Exhibit d(3)(ix)
NVEST STAR ADVISERS FUND
Sub-Advisory Agreement
(Xxxxxxx Funds LLC)
Sub-Advisory Agreement (this "Agreement") entered into as of 30th day
of October, 2000, by and among Nvest Star Advisers Trust I, a Massachusetts
business trust (the "Trust"), with respect to its Nvest Star Advisers Fund
series (the "Series"), Nvest Funds Management, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the "Manager"), and Xxxxxxx Funds LLC, a Delaware limited liability
corporation (the "Sub-Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Manager has entered into an Advisory Agreement dated
October 30, 2000 (the "Advisory Agreement") with the Trust, relating to the
provision of portfolio management and administrative services to the Series;
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement provides that the Manager may delegate
any or all of its portfolio management responsibilities under the Advisory
Agreement to one or more sub-advisers;
WHEREAS, the Manager and the trustees of the Trust desire to retain the
Sub-Adviser to render portfolio management services in the manner and on the
terms set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth in this Agreement, the Trust, the Manager and the Sub-Adviser agree as
follows:
1. Sub-Advisory Services.
---------------------
a. The Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Manager
and of any administrator appointed by the Manager (the
"Administrator"), manage the investment and reinvestment of such
portion of the assets of the Series as the Manager may from time to
time allocate to the Sub-Adviser for management (such portion, the
"Segment") and the Sub-Adviser shall have the authority on behalf of
the Series to vote all proxies and exercise all other rights of the
Series as a security holder of companies in which the Segment from time
to time invests. The Sub-Adviser shall manage the Segment in conformity
with (1) the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the
Series set forth in the Trust's prospectus and statement of additional
information relating to the Series, (2) any additional policies or
guidelines established by the Manager or by the Trust's trustees that
have been furnished in writing to the Sub-Adviser and (3) the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") applicable to
"regulated investment companies" (as defined in Section 851 of the
Code), all as from time
to time in effect (collectively, the "Policies"), and with all
applicable provisions of law, including without limitation all
applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. For purposes of
compliance with the Policies, the Sub-Adviser shall be entitled to
treat the Segment as though the Segment constituted the entire Series,
and the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible in any way for the
compliance of any assets of the Series, other than the Segment, with
the Policies, or for the compliance of the Series, taken as a whole,
with the Policies. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser is
authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the
Manager, to buy, sell, lend and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds
and other securities and investment instruments on behalf of the
Series, without regard to the length of time the securities have been
held and the resulting rate of portfolio turnover or any tax
considerations; and the majority or the whole of the Segment may be
invested in such proportions of stocks, bonds, other securities or
investment instruments, or cash, as the Sub-Adviser shall determine.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.a; however,
the Sub-Adviser shall, upon written instructions from the Manager,
effect such portfolio transactions for the Segment as the Manager shall
determine are necessary in order for the Series to comply with the
Policies.
b. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish the Manager and the
Administrator monthly, quarterly and annual reports concerning
portfolio transactions and performance of the Segment in such form as
may be mutually agreed upon, and agrees to review the Segment and
discuss the management of it. The Sub-Adviser shall permit all books
and records with respect to the Segment to be inspected and audited by
the Manager and the Administrator at all reasonable times during normal
business hours, upon reasonable notice. The Sub-Adviser shall also
provide the Manager with such other information and reports as may
reasonably be requested by the Manager from time to time, including
without limitation all material requested by or required to be
delivered to the trustees of the Trust.
c. The Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Manager a copy of the
Sub-Adviser's Form ADV as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and a list of the persons whom the Sub-Adviser wishes to
have authorized to give written and/or oral instructions to custodians
of assets of the Series.
2. Obligations of the Manager.
--------------------------
a. The Manager shall provide (or cause the Series' Custodian (as
defined in Section 3 hereof) to provide) timely information to the Sub-
Adviser regarding such matters as the composition of assets of the
Segment, cash requirements and cash available for investment in the
Segment, and all other information as may be reasonably necessary for
the Sub-Adviser to perform its responsibilities hereunder.
2
b. The Manager has furnished the Sub-Adviser a copy of the
prospectus and statement of additional information of the Series and
agrees during the continuance of this Agreement to furnish the
Sub-Adviser copies of any revisions or supplements thereto at, or, if
practicable, before the time the revisions or supplements become
effective. The Manager agrees to furnish the Sub-Adviser with minutes
of meetings of the trustees of the Trust applicable to the Series to
the extent they may affect the duties of the Sub-Adviser, and with
copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Series to its
shareholders, and any further materials or information which the
Sub-Adviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its
functions under this Agreement.
