applicable Fund, stated as an annual percentage of the Fund’s net assets. JNAM currently is obligated to pay the sub-advisers out of the advisory fee it receives from the applicable Fund.
JNAM and the Trust, together with other investment companies of which JNAM is investment adviser, have received an exemptive order (the “Order”) that allows JNAM to hire, replace or terminate unaffiliated sub-advisers or materially amend a sub-advisory agreement with an unaffiliated sub-adviser with the approval of the Board, but without the approval of shareholders. However, any amendment to an advisory agreement between JNAM and the Trust that would result in an increase in the management fee rate specified in that agreement (i.e., the aggregate management fee) charged to a Fund will be submitted to shareholders for approval. Under the terms of the Order, if a new sub-adviser is hired by JNAM, the affected Fund will provide shareholders with information about the new sub-adviser and the new sub-advisory agreement within ninety (90) days of the change. The Order allows the Funds to operate more efficiently and with greater flexibility. JNAM provides oversight and evaluation services to the Funds, including, but not limited to the following services: performing initial due diligence on prospective sub-advisers for the Funds; monitoring the performance of sub-advisers; communicating performance expectations to the sub-advisers; and ultimately recommending to the Board whether a sub-adviser’s contract should be renewed, modified or terminated.
JNAM does not expect to recommend frequent changes of sub-advisers. Although JNAM will monitor the performance of the sub-advisers and sub-sub-advisers, there is no certainty that the sub-advisers, sub-sub-advisers or the Funds will obtain favorable results at any given time.
As compensation for the services for their respective Funds, the sub-adviser to the Acquired Fund, Western Asset, and the sub-adviser to the Acquiring Fund, Neuberger, each receive a sub-advisory fee that is payable by JNAM. The following table shows the amount of sub-advisory fees that JNAM paid the sub-advisers (out of JNAM’s advisory fees) for the services provided by the respective sub-advisers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:
| Fund | Aggregate Fees Paid to Sub-Advisers |
| Dollar Amount | As a Percentage of Average Daily
Net Assets as of
December 31, 2023 |
| Western Asset Fund | $864,914 | 0.22% |
| Neuberger Fund | $1,107,892 | 0.16% |
| 1 | For the purpose of calculating the sub-advisory fee for the Western Asset Fund, a fee discount is applied based on the combined average daily net assets of the portfolios of the Western Asset Fund, JNL/ClearBridge Large Cap Growth Fund, and JNL/Franklin Templeton Income Fund, each a series of the Trust. |
| | | | |
A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of the sub-advisory agreements for both Funds and sub-sub-advisory agreements for the Acquired Fund is available in the Trust’s Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023, and will be available in the Trust’s N-CSR filing for the period ended December 31, 2024.
In addition to the investment advisory fee, each Fund currently pays to JNAM (the “Administrator”) an administrative fee as an annual percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund, accrued daily and paid monthly, as set forth below.
| Fund | Assets | Administrative Fee (Annual Rate Based on Average Net Assets) |
| Western Asset Fund | $0 to $3 billion Assets over $3 billion | 0.150% 0.130% |
| Neuberger Fund | $0 to $3 billion Assets over $3 billion | 0.150% 0.130% |
In return for the administrative fee, the Administrator provides or procures all necessary administrative functions and services for the operation of each Fund. In addition, the Administrator, at its own expense, arranges and pays for routine legal, audit, fund accounting, custody (except overdraft and interest expense), printing and mailing, a portion of the Chief Compliance Officer costs and all other services necessary for the operation of each Fund. Each Fund is responsible for trading expenses including brokerage commissions, interest and taxes, and other non-operating expenses. Each Fund is also responsible for nonrecurring and extraordinary legal fees, interest expenses, registration fees, licensing costs, directors and officers insurance, expenses related to the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, and the fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees and of independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees (categorized as “Other Expenses” in the fee tables).
The Sub-Advisers and Sub-Sub-Advisers
The sub-adviser to the Acquired Fund is Western Asset and the sub-sub-advisers to the Acquired Fund are Western Asset Ltd. and Western Asset Pte. Ltd.
Western Asset, established in 1971 and now a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”), acts as investment adviser to institutional accounts, such as corporate pension plans, mutual funds and endowment funds. Legg Mason is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin”), which is a publicly traded company (BEN) that, through its subsidiaries, engages in the business of investment management on an international basis.
Western Asset and Western Asset Ltd. utilize a team-based approach for the Fund’s portfolio management team to ensure the Acquired Fund’s benefit from the expertise of all their sector specialists.
The following table describes the Acquired Fund’s sub-adviser, sub-sub-advisers, portfolio managers, and each portfolio manager’s business experience. Information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of securities of the Acquired Fund is available in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information.
| Western Asset Fund (Acquired Fund) |
| Sub-Adviser, Sub-Sub-Advisers & Portfolio Managers | Portfolio Managers’ Business Experience |
Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Sub-Adviser) 385 East Colorado Boulevard,
Pasadena, California 91101 Western Asset Management Company Limited (Sub-Sub-Adviser) 10 Exchange Square, Primrose Street,
London EC2A 2EN Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (Sub-Sub-Adviser) 1 George Street #23-01, Singapore 049145 Portfolio Managers Ian R. Edmonds Michael Buchanan, CFA Gordon Brown Annabel Rudebeck | Ian R. Edmonds, a Portfolio Manager at Western Asset, joined the Firm in 1994. With more than 33 years of experience, Mr. Edmonds is the lead Portfolio Manager of the Firm’s Global Multi-Sector portfolios and Co-Manager of European and Global Investment-Grade Credit portfolios. He is a member of the Global Credit Committee and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Unconstrained Committee. He previously served as a Part-Qualified Actuary at Bacon & Woodrow. Mr. Edmonds holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University College, London, and is an Associate Member of the UK Society of Investment Professionals. Michael Buchanan is Western Asset’s Co-Chief Investment Officer and has been in the fixed-income industry since 1990. As Co-CIO, he leads the Global and US Strategy Committees with Ken Leech. Mr. Buchanan has direct oversight of Western Asset’s Global Credit Team, which covers the US and non-US investment-grade, high-yield and bank loan sectors, as well as the Firm’s Structured Credit and Emerging Market Teams. He also leads the Global Credit Committee, which ultimately determines overall firmwide credit themes. Prior to joining Western Asset in 2005, Mr. Buchanan served as Managing Director and Head of US Credit Products at Credit Suisse Asset Management and as Executive Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Janus Capital Management. He also worked at BlackRock Financial Management as Managing Director and Portfolio Manager and at Conseco Capital Management as Vice President and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Buchanan graduated with honors from Brown University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and is a CFA® charterholder. Gordon Brown is Head of Global Portfolios at Western Asset, and has 29 years of industry experience. As a member of the Global Portfolios Team and the Global Investment Strategy Committee, Mr. Brown is responsible for the day-to-day management of global portfolios alongside the development and implementation of global investment strategy. He is also a member of the Global Multi-Sector Investment Team, Emerging Markets Team, and Unconstrained Asset Allocation Committee. He joined the Firm in 2011 from Baillie Gifford & Co., where he was Senior Investment Manager in Emerging Market Rates and Currencies. Formerly, he served as Head of Global Fixed-Income in London at State Street Global Advisors, Senior Portfolio Manager at Commerz International Management, and Fixed-Income Analyst at Dunedin Fund Managers. Mr. Brown holds a Master of Science in Investment Analysis from the University of Stirling, a Master of Science in Business Economics from the University of Strathclyde, and a Master of Arts in Economic Science from the University of Aberdeen. He is also an Associate Member of the UK Society of Investment Professionals. |
| Western Asset Fund (Acquired Fund) |
| Sub-Adviser, Sub-Sub-Advisers & Portfolio Managers | Portfolio Managers’ Business Experience |
| | Annabel Rudebeck is Head of Non-US Credit at Western Asset Ltd. Ms. Rudebeck has 22 years of industry experience and works in the London office. Ms. Rudebeck is a member of the Western Asset Ltd.’s Global Investment Strategy Committee, Global Credit Committee and ESG Strategic Steering Committee. Ms. Rudebeck also leads the Global Credit Team in London. Ms. Rudebeck is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Western Asset Ltd.’s Global Credit portfolios alongside the development and implementation of global credit investment strategy. Ms. Rudebeck joined the Western Asset Ltd. in 2016 from Rogge Global Partners where she was a Senior Partner and Head of Global Investment-Grade Credit, working previously for J.P. Morgan Securities as a Credit Research Associate. Ms. Rudebeck graduated with a Masters in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics (with Honors) from the University of Cambridge. |
The sub-adviser to the Acquiring Fund is NBIA. NBIA is responsible for choosing the Fund’s investments and handling its day-to-day business as required by the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser, JNAM, and NBIA; however, certain services may be performed by affiliates of NBIA. NBIA carries out its duties subject to the policies established by the Board of Trustees. Together, NBIA and its affiliates (collectively, “Neuberger Berman”) continue an asset management history that began in 1939.
The following table describes the Acquiring Fund’s sub-adviser, portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s business experience. Information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of securities of the Acquiring Fund is available in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information.
| Neuberger Fund (Acquiring Fund) |
| Sub-Adviser & Portfolio Managers | Portfolio Managers’ Business Experience |
Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104 Portfolio Managers Thanos Bardas, PhD David M. Brown, CFA Ashok K. Bhatia, CFA Bradley C. Tank | Thanos Bardas, PhD, Managing Director, joined the firm in 1998. Mr. Bardas is the Global Co-Head of Investment Grade and serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager on Global Investment Grade and Multi-Sector Fixed income strategies. He sits on the firm’s Asset Allocation Committee and Fixed Income’s Investment Strategy Committee, and is a member of the Fixed Income Multi-Sector Group. Mr. Bardas also leads the Global Rates team in determining rates exposure across various portfolio strategies and oversees both inflation and LDI investments. He graduated with honors from Aristotle University, Greece, earned his MS from the University of Crete, Greece, and holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from State University of New York at Stony Brook. He holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses. David M. Brown, CFA, Managing Director, rejoined the firm in 2003. Dave is Global Co-Head of Investment Grade and acts as Senior Portfolio Manager on both Global Investment Grade and Multi-Sector Fixed Income strategies. He is a member of the Fixed Income Investment Strategy Committee and the Fixed Income Multi-Sector Group. Mr. Brown also leads the Investment Grade Credit team in determining credit exposures across both Global Investment Grade and Multi-Sector Fixed Income strategies. Mr. Brown initially joined the firm in 1991 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Government and subsequently received his MBA in Finance from Northwestern University. Prior to his return, he was a senior credit analyst at Zurich Scudder Investments and later a credit analyst and portfolio manager at Deerfield Capital. Mr. Brown has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. |
| Neuberger Fund (Acquiring Fund) |
| Sub-Adviser & Portfolio Managers | Portfolio Managers’ Business Experience |
| | Ashok K. Bhatia, CFA, Managing Director, joined the firm in 2017. Mr. Bhatia is the Co-Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income. He is a lead portfolio manager on multi-sector fixed income strategies and is also a member of the Multi-Asset Class portfolio management team, the Fixed Income Investment Strategy Committee and the firm’s Asset Allocation Committee. Previously, Mr. Bhatia has held senior investment and leadership positions in several asset management firms and hedge funds, including Wells Fargo Asset Management, Balyasny Asset Management, and Stark Investments. He has had investment responsibilities across global fixed income and currency markets. Mr. Bhatia began his career in 1993 as an investment analyst at Morgan Stanley. He received a BA with high honors in Economics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and an MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago. He has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Bradley C. Tank, Managing Director, joined the firm in 2002 and is the Co-Chief Investment Officer and Global Head of Fixed Income. He is a member of Neuberger Berman’s Operating, Investment Risk, Asset Allocation Committees and Fixed Income’s Investment Strategy Committee, and leads the Fixed Income Multi-Sector Group. From inception in 2008 through 2015, Mr. Tank was also Chief Investment Officer of Neuberger Berman’s Multi-Asset Class Investment business and remains an important member of that team along with the firm’s other CIOs. From 1990 to 2002, Mr. Tank was director of fixed income for Strong Capital Management in Wisconsin. He was also a member of the Office of the CEO and headed institutional and intermediary distribution. In 1997, he was named “Runner Up” for Morningstar Mutual Fund Manager of the Year. From 1982 to 1990, he was a vice president at Salomon Brothers in the government, mortgage and financial institutions areas. Mr. Tank earned a BBA and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. |
Additional Information
Classes of Shares
The Trust has adopted a multi-class plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act. Under the multi-class plan, the Funds have two classes of shares, Class A and Class I. As discussed in “Distribution Arrangements” below, the Class A shares of the Funds are subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee equal to 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares. Class I shares are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee. Under the multi-class structure, the Class A shares and Class I shares of the Funds represent interests in the same portfolio of securities and are substantially the same except for “class expenses.”
The expenses of the Funds are borne by each class of shares based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each Class, except that class expenses are allocated to the appropriate class. “Class expenses” include any distribution, administrative or service expense allocable to that class, pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan described below, and any other expenses that JNAM determines, subject to ratification or approval by the Board, to be properly allocable to that class, including: (i) printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing to the shareholders of a particular class (or Contract Owners funded by shares of such class) materials such as Prospectuses, shareholder reports and (ii) professional fees relating solely to one class.
Distribution Arrangements
Jackson National Life Distributors LLC (“JNLD” or the “Distributor”), 300 Innovation Drive, Franklin, Tennessee 37067, is the principal underwriter of the Funds of the Trust. JNLD is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Jackson. JNLD is responsible for promoting sales of each Fund’s shares. The Distributor also is the principal underwriter of the variable annuity insurance products issued by Jackson National and its subsidiaries. On behalf of the Funds, the Trust has adopted, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, an Amended and Restated Distribution Plan (“Plan”) with respect to the Class A shares of each Fund. The Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, must approve, at least annually, the continuation of the Plan. Under the Plan, each Fund pays a Rule 12b-1 fee to JNLD, as principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributed to Class A shares, as compensation for distribution, administrative or other service activities incurred by JNLD and its affiliates with respect to Class A shares. Class I shares are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. To the extent consistent with the Plan and applicable law, the Distributor may use the Rule 12b-1 fee to compensate broker-dealers, administrators, financial intermediaries or others for providing or assisting in providing distribution and related additional services.
The Distributor and/or an affiliate have the following relationships with one or more of the sub-advisers and/or their respective affiliates:
| ● | The Distributor receives payments from certain of the sub-advisers to assist in defraying the costs of certain promotional and marketing meetings in which those sub-advisers participate. The amounts paid depend on the nature of the meetings, the number of meetings attended, the costs expected to be incurred, and the level of the sub-adviser’s participation. |
| ● | The Distributor acts as distributor of variable insurance contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the Insurance Companies. The compensation consists of commissions, trail commissions, and other compensation or promotional incentives as described in the Prospectus or statement of additional information for the variable insurance contracts and variable life insurance policies. |
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Financial Intermediaries
Only Separate Accounts of the Insurance Companies and series, including fund of funds, of registered investment companies in which either or both of the Insurance Companies invest may purchase shares of the Funds. You may invest indirectly in the Funds through your purchase of a variable annuity or life insurance contract issued by Separate Accounts of the Insurance Companies that invests directly, or through a fund of funds, in these Funds. Any minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements and redemption procedures are governed by the applicable Separate Account through which you invest indirectly. If an investor invests in the Funds under a variable insurance contract or a plan that offers a variable insurance contract as a plan option through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a financial institution), the Funds and their related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and the salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Investment in Trust Shares
Shares of the Funds are presently offered only to Separate Accounts of the Insurance Companies to fund the benefits under certain Contracts, to non-qualified retirement plans, other regulated investment companies, other affiliated funds and to Jackson National. The Separate Accounts, through their various sub-accounts that invest in designated Funds, purchase the shares of the Funds at their net asset value (“NAV”) using premiums received on Contracts issued by the insurance company. Shares of the Funds are not available to the general public for direct purchase.
Purchases are effected at NAV next determined after the purchase order is received by JNAM as the Funds’ transfer agent in proper form. There is no sales charge.
The Funds are managed by sub-advisers, and for the Acquired Fund, sub-sub-advisers, who manage publicly available mutual funds that have similar names and investment objectives. While some of the Funds may be similar to or modeled after publicly available mutual funds, Contract Owners should understand that the Funds are not otherwise directly related to any publicly available mutual fund. Consequently, the investment performance of publicly available mutual funds and any corresponding Fund may differ substantially.
The price of each Fund’s shares is based on its NAV. The NAV of each Fund’s shares is generally determined by JNAM once each day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open (a “Business Day”) at the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday). However, consistent with legal requirements, calculation of each Fund’s NAV may be suspended on days determined by the Board during times of NYSE market closure, which may include times during which the SEC issues policies or protocols associated with such closure pursuant to Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. The NAV per share of each Fund is calculated by adding the value of all securities and other assets of a Fund, deducting its liabilities, and dividing by the number of shares outstanding. To the extent circumstances prevent the use of the primary calculation methodology previously described, the Adviser may use alternative methods to calculate the NAV. Generally, the value of exchange-listed or exchange-traded securities is based on their respective market prices, and fixed income securities are valued based on prices provided by an independent pricing service. Current NAV per share of the Fund’s classes may be obtained by calling 1-800-644-4565 (Jackson Customer Care).
Domestic fixed-income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the closing of the principal markets or market participants for those securities, which may be earlier than the NYSE close. Information that becomes known to the Funds or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not normally be used to retroactively adjust the price of a security or the NAV determined earlier that day.
The Board, on behalf of each Fund, has designated to the Adviser the responsibility for carrying out certain functions relating to the valuation of portfolio securities for the purpose of determining the NAV of each Fund. Further, the Board has designated JNAM as the Valuation Designee. As the Valuation Designee, the Adviser has established a valuation committee and adopted procedures and guidelines pursuant to which JNAM determines the “fair value” of a security for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be not reflective of market value. Under these procedures, the “fair value” of a security generally will be the amount, determined by JNAM in good faith, that the owner of such security might reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale.
JNAM has established a valuation committee to review fair value determinations pursuant to the Trust’s “Valuation Policies and Procedures” and “Valuation Guidelines.” The valuation committee will also review the value of restricted securities, securities and assets for which a current market price is not readily available, and securities and assets for which there is reason to believe that the most recent market price is not reflective of the market value (e.g., disorderly market transactions). In the event that the NYSE is closed unexpectedly or opens for trading but closes earlier than scheduled, the valuation committee will evaluate if trading activity on other U.S. exchanges and markets for equity securities is considered reflective of normal market activity. To the extent an NYSE closure is determined to be accompanied by a disruption of normal market activity, the valuation committee may utilize the time the NYSE closed for purposes of measuring and calculating the Funds’ NAVs. To the extent an NYSE closure is determined to not have resulted in a disruption of normal market activity, the valuation committee may utilize the time the NYSE was scheduled to close for purposes of measuring and calculating the Funds’ NAVs.
