Diamond Hill Funds PRE 14A
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
|
|
|
|
|
þ Preliminary
Proxy Statement
|
|
o
|
|
Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
o Definitive Proxy Statement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o Definitive Additional Materials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 |
Diamond Hill Funds
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
|
(1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
|
(3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined): |
|
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
|
|
|
|
|
o
|
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)
and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of
its filing. |
|
(1) |
|
Amount Previously Paid: |
|
|
(2) |
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
|
|
(3) |
|
Filing Party: |
|
|
(4) |
|
Date Filed: |
PRELIMINARY COPY
DIAMOND HILL FUNDS
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held November 7, 2005
A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Diamond Hill Funds (the Trust), consisting of Diamond
Hill Small Cap Fund, Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund, Diamond Hill Focus Long-Short Fund, Diamond Hill
Bank & Financial Fund and Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund (each a Fund and collectively, the
Funds), will be held at our principal executive offices located at 375 North Front Street, Suite
300, Columbus, Ohio 43215, on Monday, November 7, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., local time (the Special
Meeting), for the following purposes:
|
1. |
|
ALL FUNDS: To elect three members to our Board of Trustees,
each to hold office until the earlier of (i) his or her respective successors
are elected and qualified or (ii) the death, resignation, retirement,
incapacity or removal of such Trustee; |
|
|
2. |
|
ALL FUNDS: To approve a single Diamond Hill Funds Management
Agreement (the New Management Agreement), which is the Trusts investment
advisory agreement, for the purposes of (i) combining into one agreement the
five current Management Agreements between the Trust and Diamond Hill Capital
Management, Inc. for each of the Funds and (ii) clarifying existing language to
assure that no provision of the New Management Agreement shall be construed to
prevent the Trust from paying all or a portion of the compensation and expenses
of the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer; and |
|
|
3. |
|
ALL FUNDS: To transact such other business as may properly
come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The Board of Trustees has fixed the close of business on September 19, 2005 as the record date
for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Special
Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only shareholders of record at the close of
business on that date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting.
All shareholders are invited to attend the Special Meeting in person. However, even if you
expect to be present at the Special Meeting, we ask that you vote promptly by mail, telephone or
the internet by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. Shareholders attending the
Special Meeting in person may vote in person even if they have previously returned the proxy card
or voted via telephone or the internet.
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Trustees |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Gary R. Young |
|
|
Secretary |
Columbus, Ohio
September ___, 2005
PROXY STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
Appendix A New Management Agreement
-i-
PRELIMINARY COPY
DIAMOND HILL FUNDS
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board
of Trustees (the Board) of Diamond Hill Funds for use at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to
be held at our principal executive offices located at 375 North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus,
Ohio 43215, on Monday, November 7, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of the Trust. The Trust currently
offers five series of shares: Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund, Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund, Diamond
Hill Focus Long-Short Fund, Diamond Hill Bank & Financial Fund and Diamond Hill Strategic Income
Fund (each a Fund and collectively, the Funds).
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are
first being sent or given to shareholders is September ___, 2005.
PROXIES AND VOTING
The close of business on September 19, 2005 has been fixed as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting and any
adjournment or postponement thereof. On the record date the outstanding shares of the Trust were
as follows:
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Shares Outstanding (All Classes) |
Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund |
|
|
Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund |
|
|
Diamond Hill Focus Long-Short Fund |
|
|
Diamond Hill Bank & Financial Fund |
|
|
Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share owned on the record date and a
fractional vote equal to the fraction of any one share so owned.
The presence in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting of the owners of a majority of the
shares of the Trust entitled to vote is required for a quorum, provided that as to Proposal 2 a
majority of the shares of each series or Fund shall be a necessary quorum for such Fund to consider
Proposal 2. If a quorum is not present at the Special Meeting, or if a quorum is present at the
Special Meeting but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposals are not received, the persons
named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Special Meeting to permit further
solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of
those shares represented at the Special Meeting in person or by proxy. The persons named as
proxies will vote those proxies that they are entitled to vote FOR any such proposal in favor of
such adjournment, and will vote those proxies required to be voted AGAINST any such proposal
against such adjournment. A shareholder vote may be taken on one or more of the proposals in this
proxy statement prior to any such adjournment if sufficient votes have been received and it is
otherwise appropriate.
-1-
With respect to Proposal 1, Trustees may be elected by a vote of the holders of a plurality of
the shares of the Trust voted, in person or by proxy, at the Special Meeting. With respect to
Proposal 2, approval requires the affirmative vote of a majority (as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) of the outstanding shares of each series or Fund,
voting as separate series or Fund, entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. As defined in the 1940
Act, a majority of the outstanding shares means the vote of (1) 67% or more of the voting shares of
each Fund present at the Special Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares
of each Fund are present in person or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding
voting shares of each Fund, whichever is less.
Broker non-votes are shares held in street name for which the broker indicates that
instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or other persons entitled to vote
and the broker does not have discretionary voting authority. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
be counted as shares present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present but will not
be voted for or against any adjournment or proposal. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes
effectively will be a vote against Proposal 2, because the required vote is a percentage of the
shares present or outstanding. With respect to Proposal 1, however, abstentions and broker
non-votes will have no effect on the outcome because the required vote is a plurality of voted
shares for Proposal 1.
