Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and Eaton Vance Unit Trust; Notice of Application, 61908-61911 [2014-24423]
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61908
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 15, 2014 / Notices
The
agenda for the meeting includes the
following topics:
—Planetary Science Division Update
—Planetary Science Division Research
and Analysis Program Update
—Reports from Analysis Groups
It is imperative that the meeting be
held on this date to accommodate the
scheduling priorities of the key
participants.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Patricia D. Rausch,
Advisory Committee Management Officer,
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014–24476 Filed 10–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510–13–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
Application for a License To Export
High-Enriched Uranium
Pursuant to 10 CFR 110.70(b) ‘‘Public
Notice of Receipt of an Application,’’
please take notice that the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) has
received the following request for an
export license. Copies of the request are
available electronically through ADAMS
and can be accessed through the Public
Electronic Reading Room (PERR) link
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.html at
the NRC Homepage.
A request for a hearing or petition for
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notice in the Federal Register. Any
request for hearing or petition for leave
to intervene shall be served by the
requestor or petitioner upon the
applicant, the office of the General
Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555;
the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555;
and the Executive Secretary, U.S.
Department of State, Washington, DC
20520.
A request for a hearing or petition for
leave to intervene may be filed with the
NRC electronically in accordance with
NRC’s E-Filing rule promulgated in
August 2007, 72 FR 49139; August 28,
2007. Information about filing
electronically is available on the NRC’s
public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/
site-help/e-submittals.html. To ensure
timely electronic filing, at least five days
prior to the filing deadline, the
petitioner/requestor should contact the
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HEARINGDOCKET@NRC.GOV, or by
calling (301) 415–1677, to request a
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In addition to a request for hearing or
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notice in the Federal Register to Office
of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington,
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Adjudications.
The information concerning this
application for an export license
follows.
NRC EXPORT LICENSE APPLICATION
[Description of material]
Name of applicant, date of application, date received, application No.,
docket No.
DOE/NNSA—Y–12 National Security
Complex, September 18, 2014,
September 22, 2014, XSNM3756,
11006175.
Material type
Total quantity
End use
High-Enriched Uranium
(93.35%).
7.28 kilograms uranium235 contained in 7.8
kilograms uranium.
To fabricate targets at CERCA
AREVA Romans in France and to
irradiate targets at the BR–2 Research Reactor in Belgium, the
HFR Research Reactor in the
Netherlands, the OSIRIS Research
Reactor in France, the LVR–15
Research Reactor in Czech Republic, and the Maria Reactor in
Poland, for ultimate use for production of medical isotopes at the
Institute for Radioelements in Belgium.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Dated this 8th day of October 2014 at
Rockville, Maryland.
David L. Skeen,
Deputy Director, Office of International
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2014–24512 Filed 10–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
sections 11(a) and 11(c) of the Act for
approval of certain exchange and
rollover privileges.
[Investment Company Act Release No.
31280; 812–14304]
APPLICANTS:
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and
Eaton Vance Unit Trust; Notice of
Application
Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
ACTION: Notice of an application under
(a) section 6(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (‘‘Act’’) for an
exemption from sections 2(a)(32),
2(a)(35), 14(a), 19(b), 22(d) and
26(a)(2)(C) of the Act and rules 19b–1
and rule 22c–1 thereunder and (b)
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
October 8, 2014.
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Eaton Vance Distributors,
Inc. (‘‘EVD’’) and Eaton Vance Unit
Trust.1
SUMMARY: Summary of Application:
Applicants request an order to permit
certain unit investment trusts to: (a)
1 Applicants also request relief for future unit
investment trusts (collectively, with Eaton Vance
Unit Trust, the ‘‘Trusts’’) and series of the Trusts
(‘‘Series’’) that are sponsored by EVD or any entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control
with EVD (together with EVD, the ‘‘Depositors’’).
Any future Trust and Series that relies on the
requested order will comply with the terms and
conditions of the application. All existing entities
that currently intend to rely on the requested order
are named as applicants.
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Impose sales charges on a deferred basis
and waive the deferred sales charge in
certain cases; (b) offer unitholders
certain exchange and rollover options;
(c) publicly offer units without requiring
the Depositor to take for its own account
$100,000 worth of units; and (d)
distribute capital gains resulting from
the sale of portfolio securities within a
reasonable time after receipt.
DATES: Filing Dates: The application was
filed on May 2, 2014 and amended on
September 2, 2014.
HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An
order granting the application will be
issued unless the Commission orders a
hearing. Interested persons may request
a hearing by writing to the
Commission’s Secretary and serving
applicants with a copy of the request,
personally or by mail. Hearing requests
should be received by the Commission
by 5:30 p.m. on November 3, 2014, and
should be accompanied by proof of
service on the applicants, in the form of
an affidavit, or, for lawyers, a certificate
of service. Hearing requests should state
the nature of the writer’s interest, the
reason for the request, and the issues
contested. Persons who wish to be
notified of a hearing may request
notification by writing to the
Commission’s Secretary.
ADDRESSES: Brent J. Fields, Secretary,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
100 F Street NE., Washington, DC
20549–1090; Applicants, Two
International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Aaron T. Gilbride, Attorney-Adviser, at
(202) 551–6906, or Melissa R. Harke,
Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6722
(Division of Investment Management,
Chief Counsel’s Office).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
following is a summary of the
application. The complete application
may be obtained via the Commission’s
Web site by searching for the file
number, or an applicant using the
Company name box, at https://
www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by
calling (202) 551–8090.
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Applicants’ Representations
1. Eaton Vance Unit Trust will be a
unit investment trust (‘‘UIT’’) that is
registered under the Act. Any future
Trust will be a registered UIT. EVD is
registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 as a broker-dealer
and will be the Depositor of Eaton
Vance Unit Trust. Each Series will be
created by a trust indenture between the
Depositor and a banking institution or
trust company as trustee (‘‘Trustee’’).
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2. The Depositor acquires a portfolio
of securities, which it deposits with the
Trustee in exchange for certificates
representing units of fractional
undivided interest in the Series’
portfolio (‘‘Units’’). The Units are
offered to the public through the
Depositor and dealers at a price which,
during the initial offering period, is
based upon the aggregate market value
of the underlying securities, or, the
aggregate offering side evaluation of the
underlying securities if the underlying
securities are not listed on a securities
exchange, plus a front-end sales charge,
a deferred sales charge or both. The
maximum sales charge may be reduced
in compliance with rule 22d–1 under
the Act in certain circumstances, which
are disclosed in the Series’ prospectus.
3. The Depositor may, but is not
legally obligated to, maintain a
secondary market for Units of an
outstanding Series. Other broker-dealers
may or may not maintain a secondary
market for Units of a Series. If a
secondary market is maintained,
investors will be able to purchase Units
on the secondary market at the current
public offering price plus a front-end
sales charge. If such a market is not
maintained at any time for any Series,
holders of the Units (‘‘Unitholders’’) of
that Series may redeem their Units
through the Trustee.
A. Deferred Sales Charge and Waiver of
Deferred Sales Charge Under Certain
Circumstances
1. Applicants request an order to the
extent necessary to permit one or more
Series to impose a sales charge on a
deferred basis (‘‘DSC’’). For each Series,
the Depositor would set a maximum
sales charge per Unit, a portion of which
may be collected ‘‘up front’’ (i.e., at the
time an investor purchases the Units).
The DSC would be collected
subsequently in installments
(‘‘Installment Payments’’) as described
in the application. The Depositor would
not add any amount for interest or any
similar or related charge to adjust for
such deferral.
2. When a Unitholder redeems or sells
Units, the Depositor intends to deduct
any unpaid DSC from the redemption or
sale proceeds. When calculating the
amount due, the Depositor will assume
that Units on which the DSC has been
paid in full are redeemed or sold first.
With respect to Units on which the DSC
has not been paid in full, the Depositor
will assume that the Units held for the
longest time are redeemed or sold first.
Applicants represent that the DSC
collected at the time of redemption or
sale, together with the Installment
Payments and any amount collected up
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61909
front, will not exceed the maximum
sales charge per Unit. Under certain
circumstances, the Depositor may waive
the collection of any unpaid DSC in
connection with redemptions or sales of
Units. These circumstances will be
disclosed in the prospectus for the
relevant Series and implemented in
accordance with rule 22d–1 under the
Act.
3. Each Series offering Units subject to
a DSC will state the maximum charge
per Unit in its prospectus. In addition,
the prospectus for such Series will
include the table required by Form N–
1A (modified as appropriate to reflect
the difference between UITs and openend management investment
companies) and a schedule setting forth
the number and date of each Installment
Payment, along with the duration of the
collection period. The prospectus also
will disclose that portfolio securities
may be sold to pay the DSC if
distribution income is insufficient and
that securities will be sold pro rata, if
practicable, otherwise a specific security
will be designated for sale.
