Item 1.
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Reports to Stockholders
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Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
(EHT)
Annual Report
March 31,
2021
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. The Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (CFTC) has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments
(including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The investment adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator under the
Commodity Exchange Act with respect to its management of the Fund. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Funds
adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator. The adviser is also registered as a commodity trading advisor.
Fund
shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.
Annual Report March 31, 2021
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Managements
Discussion of Fund Performance1
Economic and Market Conditions
The 12-month period that began April 1, 2020 started with a
strong rebound from the worst-ever U.S. high yield selloff in March 2020.
The high yield rally that opened the period was fueled largely by swift
responses in March 2020 by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) and the U.S. Congress to the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. As business activity slowed to a crawl and large areas of the United States went into pandemic lockdowns,
Congress passed more than $2 trillion in economic stimulus measures. The Fed, meanwhile, lowered its benchmark federal funds rate to virtually zero and instituted large asset purchases to encourage corporate borrowing and spending. Investors
responded with massive inflows into retail high yield funds and took advantage of historically elevated high yield spreads versus Treasurys. In response to increased demand, high yield borrowers issued $218 billion in new debt in the first half of
2020 a year-over-year increase of nearly 53%.
From late August through October, however, the high yield rally stalled. Price returns moderated
and volatility returned. Congress failure to pass a second large stimulus bill, trepidation about the upcoming presidential election, an upsurge in coronavirus cases in the U.S. and Europe, and eroding corporate fundamentals all led high-yield
investors to worry that the economic rebound from the pandemic might be longer and slower than previously anticipated.
In November, however, the high
yield market reversed course again, beginning a new rally that would last through the end of the year. Joe Bidens victory in the U.S. presidential election eased the political uncertainties that had dogged investment markets through much of
the fall. The announcement that two coronavirus vaccine candidates had proven more than 90% effective in late-stage trials buoyed the markets as well. In December, the beginning of vaccinations against COVID-19 and Congress passage of a fiscal
stimulus bill added more fuel to the rally.
But in the closing months of the period the high yield rally stalled again. Amid building concern that a new
round of federal stimulus and an upsurge in economic growth could start fueling inflation and pushing rates higher, investors withdrew $10.3 billion from high-yield funds in the first quarter of 2021.
For the 12-month period as a whole, however, the ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index, a broad measure of the asset class, returned 23.31% compared with just 0.71%
for the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, a measure of the overall U.S. bond market.
Fund Performance
For the 12-month period ended March 31, 2021, Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust (the Fund) had a total return of 9.52% at net asset value of its common shares
(NAV). The Fund is managed against the stated objectives of delivering high current income and returning the original NAV of $9.85 (before deduction of offering costs) per common share to shareholders on or about July 1, 2021. The return of original
NAV is not guaranteed upon liquidation and it is possible the Fund may be unable to do so. At period end, the Funds NAV was $9.88.
Sector
positioning contributed to returns during the period. In the energy and diversified financial services sectors, allocations to those sectors and security selection within the sectors helped Fund performance as both sectors which had been
among the hardest-hit sectors of high yield early in the pandemic participated in the rally in high yield bonds late in the period. An allocation to the homebuilders & real estate sector, as well as security selection within the
sector, also contributed to Fund performance. Buoyed by the housing market, the sector performed well as the ability to work from home during the pandemic gave more Americans the freedom to relocate to other areas.
With regard to credit rating tiers, the Funds largest allocation was to BB rated bonds. In a period overshadowed by investor concerns about the negative
effects of the pandemic on the overall economy, this segment of the high yield market produced some of the strongest returns in the asset class, and the Funds BB allocation was a contributor to returns.
In contrast, the Funds short duration, which averaged 0.69 years during the period, hindered Fund performance, as longer duration bonds outperformed shorter
duration bonds in the high yield market during the period.
The Funds lack of exposure to the steel and the transportation excluding air and
railroad sectors also detracted from returns, as those sectors performed strongly when the high yield market rallied late in the period.
On
January 4, 2021, the Fund entered into wind-up, in anticipation of the Funds impending liquidation on July 1, 2021, changing its name from Eaton Vance High Income 2021 Target Term Trust to Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust and
adopting an investment policy that allowed it to invest up to 100% of managed assets in high quality, short-term securities. As the Fund transitioned into higher quality assets, the income earned from its assets decreased, which had a negative
effect on Fund performance.
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in
this report.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated net of management fees and other
expenses by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Performance at market price will differ from
performance at NAV due to variations in the Funds market price versus NAV, which may reflect factors such as fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, changes in Fund distributions, shifting market expectations for the Funds
future returns and distribution rates, and other considerations affecting the trading prices of closed-end funds. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most
recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Performance3
Portfolio Managers Stephen C. Concannon, CFA and
Kelley G. Baccei
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% Average Annual Total Returns
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Inception Date
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One Year
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Five Years
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Since
Inception
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Fund at NAV
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05/31/2016
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9.52
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%
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5.16
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Fund at Market Price
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15.52
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5.05
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% Premium/Discount to
NAV4
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0.51
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%
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Distributions5
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Total Distributions per share for the period
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$
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0.334
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Distribution Rate at NAV
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3.40
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%
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Distribution Rate at Market Price
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3.42
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See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated net of management fees and other expenses by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market
price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Performance at market price will differ from performance at NAV due to variations in the Funds market price versus NAV,
which may reflect factors such as fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, changes in Fund distributions, shifting market expectations for the Funds future returns and distribution rates, and other considerations affecting the
trading prices of closed-end funds. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance
is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Fund Profile
Top 10 Sectors (% of total investments)6
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Telecommunications
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14.7
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%
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Energy
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9.4
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Cable & Satellite TV
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8.1
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Diversified Financial Services
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7.2
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Healthcare
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4.9
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Automotive & Auto Parts
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4.6
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Homebuilders
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2.9
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Restaurant
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2.5
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Food & Drug Retail
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2.3
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Banking & Thrifts
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1.7
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Total
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58.3
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%
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Asset Allocation (% of total investments)
Credit Quality (% of bond holdings)7
See Endnotes and Additional
Disclosures in this report.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
The Funds
Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Principal Risks2
The Funds investment objectives are high current income and to return $9.85 per share (the original net asset
value (NAV) per common share of beneficial interest (Common Share) before deducting offering costs of $0.02 per Common Share) (Original NAV) to holders of Common Shares (Common Shareholders) on or
about the termination date, July 1, 2021 (Termination Date). The objective to return the Funds Original NAV is not an express or implied guarantee obligation of the Fund or any other entity. Effective January 4, 2021, the Fund
entered into wind-up in anticipation of its termination on July 1, 2021.
During the wind-up period, the Fund may deviate from its normal investment
policies, and may invest up to 100% of its managed assets in high quality, short-term securities. High quality, short term securities include securities rated investment grade (BBB- or higher by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings,Baa3 or higher
by Moodys Investor Service, Inc., or unrated but deemed equivalent by the Funds investment adviser) with a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less. From January 4, 2021 through the remainder of its term, the Fund will invest at
least 80% of its managed assets in (i) corporate debt obligations, including high yield obligations; and (ii) short-term investment grade securities that have a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less, so long as the maturity of any security
in the Fund is no later than January 1, 2022. These expanded investment parameters are intended to provide the Fund additional flexibility to reinvest the proceeds of matured or called portfolio securities, or securities sold by the Funds
portfolio managers, in higher quality, short-term securities. As the Fund gets closer to its Termination Date, the Fund will begin to transition its remaining below investment grade portfolio holdings to high
quality, short-term securities to enhance the Funds ability to efficiently liquidate its portfolio at termination.
The Fund invests up to 25% of
its managed assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers, including up to 5% of its managed assets in securities of emerging markets issuers; provided that the Fund will not invest in securities denominated in
currencies other than U.S. dollars.
Principal Risks
Market Risk. The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to economic, political, financial, public health crises (such as epidemics or pandemics) or other disruptive events
(whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets. These events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and may exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes
in the value of the Funds investments cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market
conditions. Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility. No active trading market may exist for certain investments
held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.
Five Year Term Risk. Because the assets of the Fund will be liquidated in connection with its termination, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would not, including at
times when market conditions are not favorable, or at a time when a particular security is in default or bankruptcy, or otherwise in severe distress, which may cause the Fund to lose money. Expenses associated with liquidation of the Funds
assets may also be substantial during this period. In addition, during the life of the Fund, the value of the Funds assets could change significantly, and the Fund could incur substantial
losses prior to or at liquidation. Although the Fund has an investment objective of returning Original NAV to Common Shareholders on or about the Termination Date, the Fund may not be successful in achieving this objective. The return of Original
NAV is not an express or implied guarantee obligation of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to return Original NAV to shareholders, and such return is not backed or otherwise guaranteed by the investment adviser or any
other entity.
The Funds ability to return Original NAV to Common Shareholders on or about the Termination Date will depend on market conditions,
the presence or absence of defaulted or distressed securities in the Funds portfolio that may prevent those securities from being sold in a timely manner at a reasonable price, the performance of the Funds portfolio investments and cash
flow management. The Fund currently intends to set aside and retain in its net assets (and therefore its NAV) a portion of its net investment income, and possibly all or a portion of its gains, in pursuit of its objective to return Original NAV to
shareholders upon termination. This will reduce the amounts otherwise available for distribution prior to the liquidation of the Fund. In addition, the Funds investment in shorter term and lower yielding securities, especially as the Fund
nears its Termination Date, may reduce investment income and, therefore, the monthly dividends during the period closely prior to termination. To the extent that lower distribution rates may negatively impact Common Share price, such reduced yield
and monthly dividends may cause a reduction of Common Share price. The Funds final distribution to shareholders will be based upon the Funds NAV at the Termination Date and initial investors and any investors that purchase Common Shares
after the completion of this offering (particularly if their purchase price differs meaningfully from the original offering price or Original NAV) may receive less than their original investment. Original NAV is less than the purchase price in this
offering because Original NAV is net of sales load. Rather than reinvesting the proceeds of its securities, the Fund may also distribute the proceeds in one or more distributions prior to the final liquidation, which may cause the Funds fixed
expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. Depending upon a variety of factors, including the performance of the Funds portfolio over the life of the Fund, the amount distributed to
shareholders may be significantly less than Original NAV. In addition, during the wind-up period, the Fund may invest less than 80% of its managed assets in corporate debt obligations that are rated below investment grade due to limited availability
of appropriate shorter maturity corporate debt obligations that are rated below investment grade. Accordingly, during such time the Fund may not earn as much income as it would investing in corporate debt obligations that are rated below investment
grade.
Because the Fund invests in below investment grade securities, it may be exposed to the greater potential for an issuer of its securities to
default, as compared to a fund that invests solely in investment grade securities. As a result, should a Fund portfolio holding default, this may significantly reduce net investment income and, therefore, Common Share dividends; may prevent or
inhibit the Fund from fully being able to liquidate its portfolio at or prior to the Termination Date; and may severely impact the Funds ability to return Original NAV to Common Shareholders on or about the Termination Date.