A shareholder receiving this Proxy Statement may hold shares in one or more of the Funds. A
proxy card with respect to each Fund of which a shareholder owns shares accompanies this Proxy
Statement. A shareholder may execute proxies or vote at the Special Meeting with respect to all
shares owned in each of the Funds.
All shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted at the Special Meeting in
accordance with the choices indicated on the proxy. If no choices are indicated on a proxy, the
shares represented by that proxy will be voted FOR Proposal 1 and FOR Proposal 2 and in the manner
recommended by the holder of the proxy on any other matters that may come before the Special
Meeting.
Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by delivering to the Secretary of
the Trust a subsequently dated and duly executed proxy or by giving notice of revocation to the
Secretary of the Trust in writing or by attending the Special Meeting and voting in person. A
shareholders presence at the Special Meeting does not by itself revoke the proxy.
INVESTMENT ADVISER, UNDERWRITER AND ADMINISTRATOR
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc., 375 North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(the Adviser), is the investment adviser for each of the Funds. The Adviser is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc., a publicly held company.
IFS Fund Distributors, Inc., 221 East Fourth Street, Suite 300, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is the
Trusts principal underwriter and exclusive agent for distribution of the Funds shares (the
Distributor).
The Adviser also serves as the Funds administrator and Integrated Fund Services, Inc., 221
East Fourth Street, Suite 300, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, an affiliate of the Distributor, acts as the
Funds sub-administrator.
ANNUAL REPORT
Copies of the Trusts annual report and semi-annual report are available upon request and may
be obtained without charge by directing a request to Diamond Hill Funds, 375 North Front Street,
Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215, telephone number (888) 226-5595, or by visiting
www.diamond-hill.com.
-2-
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
In accordance with the Trusts Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as
amended (the Declaration of Trust), the number of trustees is currently fixed at three. The
Nominating and Administration Committee of the Trusts Board of Trustees (the NAC), currently
comprised of the three current trustees, none of whom is an interested person of the Trust or the
Adviser as defined in the 1940 Act (together, Disinterested Trustees), has selected and nominated
the three individuals identified below for election to the Board. The NAC considered
recommendations for trustee nominees from several sources, including the current Board and from the
Trusts management. The nominees set forth below were recommended by the Trusts management. Each
of the Trustees elected will hold office until the earlier of (1) the election and qualification of
his or her successor or (2) his or her death, resignation, retirement, incapacity or removal.
Unless you give contrary instructions in the form of proxy, your proxy will be voted for the
election of the three nominees. Each of the nominees has indicated a willingness to serve if
elected. If a nominee should withdraw or otherwise become unavailable for election due to events
not now known or anticipated, unless the Board reduces the number of trusteeships or you have
withheld authority as to the election of the Trustees, your proxies will be voted for such other
nominee or nominees as the Board may recommend.
Mr. Skestos currently is a Trustee of the Trust. Mr. Line and Ms. Kessler are not currently
Trustees of the Trust. Information concerning each of the nominees is provided in the tables
below.
Information Regarding Trustee Nominees
Disinterested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
Length |
|
|
|
Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
Positions |
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
|
|
Held with |
|
Served |
|
Principal Occupations |
|
Trustee or |
|
Trustee or |
Name, Address and Age |
|
Trust |
|
(1) |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Nominee(2) |
|
Nominee |
Elizabeth
P. Kessler
4633 Yountz Drive
New Albany, OH 43504
37
|
|
None
|
|
NA
|
|
Attorney Jones Day
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas
E. Line
1904 Guilford Road
Columbus, OH 43221
38
|
|
None
|
|
NA
|
|
Vice President and
Treasurer, Red
Capital Group
(mortgage and
investment banking
subsidiary of
National City Bank),
September 2004 to
present; President ,
Focused Financial
Consulting, Inc.
(financial
consulting), March
2002 to September
2004; Chief
Operating Officer,
Meeder Financial,
Inc. (parent of
investment adviser
and mutual fund
servicing
companies), June
1998 to March 2002
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
None |
-3-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term of |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office |
|
|
|
Portfolios in |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and |
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
Length |
|
|
|
Complex |
|
Directorships |
|
|
Positions |
|
of Time |
|
|
|
Overseen by |
|
Held by |
|
|
Held with |
|
Served |
|
Principal Occupations |
|
Trustee or |
|
Trustee or |
Name, Address and Age |
|
Trust |
|
(1) |
|
During Past 5 Years |
|
Nominee(2) |
|
Nominee |
George
A. Skestos
933 City Park Avenue
Columbus, OH 43206
36
|
|
Trustee
|
|
August 2000
|
|
Managing Member,
Arcadia Holdings,
LLC (private
investment banking
firm), May 2001
until present;
President, Homewood
Corporation (real
estate development
firm), January 2000
to present
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earlier of (i) the next
meeting of shareholders at which Trustees are elected and until his or her successor is elected and
qualified or (ii) his or her death, resignation, retirement, incapacity or removal in accordance
with the Declaration of Trust. |
|
(2) |
|
A fund complex means two or more registered investment companies that hold themselves
out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services, that have a
common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the
investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. |
The following tables provide information concerning the dollar range of equity securities
beneficially owned by each nominee for election as a Trustee. Investment companies are considered
to be in the same family if they share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and
hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor
services.