The Funds may invest in securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges and that trade on days when the Fund does not price its shares. As a result, a Fund’s NAV may change on days when shareholders are not able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares.
Because the calculation of a Fund’s NAV does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the closing prices of the majority of foreign portfolio securities used in the calculation, there exists a risk that the value of foreign portfolio securities will change after the close of the exchange on which they are traded, but before calculation of the Fund’s NAV (“time-zone arbitrage”). Accordingly, the Trust’s procedures for valuing of portfolio securities also authorize JNAM to determine the “fair value” of such foreign securities for purposes of calculating a Fund’s NAV. When fair valuing foreign equity securities, JNAM adjusts the closing prices of foreign portfolio equity securities based upon pricing models provided by an independent pricing service in order to reflect the “fair value” of such securities for purposes of determining a Fund’s NAV. Foreign equity securities traded in North America and South America may be fair valued utilizing international adjustment factors in response to local market holidays, exchange closures, or other events as deemed necessary in order to reflect the “fair value” of such securities for purposes of determining a Fund’s NAV. These procedures seek to minimize the opportunities for “time zone arbitrage” in Funds that invest all or substantial portions of their assets in foreign securities, thereby seeking to make those Funds significantly less attractive to “market timers” and other investors who might seek to profit from time zone arbitrage and seeking to reduce the potential for harm to other Fund investors resulting from such practices. However, these procedures may not completely eliminate opportunities for time zone arbitrage because it is not possible to predict in all circumstances whether post-closing events will have a significant impact on securities prices.
JNAM will “fair value” securities held by a Fund if it determines that a “significant event” has occurred. Under the Trust’s valuation procedures, a “significant event” affecting a single issuer might include, but is not limited to, an announcement by the issuer, a competitor, a creditor, a major holder of the issuer’s securities, a major customer or supplier, or a governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority relating to the issuer, the issuer’s products or services, or the issuer’s securities, and a “significant event” affecting multiple issuers might include, but is not limited to, a substantial price movement in other securities markets, an announcement by a governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority relating to securities markets, political or economic matters, or monetary or credit policies, a natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood or storm, or the outbreak of civil strife or military hostilities.
All investments in the Trust are credited to the shareholder’s account in the form of full and fractional shares of the designated Fund (rounded to the nearest 1/1000 of a share). The Trust does not issue share certificates.
“Market Timing” Policy
Fund shares may only be purchased by Separate Accounts of the Insurance Companies, the Insurance Companies themselves, non-qualified retirement plans and certain other regulated investment companies.
The interests of a Fund’s long-term shareholders may be adversely affected by certain short-term trading activity by other Contract Owners invested in the Separate Accounts. Such short-term trading activity, when excessive, has the potential to, among other things, compromise efficient portfolio management, generate transaction and other costs, and dilute the value of Fund shares held by long-term shareholders. This type of excessive short-term trading activity is referred to herein as “market timing.” The Funds are not intended to serve as vehicles for market timing. The Board has adopted policies and procedures with respect to market timing.
The Funds, directly and through its service providers, and the insurance company and qualified retirement plan service providers (collectively, “service providers”) take various steps designed to deter and curtail market timing with the cooperation of the Insurance Companies. For example, in the event of a round trip transfer, complete or partial redemptions by a shareholder from a sub-account investing in a Fund is permitted; however, once a complete or partial redemption has been made from a sub-account that invests in a Fund, through a sub-account transfer, shareholders will not be permitted to transfer any value back into that sub-account (and the corresponding Fund) within fifteen (15) calendar days of the redemption. The Funds will treat as short-term trading activity any transfer that is requested into a sub-account that was previously redeemed within the previous fifteen (15) calendar days, whether the transfer was requested by the shareholders or a third party authorized by the shareholder.
In addition to identifying any potentially disruptive trading activity, the Board has adopted a policy of “fair value” pricing to discourage investors from engaging in market timing or other excessive trading strategies for international Funds.
The “fair value” pricing policy applies to all Funds where a significant event (as described above) has occurred. The “fair value” pricing policy is described under “Investment in Trust Shares” above.
The policies and procedures described above are intended to deter and curtail market timing in the Funds. However, there can be no assurance that these policies, together with those of the Insurance Companies, and any other insurance company that may invest in the Funds in the future, will be totally effective in this regard. The Funds rely on the Insurance Companies to take the appropriate steps, including daily monitoring of separate account trading activity, to further deter market timing. If they are ineffective, the adverse consequences described above could occur.
A description of Jackson National’s anti-market timing policies and procedures can be found in the appropriate variable insurance contract Prospectus (the “Separate Account Prospectus”). The rights of the Separate Accounts to purchase and redeem shares of a Fund are not affected by any Fund’s anti-market timing policies if they are not in violation of the Separate Accounts’ anti-market timing policies and procedures.
Share Redemption
A Separate Account redeems shares of a Fund to make benefit or withdrawal payments under the terms of its Contracts. Redemptions typically are processed on any day on which the Trust and the NYSE are open for business and are effected at net asset value next determined after the redemption order is received by JNAM, the Fund’s transfer agent, in proper form.
The Trust may suspend the right of redemption only under the following circumstances:
| ● | When the NYSE is closed (other than weekends and holidays) or trading is restricted; |
| ● | When an emergency exists, making disposal of portfolio securities or the valuation of net assets not reasonably practicable; or |
| ● | During any period when the SEC has by order permitted a suspension of redemption for the protection of shareholders. |
The Funds typically expect that a Fund will hold cash or cash equivalents to meet redemption requests. The Funds may also use the proceeds of orders to purchase Fund shares or the proceeds from the sale of portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, if consistent with the management of each Fund. These redemption methods will be used regularly and may also be used in stressed market conditions. The Funds have in place a line of credit intended to provide short-term financing, if necessary, subject to certain conditions, in connection with stressed market conditions or atypical redemption activity. The Funds, pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC and a master Interfund Lending agreement, also have the ability to lend or borrow money for temporary purposes directly to or from one another.
In the case of a liquidity event, a Fund’s share price and/or returns may be negatively impacted. If a liquidity event occurs, JNAM will notify the Board of the liquidity event and take corrective action. Corrective action may include, among other things, use of the Fund’s line of credit or Interfund Lending Program.
Redemptions will generally be in the form of cash, although a Fund reserves the right to redeem in kind from another Fund. If a Fund redeems shares in kind from another Fund, it may bear transaction costs and will bear market risks until such time as such securities are converted to cash.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The Acquired Fund generally distributes most or all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, no less frequently than annually. The Acquiring Fund, which currently is and intends to continue to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a partnership, generally does not expect to make distributions of its net investment income and net realized capital gains.
The fact that the Acquiring Fund is, and intends to continue to be through the Closing Date of the Reorganization, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes provides a number of potential benefits to shareholders, including accelerated receipt of foreign tax reclaims under certain conditions, a potential increase in securities lending income, elimination of the risk that the Fund will fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under various tests imposed by the Code, and a reduction in the risk of operational and administrative errors as the complexity of the Fund’s tax accounting and financial reporting is reduced. The Insurance Companies receive benefits under the federal income tax laws with respect to tax deductions and credits as it relates to the tax structure of the Funds insofar as the Insurance Companies are entitled to receive the deduction and credit for any dividends received or foreign tax payments generated by each of the Fund’s investment portfolios because the Funds advised by JNAM are owned directly by the Insurance Companies’ separate accounts, by various funds of the Trust, which are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and by the Insurance Companies. As the Funds’ investment adviser, JNAM acts as a fiduciary for the benefit of the Funds’ ultimate shareholders (the variable annuity contract owners) and in no way seeks to maximize the dividends received deduction or foreign tax credits if there is a potential that it may detrimentally impact a shareholder or contract owner. Any additional benefits related to enhanced dividends received deduction or foreign tax credits to the Insurance Companies are not directly shared with the adviser, sub-advisers, Funds, shareholders, or contract owners; however, JNAM is responsible for monitoring that any benefit that the Insurance Companies receive from the tax structure of the Funds does not result in a detriment or have a harmful impact to the Funds, shareholders, or contract owners.
For each Fund, distributions other than in redemption of Fund shares, if any, are automatically reinvested at net asset value in shares of the distributing class of that Fund.
Tax Status
The Acquired Fund has elected and intends to continue to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a “regulated investment company” (also known as a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code through the Closing Date of the Reorganization. As a RIC, the Acquired Fund has and intends to continue to distribute all its net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders no less frequently than annually and, therefore, has not and does not expect to be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. The interests in the Acquired Fund are generally owned by one or more Separate Accounts that hold such interests pursuant to Contracts.
The Acquired Fund is treated as a corporation separate from the Trust for purposes of the Code. Therefore, the assets, income, and distributions of the Acquired Fund are considered separately for purposes of determining whether or not the Acquired Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC.
Because the shareholders of the Acquired Fund are Separate Accounts of variable insurance contracts, there are no tax consequences to those shareholders from buying, holding, exchanging and selling shares of the Acquired Fund, provided certain requirements are met. Distributions from the Acquired Fund are not taxable to those shareholders. However, owners of Contracts should consult the applicable Separate Account Prospectus for more detailed information on tax issues related to the Contracts.
The Acquired Fund currently complies and intends to continue to comply with the diversification requirements currently imposed by the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder, on separate accounts of insurance companies as a condition of maintaining the tax-advantaged status of the Contracts issued by Separate Accounts through the Closing Date of the Reorganization. The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, sub-advisory agreement, and sub-sub-advisory agreements require the Acquired Fund to be operated in compliance with these diversification requirements. The sub-adviser and sub-sub-advisers may depart from the investment strategy of the Acquired Fund only to the extent necessary to meet these diversification requirements.
The Acquiring Fund intends to continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Acquiring Fund Shares) to shareholders. The interests in the Acquiring Fund are generally owned by one or more Separate Accounts that hold such interests pursuant to Contracts, by various funds of the Trust, which are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and by Jackson National.
The Acquiring Fund is treated as a partnership separate from the Trust for purposes of the Code. Therefore, the assets, income, and distributions, if any, of the Acquiring Fund are considered separately for purposes of determining the tax classification of the Acquiring Fund.
Because the shareholders of the Acquiring Fund are Separate Accounts of variable insurance contracts, certain other partnerships, the owners of which are Separate Accounts, and Jackson National, there are no tax consequences to those shareholders from buying, holding, exchanging and selling shares of the Acquiring Fund. Distributions from the Acquiring Fund, if any, are not taxable to those shareholders. However, owners of Contracts should consult the applicable Separate Account Prospectus for more detailed information on tax issues related to the Contracts.
The Acquiring Fund currently complies and intends to continue to comply with the diversification requirements currently imposed by the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder, on separate accounts of insurance companies as a condition of maintaining the tax-advantaged status of the Contracts issued by Separate Accounts. The Investment Advisory and Management Agreement and sub-advisory agreement require the Acquiring Fund to be operated in compliance with these diversification requirements. The sub-adviser may depart from the investment strategy of the Acquiring Fund only to the extent necessary to meet these diversification requirements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund for the past five years or, if shorter, the period of the Fund’s operations. The following tables provide selected per share data for one share of each Fund. The total returns in the financial highlights table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions) held for the entire period. The information does not reflect any charges imposed under a Contract. If charges imposed under a variable contract were reflected, the returns would be lower. You should refer to the appropriate Contract prospectus regarding such charges. Following the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will be the accounting and performance survivor.
The annual information below has been derived from financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto, together with the report of KPMG LLP thereon, in the Trust’s Annual Report. The information for the period ended June 30, 2024 has not been audited. The unaudited interim financial statements as of June 30, 2024 reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented. Each Fund’s financial statements are included in the Trust’s Annual Report and Semi-Annual Financial Statements, which are available upon request.
JNL Series Trust – Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund
Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding
The information for the period ended June 30, 2024 has not been audited.
| | | | | Increase (decrease)
from
investment operations | | Distributions from | | | | | Supplemental data | | | | Ratios | | | |
Period
ended | Net asset value, beginning of period($) | Net investment income (loss)($) | Net realized & unrealized gains (losses)($) | Total from investment operations($) | | Net investment income($) | Net realized gains on investment transactions($) | Net asset value, end of period($) | Total return(%) | Net assets,
end of period
(in thousands)($) | Portfolio turnover (%) | | Net expenses to average net assets(%) | Total expenses to average net assets(%) | Net investment income (loss) to average net assets(%) | |
| | |
| JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (Western Asset Fund or Acquired Fund) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 06/30/24 | | 7.70 | | 0.20 | | (0.17) | | 0.03 | | | — | | — | | 7.73 | | 0.39 | | 358,074 | | 25 | | | 0.95 | | 0.97 | | 5.36 | | |
| 12/31/23 | | 7.09 | | 0.38 | | 0.23 | | 0.61 | | | — | | — | | 7.70 | | 8.60 | | 382,055 | | 21 | | | 0.98 | | 0.99 | | 5.26 | | |
| 12/31/22 | | 7.52 | | 0.29 | | (0.72) | | (0.43) | | | — | | — | | 7.09 | | (5.72) | | 403,442 | | 84 | | | 1.01 | | 1.01 | | 4.08 | | |
| 12/31/21 | | 7.86 | | 0.56 | | (0.90) | | (0.34) | | | — | | — | | 7.52 | | (4.33) | | 499,101 | | 36 | | | 1.07 | | 1.07 | | 7.27 | | |
| 12/31/20 | | 9.86 | | 0.34 | | (1.01) | | (0.67) | | | (1.33) | | — | | 7.86 | | (6.70) | | 545,200 | | 50 | | | 1.06 | | 1.06 | | 3.74 | | |
| 12/31/19 | | 10.80 | | 0.60 | | (0.50) | | 0.10 | | | (1.04) | | — | | 9.86 | | 1.05 | | 621,702 | | 45 | | | 1.02 | | 1.02 | | 5.59 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 06/30/24 | | 7.86 | | 0.22 | | (0.18) | | 0.04 | | | — | | — | | 7.90 | | 0.51 | | 4,454 | | 25 | | | 0.65 | | 0.67 | | 5.66 | | |
| 12/31/23 | | 7.21 | | 0.41 | | 0.24 | | 0.65 | | | — | | — | | 7.86 | | 9.02 | | 4,449 | | 21 | | | 0.68 | | 0.69 | | 5.57 | | |
| 12/31/22 | | 7.63 | | 0.32 | | (0.74) | | (0.42) | | | — | | — | | 7.21 | | (5.50) | | 4,087 | | 84 | | | 0.71 | | 0.71 | | 4.43 | | |
| 12/31/21 | | 7.95 | | 0.54 | | (0.86) | | (0.32) | | | — | | — | | 7.63 | | (4.03) | | 3,861 | | 36 | | | 0.77 | | 0.77 | | 6.92 | | |
| 12/31/20 | | 9.96 | | 0.39 | | (1.04) | | (0.65) | | | (1.36) | | — | | 7.95 | | (6.40) | | 55,503 | | 50 | | | 0.76 | | 0.76 | | 4.08 | | |
| 12/31/19 | | 10.90 | | 0.64 | | (0.50) | | 0.14 | | | (1.08) | | — | | 9.96 | | 1.39 | | 478,822 | | 45 | | | 0.72 | | 0.72 | | 5.86 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (Neuberger Fund or Acquiring Fund) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 06/30/24 | | 12.12 | | 0.30 | | (0.15) | | 0.15 | | | — | | — | | 12.27 | | 1.24 | | 607,837 | | 31 | (a) | | 0.94 | | 0.94 | | 4.99 | | |
| 12/31/23 | | 11.04 | | 0.54 | | 0.54 | | 1.08 | | | — | | — | | 12.12 | | 9.78 | | 618,751 | | 68 | (a) | | 0.94 | | 0.94 | | 4.76 | | |
| 12/31/22 | | 12.38 | | 0.39 | | (1.73) | | (1.34) | | | — | | — | | 11.04 | | (10.82) | | 562,041 | | 55 | (a) | | 0.94 | | 0.94 | | 3.42 | | |
| 12/31/21 | | 12.06 | | 0.31 | | 0.01 | | 0.32 | | | — | | — | | 12.38 | | 2.65 | | 705,176 | | 68 | (a) | | 0.93 | | 0.93 | | 2.53 | | |
| 12/31/20 | | 11.27 | | 0.31 | | 0.48 | | 0.79 | | | — | | — | | 12.06 | | 7.01 | | 638,226 | | 116 | (a) | | 0.94 | | 0.94 | | 2.76 | | |
| 12/31/19 | | 10.58 | | 0.34 | | 0.65 | | 0.99 | | | (0.30) | | — | | 11.27 | | 9.35 | | 670,622 | | 95 | (a) | | 0.94 | | 0.94 | | 3.03 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 06/30/24 | | 12.37 | | 0.33 | | (0.16) | | 0.17 | | | — | | — | | 12.54 | | 1.37 | | 77,897 | | 31 | (a) | | 0.64 | | 0.64 | | 5.29 | | |
| 12/31/23 | | 11.23 | | 0.59 | | 0.55 | | 1.14 | | | — | | — | | 12.37 | | 10.15 | | 79,998 | | 68 | (a) | | 0.64 | | 0.64 | | 5.06 | | |
| 12/31/22 | | 12.56 | | 0.43 | | (1.76) | | (1.33) | | | — | | — | | 11.23 | | (10.59) | | 83,256 | | 55 | (a) | | 0.64 | | 0.64 | | 3.69 | | |
| 12/31/21 | | 12.19 | | 0.35 | | 0.02 | | 0.37 | | | — | | — | | 12.56 | | 3.04 | | 166,937 | | 68 | (a) | | 0.63 | | 0.63 | | 2.84 | | |
| 12/31/20 | | 11.36 | | 0.35 | | 0.48 | | 0.83 | | | — | | — | | 12.19 | | 7.31 | | 169,051 | | 116 | (a) | | 0.64 | | 0.64 | | 3.07 | | |
| 12/31/19 | | 10.67 | | 0.36 | | 0.66 | | 1.02 | | | (0.33) | | — | | 11.36 | | 9.60 | | 220,007 | | 95 | (a) | | 0.64 | | 0.64 | | 3.19 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (a) | Portfolio turnover including dollar roll transactions for Neuberger Fund was 322%, 385%, 305%, 309%, 289%, and 117% in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
VOTING INFORMATION
The following information applies to the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund for which you are entitled to vote.
The Meeting
The Meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m., Eastern Time, on March 25, 2025, at 1 Corporate Way, Lansing, Michigan 48951, together with any adjournment thereof. The Meeting is being held to consider and vote on the Plan of Reorganization, which provides for the reorganization of the Western Asset Fund into the Neuberger Fund, and any other business that may properly come before the Meeting. Only shareholders of the Acquired Fund are entitled to vote on this matter.