See Endnotes and Additional
Disclosures in this report.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
The Funds Investment Objectives, Principal
Strategies and Principal Risks2
continued
Lower Rated Investments Risk. Investments rated below investment grade and comparable unrated investments
(sometimes referred to as junk) have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of
lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a
default occurs. Lower rated investments typically are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.
Interest
Rate Risk. In general, the value of income securities will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates. The value of these securities is likely to increase when interest rates fall and decline when interest rates rise. Duration measures the
time-weighted expected cash flows of a fixed-income security, while maturity refers to the amount of time until a fixed-income security matures. Generally, securities with longer durations or maturities are
more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations or maturities, causing them to be more volatile. Conversely, fixed-income securities with shorter durations or maturities will be less volatile but may provide lower
returns than fixed-income securities with longer durations or maturities. In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of income securities that have the ability to be prepaid or called by the issuer may be extended. In a declining interest
rate environment, the proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate. Certain instruments held by the Fund may pay an interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR),
which is the average offered rate for various maturities of short-term loans between certain major international banks. LIBOR is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest
rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, is expected to cease publishing certain LIBOR settings on
December 31, 2021, and the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. Although the transition process away from LIBOR is expected to be well-defined in advance of the anticipated discontinuation, there remains uncertainty regarding the future
utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate or rates. The phase-out of LIBOR may result in, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments based on LIBOR and changes in the value of such
instruments.
Credit Risk. Investments in fixed income and other debt obligations, including loans, (referred to below as debt
instruments) are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled principal and interest. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the party obligated to make principal and interest payments on such
instruments and may lead to defaults. Such non-payments and defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of debt instruments also may decline because of concerns about the issuers ability to make principal
and interest payments. In addition, the credit ratings of debt instruments may be lowered if the financial condition of the party obligated to make payments with respect to such instruments deteriorates. In the event of bankruptcy of the issuer of a
debt instrument, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing the instrument. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, bankruptcy or similar
situation,
the Fund may be required to retain legal or similar counsel, which may increase the Funds operating expenses and adversely affect net asset value.
Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of
economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to
which U.S. companies are subject. Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States, and as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves
higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country.
Emerging Markets Investment Risk. Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile
than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain sectors. Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer
may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.
Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily.
The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are
subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of
a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price
to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Funds performance. These effects may be
exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.
Market Discount Risk. The shares of closed-end management investment companies often
trade at a discount from their NAV, and the common shares may likewise trade at a discount from NAV. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the Funds NAV could decrease as a result of its investment activities. The trading price
of the Funds common shares may be less than the public offering price.
Risks Associated with Active Management. The success of the
Funds investment strategy depends on portfolio managements successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment. Active management involves subjective decisions.
Recent Market Conditions. An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in
closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this
coronavirus has resulted in a substantial economic downturn, which may continue for an extended period of time. Health
See Endnotes and Additional
Disclosures in this report.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
The Funds Investment Objectives, Principal
Strategies and Principal Risks2
continued
crises caused by outbreaks of disease, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political,
social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries and industries, and could continue to affect
the market in significant and unforeseen ways. Other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future may have similar effects. For example, a global pandemic or other widespread health crisis could cause substantial market volatility and
exchange trading suspensions and closures. In addition, the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single country or region or events affecting a single or
small number of issuers. The coronavirus outbreak and public and private sector responses thereto have led to large portions of the populations of many countries working from home for indefinite periods of time, temporary or permanent layoffs,
disruptions in supply chains, and lack of availability of certain goods. The impact of such responses could adversely affect the information technology and operational systems upon which the Fund and the Funds service providers rely, and could
otherwise disrupt the ability of the employees of the Funds service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Any such impact could adversely affect the Funds performance, or the performance of the securities in which the
Fund invests and may lead to losses on your investment in the Fund.
Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies by Fund service
providers to conduct business, such as the Internet, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cybersecurity failures by or
breaches of the Funds investment adviser or administrator and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, have the ability to cause
disruptions and impact business operations potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Funds ability to calculate its net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business,
violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs.
Potential Conflicts of Interest. As a diversified global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley, the parent company of the investment adviser, engages in a broad spectrum of activities where Morgan
Stanleys interests or the interests of its clients may conflict with the interests of the Fund. Morgan Stanley advises clients and sponsors, manages or advises other investment funds and investment programs, accounts and businesses
(collectively, together with any new or successor funds, programs, accounts or businesses, the Affiliated Investment Accounts) with a wide variety of investment objectives that in some instances may overlap or conflict with a
Funds investment objectives and present conflicts of interest. There is no assurance that conflicts of interest will be resolved in favor of Fund shareholders and, in fact, they may not be. Conflicts of interest not described below may also
exist.
Material Non-public Information. If confidential or material
non-public information regarding an investment or potential investment opportunity becomes available to the investment adviser, the investment adviser may be precluded from pursuing an investment or
disposition opportunity with respect to such investment or investment opportunity. Morgan Stanley has established certain information barriers and other policies to address the sharing of information between different businesses within Morgan
Stanley.
Investments by Morgan Stanley and its Affiliated Investment Accounts. In serving in multiple capacities to
Affiliated Investment Accounts, Morgan Stanley, as well as the investment adviser and its investment teams, may have obligations to other clients or investors in Affiliated Investment Accounts, as applicable, the fulfillment of which may not be in
the best interests of a Fund or its shareholders. Certain Affiliated Investment Accounts may have investment objectives that overlap with those of a Fund and/or may provide for higher management or incentive fees or greater expense reimbursements or
overhead allocations, all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest and create an incentive for the investment adviser to favor such other accounts. To seek to reduce potential conflicts of interest and to attempt to allocate investment
opportunities in a fair and equitable manner consistent with the requirements of organizational documents, investment strategies, applicable laws and regulations, and the fiduciary duties of the investment adviser, the investment adviser has
implemented allocation policies and procedures.
Morgan Stanley Trading and Principal Investing Activities. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, Morgan Stanley will generally conduct its sales and trading businesses, publish research and analysis, and render investment advice without regard for a Funds holdings.
Morgan Stanleys Investment Banking Activities. Morgan Stanley advises clients on a variety of mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, bankruptcy and financing transactions. Morgan Stanley may act as an
advisor to clients, including other investment funds that may compete with a Fund and with respect to investments that a Fund may hold. Morgan Stanley may give advice and take action with respect to any of its clients or proprietary accounts that
may be contrary to the Funds best interests and/or the best interests of any of its investments.
General Process for Potential Conflicts.
The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended (ERISA) impose certain
requirements designed to decrease the possibility of conflicts of interest between an investment adviser and its clients. In addition, the investment adviser has instituted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from
arising and, when they do arise, to ensure that it effects transactions for clients in a manner that is consistent with its fiduciary duty to its clients and in accordance with applicable law.
General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the
Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
See Endnotes and Additional
Disclosures in this report.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Endnotes and Additional Disclosures
1
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The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are
subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are
based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as forward-looking statements. The
Funds actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward-looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases
of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Funds filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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2
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The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell Fund shares.
Common shares of the Fund are available for purchase and sale only at current market prices in secondary market trading.
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3
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Performance results reflect the effects of leverage. Performance since inception for an index, if presented, is the performance since the Funds or oldest
share class inception, as applicable.
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4
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The shares of the Fund often trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value. The discount or premium may vary over time and may be higher or
lower than what is quoted in this report. For up-to-date premium/discount information, please refer to https://funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-prices.php.
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5
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The Distribution Rate is based on the Funds last regular distribution per share in the period (annualized) divided by the Funds NAV or market price
at the end of the period. The Funds distributions may be comprised of amounts characterized for federal income tax purposes as qualified and non-qualified ordinary dividends, capital gains and nondividend distributions, also known as return of
capital. For additional information about nondividend distributions, please refer to Eaton Vance Closed-End Fund Distribution Notices (19a) posted on our website, eatonvance.com. The Fund will determine the federal income tax character of
distributions paid to a shareholder after the end of the calendar year. This is reported on the IRS form 1099-DIV and provided to the shareholder shortly after each year-end. For information about the tax character of distributions made in prior
calendar years, please refer to Performance-Tax Character of Distributions on the Funds webpage available at eatonvance.com. The Funds distributions are determined by the investment adviser based on its current assessment of the
Funds long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and projected returns, and other factors. As
portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change.
|
6
|
Excludes cash and cash equivalents.
|
7
|
Ratings are based on S&P Global Ratings (S&P). If S&P does not publish a rating, then the Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
(Moodys) rating is applied. Ratings, which are subject to change, apply to the creditworthiness of the issuers of the underlying securities and not to the Fund or its shares. Credit ratings measure the quality of a bond based on
the issuers creditworthiness, with ratings ranging from AAA, being the highest, to D, being the lowest based on S&Ps measures. Ratings of BBB or higher by S&P or Baa or higher by Moodys are considered to be
investment-grade quality. Credit ratings are based largely on the ratings agencys analysis at the time of rating. The rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuers current financial condition
and does not necessarily reflect its assessment of the volatility of a securitys market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security. Holdings designated as Not Rated (if any) are not rated by the national ratings
agencies stated above.
|
Fund profile subject to change due to active management.
Additional Information
ICE BofA U.S. High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of below- investment grade U.S. corporate bonds. ICE® BofA® indices are not for redistribution or other uses; provided as is, without warranties, and with no liability. Eaton Vance has prepared this report and ICE Data
Indices, LLC does not endorse it, or guarantee, review, or endorse Eaton Vances products. BofA® is a licensed registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation in
the United States and other countries. Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of domestic investment-grade bonds, including corporate, government and mortgage-backed securities. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do
not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Duration is a measure of the expected change in price of a bond in percentage terms given a one percent change in interest rates, all else being constant. Securities with lower durations tend to be
less sensitive to interest rate changes.
Important Notice to Shareholders
On August 13, 2020, the Board of Trustees of the Fund amended and restated the Funds By-Laws (the Amended and Restated
By-Laws). The Amended and Restated By-Laws include provisions (the Control Share Provisions) pursuant to which, in summary, a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of Fund shares in a Control Share Acquisition
may exercise voting rights with respect to such shares only to the extent the authorization of such voting rights is approved by other shareholders of the Fund. The Control Share Provisions are primarily intended to protect the interests of the Fund
and its shareholders by limiting the risk that the Fund will become subject to undue influence by opportunistic hedge funds or other activist investors. The Control Share Provisions do not eliminate voting rights for shares acquired in Control Share
Acquisitions, but rather, they entrust the Funds other non- interested shareholders with determining whether to approve the authorization of voting rights for such shares. Subject to various conditions and exceptions, the Amended
and Restated By-Laws define a Control Share Acquisition to include an acquisition of Fund shares that, but for the Control Share Provisions, would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Endnotes and Additional Disclosures continued
such shares, the ability to exercise voting power in the election of Fund Trustees in any of the
following ranges: (i) one-tenth or more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or
(iv) a majority or more of all voting power. Share acquisitions prior to August 13, 2020 are excluded from the definition of Control Share Acquisition. This discussion is only a high-level summary of certain aspects of the Control Share
Provisions, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full Amended and Restated By-Laws. The Amended and Restated By-Laws were filed by the Fund on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available at sec.gov.
The following information in this annual report is a summary of certain changes since March 31, 2020. This information may not
reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased this fund.
Prior to April 8, 2020, the Fund invested under
normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in corporate debt obligations and separately, at least 80% of its managed assets in corporate debt obligations that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade (BB+ or lower)
or are unrated but deemed equivalent by the adviser (High Yield Obligations), commonly referred to as junk bonds. Effective April 8, 2020, pursuant to its revised policies, the current separate requirement to invest 80% of its managed
assets in High Yield Obligations was eliminated and the Fund will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in corporate debt obligations, including High Yield Obligations.
Effective January 4, 2021, the Fund entered into wind-up in anticipation of its termination date on July 1, 2021 (the Termination Date).
During the wind-up period, the Fund may deviate from its normal investment policies, and may invest up to 100% of its managed assets in high quality, short-term securities. High quality, short term securities include securities rated investment
grade (BBB-/Baa3 or higher, or unrated but deemed equivalent by the Funds investment adviser) with a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less. From January 4, 2021 through the Termination Date, the Fund will invest at least
80% of its managed assets in (i) corporate debt obligations, including high yield obligations; and (ii) short-term investment grade securities that have a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less, so long as the maturity of any
security in the Fund is no later than January 1, 2022. Effective January 4, 2021 and in connection with investment policy changes, the name of Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust was changed from Eaton Vance High Income 2021 Target Term
Trust. In anticipation of the liquidation, the Fund retired its leverage facility. On or about the Termination Date, the Fund intends to cease its investment operations, liquidate its portfolio and seek to return Original NAV to common shareholders.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Portfolio of Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds 61.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Principal
Amount
(000s omitted)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Aerospace 1.6%
|
|
|
|
|
Bombardier, Inc., 8.75%, 12/1/21(1)
|
|
$
|
3,250
|
|
|
$
|
3,415,214
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,415,214
|
|
|
Air Transportation 0.3%
|
|
|
|
|
Air Canada, 7.75%,
4/15/21(1)
|
|
$
|
660
|
|
|
$
|
661,287
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
661,287
|
|
|
Automotive & Auto Parts 4.5%
|
|
|
|
|
Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.104%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.88%),
10/12/21(2)
|
|
$
|
3,497
|
|
|
$
|
3,480,476
|
|
|
|
|
3.47%, 4/5/21
|
|
|
909
|
|
|
|
909,000
|
|
|
|
|
3.813%, 10/12/21
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
3,037,470
|
|
|
|
|
5.875%, 8/2/21
|
|
|
2,137
|
|
|
|
2,168,414
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,595,360
|
|
|
Banking & Thrifts 1.7%
|
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Bank AG/New York NY, 4.25%, 10/14/21
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
$
|
3,565,469
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,565,469
|
|
|
Cable & Satellite TV 8.1%
|
|
|
|
|
CSC Holdings, LLC, 6.75%, 11/15/21
|
|
$
|
10,925
|
|
|
$
|
11,232,266
|
|
|
|
|
DISH DBS Corp., 6.75%, 6/1/21
|
|
|
5,845
|
|
|
|
5,897,605
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,129,871
|
|
|
Diversified Financial Services 7.2%
|
|
|
|
|
Ally Financial, Inc., 4.25%, 4/15/21
|
|
$
|
4,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,004,103
|
|
|
|
|
DAE Funding, LLC, 5.25%, 11/15/21(1)
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
4,080,000
|
|
|
|
|
Navient Corp., 6.625%, 7/26/21
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
7,134,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
15,218,853
|
|
|
Energy 9.3%
|
|
|
|
|
DCP Midstream Operating, L.P.,
4.75%, 9/30/21(1)
|
|
$
|
5,000
|
|
|
$
|
5,040,625
|
|
|
|
|
Occidental Petroleum Corp., 2.60%, 8/13/21
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
6,026,250
|
|
|
|
|
Ovintiv, Inc., 3.90%, 11/15/21
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,054,882
|
|
|
|
|
Williams Cos., Inc. (The), 7.875%, 9/1/21
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
2,058,536
|
|
|
|
|
Williams Partners, L.P., 4.00%, 11/15/21
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
1,519,194
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
19,699,487
|
|
|
Food & Drug Retail 2.3%
|
|
|
|
|
Safeway, Inc., 4.75%, 12/1/21
|
|
$
|
4,782
|
|
|
$
|
4,865,685
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,865,685
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Principal
Amount
(000s omitted)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Healthcare 4.9%
|
|
|
|
|
Elanco Animal Health, Inc., 4.912%, 8/27/21
|
|
$
|
5,700
|
|
|
$
|
5,760,562
|
|
|
|
|
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co., B.V., 3.65%, 11/10/21
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
|
1,081,037
|
|
|
|
|
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance IV B.V., 3.65%, 11/10/21
|
|
|
3,500
|
|
|
|
3,534,213
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10,375,812
|
|
|
Homebuilders & Real Estate 2.9%
|
|
|
|
|
KB Home, 7.00%, 12/15/21
|
|
$
|
6,000
|
|
|
$
|
6,153,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,153,750
|
|
|
Hotels 0.7%
|
|
|
|
|
Marriott International, Inc., 3.125%, 10/15/21
|
|
$
|
1,600
|
|
|
$
|
1,610,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,610,417
|
|
|
Restaurant 2.5%
|
|
|
|
|
Yum! Brands, Inc., 3.75%, 11/1/21
|
|
$
|
5,250
|
|
|
$
|
5,301,844
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
5,301,844
|
|
|
Technology 1.2%
|
|
|
|
|
Dell International, LLC/EMC Corp., 5.875%, 6/15/21(1)
|
|
$
|
2,491
|
|
|
$
|
2,497,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,497,227
|
|
|
Telecommunications 14.6%
|
|
|
|
|
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., 7.625%, 6/15/21
|
|
$
|
6,500
|
|
|
$
|
6,582,875
|
|
|
|
|
Lumen Technologies, Inc., 6.45%, 6/15/21
|
|
|
6,500
|
|
|
|
6,553,625
|
|
|
|
|
Qwest Corp., 6.75%, 12/1/21
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
5,171,875
|
|
|
|
|
Sprint Communications, Inc., 11.50%, 11/15/21
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
2,123,750
|
|
|
|
|
Sprint Corp., 7.25%, 9/15/21
|
|
|
10,175
|
|
|
|
10,443,111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
30,875,236
|
|
|
|
Total Corporate Bonds
(identified cost
$129,490,350)
|
|
|
$
|
130,965,512
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments 37.4%
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Paper 18.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
Principal
Amount
(000s omitted)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
AT&T, Inc., 0.27%, 6/15/21(1)(3)(4)
|
|
$
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
9,995,567
|
|
|
|
|
Banco Santander, 0.30%, 6/30/21(1)(3)(4)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
9,995,829
|
|
|
|
|
National Australia Bank
Ltd.,
0.18%, 6/30/21(1)(3)(4)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
9,998,357
|
|
|
|
|
Societe Generale, 0.28%, 6/30/21(1)(3)(4)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
|
9,997,320
|
|
|
|
Total Commercial Paper
(identified cost
$39,975,375)
|
|
|
$
|
39,987,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Portfolio of Investments continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other 18.5%
|
|
Description
|
|
Units
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 0.10%(5)
|
|
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
$
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
|
Total Other
(identified cost $39,275,447)
|
|
|
$
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
|
Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost
$79,250,822)
|
|
|
$
|
79,262,520
|
|
|
|
Total Investments 99.2%
(identified cost
$208,741,172)
|
|
|
$
|
210,228,032
|
|
|
|
Other Assets, Less Liabilities 0.8%
|
|
|
$
|
1,792,209
|
|
|
|
Net Assets 100.0%
|
|
|
$
|
212,020,241
|
|
The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.
(1)
|
Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be sold in certain transactions in reliance on
an exemption from registration (normally to qualified institutional buyers). At March 31, 2021, the aggregate value of these securities is $55,681,426 or 26.3% of the Trusts net assets.
|
(2)
|
Variable rate security. The stated interest rate represents the rate in effect at March 31, 2021.
|
(3)
|
Rate shown is the discount rate at date of purchase.
|
(4)
|
Security exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such securities may be sold in transactions exempt from
registration only to dealers in that program or other accredited investors. At March 31, 2021, the aggregate value of these securities is $39,987,073, representing 18.9% of the Trusts net assets.
|
(5)
|
Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments.
The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of March 31, 2021.