Disinterested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Dollar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range of Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities in All |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds Overseen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or to be Overseen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
by Trustee or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dollar Range of |
|
|
Nominee in Family |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Securities |
|
|
of Investment |
|
Name |
|
Name of Fund |
|
|
in the Trust(1) |
|
|
Companies(1) |
|
Elizabeth P. Kessler |
|
Small Cap Fund |
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas E. Line |
|
Focus Long-Short Fund
|
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
Small Cap
Fund |
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
George A. Skestos |
|
Focus Long-Short Fund |
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
$1-$10,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Securities are valued as of September 19, 2005. |
-4-
Compensation
The tables below set forth the compensation actually received from the Trust for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004, by (i) the Trusts Trustees, and (ii) the nominees for election as
Trustees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation from |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust and Fund |
|
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Retirement Benefits |
|
|
Estimated Annual |
|
|
Complex Paid to |
|
|
|
Compensation from |
|
|
Accrued as Part of |
|
|
Benefits Upon |
|
|
Trustees or |
|
Name |
|
Trust |
|
|
Trust Expenses |
|
|
Retirement |
|
|
Officers(1) |
|
Current Trustees: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Bobb |
|
|
$5,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
$5,000 |
|
Archie M. Griffin |
|
|
$5,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
$5,000 |
|
George A. Skestos |
|
|
$5,000 |
|
|
None |
|
None |
|
|
$5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominees: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth P. Kessler |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
Thomas E. Line |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
|
None |
George A. Skestos |
|
see above |
|
see above |
|
see above |
|
see above |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
A fund complex means two or more registered investment companies that hold
themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services,
that have a common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated
person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. Each officer
listed overseas sis portfolios in the fund complex. |
Trustees are also reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending
meetings. No such reimbursement was paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
-5-
Executive Officers of the Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Positions |
|
Term of Office |
|
|
|
|
Held with |
|
and Length of |
|
|
Name, Address and Age |
|
Trust |
|
Time Served(1) |
|
Principal Occupations During Past 5 Years |
James F. Laird, Jr.
375 North Front Street
Suite 300
Columbus, Ohio 43215
48
|
|
President
|
|
Since December 2001
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of Diamond Hill
Investment Group, Inc. since December
2001; President of Diamond Hill
Securities since July 2001; Vice
President-Corporate Strategy with
Nationwide Insurance from January 2001
to July 2001; Senior Vice
President-Product Development with
Villanova Capital from February 1999
through December 2000; Vice President
and General Manager with Nationwide
Advisory Services from January 1995
through February 1999 and Treasurer with
Nationwide Mutual Funds from January
1995 through December 2000. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gary R. Young
375 North Front Street
Suite 300
Columbus, Ohio 43215
36
|
|
Treasurer and
Secretary
Chief Compliance
Officer
|
|
Since May 2004
Since September 2004
|
|
Controller of Diamond Hill Investment
Group, Inc. since April 2004; Director
of Mutual Fund Administration with Banc
One Investment Advisors from October
1998 through April 2004; Vice President
and Manager of Mutual Fund Accounting
and Financial Reporting with First
Chicago NBD from January 1996 through
October 1998. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Each officer holds office until the earlier of (i) the time at which a successor
is chosen and qualified or (ii) his or her death, resignation, disqualification or removal in
accordance with the Trusts By-laws. |
Board Meetings
The Board has four regularly scheduled meetings each year and additional meetings are
scheduled as needed. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, the Board met five times.
Each current Trustee attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and the
meetings of the committees of the Board on which he served.
Board Committees and Committee Meetings
Audit Committee. The Board has established an Audit Committee. The Audit Committees
function is to oversee the Trusts accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its
internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; to
oversee the quality and objectivity of the Trusts financial statements and the independent audit
thereof; and to act as a liaison between the Trusts independent auditors and the full Board. The
Audit Committee held two regularly scheduled meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2004. The current members of the Audit Committee are John M. Bobb, George A. Skestos and Archie M.
Griffin. If all of the nominees for Trustees are elected at the Special Meeting, it is anticipated
that such nominees will be appointed to the Audit Committee.
Nominating and Administration Committee. The Board has established a Nominating and
Administration Committee (the NAC). The NACs function is to make nominations for membership on
all committees and review committee assignments at least annually and make nominations for Trustees
who are not interested persons of the
-6-
Trust or the Adviser, as defined in the 1940 Act. The NAC also reviews as necessary the
responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each
committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees
should be combined or reorganized. The NAC makes recommendations for any such action to the full
Board. The NAC also reviews periodically Board governance procedures and recommends any
appropriate changes. The NAC held one regularly scheduled meeting during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004. The current members of the NAC are John M. Bobb, George A. Skestos and Archie
M. Griffin. The NAC has adopted a written charter that can be found on the Trusts website at
www.diamond-hill.com.
The NAC evaluates each candidates professional background and work experience, professional
competencies, time availability, and commitment. Among the core professional competencies and
abilities that the NAC considers relevant in making the NACs recommendations on Board membership
are a persons: (a) personal integrity; (b) ability to act independently of the Trusts investment
adviser and other affiliates; (c) business judgment; (d) investment background; (e)
accounting/finance background; (f) work ethic; (g) recent experience on corporate or other
institutional oversight bodies having similar responsibilities; and (h) availability. In addition,
the NAC takes into account the candidates participation in community, charitable or other similar
activities, diversity, business experience, and the ability of the candidate to serve on the Board
for a reasonable amount of time.