3. Custodian. The Manager shall provide the Sub-Adviser with a copy
---------
of the Series' agreement with the custodian designated to hold the assets of the
Series (the "Custodian") and any modifications thereto (the "Custody
Agreement"), copies of such modifications to be provided to the Sub-Adviser a
reasonable time in advance of the effectiveness of such modifications. The
assets of the Segment shall be maintained in the custody of the Custodian
identified in, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of, the Custody
Agreement (or any sub-custodian properly appointed as provided in the Custody
Agreement). The Sub-Adviser shall have no liability for the acts or omissions of
the Custodian, unless such act or omission is taken in reliance upon instruction
given to the Custodian by a representative of the Sub-Adviser properly
authorized to give such instruction under the Custody Agreement. Any assets
added to the Series shall be delivered directly to the Custodian.
4. Proprietary Rights. The Manager agrees and acknowledges that the
------------------
Sub-Adviser is the sole owner of the names "Xxxxxxx Funds LLC" and "Kobrick" and
that all use of any designation consisting in whole or part of "Xxxxxxx Funds
LLC" and "Kobrick" (a "Xxxxxxx Xxxx") under this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of the Sub-Adviser. The Manager on its own behalf and on behalf of the
Series agrees not to use any Xxxxxxx Xxxx in any advertisement or sales
literature or other materials promoting the Series or Segment, except with the
prior written consent of the Sub-Adviser. Without the prior written consent of
the Sub-Adviser, the Manager shall not, and the Manager shall use its best
efforts to cause the Series not to, make representations regarding the
Sub-Adviser in any disclosure document, advertisement or sales literature or
other materials relating to the Series. Upon termination of this Agreement for
any reason, the Manager shall cease, and the Manager shall use its best efforts
to cause the Series to cease, all use of any such designation as soon as
reasonably practicable.
5. Expenses. Except for expenses specifically assumed or agreed to
--------
be paid by the Sub-Adviser pursuant hereto, the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable
for any organizational, operational or business expenses of the Manager or the
Trust including, without limitation, (a) interest and taxes, (b) brokerage
commissions and other costs in
3
connection with the purchase or sale of securities or other investment
instruments with respect to the Series, and (c) custodian fees and expenses. Any
reimbursement of advisory fees required by any expense limitation provision of
any law shall be the sole responsibility of the Manager. The Manager and the
Sub-Adviser shall not be considered as partners or participants in a joint
venture. The Sub-Adviser will pay its own expenses incurred in furnishing the
services to be provided by it pursuant to this Agreement. Neither the Sub-
Adviser nor any affiliated person thereof shall be entitled to any compensation
from the Manager or the Trust with respect to service by any affiliated person
of the Sub-Adviser as an officer or trustee of the Trust (other than the
compensation to the Sub-Adviser payable by the Manager pursuant to Section 7
hereof).
6. Purchase and Sale of Assets. Absent instructions from the Manager
---------------------------
to the contrary, the Sub-Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase and
sale of securities for the Segment with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-
Adviser, which may include brokers or dealers affiliated with the Sub-Adviser,
provided such orders comply with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act in all respects.
To the extent consistent with applicable law, purchase or sell orders for the
Segment may be aggregated with contemporaneous purchase or sell orders of other
clients of the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall use its best efforts to obtain
execution of transactions for the Segment at prices which are advantageous to
the Series and at commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the
benefits received. However, the Sub-Adviser may select brokers or dealers on the
basis that they provide brokerage, research or other services or products to the
Series and/or other accounts serviced by the Sub-Adviser. To the extent
consistent with applicable law, the Sub-Adviser may pay a broker or dealer an
amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the
amount of commission or dealer spread another broker or dealer would have
charged for effecting that transaction if the Sub-Adviser determines in good
faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research products and/or services provided by such broker or
dealer. This determination, with respect to brokerage and research services or
products, may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the
overall responsibilities which the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates have with
respect to the Series or to accounts over which they exercise investment
discretion. Not all such services or products need be used by the Sub-Adviser in
managing the Segment.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, and in all instances subject
to the foregoing policy of best execution, the Sub-Adviser may allocate
brokerage transactions in a manner that takes into account the sale of shares of
one or more funds distributed by Nvest Funds Distributor, L.P. ("Nvest
Distributor"). In addition, the Sub-Adviser may allocate brokerage transactions
to broker-dealers (including affiliates of Nvest Distributor) that have entered
into arrangements in which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the
commissions paid by a fund toward the reduction of that fund's expenses, subject
to the policy of best execution.
4
7. Compensation of the Sub-Adviser. As full compensation for all
-------------------------------
services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses borne by the Sub-Adviser
hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall be paid at the annual rate of 0.55% of the
first $50 million of its Segment's average daily net assets, 0.50% of the next
$200 million of its Segment's average daily net assets and 0.475% of its
Segment's average daily net assets in excess of $250 million. Such compensation
shall be paid by the Trust (except to the extent that the Trust, the Sub-Adviser
and the Manager otherwise agree in writing from time to time). Such compensation
shall be payable monthly in arrears or at such other intervals, not less
frequently than quarterly, as the Manager is paid by the Series pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement.
8. Non-Exclusivity. The Manager and the Series agree that the
---------------
services of the Sub-Adviser are not to be deemed exclusive and that the Sub-
Adviser and its affiliates are free to act as investment manager and provide
other services to various investment companies and other managed accounts,
except as the Sub-Adviser and the Manager or the Administrator may otherwise
agree from time to time in writing before or after the date hereof. This
Agreement shall not in any way limit or restrict the Sub-Adviser or any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents from buying, selling or trading any
securities or other investment instruments for its or their own account or for
the account of others for whom it or they may be acting, provided that such
activities do not adversely affect or otherwise impair the performance by the
Sub-Adviser of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Manager and
the Series recognize and agree that the Sub-Adviser may provide advice to or
take action with respect to other clients, which advice or action, including the
timing and nature of such action, may differ from or be identical to advice
given or action taken with respect to the Series. The Sub-Adviser shall for all
purposes hereof be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless
otherwise provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the
Series or the Manager in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Series
or the Manager.
9. Liability. Except as may otherwise be provided by the 1940 Act or
---------
other federal securities laws, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any of its officers,
directors, partners, employees or agents (the "Indemnified Parties") shall be
subject to any liability to the Manager, the Trust, the Series or any
shareholder of the Series for any error of judgment, any mistake of law or any
loss arising out of any investment or other act or omission in the course of,
connected with, or arising out of any service to be rendered under this
Agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of the Sub-Adviser's duties or by reason of
reckless disregard by the Sub-Adviser of its obligations and duties hereunder.
The Manager shall hold harmless and indemnify the Sub-Adviser for any loss,
liability, cost, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and
costs) arising from any claim or demand by any past or present shareholder of
the Series that is not based upon the obligations of the Sub-Adviser with
respect to the Segment under this Agreement.
5
Without limiting the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed
that the Manager and the Series shall hold harmless and indemnify the
Indemnified Parties for any loss arising out of any act or omission of any other
sub-adviser to the Series, or for any loss arising out of the failure of the
Series to comply with the Policies, except for losses arising out of the
Sub-Adviser's failure to comply with the Policies with respect to the Segment.
The Manager acknowledges and agrees that the Sub-Adviser makes no
representation or warranty, expressed or implied, that any level of performance
or investment results will be achieved by the Series or the Segment or that the
Series or the Segment will perform comparably with any standard or index,
including other clients of the Sub-Adviser, whether public or private.
10. Effective Date and Termination. This Agreement shall become
------------------------------
effective as of the date of its execution, and
a. unless otherwise terminated, this Agreement shall continue in
effect for two years from the date of execution, and from year to year
thereafter so long as such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Series, and (ii)
by vote of a majority of the trustees of the Trust who are not
interested persons of the Trust, the Manager or the Sub-Adviser, cast
in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval;
b. this Agreement may at any time be terminated on sixty days'
written notice to the Sub-Adviser either by vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Series;
c. this Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of
its assignment or upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; and
d. this Agreement may be terminated by the Sub-Adviser on ninety
days' written notice to the Manager and the Trust, or by the Manager on
ninety days' written notice to the Sub-Adviser.
Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be
without the payment of any penalty.
11. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual
---------
consent of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, provided that, if required by law,
such amendment shall also have been approved by vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Series and by vote of a majority of the
trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust, the Manager
or the Sub-Adviser, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on such approval.
6
12. Certain Definitions. For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms
-------------------
"vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested person,"
"affiliated person" and "assignment" shall have their respective meanings
defined in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted
by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act.
13. General.
-------
a. The Sub-Adviser may perform its services through any
employee, officer or agent of the Sub-Adviser, and the Manager shall
not be entitled to the advice, recommendation or judgment of any
specific person; provided, however, that the persons identified in the
prospectus of the Series shall perform the day-to-day portfolio
management duties described therein until the Sub-Adviser notifies the
Manager that one or more other employees, officers or agents of the
Sub-Adviser, identified in such notice, shall assume such duties as of
a specific date.
b. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be
invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement
or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances
shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
c. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NVEST FUNDS MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By Nvest Distribution Corp., its general partner
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President
XXXXXXX FUNDS LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
--------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
7
NVEST FUNDS TRUST I,
on behalf of its Nvest Star Advisers Fund series
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President
8
NOTICE
A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust establishing Nvest
Funds Trust I (the "Fund") is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, and notice is hereby given that this Agreement is executed with
respect to the Fund's Nvest Star Advisers Fund series (the "Series") on behalf
of the Fund by officers of the Fund as officers and not individually and that
the obligations of or arising out of this Agreement are not binding upon any of
the trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon
the assets and property belonging to the Series.
9