B. Exchange Option and Rollover
Option
1. Applicants request an order to the
extent necessary to permit Unitholders
of a Series to exchange their Units for
Units of another Series (‘‘Exchange
Option’’) and Unitholders of a Series
that is terminating to exchange their
Units for Units of a new Series of the
same type (‘‘Rollover Option’’). The
Exchange Option and Rollover Option
would apply to all exchanges of Units
sold with a front-end sales charge, a
DSC or both.
2. A Unitholder who purchases Units
under the Exchange Option or Rollover
Option would pay a lower sales charge
than that which would be paid for the
Units by a new investor. The reduced
sales charge will be reasonably related
to the expenses incurred in connection
with the administration of the DSC
program, which may include an amount
that will fairly and adequately
compensate the Depositor and
participating underwriters and brokers
for their services in providing the DSC
program.
Applicants’ Legal Analysis
A. DSC and Waiver of DSC
1. Section 4(2) of the Act defines a
‘‘unit investment trust’’ as an
investment company that issues only
redeemable securities. Section 2(a)(32)
of the Act defines a ‘‘redeemable
security’’ as a security that, upon its
presentation to the issuer, entitles the
holder to receive approximately his or
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her proportionate share of the issuer’s
current net assets or the cash equivalent
of those assets. Rule 22c–1 under the
Act requires that the price of a
redeemable security issued by a
registered investment company for
purposes of sale, redemption or
repurchase be based on the security’s
current net asset value (‘‘NAV’’).
Because the collection of any unpaid
DSC may cause a redeeming Unitholder
to receive an amount less than the NAV
of the redeemed Units, applicants
request relief from section 2(a)(32) and
rule 22c–1.
2. Section 22(d) of the Act and rule
22d–1 under the Act require a registered
investment company and its principal
underwriter and dealers to sell
securities only at the current public
offering price described in the
investment company’s prospectus, with
the exception of sales of redeemable
securities at prices that reflect
scheduled variations in the sales load.
Section 2(a)(35) of the Act defines the
term ‘‘sales load’’ as the difference
between the sales price and the portion
of the proceeds invested by the
depositor or trustee. Applicants request
relief from section 2(a)(35) and section
22(d) to permit waivers, deferrals or
other scheduled variations of the sales
load.
3. Under section 6(c) of the Act, the
Commission may exempt classes of
transactions, if and to the extent that
such exemption is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest and
consistent with the protection of
investors and the purposes fairly
intended by the policy and provisions of
the Act. Applicants state that their
proposal meets the standards of section
6(c). Applicants state that the provisions
of section 22(d) are intended to prevent
(a) riskless trading in investment
company securities due to backward
pricing, (b) disruption of orderly
distribution by dealers selling shares at
a discount, and (c) discrimination
among investors resulting from different
prices charged to different investors.
Applicants assert that the proposed DSC
program will present none of these
abuses. Applicants further state that all
scheduled variations in the sales load
will be disclosed in the prospectus of
each Series and applied uniformly to all
investors, and that applicants will
comply with all the conditions set forth
in rule 22d–1.
4. Section 26(a)(2)(C) of the Act, in
relevant part, prohibits a trustee or
custodian of a UIT from collecting from
the trust as an expense any payment to
the trust’s depositor or principal
underwriter. Because the Trustee’s
payment of the DSC to the Depositor
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may be deemed to be an expense under
section 26(a)(2)(C), applicants request
relief under section 6(c) from section
26(a)(2)(C) to the extent necessary to
permit the Trustee to collect Installment
Payments and disburse them to the
Depositor. Applicants submit that the
relief is appropriate because the DSC is
more properly characterized as a sales
load.
B. Exchange Option and Rollover
Option
1. Sections 11(a) and 11(c) of the Act
prohibit any offer of exchange by a UIT
for the securities of another investment
company unless the terms of the offer
have been approved in advance by the
Commission. Applicants request an
order under sections 11(a) and 11(c) for
Commission approval of the Exchange
Option and the Rollover Option.