|
Abbreviations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIBOR
|
|
|
|
London Interbank Offered Rate
|
Currency Abbreviations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
United States Dollar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
March 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $169,465,725)
|
|
$
|
170,952,585
|
|
|
|
Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $39,275,447)
|
|
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
2,016,309
|
|
|
|
Dividends receivable from affiliated investment
|
|
|
3,214
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
212,247,555
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payable to affiliate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment adviser fee
|
|
$
|
126,138
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
101,176
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$
|
227,314
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$
|
212,020,241
|
|
|
|
Sources of Net Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 21,465,522 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
$
|
214,655
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
211,168,776
|
|
|
|
Distributable earnings
|
|
|
636,810
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$
|
212,020,241
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($212,020,241 ÷ 21,465,522 common shares issued and outstanding)
|
|
$
|
9.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Statement of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Income
|
|
Year Ended
March 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
$
|
9,553,068
|
|
|
|
Dividends from affiliated investment
|
|
|
12,328
|
|
|
|
Total investment income
|
|
$
|
9,565,396
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment adviser fee
|
|
$
|
1,513,768
|
|
|
|
Trustees fees and expenses
|
|
|
11,768
|
|
|
|
Custodian fee
|
|
|
42,452
|
|
|
|
Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees
|
|
|
18,630
|
|
|
|
Legal and accounting services
|
|
|
57,547
|
|
|
|
Printing and postage
|
|
|
36,124
|
|
|
|
Interest expense and fees
|
|
|
238,479
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
30,891
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
$
|
1,949,659
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
7,615,737
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment transactions
|
|
$
|
(1,373,659
|
)
|
|
|
Investment transactions affiliated investment
|
|
|
484
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss
|
|
$
|
(1,373,175
|
)
|
|
|
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
$
|
12,426,985
|
|
|
|
Investments affiliated investment
|
|
|
886
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
$
|
12,427,871
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
|
|
$
|
11,054,696
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets from operations
|
|
$
|
18,670,433
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31,
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
From operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
7,615,737
|
|
|
$
|
9,035,609
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss
|
|
|
(1,373,175
|
)
|
|
|
(2,901
|
)
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
|
12,427,871
|
|
|
|
(12,680,758
|
)
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations
|
|
$
|
18,670,433
|
|
|
$
|
(3,648,050
|
)
|
|
|
|
Distributions to shareholders
|
|
$
|
(7,169,144
|
)
|
|
$
|
(9,486,104
|
)
|
|
|
|
Capital share transactions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinvestment of distributions to shareholders
|
|
$
|
10,048
|
|
|
$
|
35,428
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions
|
|
$
|
10,048
|
|
|
$
|
35,428
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
|
|
$
|
11,511,337
|
|
|
$
|
(13,098,726
|
)
|
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At beginning of year
|
|
$
|
200,508,904
|
|
|
$
|
213,607,630
|
|
|
|
|
At end of year
|
|
$
|
212,020,241
|
|
|
$
|
200,508,904
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31,
|
|
|
Period Ended
March 31,
2017(1)
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value Beginning of period
|
|
$
|
9.340
|
|
|
$
|
9.950
|
|
|
$
|
10.040
|
|
|
$
|
10.280
|
|
|
$
|
9.850
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (Loss) From Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(3)
|
|
$
|
0.355
|
|
|
$
|
0.421
|
|
|
$
|
0.475
|
|
|
$
|
0.536
|
|
|
$
|
0.483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
0.519
|
|
|
|
(0.589
|
)
|
|
|
(0.021
|
)
|
|
|
(0.176
|
)
|
|
|
0.439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income (loss) from operations
|
|
$
|
0.874
|
|
|
$
|
(0.168
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.454
|
|
|
$
|
0.360
|
|
|
$
|
0.922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
$
|
(0.334
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.442
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.472
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.600
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.450
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.072
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
$
|
(0.334
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.442
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.544
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.600
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.450
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering costs charged to paid-in capital
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.020
|
)(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount related to exercise of underwriters over-allotment option
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.022
|
)(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value End of period
|
|
$
|
9.880
|
|
|
$
|
9.340
|
|
|
$
|
9.950
|
|
|
$
|
10.040
|
|
|
$
|
10.280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market value End of period
|
|
$
|
9.830
|
|
|
$
|
8.810
|
|
|
$
|
9.720
|
|
|
$
|
9.880
|
|
|
$
|
10.030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(4)
|
|
|
9.52
|
%
|
|
|
(1.80
|
)%
|
|
|
4.84
|
%
|
|
|
3.64
|
%
|
|
|
9.14
|
%(5)(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return on Market Value(4)
|
|
|
15.52
|
%
|
|
|
(5.19
|
)%
|
|
|
4.08
|
%
|
|
|
4.53
|
%
|
|
|
6.49
|
%(5)(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)
|
|
$
|
212,020
|
|
|
$
|
200,509
|
|
|
$
|
213,608
|
|
|
$
|
215,433
|
|
|
$
|
220,724
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses excluding interest and fees
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
1.04
|
%
|
|
|
1.03
|
%
|
|
|
1.04
|
%(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and fee expense(8)
|
|
|
0.11
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
|
|
1.05
|
%
|
|
|
0.74
|
%
|
|
|
0.52
|
%(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
0.93
|
%
|
|
|
1.37
|
%
|
|
|
2.09
|
%
|
|
|
1.77
|
%
|
|
|
1.56
|
%(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
3.62
|
%
|
|
|
4.23
|
%
|
|
|
4.78
|
%
|
|
|
5.23
|
%
|
|
|
5.71
|
%(7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover
|
|
|
23
|
%
|
|
|
38
|
%
|
|
|
36
|
%
|
|
|
53
|
%
|
|
|
40
|
%(5)
|
(1)
|
For the period from the start of business, May 31, 2016, to March 31, 2017.
|
(2)
|
Net asset value at beginning of period reflects the deduction of the sales charge of $0.15 per share paid by the shareholders from the $10.00 offering price.
|
(3)
|
Computed using average shares outstanding.
|
(4)
|
Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions reinvested.
Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Trusts dividend reinvestment plan.
|
(6)
|
Total investment return on net asset value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $10.00 less the sales load of $0.15 per share paid by the
shareholder on the first day and a sale at the net asset value on the last day of the period reported with all distributions reinvested. Total investment return on market value is calculated assuming a purchase at the offering price of $10.00 less
the sales load of $0.15 per share paid by the shareholder on the first day and a sale at the current market price on the last day of the period reported with all distributions reinvested.
|
(8)
|
Interest and fee expense relates to borrowings for the purpose of financial leverage (see Note 6).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements
1 Significant Accounting Policies
Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust (formerly, Eaton
Vance High Income 2021 Target Term Trust) (the Trust) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Trusts
investment objectives are high current income and to return $9.85 per share, the original net asset value per common share before deducting offering costs of $0.02 per common share (Original NAV), to holders of common shares on or about
July 1, 2021 (the Termination Date). On or about the Termination Date, the Trust intends to cease its investment operations, liquidate its portfolio and seek to return Original NAV to common shareholders. Effective January 4, 2021,
the Trust entered into wind-up in anticipation of its termination. During the wind-up period, the Trust may deviate from its normal investment policies, and may invest up to 100% of its managed assets in high quality, short-term securities. High
quality, short-term securities include securities rated investment grade (BBB-/Baa3 or higher, or unrated but deemed equivalent by the Trusts investment adviser) with a final or remaining maturity of 397 days or less. From January 4, 2021
through the remainder of its term, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in (i) corporate debt obligations, including high yield obligations; and (ii) short-term investment grade securities that have a final or remaining
maturity of 397 days or less, so long as the maturity of any security in the Trust is no later than January 1, 2022.
The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies of the Trust. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Trust is an investment company and follows accounting and
reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.
A Investment Valuation The following methodologies are used to determine the
market value or fair value of investments.
Debt Obligations. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third
party pricing services, as derived from such services pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and ask prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with
similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information
regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term debt obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less for which a valuation from a third party pricing service is not
readily available may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Affiliated Fund. The Trust may invest in Eaton Vance Cash
Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with
the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market
quotations provided by a third party pricing service.
Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily
available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Trust in a manner that most fairly reflects the securitys fair value, which is the
amount that the Trust might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to
another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the securitys disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of
comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities),
an analysis of the companys or entitys financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
B Investment Transactions Investment transactions for financial statement purposes
are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.
C Income Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted
for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities.
D Federal Taxes The Trust intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income and any net realized capital gains in
amounts necessary to maintain its taxation as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For the purpose of pursuing its investment objective of returning Original NAV, the Trust may retain a portion of its net investment
income and some or all of its net capital gains, which would result in the Trust paying U.S. federal excise and corporate income taxes.
As of
March 31, 2021, the Trust had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Trust files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to
examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.
E Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
F Indemnifications Under the Trusts organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain
liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements continued
trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trusts Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Trust
shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Trust shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Trust property of any shareholder held
personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into agreements with service providers that may contain
indemnification clauses. The Trusts maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.
2 Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information
The Trust intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income to common shareholders. The Trust may also distribute net realized capital gains, if any, generally not more than once per year.
Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings
and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital
gains are considered to be from ordinary income.
The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended March 31, 2021 and March 31,
2020 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary income
|
|
$
|
7,169,144
|
|
|
$
|
9,486,104
|
|
During the year ended March 31, 2021, distributable earnings was decreased by $85,803 and paid-in capital was increased by
$85,803 due to differences between book and tax accounting for offering costs. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Trust.
As of March 31, 2021, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed ordinary income
|
|
$
|
166,934
|
|
|
|
Deferred capital losses
|
|
|
(1,839,886
|
)
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation
|
|
|
2,309,762
|
|
|
|
Distributable earnings
|
|
$
|
636,810
|
|
At March 31, 2021, the Trust, for federal income tax purposes, had deferred capital losses of $1,839,886 which would reduce its
taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investment transactions, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, and thus would reduce the amount of distributions to shareholders, which would otherwise be necessary to
relieve the Trust of any liability for federal income or excise tax. The deferred capital losses are treated as arising on the first day of the Trusts next taxable year and retain the same short-term or long-term character as when originally
deferred. Of the deferred capital losses at March 31, 2021, $1,839,886 are long-term.
The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investments of the Trust at March 31, 2021, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate cost
|
|
$
|
207,918,270
|
|
|
|
Gross unrealized appreciation
|
|
$
|
2,335,068
|
|
|
|
Gross unrealized depreciation
|
|
|
(25,306
|
)
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation
|
|
$
|
2,309,762
|
|
3 Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
The investment adviser fee is earned by EVM as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Trust. On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley acquired
Eaton Vance Corp. (the Transaction) and EVM became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. In connection with the Transaction, the Trust entered into a new investment advisory agreement (the New Agreement)
with EVM, which took effect on March 1, 2021. Pursuant
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements continued
to the New Agreement (and the Trusts investment advisory agreement with EVM in effect prior to March 1, 2021), the investment adviser fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.70% of the Trusts
average daily managed assets and is payable monthly. Managed assets as referred to herein represent total assets of the Trust (including assets attributable to borrowings, any outstanding preferred shares, or other forms of leverage) less accrued
liabilities (other than liabilities representing borrowings or such other forms of leverage). For the year ended March 31, 2021, the investment adviser fee amounted to $1,513,768. The Trust invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not
currently receive a fee for investment advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund. EVM also serves as administrator of the Trust, but receives no compensation.
Trustees and officers of the Trust who are members of EVMs organization receive remuneration for their services to the Trust out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Trust who are not affiliated
with EVM may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended March 31, 2021, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain
officers and Trustees of the Trust are officers of EVM.
During the year ended March 31, 2021, EVM reimbursed the Trust $7,640 for a net realized
loss due to a trading error. The amount of the reimbursement had an impact on total return of less than 0.01%.
4 Purchases
and Sales of Investments
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations and including maturities and principal repayments on
Senior Loans, aggregated $36,926,567 and $131,904,010, respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2021.
5 Common Shares
of Beneficial Interest
Common shares issued by the Trust pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan for the years ended March 31, 2021 and
March 31, 2020 were 1,018 and 3,543, respectively.
6 Credit Agreement
The Trust entered into a Credit Agreement, as amended (the Agreement) with a bank to borrow up to a limit of $60 million. Borrowings under the Agreement were
secured by the assets of the Trust. Interest was charged at a rate above the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and was payable monthly. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Trust paid a facility fee of 0.15% per annum on the borrowing
limit. In connection with the renewal of the Agreement in June 2020, the Trust paid an upfront fee of $60,000 which was being amortized to interest expense over a period of one year. The Trust was required to maintain certain net asset levels during
the term of the Agreement. Effective February 11, 2021, the Agreement was terminated by the Trust in anticipation of the Trusts termination and the unamortized upfront fees were fully amortized. At March 31, 2021, the Trust had no
borrowings outstanding under the Agreement. Facility fees for the year ended March 31, 2021 totaled $79,000 and are included in interest expense and fees on the Statement of Operations. For the year ended March 31, 2021, the average
borrowings under the Agreement and average interest rate (excluding fees) were $6,227,397 and 1.16%, respectively.
7 Investments in Affiliated Funds
At
March 31, 2021, the value of the Trusts investment in affiliated funds was $39,275,447, which represents 18.5% of the Trusts net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Trust for the year ended March 31, 2021 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of affiliated fund
|
|
Value,
beginning
of period
|
|
|
Purchases
|
|
|
Sales
proceeds
|
|
|
Net
realized
gain (loss)
|
|
|
Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
|
|
|
Value, end
of period
|
|
|
Dividend
income
|
|
|
Units, end
of period
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC
|
|
$
|
2,952,215
|
|
|
$
|
167,225,204
|
|
|
$
|
(130,903,342
|
)
|
|
$
|
484
|
|
|
$
|
886
|
|
|
$
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
$
|
12,328
|
|
|
|
39,275,447
|
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements continued
8 Fair Value Measurements
Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value
measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
|
|
Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
|
|
|
Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
|
|
|
Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including a funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
|
In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is
determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those
securities.
At March 31, 2021, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Trusts investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Description
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
130,965,512
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
130,965,512
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial Paper
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,987,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,987,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,275,447
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
210,228,032
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
210,228,032
|
|
9 Risks and Uncertainties
Credit Risk
The Trust primarily invests in lower rated and comparable quality unrated high yield securities.
These investments have different risks than investments in debt securities rated investment grade. Risk of loss upon default by the borrower is significantly greater with respect to such debt than with other debt securities because these securities
are generally unsecured and are more sensitive to adverse economic conditions, such as recession or increasing interest rates, than are investment grade issuers.
Pandemic Risk
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in
late 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and
customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. Health crises caused by outbreaks, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and
operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, the economies of individual countries, individual companies, and the market in general, and may continue to do so in significant and unforeseen ways, as may other
epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future. Any such impact could adversely affect the Trusts performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Trust invests.
10 Name Change
Effective January 4, 2021 and in connection with investment policy
changes as described in Note 1, the name of Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust was changed from Eaton Vance High Income 2021 Target Term Trust.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
To the Trustees and Shareholders of Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying
statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust (formerly, Eaton Vance High Income 2021 Target Term Trust) (the Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of March 31, 2021, the related statement of
operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from the start of
business, May 31, 2016, to March 31, 2017, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust as of March 31, 2021,
and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended and for the period from the
start of business, May 31, 2016, to March 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the
Trusts management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Trusts financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Trust in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trusts internal control over financial
reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the
financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial
highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2021, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of Matter
As disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements, on or about July 1, 2021, the Trust intends to cease its investment operations, liquidate its portfolio and seek to return Original NAV to common
shareholders. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
May 19, 2021
We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)
The Form 1099-DIV you receive in February 2022 will show the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2021. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the
tax consequences of their investment in the Trust. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of 163(j) interest dividends.
163(j) Interest Dividends. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Trust designates 100% of distributions from net investment income as a 163(j) interest dividend.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders
(Unaudited)
The Fund held a Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders (the Special Meeting) with certain other Eaton Vance closed-end funds on January 7, 2021. In order to solicit additional votes to achieve a
required quorum, the Special Meeting was adjourned several times, with the vote being taken on February 12, 2021 for the following purpose: approval of a new investment advisory agreement with EVM (Proposal 1). The
shareholder meeting results are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares(1)
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
Against
|
|
|
Abstain(2)
|
|
|
Broker
Non-Votes(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal 1
|
|
|
9,817,168
|
|
|
|
213,970
|
|
|
|
709,716
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
(1)
|
Fractional shares were voted proportionately.
|
(2)
|
All shares that were voted and votes to abstain were counted towards establishing a quorum, as were broker non-votes. (Broker non-votes are shares for which a
broker returns a proxy but for which (i) the beneficial owner has not voted and (ii) the broker holding the shares does not have discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter.) Abstentions and broker non-votes had the effect of
a negative vote on Proposal 1. Broker non-votes were not expected with respect to Proposal 1 because brokers are required to receive instructions from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote in order to submit proxies.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Unaudited)
The Trust held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on January 14, 2021. The following action was taken by the shareholders:
Proposal 1: The election of George J. Gorman, Valerie A. Mosley, William H. Park and Marcus L. Smith as Class II Trustees of the Trust for a three-year term ending in 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominee for Trustee
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
Withheld
|
|
|
|
|
George J. Gorman
|
|
|
15,085,102
|
|
|
|
4,107,766
|
|
|
|
|
Valerie A. Mosley
|
|
|
15,005,760
|
|
|
|
4,187,108
|
|
|
|
|
William H. Park
|
|
|
15,068,783
|
|
|
|
4,124,085
|
|
|
|
|
Marcus L. Smith
|
|
|
15,080,371
|
|
|
|
4,112,497
|
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Trust offers a dividend reinvestment plan (Plan) pursuant to which shareholders automatically have distributions reinvested in common shares (Shares) of the Trust unless they elect otherwise through their
investment dealer. On the distribution payment date, if the NAV per Share is equal to or less than the market price per Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, then new Shares will be issued. The number of Shares shall be determined by the
greater of the NAV per Share or 95% of the market price. Otherwise, Shares generally will be purchased on the open market by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the Plan agent (Agent). Distributions subject to income tax (if any)
are taxable whether or not Shares are reinvested.
If your Shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you can ask the firm or
nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you will need to request that the Trusts transfer agent re-register your Shares in your name or you will not be able to participate.
The Agents service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Trust. Plan participants will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions
on all open-market purchases.
Plan participants may withdraw from the Plan at any time by writing to the Agent at the address noted on the following
page. If you withdraw, you will receive Shares in your name for all Shares credited to your account under the Plan. If a participant elects by written notice to the Agent to sell part or all of his or her Shares and remit the proceeds, the Agent is
authorized to deduct a $5.00 fee plus brokerage commissions from the proceeds.
If you wish to participate in the Plan and your Shares are held in your
own name, you may complete the form on the following page and deliver it to the Agent. Any inquiries regarding the Plan can be directed to the Agent at 1-866-439-6787.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Application for Participation in Dividend Reinvestment Plan
This form is for shareholders who hold their common shares in their own names. If your common shares are held in the
name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it will participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank, or nominee is unable to participate on
your behalf, you should request that your common shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.
The following authorization and appointment is given with the understanding that I may terminate it at any time by terminating my participation in the Plan as provided in the terms and conditions of the Plan.
Please print exact name on account
Shareholder
signature
Date
Shareholder
signature
Date
Please sign exactly as your common
shares are registered. All persons whose names appear on the share certificate must sign.
YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THIS
FORM IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR DISTRIBUTIONS IN CASH. THIS IS NOT A PROXY.
This authorization form, when
signed, should be mailed to the following address:
Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust
c/o American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
P.O. Box 922
Wall Street Station
New York, NY 10269-0560
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Board of Trustees Contract Approval
Overview of the Contract Review Process
Even though the following description of the Boards
(as defined below) consideration of investment advisory agreements covers multiple funds, for purposes of this shareholder report, the description is only relevant as to Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust.
At a meeting held on November 10, 2020 (the November Meeting), the Board of Trustees (each, a Board and, collectively, the
Board) of each closed-end Fund (each, a Fund and, collectively, the Funds(1)) managed by Eaton Vance Management (Eaton Vance),
including a majority of the Board members (the Independent Trustees) who are not interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act)) of the Funds or Eaton Vance, voted to approve a
new investment advisory agreement between each Fund and Eaton Vance, each of which is intended to go into effect upon the completion of the Transaction (as defined below) (each, a New Agreement and, collectively, the New
Agreements). The Boards evaluative process is more fully described below. In voting its approval of the New Agreements at the November Meeting, the Board relied on an order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission in response to
the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that provided temporary relief from the in-person meeting requirements under Section 15 of the 1940 Act.
In
voting its approval of the New Agreements, the Board of each Fund relied upon the recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to and during meetings leading up to the
November Meeting, the Contract Review Committee reviewed and discussed information furnished by Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley, as requested by the Independent Trustees, that the Contract Review Committee considered reasonably necessary to evaluate
the terms of the New Agreements and to form its recommendations. Such information included, among other things, the terms and anticipated impacts of Morgan Stanleys pending acquisition of Eaton Vance Corp. (the Transaction) on the
Funds and their shareholders. In addition to considering information furnished specifically to evaluate the impact of the Transaction on the Funds and their respective shareholders, the Board and its Contract Review Committee also considered
information furnished for prior meetings of the Board and its committees, including, but not limited to, information provided in connection with the annual contract review process for the Funds, which most recently culminated in April 2020 (the
2020 Annual Approval Process).
The Board of each Fund, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the applicable New Agreement,
including the fees payable thereunder, was fair and reasonable, and it voted to approve the New Agreement and to recommend that shareholders do so as well.
Shortly after the announcement of the Transaction, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, met with senior representatives from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley at its meeting held on October 13,
2020 to discuss certain aspects of the Transaction and the expected impacts of the Transaction on the Funds and their shareholders. As part of the Boards evaluation process, counsel to the Independent Trustees, on behalf of the Contract Review
Committee, requested additional information to assist the Independent Trustees in their evaluation of the New Agreements and the implications of the Transaction, as well as other contractual arrangements that may be affected by the Transaction. The
Contract Review Committee considered information furnished by Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley and their respective affiliates during meetings on November 5, 2020 and November 10, 2020.
The Contract Review Committee again met with senior representatives of Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley at its meeting on November 10, 2020, to further discuss
the approval of the New Agreements. The representatives from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley each made presentations to, and responded to questions from, the Independent Trustees. The Contract Review Committee considered Eaton Vances and Morgan
Stanleys responses related to the Transaction and specifically to the Funds, as well as information received in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process, with respect to its evaluation of the New Agreements. Among other information,
the Board considered:
Information about the Transaction and its Terms
|
|
|
Information about the material terms and conditions, and expected impact, of the Transaction that relate to the Funds, including the expected impact on the
businesses conducted by Eaton Vance with respect to the Funds;
|
|
|
|
Information about the advantages of the Transaction as they relate to the Funds and their shareholders;
|
|
|
|
A commitment that the Funds would not bear any expenses, directly or indirectly, in connection with the Transaction, including with respect to the solicitation
of shareholder approval of the New Agreements;
|
|
|
|
A commitment that, for a period of three years after the Closing, at least 75% of each Funds Board members must not be interested persons (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the investment adviser (or predecessor investment adviser, if applicable) pursuant to Section 15(f)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act;
|
|
|
|
A commitment that Morgan Stanley would use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that it did not impose any unfair burden (as that term is used in
section 15(f)(1)(B) of the 1940 Act) on the Funds as a result of the Transaction;
|
|
|
|
Information with respect to the potential impact of the Transaction on personnel and/or other resources of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, as well as any
expected changes to compensation, including any retention-based compensation intended to incentivize key personnel at Eaton Vance and its affiliates;
|
|
|
|
Information regarding any changes that are expected with respect to the Funds slate of officers as a result of the Transaction;
|
Information about Morgan Stanley
|
|
|
Information about Morgan Stanleys overall business, including information about the advisory, brokerage and related businesses that Morgan Stanley
operates;
|
(1)
|
References to the Funds do not include Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Plus Fund.
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
|
|
|
Information about Morgan Stanleys financial condition, including its access to capital and other resources required to support the investment advisory
businesses related to the Funds;
|
|
|
|
Information on how the Funds are expected to fit within Morgan Stanleys overall business strategy, and any changes that Morgan Stanley contemplates
implementing to the Funds in the short- or long-term following the closing of the Transaction (the Closing);
|
|
|
|
Information regarding risk management functions at Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, including how existing risk management protocols and procedures may impact
the Funds and/or the businesses of Eaton Vance and its affiliates as they relate to the Funds;
|
|
|
|
Information on the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to the Funds with respect to potential additional distribution capabilities and the ability to access
new markets and customer segments through Morgan Stanleys distribution network, including, in particular, its institutional client base;
|
|
|
|
Information regarding the financial condition and reputation of Morgan Stanley, its worldwide presence, experience as a fund sponsor and manager, commitment to
maintain a high level of cooperation with, and support to, the Funds, strong client service capabilities, and relationships in the asset management industry;
|
Information about the New Agreements
|
|
|
A representation that, after the Closing, all of the Funds will continue to be advised by Eaton Vance, and will continue under the Eaton Vance brand;
|
|
|
|
Information regarding the terms of the New Agreements, including certain changes as compared to the current investment advisory agreement between each Fund and
Eaton Vance (collectively, the Current Agreements);
|
|
|
|
Information confirming that the fee rates payable under the New Agreements are not changed as compared to the Current Agreements;
|
|
|
|
A representation that the New Agreements will not cause any diminution in the nature, extent and quality of services provided by Eaton Vance to the Funds and
their respective shareholders, including with respect to compliance and other non-advisory services;
|
Information about Fund
Performance, Fees and Expenses
|
|
|
A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each Fund (including, as relevant, total return data, income data, Sharpe
ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds and, as applicable, benchmark indices, over various time periods as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as performance information as of a more recent date;
|
|
|
|
A report from an independent data provider comparing each Funds total expense ratio (and its components) to those of comparable funds as of the 2020 Annual
Approval Process, as well as fee and expense information as of a more recent date;
|
|
|
|
In certain instances, data regarding investment performance relative to customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by Eaton Vance in
consultation with the Portfolio Management Committee of the Board as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as corresponding performance information as of a more recent date;
|
|
|
|
Comparative information concerning the fees charged and services provided by Eaton Vance to each Fund in managing other accounts (which may include other mutual
funds, collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such Fund(s), if any;
|
|
|
|
Profitability analyses of Eaton Vance with respect to each of the Funds as of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as information regarding the impact of
the Transaction on profitability;
|
Information about Portfolio Management and Trading
|
|
|
Descriptions of the investment management services currently provided and expected to be provided to each Fund after the Closing, as well as each of the
Funds investment strategies and policies;
|
|
|
|
The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of Fund assets, when necessary, and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such
procedures and processes;
|
|
|
|
Information regarding any contemplated changes to the policies and practices of Eaton Vance with respect to trading, including their processes for seeking best
execution of portfolio transactions;
|
|
|
|
Information regarding the impact on trading and access to capital markets associated with the Funds post-Closing affiliations with Morgan Stanley and its
affiliates, including potential restrictions with respect to the Funds ability to execute portfolio transactions with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates;
|
Information about Eaton Vance
|
|
|
Information about the financial results and condition of Eaton Vance since the culmination of the 2020 Annual Approval Process and any material changes in
financial condition that are reasonably expected to occur before and after the Closing;
|
|
|
|
Confirmation that there are no immediately contemplated post-Closing changes to the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio
management and investment research for the Funds, and, for portfolio managers and certain other investment professionals, information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts, as
applicable post-Closing;
|
|
|
|
The Code of Ethics of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, together with information relating to compliance with, and the administration of, such codes;
|
|
|
|
Policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and the handling of corporate actions and class actions;
|
|
|
|
Information concerning the resources devoted to compliance efforts undertaken by Eaton Vance and its affiliates, including descriptions of their various
compliance programs and their record of compliance;
|
|
|
|
Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of Eaton Vance and its affiliates;
|
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
Other Relevant Information
|
|
|
Information concerning the nature, cost and character of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided by Eaton Vance and its
affiliates;
|
|
|
|
Information concerning oversight of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by Eaton Vance and/or administrator to each of the
Funds;
|
|
|
|
Information concerning the benefits of the closed-end fund structure, as well as, where relevant, the closed-end funds market prices, trading volume data,
distribution rates and other relevant matters;
|
|
|
|
Confirmation that Eaton Vance intends to continue to manage the Funds in a manner materially consistent with each Funds current investment objective(s) and
principal investment strategies;
|
|
|
|
Information regarding Morgan Stanleys commitment to maintaining competitive compensation arrangements to attract and retain highly qualified personnel;
|
|
|
|
Confirmation that Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley will continue to keep the Board apprised of developments as the Transaction progresses and prior to and, as
applicable, following the Closing;
|
|
|
|
Confirmation that the current senior management team at Eaton Vance has indicated its strong support of the Transaction; and
|
|
|
|
Information regarding the fact that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance Corp. will each derive benefits from the Transaction and that, as a result, they have a
financial interest in the matters that were being considered.
|
As indicated above, the Board and its Contract Review Committee also
considered information received at its regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year, which included information from portfolio managers and other investment professionals of Eaton Vance regarding investment and performance matters, and
considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing the Funds investment objectives. The Board also received information regarding risk management techniques employed in connection with the management of the Funds. The Board
and its committees evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the Funds, and received reports and participated in presentations provided by Eaton Vance
and its affiliates with respect to such matters.
The Contract Review Committee was advised throughout the evaluation process by Goodwin Procter LLP,
independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee, with the advice of such counsel, exercised their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the New
Agreements and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to the New Agreements were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each Independent
Trustee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to the New Agreements.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
In considering whether to approve the New Agreements,
the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services currently provided to each Fund by Eaton Vance under the Current Agreements. In evaluating the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by Eaton Vance under the New
Agreements, the Board considered, among other information, the expected impact, if any, of the Transaction on the operations, facilities, organization and personnel of Eaton Vance, and that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance have advised the Board that,
following the Closing, there is not expected to be any diminution in the nature, extent and quality of services provided by Eaton Vance to the Funds and their shareholders, including compliance and other non-advisory services, and that there are not
expected to be any changes in portfolio management personnel as a result of the Transaction.
The Board also considered the financial resources of Morgan
Stanley and Eaton Vance and the importance of having a Fund manager with, or with access to, significant organizational and financial resources. The Board considered the benefits to the Funds of being part of a larger combined organization with
greater financial resources following the Closing, particularly during periods of market disruptions and volatility. In this regard, the Board considered information provided by Morgan Stanley regarding its business and operating structure, scale of
operation, leadership and reputation, distribution capabilities and financial condition, as well as information on how the Funds are expected to fit within Morgan Stanleys overall business strategy and any changes that Morgan Stanley
contemplates in the short- or long-term following the Closing. The Board also noted Morgan Stanleys and Eaton Vances commitment to keep the Board apprised of developments with respect to its long-term integration plans for Eaton Vance
and existing Morgan Stanley affiliates and their respective personnel.
The Board considered Eaton Vances management capabilities, investment
processes and investment performance in light of the types of investments held by each Fund, including the education, experience and number of investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and
similar services to each Fund. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of Eaton Vances investment professionals in implementing each Funds investment strategies. The Board also took into account the resources
dedicated to portfolio management and other services, the compensation methods of Eaton Vance and other factors, including the reputation and resources of Eaton Vance to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory
investment professionals. With respect to the recruitment and retention of key personnel, the Board noted information from Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance regarding the benefits of joining Morgan Stanley. In addition, the Board considered the time
and attention devoted to the Funds by senior management, as well as the infrastructure, operational capabilities and support staff in place to assist in the portfolio management and operations of the Funds, including the provision of administrative
services. With respect to the foregoing, the Board also considered information from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley regarding the anticipated impact of the Transaction on such matters. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to
which Eaton Vance or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Funds and in connection with the Transaction. The Board considered the deep
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
experience of Eaton Vance and its affiliates with managing and operating funds organized as exchange-listed closed-end funds, such as the Funds. In this regard, the Board considered, among other things, Eaton
Vances and its affiliates experience with implementing leverage arrangements, monitoring and assessing trading price discounts and premiums and adhering to the requirements of securities exchanges.
The Board considered the compliance programs of Eaton Vance and relevant affiliates thereof. The Board considered compliance and reporting matters regarding, among
other things, personal trading by investment professionals, disclosure of portfolio holdings, late trading, frequent trading, portfolio valuation, business continuity and the allocation of investment opportunities. The Board also considered the
responses of Eaton Vance and its affiliates to requests in recent years from regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The Board also considered certain information
relating to the compliance record of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates, including information requests in recent years from regulatory authorities. With respect to the foregoing, including the compliance programs of Eaton Vance, the Board noted
information regarding the impact of the Transaction, as well as Eaton Vances and Morgan Stanleys commitment to keep the Board apprised of developments with respect to its long-term integration plans for Eaton Vance and existing Morgan
Stanley affiliates and their respective personnel.
The Board considered other administrative services provided and to be provided or overseen by Eaton
Vance and its affiliates, including transfer agency and accounting services. The Board evaluated the benefits to shareholders of investing in a fund that is a part of a large fund complex offering exposure to a variety of asset classes and
investment disciplines. The Board noted information that the Transaction was not expected to have any material impact on such matters in the near-term.
In evaluating the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided under the New Agreements, the Board also considered investment performance information
provided for each Fund in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as information provided as of a more recent date. In this regard, the Board compared each Funds investment performance to that of comparable funds identified
by an independent data provider (the peer group), as well as appropriate benchmark indices and, for certain Funds, a custom peer group of similarly managed funds. The Board also considered, where applicable, Fund-specific performance explanations
based on criteria established by the Board in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process and, where applicable, performance explanations as of a more recent date. In addition to the foregoing information, it was also noted that the Board has
received and discussed with management information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing each Funds performance against applicable benchmark indices and peer groups. In addition, the Board considered each Funds performance
in light of overall financial market conditions. Where a Funds relative underperformance to its peers was significant during one or more specified periods, the Board noted the explanations from Eaton Vance concerning the Funds relative
performance versus the peer group.
After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, and based on their review of the materials provided and
the assurances received from, and recommendations of, Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley, the Board determined that the Transaction was not expected to adversely affect the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Funds by Eaton Vance and
its affiliates and that the Transaction was not expected to have an adverse effect on the ability of Eaton Vance and its affiliates to provide those services. The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services expected to be
provided by Eaton Vance, taken as a whole, are appropriate and expected to be consistent with the terms of the New Agreements.
Management Fees and Expenses
The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by each Fund
for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as management fees) in connection with the 2020 Annual Approval Process, as well as information provided as of a more recent date. As part of its review, the Board
considered each Funds management fees and total expense ratio over various periods, as compared to those of comparable funds, before and after giving effect to any undertaking to waive fees or reimburse expenses.
The Board also considered factors, and, where applicable, certain Fund-specific factors, that had an impact on a Funds total expense ratio relative to
comparable funds, as identified by Eaton Vance in response to inquiries from the Contract Review Committee. The Board considered that the New Agreement does not change a Funds management fee rate or the computation method for calculating such
fees, including any separately executed permanent contractual management fee reduction currently in place for the Fund.
The Board also received and
considered, where applicable, information about the services offered and the fee rates charged by Eaton Vance to other types of accounts with investment objectives and strategies that are substantially similar to and/or managed in a similar
investment style as a Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the differences in the nature and scope of services Eaton Vance provides to the Funds as compared to other types of accounts and the material differences in compliance,
reporting and other legal burdens and risks to Eaton Vance as between each Fund and other types of accounts.
After considering the foregoing
information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services expected to be provided by Eaton Vance, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable with respect to its approval of
the New Agreements.
Profitability and Fall-Out Benefits
During the 2020 Annual Approval Process, the Board considered the level of profits realized by Eaton Vance and relevant affiliates thereof in providing investment
advisory and administrative services to the Funds and to all Eaton Vance funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
without regard to marketing support or other payments by Eaton Vance and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution or other services. In light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and
quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by Eaton Vance and its affiliates were not deemed to be excessive by the Board.
The Board noted
that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance are expected to realize, over time, cost savings from the Transaction based on eliminating duplicate corporate overhead expenses. The Board considered, however, information from Eaton Vance and Morgan Stanley that
such cost savings are not expected to be realized immediately upon the Closing and that, accordingly, there are currently no specific expected changes in the levels of profitability associated with the advisory and other services provided to the
Funds that are contemplated as a result of the Transaction. The Board noted that it will continue to receive information regarding profitability during its annual contract review processes, including the extent to which cost savings and/or other
efficiencies result in changes to profitability levels.
The Board also considered direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by Eaton Vance and its
affiliates in connection with their respective relationships with the Funds, including the benefits of research services that may be available to Eaton Vance and its affiliates as a result of securities transactions effected for the Funds and other
investment advisory clients. In evaluating the fall-out benefits to be received by Eaton Vance and its affiliates under the New Agreements, the Board considered whether the Transaction would have an impact on the fall-out benefits currently realized
by Eaton Vance and its affiliates in connection with services provided pursuant to the Current Agreements.
The Board of each Fund considered that Morgan
Stanley may derive reputational and other benefits from its ability to use the names of Eaton Vance and its affiliates in connection with operating and marketing the Funds. The Board considered that the Transaction, if completed, would significantly
increase Morgan Stanleys assets under management and expand Morgan Stanleys investment capabilities.
Economies of Scale
The
Board also considered the extent to which Eaton Vance and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Funds, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Funds increase. The Board acknowledged the
difficulty in accurately measuring the benefits resulting from economies of scale, if any, with respect to the management of any specific Fund or group of funds. As part of the 2020 Annual Approval Process, the Board reviewed data summarizing the
increases and decreases in the assets of the Funds and of all Eaton Vance funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of each Fund and the profitability of Eaton Vance and its affiliates may
have been affected by such increases or decreases.
The Board noted that Morgan Stanley and Eaton Vance are expected to benefit from possible growth of
the Funds resulting from enhanced distribution capabilities, including with respect to the Funds potential access to Morgan Stanleys institutional client base. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Funds currently share
in the benefits from economies of scale, if any, when they are realized by Eaton Vance, and that the Transaction is not expected to impede a Fund from continuing to benefit from any future economies of scale realized by Eaton Vance. The Board also
considered the fact that the Funds are not continuously offered in the same manner as an open-end fund and that the Funds assets may not increase materially in the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Based on its
consideration of the foregoing, and such other information it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described above, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of the New Agreements. Based on the recommendation
of the Contract Review Committee, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, unanimously voted to approve the New Agreements for the Funds and recommended that shareholders approve the New Agreements.
Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Management and Organization
Fund Management. The Trustees of Eaton Vance 2021 Target Term Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trusts affairs. The Trustees and officers of
the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. The Noninterested Trustees consist of those Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, EVC refers to Eaton Vance Corp.,
EV refers to EV LLC, EVM refers to Eaton Vance Management, BMR refers to Boston Management and Research and EVD refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EV is the trustee of each of EVM and BMR.
Effective March 1, 2021, each of EVM, BMR, EVD and EV are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley. Each officer affiliated with EVM may hold a position with other EVM affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM
listed below. Each Trustee oversees 139 portfolios (with the exception of Messrs. Faust and Wennerholm and Ms. Frost who oversee 138 portfolios) in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure).
Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds.
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Name and Year of Birth
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Position(s)
with the
Trust
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|
Term Expiring;
Trustee
Since(1)
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Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships
During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience
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Interested Trustee
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Thomas E. Faust Jr.
1958
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|
Class I
Trustee
|
|
Until 2023.
Trustee since 2007.
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|
Chairman of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. (MSIM), member of the Board of Managers and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer of EVM
and BMR, and Director of EVD. Formerly, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC. Trustee and/or officer of 138 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with MSIM, BMR, EVM, EVD, and
EV, which are affiliates of the Trust, and his former position with EVC, which was an affiliate of the Trust prior to March 1, 2021.
Directorships in
the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of EVC (2007-2021) and Hexavest Inc. (2012-2021) (investment management firm).
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Noninterested Trustees
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Mark R. Fetting
1954
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|
Class III
Trustee
|
|
Until 2022.
Trustee since 2016.
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|
Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief
Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior
Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).
Other Directorships in the Last Five
Years. None.
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Cynthia E. Frost
1961
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|
Class I
Trustee
|
|
Until 2023.
Trustee since 2014.
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Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for
Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).
Other Directorships in
the Last Five Years. None.
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George J. Gorman
1952
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|
Vice-Chairperson of the Board and Class II
Trustee
|
|
Until 2024.
Vice-Chairperson of the Board since 2021 and Trustee since 2014.
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Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm)
(1974-2009).
Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.
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Valerie A. Mosley
1960
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|
Class II
Trustee
|
|
Until 2024.
Trustee since 2014.
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|
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Founder of Upward Wealth, Inc., dba BrightUP, a
fintech platform. Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management
(1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).
Other Directorships in the Last Five Years.
Director of DraftKings, Inc. (digital sports entertainment and gaming company) (since September 2020). Director of Groupon, Inc. (e-commerce provider) (since April 2020). Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth
management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (2013-2020).
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Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Management and Organization continued
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|
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|
Name and Year of Birth
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|
Position(s)
with the
Trust
|
|
Term Expiring;
Trustee
Since(1)
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Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships
During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience
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Noninterested Trustees (continued)
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William H. Park
1947
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|
Chairperson of the Board and Class II
Trustee
|
|
Until 2024.
Chairperson of the Board since 2016
and Trustee
since 2003.
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Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief
Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital
Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly,
Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).
Other Directorships in the Last Five
Years. None.
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Helen Frame Peters
1948
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|
Class III
Trustee
|
|
Until 2022.
Trustee since 2008.
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|
Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002).
Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm)
(1991-1998).
Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.
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Keith Quinton
1958
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|
Class III
Trustee
|
|
Until 2022.
Trustee since 2018.
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|
Private investor, researcher and lecturer. Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Formerly,
Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).
Other Directorships in the Last
Five Years. Director (since 2016) and
Chairman (since 2019) of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank.
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Marcus L. Smith
1966
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|
Class II
Trustee
|
|
Until 2024.
Trustee since 2018.
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Private investor. Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management
(investment management firm) (1994-2017).
Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of First Industrial
Realty Trust, Inc. (an industrial REIT) (since 2021). Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director
of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).
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Susan J. Sutherland
1957
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|
Class III
Trustee
|
|
Until 2022.
Trustee since 2015.
|
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Private investor. Director of Ascot Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries (insurance and reinsurance) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of
Hagerty Holding Corp. (insurance) (2015-2018) and Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (insurance and reinsurance) (2013-2015). Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).
Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Kairos Acquisition Corp. (insurance/InsurTech acquisition company) (since 2021).
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Scott E. Wennerholm
1959
|
|
Class I
Trustee
|
|
Until 2023.
Trustee since 2016.
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Private investor. Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group
(executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis
Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).
Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.
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Name and Year of Birth
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|
Position(s)
with the
Trust
|
|
Officer
Since(2)
|
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Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
|
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Principal Officers who are not Trustees
|
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Eric A. Stein
1980
|
|
President
|
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2020
|
|
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income of EVM and BMR. Prior to November 1, 2020, Mr. Stein was a co-Director of Eaton Vances Global Income Investments. Also Vice
President of Calvert Research and Management (CRM).
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Eaton Vance
2021 Target Term Trust
March 31, 2021
Management and Organization continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Year of Birth
|
|
Position(s)
with the
Trust
|
|
Officer
Since(2)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
|
|
Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)
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Deidre E. Walsh
1971
|
|
Vice President
|
|
2009
|
|
Vice President of EVM and BMR.
|
|
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Maureen A. Gemma
1960
|
|
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
|
|
2005
|
|
Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.
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James F. Kirchner
1967
|
|
Treasurer
|
|
2007
|
|
Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.
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Richard F. Froio
1968
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
2017
|
|
Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO
(2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).
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(1)
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Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated
otherwise.
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(2)
|
Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent
election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election. Each officer serves until his or her successor is elected.
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Eaton Vance Funds
|
|
|
Privacy Notice
|
|
April 2021
|
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FACTS
|
|
WHAT DOES EATON VANCE DO WITH YOUR
PERSONAL INFORMATION?
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Why?
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Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the
right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
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What?
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|
The types of personal information we collect and share
depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
∎ Social Security number and income
∎
investment experience and risk tolerance
∎ checking account number and wire transfer instructions
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How?
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All financial companies need to share customers personal information to run their everyday
business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers personal information; the reasons Eaton Vance chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
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Reasons we can share your
personal
information
|
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Does Eaton Vance
share?
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|
Can you limit this sharing?
|
For our everyday business purposes such as to process
your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
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Yes
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No
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For our marketing purposes to offer our products and
services to you
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Yes
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No
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For joint marketing with other financial
companies
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No
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We dont share
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For our investment management affiliates everyday business
purposes information about your transactions, experiences, and creditworthiness
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Yes
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Yes
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For our affiliates everyday business purposes
information about your transactions and experiences
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Yes
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No
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For our affiliates everyday business purposes
information about your creditworthiness
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No
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We dont share
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For our investment management affiliates to market to
you
|
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Yes
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Yes
|
For our affiliates to market to you
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No
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We dont share
|
For nonaffiliates to market to you
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No
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|
We dont
share
|
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|
To limit our
sharing
|
|
Call toll-free 1-800-262-1122 or email: EVPrivacy@eatonvance.com
Please note:
If you are a new customer, we can begin sharing your information 30 days from the date we sent this notice. When you are no longer our customer, we
continue to share your information as described in this notice. However, you can contact us at any time to limit our sharing.
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Questions?
|
|
Call toll-free
1-800-262-1122 or email: EVPrivacy@eatonvance.com
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Eaton Vance Funds
|
|
|
Privacy Notice continued
|
|
April 2021
|
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Who we
are
|
Who is providing this notice?
|
|
Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance
Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Managements Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, Eaton
Vance and Calvert Fund Families and our investment advisory affiliates (Eaton Vance) (see Investment Management Affiliates definition below)
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What we
do
|
How does Eaton Vance protect my personal information?
|
|
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures
that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere
to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.
|
How does Eaton Vance collect my personal information?
|
|
We collect your personal information, for example,
when you
∎ open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
∎
buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
∎ give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit
bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
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Why cant I limit all sharing?
|
|
Federal law gives you the right to limit
only
∎ sharing for affiliates everyday business purposes information about your
creditworthiness
∎ affiliates from using your information to market to you
∎
sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
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Definitions
|
Investment Management Affiliates
|
|
Eaton Vance Investment Management Affiliates include registered investment advisers, registered
broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds. Investment Management Affiliates does not include entities associated with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley &
Co.
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Affiliates
|
|
Companies related by common ownership or control.
They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
∎ Our
affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
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Nonaffiliates
|
|
Companies not related by common ownership or
control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.
∎ Eaton
Vance does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.
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Joint marketing
|
|
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial
companies that together market financial products or services to you.
∎ Eaton
Vance doesnt jointly market.
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Other important
information
|
Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Nonaffiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such
information.
California: Except as permitted by law, we
will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Nonaffiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.
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Eaton Vance Funds
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Delivery of Shareholder Documents. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of
shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called householding and it helps
eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (AST), the closed-end funds transfer agent, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents
indefinitely unless you instruct AST, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact AST or your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding
not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by AST or your financial intermediary.
Portfolio Holdings. Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on
Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC. Certain information filed on Form N-PORT may be viewed on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR
database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Proxy Voting. From
time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds
and Portfolios Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30,
without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Additional Notice to
Shareholders. If applicable, a Fund may also redeem or purchase its outstanding preferred shares in order to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, borrowing or rating agency
requirements or for other purposes as it deems appropriate or necessary.
Closed-End Fund Information. Eaton Vance closed-end funds make fund performance data and certain information about portfolio characteristics available on the Eaton Vance website shortly after the end of each month. Other
information about the funds is available on the website. The funds net asset value per share is readily accessible on the Eaton Vance website. Portfolio holdings for the most recent month-end are also posted to the website approximately 30
days following the end of the month. This information is available at www.eatonvance.com on the fund information pages under Individual Investors Closed-End Funds.
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Eaton Vance Management
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Transfer Agent
American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley
Street
Boston, MA 02116-5022
Fund Offices
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
23363 3.31.21
Item 7.
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Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies
|
The Board of the Fund has adopted a proxy voting policy and procedure (the Fund Policy),
pursuant to which the trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the Funds investment adviser and adopted the investment advisers proxy voting policies and procedures (the Policies) which are described below. The
trustees will review the Policies annually. In the event that a conflict of interest arises between the Funds shareholders and the investment adviser, the administrator, or any of their affiliates or any affiliate of the Fund, the investment
adviser will generally refrain from voting the proxies related to the companies giving rise to such conflict until it consults with the Board, or any committee, sub-committee or group of independent trustees
identified by the Board, which will instruct the investment adviser on the appropriate course of action. If the Board Members are unable to meet and the failure to vote a proxy would have a material adverse impact on the Fund, the investment adviser
may vote such proxy, provided that it discloses the existence of the material conflict to the Chairperson of the Funds Board as soon as practicable and to the Board at its next meeting.
The Policies are designed to promote accountability of a companys management to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those
shareholders. An independent proxy voting service (Agent), currently Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., has been retained to assist in the voting of proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping
and disclosure services. The investment adviser will generally vote proxies through the Agent. The Agent is required to vote all proxies in accordance with customized proxy voting guidelines (the Guidelines and/or refer them back to the
investment adviser pursuant to the Policies.
The Agent is required to establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the
provision of proxy voting services, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest. The Guidelines include voting guidelines for matters relating to, among other things, the
election of directors, approval of independent auditors, executive compensation, corporate structure and anti-takeover defenses. The investment adviser may cause the Fund to abstain from voting from time to time where it determines that the costs
associated with voting a proxy outweigh the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or it is unable to access or access timely ballots or other proxy information, among other stated reasons. The Agent will refer Fund proxies to the
investment adviser for instructions under circumstances where, among others: (1) the application of the Guidelines is unclear; (2) a particular proxy question is not covered by the Guidelines; or (3) the Guidelines require input from
the investment adviser. When a proxy voting issue has been referred to the investment adviser, the analyst (or portfolio manager if applicable) covering the company subject to the proxy proposal determines the final vote (or decision not to vote)
and the investment advisers Proxy Administrator (described below) instructs the Agent to vote accordingly for securities held by the Fund. Where more than one analyst covers a particular company and the recommendations of such analysts voting
a proposal conflict, the investment advisers Global Proxy Group (described below) will review such recommendations and any other available information related to the proposal and determine the manner in which it should be voted, which may
result in different recommendations for the Fund that may differ from other clients of the investment adviser.
The investment adviser has appointed a
Proxy Administrator to assist in the coordination of the voting of client proxies (including the Funds) in accordance with the Guidelines and the Policies. The investment adviser and its affiliates have also established a Global Proxy Group.
The Global Proxy Group develops the investment advisers positions on all major corporate issues, creates the Guidelines and oversees the proxy voting process. The Proxy Administrator maintains a record of all proxy questions that have been
referred by the Agent, all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received and any resolution of the matter. Before instructing the Agent to vote contrary to the Guidelines or the recommendation of the Agent, the Proxy Administrator will
provide the Global Proxy Group with the Agents recommendation for the proposal along with any other relevant materials, including the basis for the analysts recommendation. The Proxy Administrator will then instruct the Agent to vote the
proxy in the manner determined by the Global Proxy Group. A similar process will be followed if the Agent has a conflict of interest with respect to a proxy. The investment adviser will report to the Funds Board any votes cast contrary to the
Guidelines or Agent recommendations, as applicable, no less than annually.
The investment advisers Global Proxy Group is responsible for monitoring
and resolving possible material conflicts with respect to proxy voting. Because the Guidelines are predetermined and designed to be in the best interests of shareholders, application of the Guidelines to vote client proxies should, in most cases,
adequately address any possible conflict of interest. The investment adviser will monitor situations that may result in a conflict of interest between any of its clients and the investment adviser or any of its affiliates by maintaining a list of
significant existing and prospective corporate clients. The Proxy Administrator will compare such list with the names of companies of which he or she has been referred a proxy statement (the Proxy Companies). If a company on the list is
also a Proxy Company, the Proxy Administrator will report that fact to the Global Proxy Group. If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines, the Global Proxy Group will first
determine, in consultation with legal counsel if necessary, whether a material conflict exists. If it is determined that a material conflict exists, the investment adviser will seek instruction on how the proxy should be voted from the Funds
Board, or any committee or subcommittee identified by the Board. If a matter is referred to the Global Proxy Group, the decision made and basis for the decision will be documented by the Proxy Administrator and/or Global Proxy Group.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12 month period
ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the Securities
and Exchange Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 8.
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Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
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Eaton Vance Management (EVM or Eaton Vance) is the investment adviser of the Fund. Kelley G. Baccei and
Stephen C. Concannon comprise the investment team responsible for the overall management of the Funds investments.
Ms. Baccei is a Vice
President of EVM and has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since May 2016. Mr. Concannon is a Vice President of EVM, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since May 2016 and is Co-Director of
EVMs High Yield Investments Group. Mr. Concannon and Ms. Baccei have managed other Eaton Vance portfolios for more than five years. This information is provided as of the date of filing this report.
The following table shows, as of the Funds most recent fiscal year end, the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed
categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the
total assets (in millions of dollars) in those accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
All
Accounts
|
|
|
Total Assets of
All
Accounts
|
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Paying a
Performance Fee
|
|
Total Assets
of Accounts Paying
a Performance Fee
|
|
Kelley G. Baccei(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
$
|
13,099.9
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
67.9
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen C. Concannon(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
$
|
10,429.6
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
$
|
642.2
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
Other Accounts
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
$
|
5,850.8
|
|
|
0
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
(1)
|
This portfolio manager serves as portfolio manager of one or more registered investment companies and/or pooled
investment vehicles that invest or may invest in one or more underlying registered investment companies in the Eaton Vance family of funds. The underlying investment companies may be managed by this portfolio manager or another portfolio manager.
|
The following table shows the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of the Funds most
recent fiscal year end.
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned in the Fund
|
Kelley G. Baccei
|
|
None
|
Stephen C. Concannon
|
|
None
|
Potential for Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio
managers management of the Funds investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which a portfolio manager is responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have
conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he or she advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment
strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, the portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a
portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the
allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his or her discretion in a manner that he or she believes is equitable to all interested
persons. EVM has adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern the investment advisers trading practices, including among other things the aggregation
and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocations, cross trades and best execution.
Compensation Structure for EVM
Compensation of EVMs portfolio managers and other investment professionals has the following primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an
annual cash bonus, and (3) annual non-cash compensation consisting of restricted shares of Morgan Stanley stock that are subject to a fixed vesting and distribution schedule. EVMs investment
professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to EVMs employees. Compensation of EVMs investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based
compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the December 31st fiscal year end of Morgan Stanley.
Method to Determine Compensation. EVM compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio
responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus the benchmark(s) stated in the prospectus, as well as an appropriate peer group (as described below). In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the
basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to the Sharpe ratio, which uses standard deviation and excess return to determine
reward per unit of risk. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar,
Inc. When a funds peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by EVMs management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group or market index. In evaluating
the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are
tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the funds success in achieving its objective. For managers
responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not
accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job
responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers performance in meeting them.
EVM seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment
management industry. EVM participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals.
Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of EVM and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is generally based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus adjusted
operating income. While the salaries of EVMs portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on
changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
Item 9.
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Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment
Company and Affiliated Purchasers
|
No such purchases this period.
Item 10.
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Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
No material changes.