When the Board has or expects to have a vacancy, the NAC receives and reviews information on
individuals qualified to be recommended to the full Board as nominees for election or appointment
as Trustees, including any recommendations by shareholders. The individuals recommended by
shareholders are evaluated based upon the same criteria described above. To date, the NAC has been
able to identify from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates. In addition, to
date the Trustees have not received any recommendations for nominees from shareholders.
Pursuant to the Trusts Policy Regarding Shareholder Submissions of Trustee Candidates, in
the event there is a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy in the future, the NAC will review
shareholders recommendations to fill vacancies on the Board if these recommendations are submitted
in writing, signed by the shareholder, and addressed to the Secretary of the Trust, at the Trusts
offices: 375 North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Shareholder recommendations must contain the following information: (a) the name and address
of the shareholder and, if applicable, the name of the broker or dealer in whose name the shares
are registered, (b) the number of shares owned, (c) the name of the Fund or Funds in which shares
are owned, (d) whether the proposed candidate(s) consent(s) to being identified in any proxy
statement utilized in connection with the election of Trustees; (e) the name and background of the
candidate(s); and (f) a representation that the candidate or candidates are willing to provide
additional information about themselves, including assurances as to their independence.
Communications with the Board
The Trusts Board believes that it is important for shareholders to have a process to send
communications to the Board. Accordingly, pursuant to the Trusts Policy Regarding General
Shareholder Communications to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, a shareholder of the Trust
wishing to communicate with the Board may do so in writing, signed by the shareholder and setting
forth: (a) the name and address of the shareholder; (b) the number of shares owned by the
shareholder; (c) the Fund or Funds in which the shareholder owns shares; and (d) if the shares are
owned indirectly through a broker or other record owner, the name of the broker or other record
owner. These communications should be addressed as follows: Secretary, Diamond Hill Funds, 375
North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
The Secretary of the Trust is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and organizing all
properly-submitted shareholder communications. With respect to each properly-submitted shareholder
communication, the Secretary, in most instances, either will: (i) provide a copy of the
communication to the appropriate Committee of the Board or to the full Board, at the Committees or
Boards next regularly-scheduled meeting; or (ii) if the Secretary determines that the
communication requires more immediate attention, forward the communication to the appropriate
Committee of the Board or to the full Board promptly after receipt.
-7-
The Secretary, in good faith, may determine that a shareholder communication should not be
provided to the appropriate Committee of the Board or to the full Board because the communication:
(i) does not reasonably relate to the Trust or the Trusts operations, management, activities,
policies, service providers, Board of Trustees, or one of the Committees of the Board, officers, or
shareholders, or other matters relating to an investment in the Trust; or (ii) is ministerial in
nature (such as a request for Trust literature, share data, or financial information.)
Director Attendance at Special Meeting of Shareholders
The Board of Trustees has adopted a policy of not requiring Trustees to attend any shareholder
meetings.
Security Ownership of Trustees, Trustee Nominees and Executive Officers
As of September 19, 2005, executive officers, Trustees and Trustee nominees of the Trust as a
group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or any of its Funds.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth, as of September 19, 2005 (unless otherwise indicated), the
beneficial ownership of shares of the Trust held by each shareholder known to management of the
Trust to own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or any Funds. Unless otherwise
indicated, the Trust believes that the beneficial owner set forth in the table has sole voting and
investment power. A shareholder that beneficially owns more than 25% of the outstanding shares of
the Trust, any Fund or any class of shares within a Fund is presumed to control the Trust, the
Fund or such class of shares, respectively, as defined in the 1940 Act and such control may affect
the voting rights of the other shareholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Address of |
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Fund |
|
Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
Percentage of Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF NEW MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
On August 18, 2005, the Board unanimously approved, on behalf of the Funds, but subject to
shareholder approval, the New Management Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. The New
Management Agreement is included as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement. The New Management
Agreement (i) combines and replaces the five current management agreements between the Trust and
the Adviser for each of the Funds and (ii) clarifies existing language to assure that no provision
of the New Management Agreement shall be construed to prevent the Trust from paying all or a
portion of the compensation and expenses of the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer. The Board
believes that the approval of the New Management Agreement is in the best interests of the
shareholders and recommends that you approve the New Management Agreement. The Board is asking for
your approval of the New Management Agreement because the Trust may enter into a new advisory
agreement only with shareholder approval. A description of how the New Management Agreement
differs from the current management agreements is discussed below under Terms of the Current
Management Agreements and Terms of the New Management Agreement.
Terms of the Current Management Agreements
Currently, the Trust and the Adviser are parties to the following management agreements with
the Funds (each, a Management Agreement and collectively, the Management Agreements):
-8-
Small Cap Fund: Management Agreement, dated January 31, 2001.
Large Cap Fund: First Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated May 1, 2005.
Focus Long-Short Fund: Management Agreement, dated August 1, 2000.
Bank & Financial Fund: Management Agreement, dated May 31, 2004.
Strategic Income Fund: Management Agreement, dated August 8, 2002.
The Management Agreements were submitted to shareholders and approved as follows: Small Cap
Fund January 31, 2001; Large Cap Fund June 29, 2001; Focus Long-Short Fund June 30,
2000; Bank & Financial Fund November 30, 2000; and Strategic Income Fund September 30, 2002.