A copy of the Plan of Reorganization is attached hereto as Appendix A of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
The Board fixed the close of business on January 31, 2025, as the Record Date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Quorum and Voting
The Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust, dated September 6, 2019 (the “By-Laws”), provide that except as otherwise provided by law, the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated June 1, 1994 and amended and restated on September 25, 2017 (the “Declaration of Trust”), or the By-Laws, the holders of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person, present by means of remote communication in a manner, if any, authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The presence of the Insurance Companies, through the presence of an authorized representative, constitutes a quorum. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.
The By-Laws further provide that shares may be voted in person or by proxy. A proxy with respect to shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to the exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving its invalidity shall rest on the challenger. At all meetings of Shareholders, unless inspectors of election have been appointed, all questions relating to the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the chairman of the meeting. Any person giving voting instructions may revoke them at any time prior to their exercise by submitting to the Secretary of the Trust a superseding voting instruction form or written notice of revocation. Voting instructions can be revoked until the Meeting date. Only the Contract Owner executing the voting instructions can revoke them. The Insurance Companies will vote the shares of the Fund in accordance with all properly executed and unrevoked voting instructions. Unless otherwise specified in the proxy, the proxy shall apply to all shares of the Fund owned by the Shareholder.
Required Vote
The vote of the “majority of the outstanding voting shares” of a Fund is required to approve the Proposal. The vote of the “majority of the outstanding voting shares” means the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at the Meeting if holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present in person or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Except as otherwise provided by law, if a Shareholder abstains from voting as to any matter, then the shares represented by such abstention will be treated as shares that are present at the Meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum. However, abstentions will not be counted as a vote cast on such proposal. The approval of the Proposal depends upon whether a sufficient number of votes are cast for the Proposal. Accordingly, an instruction to abstain from voting on any proposal has the same practical effect as an instruction to vote against the Proposal.
Contract Owner Voting Instructions
The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. Shares of the Trust currently are sold only to Separate Accounts of the Insurance Companies to fund the benefits of variable insurance contracts, to certain non-qualified employee benefit plans of Jackson National, or directly to the Insurance Companies. In addition, shares of the Trust are sold to certain funds of the Trust organized as funds-of-funds. Although the Insurance Companies legally own all of the shares of the Fund held in their respective Separate Accounts that relate to the Contracts, a portion of the value of each Contract is invested by the Insurance Companies, as provided in the Contract, in shares of one or more funds.
Contract Owners have the right under the interpretations of the 1940 Act to instruct the relevant Insurance Company how to vote the shares attributable to their Contract. Contract Owners at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of the Meeting and to instruct the relevant Insurance Company how to vote at the Meeting or any adjourned session. The Insurance Company will vote all such shares in accordance with the voting instructions timely given by the Contract Owners with assets invested in the Acquired Fund. Shares for which the Insurance Company receives a voting instruction card that is signed, dated, and timely returned but is not marked to indicate voting instructions will be treated as an instruction to vote the Shares in favor of the Proposal. Shares for which the Insurance Company receives no timely voting instructions from a Contract Owner will be voted by the applicable Insurance Company either for or against approval of the applicable Proposal, or as an abstention, in the same proportion as the Shares for which Contract Owners have provided voting instructions to the Insurance Company. The Insurance Companies and their affiliates will vote their own shares and shares held by other RICs in the same proportion as voting instructions timely given by Contract Owners. As a result, a small number of Contract Owners may determine the outcome of the vote.
Contract Owners may use the enclosed voting instructions form as a ballot to give their voting instructions for those shares attributable to their Contract as of the Record Date. The Insurance Companies have fixed the close of business on March 24, 2025, as the last day on which voting instructions will be accepted, other than those provided in person at the Meeting.
Proxy and Voting Instruction Solicitations
The Board is soliciting proxies from shareholders of the Acquired Fund. The Insurance Companies are the shareholders of record and are soliciting voting instructions from their Contract Owners as to how to vote at the Meeting. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, voting instructions may be solicited by letter, telephone or personal contact by officers or employees of the Trust, JNAM or officers or employees of the Insurance Companies.
JNAM, as the Trust’s administrator, has retained the services of Mediant, a BetaNXT business (“Mediant”), P.O. Box 8035, Cary, North Carolina 27512. Under the agreement between JNAM and Mediant, Mediant will provide proxy distribution, solicitation, and tabulation services (the “Services”). The anticipated cost of the Services to be provided by Mediant in connection with this proxy solicitation is approximately $29,387 and will be borne by JNAM whether or not the Reorganization is consummated.
The costs of printing and mailing of the Notice, this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and the accompanying voting instruction card, and the solicitation of Contract Owner voting instructions, will be paid by JNAM whether or not the Reorganization is consummated. The Trust does not expect to bear any significant expenses in connection with the Meeting or the solicitation of proxies and voting instructions.
Adjournments
Any authorized voting instructions will be valid for any adjournment of the Meeting. If the Trust receives an insufficient number of votes to approve the Proposal, the Meeting may be adjourned to permit the solicitation of additional votes. The Meeting may be adjourned by the chairperson of the Meeting from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place as determined by the chairperson of the Meeting for any reason, including failure of a Proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No Shareholder vote shall be required for any adjournment. No notice need be given that the Meeting has been adjourned other than by announcement at the Meeting. Any business that might have been transacted at the original Meeting may be transacted at any adjourned Meeting.
Revocation of Voting Instructions
Any person giving voting instructions may revoke them at any time prior to the Meeting by submitting to the Insurance Companies a superseding voting instruction form or written notice of revocation or by appearing and voting in person at the Meeting. Only the Contract Owner executing the voting instructions can revoke them. The Insurance Companies will vote the shares of the Acquired Fund in accordance with all properly executed and un-revoked voting instructions.
Outstanding Shares and Principal Shareholders
The Insurance Companies will vote on the Reorganization as instructed by their Contract Owners. [As of January 31, 2025, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund.]
Because the shares of the Funds are sold only to the separate accounts of the Insurance Companies, certain funds of the Trust organized as funds-of-funds, and certain non-qualified retirement plans, the Insurance Companies, through the Separate Accounts which hold shares in the Trust as funding vehicles for the Contracts and certain retirement plans, are the owners of record of substantially all of the shares of the Trust. In addition, Jackson National, through its general account, is the beneficial owner of shares in certain of the Funds, in some cases representing the initial capital contributed at the inception of a Fund, and in other cases representing investments made for other corporate purposes. The table below shows the number of outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund as of the Record Date that are entitled to vote at the Meeting.
| Fund | Total Number of Outstanding Shares |
| Western Asset Fund (Class A) | [To be Provided] |
| Western Asset Fund (Class I) | [To be Provided] |
As of the Record Date, January 31, 2025, the following person(s) owned 5% or more of the shares of the Acquired Fund either beneficially or of record:
| Western Asset Fund – Class A Shares |
| Contract Owner’s Name/Address | Percent Ownership of
Shares of the Fund | Percent Ownership of
Shares of the Combined Fund
(assuming the Reorganization occurs) |
| [To be Provided] | [To be Provided] | [To be Provided] |
| Western Asset Fund – Class I Shares |
| Contract Owner’s Name/Address | Percent Ownership of
Shares of the Fund | Percent Ownership of
Shares of the Combined Fund (assuming the Reorganization occurs) |
| [To be Provided] | [To be Provided] | [To be Provided] |
* * * * *
APPENDIX A
PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
JNL SERIES TRUST
JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund
JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund
This Plan of Reorganization has been entered into on April 25, 2025, by JNL SERIES TRUST (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust, on behalf of its JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) and its JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”).
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in accord with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company, and has established several separate series of shares (“funds”), with each fund having its own assets and investment policies;
WHEREAS, the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, has determined that participation in the transaction described herein is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the transaction described herein;
WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2.1 of the Trust’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated September 25, 2017 (the “Declaration of Trust”), authorizes the Board of Trustees to conduct the business of the Trust and carry on its operations; and
WHEREAS, the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, has approved the reorganization of the Acquired Fund with and into the Acquiring Fund (the “Reorganization”), subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, all the assets, liabilities, and interests of the Acquired Fund shall be transferred on the Closing Date to the Acquiring Fund, as described below; provided, however, that such transaction shall not occur unless and until this Plan of Reorganization shall have first been approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund as provided in Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act; and provided further that the Board of Trustees may terminate this Plan of Reorganization at or prior to the Closing Date:
| 1. | The Closing Date shall be April 25, 2025, or if the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund (each, an “Exchange”) is closed to trading or trading thereon is restricted, or trading or the reporting of trading on an Exchange or elsewhere is disrupted so that, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees, accurate appraisal of the value of either the Acquired Fund’s or the Acquiring Fund’s net assets and/or the net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund shares is impracticable, the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when such trading has been fully resumed and such reporting has been restored; |
| 2. | The obligations of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund to complete the transaction described herein shall be subject to receipt by the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund of an opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP dated on the Closing Date (which opinion will be subject to certain qualifications) satisfactory to both parties substantially to the effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, on the basis of the existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, current administrative rules, and court decisions, and assuming, among other assumptions, that the variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies funded by insurance company separate accounts that hold shares of the Funds (for purposes of this paragraph, each a “contract” and collectively, the “contracts”) and the insurance companies issuing the contracts are properly structured under Subchapter L of the Code, the Reorganization will not be a taxable event for contract owners (the “Tax Opinion”). The Tax Opinion will be based on certain factual certifications made by officers of the Trust, on behalf of each Fund and will also be based on reasonable assumptions. The Tax Opinion may state that it is not a guarantee that the tax consequences of the Reorganization will be as described above, and that there is no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service or a court would agree with the opinion. |
| 3. | On or before the Closing Date, and before effecting the Reorganization described herein, the Trust shall have received a satisfactory written opinion of legal counsel as to such transaction that the securities to be issued in connection with such transaction have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with this Plan of Reorganization, will have been validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund. |
| 4. | In exchange for all of its shares of the Acquired Fund, each shareholder of such Acquired Fund shall receive a number of shares, including fractional shares, of the corresponding share class of the Acquiring Fund equal in dollar value to the number of whole and fractional shares that such shareholder owns in such Acquired Fund. Each shareholder of such Acquired Fund shall thereupon become a shareholder of the Acquiring Fund. |
| 5. | For purposes of this transaction, the value of the shares of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund shall be determined as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Closing Date. Those valuations shall be made in the usual manner as provided in the relevant prospectus of the Trust. |
| 6. | Upon completion of the foregoing transaction (and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, within 24 months of the date hereof), the Acquired Fund shall be terminated and no further shares shall be issued by it. The classes of the Trust’s shares representing such Acquired Fund shall thereupon be closed and the shares previously authorized for those classes shall be reclassified by the Board of Trustees. The Trust’s Board of Trustees and management of the Trust shall take whatever actions may be necessary under Massachusetts law and the 1940 Act to effect the termination of the Acquired Fund. |
| 7. | The costs and expenses associated with the Reorganization relating to the solicitation of proxies, including preparing, filing, printing, and mailing of the proxy statement and related disclosure documents, and the costs and expenses related to the preparation of the tax opinion and obtaining a consent of independent registered public accounting firm will be borne by Jackson National Asset Management, LLC (“JNAM”) whether or not the Reorganization is consummated. No sales or other charges will be imposed on contract owners in connection with the Reorganization. The legal expenses associated with the Reorganization, including the legal fees incurred in connection with the analysis under the Code of the tax treatment of this transaction, will also be borne by JNAM. |
A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trustees as Trustees, and is not binding on any of the Trustees, officers, or shareholders of the Trust individually, but only binding on the assets and properties of the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, respectively.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust, on behalf of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund, has caused this Plan of Reorganization to be executed and attested in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois, on the date first written above.
| | JNL SERIES TRUST |
| | | |
| | By: | |
| | | Mark D. Nerud, Trustee, President, and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | |
| | Attest: | |
| | | Susan S. Rhee, Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary |
APPENDIX B
More Information on Strategies and Risk Factors
Acquired Fund
JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund
Class A
Class I
Investment Objective. The investment objective of the Fund is to maximize total return through income and capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus the amount of any borrowings made for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income instruments of varying maturities and quality across different industries and sectors of the fixed-income market.
The Fund invests in globally diversified fixed income securities and rotates portfolio allocations among global sectors, including, below-investment grade (i.e., high yield securities or “junk” bonds) and investment grade corporate securities located in the United States and in non-U.S. developed and emerging markets; obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, banks and corporations and foreign governments, banks and corporations of developed and emerging markets; mortgage- and asset-backed securities; bank loans, structured notes, contingent convertible securities, common stock and warrants held as part of a corporate action.
The Fund will invest at least 40% its assets, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30% of its assets, in securities of non-U.S. issuers. A corporate issuer is considered to be from the country where it is headquartered or incorporated, where the majority of its assets are located or where it generates the majority of its operating income. The Fund will allocate its assets among no less than three countries.
The Fund may invest a substantial portion of total assets in securities denominated in foreign currencies and in U.S. dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers. In addition, the Fund may hedge its exposure to foreign currency. Both long and short currency exposures are permissible.
The Fund may invest up to 70% of its assets in below investment grade securities (i.e., high yield securities or “junk” bonds) (“Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investment Service or the equivalent by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch, Inc./Fitch Ratings Ltd.). Mortgage- and asset-backed securities held by the Fund may include those backed by loans to subprime borrowers. An asset-backed security is a security backed by loans, leases, and other receivables. A mortgage-backed security is an interest in a pool of mortgage loans made by and packaged or “pooled” together by banks, mortgage lenders, various governmental agencies and other financial institutions for sale to investors to finance purchases of homes, commercial buildings and other real estate.
The average dollar-weighted effective duration of the Fund normally varies between zero and ten years. Duration measures the sensitivity of a fixed income security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a fixed income security’s duration, the more sensitive that security will be to changes in interest rates. Similarly, the longer the Fund’s dollar-weighted average duration, the more sensitive the Fund will be to interest rate changes than a fund with a shorter dollar-weighted average duration. Effective duration measures the price sensitivity of a bond or a bond fund to changes in interest rates taking into account embedded options and floating interest rates.
The Fund may use various types of derivative instruments for hedging and for investment purposes including, but not limited to, futures contracts and options on futures (including U.S. Treasury futures contracts and options on futures) to alter the duration of the Fund and increase potential returns; forward currency exchange contracts; currency futures and options thereon; interest rate swaps, floors and caps; and credit default swaps and currency swaps. The Fund may also use other types of derivative instruments, such as futures and options, contracts, forward contracts and swap agreements as a substitute for investing directly in an underlying asset, to increase returns, to manage market, foreign currency and/or duration or interest rate risk, or as part of a hedging strategy.
The Fund may invest its uninvested cash in high-quality, short-term debt securities, which may include repurchase agreements and high-quality money market instruments.
For purposes of satisfying the 80% requirement, the Fund may also invest in derivative instruments that have economic characteristics similar to the fixed-income instruments mentioned above.
The Fund is a “non-diversified” fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than “diversified” mutual funds.
The Fund may use any of the above currency techniques or other derivative transactions for the purposes of enhancing Fund returns, increasing liquidity, gaining exposure to particular instruments in more efficient or less expensive ways and/or hedging risks relating to changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and other market factors. By way of example, when the Sub-Adviser believes that the value of a particular foreign currency is expected to increase compared to the U.S. dollar, the Fund could enter into a forward contract to purchase that foreign currency at a future date. If at such future date the value of the foreign currency exceeds the then current amount of U.S. dollars to be paid by the Fund under the contract, the Fund will recognize a gain. When used for hedging purposes, a forward contract or other derivative instrument could be used to protect against possible declines in a currency’s value where a security held or to be purchased by the Fund is denominated in that currency, or it may be used to hedge the Fund’s position by entering into a transaction on another currency expected to perform similarly to the currency of the security held or to be purchased (a “proxy hedge”).
A currency forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific foreign currency at an agreed exchange rate (price) at a future date, which is typically individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers in the interbank market. A cross currency forward is a forward contract to sell a specific foreign currency in exchange for another foreign currency and may be used when the Fund believes that the price of one of those foreign currencies will experience a substantial movement against the other foreign currency. A cross currency forward will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to the currency that is sold, and add or increase exposure to the currency that is purchased, similar to when the Fund sells a security denominated in one currency and purchases a security denominated in another currency. When used for hedging purposes, a cross currency forward will protect the Fund against losses resulting from a decline in the hedged currency, but will cause the Fund to assume the risk of fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
A futures contract is a standard binding agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying instrument or asset, such as a specific security or currency, at a specified price at a specified later date that trade on an exchange. A “sale” of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the underlying instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A “purchase” of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to acquire the underlying instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchase or sale of a futures contract will allow the Fund to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying instrument or asset. Although most futures contracts by their terms require the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying instrument, some require cash settlement. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts that trade on U.S. and foreign exchanges. Swap agreements, such as interest rate and credit default swaps, are contracts between the Fund and, typically, a brokerage firm, bank, or other financial institution (the swap counterparty) for periods ranging from a few days to multiple years. In a basic swap transaction, the Fund agrees with its counterparty to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on a particular “notional amount” of underlying instruments. The notional amount is the set amount selected by the parties as the basis on which to calculate the obligations that they have agreed to exchange. The parties typically do not actually exchange the notional amount. Instead, they agree to exchange the returns that would be earned or realized if the notional amount were invested in given instruments or at given interest rates. For credit default swaps, the “buyer” of the credit default swap agreement is obligated to pay the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement in return for a payment by the “seller” that is contingent upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to an underlying reference debt obligation. As a “buyer” of the credit default swap, the Fund is purchasing the obligation of its counterparty to offset losses the Fund could experience if there was such a credit event. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to timely pay interest or principal, obligation acceleration, or modified restructuring of the reference debt obligation. The contingent payment by the seller generally is the face amount of the debt obligation in exchange for the physical delivery of the reference debt obligation or a cash payment equal to the then current market value of that debt obligation. The Fund may be a buyer of credit default swaps. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange interest rate obligations, generally one based on an interest rate fixed to maturity while the other is based on an interest rate that changes in accordance with changes in a designated benchmark (for example, SOFR, prime, commercial paper, or other benchmarks).
The Sub-Adviser considers various factors, such as availability and cost, in deciding whether to use a particular derivative instrument or strategy. Moreover, investors should bear in mind that the Fund is not obligated to actively engage in any derivative transactions.
