For Internal Use Only
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS PROXY STATEMENT?
Your fund is conducting a shareholder meeting, scheduled for January 19, 2007.
WHAT PROPOSAL AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON?
Your Fund is voting on a proposal to approve of a New Sub-Advisory Agreement for your Fund among IXIS Advisors, Hansberger Global Investors, Inc. (“Hansberger”).
WHY ARE WE VOTING ON A NEW SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT?
Your Trustees approved a New Sub-Advisory Agreement for your Fund among IXIS Advisors, Hansberger and the applicable Trust, on behalf of such Fund, and are recommending that shareholders of each Fund VOTE to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement for their Fund. The Current Sub-Advisory Agreements will terminate when a proposed change of control occurs in Hansberger Group, Inc., Hansberger’s parent company. This change of control will result from the transfer of ownership of a controlling interest in Hansberger Group, Inc. to IXIS Asset Management US Group, L.P. Federal law provides that an advisory agreement of a mutual fund must provide for its automatic termination in the event of the agreement’s “assignment”, such as when a controlling block of the investment adviser’s is transferred; and requires that shareholders approve a New Sub-Advisory Agreement.
IS THERE ANY DIFFENCE BETWEEN THE OLD SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND THE NEW SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT?
No. The New Sub-Advisory Agreement is substantially similar to the Sub-Advisory Agreement currently in effect for you Fund.
ARE THERE CHANGES TO THE SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT FEES?
No. There will not be any changes to the Sub-Advisory Agreement fees paid by the Funds.
WHO IS PAYING FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT?
IXIS Asset Management Advisors, LP and its affiliates will pay for the expenses related to this proxy campaign.
HOW DO THE TRUSTEES SUGGEST I VOTE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSALS THAT AFFECT ME?
After careful consideration, your Trustees unanimously recommend that you vote FOR the approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement proposal.
HOW DO I VOTE MY SHARES?
You can vote in any of the following ways:
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| INTERNET: | | Have your proxy card available. Vote on the Internet by accessing the website address on your proxy card. Enter your control number from your proxy card. Follow the instructions found on the website; |
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| TELEPHONE: | | Have your proxy card available. You may vote by telephone by calling the number on your proxy card. Enter the control number on the proxy card and follow the Instructions provided. |
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| MAIL: | | Vote, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
WHOM SHOULD I CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY STATEMENT?
If you should have any questions concerning the proxy, please feel free to call The Altman Group, your Fund’s proxy agent, at 1-800-283-2519.