EXHIBIT 4
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION dated December 20, 1996 (the
''Agreement''), between THE VIRTUS FUNDS, a Massachusetts business trust
(''Virtus''), on behalf of its portfolio, The Style Manager: Large Cap Fund
(hereinafter called the ''Acquiring Fund''), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS, a
Massachusetts business trust (''▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇''), on behalf of its portfolio,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Capital Growth Fund (hereinafter called the ''Acquired Fund'').
This Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of
reorganization and liquidation within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(C)
of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
''Code''). The reorganization (the ''Reorganization'') will consist of the
transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange solely for
Investment Shares of the Acquiring Fund (the ''Acquiring Fund Shares'') and
the distribution, after the Closing Date hereinafter referred to, of the
Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund in
liquidation of the Acquired Fund as provided herein, all upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.
WHEREAS, Virtus and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ are registered open-end management
investment companies and the Acquired Fund owns securities in which the
Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;
WHEREAS, both the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are authorized
to issue their shares of beneficial interest;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees
who are not ''interested persons'' (as defined under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the ''1940 Act'')), of Virtus has determined that
the exchange of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund for Acquiring Fund
Shares is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund shareholders and that
the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund would not
be diluted as a result of this transaction; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees
who are not ''interested persons'' (as defined under the 1940 Act), of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has determined that the exchange of all of the assets of the
Acquired Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares is in the best interests of the
Acquired Fund shareholders and that the interests of the existing
shareholders of the Acquired Fund would not be diluted as a result of this
transaction;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR THE
ACQUIRING FUND SHARES AND LIQUIDATION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND.
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the Acquired Fund
agrees to assign, transfer and convey to the Acquiring Fund all of the
assets of the Acquired Fund, including all securities and cash other than
cash in an amount necessary to pay any unpaid dividends and distributions
as provided in paragraph 1.5, and the Acquiring Fund agrees in exchange
therefor (i) to deliver to the Acquired Fund the number of Acquiring Fund
Shares, including fractional Acquiring Fund Shares, determined as set forth
in paragraph 2.3. Such transaction shall take place at the closing (the
''Closing'') on the closing date (the ''Closing Date'') provided for in
paragraph 3.1. In lieu of delivering certificates for the Acquiring Fund
Shares, the Acquiring Fund shall credit the Acquiring Fund Shares to the
Acquired Fund's account on the stock record books of the Acquiring Fund and
shall deliver a confirmation thereof to the Acquired Fund.
1.2 The Acquired Fund will discharge all of its liabilities and
obligations prior to the Closing Date.
1.3 Delivery of the assets of the Acquired Fund to be transferred
shall be made on the Closing Date and shall be delivered to Signet Trust
Company, Richmond, Virginia, the Acquiring Fund's custodian (the
''Custodian''), for the account of the Acquiring Fund, together with proper
instructions and all necessary documents to transfer to the account of the
Acquiring Fund, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, rights,
restrictions and claims. All cash delivered shall be in the form of
currency and immediately available funds payable to the order of the
Custodian for the account of the Acquiring Fund.
1.4 The Acquired Fund will pay or cause to be paid to the Acquiring
Fund any dividends or interest received on or after the Closing Date with
respect to assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund hereunder. The Acquired
Fund will transfer to the Acquiring Fund any distributions, rights or other
assets received by the Acquired Fund after the Closing Date as
distributions on or with respect to the securities transferred. Such assets
shall be deemed included in assets transferred to the Acquiring Fund on the
Closing Date and shall not be separately valued.
1.5 As soon after the Closing Date as is conveniently practicable
(the ''Liquidation Date''), the Acquired Fund will liquidate and distribute
pro rata to the Acquired Fund's shareholders of record, determined as of
the close of business on the Closing Date (the ''Acquired Fund
Shareholders''), the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund
pursuant to paragraph 1.1. In addition, each shareholder of record of the
Acquired Fund shall have the right to receive any unpaid dividends or other
distributions which were declared before the Valuation Date with respect to
the shares of the Acquired Fund that are held by the shareholder on the
Valuation Date. Such liquidation and distribution will be accomplished by
the transfer of the Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of
the Acquired Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on
the share record books of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Acquired
Fund Shareholders and representing the respective pro rata number of the
Acquiring Fund Shares due such shareholders. All issued and outstanding
shares of the Acquired Fund will simultaneously be canceled on the books of
the Acquired Fund. Share certificates representing interests in the
Acquired Fund will represent a number of Acquiring Fund Shares after the
Closing Date as determined in accordance with Paragraph 2.3. The Acquiring
Fund shall not issue certificates representing the Acquiring Fund Shares in
connection with such exchange.