The Adviser is the Investment Adviser for each of the Funds. The Adviser is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Under the terms of each Funds Management Agreement, the Adviser manages the Funds
investments. As compensation for management services, the Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund, Diamond
Hill Large Cap Fund, Diamond Hill Focus Long-Short Fund, Diamond Hill Bank & Financial Fund and
Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund are obligated to pay the Adviser fees computed and accrued daily
and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.80%, 0.60%, 0.90%, 1.00% and 0.50%, respectively, of the
average daily net assets of the respective Fund. On April 30, 2005, Adviser voluntarily reduced
its investment advisory fee on the Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund by ten basis points from 0.70% to
0.60%.
The Funds paid investment management fees to the Adviser for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 |
Small Cap Fund |
|
$ |
240,089 |
|
Large Cap Fund |
|
$ |
77,832 |
|
Focus Long-Short Fund |
|
$ |
329,519 |
|
Bank & Financial Fund |
|
$ |
180,394 |
|
Strategic Income Fund |
|
$ |
174,188 |
|
Short Term Fixed Income Fund |
|
$ |
20,294 |
(1) |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The Short Term Fixed Income Fund ceased operations before September 19, 2005. |
The Adviser retains the right to use the name Diamond Hill in connection with another
investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The
Trusts right to use the name Diamond Hill automatically ceases ninety days after termination of
each Management Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days written notice.
The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide
shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank were prohibited from
continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Funds believes that there
would be no material impact on a Fund or its shareholders. Banks may charge their customers fees
for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the
overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be lower than to
those shareholders who do not. A Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by banks
which provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be
shown for such securities.
In connection with their annual review and approval of the Management Agreement of each Fund
at a meeting held on May 24, 2005, the Trustees reviewed with the Trusts counsel the standard of
care required of
-9-
Trustees under Ohio law and the requirements, precedent and customary practice
under the 1940 Act, applicable regulations and case law regarding their review and approval of the
Trusts Management Agreements.
Among other things, the Trustees discussed, on a Fund by Fund basis:
(i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Adviser under the
Management Agreements, including review of the Management Agreements themselves, the
services provided thereunder, the fee formulae, fees paid, expenses assumed and termination
provisions; the Trustees noted the Advisers reduction of its investment advisory fees on
the Large Cap Fund by ten basis points beginning April 30, 2005; the Trustees also
noted the Advisers losses (and subsidy of the Funds) under its Third Amended and Restated
Administrative, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agency Services Agreement with the Trust
(pursuant to which Adviser provides, or arranges for others to provide, certain
administrative, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Funds) for the year
ended December 31, 2004, and noted further Advisers expectations of breaking even soon
under this agreement and Advisers reduction of its fees under the agreement on Class A and
Class C shares by five basis points, effective April 30, 2005;
(ii) the investment performance of the Funds and Adviser, with the Trustees noting that
each Funds performance exceeded its benchmark and was in the top quartile when compared to
its peer group of funds for recent one and three year periods;
(iii) the costs to the Funds and profits/losses to Adviser and its affiliates relating
to Advisers relationship with the Funds, including Advisers methodology in calculating its
profitability, with the Trustees reviewing the Advisers profit margins (percentage of net
income to gross income) with respect to its Management Agreements with the Trust for the
year ended December 31, 2004;
(iv) the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as each Fund grows and
whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of fund shareholders,
with the Trustees noting that at an average Fund net asset level of $36 million, and average
Trust complex net asset level of $138 million in 2004, the Trust was still much smaller than
is necessary to reach the point where there are economies of scale Adviser reasonably could
share with shareholders; and
(v) the reasonableness of the fees, with the Trustees noting that the contract rates
under the Management Agreements for four of the five Funds as of March 31, 2005 were at or
below the Lipper average and median for similar or peer group funds according to Lipper (the
only exception was the Bank & Financial Fund).
The Trustees also reviewed fee arrangements for a private investment partnership and other
unregistered separate accounts, similar to the Funds, managed by Adviser, noting in each case that
fees charged by Adviser were not lower than the fees charged by Adviser to the Funds under the
Management Agreements.
The Trustees also reviewed, and took note of the fact that, Advisers net operating losses
from all operations for the two years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.
Having considered (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Adviser under
the Management Agreements, (2) the investment performance of the Funds and Adviser, (3) the costs
to the Funds and profits/losses to Adviser and its affiliates relating to Advisers relationship
with the Funds, (4) the extent to which economies of scale could and should be shared by Adviser
with the Funds, and (5) the reasonableness of the fees to Adviser under the Management Agreements,
the Trustees, all of whom qualify as Independent Trustees under the 1940 Act, concluded it was
appropriate to renew the Management Agreements for another year because performance of each of the
Funds over the trailing one and three years has been superior, the advisory fees (contract rate)
for four of the five Funds were at or below the Lipper average and median for peer group funds, and
with respect to the fifth
fund, the Bank & Financial Fund, was not sufficiently out of line with peer group funds based on
the Funds superior performance, and profitability of Adviser was reasonable.