C. Net Worth Requirement
1. Section 14(a) of the Act requires
that a registered investment company
have $100,000 of net worth prior to
making a public offering. Applicants
state that each Series will comply with
this requirement because the Depositor
will deposit more than $100,000 of
securities. Applicants assert, however,
that the Commission has interpreted
section 14(a) as requiring that the initial
capital investment in an investment
company be made without any intention
to dispose of the investment. Applicants
state that, under this interpretation, a
Series would not satisfy section 14(a)
because of the Depositor’s intention to
sell all the Units of the Series.
2. Rule 14a–3 under the Act exempts
UITs from section 14(a) if certain
conditions are met, one of which is that
the UIT invest only in ‘‘eligible trust
securities,’’ as defined in the rule.
Applicants state that they may not rely
on rule 14a–3 because certain Series
(collectively, ‘‘Equity Series’’) will
invest all or a portion of their assets in
equity securities or shares of registered
investment companies which do not
satisfy the definition of eligible trust
securities.
3. Applicants request an exemption
under section 6(c) of the Act to the
extent necessary to exempt the Equity
Series from the net worth requirement
in section 14(a). Applicants state that
the Series and the Depositor will
comply in all respects with the
requirements of rule 14a–3, except that
the Equity Series will not restrict their
portfolio investments to ‘‘eligible trust
securities.’’
D. Capital Gains Distribution
1. Section 19(b) of the Act and rule
19b–1 under the Act provide that,
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except under limited circumstances, no
registered investment company may
distribute long-term gains more than
once every twelve months. Rule 19b–
1(c), under certain circumstances,
exempts a UIT investing in eligible trust
securities (as defined in rule 14a–3)
from the requirements of rule 19b–1.
Because the Equity Series do not limit
their investments to eligible trust
securities, however, the Equity Series
will not qualify for the exemption in
paragraph (c) of rule 19b–1. Applicants
therefore request an exemption under
section 6(c) from section 19(b) and rule
19b–1 to the extent necessary to permit
capital gains earned in connection with
the sale of portfolio securities to be
distributed to Unitholders along with
the Equity Series’ regular distributions.
In all other respects, applicants will
comply with section 19(b) and rule 19b–
1.
2. Applicants state that their proposal
meets the standards of section 6(c).
Applicants assert that any sale of
portfolio securities would be triggered
by the need to meet Trust expenses,
Installment Payments, or by redemption
requests, events over which the
Depositor and the Equity Series do not
have control. Applicants further state
that, because principal distributions
must be clearly indicated in
accompanying reports to Unitholders as
a return of principal and will be
relatively small in comparison to
normal dividend distributions, there is
little danger of confusion from failure to
differentiate among distributions.
Applicants’ Conditions
Applicants agree that any order
granting the requested relief will be
subject to the following conditions:
A. DSC Relief and Exchange and
Rollover Options
1. Whenever the Exchange Option or
Rollover Option is to be terminated or
its terms are to be amended materially,
any holder of a security subject to that
privilege will be given prominent notice
of the impending termination or
amendment at least 60 days prior to the
date of termination or the effective date
of the amendment, provided that: (a) No
such notice need be given if the only
material effect of an amendment is to
reduce or eliminate the sales charge
payable at the time of an exchange, to
add one or more new Series eligible for
the Exchange Option or the Rollover
Option, or to delete a Series which has
terminated; and (b) no notice need be
given if, under extraordinary
circumstances, either (i) there is a
suspension of the redemption of Units
of the Series under section 22(e) of the
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 15, 2014 / Notices
Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, or (ii) a Series
temporarily delays or ceases the sale of
its Units because it is unable to invest
amounts effectively in accordance with
applicable investment objectives,
policies and restrictions.
2. An investor who purchases Units
under the Exchange Option or Rollover
Option will pay a lower sales charge
than that which would be paid for the
Units by a new investor.
3. The prospectus of each Series
offering exchanges or rollovers and any
sales literature or advertising that
mentions the existence of the Exchange
Option or Rollover Option will disclose
that the Exchange Option and the
Rollover Option are subject to
modification, termination or suspension
without notice, except in certain limited
cases.
4. Any DSC imposed on a Series’
Units will comply with the
requirements of subparagraphs (1), (2)
and (3) of rule 6c–10(a) under the Act.
5. Each Series offering Units subject to
a DSC will include in its prospectus the
disclosure required by Form N–1A
relating to deferred sales charges
(modified as appropriate to reflect the
differences between UITs and open-end
management investment companies)
and a schedule setting forth the number
and date of each Installment Payment.
B. Net Worth Requirement
Applicants will comply in all respects
with the requirements of rule 14a–3
under the Act, except that the Equity
Series will not restrict their portfolio
investments to ‘‘eligible trust
securities.’’
For the Commission, by the Division of
Investment Management, under delegated
authority.
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–24423 Filed 10–14–14; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–73320; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2014–30]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Designation of a
Longer Period for Commission Action
on Proceedings To Determine Whether
To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change To List and Trade Shares
of Hull Tactical US ETF Under NYSE
Arca Equities Rule 8.600
October 8, 2014.
On March 24, 2014, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to
list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of Hull
Tactical US ETF under NYSE Arca
Equities Rule 8.600. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on April 11, 2014.3
On May 21, 2014, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2) of the Act,4 the Commission
designated a longer period within which
to either approve the proposed rule
change, disapprove the proposed rule
change, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to disapprove the
proposed rule change.5 On July 9, 2014,
the Commission instituted proceedings
to determine whether to approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change.6
The Commission received one comment
letter.7
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71894
(Apr. 7, 2014), 79 FR 20273 (‘‘Notice’’).
4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
5 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72214 (May
21, 2014), 79 FR 30672 (May 28, 2014). The
Commission determined that it was appropriate to
designate a longer period within which to take
action on the proposed rule change so that it would
have sufficient time to consider the proposed rule
change. Accordingly, the Commission designated
July 10, 2014 as the date by which it should
approve, disapprove, or institute proceedings to
determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule
change.
6 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 72571 (July
9, 2014), 79 FR 41330 (July 15, 2014). The
Commission instituted proceedings to allow for
additional analysis of the proposed rule change’s
consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act, which
requires, among other things, that the rules of a
national securities exchange be ‘‘designed to
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable principles
of trade,’’ and ‘‘to protect investors and the public
interest.’’ See id.
7 See Letter from Christopher S. Jones, Associate
Professor, University of Southern California to
Elizabeth M. Murphy, Secretary, Commission (Sept.
16, 2014).
2 17
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61911
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 8 provides
that, after initiating disapproval
proceedings, the Commission shall issue
an order approving or disapproving the
proposed rule change not later than 180
days after the date of publication of
notice of filing of the proposed rule
change. The Commission may extend
the period for issuing an order
approving or disapproving the proposed
rule change, however, by not more than
60 days if the Commission determines
that a longer period is appropriate and
publishes the reasons for such
determination. The proposed rule
change was published for notice and
comment in the Federal Register on
April 11, 2014.9 The 180th day after
publication of the notice of the filing of
the proposed rule change in the Federal
Register is October 8, 2014, and the
240th day after publication of the notice
of the filing of the proposed rule change
in the Federal Register is December 5,
2014.
The Commission finds it appropriate
to designate a longer period within
which to issue an order approving or
disapproving the proposed rule change
so that it has sufficient time to consider
the proposed rule change and the
comment letter received.
Accordingly, the Commission
pursuant to 19(b)(2) of the Act 10
designates December 5, 2014 as the date
by which the Commission shall either
approve or disapprove the proposed
rule change (File No. SR–NYSEArca–
2014–30).
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
Kevin M. O’Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–24421 Filed 10–14–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–73317; File No. SR–
ISEGemini–2014–26]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; ISE
Gemini Exchange, LLC; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
a Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Rule 723 To Add a New PIM ISO Order
Type
October 8, 2014.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
8 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
supra note 3 and accompanying text.
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
9 See
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61908-61911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24423]
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Investment Company Act Release No. 31280; 812-14304]
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and Eaton Vance Unit Trust; Notice
of Application
October 8, 2014.
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').
ACTION: Notice of an application under (a) section 6(c) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (``Act'') for an exemption from sections
2(a)(32), 2(a)(35), 14(a), 19(b), 22(d) and 26(a)(2)(C) of the Act and
rules 19b-1 and rule 22c-1 thereunder and (b) sections 11(a) and 11(c)
of the Act for approval of certain exchange and rollover privileges.
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Applicants: Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (``EVD'') and Eaton Vance
Unit Trust.\1\
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\1\ Applicants also request relief for future unit investment
trusts (collectively, with Eaton Vance Unit Trust, the ``Trusts'')
and series of the Trusts (``Series'') that are sponsored by EVD or
any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with
EVD (together with EVD, the ``Depositors''). Any future Trust and
Series that relies on the requested order will comply with the terms
and conditions of the application. All existing entities that
currently intend to rely on the requested order are named as
applicants.
SUMMARY: Summary of Application: Applicants request an order to permit
certain unit investment trusts to: (a)
[[Page 61909]]
Impose sales charges on a deferred basis and waive the deferred sales
charge in certain cases; (b) offer unitholders certain exchange and
rollover options; (c) publicly offer units without requiring the
Depositor to take for its own account $100,000 worth of units; and (d)
distribute capital gains resulting from the sale of portfolio
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securities within a reasonable time after receipt.
DATES: Filing Dates: The application was filed on May 2, 2014 and
amended on September 2, 2014.
Hearing or Notification of Hearing: An order granting the application
will be issued unless the Commission orders a hearing. Interested
persons may request a hearing by writing to the Commission's Secretary
and serving applicants with a copy of the request, personally or by
mail. Hearing requests should be received by the Commission by 5:30
p.m. on November 3, 2014, and should be accompanied by proof of service
on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit, or, for lawyers, a
certificate of service. Hearing requests should state the nature of the
writer's interest, the reason for the request, and the issues
contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request
notification by writing to the Commission's Secretary.
ADDRESSES: Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090; Applicants,
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aaron T. Gilbride, Attorney-Adviser,
at (202) 551-6906, or Melissa R. Harke, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6722
(Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel's Office).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a summary of the
application. The complete application may be obtained via the
Commission's Web site by searching for the file number, or an applicant
using the Company name box, at https://www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or
by calling (202) 551-8090.
Applicants' Representations
1. Eaton Vance Unit Trust will be a unit investment trust (``UIT'')
that is registered under the Act. Any future Trust will be a registered
UIT. EVD is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a
broker-dealer and will be the Depositor of Eaton Vance Unit Trust. Each
Series will be created by a trust indenture between the Depositor and a
banking institution or trust company as trustee (``Trustee'').
2. The Depositor acquires a portfolio of securities, which it
deposits with the Trustee in exchange for certificates representing
units of fractional undivided interest in the Series' portfolio
(``Units''). The Units are offered to the public through the Depositor
and dealers at a price which, during the initial offering period, is
based upon the aggregate market value of the underlying securities, or,
the aggregate offering side evaluation of the underlying securities if
the underlying securities are not listed on a securities exchange, plus
a front-end sales charge, a deferred sales charge or both. The maximum
sales charge may be reduced in compliance with rule 22d-1 under the Act
in certain circumstances, which are disclosed in the Series'
prospectus.
3. The Depositor may, but is not legally obligated to, maintain a
secondary market for Units of an outstanding Series. Other broker-
dealers may or may not maintain a secondary market for Units of a
Series. If a secondary market is maintained, investors will be able to
purchase Units on the secondary market at the current public offering
price plus a front-end sales charge. If such a market is not maintained
at any time for any Series, holders of the Units (``Unitholders'') of
that Series may redeem their Units through the Trustee.
A. Deferred Sales Charge and Waiver of Deferred Sales Charge Under
Certain Circumstances
1. Applicants request an order to the extent necessary to permit
one or more Series to impose a sales charge on a deferred basis
(``DSC''). For each Series, the Depositor would set a maximum sales
charge per Unit, a portion of which may be collected ``up front''
(i.e., at the time an investor purchases the Units). The DSC would be
collected subsequently in installments (``Installment Payments'') as
described in the application. The Depositor would not add any amount
for interest or any similar or related charge to adjust for such
deferral.
2. When a Unitholder redeems or sells Units, the Depositor intends
to deduct any unpaid DSC from the redemption or sale proceeds. When
calculating the amount due, the Depositor will assume that Units on
which the DSC has been paid in full are redeemed or sold first. With
respect to Units on which the DSC has not been paid in full, the
Depositor will assume that the Units held for the longest time are
redeemed or sold first. Applicants represent that the DSC collected at
the time of redemption or sale, together with the Installment Payments
and any amount collected up front, will not exceed the maximum sales
charge per Unit. Under certain circumstances, the Depositor may waive
the collection of any unpaid DSC in connection with redemptions or
sales of Units. These circumstances will be disclosed in the prospectus
for the relevant Series and implemented in accordance with rule 22d-1
under the Act.
3. Each Series offering Units subject to a DSC will state the
maximum charge per Unit in its prospectus. In addition, the prospectus
for such Series will include the table required by Form N-1A (modified
as appropriate to reflect the difference between UITs and open-end
management investment companies) and a schedule setting forth the
number and date of each Installment Payment, along with the duration of
the collection period. The prospectus also will disclose that portfolio
securities may be sold to pay the DSC if distribution income is
insufficient and that securities will be sold pro rata, if practicable,
otherwise a specific security will be designated for sale.
B. Exchange Option and Rollover Option
1. Applicants request an order to the extent necessary to permit
Unitholders of a Series to exchange their Units for Units of another
Series (``Exchange Option'') and Unitholders of a Series that is
terminating to exchange their Units for Units of a new Series of the
same type (``Rollover Option''). The Exchange Option and Rollover
Option would apply to all exchanges of Units sold with a front-end
sales charge, a DSC or both.
2. A Unitholder who purchases Units under the Exchange Option or
Rollover Option would pay a lower sales charge than that which would be
paid for the Units by a new investor. The reduced sales charge will be
reasonably related to the expenses incurred in connection with the
administration of the DSC program, which may include an amount that
will fairly and adequately compensate the Depositor and participating
underwriters and brokers for their services in providing the DSC
program.
Applicants' Legal Analysis
A. DSC and Waiver of DSC
1. Section 4(2) of the Act defines a ``unit investment trust'' as
an investment company that issues only redeemable securities. Section
2(a)(32) of the Act defines a ``redeemable security'' as a security
that, upon its presentation to the issuer, entitles the holder to
receive approximately his or
[[Page 61910]]
her proportionate share of the issuer's current net assets or the cash
equivalent of those assets. Rule 22c-1 under the Act requires that the
price of a redeemable security issued by a registered investment
company for purposes of sale, redemption or repurchase be based on the
security's current net asset value (``NAV''). Because the collection of
any unpaid DSC may cause a redeeming Unitholder to receive an amount
less than the NAV of the redeemed Units, applicants request relief from
section 2(a)(32) and rule 22c-1.
2. Section 22(d) of the Act and rule 22d-1 under the Act require a
registered investment company and its principal underwriter and dealers
to sell securities only at the current public offering price described
in the investment company's prospectus, with the exception of sales of
redeemable securities at prices that reflect scheduled variations in
the sales load. Section 2(a)(35) of the Act defines the term ``sales
load'' as the difference between the sales price and the portion of the
proceeds invested by the depositor or trustee. Applicants request
relief from section 2(a)(35) and section 22(d) to permit waivers,
deferrals or other scheduled variations of the sales load.
3. Under section 6(c) of the Act, the Commission may exempt classes
of transactions, if and to the extent that such exemption is necessary
or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the
protection of investors and the purposes fairly intended by the policy
and provisions of the Act. Applicants state that their proposal meets
the standards of section 6(c). Applicants state that the provisions of
section 22(d) are intended to prevent (a) riskless trading in
investment company securities due to backward pricing, (b) disruption
of orderly distribution by dealers selling shares at a discount, and
(c) discrimination among investors resulting from different prices
charged to different investors. Applicants assert that the proposed DSC
program will present none of these abuses. Applicants further state
that all scheduled variations in the sales load will be disclosed in
the prospectus of each Series and applied uniformly to all investors,
and that applicants will comply with all the conditions set forth in
rule 22d-1.
4. Section 26(a)(2)(C) of the Act, in relevant part, prohibits a
trustee or custodian of a UIT from collecting from the trust as an
expense any payment to the trust's depositor or principal underwriter.
Because the Trustee's payment of the DSC to the Depositor may be deemed
to be an expense under section 26(a)(2)(C), applicants request relief
under section 6(c) from section 26(a)(2)(C) to the extent necessary to
permit the Trustee to collect Installment Payments and disburse them to
the Depositor. Applicants submit that the relief is appropriate because
the DSC is more properly characterized as a sales load.
B. Exchange Option and Rollover Option
1. Sections 11(a) and 11(c) of the Act prohibit any offer of
exchange by a UIT for the securities of another investment company
unless the terms of the offer have been approved in advance by the
Commission. Applicants request an order under sections 11(a) and 11(c)
for Commission approval of the Exchange Option and the Rollover Option.
C. Net Worth Requirement
1. Section 14(a) of the Act requires that a registered investment
company have $100,000 of net worth prior to making a public offering.
Applicants state that each Series will comply with this requirement
because the Depositor will deposit more than $100,000 of securities.
Applicants assert, however, that the Commission has interpreted section
14(a) as requiring that the initial capital investment in an investment
company be made without any intention to dispose of the investment.
Applicants state that, under this interpretation, a Series would not
satisfy section 14(a) because of the Depositor's intention to sell all
the Units of the Series.
2. Rule 14a-3 under the Act exempts UITs from section 14(a) if
certain conditions are met, one of which is that the UIT invest only in
``eligible trust securities,'' as defined in the rule. Applicants state
that they may not rely on rule 14a-3 because certain Series
(collectively, ``Equity Series'') will invest all or a portion of their
assets in equity securities or shares of registered investment
companies which do not satisfy the definition of eligible trust
securities.
3. Applicants request an exemption under section 6(c) of the Act to
the extent necessary to exempt the Equity Series from the net worth
requirement in section 14(a). Applicants state that the Series and the
Depositor will comply in all respects with the requirements of rule
14a-3, except that the Equity Series will not restrict their portfolio
investments to ``eligible trust securities.''
D. Capital Gains Distribution
1. Section 19(b) of the Act and rule 19b-1 under the Act provide
that, except under limited circumstances, no registered investment
company may distribute long-term gains more than once every twelve
months. Rule 19b-1(c), under certain circumstances, exempts a UIT
investing in eligible trust securities (as defined in rule 14a-3) from
the requirements of rule 19b-1. Because the Equity Series do not limit
their investments to eligible trust securities, however, the Equity
Series will not qualify for the exemption in paragraph (c) of rule 19b-
1. Applicants therefore request an exemption under section 6(c) from
section 19(b) and rule 19b-1 to the extent necessary to permit capital
gains earned in connection with the sale of portfolio securities to be
distributed to Unitholders along with the Equity Series' regular
distributions. In all other respects, applicants will comply with
section 19(b) and rule 19b-1.
2. Applicants state that their proposal meets the standards of
section 6(c). Applicants assert that any sale of portfolio securities
would be triggered by the need to meet Trust expenses, Installment
Payments, or by redemption requests, events over which the Depositor
and the Equity Series do not have control. Applicants further state
that, because principal distributions must be clearly indicated in
accompanying reports to Unitholders as a return of principal and will
be relatively small in comparison to normal dividend distributions,
there is little danger of confusion from failure to differentiate among
distributions.
Applicants' Conditions
Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief will
be subject to the following conditions:
A. DSC Relief and Exchange and Rollover Options
1. Whenever the Exchange Option or Rollover Option is to be
terminated or its terms are to be amended materially, any holder of a
security subject to that privilege will be given prominent notice of
the impending termination or amendment at least 60 days prior to the
date of termination or the effective date of the amendment, provided
that: (a) No such notice need be given if the only material effect of
an amendment is to reduce or eliminate the sales charge payable at the
time of an exchange, to add one or more new Series eligible for the
Exchange Option or the Rollover Option, or to delete a Series which has
terminated; and (b) no notice need be given if, under extraordinary
circumstances, either (i) there is a suspension of the redemption of
Units of the Series under section 22(e) of the
[[Page 61911]]
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or (ii) a
Series temporarily delays or ceases the sale of its Units because it is
unable to invest amounts effectively in accordance with applicable
investment objectives, policies and restrictions.
2. An investor who purchases Units under the Exchange Option or
Rollover Option will pay a lower sales charge than that which would be
paid for the Units by a new investor.
3. The prospectus of each Series offering exchanges or rollovers
and any sales literature or advertising that mentions the existence of
the Exchange Option or Rollover Option will disclose that the Exchange
Option and the Rollover Option are subject to modification, termination
or suspension without notice, except in certain limited cases.
4. Any DSC imposed on a Series' Units will comply with the
requirements of subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3) of rule 6c-10(a) under
the Act.
5. Each Series offering Units subject to a DSC will include in its
prospectus the disclosure required by Form N-1A relating to deferred
sales charges (modified as appropriate to reflect the differences
between UITs and open-end management investment companies) and a
schedule setting forth the number and date of each Installment Payment.
B. Net Worth Requirement
Applicants will comply in all respects with the requirements of
rule 14a-3 under the Act, except that the Equity Series will not
restrict their portfolio investments to ``eligible trust securities.''
For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management,
under delegated authority.
Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-24423 Filed 10-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P