The Fund also may invest a portion of its assets in corporate loans made to, or issued by, borrowers that are U.S. companies, foreign borrowers and U.S. subsidiaries of foreign borrowers and that typically have floating interest rates. Floating interest rates vary with and are periodically adjusted to a generally recognized base interest rate such as SOFR or the Prime Rate.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed. As with any mutual fund, the value of the Fund’s shares will change, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The following descriptions of the principal risks do not provide any assurance either of the Fund’s investment in any particular type of security, or assurance of the Fund’s success in its investment selections, techniques and risk assessments. As a managed portfolio, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective for a variety of reasons including changes in the financial condition of issuers (due to such factors as management performance, reduced demand or overall market changes), fluctuations in the financial markets, declines in overall securities prices, or the Sub-Adviser’s investment techniques otherwise failing to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The principal risks of investing in the Fund include:
| ● | Emerging markets and less developed countries risk |
| ● | Currency management strategies risk |
| ● | Foreign exchange and currency derivatives trading risk |
| ● | High-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities risk |
| ● | Investment strategy risk |
| ● | Asset-based securities risk |
| ● | Mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities risk |
| ● | Banking industry investment risk |
| ● | Commercial mortgage-backed securities risk |
| ● | Corporate loan, sovereign entity loan, and bank loan risk |
| ● | Debt securities ratings risk |
| ● | European investment risk |
| ● | Forward and futures contract risk |
| ● | Government regulatory risk |
| ● | Hedging instruments risk |
| ● | Latin America concentration risk |
| ● | Speculative exposure risk |
| ● | U.S. Government securities risk |
| ● | Convertible securities risk |
| ● | Contingent convertible securities risk |
| ● | Investment in money market funds risk |
| ● | Non-diversification risk |
Please see the “Glossary of Risks” section at the end of Appendix B for a description of these risks. There may be other risks that are not listed in this Prospectus that could cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decline and that could prevent the Fund from achieving its stated investment objective. This Prospectus does not describe all of the risks of every technique, investment strategy or temporary defensive position that the Fund may use. For additional information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please refer to the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Additional Information About the Other Investment Strategies, Other Investments and Risks of the Fund (Other than Principal Strategies/Risks). There may be additional risks that may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its stated investment objective. Those additional risks are:
| ● | Asia ex-Japan concentration risk |
| ● | China and India country specific risk |
| ● | Collateralized debt obligations risk |
| ● | Consumer discretionary risk |
| ● | Currency transaction risk |
| ● | Forward foreign currency exchange contracts risk |
| ● | Frontier market countries risk |
| ● | Investing in China A Shares risk |
| ● | Investing through Stock Connect risk |
| ● | Investment in other investment companies risk |
| ● | Investments in IPOs risk |
| ● | Large-capitalization investing risk |
| ● | Mezzanine securities risk |
| ● | Mid-capitalization investing risk |
| ● | Non-hedging foreign currency trading risk |
| ● | Pacific Rim investing risk |
| ● | Rule 144A securities risk |
| ● | Structured investments risk |
| ● | TIPS and inflation-linked bonds risk |
Please see the “Glossary of Risks” section at the end of Appendix B for a description of these risks.
In addition, the performance of the Fund depends on the Sub-Adviser’s and Sub-Sub-Adviser’s abilities to effectively implement the investment strategies of the Fund.
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information has more information about the Fund’s authorized investments and strategies, as well as the risks and restrictions that may apply to it.
Acquiring Fund
JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund
Class A
Class I
Investment Objective. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek high current income with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies. To pursue its investment objective, the Fund invests primarily in a diversified mix of fixed rate and floating rate debt securities. The Fund’s investments may include securities issued by domestic and foreign governments, corporate entities, and trust structures. The Fund may invest in a broad array of securities, including: securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities; corporate bonds; commercial paper; currencies and non-U.S. securities; mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities; and loans. Securities in which the Fund may invest may be structured as fixed rate debt; floating rate debt; and debt that may not pay interest at the time of issuance.
While the Fund may invest in debt securities across the credit spectrum, including investment grade securities, below investment grade securities (“high yield bonds,” commonly called “junk bonds”) and unrated securities, under normal market conditions the Fund seeks to maintain a portfolio with an average credit quality of investment grade. The Fund may invest without limit in below investment grade securities. The Fund considers debt securities to be below investment grade if, at the time of investment, they are rated below the four highest categories by at least one independent credit rating agency or, if unrated, are deemed by the Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“NBIA” or “Sub-Adviser”) to be of comparable quality. The Fund does not normally invest in or continue to hold securities that are in default or have defaulted with respect to the payment of interest or repayment of principal, but may do so depending on market conditions. The Fund may invest in securities whose ratings imply an imminent risk of default with respect to such payments.
The Fund may also invest without limit in derivative instruments as a means of hedging risk and/or for investment purposes, which may include altering the Fund’s exposure to interest rates, sectors and individual issuers. These derivative instruments may include, but are not limited to, futures, forward foreign currency contracts, and swaps, such as total return swaps, credit default swaps and interest rate swaps.
The Fund may also invest without limit in foreign securities, but normally will not invest more than 50% of its total assets at the time of investment in obligations of issuers in emerging market countries. The Fund considers emerging market countries to be countries included in the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index - Global Diversified, the JPMorgan Corporate Emerging Markets Bond Index - Diversified, the JPMorgan Emerging Local Markets Index or the JPMorgan Government Bond Index - Emerging Markets Global Diversified, as well as those countries which are not defined as a High Income Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member country by the World Bank.
Additionally, the Fund may invest in tender option bonds (which include inverse floaters created as part of tender option bond transactions), convertible securities, restricted securities, and preferred securities. The Fund may also engage in when-issued and forward-settling securities (such as to-be-announced (“TBA”) mortgage-backed securities), which involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase securities that will be issued or settled at a later date. The Fund may enter into a TBA agreement and “roll over” such agreement prior to the settlement date by selling the obligation to purchase the securities set forth in the agreement and entering into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may also hold short-term securities, including cash equivalents and other debt obligations.
The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity and while the Fund does not have a target average duration, under normal market conditions the Sub-Adviser anticipates that the Fund’s average duration will be between two and eight years.
In an effort to achieve its investment objective, the Fund may engage in active and frequent trading.
The Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, money market funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds, including affiliated investment companies.
Investment Philosophy and Process. The Sub-Adviser’s investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that positive results can be achieved through a consistently applied, risk-managed approach to portfolio management that leverages the unique strengths of its proprietary fundamental research capabilities, decision-making frameworks, and quantitative risk management tools. The Sub-Adviser employs an integrated investment process in managing the Fund.
| ● | Portfolio Strategy: The Global Investment Strategy Team, which consists of the portfolio management team and other senior investment professionals, establishes the investment profile for the Fund, which its monitors on an ongoing basis, including exposures to sectors (such as government, structured debt, credit, etc.) and duration/yield curve positioning, utilizing internally generated data that are produced by specialty sector investment teams in conjunction with asset allocation tools. |
| ● | Strategy Implementation: Once the Global Investment Strategy Team establishes the investment profile for the Fund, the research teams and the portfolio management team determine industry/sub-sector weightings and make securities selections within the types of securities that the Fund can purchase, such as investment grade securities, below investment grade securities, emerging market securities and non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. |
When assessing the worth of a particular security, the team utilizes internally generated research and proprietary quantitatively driven tools and frameworks to a) establish an internal outlook, b) evaluate the market’s outlook as it is reflected in asset prices, and c) contrast the two.
The teams will generally purchase securities if their internal outlook suggests a security is undervalued by the market and sell securities if their internal outlook suggests a security is overvalued by the market. The goal is to identify and evaluate investment opportunities that other may have missed.
Alongside other factors, the Sub-Adviser may consider environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors that, depending on the facts and circumstances, are material to the value of an issuer or instrument. Consideration of ESG factors and risks is only one component of the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of eligible investments and may not be a determinative factor in the Sub-Adviser’s final decision on whether to invest in a security. In addition, the weight given to ESG factors may vary across types of investments, industries, regions and issuers, and ESG factors and weights considered may change over time. The Sub-Adviser may not assess every investment for ESG factors, and, when it does, not every ESG factor may be identified or evaluated.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed. As with any mutual fund, the value of the Fund’s shares will change, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The following descriptions of the principal risks do not provide any assurance either of the Fund’s investment in any particular type of security, or assurance of the Fund’s success in its investment selections, techniques and risk assessments. As a managed portfolio, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective for a variety of reasons including changes in the financial condition of issuers (due to such factors as management performance, reduced demand or overall market changes), fluctuations in the financial markets, declines in overall securities prices, or the Sub-Adviser’s investment techniques otherwise failing to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The principal risks of investing in the Fund include:
| ● | Corporate loan, sovereign entity loan, and bank loan risk |
| ● | Currency transaction risk |
| ● | Debt securities ratings risk |
| ● | Distressed securities risk |
| ● | Emerging markets and less developed countries risk |
| ● | Exchange-traded funds investing risk |
| ● | High-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities risk |
| ● | Investment in money market funds risk |
| ● | Investment in other investment companies risk |
| ● | Mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities risk |
| ● | Private placement and other restricted securities risk |
| ● | Restricted securities risk |
| ● | Structured investments risk |
| ● | Tender option bonds and related securities risk |
| ● | TIPS and inflation-linked bonds risk |
| ● | U.S. Government securities risk |
| ● | When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments risk |
Please see the “Glossary of Risks” section at the end of Appendix B for a description of these risks. There may be other risks that are not listed in this Prospectus that could cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decline and that could prevent the Fund from achieving its stated investment objective. This Prospectus does not describe all of the risks of every technique, investment strategy or temporary defensive position that the Fund may use. For additional information regarding the risks of investing in the Fund, please refer to the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Additional Information About the Other Investment Strategies, Other Investments and Risks of the Fund (Other than Principal Strategies/Risks). There may be additional risks that may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its stated investment objective. Those additional risks are:
| ● | Inflation-indexed securities risk |
| ● | Investment strategy risk |
| ● | Latin America concentration risk |
| ● | Regulatory investment limits risk |
| ● | Temporary defensive positions and large cash positions risk |
Please see the “Glossary of Risks” section at the end of Appendix B for a description of these risks.
In addition, the performance of the Fund depends on the Sub-Adviser’s abilities to effectively implement the investment strategies of the Fund.
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information has more information about the Fund’s authorized investments and strategies, as well as the risks and restrictions that may apply to it.
Glossary of Risks
Allocation risk – The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon the investment manager’s analysis of such factors as macroeconomic trends, outlooks for various industries and asset class valuations and investment manager’s ability to select an appropriate mix of asset classes. The Fund is subject to the risk of changes in market, investment, and economic conditions, as well as the selection and percentages of allocations.
Asia ex-Japan concentration risk – If a Fund concentrates its investments within Asia ex-Japan countries, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political and economic conditions within Asian countries, excluding Japan, and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Many Asian economies are generally characterized by over-extension of credit, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations and restrictions, rising unemployment, rapid fluctuations in inflation, reliance on exports, geopolitical and territorial issues, currency fluctuations, less developed legal systems and less efficient markets. Adverse developments in one country can affect the entire region. Numerous elements of the auditing and reporting standards may not provide the same shareholder protection or information as those in developed countries.
Some developing Asian countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities, such as the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain required governmental approvals, to the extent necessary, in a timely manner. In addition, changes to restrictions on foreign ownership of securities subsequent to the Fund’s purchase of such securities may have an adverse effect on the value of such shares. Certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests.
Asian investment risk – Investing in Asia involves many of the same risks as investing in foreign securities. In addition, since Asia includes both developed and emerging markets, investments by the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in such markets. Performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Asia and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds.
Asset-based securities risk – Asset-based securities are typically fixed-income securities whose value is related to the market price of certain commodities, interests, and other items, such as precious metals, as well as other assets, such as credit card receivables. Although the market price of these securities is expected to follow the market price of the related assets, there may not be perfect correlation. There are special risks associated with certain types of assets that will also affect the value of asset-based securities related to those assets. For an example of such special risks, please refer to “Sector risk - Precious metals-related securities risk.”
Banking industry investment risk – Investment in securities issued by banks may be affected by factors influencing the health and performance of the banking industry. These factors may include, among others, economic trends, industry competition and governmental actions, as well as factors affecting the financial stability of borrowers. Bank securities typically are not insured by the U.S. Government, foreign governments, or their agencies. Bank securities that do not represent deposits have lower priority in the bank’s capital structure than those securities comprised of deposits. This lower priority means that, in the event of insolvency of the bank that issued the security, the security could become worth less than the Fund paid for it.
Call risk – Call risk is the risk that, during a period of falling interest rates, the issuer may redeem a security by repaying it early, which may reduce the Fund’s income if the proceeds are reinvested at lower interest rates.
China risk – The value of a Fund’s investments in Chinese securities will be impacted by the economic, political, diplomatic, and social conditions within China. China is generally considered an emerging market country and investments in Chinese securities carry the risks associated with emerging markets, as well as risks particular to the region. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability. The economies, industries, and securities and currency markets of China may be adversely affected by slow economic activity worldwide, protectionist trade policies, dependence on exports and international trade, currency devaluations and other currency exchange rate fluctuations, restrictions on monetary repatriation, increasing competition from Asia’s low-cost emerging economies, environmental events and natural disasters that may occur in China, and military conflicts either in response to social unrest or with other countries. In addition, the tax laws and regulations in mainland China are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Over the last few decades, the Chinese government has undertaken reform of economic and market practices and has expanded the sphere of private ownership of property in China. However, Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. The Chinese securities markets are subject to more frequent trading halts and low trading volume, resulting in substantially less liquidity and greater price volatility. Investments in Chinese issuers may be subject to the risk of expropriation and nationalization. The Chinese government may also impose capital controls, which could adversely affect a Fund, its ability to repatriate its investments and the value of the Fund’s investments. In addition, the Chinese government may intervene in currency markets, which could cause its currency, and therefore the value of the Fund’s investments in China, to depreciate. The Chinese economy is heavily reliant upon trade and export growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services; further increases in trade restrictions, such as those resulting from the US-China trade dispute, or even the threat thereof; or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may negatively affect the Chinese economy and its issuers.
On June 2, 2021, an Executive Order (the “Order”) was issued prohibiting investment activity by U.S. persons, in relation to certain companies determined by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Secretary of Defense to (i) be operating or have been previously operating in the defense and related material sector or the surveillance technology sector (collectively, “Defense Sectors”) of the economy of China; or (ii) own or control, or to be owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, a person or entity who operates or has operated in any of the Defense Sectors (each, a “Chinese Military Company,” and together, the “Chinese Military Companies”). The Order supersedes similar executive orders previously issued on November 12, 2020 and January 13, 2021 related to investments in “Communist Chinese Military Companies.”
Chinese Military Companies are designated to the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List (“Non-SDN CMIC List”) administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Non-SDN CMIC List may change from time to time. Beginning 60 days after an entity is newly-designated as a Chinese Military Company, all transactions in public securities, or any securities that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to such securities, of any of the Chinese Military Companies (the “Covered Securities”) are prohibited, with the exception of a 365-day allowance to divest Covered Securities.
A Fund’s holding of Covered Securities may adversely impact a Fund’s performance. The extent of any impact will depend on future developments, including a Fund’s ability to sell Covered Securities, the valuation of Covered Securities, further modifications to the Order, the issuance of additional or different interpretive guidance regarding compliance with the Order, and the duration of the Order, all of which are highly uncertain.
China and India country specific risks – Investments in equity and equity-related securities in the Greater China region and India will expose the Fund to that country’s market, currency, and other risks, including volatility and structural risks. Government reforms and the move to capitalism may not positively impact the economies of either country. Stable economic growth may be hampered by a number of factors, including burdensome regulatory requirements, inflation, poor allocation of resources and the reinvestment of capital, government price controls and capital restrictions, currency fluctuations, and social instability. As a result, investments in the Greater China region and India may be volatile.
Collateralized debt obligations risk – Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) are subject to credit, interest rate, valuation, prepayment and extension risks. In addition, CDOs carry additional risks including but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from the collateral will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the collateral may default or decline in value or be downgraded, if rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; (v) the investment returns achieved by the Fund could be significantly different than those predicted by financial models; (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CDOs; (vii) risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults such as coverage test failures; and (viii) the CDO’s manager may perform poorly.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities risk – Commercial mortgage-backed securities include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real property. Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans. These risks reflect the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed securities may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.
Commodity risk – Commodity prices can be extremely volatile and may be directly or indirectly affected by many factors, including changes in overall market movements, real or perceived inflationary trends, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates, population growth and changing demographics, war, and factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, or other weather conditions, livestock disease, trade embargoes, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, insufficient storage capacity, fluctuations in supply and demand, tariffs, and international regulatory, political, and economic developments (e.g., regime changes and changes in economic activity levels). In addition, some commodities are subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors, and others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials.
Actions of and changes in governments, and political and economic instability, in commodity-producing and commodity-exporting countries may affect the production and marketing of commodities. In addition, commodity-related industries throughout the world are subject to greater political, environmental, and other governmental regulation than many other industries. Changes in government policies and the need for regulatory approvals may adversely affect the products and services of companies in the commodities industries. The effect of future regulations affecting commodity-related industries cannot be predicted. Because of a Fund’s exposure to the commodities market, the value of the Fund may decline and fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner.
Company risk – Investments in U.S. and foreign-traded equity securities may fluctuate more than the values of other types of securities in response to changes in a particular company’s financial condition. The value of the Fund’s investment may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of an individual foreign or domestic company/issuer in the Fund’s portfolio. The value of an individual foreign or domestic company can be more volatile than the market as a whole.
Concentration risk – The Fund may concentrate its investments in certain securities. To the extent that the Fund focuses on particular countries, regions, industries, sectors, issuers, types of investment or limited number of securities from time to time, including (if applicable) as a result of its investment objective to track the performance of an index, the Fund may be subject to greater risks of adverse economic, business or political developments in such areas of focus than a fund that invests in a wider variety of countries, regions, industries, sectors or investments.
Industry
Companies within an industry are often faced with the same economic conditions, government regulations, availability of basic resources or supplies, or other events that affect that industry, and their stock may react similarly and move in unison with these and other market conditions. As a result, stocks within a certain industry in which the Fund invests may be more volatile, and carry greater risk of adverse developments affecting many of the Fund’s holdings, than a mixture of stocks of companies from a wide variety of industries.
Geographic
To the extent that the Fund has a significant level of investment in issuers in particular countries or regions, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political and economic conditions within those countries or regions and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The economies and financial markets of certain regions can be highly interdependent and may decline all at the same time. In addition, certain regions are prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, droughts or tsunamis and are economically sensitive to environmental events. Such events may have a negative impact on the value of the Fund’s investments in those regions.
Security
The Fund’s portfolio may invest in a limited number of securities. As compared to other Funds, this could subject the Fund to additional risk if one of the portfolio securities declines in price, or if certain sectors of the market experience a downturn. It may take additional time to sell all or part of a Fund’s investment in a particular security, and consequently, concentrating portfolio investments may also limit the ability of the Fund to take advantage of other investment opportunities.
Consumer discretionary risk – An investment in issuers in the consumer discretionary sector of the market may be more affected by events influencing the consumer discretionary sector than a fund that is more diversified across numerous sectors. An investment in issuers in the consumer discretionary sector can be significantly affected by the performance of the overall economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success of these companies can depend heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes can also affect the demand for, and success of, products of consumer discretionary companies.
Contingent convertible securities risk - Contingent convertible securities (“CoCos”) are a form of hybrid fixed-income instrument. They are subordinated instruments that are designed to behave like bonds or preferred equity in times of economic health for the issuer, yet absorb losses when a pre-determined “trigger event” affecting the issuer occurs. CoCos are either convertible into equity at a predetermined share price or written down if a pre-specified trigger event occurs (in certain circumstances, the value may be written down to zero). Trigger events vary by individual security and are defined by the documents governing the contingent convertible security. The triggers are generally linked to regulatory capital thresholds or regulatory actions calling into question the issuing banking institution’s continued viability as a going-concern. CoCos’ unique equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuing banking institution and its regulatory requirements. Some additional risks associated with CoCos include, but are not limited to:
| ● | Loss absorption risk. CoCos have fully discretionary coupons. This means coupons can potentially be cancelled at the banking institution’s discretion or at the request of the relevant regulatory authority in order to help the bank absorb losses. |
| ● | Subordinated instruments. CoCos will, in the majority of circumstances, be issued in the form of subordinated debt instruments in order to provide the appropriate regulatory capital treatment prior to a conversion. Accordingly, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of an issuer prior to a conversion having occurred, the rights and claims of the holders of the CoCos, such as the Funds, against the issuer in respect of or arising under the terms of the CoCos shall generally rank junior to the claims of all holders of unsubordinated obligations of the issuer. In addition, if the CoCos are converted into the issuer’s underlying equity securities following a conversion event (i.e., a “trigger”), each holder will be subordinated due to their conversion from being the holder of a debt instrument to being the holder of an equity instrument. |
| ● | Market value will fluctuate based on unpredictable factors. The value of CoCos is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors including, without limitation: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for the CoCos; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general. |
Convertible securities risk – Convertible securities have investment characteristics of both equity and debt securities. Investments in convertible securities may be subject to market risk, credit and counterparty risk, interest rate risk and other risks associated with investments in equity and debt securities, depending on the price of the underlying security and the conversion price. While equity securities may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities, they generally have higher volatility. A convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer-specific risks that apply to the underlying common stock, since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted. In addition, because companies that issue convertible securities are often small- or mid-capitalization companies, to the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities, it will be subject to the risks of investing in these companies.
The value of convertible and debt securities may fall when interest rates rise. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Convertible securities normally are “junior” securities, which means that an issuer usually must pay interest on its non-convertible debt before it can make payments on its convertible securities. If an issuer stops making interest or principal payments, these securities may become worthless and the Fund could lose its entire investment. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities may be paid before the company’s common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. Due to their hybrid nature, convertible securities are typically more sensitive to changes in interest rates than the underlying common stock, but less sensitive than a fixed rate corporate bond.
Corporate loan, sovereign entity loan, and bank loan risk – Commercial banks, sovereign entities, and other financial institutions or institutional investors make corporate loans to companies or sovereign entities that need capital to grow, restructure, or for infrastructure projects. These instruments are commonly referred to as “loans” or “bank loans.” Borrowers generally pay interest on corporate loans at “floating” rates that change in response to changes in market interest rates such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or the prime rates of U.S. banks. As a result, the value of such loan investments is generally less exposed to the adverse effects of interest rate fluctuations than investments that pay a fixed rate of interest. However, the market for certain loans may not be sufficiently liquid, and the Fund may have difficulty selling such securities. It may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. As a result, sale proceeds related to the sale of loans may not be available to make additional investments until a substantial period after the sale of the loans. Certain loans may be classified as “illiquid” securities.
Due to restrictions on transfers in loan agreements and the nature of private syndication of loans, some loans are not as easily purchased or sold as publicly traded securities. Some loans are illiquid, which may make it difficult for the Fund to value them or dispose of them at the price at which the Fund has valued the loan. In addition, compared to public securities, purchases and sales of loans generally take longer to settle. To the extent the extended loan settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, such as the need to satisfy redemption requests, the Fund may hold cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow to meet its short-term liquidity needs. Additionally, because a loan may not be considered a security, the Fund may not be afforded the same legal protections afforded securities under federal securities laws. Thus, the Fund must rely on contractual provisions in the loan agreement and common-law fraud protections under applicable state law.
Bank loans may not be considered securities under the federal securities laws and accordingly, may offer less legal protection in the event of fraud or misrepresentation in connection with the purchase or sale of such instruments. Instead, lenders generally rely on the contractual provisions in the loan agreement itself, and common-law fraud protections under applicable state law.
Bank loans usually have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. If a borrower prepays a loan, the Fund will have to reinvest the proceeds in other loans or financial assets that may pay lower rates of return.
A Sub-Adviser may take steps to ensure that it does not receive material nonpublic information about the issuers of loans who also issue (directly or through a related entity) publicly traded securities. In that circumstance, a Sub-Adviser may have less information than other investors about certain of the loans in which it invests or seeks to invest. This may place the Fund at a disadvantage relative to other investors in loans.
A lead bank or other financial institution will often act as agent for all holders of a particular corporate loan. The agent administers the terms of the loan, as specified in the loan agreement. Unless a holder of the corporate loan, such as the Fund, has direct recourse against the borrower, the holder may have to rely on the agent to apply appropriate credit remedies against a borrower under the terms of the loan or other indebtedness. The agent may also be responsible for distributing income from the corporate loan and, as a result, holders of the loan might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on the loan and could suffer a loss of principal or interest. In addition, investments in corporate loans may expose the holders of the corporate loan, including the Fund, to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. In the event of the insolvency of an agent bank, a corporate loan could be subject to settlement risk, as well as the risk of interruptions in the administrative duties performed in the day-to-day administration of the loan (such as processing interest rate calculations and processing draws).
Certain corporate loans may be issued in connection with highly leveraged transactions, including leveraged buyout loans, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. Leveraged buyout loans are subject to greater credit risks than other investments including a greater possibility that the borrower may default or enter bankruptcy.
Some loans may be “covenant lite” loans which do not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached.
If a Fund invests in a loan via participation, the Fund will be exposed to the ongoing counterparty risk of the entity providing exposure to the loan (and in certain circumstances, such entity’s credit risk) in addition to the exposure the Fund has to the creditworthiness of the borrower.
Counterparty risk – Transactions involving a counterparty are subject to the credit risk of the counterparty. A Fund that enters into contracts with counterparties, such as repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements or derivatives contracts, or that lends its securities, runs the risk that the counterparty will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, files for bankruptcy, or otherwise experiences a business interruption, the Fund could suffer losses, including monetary losses, miss investment opportunities or be forced to hold investments it would prefer to sell. Counterparty risk is heightened during unusually adverse market conditions.
Participants in OTC derivatives markets typically are not subject to the same level of credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as are members of exchange-based markets, and, therefore, OTC derivatives generally expose a Fund to greater counterparty risk than exchange-traded or cleared derivatives. A Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a derivative in accordance with its terms because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem. If a counterparty’s obligation to a Fund is not collateralized, then the Fund is essentially an unsecured creditor of the counterparty. If a counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but the Fund may be delayed and/or unable to enforce them, which may cause the Fund to suffer a loss. Counterparty risk is greater for derivatives with longer maturities because there is more time for events to occur that may prevent settlement. Counterparty risk also is greater when a Fund has concentrated its derivatives with a single or small group of counterparties. Counterparty risk still exists even if a counterparty’s obligations are secured by collateral because, for example, the Fund’s interest in the collateral may not be perfected or additional collateral may not be promptly posted as required.
A Fund also is subject to counterparty risk because it executes its securities transactions through brokers and dealers. If a broker or dealer fails to meet its contractual obligations, goes bankrupt, or otherwise experiences a business interruption, the Fund could miss investment opportunities or be unable to dispose of investments it would prefer to sell, resulting in losses for the Fund.
Counterparty risk with respect to derivatives will be affected by rules and regulations affecting the derivatives market. Some derivatives transactions (including futures, options on futures and certain swaps) are required to be centrally cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivatives transaction. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is obligated by contract and by applicable regulation to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing member from its customers with respect to cleared derivatives are generally held by the clearing member on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing member may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. Therefore, a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of a Fund’s clearing member because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing member’s customers for a relevant account class. Also, the clearing member is required to transfer to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house for cleared derivatives, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the clearing member. Regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing house that is attributable to each customer. However, if the clearing member does not accurately report a Fund’s initial margin, the Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing house will use the Fund’s assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing house to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing house. In addition, clearing members generally provide the clearing house the net amount of variation margin required for cleared derivatives for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than individually for each customer. A Fund is therefore subject to the risk that a clearing house will not make variation margin payments owed to the Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default, and the risk that the Fund will be required to provide additional variation margin to the clearing house before the clearing house will move the Fund’s cleared derivatives transactions to another clearing member. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with the applicable regulations or its agreement with a Fund, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, the Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member.
Also, under new special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and various other jurisdictions, the possibility exists that the Funds’ ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated in the event of a counterparty’s (or its affiliate’s) insolvency. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty. In particular, in the European Union and the United Kingdom, governmental authorities could reduce, eliminate, or convert to equity the liabilities to the Funds of a counterparty experiencing financial difficulties (sometimes referred to as a “bail in”).
Credit risk – Credit risk is the actual or perceived risk that the issuer of a bond, borrower, guarantor, counterparty, or other entity responsible for payment will not pay interest and principal payments when due. The price of a debt security can decline in response to changes in the financial condition of the issuer, borrower, guarantor, counterparty, or other entity responsible for payment. The Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed-income security, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract, repurchase agreement or a loan of portfolio securities, is unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. Changes in an issuer’s financial strength, the market’s perception of the issuer’s financial strength or in a security’s credit rating, which reflects a third party’s assessment of the credit risk presented by a particular issuer, may affect debt securities’ value. When a fixed-income security is not rated, the Fund’s investment manager may have to assess the risk of the security itself. The Fund may incur substantial losses on debt securities that are inaccurately perceived to present a different amount of credit risk by the market, the investment manager or the rating agencies than such securities actually do. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in municipal bonds, they are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions, or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and/or interest.
Currency management strategies risk – Currency management strategies may substantially change the Fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the investment manager expects. In addition, currency management strategies, to the extent that they reduce the Fund’s exposure to currency risks, may also reduce the Fund’s ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. Using currency management strategies for purposes other than hedging further increases the Fund’s exposure to foreign investment losses. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets. In addition, currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, and can reduce returns.
Currency risk – Investments in foreign currencies, securities that trade in or receive revenues in foreign currencies or derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies may decline in value, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the currency may decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and may be affected by a number of factors, such as the general economics of a country, the actions (or inaction) of U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation. The Fund accrues additional expenses when engaging in currency exchange transactions, and valuation of a Fund’s foreign securities may be subject to greater risk because both the price of the currency (relative to the U.S. dollar) and the price of the security may fluctuate with market and economic conditions. A decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of investments denominated in that foreign currency.
Currency transaction risk – Non-U.S. currency forward contracts, options, swaps, or other derivatives contracts on non-U.S. currencies involve a risk of loss if currency exchange rates move against the Fund. Forward contracts may not be guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse and a default by the counterparty may result in a loss to the Fund. Governmental authorities may impose credit controls to limit the level of forward trading to the detriment of the Fund. Neither the CFTC nor the U.S. banking authorities regulate forward currency transactions through banks. In respect of such trading, the Fund is subject to the risk of bank failure or the inability of or refusal by a bank to perform with respect to such contracts.
Cybersecurity risk – Cyber attacks could cause business failures or delays in daily processing and the Fund may need to delay transactions, consistent with regulatory requirements, as a result could impact the performance of the Fund. See the “Technology Disruptions” section in this Prospectus.
Debt securities ratings risk – The use of credit ratings in evaluating debt securities can involve certain risks, including the risk that the credit rating may not reflect the issuer’s current financial condition or events since the security was last rated by a rating agency. Credit ratings may be influenced by conflicts of interest or based on historical data that no longer apply or are accurate. Governmental efforts to reform rating agencies and the use of credit ratings in the marketplace may impact a Fund’s investments or investment process.
Derivatives risk – Certain Funds may invest in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indices. Derivatives can be highly volatile and may be subject to transaction costs and certain risks, such as unanticipated changes in securities prices and global currency investment. Derivatives also are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this section, such as leverage risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, interest rate or index. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives’ original cost.
The Fund’s investment manager must choose the correct derivatives exposure versus the underlying assets to be hedged or the income to be generated, in order to realize the desired results from the investment. The Fund’s investment manager must also correctly predict price, credit or their applicable movements, during the life of a derivative, with respect to the underlying asset in order to realize the desired results from the investment.
The Fund could experience losses if its derivatives were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if the Fund were unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid market. The market for many derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives. The value of derivatives may fluctuate more rapidly than other investments, which may increase the volatility of the Fund, depending on the nature and extent of the derivatives in the Fund’s portfolio.
If the Fund’s investment manager uses derivatives in attempting to manage or “hedge” the overall risk of the portfolio, the strategy might not be successful and the Fund may lose money. To the extent that the Fund is unable to close out a position because of market illiquidity or counterparty default, the Fund may not be able to prevent further losses of value in its derivatives holdings.
The Fund may also be required to take or make delivery of an underlying instrument that the manager would otherwise have attempted to avoid. Investors should bear in mind that, while a Fund may intend to use derivative strategies on a regular basis, it is not obligated to actively engage in these transactions, generally or in any particular kind of derivative, if the investment manager elects not to do so due to availability, cost or other factors.
The Fund’s use of derivative instruments may involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Certain derivative transactions may have a leveraging effect on the Fund. For example, a small investment in a derivative instrument may have a significant impact on the Fund’s exposure to interest rates, currency exchange rates or other investments. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a derivative instrument may cause an immediate and substantial loss or gain. The Fund may engage in such transactions regardless of whether the Fund owns the asset, instrument or components of the index underlying the derivative instrument. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in these types of instruments, which could cause the Fund’s investment exposure to exceed the value of its portfolio securities and its investment performance could be affected by securities it does not own.
The U.S. Government has enacted legislation that provides for the regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting, and registration requirements. The European Union and the United Kingdom (and some other countries) are implementing similar requirements, which will affect a Fund when it enters into a derivatives transaction with a counterparty organized in that country or otherwise subject to that country’s derivatives regulations. Because these requirements are relatively new and evolving (and some of the rules are not yet final), their ultimate impact remains unclear. It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of a Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which a Fund engages in derivative transactions could also prevent a Fund from using these instruments or affect the pricing or other factors relating to these instruments, or may change availability of certain investments.
The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have established (and continue to evaluate and revise) limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person or entity may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts (and certain related swap positions). Unless an exemption applies, all positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, must be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded and, as a result, the investment manager’s trading decisions may have to be modified or positions held by a Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. Even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the investment manager or its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund. A violation of position limits could also lead to regulatory action materially adverse to a Fund’s investment strategy.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a Fund also may be subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as certain swaps, is unclear under current law and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. Other future regulatory developments may also impact a Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which a Fund itself is regulated. The investment manager cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented or the ability of a Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation or self-regulatory organization rule will not adversely affect a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Distressed debt risk – Certain Funds may invest in securities of issuers that are, or are about to be, involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy (also known as “distressed debt”). Such distressed debt securities involve substantial risk in addition to the risks of investing in lower-grade debt securities. To the extent that a Fund invests in distressed debt, the Fund is subject to the risk that it may lose a portion or all or its investment in the distressed debt and may incur higher expenses trying to protect its interests in distressed debt. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale and may be subject to liquidity risk.
Distressed securities risk – Distressed securities risk refers to the uncertainty of repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of distressed issuers. Because the issuer of such securities is likely to be in a distressed financial condition, repayment of distressed or defaulted securities (including insolvent issuers or issuers in payment or covenant default, in workout or restructuring or in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings) is subject to significant uncertainties. Insolvency laws and practices in foreign jurisdictions are different than those in the U.S. and the effect of these laws and practices may be less favorable and predictable than in the U.S. Investments in defaulted securities and obligations of distressed issuers are considered highly speculative. Distressed securities may be subject to limitations on resale and may be subject to liquidity risk.
Emerging markets and less developed countries risk – Emerging market and less developed countries generally are located in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central and South America and Africa. Investments in, or exposure to, securities that are tied economically to emerging market and less developed countries are subject to all of the risks of investments in, or exposure to, foreign securities, generally to a greater extent than in developed markets, among other risks. Investments in securities that are tied economically to emerging markets involve greater risk from economic and political systems that typically are less developed, and likely to be less stable, than those in more advanced countries. The Fund also will be subject to the risk of adverse foreign currency rate fluctuations. Emerging market and less developed countries may also have economies that are predominantly based on only a few industries or dependent on revenues from particular commodities. There may be government policies that restrict investment by foreigners, greater government influence over the private sector, and a higher risk of a government taking private property in emerging and less developed countries. Moreover, economies of emerging market countries may be dependent upon international trade and may be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. As a result of these risks, investments in securities tied economically to emerging markets tend to be more volatile than investments in securities of developed countries.
Underdeveloped securities exchanges and low or nonexistent trading volume in securities of issuers may result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility. A fund may not be able to sell such securities in a timely manner, and may receive less than the currently available market price when selling such emerging market securities. Emerging market countries often have less uniformity in accounting and reporting requirements and less reliable clearance and settlement, registration and custodial procedures, which could result in ownership registration being completely lost. Issuers in emerging markets typically are subject to greater risk of adverse changes in earnings and business prospects than are companies in developed markets. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions, including confiscatory taxes on investment proceeds and other restrictions on the ability of foreign investors to withdraw their money at will, or from problems in security registration or settlement and custody. Investments in, or exposure to, emerging market securities may be more susceptible to investor sentiment than investments in developed countries. As a result, emerging market securities may be adversely affected by negative perceptions about an emerging market country’s stability and prospects for continued growth. The Fund will also be subject to the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations. Investments in, or exposure to, emerging market securities tend to be more volatile than investments in developed countries.
Frontier market countries are emerging market countries that are considered to have the smallest, least mature and least liquid securities markets. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and less developed capital markets than traditional emerging markets, and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. The economies of frontier market countries are less correlated to global economic cycles than those of their more developed counterparts and their markets have low trading volumes, low security market capitalizations, and the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity. This volatility may be further heightened by the actions of a few major investors. For example, a substantial increase or decrease in cash flows of mutual funds investing in these markets could significantly affect local stock prices and, therefore, the price of Fund shares. These factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than in other countries and any one of them could cause the price of the Fund’s shares to decline.
Equity securities risk – Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile, and equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities. The price of equity or equity-related securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equity or equity-related securities. The value of equity or equity-related securities purchased or held by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.
European investment risk – Investing in Europe involves many of the same risks as investing in foreign securities generally. In addition, investing in Europe poses some unique risks. Europe includes both developed and emerging markets and investments by a Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in such markets. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (“EU”) and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”). The EU is an economic and political union of most western European countries and a growing number of eastern European countries. One of the key mandates of the EU is the establishment and administration of a common single market, consisting of, among other things, a single currency and a common trade policy. In order to pursue this goal, member states established the EMU, which sets out different stages and commitments that member states need to follow to achieve greater economic and monetary policy coordination, including the adoption of a single currency, the euro. Many member states have adopted the euro as their currency and, as a result, are subject to the monetary policies of the European Central Bank (“ECB”). Performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, security, and economic conditions within Europe and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Recent security concerns related to immigration, war and geopolitical risk, and terrorism could have a negative impact on the EU and investments within EU countries.
Uncertainty surrounding the sovereign debt of a number of EU countries, as well as the continued existence of the EU itself, have disrupted and may disrupt markets in the U.S. and around the world. If one or more countries leave the EU or the EU dissolves, the world’s securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted. For example, in June 2016, the United Kingdom approved a referendum to leave the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”). The United Kingdom left the EU on January 31, 2020. Following the withdrawal, there was an eleven-month transition period, ending December 31, 2020, during which the United Kingdom and the EU agreed to a Trade and Cooperation Agreement governing the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement does not provide the United Kingdom with the same level of rights or access to all goods and services in the EU as the United Kingdom previously maintained as a member of the EU and during the transition period. In particular the Trade and Cooperation Agreement does not include an agreement on financial services which is yet to be agreed. From January 1, 2021, EU laws ceased to apply in the United Kingdom. Many EU laws were transposed into English law and these transposed laws continue to apply until such time that they are repealed, replaced or amended. The United Kingdom government has enacted legislation that will repeal, replace or otherwise make substantial amendments to the EU laws that currently apply in the United Kingdom. It is impossible to predict the consequences of these amendments on the Fund and its investments. Additionally, although one cannot predict the full effect of Brexit, it could lead to global economic uncertainty and result in volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations. This uncertainty may impact opportunities, pricing, availability and cost of bank financing, regulation, values or exit opportunities of companies or assets based, doing business, or having services or other significant relationships in, the United Kingdom or the EU.
Brexit may also create uncertainty around trade, the possibility of capital outflows from the United Kingdom, devaluation of the pound sterling, the cost of higher corporate bond spreads, and the risk that all the above could negatively impact business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment.
With the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, there is the possibility that one or more other countries may withdraw from the EU and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the EU, as well. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has resulted in the U.S. Government imposing sanctions on Russia. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and the potential for future sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but could be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.
Exchange-traded funds investing risk – Most exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are investment companies whose shares are purchased and sold on a securities exchange. Generally, an ETF represents a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. An investment in an ETF generally presents the following risks: (i) the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies; (ii) the risk that an ETF may fail to accurately track the market segment or index that underlies its investment objective; (iii) price fluctuation, resulting in a loss to the Fund; (iv) the risk that an ETF may trade at a discount to its net asset value; (v) the risk that an active market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; and (vi) the risk that an ETF may no longer meet the listing requirements of any applicable exchanges on which that ETF is listed. When the Fund invests in an ETF, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the ETF’s fees and expenses as well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses.
In addition, many ETFs invest in securities included in, or representative of, underlying indexes regardless of investment merit or market trends and, therefore, these ETFs do not change their investment strategies to respond to changes in the economy, which means that an ETF may be particularly susceptible to a general decline in the market segment relating to the relevant index. As with traditional mutual funds, ETFs charge asset-based fees. The Funds will indirectly pay a proportional share of the asset-based fees of the ETFs in which the Funds invest. During periods of market volatility, there may be delays in the pricing of ETFs, and ETF exchange-traded prices may also be subject to volatility, which could cause the Fund to lose money.
Expense risk – Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated in the Fund’s Prospectus. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant.
Extension risk – When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, which may cause the value of those securities to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value.
Financial services risk – An investment in issuers in the financial services sector may be adversely affected by, among other things: (i) changes in the regulatory framework; (ii) interest rate changes that may negatively affect financial service businesses; (iii) exposure of a financial institution to a non-diversified or concentrated loan portfolio; (iv) exposure to financial leverage and/or investments or agreements which, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., sub-prime loans); and (v) the risk that a market shock or other unexpected market, economic, political, regulatory, public health or other event might lead to a sudden decline in the values of most or all companies in the financial services sector.
Fixed-income risk – The price of fixed-income securities responds to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the credit risk of individual issuers. Rising interest rates generally will cause the price of bonds and other fixed-income debt securities to fall. In addition, falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a security before its stated maturity, which may result in the Fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity fixed-income securities may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity fixed-income securities. Bonds and other fixed-income debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a fixed income security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. In addition, as inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s fixed income investment typically will decline. Investors’ expectation of future inflation can also adversely affect the current value of portfolio investments, resulting in lower asset values and potential losses. This risk is elevated compared to historical market conditions because of recent monetary policy measures and the current interest rate environment.
Foreign exchange and currency derivatives trading risk – The Fund intends to actively trade in spot and forward currency positions and related currency derivatives in order to increase the value of the Fund. The trading of foreign currencies directly generates risks separate from those associated with inactive or indirect exposures to non-U.S. dollar denominated instruments and currency derivative instruments. Specifically, the Fund may directly take a loss from the buying and selling of currencies without any related exposure to non-U.S. dollar-denominated assets.
Foreign securities risk – Investments in, or exposure to, foreign securities involve risks not typically associated with U.S. investments. These risks include, among others, adverse fluctuations in foreign currency values, possible imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes on income payable on the securities, as well as adverse political, social and economic developments, such as political upheaval, acts of terrorism, financial troubles, sanctions or the threat of new or modified sanctions, or natural disasters. Many foreign securities markets, especially those in emerging market countries, are less stable, smaller, less liquid, and less regulated than U.S. securities markets, and the costs of trading in those markets is often higher than in U.S. securities markets. There may also be less publicly available information about issuers of foreign securities compared to issuers of U.S. securities and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping standards and requirements as domestic issuers. In addition, the economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to issues such as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Such factors may adversely affect the value of securities issued by companies in foreign countries or regions.
Investments in, or exposure to, foreign securities could be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country, confiscatory foreign tax laws, and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. Transactions may be subject to less efficient settlement practices, including extended clearance and settlement periods. Foreign accounting may be less revealing than U.S. accounting practices and regulation may be inadequate or irregular. There may also be limited legal recourse against the foreign issuer in the event of a default on a debt instrument. Such factors may adversely affect the value of securities issued by foreign companies. Investments in, or exposure to, emerging market countries and/or their securities markets may present market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, technical and other risks different from, or greater than, the risks of investing in developed countries. In addition, the risks associated with investing in a narrowly defined geographic area are generally more pronounced with respect to investments in, or exposure to, emerging market countries.
Forward and futures contract risk – The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the investment manager’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risks including, but not limited to: (i) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (ii) possible lack of a liquid market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (iii) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (iv) the investment manager’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (v) the possibility that the counterparty, clearing member or clearinghouse will default in the performance of its obligations; and (vi) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts risk – Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. Depending upon currency movements, this strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.
Frontier market countries risk – Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies and less developed capital markets than traditional developing markets, and, as a result, the risks of investing in developing market countries are magnified in frontier market countries. The economies of frontier market countries are less correlated to global economic cycles than those of their more developed counterparts and their markets have low trading volumes, low security market capitalizations, and the potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity. This volatility may be further heightened by the actions of a few major investors. For example, a substantial increase or decrease in cash flows of mutual funds investing in these markets could significantly affect local stock prices and, therefore, the price of Fund shares. These factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than in other countries and any one of them could cause the price of the Fund’s shares to decline.
Governments of many frontier market countries in which the Fund may invest may exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some cases, the governments of such frontier market countries may own or control certain companies. Accordingly, government actions could have a significant effect on economic conditions in a frontier market country and on market conditions, prices and yields of securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Moreover, the economies of frontier market countries may be heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be, adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.
Investment in equity securities of issuers operating in certain frontier market countries may be restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times limit or preclude foreign investment in equity securities of issuers operating in certain frontier market countries and increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. Certain frontier market countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer, limit the investment by foreign persons only to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than the classes available for purchase by domiciliaries of the countries and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. Certain frontier market countries may also restrict investment opportunities in issuers in industries deemed important to national interests, (“sensitive industries”).
Frontier market countries may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors, such as the Fund. In addition, if deterioration occurs in a frontier market country’s balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments. Investing in local markets in frontier market countries may require the Fund to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs to the Fund.
There may be no centralized securities exchange on which securities are traded in frontier market countries. Also, securities laws in many frontier market countries are relatively new and unsettled. Therefore, laws regarding foreign investment in frontier market securities, securities regulation, title to securities, and shareholder rights may change quickly and unpredictably.
The frontier market countries in which the Fund invests may become subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations. The value of the securities issued by companies that operate in, or have dealings with these countries may be negatively impacted by any such sanction or embargo and may reduce the Fund’s returns.
Banks in frontier market countries used to hold the Fund’s securities and other assets in that country may lack the same operating experience as banks in developed markets. In addition, in certain countries there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held by a foreign bank in the event of the bankruptcy of the bank. Settlement systems in frontier markets may be less well organized than in the developed markets. As a result, there is greater risk than in developed countries that settlements will take longer and that cash or securities of the Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the settlement systems.
Government regulatory risk – Certain industries or sectors, including, but not limited to, real estate, financial services, utilities, oil and natural gas exploration and production, anything environment-related, and health care are subject to increased regulatory requirements. There can be no guarantee that companies in which the Fund invests will meet all applicable regulatory requirements. Certain companies could incur substantial fines and penalties for failing to meet government regulatory requirements. These requirements may also result in additional compliance expenses and costs. Such increased regulatory compliance costs could hurt a company’s performance.
Hedging instruments risk – The Fund may attempt, from time to time, to hedge (protect) against currency risks, largely using forward foreign currency exchange contracts, where available and when, in the manager’s opinion, it would be advantageous to the Fund. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date and at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts may reduce the risk of loss from a change in value of a currency, but they also limit any potential gains and do not protect against fluctuations in the value of the underlying position. For example, during periods when the U.S. dollar weakens in relation to a foreign currency the Fund’s use of a currency hedging program will result in lower returns than if no currency hedging programs were in effect. The Fund may also attempt, from time to time, to hedge against market risk by using other derivative investments, which may include purchasing or selling call and put options. The purchase of a call option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to buy, and the seller of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. Conversely, the purchase of a put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the seller of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts and put options are considered derivative investments, because their value and performance depend, at least in part, on the value and performance of an underlying asset. The Fund may also use futures, swaps, and other derivative instruments to hedge risk. The Fund’s investment in derivatives may involve a small investment relative to the amount of risk assumed. To the extent the Fund enters into these transactions, its success will depend on the manager’s ability to predict market movements, and their use may have the opposite effect of that intended. Risks include potential loss due to the imposition of controls by a government on the exchange of foreign currencies, the loss of any premium paid to enter into the transaction, delivery failure, default by any other party, or inability to close out a position because the trading market becomes illiquid. In addition, for certain reasons, the Fund may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio instruments being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. It is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk.
High-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities risk – High-yield bonds, lower-rated bonds, and unrated securities are broadly referred to as “junk bonds,” and are considered below “investment-grade” by national ratings agencies. Junk bonds typically have a higher yield to compensate for a greater risk that the issuer might not make its interest and principal payments. As a result, an investment in junk bonds is considered speculative. An unanticipated default would result in a reduction in income and a decline in the market value of the related securities. During an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress which could adversely affect their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing. The market prices of junk bonds are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic or political changes, or individual developments specific to the issuer. Periods of economic or political uncertainty and change can be expected to result in price volatility. High-yield bonds may be subject to liquidity risk, and the Fund may not be able to sell a high-yield bond at the price at which it is currently valued. The credit rating of a below investment grade security does not necessarily address its market value risk and may not reflect its actual credit risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer.
Income risk – Income generated from the Fund’s investments may decline in the event of falling interest rates. Income risk may be high if the Fund’s income is predominantly based on short-term interest rates, which can fluctuate significantly over short periods. The Fund’s distributions to shareholders may decline when interest rates fall.
Inflation-indexed securities risk – Inflation-indexed securities have a tendency to react to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates represent nominal (stated) interest rates lowered by the anticipated effect of inflation. In general, the price of an inflation-indexed security can decrease when real interest rates increase, and can increase when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-indexed securities will fluctuate as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and can be unpredictable. In periods of deflation, the Fund may not receive any income from such investments. In certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than normal interest rates, inflation-indexed securities may experience greater losses than other fixed-income securities with similar durations.
Interest rate risk – When interest rates increase, fixed-income securities generally will decline in value. Conversely, as interest rates decrease, the prices of fixed income securities tend to increase. In a low interest rate environment, an increase in interest rates could have a negative impact on the price of fixed income securities, and could negatively impact a Fund’s portfolio of fixed income securities. Long-term fixed income securities normally have more price volatility than short-term fixed income securities. The value of certain equity investments, such as utilities and real estate-related securities, may also be sensitive to interest rate changes. A nominal interest rate can be described as the sum of a real interest rate and an expected inflation rate. Inflation-indexed securities, including TIPS, decline in value when real interest rates rise. In certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than normal interest rates, inflation-indexed securities may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar durations.
Floating rate investments have adjustable interest rates and as a result, generally fluctuate less in response to interest rate changes than will fixed-rate investments. However, because floating rates generally only reset periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates may cause a fluctuation in a Fund’s value. In addition, extreme increases in prevailing interest rates may cause an increase in defaults on floating rate investments, which may cause a further decline in a Fund’s value. Finally, a decrease in interest rates could adversely affect the income earned by the Fund from its floating rate debt securities.
Inflationary price movements can cause the fixed income securities markets to experience heightened levels of interest rate volatility and liquidity risk.
Investing in China A Shares risk – Investments in Class A Shares of Chinese companies involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in U.S. companies, such as greater government control over the economy, political and legal uncertainty, currency fluctuations or blockage, the risk that the Chinese government may decide not to continue to support economic reform programs and the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets. Additionally, the Chinese securities markets are emerging markets subject to the special risks applicable to developing and emerging market countries described elsewhere in this prospectus.
Investing through Stock Connect risk – The Fund may invest directly in China A shares through Stock Connect, and will be subject to the following risks: sudden changes in quota limitations, application of trading suspensions, differences in trading days between the PRC and Stock Connect, operational risk, clearing and settlement risk and regulatory and taxation risk.
Investment in money market funds risk – Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although such money market funds seek to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the Fund has purchased may reduce the Fund’s yield and can cause the price of a money market security to decrease. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation.
Investment in other investment companies risk – As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds, are subject to market risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, including ones affiliated with the Fund, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies in which the Fund invests. To the extent that shares of the Fund are held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Fund itself to invest in other investment companies may be limited.
Investment strategy risk – The Sub-Adviser, or if no Sub-Adviser, the investment manager uses the principal investment strategies and other investment strategies to seek to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Investment decisions made in accordance with these investment strategies may not produce the returns expected, and may cause the Fund’s shares to decline in value or may cause the Fund to underperform other funds with similar investment objectives.
Investments in IPOs risk –The Fund may purchase shares issued as part of, or a short period after, companies’ initial public offerings (“IPOs”), and may at times dispose of those shares shortly after their acquisition. The Fund’s purchase of shares issued in IPOs exposes it to the risks associated with companies that have little operating history as public companies, as well as to the risks inherent in those sectors of the market where these new issuers operate. The market for IPO issuers has been volatile, and share prices of newly public companies have fluctuated in significant amounts over short periods of time. The purchase of shares issued in IPOs may have a greater impact upon the Fund’s total returns during any period that the Fund has a small asset base. As the Fund’s assets grow, any impact of IPO investments on the Fund’s total return may decline.
Issuer risk – The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the market as a whole. A security’s value may decline for reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, corporate governance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services. A change in the financial condition of a single issuer may affect securities markets as a whole. Certain unanticipated events, such as natural disasters, can have a dramatic adverse effect on the value of an issuer’s securities.
Large-capitalization investing risk – Large-capitalization stocks as a group could fall out of favor with the market, which may cause the Fund to underperform funds that focus on other types of stocks. In addition, larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in technology and consumer preferences. Many larger companies also may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.
Latin America concentration risk – If a Fund concentrates investments in Latin American countries, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political and economic conditions within Latin American countries. Funds that concentrate in specific countries and regions, such as Latin America, tend to have more performance volatility than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Investment primarily in equity and equity-related securities in Latin America will expose the Fund specifically to their market, currency and other risks, including volatility and structural risks. Stable economic growth may be hampered by a number of factors, including, burdensome regulatory requirements, inflation, poor allocation of resources and the reinvestment of capital, government price controls and capital restrictions, and social instability with a corresponding effect on securities holdings and volatility.
Leverage risk – Certain transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, futures, forwards, swaps, or other derivative instruments, include the use of leverage and may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions at disadvantageous times to satisfy its obligations. Leverage, including borrowing, may cause the Fund to be more volatile because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The effect of using leverage is to amplify the Fund’s gains and losses in comparison to the amount of the Fund’s assets (that is, assets other than borrowed assets) at risk, which may cause the Fund’s portfolio to be more volatile. If the Fund uses leverage, the Fund has the risk of capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund.
Liquidity risk – Investments in securities that are difficult to purchase or sell (illiquid or thinly traded securities) may reduce returns if the Fund is unable to sell the securities at an advantageous time or price or achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector. An “illiquid investment” is defined as an investment that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven (7) calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity risk arises, for example, from small average trading volumes, trading restrictions, or temporary suspensions of trading. In times of market volatility, certain securities or classes of securities may become illiquid. Government or regulatory actions may decrease market liquidity, and the liquidity for certain securities. Small-capitalization companies and companies domiciled in emerging markets pose greater liquidity and price volatility risks. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid or less liquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value, may be required to be fair valued according to the valuation procedures approved by the Board, and may reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet requests to redeem shares issued by a Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. In addition, although the fixed-income securities markets have grown significantly in the last few decades, regulations and business practices have led some financial intermediaries to curtail their capacity to engage in trading (i.e., “market making”) activities for certain debt securities. As a result, dealer inventories of fixed-income securities, which provide an indication of the ability of financial intermediaries to make markets in fixed-income securities, are at or near historic lows relative to market size. Because market makers help stabilize the market through their financial intermediary services, further reductions in dealer inventories could have the potential to decrease liquidity and increase volatility in the fixed-income securities markets.
Managed portfolio risk – As an actively managed portfolio, the Fund’s portfolio manager(s) make decisions to buy and sell holdings in the Fund’s portfolio. Because of this, the value of the Fund’s investments could decline because the financial condition of an issuer may change (due to such factors as management performance, reduced demand or overall market changes), financial markets may fluctuate or overall prices may decline, the Fund’s manager’s investment techniques could fail to achieve the Fund’s investment objective or may negatively affect the Fund’s investment performance, or legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the manager of the Fund. There is no guarantee that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.
Market direction risk – Since the Fund will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the Fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The Fund’s results could suffer when there is a general market advance and the Fund holds significant “short” positions, or when there is a general market decline and the Fund holds significant “long” positions. The markets may have considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.
Market risk – Stock market risk refers to the fact that stock (equity securities) prices typically fluctuate more than the values of other types of securities, typically in response to changes in the particular company’s financial condition and factors affecting the market in general. Over time, the stock market tends to move in cycles, with periods when stock prices rise, and periods when stock prices decline. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the price of the various stocks held by the Fund. Consequently, a broad-based market drop may also cause a stock’s price to fall.
Bond market risk generally refers to credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk is the actual or perceived risk that the issuer of the bond will not pay the interest and principal payments when due. Bond value typically declines if the issuer’s credit quality deteriorates. Interest rate risk is the risk that interest rates will rise and the value of bonds will fall. A broad-based market drop may also cause a bond’s price to fall.
Portfolio securities may also decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political or regulatory conditions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment, public health issues, including widespread disease and virus epidemics or pandemics such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, war, terrorism or natural disasters, or due to factors affecting particular industries represented in the securities markets, such as competitive conditions. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer can impact a market as a whole, and adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. In addition, the markets may not favor a particular kind of security, including equity securities or bonds. The values of securities may fall due to factors affecting a particular issuer, industry or the securities market as a whole.
The outbreak of COVID 19, a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Fund holds. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread resulted in travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, disruptions to business operations (including staff furloughs and reductions) and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general economic concern and uncertainty. These disruptions led to instability in the marketplace and overall volatility. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses, such as COVID-19, in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally.
Mezzanine securities risk – Mezzanine securities are generally rated below investment-grade and frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. However, unlike senior loans and second lien loans, mezzanine securities are not a senior or secondary secured obligation of the related borrower. They typically are the most subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine securities also may often be unsecured. Mezzanine securities therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the related borrower and the property securing the loan may be insufficient to repay the scheduled obligation after giving effect to any senior obligations of the related borrower. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be illiquid investments. Mezzanine securities will be subject to certain additional risks to the extent that such loans may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness. Investment in mezzanine securities is a highly specialized investment practice that depends more heavily on independent credit analysis than investments in other types of debt obligations.
Mid-capitalization investing risk – The stocks of mid-capitalization companies can be more volatile and their shares less liquid than those of larger companies. Mid-capitalization companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources or may depend on the expertise of a few people and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price.
Mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities risk – The risk of investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities include interest rate risk, extension risk, and prepayment (contraction) risk. With respect to extension risk, rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, mortgage-related securities may exhibit increased volatility. With respect to default risk, rising interest rates and falling property prices may increase the likelihood that individuals and entities will fall behind or fail to make payments on their mortgages or other loans. When there are a number of mortgage defaults, the interest paid by mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities may decline, or may not be paid. A number of mortgage defaults could lead to a decline in the value of mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities. In addition, legal and documentation risk (incomplete mortgage information) related to mortgage defaults may exist. Asset-backed securities also may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be “subordinated” to other interests in the same pool and a holder of those “subordinated” securities would receive payments only after any obligations to other more “senior” investors have been satisfied. With respect to prepayment risk, borrowers may pay off their mortgages or other loans sooner than expected, which may result in contraction risk, whereby the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates and, thus, may suffer an unexpected loss of interest income.
Investments in mortgage-backed securities entail the uncertainty of the timing of cash flows resulting from the rate of prepayments or defaults on the underlying mortgages serving as collateral. An increase or decrease in payment rates (resulting primarily from a decrease or increase in mortgage interest rates) will affect the yield, average life, and price. The prices of mortgage-backed securities, depending on their structure and the rate of payments, can be volatile. Some mortgage-backed securities may also not be as liquid as other securities. The value of these securities also may change because of changes in the market’s perception or the actual creditworthiness of the issuer. In addition, the mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities market in general may be adversely affected by changes in governmental regulation, interest rates, tax policies, the real estate market, and/or the overall economy.
Non-diversification risk – The Fund is non-diversified. As such, the Fund may invest in a limited number of issuers. Under a definition provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), non-diversified funds may invest in fewer securities, or in larger proportions of the securities of single companies or industries. If these securities were to decline in value, there could be a substantial loss of the investment. In addition, because of the investment strategies, the Fund may hold a smaller number of issuers than if it were “diversified.” There is increased risk in investing in a smaller number of different issuers than there is in investing in a larger number of issuers since changes in the financial condition or market status of a single issuer may cause greater fluctuation in a non-diversified portfolio with respect to total return and share price.
Non-hedging foreign currency trading risk – The Fund may engage in forward foreign currency transactions for speculative purposes. The Funds’ investment manager may purchase or sell foreign currencies through the use of forward contracts based on the investment manager’s judgment regarding the direction of the market for a particular foreign currency or currencies. In pursuing this strategy, the investment manager seeks to profit from anticipated movements in currency rates by establishing “long” and/or “short” positions in forward contracts on various foreign currencies. Foreign exchange rates can be extremely volatile and a variance in the degree of volatility of the market or in the direction of the market from the investment manager’s expectations may produce significant losses to the Fund. Some of these transactions may also be subject to interest rate risk.
Options risk – If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed-upon price typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another person the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed upon price typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund.
When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. OTC options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.
Pacific Rim investing risk – The Pacific Rim economies are in various stages of economic development. Many of the economies in the region can be characterized as developing, newly industrialized, or developed. Many of the Pacific Rim economies may be intertwined, so they may experience recessions at the same time. Furthermore, many of the Pacific Rim economies are characterized by high inflation, undeveloped financial services sectors, heavy reliance on international trade, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations, or restrictions, political and social instability, and less efficient markets. The Australia and New Zealand economies are largely dependent on the economies of Asian countries and on the price and demand for agricultural products and natural resources. If a Fund concentrates investments in Pacific Rim markets, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within the Pacific Rim region and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds.
Participation note risk – An investment in a participation note involves additional risks beyond the risks normally associated with a direct investment in the underlying security and a participation note’s performance may differ from the underlying security’s performance. Holders of participation notes do not have the same rights as an owner of the underlying stock and are subject to the credit risk of the issuer. Participation notes are typically privately issued and may be illiquid.
Portfolio turnover risk – Frequent changes in the securities held by a Fund, including investments made on a shorter-term basis or in derivative instruments or in instruments with a maturity of one year or less at the time of acquisition, may increase transaction costs, which may reduce performance.
Prepayment risk – During periods of falling interest rates, there is the risk that a debt security with a high stated interest rate will be prepaid before its expected maturity date and that the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment that may have lower yields than the yield on the prepaid debt security. In addition, prepayment rates are difficult to predict and the potential impact of prepayment on the price of a debt instrument depends on the terms of the instrument.
Private placement and other restricted securities risk – Private placements and other restricted securities, including securities for which the Sub-Adviser has material non-public information, are securities that are subject to legal and/or contractual restrictions on their sales. These securities may not be sold to the public unless certain conditions are met, which may include registration under the applicable securities laws. These securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. As a result of the absence of a public trading market, the prices of these securities may be more volatile and more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities and these securities may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. Private placements and other restricted securities may be illiquid, and it frequently can be difficult to sell them at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or the Fund may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. A security that was liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for private placements and other restricted securities. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering such securities for sale and there may be substantial delays in effecting the registration. If, during such a delay, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed at the time it decided to seek registration of the securities. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a private placement or other restricted security, so it may be less able to anticipate a loss. Also, if the Sub-Adviser receives material non-public information about the issuer, the Fund may, as a result, be legally prohibited from selling the securities.
Redemption risk – Large redemption activity could result in the Fund being forced to sell portfolio securities at a loss or before the Adviser or Sub-Adviser would otherwise decide to do so. Large redemption activity in the Fund may also result in increased expense ratios, higher levels of realized capital gains or losses with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, higher brokerage commissions, and other transaction costs. It could be difficult for a Fund to meet large redemption requests where there is minimal liquidity in the Fund’s portfolio securities.
Regulatory investment limits risk – The U.S. “Federal Securities Laws” may limit the amount a Fund may invest in certain securities. These limits may be Fund specific or they may apply to the investment manager. As a result of these regulatory limitations under the Federal Securities Laws and the asset management and financial industry business activities of the investment manager and its affiliates, the investment manager and the Fund may be prohibited from or limited in effecting transactions in certain securities. The investment manager and the Fund may encounter trading limitations or restrictions because of aggregation issues or other regulatory requirements. The Federal Securities Laws may impose position limits on securities held by the Fund, and the Fund may be limited as to which securities it may purchase or sell, as well as the timing of such purchases or sales. These regulatory investment limits may increase a Fund’s expenses and may limit a Fund’s performance.
Restricted securities risk – Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale and may not be sold to the public without an effective registration statement. Before they are registered, such securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. Restricted securities may be illiquid. The Fund may be unable to sell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value. Also, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a restricted security, so it may be less able to predict a loss. In addition, if Fund management receives certain material nonpublic information about the issuer, the Fund may be unable to sell the securities in accordance with laws and regulations prohibiting insider trading.
Rule 144A securities risk – Rule 144A securities are securities offered as exempt from registration with the SEC, but may be treated as liquid securities because there is a market for such securities. Rule 144A securities may have an active trading market, but carry the risk that the active trading market may not continue. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing Rule 144A securities, investing in such securities could increase the Fund’s level of illiquidity.
Russia investment risk – During periods when sanctions are in place, such as the ongoing Russia/Ukraine war, there are risks related to holding positions located in or with ties to Russia. This may include, but is not limited to, the inability to dispose of securities in that country, the inability to settle securities transactions in that country, and the inability to repatriate currency from that country. Investments in sanctioned countries may be volatile, and the Fund and its pricing agent may have difficulty valuing such sanctioned securities. Absent sanctions prohibiting these investments, the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities issued by companies located in Russia. Because of the underdeveloped state of Russia’s banking system and securities markets, settlement, clearing and registration of securities transactions are subject to significant risks. Prior to 2013, there was no central registration system for equity share registration in Russia and registration was carried out by either the issuers themselves or by registrars located throughout Russia. Such registrars were not necessarily subject to effective state supervision nor were they licensed with any governmental entity, thereby increasing the risk that the Fund could lose ownership of its securities through fraud, negligence, or even mere oversight. With the implementation of the National Settlement Depository (“NSD”) in Russia as a recognized central securities depository, title to Russian equity securities is now based on the records of the NSD and not the registrars. Although the implementation of the NSD is generally expected to decrease the risk of loss in connection with recording and transferring title to securities, issues resulting in loss still might occur. In addition, issuers and registrars are still prominent in the validation and approval of documentation requirements for corporate action processing in Russia. Because the documentation requirements and approval criteria vary between registrars and/or issuers, there remain unclear and inconsistent market standards in the Russian market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections. To the extent that the Fund suffers a loss relating to title or corporate actions relating to its portfolio securities, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce its rights or otherwise remedy the loss.
Many investments in Russia are tied to commodities, particularly, oil. The price of commodities and volatility in the commodities market could have a negative impact on the Russian economy, Russian companies, and Russian investments. The geopolitical environment with the Ukraine and Middle East enhance the possibility of conflict with Russia.
In addition, Russia also may attempt to assert its influence in the region through economic or even military measures, as it did with Georgia in the summer of 2008 and the Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has resulted in the U.S. Government imposing sanctions on Russia. Russian military action or other actions (including cyberattacks and espionage) or resulting actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government, Russian companies or Russian individuals, including politicians, may negatively impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Actual and threatened responses to such military action may also impact the markets for certain Russian commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors of the Russian economy, and may likely have collateral impacts on such sectors globally. The extent and duration of Russia’s military actions and the repercussions of such actions (including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by those subject to sanctions) are impossible to predict, but could result in significant market disruptions, including in the oil and natural gas markets, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could have significant impact on Fund performance and the value of an investment in the Fund.
In response to recent political and military actions undertaken by Russia, the United States and certain other countries, as well as the European Union, have instituted economic sanctions against certain Russian individuals, including politicians, and Russian corporate and banking entities. These countries could also institute broader sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payment systems that facilitate cross-border payments. The political and economic situation in Russia, and the current and any future sanctions or other government actions against Russia, may result in the decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, devaluation of Russian currency, a downgrade in Russia’s credit rating, the inability to freely trade sanctioned companies (either due to the sanctions imposed or related operational issues) and/or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy, any of which could negatively impact the Fund’s investments in Russian securities. Sanctions could result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Both the current and potential future sanctions or other government actions against Russia also could result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions, which may impair further the value or liquidity of Russian securities and negatively impact the Fund. Any or all of these potential results could lead Russia’s economy into a recession.
Second lien loans risk – Second lien loans generally are subject to similar risks as those associated with investments in senior loans. Because second lien loans are subordinated and thus lower in priority of payment to senior loans, they are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the borrower.
Sector risk – Companies with similar characteristics may be grouped together in broad categories called sectors. Sector risk is the risk that securities of companies within specific sectors of the economy can perform differently than the overall market. For example, this may be due to changes in the regulatory or competitive environment, or changes in investor perceptions regarding a sector. Because the Fund may allocate relatively more assets to certain sectors than others, the Fund’s performance may be more susceptible to any developments which affect those sectors emphasized by the Fund. In addition, the Fund could underperform other funds investing in similar sectors or comparable benchmarks because of the portfolio managers’ choice of securities within such sector.
Air transportation sector risk – The air transportation sector can be significantly affected by competition within the industry, domestic and foreign economies, government regulation, labor relations, terrorism, and the price of fuel. Airline deregulation has substantially diminished the government’s role in the air transport sector while promoting an increased level of competition. However, regulations and policies of various domestic and foreign governments can still affect the profitability of individual carriers as well as the entire industry.
Financial services sector risk – An investment in issuers in the financial services sector may be adversely affected by, among other things: (i) changes in the regulatory framework or interest rates that may negatively affect financial service businesses; (ii) exposure of a financial institution to a non-diversified or concentrated loan portfolio; (iii) exposure to financial leverage and/or investments or agreements which, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses, for example sub-prime loans; and (iv) the risk that a market shock or other unexpected market, economic, political, regulatory, or other event might lead to a sudden decline in the values of most or all companies in the financial services sector.
Gold-mining companies sector risk – An investment in issuers in the gold-mining sector may be susceptible to financial, economic, political or market events, as well as government regulation, impacting the gold industry. Fluctuations in the price of gold often dramatically affect the profitability of companies in the gold-mining sector.
Health care sector risk – An investment in issuers in the health care sector may be adversely affected by government regulations and government health care programs and increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services. Health care companies are heavily dependent on patent protection and the expiration of a patent may adversely affect their profitability. Health care companies are also subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Regulatory approvals are generally required before new drugs and medical devices or procedures may be introduced and before the acquisition of additional facilities by health care providers, all of which may be time consuming and costly with no guarantee that any product will come to market. Health care companies are also subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Health care companies may also be thinly capitalized and susceptible to product obsolescence.
Industrial companies risk - The stock prices of companies in the industrials sector are affected by supply and demand both for their specific products or services and for industrials sector products in general. Companies in the industrial sector may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. In addition, these companies are at risk for environmental damage and product liability claims. Companies in this sector could be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of export or import controls, increase competition, depletion of resources, technological developments and labor relations.
Infrastructure companies sector risk – Securities and instruments of infrastructure companies are more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting their industries. Infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Infrastructure companies may also be affected by or subject to: regulation by various government authorities; government regulation of rates charged to customers; service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps; the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards; and general changes in market sentiment toward infrastructure and utilities assets. Other factors that may affect the operations of infrastructure-related companies include innovations in technology, significant changes to the number of ultimate end-users of a company’s products, increased susceptibility to terrorist acts or political actions, risks of environmental damage due, and general changes in market sentiment toward infrastructure and utilities assets.
Natural resource-related securities risk – An investment in natural resource-related securities may be subject to the risks associated with natural resource investments in addition to the general risk of the stock market. Such investments are more vulnerable to the price movements of natural resources and factors that particularly affect the oil, gas, mining, energy, chemicals, paper, steel or agriculture sectors. Such factors may include price fluctuations caused by real and perceived inflationary trends and political developments, the cost assumed by natural resource companies in complying with environmental and safety regulations, changes in supply of, or demand for, various natural resources, changes in energy prices, the success of exploration projects, changes in commodity prices, and special risks associated with natural or man-made disasters. A Fund that invests primarily in companies with natural resource assets is subject to the risk that it may perform poorly during a downturn in natural resource prices.
Precious metals-related securities risk – Prices of precious metals and of precious metals-related securities historically have been very volatile. The high volatility of precious metal prices may adversely affect the financial condition of companies involved with precious metals. The production and sale of precious metals by governments or central banks or other larger holders can be affected by various economic, financial, social and political factors, which may be unpredictable and may have a significant impact on the prices of precious metals. Other factors that may affect the prices of precious metals and securities related to them include changes in inflation, the outlook for inflation and changes in industrial and commercial demand for precious metals.
Utilities sector risk – Utility company securities are particularly sensitive to interest rate movements; when interest rates rise, the stock prices of these companies tend to fall. The continually changing regulatory environment, at both the state and federal level, has led to greater competition in the industry and the emergence of non-regulated providers as a significant part of the industry, which may make some companies less profitable. Companies in the utilities industry may: (i) be subject to risks associated with the difficulty of obtaining adequate returns on invested capital in spite of frequent rate increases and of financing large construction programs during periods of inflation; (ii) face restrictions on operations and increased costs due to environmental and safety regulations, including increased fuel costs; (iii) find that existing plants and equipment or products have been rendered obsolete by technical innovations; (iv) confront challenging environmental conditions, including natural or man-made disasters; (v) tackle difficulties of the capital markets in absorbing utility debt and equity securities; (vi) incur risks associated with the operation of nuclear power plants; and (vii) face the effects of energy conservation and other factors affecting the level of demand for services. Government regulators monitor and control utility revenues and costs, and therefore may limit utility profits. The deregulation of certain utility companies may eliminate restrictions on profits, but may also subject these companies to greater risks of loss. Adverse regulatory changes could prevent or delay utilities from passing along cost increases to customers, which could hinder a utility’s ability to meet its obligations to its suppliers. Furthermore, regulatory authorities, which may be subject to political and other pressures, may not grant future rate increases, or may impose accounting or operational policies, any of which could affect a company’s profitability and the value of its securities. In addition, federal, state and municipal governmental authorities may review existing construction projects, and impose additional, regulations governing the licensing, construction and operation of power plants. Any of these factors could result in a material adverse impact on the Fund’s holdings and the performance of the Fund and, to the extent a Fund is concentrated in the utilities sector, any potential material adverse impact may be magnified.
Securities lending risk – The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions provided a number of conditions are satisfied, including that the loan is fully collateralized. When the Fund lends portfolio securities, its investment performance will continue to reflect changes in the value of the securities loaned, and the fund will also receive a fee or interest on the collateral. Securities lending involves the risk of loss or delays in recovery of the loaned security or loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower fails to return the security loaned or becomes insolvent. The Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The Fund may pay lending fees to a party arranging the loan. See the “Lending of Portfolio Securities” section in this Prospectus.
Senior loans risk – The senior loans in which the Fund invests are usually rated below investment grade. The amount of public information with respect to loans may be less extensive than that available for registered or exchange listed securities. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a senior loan may lose significant value before a default occurs. A secured senior loan may not be adequately collateralized. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a senior loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the senior loan’s value. Although senior loans in which the Fund will invest generally will be secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance that liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. To the extent that a senior loan is collateralized by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries, such stock may lose all of its value in the event of the bankruptcy of the borrower. The Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. In addition, the lenders’ security interest or their enforcement of their security interest under the loan agreement may be found by a court to be invalid. Uncollateralized senior loans involve a greater risk of loss. No active trading market may exist for certain senior loans, which may impair the ability of the Fund to realize full value in the event of the need to sell a senior loan and which may make it difficult to value senior loans.
Settlement risk – Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Delayed settlement may affect a Fund’s liquidity due to the timing and receipt of the proceeds from the sale of that security. Loan transactions often settle on a delayed basis compared with securities and the Fund may not receive proceeds from the sale of a loan for a substantial period after the sale, potentially impacting the ability of the Fund to make additional investments or meet redemption obligations. It may take longer than seven days for transactions in loans to settle. In order to meet short-term liquidity needs, the Fund may draw on its cash or other short-term positions, maintain short-term or other liquid assets sufficient to meet reasonably anticipated redemptions, or maintain a credit facility.
Sovereign debt risk – Investments issued by a governmental entity are subject to the risk that the governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt due to, among other things, cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay its debt, request additional loans or otherwise restructure its debt. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt may be collected.
Speculative exposure risk – If a Fund invests in a derivative instrument (or engages in a similarly speculative practice) not for the purpose of hedging but to generate return, the Fund is directly exposed to the risks associated with an investment in that derivative. Gains or losses from speculative positions in a derivative may be much greater than the derivative’s original cost and, in certain instances, potential losses may be unlimited. For example, potential losses from writing uncovered call options and from speculative short sales are unlimited.
Structured investments risk – A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Structured investments may come in various forms including notes (such as exchange-traded notes), warrants and options to purchase securities. A Fund will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to the security, currency, commodity or market is limited or inefficient from a tax or cost standpoint. There can be no assurance that structured investments will trade at the same price or have the same value as the underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Investments in structured investments involve risks including, but not limited to, issuer risk, counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because a Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and has no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing a Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that a Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.
Swaps risk – Swap agreements are subject to the risks of derivatives, including risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. Swap agreements historically have been OTC, two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods typically ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. There are various types of swaps, including but not limited to, total return swaps, credit default swaps and interest rate swaps; all of these and other swaps are derivatives and as such, each is subject to the general risks relating to derivatives described herein.
The Dodd-Frank Act mandated a new regulatory framework for trading swaps in the United States. For example, certain standardized swaps are now, and others may in the future be, required to be executed on or subject to the rules of specified trading platforms such as designated contract markets or swap execution facilities and cleared by a central counterparty such as a derivatives clearing organization (“DCO”). Central clearing is intended to reduce the risk of default by the counterparty. However, central clearing may increase the costs of swap transactions. There are also risks introduced of a possible default by the central counterparty or by a clearing member or futures commission merchant through which a swap is submitted for clearing. The process of implementing the regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act as well as other foreign regulations is ongoing and there may be further changes to the system.
Temporary defensive positions and large cash positions risk – In anticipation of, or in response to, adverse market or other conditions, or atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or redemptions, and Sub-Adviser transitions, and/or Fund mergers or rebalances, the Fund may temporarily hold all or a significant portion, without limitation, of its assets in cash, cash equivalents, affiliated and unaffiliated money market funds, or high-quality debt instruments. During periods in which the Fund employs such a temporary defensive strategy or holds large cash positions, it will not be pursuing, and will not achieve, its investment objective. Taking a defensive or large cash position may reduce the potential for appreciation of the portfolio and may affect performance.
Tender option bonds and related securities risk – The Fund’s use of tender option bonds may reduce the Fund’s return and/or increase volatility. Tender option bonds are created when municipal bonds are deposited into a trust or other special purpose vehicle, which issues two classes of certificates with varying economic interests. Holders of the first class of interests, or floating rate certificates, receive tax-exempt interest based on short-term rates and may tender the certificates to the trust at face value. A remarketing agent for the trust is required to attempt to resell any tendered floating rate certificates and if the remarketing agent is unsuccessful, the trust’s liquidity provider must contribute cash to ensure that the tendering holders receive the purchase price of their securities on the repurchase date. Holders of the second class of interests, or residual income certificates (commonly referred to as “inverse floaters”), receive tax-exempt interest at a rate based on the difference between the interest rate earned on the underlying bonds and the interest paid to floating rate certificate holders, and bear the risk that the underlying bonds decline in value. Investments in tender option bonds expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in tender option bonds typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including greater risk of loss of principal. Certain tender option bonds may be illiquid. In certain instances, a trust may be terminated if, for example, the issuer of the underlying bond defaults on interest payments, the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the underlying bond is downgraded, or tendered floating rate certificates cannot be resold.
TIPS and inflation-linked bonds risk – The value of inflation-protected securities generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates, which are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. As a result, if inflation rates were to rise at a faster rate than nominal rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of inflation-protected securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of inflation-protected securities. If the Fund purchases inflation-protected securities in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, the Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation. The inflation-protected securities markets are generally much smaller and less liquid than the nominal bonds from the same issuers and, as such, can suffer from losses during time of economic stress or illiquidity.
U.S. Government securities risk – Obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government vary in the level of support they receive from the U.S. Government. They may be: (i) supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Government National Mortgage Association; (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”); (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the issuer’s obligations, such as those of the former Student Loan Marketing Association; or (iv) supported only by the credit of the issuer, such as those of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to receive support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.
Although many types of U.S. Government securities may be purchased by the Funds, such as those issued by Fannie Mae, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal Home Loan Banks, and other entities chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer defaulted, the holder of the securities of such issuer might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been operating as going concerns in a conservatorship overseen by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) since 2008, and each remains liable for all of its obligations, including its guarantees, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The ongoing effect that this conservatorship will continue to have on the entities’ debt and equities and on securities guaranteed by the entities is unclear. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Treasury initiatives discussed above with respect to the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be successful. In addition, new accounting standards and future Congressional action may affect the value of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debt.
FHFA and the White House have made public statements regarding plans to consider ending the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In the event that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are taken out of conservatorship, it is unclear how the capital structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be constructed and what effects, if any, there may be on Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s creditworthiness and guarantees of certain mortgage-backed securities. Should Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s conservatorship end, there could be an adverse impact on the value of their securities, which could cause losses to the Funds.
Volatility risk – The Fund may have investments that appreciate or depreciate significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to experience significant appreciations or depreciations in value over short periods of time.
When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments risk – When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments transactions arise when securities are purchased by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund loses both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. In addition, these investments may create a form of investment leverage, which may increase the Fund’s volatility and may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio securities when it may not be advantageous.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 14, 2025
JNL SERIES TRUST
JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund
(a series of JNL Series Trust)
AND
JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund
(a series of JNL Series Trust)
1 Corporate Way
Lansing, Michigan 48951
(517) 381-5500
| Acquisition of the assets and assumption of the liabilities of: | By and in exchange for shares of: |
| JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund | JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund |
This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) relates specifically to the proposed reorganization of the JNL/Western Asset Global Multi-Sector Bond Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) into the JNL/Neuberger Berman Strategic Income Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”) under which the Acquiring Fund would acquire all of the assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange solely for shares of the Acquiring Fund and that Acquiring Fund’s assumption of all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities (the “Reorganization”). This SAI is available to separate accounts, registered investment companies, and non-qualified plans of Jackson National Life Insurance Company (“Jackson National”) or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York (each, an “Insurance Company” and together, the “Insurance Companies”) with amounts allocated to the Acquired Fund and to other shareholders of the Acquired Fund as of January 31, 2025.
This SAI consists of the cover page, the information set forth below and the following described documents, each of which is incorporated by reference herein and accompanies this SAI:
(1) The Acquired Fund’s and the Acquiring Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated April 29, 2024, as supplemented (File Nos. 033-87244 and 811-08894);
(2) The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (File Nos. 033-87244 and 811-08894); and
(3) The Semi-Annual Financial Statements with respect to the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund for the period ended June 30, 2024 included in JNL Series Trust’s Form N-CSR filing with the SEC (File Nos. 033-87244 and 811-08894).
This SAI is not a prospectus. A Proxy Statement and Prospectus dated February 14, 2025, relating to the Reorganization (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) may be obtained at no charge by calling 1-800-644-4565 (Jackson Customer Care), 1-800-599-5651 (Jackson NY Customer Care), by writing JNL Series Trust, P.O. Box 30314, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7814 or by visiting www.jackson.com. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Reorganization is expected to be effective as of the close of business on April 25, 2025, or on such later date as may be deemed necessary in the judgment of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the JNL Series Trust (the “Trust”) in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization (the “Closing Date”).
Following the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will be the accounting and performance survivor.
A table showing the fees of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, and the fees and expenses of the Acquiring Fund on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the proposed Reorganization, is included in the section entitled “Comparative Fee and Expense Tables” of the of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
The Reorganization will not result in a material change in the Acquired Fund’s investment portfolio due to the investment restrictions of the Acquiring Fund. It is currently anticipated that approximately 98.72% of the Acquired Fund’s holdings will be transferred to the Acquiring Fund in connection with the Reorganization. It is anticipated that, in advance of the Reorganization, approximately 1.28% of the Acquired Fund’s holdings will be sold and the proceeds allocated to the Acquiring Fund in accordance with the Acquiring Fund’s principal investment strategies. It is not expected that the Acquiring Fund will revise any of its investment policies following the Reorganization to reflect those of the Acquired Fund. As a result, a schedule of investments of the Acquired Fund modified to show the effects of the Reorganization is not required and is not included. Notwithstanding the foregoing, changes may be made to the Acquired Fund’s portfolio in advance of the Reorganization and/or the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio following the Reorganization.
There are no material differences in accounting policies of the Acquired Fund as compared to those of the Acquiring Fund.
The Reorganization is not expected to be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes for Contract Owners.
If the Reorganization is consummated, the Combined Fund would seek to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if such qualification is in the best interests of shareholders. Partnerships generally are not subject to federal income tax. In addition, the Acquired Fund, which intends to qualify for treatment as a RIC through the Closing Date of the Reorganization, will make distributions of substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
As of December 31, 2023, the Acquired Fund had $227,950,305 in net capital loss carryforwards. The Acquiring Fund is organized as a partnership and, as such, had no net capital loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2023. The Acquiring Fund is not able to realize any future benefit from any unused capital loss carryforward and other losses deferred by the Acquired Fund, if any, following the Reorganization.
The fact that the Acquiring Fund is, and intends to continue to be, treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes provides a number of potential benefits to shareholders, including accelerated receipt of foreign tax reclaims under certain conditions, a potential increase in securities lending income, elimination of the risk that the Fund will fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC under various tests imposed by the Code, and a reduction in the risk of operational and administrative errors as the complexity of the Fund’s tax accounting and financial reporting is reduced. The Insurance Companies receive benefits under the federal income tax laws with respect to tax deductions and credits as it relates to the tax structure of the Funds insofar as the Insurance Companies are entitled to receive the deduction and credit for any dividends received or foreign tax payments generated by each of the Fund’s investment portfolios because the Funds advised by JNAM are owned directly by the Insurance Companies’ separate accounts, by various funds of the Trust, which are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and by the Insurance Companies. As the Funds’ investment adviser, JNAM acts as a fiduciary for the benefit of the Funds’ ultimate shareholders (the variable annuity contract owners) and in no way seeks to maximize the dividends received deduction or foreign tax credits if there is a potential that it may detrimentally impact a shareholder or contract owner. Any additional benefits related to enhanced dividends received deduction or foreign tax credits to the Insurance Companies are not directly shared with the adviser, sub-advisers, Funds, shareholders, or contract owners; however, JNAM is responsible for monitoring that any benefit that the Insurance Companies receive from the tax structure of the Funds does not result in a detriment or have a harmful impact to the Funds, shareholders, or contract owners.
For each Fund, distributions other than in redemption of Fund shares, if any, are automatically reinvested at net asset value in shares of the distributing class of that Fund.
JNL SERIES TRUST
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 15. Indemnification. |
| |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust: Article IV of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, provides that each of its Trustees and Officers (including persons who serve at the Registrant’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Registrant has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (each, a “Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Registrant against all liabilities and expenses that may be incurred by reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office. |
| |
| Article IV, Section 4.3 of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, as amended, provides the following: |
| |
(a) | Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below: |
| | |
| | (i) | every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust (including any individual who serves at its request as director, officer, partner, trustee or the like of another organization in which it has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) shall be indemnified by the Trust, or by one or more Series thereof if the claim arises from his or her conduct with respect to only such Series (unless the Series was terminated prior to any such liability or claim being known to the Trustees, in which case such obligations, to the extent not satisfied out of the assets of a Series, the obligation shall be an obligation of the Trust), to the fullest extent permitted by law against all liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee or officer and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof; |
| | |
| | (ii) | the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities. |
| | |
(b) | No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Trustee or officer: |
| | |
| | (i) | against any liability to the Trust, a Series thereof or the Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office; |
| | |
| | (ii) | with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust or a Series thereof; |
| | |
| | (iii) | in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication as provided in paragraph (b)(ii) resulting in a payment by a Trustee or officer, unless there has been a determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office: |
| | |
| | | (A) | by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition; |
| | |
| | | (B) | based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry) by (i) vote of a majority of the Non-interested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Non-interested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or (ii) written opinion of independent legal counsel; or |
| | |
| | | (C) | by a vote of a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote (excluding Shares owned of record or beneficially by such individual). |
| | |
(c) | The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Trustee or officer may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Trustee or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators and assigns of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust or any Series thereof other than Trustees and officers may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law. |
| | |
(d) | Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 4.3 may be advanced by the Trust or a Series thereof prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 4.3, provided that either: |
| | |
| | (i) | such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security provided by the recipient, or the Trust or Series thereof shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or |
| | |
| | (ii) | a majority of the Non-interested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Non-interested Trustees act on the matter) or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. |
| | |
As used in Section 4.3 of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, a “Non-interested Trustee” is one who (i) is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (ii) is not involved in the claim, action, suit or proceeding. |
Indemnification Arrangements: The foregoing indemnification arrangements are subject to the provisions of Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| |
| Insofar as indemnification by the Registrant for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| |
| In addition to the above indemnification, Jackson National Life Insurance Company extends its indemnification of its own officers, directors and employees to cover such persons’ activities as officers, trustees or employees of the Registrant. |
| Item 16. Exhibits | |
| | |
| (1) | | | | |
| | | | | |
| (2) | | | | |
| | | | | |
| (3) | | | Not Applicable. | |
| | | | | |
| (4) | | | Plan of Reorganization, filed as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement and Prospectus set forth in Part A to this Registration Statement on Form N-14. | |
| | | | | |
| (5) | | | Provisions of instruments defining the rights of holders of the securities being registered are contained in the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-laws (See Exhibits (1) and (2) above). | |
| | | | | |
| (6) | (a) | | Jackson National Asset Management, LLC (“JNAM”) | |
| | | | | |
| | | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (b) | | Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (“NBIA”) | |
| | | | | |
| | | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (c) | | Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western”) | |
| | | | | |
| | | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| (7) | | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| (8) | | | Not Applicable. | |
| | | | | |
| (9) | (a) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (viii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ix) | | |
| | | | | |
| (10) | (a) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (viii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ix) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (x) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (b) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (viii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ix) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (x) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xiii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xiv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xvi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xvii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xviii) | | |
| | | | | |
| (11) | | | Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares being registered, attached hereto. | |
| | | | | |
| (12) | | | Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding tax matters and consequences to shareholders discussed in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus, to be filed by amendment. | |
| | | | | |
| (13) | (a) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | (b) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (c) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (d) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (e) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | (f) | (i) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (iv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (v) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (vii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (viii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (ix) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (x) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xiii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xiv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xv) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xvi) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xvii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xviii) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xix) | | |
| | | | | |
| | | (xx) | | |
| | | | | |
(14) | | | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, attached hereto. | |
| | | | | |
(15) | | | None. | |
| | | | | |
(16) | | | Power of Attorney, dated June 1, 2024, attached hereto. | |
| | | | | |
(17) | | | Proxy and Voting Instruction Cards, attached hereto. | |
| | | | | |
| | |
1 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A (033-87244; 811-8894) (“Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 26, 2012. | |
2 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on December 19, 2012. | |
3 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 26, 2013. | |
4 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on September 13, 2013. | |
5 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 25, 2014. | |
6 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on September 12, 2014. | |
7 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 129 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 24, 2015. | |
8 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on September 25, 2015. | |
9 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 22, 2016. | |
10 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on September 16, 2016. | |
11 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 21, 2017. | |
12 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on September 22, 2017. | |
13 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 27, 2018. | |
14 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on August 10, 2018. | |
15 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 168 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on December 16, 2019. | |
16 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 171 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 23, 2020. | |
17 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 174 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on December 11, 2020. | |
18 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 177 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 22, 2021. | |
19 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 179 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on December 13, 2021. | |
20 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 182 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 21, 2022. | |
21 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 183 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on September 1, 2022. | |
22 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 184 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on November 15, 2022. | |
23 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 186 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 27, 2023. | |
24 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on December 6, 2023. | |
25 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on April 26, 2024. | |
26 | Incorporated by reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the SEC on October 17, 2024. | |
| Item 17. Undertakings. | |
| | |
(1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this Registration Statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form. (2) The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the Registration Statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them. (3) The Registrant agrees to file an executed copy of the opinion of counsel supporting the tax consequences of the proposed reorganization as an amendment to this Registration Statement within a reasonable time after receipt of such opinion. | |
| SIGNATURES | |
| | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-14 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Lansing and the State of Michigan on the 18th day of December, 2024. | |
| | |
| | |
| JNL SERIES TRUST | |
| | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | | |
Emily J. Bennett | | |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary; and *Attorney-in-Fact, pursuant to Powers of Attorney | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| As required by the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement on Form N-14 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. | |
| | |
| | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Eric O. Anyah | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Michael Bouchard | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Ellen Carnahan | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
John W. Gillespie | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
William R. Rybak | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Mark S. Wehrle | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Edward C. Wood | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Patricia A. Woodworth | | | |
Trustee | | | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Mark D. Nerud | | | |
Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| | | |
| /s/ Emily J. Bennett | * | December 18, 2024 | |
Andrew Tedeschi | | | |
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| | |
| EXHIBIT LIST | |
| | | | | |
(11) | | Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding legality of shares being registered. | |
| | | | |
(14) | | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
| | | | |
(16) | | Power of Attorney, dated June 1, 2024. | |
| | | | |
(17) | | Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction Cards. | |
| | | | |