1.6 Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of
the Acquiring Fund's transfer agent. Shares of the Acquiring Fund will be
issued in the manner described in the Acquiring Fund's current prospectus
and statement of additional information.
1.7 Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of the Acquiring Fund
Shares in a name other than the registered holder of the Acquired Fund
shares on the books of the Acquired Fund as of that time shall, as a
condition of such issuance and transfer, be paid by the person to whom such
Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued and transferred.
1.8 Any reporting responsibility of the Acquired Fund is and shall
remain the responsibility of the Acquired Fund up to and including the
Closing Date and such later dates, with respect to liquidation and
termination of the Acquired Fund, on which the Acquired Fund is liquidated
and terminated.
2. VALUATION.
2.1 The value of the Acquired Fund's net assets to be acquired by the
Acquiring Fund hereunder shall be the value of such assets computed as of
the close of the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time)
on the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the
''Valuation Date''), using the valuation procedures set forth in the
Acquiring Fund's then-current prospectus or statement of additional
information.
2.2 The net asset value of an Acquiring Fund Share shall be the net
asset value per share computed as of the close of the New York Stock
Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the Valuation Date, using
the valuation procedures set forth in the Acquiring Fund's then-current
prospectus or statement of additional information.
2.3 The number of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued (including
fractional shares, if any) in exchange for the Acquired Fund's net assets
shall be determined by dividing the value of the net assets of the Acquired
Fund determined using the same valuation procedures referred to in
paragraph 2.1 by the net asset value of one Acquiring Fund Share determined
in accordance with paragraph 2.2.
2.4 All computations of value shall be made in accordance with the
regular practices of the Acquiring Fund.
3. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE.
3.1 The Closing Date shall be February , 1997 or such later date as
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the parties may mutually agree. All acts taking place at the Closing Date
shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of the close of business on
the Closing Date unless otherwise provided. The Closing shall be held at
4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) at the offices of the Acquiring Fund, Federated
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇, or such other time and/or place
as the parties may mutually agree.
3.2 If on the Valuation Date (a) the primary trading market for
portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund shall be
closed to trading or trading thereon shall be restricted; or (b) trading or
the reporting of trading shall be disrupted so that accurate appraisal of
the value of the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund is
impracticable, the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first business
day after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting
shall have been restored.
3.3 Federated Shareholder Services Company, as transfer agent for
each of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund, shall deliver at the Closing
a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the
names and addresses of the Acquired Fund Shareholders and the number and
percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by each such shareholder
immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall issue and
deliver a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Shares to be credited
on the Closing Date to the Secretary of the Acquired Fund, or provide
evidence satisfactory to the Acquired Fund that such Acquiring Fund Shares
have been credited to the Acquired Fund's account on the books of the
Acquiring Fund. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other such
bills of sale, checks, assignments, assumption agreements, share
certificates, if any, receipts or other documents as such other party or
its counsel may reasonably request.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
4.1 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ represents and warrants to Virtus as follows:
(a) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is a business trust duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and has power to own all of its properties and assets and to carry out this
Agreement.
(b) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is registered under the 1940 Act, as an open-end,
management investment company, and such registration has not been revoked
or rescinded and is in full force and effect.
(c) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement will not result, in material violation of its Declaration of
Trust or By-Laws or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract,
lease or other undertaking to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by
which it is bound.
(d) The Acquired Fund has no material contracts or other commitments
outstanding (other than this Agreement) which will result in liability to
it after the Closing Date.
(e) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or
before any court or governmental body is currently pending or to its
knowledge threatened against the Acquired Fund or any of its properties or
assets which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely
affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business. The Acquired
Fund knows of no facts which might form the basis for the institution of
such proceedings, and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any
order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body which
materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate
the transactions herein contemplated.
(f) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of
the Acquired Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ''1933 Act''),
and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the ''Commission'') thereunder and do not include any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(g) The Statements of Assets and Liabilities of the Acquired Fund at
October 31, 1996 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
accountants, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, consistently applied, and such statements (copies of
which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the
financial condition of the Acquired Fund as of such dates, and there are no
known contingent liabilities of the Acquired Fund as of such date not
disclosed therein.
(h) Since October 31, 1996, there has not been any material adverse
change in the Acquired Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities or
business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business,
or any incurrence by the Acquired Fund of indebtedness maturing more than
one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise
disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund.
(i) At the Closing Date, all Federal and other tax returns and
reports of the Acquired Fund required by law to have been filed by such
date shall have been filed, and all Federal and other taxes shall have been
paid so far as due, or provision shall have been made for the payment
thereof, and to the best of the Acquired Fund's knowledge no such return is
currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to
such returns.
(j) For each fiscal year of its operation, the Acquired Fund has met
the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and
treatment as a regulated investment company.
(k) All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund are, and
at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully
paid and non-assessable. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Acquired Fund will, at the time of the Closing, be held by the persons and
in the amounts set forth in the records of the transfer agent as provided
in paragraph 3.3. The Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options,
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the Acquired
Fund shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of
the Acquired Fund shares.
(l) On the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have full right,
power and authority to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the assets to be
transferred by it hereunder.
(m) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Trustees and, subject to the approval of the Acquired Fund Shareholders,
this Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the
Acquired Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the
effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
conveyance and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally and court decisions with respect thereto, and to general
principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether
the enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(n) The prospectus/proxy statement of the Acquired Fund (the
''Prospectus/Proxy Statement'') to be included in the Registration
Statement referred to in paragraph 5.5 (other than information therein that
relates to the Acquiring Fund) will, on the effective date of the
Registration Statement and on the Closing Date, not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.
(o) Virtus Capital Management, Inc. has agreed to assume the expense
of the reorganization including accountants' fees, legal fees, registration
fees, transfer taxes (if any), the fees of banks and transfer agents and
the costs of preparing, printing, copying and mailing proxy solicitation
materials to the Acquiring Fund's shareholders and the costs of holding the
Special Meeting of Shareholders.
4.2 Virtus represents and warrants to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as follows:
(a) Virtus is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
has the power to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to
carry out this Agreement.
(b) Virtus is registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end,
management investment company, and such registration has not been revoked
or rescinded and is in full force and effect.
(c) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of
the Acquiring Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder and do not include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) Virtus is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement will not result, in material violation of its Declaration of
Trust or By-Laws or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract,
lease or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by
which it is bound.
(e) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or
before any court or governmental body is currently pending or to its
knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of its properties or
assets which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely
affect its financial condition or the conduct of its business. The
Acquiring Fund knows of no facts which might form the basis for the
institution of such proceedings, and is not a party to or subject to the
provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental
body which materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to
consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
(f) The Statements of Assets and Liabilities of the Acquiring Fund at
September 30, 1995 and 1996, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, and have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, and such statements
(copies of which have been furnished to the Acquired Fund) fairly reflect
the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of such date, and there
are no known contingent liabilities of the Acquiring Fund as of such date
not disclosed therein.
(g) Since September 30, 1996, there has not been any material adverse
change in the Acquiring Fund's financial condition, assets, liabilities or
business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business,
or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of any indebtedness, except as
otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Acquired Fund.
(h) At the Closing Date, all Federal and other tax returns and
reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law then to be filed shall have
been filed, and all Federal and other taxes shown as due on said returns
and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the
payment thereof.
(i) For each fiscal year of its operation, the Acquiring Fund has met
the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and
treatment as a regulated investment company.
(j) All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund are, and
at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully
paid and non-assessable. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any
options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the
Acquiring Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible
into any Acquiring Fund Shares.
(k) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have
been duly authorized by all necessary action, if any, on the part of
Virtus' Trustees, and this Agreement constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund enforceable in accordance with its
terms, subject to the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally and court decisions with respect
thereto, and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the
court (regardless of whether the enforceability is considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law).
(l) The Prospectus/Proxy Statement to be included in the Registration
Statement (only insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund) will, on the
effective date of the Registration Statement and on the Closing Date, not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were
made, not misleading.
(m) The Acquiring Fund has entered into an agreement under which
Virtus Capital Management, Inc. will assume the expenses of the
reorganization including accountants' fees, legal fees, registration fees,
transfer taxes (if any), the fees of banks and transfer agents and the
costs of preparing, printing, copying and mailing proxy solicitation
materials to the Acquired Fund's shareholders and the costs of holding the
Special Meeting of Shareholders.
5. COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND THE ACQUIRED FUND.
5.1 The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund each will operate its
business in the ordinary course between the date hereof and the Closing
Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will
include customary dividends and distributions.
5.2 The Acquired Fund will call a meeting of the Acquired Fund
Shareholders to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other
action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated
herein.
5.3 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund
and the Acquired Fund will each take, or cause to be taken, all action, and
do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
5.4 As promptly as practicable, but in any case within sixty days
after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund shall furnish the Acquiring Fund,
in such form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund, a
statement of the earnings and profits of the Acquired Fund for Federal
income tax purposes which will be carried over to the Acquiring Fund as a
result of Section 381 of the Code and which will be certified by the
Acquired Fund's President and its Treasurer.
5.5 The Acquired Fund will provide the Acquiring Fund with
information reasonably necessary for the preparation of a prospectus (the
''Prospectus'') which will include the Proxy Statement, referred to in
paragraph 4.1(o), all to be included in a Registration Statement on Form N-
14 of the Acquiring Fund (the ''Registration Statement''), in compliance
with the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
1940 Act in connection with the meeting of the Acquired Fund Shareholders
to consider approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
herein.
5.6 The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain
the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and
such of the state Blue Sky or securities laws as it may deem appropriate in
order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.
5.7 Prior to the Valuation Date, the Acquired Fund shall have
declared a dividend or dividends, with a record date and ex-dividend date
prior to the Valuation Date, which, together with all previous dividends,
shall have the effect of distributing to its shareholders all of its
investment company taxable income, if any, plus the excess of its interest
income, if any, excludable from gross income under Code section 103 (a)
over its deductions disallowed under Code sections 265 and 171 (a)(2) for
the taxable periods or years ended on or before October 31, 1996 and for
the period from said date to and including the Closing Date (computed
without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), and all of its net
capital gain, if any, realized in taxable periods or years ended on or
before October 31, 1996 and in the period from said date to and including
the Closing Date.
6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND.
The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to complete the transactions
provided for herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance
by the Acquired Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder
on or before the Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following
conditions:
6.1 All representations and warranties of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as
if made on and as of the Closing Date.
6.2 The Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a
statement of the Acquired Fund's assets, together with a list of the
Acquired Fund's portfolio securities showing the tax basis of such
securities by lot and the holding periods of such securities, as of the
Closing Date, certified by the Treasurer of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
6.3 The Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund on
the Closing Date a certificate executed in its name by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇
President or Vice President and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Treasurer or Assistant
Treasurer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund, to the
effect that the representations and warranties of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ made in this
Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Closing Date, except as
they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably
request.
7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND.
The obligations of the Acquired Fund to consummate the transactions
provided herein shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by
the Acquiring Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it hereunder
on or before the Closing Date and, in addition thereto, the following
conditions:
7.1 All representations and warranties of Virtus contained in this
Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date
hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as
if made on and as of the Closing Date.
7.2 The Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Acquired Fund on
the Closing Date a certificate executed in its name by Virtus' President or
Vice President and Virtus' Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Fund, to the effect that
the representations and warranties of Virtus made in this Agreement are
true and correct at and as of the Closing Date, except as they may be
affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and as to such
other matters as the Acquired Fund shall reasonably request.
8. FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING
FUND AND THE ACQUIRED FUND.
If any of the conditions set forth below do not exist on or before the
Closing Date with respect to the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, the
other party to this Agreement shall, at its option, not be required to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.1 The Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall have
been approved by the Boards of Trustees of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Virtus and by the
requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Acquired
Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Acquired Fund's Declaration
of Trust.
8.2 On the Closing Date no action, suit or other proceeding shall be
pending before any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to
restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with,
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein.
8.3 All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and
permits of Federal, state and local regulatory authorities (including those
of the Commission and of state Blue Sky and securities authorities) deemed
necessary by the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund to permit
consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated
hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such
consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse
effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired
Fund, provided that either party hereto may for itself waive any of such
conditions.
8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the
1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have
been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no
investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or
be pending, threatened or contemplated under the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
8.5 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Virtus shall have received an opinion of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP substantially to the effect that for Federal
income tax purposes:
(a) The transfer of all of the Acquired Fund assets in exchange for
the Acquiring Fund Shares and the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares
to the Acquired Fund Shareholders in liquidation of the Acquired Fund will
constitute a ''reorganization'' within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(C)
of the Code; (b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund
upon the receipt of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for
the Acquiring Fund Shares; (c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the
Acquired Fund upon the transfer of the Acquired Fund assets to the
Acquiring Fund in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares or upon the
distribution (whether actual or constructive) of the Acquiring Fund Shares
to Acquired Fund Shareholders in exchange for their shares of the Acquired
Fund; (d) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund
Shareholders upon the exchange of their Acquired Fund shares for the
Acquiring Fund Shares; (e) The tax basis of the Acquired Fund assets
acquired by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such
assets to the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization; (f)
The tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each of the Acquired
Fund Shareholders pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the
tax basis of the Acquired Fund shares held by such shareholder immediately
prior to the Reorganization; (g) The holding period of the assets of the
Acquired Fund in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period
during which those assets were held by the Acquired Fund; and (h) The
holding period of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be received by each Acquired
Fund Shareholder will include the period during which the Acquired Fund
shares exchanged therefor were held by such shareholder (provided the
Acquired Fund shares were held as capital assets on the date of the
Reorganization).
9. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.
9.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be
terminated and abandoned by resolution of the Board of Trustees of
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ or Virtus at any time prior to the Closing Date (and
notwithstanding any vote of the Board of Trustees of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇) if
circumstances should develop that, in the opinion of either of the parties'
Board of Trustees, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable.
9.2 If this Agreement is terminated and the exchange contemplated
hereby is abandoned pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9, this
Agreement shall become void and have no effect, without any liability on
the part of any party hereto or the trustees, officers or shareholders of
Virtus or of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, in respect of this Agreement.
10. WAIVER.
At any time prior to the Closing Date, any of the foregoing conditions
may be waived by the Board of Trustees of Virtus or of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, if, in
the judgment of either, such waiver will not have a material adverse effect
on the benefits intended under this Agreement to the shareholders of the
Acquiring Fund or of the Acquired Fund, as the case may be.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
11.1 None of the representations and warranties included or provided
for herein shall survive consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
11.2 This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and
merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, and understandings
of every kind and nature between them relating to the subject matter
hereof. Neither party shall be bound by any condition, definition, warranty
or representation, other than as set forth or provided in this Agreement or
as may be set forth in a later writing signed by the party to be bound
thereby.
11.3 This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with
the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without giving
effect to principles of conflict of laws.
11.4 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an
original.
11.5 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or
transfer hereof of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any
party without the written consent of the other party. Nothing herein
expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or
give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by
reason of this Agreement.
11.6 The Acquired Fund is hereby expressly put on notice of the
limitation of liability as set forth in Article XI of the Declaration of
Trust of the Acquiring Fund and agrees that the obligations assumed by the
Acquiring Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any case to
the Acquiring Fund and its assets and the Acquired Fund shall not seek
satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Acquiring
Fund, the trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Acquiring Fund or
any of them.
11.7 The Acquiring Fund is hereby expressly put on notice of the
limitation of liability as set forth in Article XI of the Declaration of
Trust of the Acquired Fund and agrees that the obligations assumed by the
Acquired Fund pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any case to
the Acquired Fund and its assets and the Acquiring Fund shall not seek
satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Acquired
Fund, the trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Acquired Fund or
any of them.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund have caused
this Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to be executed and attested on
its behalf by its duly authorized representatives as of the date first
above written.
Acquired Fund:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ FUNDS,
on behalf of its Portfolio,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ CAPITAL GROWTH FUND
Attest:
/s/ By: /s/
Assistant Secretary Name:
Title:
Acquiring Fund:
THE VIRTUS FUNDS,
on behalf of its Portfolio,
THE STYLE MANAGER:
LARGE CAP FUND
Attest:
/s/ By: /s/
Assistant Secretary Name:
Date:
