Morningstar Funds Trust and Morningstar Investment Management LLC, 34344-34345 [2017-15405]

Download as PDF 34344 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 140 / Monday, July 24, 2017 / Notices disapprove the proposed rule change (File Number SR–CHX–2017–11). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–15407 Filed 7–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Investment Company Act Release No. 32736; 812–14753] Morningstar Funds Trust and Morningstar Investment Management LLC July 18, 2017. Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’). ACTION: Notice. mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Notice of an application under section 6(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (‘‘Act’’) for an exemption from section 15(a) of the Act and rule 18f–2 under the Act, as well as from certain disclosure requirements in rule 20a–1 under the Act, Item 19(a)(3) of Form N– 1A, Items 22(c)(1)(ii), 22(c)(1)(iii), 22(c)(8) and 22(c)(9) of Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and sections 6–07(2)(a), (b), and (c) of Regulation S–X (‘‘Disclosure Requirements’’). The requested exemption would permit an investment adviser to hire and replace certain subadvisers without shareholder approval and grant relief from the Disclosure Requirements as they relate to fees paid to the sub-advisers. APPLICANTS: Morningstar Funds Trust (the ‘‘Trust’’), a Delaware statutory trust registered under the Act as an open-end management investment company, and Morningstar Investment Management LLC (the ‘‘Initial Adviser’’), a Delaware limited liability company registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (collectively with the Trust, the ‘‘Applicants’’). FILING DATES: The application was filed on March 6, 2017 and amended on June 12, 2017. 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 6 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Jul 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 should be received by the Commission by 5:30 p.m. on August 14, 2017, and should be accompanied by proof of service on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the Act, hearing requests should state the nature of the writer’s interest, any facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, 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: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. Applicants: 22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce R. MacNeil, Senior Counsel, at (202) 551–6817, or Katlin C. Bottock, Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6821 (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. Summary of the Application 1. The Adviser will serve as the investment adviser to the Subadvised Series pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust (the ‘‘Investment Management Agreement’’).1 The Adviser will provide the Subadvised Series with continuous and comprehensive investment management services, subject to the supervision of, and policies established by, the board of trustees of the Trust (‘‘Board’’). The Investment Management Agreement permits the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board, to delegate to one or more sub-advisers (each, a ‘‘Sub-Adviser’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Sub-Advisers’’) the responsibility to provide the day-to-day portfolio 1 Applicants request relief with respect to the named Applicants, as well as to any future series of the Trust and any other registered open-end management investment company or series thereof that: (a) Is advised by the Initial Adviser, its successors, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Initial Adviser or its successors (each, also an ‘‘Adviser’’); (b) uses the multi-manager structure described in the application; and (c) complies with the terms and conditions set forth in the application (each, a ‘‘Subadvised Series’’). For purposes of the requested order, ‘‘successor’’ is limited to an entity that results from a reorganization into another jurisdiction or a change in the type of business organization. PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 investment management of each Subadvised Series, subject to the supervision and direction of the Adviser.2 The primary responsibility for managing each Subadvised Series will remain vested in the Adviser. The Adviser will hire, evaluate, allocate assets to and oversee the Sub-Advisers, including determining whether a SubAdviser should be terminated, at all times subject to the authority of the Board. 2. Applicants request an exemption to permit the Adviser, subject to Board approval, to hire certain Sub-Advisers pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements and materially amend existing SubAdvisory Agreements without obtaining the shareholder approval required under section 15(a) of the Act and rule 18f–2 under the Act.3 Applicants also seek an exemption from the Disclosure Requirements to permit a Subadvised Series to disclose (as both a dollar amount and a percentage of the Subadvised Series’ net assets): (a) The aggregate fees paid to the Adviser and any Wholly-Owned Sub-Adviser; (b) the aggregate fees paid to Non-Affiliated Sub-Advisers; and (c) the fee paid to each Affiliated Sub-Adviser (collectively, ‘‘Aggregate Fee Disclosure’’). 3. Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief will be subject to the terms and conditions stated in the application. Such terms and conditions provide for, among other safeguards, appropriate disclosure to Subadvised Series shareholders and notification about sub-advisory changes and enhanced Board oversight to protect the interests of the Subadvised Series’ shareholders. 4. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt any person, security, or transaction or any class or classes of persons, securities, or transactions from any provisions of the 2 A ‘‘Sub-Adviser’’ for a Subadvised Series is (1) an indirect or direct ‘‘wholly-owned subsidiary’’ (as such term is defined in the Act) of the Adviser for that Subadvised Series, or (2) a sister company of the Adviser for that Subadvised Series that is an indirect or direct ‘‘wholly-owned subsidiary’’ of the same company that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns the Adviser (each of (1) and (2) a ‘‘WhollyOwned Sub-Adviser’’ and collectively, the ‘‘Wholly-Owned Sub-Advisers’’), or (3) not an ‘‘affiliated person’’ (as such term is defined in section 2(a)(3) of the Act) of the Subadvised Series, except to the extent that an affiliation arises solely because the Sub-Adviser serves as a sub-adviser to a Subadvised Series (‘‘Non-Affiliated SubAdvisers’’). 3 The requested relief will not extend to any subadviser, other than a Wholly-Owned Sub-Adviser, who is an affiliated person, as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Act, of the Subadvised Series, the Trust or of the Adviser, other than by reason of serving as a sub-adviser to one or more of the Subadvised Series (‘‘Affiliated Sub-Adviser’’). E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 140 / Monday, July 24, 2017 / Notices Act, or any rule thereunder, if such relief is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors and purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. Applicants believe that the requested relief meets this standard because, as further explained in the application, the Investment Management Agreements will remain subject to shareholder approval while the role of the SubAdvisers is substantially similar to that of individual portfolio managers, so that requiring shareholder approval of SubAdvisory Agreements would impose unnecessary delays and expenses on the Subadvised Series. Applicants believe that the requested relief from the Disclosure Requirements meets this standard because it will improve the Adviser’s ability to negotiate fees paid to the Sub-Advisers that are more advantageous for the Subadvised Series. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, under delegated authority. Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–15405 Filed 7–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–81166; File No. SR–IEX– 2017–21] Section 19(b)(2) of the Act4 provides that, within 45 days of the publication of notice of the filing of a proposed rule change, or within such longer period up to 90 days as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission shall either approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. The Commission is extending this 45-day time period. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change. The proposed rule change would establish the procedures for resolving potential disputes related to CAT Fees charged to Industry Members. Accordingly, the Commission, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5 designates September 18, 2017, as the date by which the Commission should either approve or disapprove or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change (File Number SR–IEX–2017–21). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–15415 Filed 7–21–17; 8:45 am] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Investors Exchange LLC; Notice of Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Rule 15.130 To Establish the Procedures for Resolving Potential Disputes Related to CAT Fees Charged to Industry Members mstockstill on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES July 18, 2017. On June 6, 2017, the Investors Exchange LLC (‘‘IEX’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘Exchange Act’’)1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to adopt Rule 15.130 (Consolidated Audit Trail—Fee Dispute Resolution). The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 20, 2017.3 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposed rule change. BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–81165; File No. SR–MIAX– 2017–24] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Exchange Rule 1713 Consolidated Audit Trail—Fee Dispute Resolution thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to adopt Exchange Rule 1713 (Consolidated Audit Trail—Fee Dispute Resolution). The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 7, 2017.3 The Commission received no comment letters on the proposed rule change. Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 4 provides that, within 45 days of the publication of notice of the filing of a proposed rule change, or within such longer period up to 90 days as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission shall either approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. The Commission is extending this 45-day time period. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change. The proposed rule change would establish the procedures for resolving potential disputes related to CAT Fees charged to Industry Members. Accordingly, the Commission, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,5 designates September 5, 2017, as the date by which the Commission should either approve or disapprove or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule change (File Number SR–MIAX–2017–24). For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.6 Eduardo A. Aleman, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–15416 Filed 7–21–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P July 18, 2017. On May 23, 2017, Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (‘‘MIAX Options’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’ or ‘‘Exchange Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. Exchange Act Release No. 80837 (June 1, 2017), 82 FR 26526 (‘‘Notice’’). 4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 6 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). 3 Securities 1 15 4 15 2 17 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 6 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80936 (June 15, 2017), 82 FR 28153 (‘‘Notice’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Jul 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 34345 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 140 (Monday, July 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34344-34345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15405]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Investment Company Act Release No. 32736; 812-14753]


Morningstar Funds Trust and Morningstar Investment Management LLC

July 18, 2017.
AGENCY: Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notice of an application under section 6(c) of the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 (``Act'') for an exemption from section 15(a) of 
the Act and rule 18f-2 under the Act, as well as from certain 
disclosure requirements in rule 20a-1 under the Act, Item 19(a)(3) of 
Form N-1A, Items 22(c)(1)(ii), 22(c)(1)(iii), 22(c)(8) and 22(c)(9) of 
Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and sections 6-
07(2)(a), (b), and (c) of Regulation S-X (``Disclosure Requirements''). 
The requested exemption would permit an investment adviser to hire and 
replace certain sub-advisers without shareholder approval and grant 
relief from the Disclosure Requirements as they relate to fees paid to 
the sub-advisers.

Applicants: Morningstar Funds Trust (the ``Trust''), a Delaware 
statutory trust registered under the Act as an open-end management 
investment company, and Morningstar Investment Management LLC (the 
``Initial Adviser''), a Delaware limited liability company registered 
as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 
(collectively with the Trust, the ``Applicants'').

Filing Dates: The application was filed on March 6, 2017 and amended on 
June 12, 2017.

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 August 14, 2017, and should be accompanied by proof of service 
on the applicants, in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a 
certificate of service. Pursuant to rule 0-5 under the Act, hearing 
requests should state the nature of the writer's interest, any facts 
bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, 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: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F 
Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090. Applicants: 22 West Washington 
Street, Chicago, IL 60602.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce R. MacNeil, Senior Counsel, at 
(202) 551-6817, or Katlin C. Bottock, Branch Chief, at (202) 551-6821 
(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.

Summary of the Application

    1. The Adviser will serve as the investment adviser to the 
Subadvised Series pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the 
Trust (the ``Investment Management Agreement'').\1\ The Adviser will 
provide the Subadvised Series with continuous and comprehensive 
investment management services, subject to the supervision of, and 
policies established by, the board of trustees of the Trust 
(``Board''). The Investment Management Agreement permits the Adviser, 
subject to the approval of the Board, to delegate to one or more sub-
advisers (each, a ``Sub-Adviser'' and collectively, the ``Sub-
Advisers'') the responsibility to provide the day-to-day portfolio 
investment management of each Subadvised Series, subject to the 
supervision and direction of the Adviser.\2\ The primary responsibility 
for managing each Subadvised Series will remain vested in the Adviser. 
The Adviser will hire, evaluate, allocate assets to and oversee the 
Sub-Advisers, including determining whether a Sub-Adviser should be 
terminated, at all times subject to the authority of the Board.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Applicants request relief with respect to the named 
Applicants, as well as to any future series of the Trust and any 
other registered open-end management investment company or series 
thereof that: (a) Is advised by the Initial Adviser, its successors, 
or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control 
with the Initial Adviser or its successors (each, also an 
``Adviser''); (b) uses the multi-manager structure described in the 
application; and (c) complies with the terms and conditions set 
forth in the application (each, a ``Subadvised Series''). For 
purposes of the requested order, ``successor'' is limited to an 
entity that results from a reorganization into another jurisdiction 
or a change in the type of business organization.
    \2\ A ``Sub-Adviser'' for a Subadvised Series is (1) an indirect 
or direct ``wholly-owned subsidiary'' (as such term is defined in 
the Act) of the Adviser for that Subadvised Series, or (2) a sister 
company of the Adviser for that Subadvised Series that is an 
indirect or direct ``wholly-owned subsidiary'' of the same company 
that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns the Adviser (each of (1) 
and (2) a ``Wholly-Owned Sub-Adviser'' and collectively, the 
``Wholly-Owned Sub-Advisers''), or (3) not an ``affiliated person'' 
(as such term is defined in section 2(a)(3) of the Act) of the 
Subadvised Series, except to the extent that an affiliation arises 
solely because the Sub-Adviser serves as a sub-adviser to a 
Subadvised Series (``Non-Affiliated Sub-Advisers'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. Applicants request an exemption to permit the Adviser, subject 
to Board approval, to hire certain Sub-Advisers pursuant to Sub-
Advisory Agreements and materially amend existing Sub-Advisory 
Agreements without obtaining the shareholder approval required under 
section 15(a) of the Act and rule 18f-2 under the Act.\3\ Applicants 
also seek an exemption from the Disclosure Requirements to permit a 
Subadvised Series to disclose (as both a dollar amount and a percentage 
of the Subadvised Series' net assets): (a) The aggregate fees paid to 
the Adviser and any Wholly-Owned Sub-Adviser; (b) the aggregate fees 
paid to Non-Affiliated Sub-Advisers; and (c) the fee paid to each 
Affiliated Sub-Adviser (collectively, ``Aggregate Fee Disclosure'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The requested relief will not extend to any sub-adviser, 
other than a Wholly-Owned Sub-Adviser, who is an affiliated person, 
as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the Act, of the Subadvised Series, 
the Trust or of the Adviser, other than by reason of serving as a 
sub-adviser to one or more of the Subadvised Series (``Affiliated 
Sub-Adviser'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Applicants agree that any order granting the requested relief 
will be subject to the terms and conditions stated in the application. 
Such terms and conditions provide for, among other safeguards, 
appropriate disclosure to Subadvised Series shareholders and 
notification about sub-advisory changes and enhanced Board oversight to 
protect the interests of the Subadvised Series' shareholders.
    4. Section 6(c) of the Act provides that the Commission may exempt 
any person, security, or transaction or any class or classes of 
persons, securities, or transactions from any provisions of the

[[Page 34345]]

Act, or any rule thereunder, if such relief is necessary or appropriate 
in the public interest and consistent with the protection of investors 
and purposes fairly intended by the policy and provisions of the Act. 
Applicants believe that the requested relief meets this standard 
because, as further explained in the application, the Investment 
Management Agreements will remain subject to shareholder approval while 
the role of the Sub-Advisers is substantially similar to that of 
individual portfolio managers, so that requiring shareholder approval 
of Sub-Advisory Agreements would impose unnecessary delays and expenses 
on the Subadvised Series. Applicants believe that the requested relief 
from the Disclosure Requirements meets this standard because it will 
improve the Adviser's ability to negotiate fees paid to the Sub-
Advisers that are more advantageous for the Subadvised Series.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, 
under delegated authority.
Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-15405 Filed 7-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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