-10-
At their meeting held on August 18, 2005, the Trustees noted the factors considered and
conclusions reached at the May 24, 2005 Board meeting. The Trustees also considered the intention
of Proposal 2, which was, in effect, to combine existing investment advisory agreements into one
agreement, the New Management Agreement, which was considered a ministerial action, and the
addition of language making it clear that the Trust was not foreclosed from paying all or a portion
of the compensation and expenses of the recently appointed Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the
Trust should the Trustee elect to do so in the future.
At the present time there are no plans to ask the Trust to pay any of the compensation and
expense of the Trusts CCO. However, should the Management Agreement be amended as proposed, the
Trustees would not be precluded from doing so in the future.
Terms of the New Management Agreement
The terms of the New Management Agreement are identical in all material respects to the terms
of the existing Management Agreements, except for the language making it clear that the Trust will
be able to pay all or a portion of the salary and expenses of the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer
described above.
THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE NEW MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT.
-11-
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Independent Accountant for 2005
Ernst & Young LLP (E&Y) has been selected by the Audit Committee and by the Board of
Trustees as the independent accountant to audit the Trusts financial statements for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2005. E&Y performed the annual audit of the Trusts financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
E&Y does not currently intend to have any representatives present at the Special Meeting,
although they will have the opportunity to attend and make a statement if they desire to do so.
Audit and Other Services Fees
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed to or by the Trust for services
performed for the years ended December 31, 2004, and December 31, 2003, respectively, by E&Y:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fee Category |
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
57,600 |
|
|
$ |
50,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
9,600 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
67,200 |
|
|
$ |
57,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Committees Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services to
be provided by its independent accountant. These services may include audit services,
audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up
to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services
and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent accountant and management are
required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by
the independent accountant in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services
performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case
basis.
FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
As a general matter, the Trust does not hold regular meetings of shareholders. If you wish to
submit a proposal for consideration at a meeting of shareholders of the Trust, you should send such
proposal to the Trust at the address set forth on the first page of this Proxy Statement. To be
considered for presentation at a meeting of shareholders, the Trust must receive proposals a
reasonable time before proxy materials are prepared for the next shareholder meeting. Your
proposal also must comply with applicable law. The timely submission of a proposal does not
guarantee that the proposal will be included in the Trusts proxy materials.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board does not know of any other matters which may come before the Special Meeting.
However, if any other matters properly come before the Special Meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their judgment
on such matters.
The Trust will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. In addition to the use of the mails,
proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone or electronic mail. Proxies may be solicited
by directors, officers, and regular employees of the Trust, the Adviser or their respective
affiliates, who will not receive any additional compensation
-12-
for their solicitation services. The Trust will reimburse banks, brokers, and nominees for their
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in sending proxy material to the beneficial owners of shares held
by them. If there are follow-up requests for proxies, the Trust may employ other persons for such
purpose.
-13-
APPENDIX A
New Management Agreement
|
|
|
TO:
|
|
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. |
|
|
375 North Front Street, Suite 300 |
|
|
Columbus, Ohio 43215 |
Dear Sirs:
Diamond Hill Funds (the Trust) herewith confirms our agreement with you.
The Trust has been organized to engage in the business of an investment company.
You have been selected to act as the investment adviser of each of the present and future
series of the Trust which is set forth in Exhibit A hereto, as it shall be amended from time to
time (together, the Fund), and to provide certain other services, as more fully set forth below,
and you are willing to act as such investment adviser and to perform such services under the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth. Accordingly, the Trust agrees with you as follows effective
upon the date of the execution of this Agreement.
You will regularly provide the Fund with such investment advice as you in your discretion deem
advisable and will furnish a continuous investment program for the Fund consistent with the Funds
investment objectives and policies. You will determine the securities to be purchased for the
Fund, the portfolio securities to be held or sold by the Fund and the portion of the Funds assets
to be held uninvested, subject always to the Funds investment objectives, policies and
restrictions, as each of the same shall be from time to time in effect, and subject further to such
policies and instructions as the Board of Trustees of the Trust (Board) may from time to time
establish. You will advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are
necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board and the appropriate committees of
the Board regarding the conduct of the business of the Trust and the Fund.
|
2. |
|
ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES |
You will pay the compensation and expenses of any persons rendering any services to the Fund
who are officers, directors, stockholders or employees of your corporation and will make available,
without expense to the Fund, the services of such of your employees as may duly be elected officers
or trustees of the Trust, subject to their individual consent to serve and to any limitations
imposed by law, provided that the foregoing provision shall not be construed to prevent the Trust
from paying all or a portion of the compensation and expenses of the Trusts Chief Compliance
Officer. The compensation and expenses of any officers, trustees and employees of the Trust who
are not officers, directors, employees or stockholders of your corporation or its affiliates will
be paid by the Trust.
The Trust will be responsible for the payment of all operating expenses of the Trust and the
Fund, including the compensation and expenses of all trustees of the Trust who are not interested
persons of the Trust (non-interested trustees), as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the Act), and of any employees of the Trust and of any other persons rendering any
services to the Trust; clerical and shareholder service staff salaries; office space and other
office expenses; fees and expenses incurred by the Trust in connection with membership in
investment company organizations; legal, auditing and accounting expenses; expenses of registering
-1-
shares under federal and state securities laws, including expenses incurred by the Trust in
connection with the organization and initial registration of shares of the Trust; insurance
expenses; fees and expenses of the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent,
shareholder service agent, plan agent, administrator, accounting and pricing services agent and
underwriter of the Trust; expenses, including clerical expenses, of issue, sale, redemption or
repurchase of shares of the Trust; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to
shareholders, the cost of printing or preparing prospectuses and statements of additional
information for delivery to the Trusts current shareholders; the cost of printing or preparing
share certificates or any other documents, statements or reports to shareholders; expenses of
shareholders meetings and proxy solicitations; advertising, promotion and other expenses incurred
directly or indirectly in connection with the sale or distribution of the Trusts shares (including
expenses which the Trust is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act or under any
Shareholder Servicing Plan); and all other operating expenses not specifically assumed by you. The
Trust will also pay all brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as dividend
expense on securities sold short and interest), fees and expenses of the non-interested trustees
and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the
Trust may be a party and indemnification of the Trusts trustees and officers with respect thereto.
You may obtain reimbursement from the Trust, at such time or times as you may determine in
your sole discretion, for any of the expenses advanced by you, which the Trust is obligated to pay,
and such reimbursement shall not be considered to be part of your compensation pursuant to this
Agreement.
|
3. |
|
COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER |
For all of the services to be rendered and payments to be made as provided in this Agreement,
as of the last business day of each month, the Trust will pay you a fee at the annual rate
calculated as a percentage of the average value of the daily net assets of each Fund, as such fee
is set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
The average value of the daily net assets of the Fund shall be determined pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust
(as the same may be amended from time to time) or a resolution of the Board, if required. If,
pursuant to such provisions, the determination of net asset value of the Fund is suspended for any
particular business day, then for the purposes of this paragraph, the value of the net assets of
the Fund as last determined shall be deemed to be the value of the net assets as of the close of
the business day, or as of such other time as the value of the Funds net assets may lawfully be
determined, on that day. If the determination of the net asset value of the Fund has been
suspended for a period including such month, your compensation payable at the end of such month
shall be computed on the basis of the value of the net assets of the Fund as last determined
(whether during or prior to such month).
|
4. |
|
EXECUTION OF PURCHASE AND SALE ORDERS |
In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of the Trust, it
is understood that you will arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of
portfolio securities for the account with brokers or dealers selected by you, subject to review of
this selection by the Board from time to time. You will be responsible for the negotiation and the
allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage. In the selection of such brokers or
dealers and the placing of such orders, you are directed at all times to seek for the Trust the
best qualitative execution, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable
brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and
responsiveness of the broker or dealer and, so long as is permitted by applicable law, the
brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer.
You should generally seek favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in
relation to the benefits received. In seeking best qualitative execution, you are authorized,
subject to the provisions of the Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, to select brokers or dealers who also provide
brokerage and research services to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which you exercise
investment discretion. You are, subject to the provisions of the Act, the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, authorized to pay a
broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a
Fund portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of
-2-
commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if you
determine in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker or dealer. The determination
may be viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or your overall responsibilities with
respect to the Fund and to accounts over which you exercise investment discretion. The Trust and
you understand and acknowledge that, although the information may be useful to the Trust and you,
it is not possible to place a dollar value on such information. The Board shall periodically
review the commissions paid by the Fund to determine if the commissions paid over representative
periods of time were reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, and other applicable law, you, any of your affiliates or
any affiliates of your affiliates may retain compensation in connection with effecting the Funds
portfolio transactions, including transactions effected through others. If any occasion should
arise in which you give any advice to clients of yours concerning the shares of the Trust, you will
act solely as investment counsel for such client and not in any way on behalf of the Trust. Your
services to the Trust pursuant to this Agreement are not to be deemed to be exclusive and it is
understood that you may render investment advice, management and other services to others,
including other registered investment companies.
|
5. |
|
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF ADVISER |
You may rely on information reasonably believed by you to be accurate and reliable. Except as
may otherwise be required by the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, neither you nor your
shareholders, members, officers, directors, employees, agents, control persons or affiliates of any
thereof shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred by the
Trust in connection with, any error of judgment, mistake of law, any act or omission connected with
or arising out of any services rendered under, or payments made pursuant to, this Agreement or any
other matter to which this Agreement relates, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence on the part of any such persons in the performance of your duties under this
Agreement, or by reason of reckless disregard by any of such persons of your obligations and duties
under this Agreement.
Any person, even though also a director, officer, employee, member, shareholder or agent of
you, who may be or become an officer, director, trustee, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be
deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than
services or business in connection with your duties hereunder), to be rendering such services to or
acting solely for the Trust and not as a director, officer, employee, member, shareholder or agent
of you, or one under your control or direction, even though paid by you.
|
6. |
|
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT |
This Agreement shall take effect on the date of its execution, and shall remain in force until
May 31, 2006, and from year to year thereafter, subject to annual approval by (i) the Board or (ii)
a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, provided that in either
event continuance is also approved by a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of
you or the Trust, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such
approval.
This Agreement may, on sixty days written notice, be terminated with respect to the Trust, at
any time without the payment of any penalty, by the Board, by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by you. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate in the event of its assignment.
The Trust and you acknowledge that all rights to the name Diamond Hill or any variation
thereof belong to you, and that the Trust is being granted a limited license to use such words in
its name, in the name of any of the Funds or in the name of any class of shares. In the event you
cease to be the adviser to the Trust, the Trusts right to the use of the name Diamond Hill shall
automatically cease on the ninetieth day following the termination of this Agreement. The right to
the name may also be withdrawn by you during the term of this Agreement upon ninety (90) days
written notice by you to the Trust. Nothing contained herein shall impair or diminish in any
respect, your right to
-3-
use the name Diamond Hill in the name of, or in connection with, any other business enterprises
with which you are or may become associated. There is no charge to the Trust for the right to use
this name.
|
8. |
|
AMENDMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT |
No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, and no
amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved by the Board, including a majority
of the trustees who are not interested persons of you or of the Trust, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (if required under interpretations of the
Act by the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff) by vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to which the amendment relates.
|
9. |
|
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY TO TRUST PROPERTY |
The term Diamond Hill Funds means and refers to the Trustees from time to time serving under
the Trusts Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust as the same may subsequently
thereto have been, or subsequently hereto be, amended. It is expressly agreed that the obligations
of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees,
officers, agents or employees of the Trust personally, but bind only the trust property of the
Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement have been authorized by the trustees and shareholders of the Trust and signed by officers
of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such trustees and shareholders nor
such execution and delivery by such officers shall be deemed to have been made by any of them
individually or to impose any liability on any of them personally, but shall bind only the trust
property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust. A copy of the Amended and Restated
Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Ohio.
In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such
determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in
force.
|
11. |
|
QUESTIONS OF INTERPRETATION |
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio.
(b) For the purpose of this Agreement, the terms majority of the outstanding voting
securities, control and interested person shall have their respective meanings as defined in
the Act and rules and regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act; and the term brokerage and
research services shall have the meaning given in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(c) Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a
counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by
reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United
States courts or in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by the Securities
and Exchange Commission or its staff. In addition, where the effect of a requirement of the Act,
reflected in any provision of this Agreement, is revised by rule, regulation, order or
interpretation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, such provision shall be
deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, order or interpretation.
Any notices under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed
postage paid to the other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt
of such notice. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the address of the
Trust is 375 North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215, and your address for this purpose
shall be 375 North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
-4-
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Each of the undersigned expressly warrants and represents that he has the full power and
authority to sign this Agreement on behalf of the party indicated, and that his signature will
operate to bind the party indicated to the foregoing terms.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way
define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the
accompanying counterpart of this letter and return such counterpart to the Trust, whereupon
(subject to shareholder approval) this letter shall become a binding contract upon the date
thereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yours very truly, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diamond Hill Funds |
|
|
|
|
|
Dated as of: August 18, 2005
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ James F. Laird |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James F. Laird |
|
|
|
|
President |
ACCEPTANCE
The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dated as of: August 18, 2005
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ R.H. Dillon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. H. Dillon
President |
-5-
Exhibit A
to Management Agreement
between
Diamond Hill Funds
and
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc.
|
|
|
Series |
|
Compensation |
Diamond Hill Focus Long-Short Fund
|
|
0.90% of series average daily net assets |
Diamond Hill Bank & Financial Fund
|
|
1.00% of series average daily net assets |
Diamond Hill Small Cap Fund
|
|
0.80% of series average daily net assets |
Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund
|
|
0.60% of series average daily net assets |
Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund
|
|
0.50% of series average daily net assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diamond Hill Funds |
|
|
|
|
|
Dated as of: August 18, 2005
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ James F. Laird |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James F. Laird
President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dated as of: August 18, 2005
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ R.H. Dillon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. H. Dillon |
|
|
|
|
President |
-1-
DIAMOND HILL FUNDS
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the
Board of Trustees of Diamond Hill Funds
The undersigned hereby appoints Gary R. Young, and in the event he is unable to so act, James
F. Laird, and any one or more of them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to represent and
vote all shares (the Shares), of Diamond Hill Funds (the Trust), consisting of the Diamond Hill
Small Cap Fund, the Diamond Hill Large Cap Fund, the Diamond Hill Focus Long-Short Fund, the
Diamond Hill Bank & Financial Fund and the Diamond Hill Strategic Income Fund (each a Fund and
collectively, the Funds), which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present
at the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the Trusts principal executive offices
located at 375 North Front Street, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43215, on Monday, November 7, 2005, at
10:00 a.m., local time, and at any and all adjournments thereof, as specified in this Proxy.
Proposal 1 Election of the following nominees as Trustees:
|
|
|
FOR all Nominees o
|
|
WITHHELD for all Nominees o |
(except as marked to the contrary) |
|
|
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s) print the names in the space below
Proposal 2 Approval of the New Management Agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
o For
|
|
o Against
|
|
o Abstain |
In addition, the named proxies are authorized to vote, in their discretion, upon such other matters
as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The Shares represented by this Proxy will be voted upon the proposals listed above in accordance
with the instructions given by the undersigned, but if this Proxy is signed and returned and no
instructions are given, this Proxy will be voted FOR the election of all nominees set forth in
Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2 and, in the discretion of the proxies on any other matter which properly
comes before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
o I PLAN TO ATTEND MEETING
Please mark, date and sign as your name appears below and return in
the enclosed envelope. If acting as executor, administrator,
trustee, guardian, etc., you should so indicate when signing. If
the signer is a corporation, please sign the full corporate name by
a duly authorized officer. If shares are held jointly, each
shareholder named should sign.
|
|
|
Date:
|
|
Signature |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |