UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21470
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Maureen A. Gemma
Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(Name and Address of Agent for Services)
(617) 482-8260
(Registrants Telephone Number)
October 31
Date of Fiscal Year End
April 30, 2018
Date of Reporting Period
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund (ETG)
Semiannual Report
April 30, 2018
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) adopted certain regulatory changes 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 Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act. 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 and 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.
Semiannual Report April 30, 2018
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
Table of Contents
Performance |
2 | |||
Fund Profile |
3 | |||
Endnotes and Additional Disclosures |
4 | |||
Financial Statements |
5 | |||
Board of Trustees Contract Approval |
23 | |||
Officers and Trustees |
26 | |||
Important Notices |
27 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Performance1,2
Portfolio Managers Michael A. Allison, CFA and John H. Croft, CFA of Eaton Vance Management; Christopher M. Dyer, CFA of Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd.
% Average Annual Total Returns | Inception Date | Six Months | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | |||||||||||||||
Fund at NAV |
01/30/2004 | 2.97 | % | 13.04 | % | 9.85 | % | 4.94 | % | |||||||||||
Fund at Market Price |
| 1.54 | 8.00 | 9.16 | 5.24 | |||||||||||||||
MSCI World Index |
| 3.40 | % | 13.22 | % | 9.27 | % | 5.47 | % | |||||||||||
ICE BofAML Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index |
| 1.46 | 1.97 | 5.06 | 4.03 | |||||||||||||||
Blended Index |
| 2.48 | 10.96 | 8.51 | 5.42 | |||||||||||||||
% Premium/Discount to NAV3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
6.96 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Distributions4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions per share for the period |
$ | 0.615 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distribution Rate at NAV |
6.80 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Distribution Rate at Market Price |
7.30 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
% Total Leverage5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings |
23.18 | % |
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or market price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested and include management fees and other expenses. Fund performance at market price will differ from its results at NAV due to factors such as changing perceptions about the Fund, market conditions, fluctuations in supply and demand for Fund shares, or changes in Fund distributions. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance 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.
2 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Fund Profile
See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.
3 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Endnotes and Additional Disclosures
4 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited)
5 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) continued
6 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) continued
7 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) continued
8 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) continued
9 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) continued
10 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Portfolio of Investments (Unaudited) continued
Futures Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||||
Description | Number of Contracts |
Position | Expiration Month/Year |
Notional Amount |
Value/Net Appreciation |
|||||||||||||||
Equity Futures |
||||||||||||||||||||
E-mini S&P 500 Index | 552 | Long | Jun-18 | $ | 73,057,200 | $ | (3,468,417 | ) | ||||||||||||
Nikkei 225 Index | 36 | Long | Jun-18 | 7,384,690 | 327,610 | |||||||||||||||
STOXX Europe 600 Banks Index | 3,505 | Short | Jun-18 | (80,401,052 | ) | (2,484,557 | ) | |||||||||||||
$ | (5,625,364 | ) |
Nikkei 225 Index: Price-weighted average of 225 top-rated Japanese companies listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
STOXX Europe 600 Banks Index: Index composed of companies from the European banks sector.
Abbreviations:
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt | ||
LIBOR | | London Interbank Offered Rate | ||
USD | | United States Dollar |
11 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
Assets | April 30, 2018 | |||
Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $1,715,761,477) |
$ | 1,784,618,131 | ||
Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $9,373,201) |
9,373,201 | |||
Cash |
650,104 | |||
Foreign currency, at value (identified cost, $6,745) |
6,757 | |||
Dividends and interest receivable |
7,527,732 | |||
Dividends receivable from affiliated investment |
24,572 | |||
Receivable for investments sold |
417,601 | |||
Tax reclaims receivable |
7,168,635 | |||
Total assets |
$ | 1,809,786,733 | ||
Liabilities | ||||
Notes payable |
$ | 425,000,000 | ||
Payable for when-issued securities |
1,381,189 | |||
Payable for variation margin on open financial futures contracts |
609,938 | |||
Payable to affiliates: |
||||
Investment adviser fee |
1,260,028 | |||
Trustees fees |
6,470 | |||
Accrued expenses |
369,898 | |||
Total liabilities |
$ | 428,627,523 | ||
Net Assets |
$ | 1,381,159,210 | ||
Sources of Net Assets | ||||
Common shares, $0.01 par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 76,300,214 shares issued and outstanding |
$ | 763,002 | ||
Additional paid-in capital |
1,302,302,706 | |||
Accumulated distributions in excess of net investment income |
(11,877,968 | ) | ||
Accumulated net realized gain |
26,602,294 | |||
Net unrealized appreciation |
63,369,176 | |||
Net Assets |
$ | 1,381,159,210 | ||
Net Asset Value | ||||
($1,381,159,210 ÷ 76,300,214 common shares issued and outstanding) |
$ | 18.10 |
12 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Investment Income | Six Months Ended April 30, 2018 |
|||
Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $2,196,049) |
$ | 33,623,719 | ||
Dividends from affiliated investment |
176,181 | |||
Interest (net of foreign taxes, $5,730) |
5,202,651 | |||
Other income |
1,027,645 | |||
Total investment income |
$ | 40,030,196 | ||
Expenses | ||||
Investment adviser fee |
$ | 7,692,800 | ||
Trustees fees and expenses |
37,195 | |||
Custodian fee |
243,228 | |||
Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees |
8,984 | |||
Legal and accounting services |
70,496 | |||
Printing and postage |
72,324 | |||
Interest expense and fees |
4,703,514 | |||
Miscellaneous |
52,887 | |||
Total expenses |
$ | 12,881,428 | ||
Net investment income |
$ | 27,148,768 | ||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
||||
Investment transactions |
$ | 57,655,880 | ||
Investment transactions affiliated investment |
178 | |||
Proceeds from securities litigation settlements |
65,422 | |||
Financial futures contracts |
4,218,691 | |||
Foreign currency transactions |
(79,797 | ) | ||
Net realized gain |
$ | 61,860,374 | ||
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
||||
Investments |
$ | (45,447,819 | ) | |
Financial futures contracts |
(5,625,364 | ) | ||
Foreign currency |
(469,093 | ) | ||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
$ | (51,542,276 | ) | |
Net realized and unrealized gain |
$ | 10,318,098 | ||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
$ | 37,466,866 |
13 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | Six Months Ended April 30, 2018 |
Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
||||||
From operations |
||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 27,148,768 | $ | 96,064,376 | ||||
Net realized gain |
61,860,374 | 81,693,234 | ||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(51,542,276 | ) | 101,040,472 | |||||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
$ | 37,466,866 | $ | 278,798,082 | ||||
Distributions to shareholders |
||||||||
From net investment income |
$ | (46,924,632 | ) | $ | (93,849,264 | ) | ||
Total distributions |
$ | (46,924,632 | ) | $ | (93,849,264 | ) | ||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets |
$ | (9,457,766 | ) | $ | 184,948,818 | |||
Net Assets | ||||||||
At beginning of period |
$ | 1,390,616,976 | $ | 1,205,668,158 | ||||
At end of period |
$ | 1,381,159,210 | $ | 1,390,616,976 | ||||
Accumulated undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income included in net assets |
||||||||
At end of period |
$ | (11,877,968 | ) | $ | 7,897,896 |
14 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | Six Months Ended April 30, 2018 |
|||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
$ | 37,466,866 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||
Investments purchased |
(1,425,358,059 | ) | ||
Investments sold |
1,424,271,067 | |||
Decrease in short-term investments, net |
28,937,513 | |||
Net amortization/accretion of premium (discount) |
(119,189 | ) | ||
Increase in dividends and interest receivable |
(4,127,980 | ) | ||
Decrease in dividends receivable from affiliated investment |
37,390 | |||
Increase in tax reclaims receivable |
(708,349 | ) | ||
Decrease in due to broker |
(30,672 | ) | ||
Increase in payable for variation margin on open financial futures contracts |
609,938 | |||
Decrease in payable to affiliate for investment adviser fee |
(39,953 | ) | ||
Decrease in payable to affiliate for Trustees fees |
(1,624 | ) | ||
Decrease in accrued expenses |
(78,695 | ) | ||
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation from investments |
45,447,819 | |||
Net realized gain from investments |
(57,656,058 | ) | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 48,650,014 | ||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities | ||||
Cash distributions paid |
$ | (46,924,632 | ) | |
Decrease in due to custodian |
(2,979,050 | ) | ||
Net cash used in financing activities |
$ | (49,903,682 | ) | |
Net decrease in cash* |
$ | (1,253,668 | ) | |
Cash at beginning of period(1) |
$ | 1,910,529 | ||
Cash at end of period(1) |
$ | 656,861 | ||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||
Cash paid for interest and fees on borrowings |
$ | 4,695,652 |
* | Includes net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency of $17,484. |
(1) | Balance includes foreign currency, at value. |
15 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Financial Highlights
Six Months Ended April 30, 2018 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value Beginning of period |
$ | 18.230 | $ | 15.800 | $ | 17.540 | $ | 18.120 | $ | 17.390 | $ | 14.800 | ||||||||||||
Income (Loss) From Operations |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(1) |
$ | 0.356 | $ | 1.259 | $ | 1.278 | (2) | $ | 1.162 | $ | 1.304 | (2) | $ | 1.241 | (2) | |||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.129 | 2.401 | (1.788 | ) | (0.512 | ) | 0.656 | 2.579 | ||||||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from operations |
$ | 0.485 | $ | 3.660 | $ | (0.510 | ) | $ | 0.650 | $ | 1.960 | $ | 3.820 | |||||||||||
Less Distributions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
$ | (0.615 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | ||||||
Total distributions |
$ | (0.615 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | $ | (1.230 | ) | ||||||
Net asset value End of period |
$ | 18.100 | $ | 18.230 | $ | 15.800 | $ | 17.540 | $ | 18.120 | $ | 17.390 | ||||||||||||
Market value End of period |
$ | 16.840 | $ | 17.190 | $ | 14.340 | $ | 16.540 | $ | 16.980 | $ | 16.040 | ||||||||||||
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(3) |
2.97 | %(4) | 24.42 | % | (2.09 | )% | 4.21 | % | 12.01 | % | 27.29 | % | ||||||||||||
Total Investment Return on Market Value(3) |
1.54 | %(4) | 29.34 | % | (5.77 | )% | 4.86 | % | 13.80 | % | 24.03 | % | ||||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) |
$ | 1,381,159 | $ | 1,390,617 | $ | 1,205,668 | $ | 1,338,519 | $ | 1,382,839 | $ | 1,326,899 | ||||||||||||
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses excluding interest and fees(5) |
1.17 | %(6) | 1.21 | % | 1.24 | % | 1.20 | % | 1.18 | % | 1.24 | % | ||||||||||||
Interest and fee expense |
0.67 | %(6) | 0.57 | % | 0.37 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.24 | % | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||||
Total expenses(5) |
1.84 | %(6) | 1.78 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.45 | % | 1.42 | % | 1.54 | % | ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
3.89 | %(6) | 7.35 | % | 7.84 | %(2) | 6.47 | % | 7.21 | %(2) | 7.73 | %(2) | ||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover |
77 | %(4) | 197 | % | 200 | % | 163 | % | 122 | % | 105 | % | ||||||||||||
Senior Securities: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total notes payable outstanding (in 000s) |
$ | 425,000 | $ | 425,000 | $ | 425,000 | $ | 425,000 | $ | 425,000 | $ | 425,000 | ||||||||||||
Asset coverage per $1,000 of notes payable(7) |
$ | 4,250 | $ | 4,272 | $ | 3,837 | $ | 4,149 | $ | 4,254 | $ | 4,122 |
(1) | Computed using average shares outstanding. |
(2) | Net investment income per share includes special dividends which amounted to $0.195, $0.534 and $0.260 per share for the years ended October 31, 2016, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Excluding special dividends, the ratio of net investment income to average daily net assets would have been 6.64%, 4.26% and 6.11% for the years ended October 31, 2016, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
(3) | 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 Funds dividend reinvestment plan. |
(4) | Not annualized. |
(5) | Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian. |
(6) | Annualized. |
(7) | Calculated by subtracting the Funds total liabilities (not including the notes payable) from the Funds total assets, and dividing the result by the notes payable balance in thousands. |
16 | See Notes to Financial Statements. |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1 Significant Accounting Policies
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund (the Fund) 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 Funds investment objective is to provide a high level of after-tax total return consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income and capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund 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.
Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices therefore on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices or, in the case of preferred equity securities that are not listed or traded in the over-the-counter market, by a third party pricing service that uses various techniques that consider factors including, but not limited to, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, quotes of underlying common stock, issuer spreads, as well as industry and economic events.
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 asked 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 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.
Derivatives. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded, with adjustments for fair valuation for certain foreign financial futures contracts as described below.
Foreign Securities, Financial Futures Contracts and Currencies. Foreign securities, financial futures contracts and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities and certain exchange-traded foreign financial futures contracts generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities and contracts trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities and certain foreign financial futures contracts to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities and foreign financial futures contracts that meet certain criteria, the Funds Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities and foreign financial futures contracts to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities and foreign financial futures contracts.
Affiliated Fund. The Fund 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 Fund in a manner that fairly reflects the securitys value, or the amount that the Fund 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 condition, 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 Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends,
interest and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Funds understanding of the applicable countries tax rules and rates. In
17 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) continued
consideration of recent decisions rendered by European courts, the Fund has filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. During the six months ended April 30, 2018, the Fund received approximately $1,028,000 from Poland for previously withheld foreign taxes and interest thereon. Such amount is included in other income in the Statement of Operations. Additionally, approximately $797,000 of previously recorded income for dividend tax reclaims is unpaid and included in Tax reclaims receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. No other amounts for additional tax reclaims are reflected in the financial statements due to the uncertainty as to the ultimate resolution of proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. Distributions from investment companies are recorded as dividend income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution.
D Federal Taxes The Funds policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.
As of April 30, 2018, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund 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 Foreign Currency Translation Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.
F 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.
G Indemnifications Under the Funds organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Fund) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Funds Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Fund shall assume the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund 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 Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.
H Financial Futures Contracts Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin). Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Fund each business day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security or index, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains (losses) are realized upon the expiration or closing of the financial futures contracts. Should market conditions change unexpectedly, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. Futures contracts have minimal counterparty risk as they are exchange traded and the clearinghouse for the exchange is substituted as the counterparty, guaranteeing counterparty performance.
I When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis. Payment and delivery may take place after the customary settlement period for that security. At the time the transaction is negotiated, the price of the security that will be delivered is fixed. The Fund maintains cash and/or security positions for these commitments such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payments upon settlement. Securities purchased on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and begin earning income on settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
J Statement of Cash Flows The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows of the Fund is the amount included in the Funds Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represents the unrestricted cash on hand at its custodian and does not include any short-term investments.
K Interim Financial Statements The interim financial statements relating to April 30, 2018 and for the six months then ended have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of the Funds management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements.
18 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) continued
2 Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information
The Fund intends to make monthly distributions of net investment income to common shareholders. In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains (reduced by available capital loss carryforwards from prior years). 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.
At October 31, 2017, the Fund, for federal income tax purposes, had capital loss carryforwards of $31,755,181 and deferred capital losses of $3,213,022 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 Fund of any liability for federal income or excise tax. The capital loss carryforwards will expire on October 31, 2018 and their character is short-term. Under tax regulations, capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 2010 are considered deferred capital losses and are treated as arising on the first day of the Funds next taxable year, retaining the same short-term or long-term character as when originally deferred. Deferred capital losses are required to be used prior to capital loss carryforwards, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Of the deferred capital losses at October 31, 2017, $3,213,022 are short-term.
The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, including open derivative contracts, of the Fund at April 30, 2018, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:
Aggregate cost |
$ | 1,726,560,632 | ||
Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ | 120,457,472 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(58,652,136 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 61,805,336 |
3 Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates
The investment adviser fee is earned by EVM as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement and subsequent fee reduction agreement, the fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Funds average daily gross assets up to and including $1.5 billion, 0.83% over $1.5 billion up to and including $3 billion, and at reduced rates on daily gross assets over $3 billion, and is payable monthly. Gross assets as referred to herein represent net assets plus obligations attributable to investment leverage. The fee reduction cannot be terminated without the consent of a majority of Trustees and a majority of shareholders. For the six months ended April 30, 2018, the Funds investment adviser fee amounted to $7,692,800, or 0.85% (annualized) of the Funds average daily gross assets. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, EVM pays Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (EVAIL), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., a portion of its investment adviser fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Fund. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund. EVM also serves as administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation.
Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVMs organization receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund 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 six months ended April 30, 2018, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.
4 Purchases and Sales of Investments
Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $1,387,199,251 and $1,372,101,295, respectively, for the six months ended April 30, 2018.
5 Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Fund may issue common shares pursuant to its dividend reinvestment plan. There were no common shares issued by the Fund for the six months ended April 30, 2018 and the year ended October 31, 2017.
On November 11, 2013, the Board of Trustees of the Fund authorized the repurchase by the Fund of up to 10% of its then currently outstanding common shares in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. There were no repurchases of common shares by the Fund for the six months ended April 30, 2018 and the year ended October 31, 2017.
19 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) continued
6 Financial Instruments
The Fund may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include futures contracts and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Fund has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. A summary of obligations under these financial instruments at April 30, 2018 is included in the Portfolio of Investments. At April 30, 2018, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover commitments under these contracts.
The Fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. The Fund enters into equity futures contracts on securities indices to gain or limit exposure to certain markets, particularly in connection with engaging in the dividend capture trading strategy.
The fair value of open derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk at April 30, 2018 was as follows:
Fair Value | ||||||||
Derivative | Asset Derivative(1) | Liability Derivative(1) | ||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 327,610 | $ | (5,952,974 | ) |
(1) | Amount represents cumulative unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on futures contracts. Only the current days variation margin on open futures contracts is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Receivable or Payable for variation margin on open financial futures contracts, as applicable. |
The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk for the six months ended April 30, 2018 was as follows:
Derivative | Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income(1) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income(2) |
||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 4,218,691 | $ | (5,625,364 | ) |
(1) | Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) Financial futures contracts. |
(2) | Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) Financial futures contracts. |
The average notional cost of futures contracts outstanding during the six months ended April 30, 2018, which is indicative of the volume of this derivative type, was approximately as follows:
Futures Contracts Long |
Futures Contracts Short |
|||||
$99,984,000 | $ | 106,780,000 |
7 Credit Agreement
Effective August 30, 2017, the Fund entered into a Credit Agreement (the Agreement) with a major financial institution that allows it to borrow up to $498 million over a rolling 179 calendar day period through August 30, 2019. Interest is charged at a rate above 1-month LIBOR and is payable monthly. The Fund is charged a commitment fee of 0.30% per annum on the unused portion of the commitment if outstanding borrowings are less than 80% of the borrowing limit. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Fund is required to satisfy certain collateral requirements and maintain a certain level of net assets. At April 30, 2018, the Fund had borrowings outstanding under the Agreement of $425 million at an interest rate of 2.56%. The carrying amount of the borrowings at April 30, 2018 approximated its fair value. If measured at fair value, borrowings under the Agreement would have been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 9) at April 30, 2018. For the six months ended April 30, 2018, the average borrowings under the Agreement and the average annual interest rate (excluding fees) were $425 million and 2.23%, respectively.
20 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) continued
8 Risks Associated with Foreign Investments
Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Certain foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of funds or other assets of the Fund, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker/dealers and issuers than in the United States.
9 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 April 30, 2018, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Funds investments and open derivative instruments, which are carried at value, were as follows:
Asset Description | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks |
||||||||||||||||
Consumer Discretionary |
$ | 79,994,908 | $ | 60,984,028 | $ | | $ | 140,978,936 | ||||||||
Consumer Staples |
23,911,363 | 77,424,683 | | 101,336,046 | ||||||||||||
Energy |
65,596,171 | 37,778,268 | | 103,374,439 | ||||||||||||
Financials |
111,887,944 | 206,465,369 | | 318,353,313 | ||||||||||||
Health Care |
117,895,141 | 53,549,725 | | 171,444,866 | ||||||||||||
Industrials |
127,647,619 | 113,886,695 | | 241,534,314 | ||||||||||||
Information Technology |
154,199,995 | 45,954,010 | | 200,154,005 | ||||||||||||
Materials |
29,504,430 | 32,749,360 | | 62,253,790 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate |
47,102,635 | | | 47,102,635 | ||||||||||||
Telecommunication Services |
| 14,009,975 | | 14,009,975 | ||||||||||||
Utilities |
41,556,228 | 27,059,152 | | 68,615,380 | ||||||||||||
Total Common Stocks |
$ | 799,296,434 | $ | 669,861,265 | * | $ | | $ | 1,469,157,699 | |||||||
Preferred Stocks |
||||||||||||||||
Consumer Staples |
$ | | $ | 10,418,437 | $ | | $ | 10,418,437 | ||||||||
Energy |
8,561,739 | | | 8,561,739 | ||||||||||||
Financials |
18,707,417 | 16,703,696 | | 35,411,113 | ||||||||||||
Industrials |
4,559,645 | | | 4,559,645 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate |
13,828,852 | | | 13,828,852 | ||||||||||||
Utilities |
24,061,186 | | | 24,061,186 | ||||||||||||
Total Preferred Stocks |
$ | 69,718,839 | $ | 27,122,133 | $ | | $ | 96,840,972 |
21 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) continued
Asset Description | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds & Notes |
$ | | $ | 190,268,466 | $ | | $ | 190,268,466 | ||||||||
Exchange-Traded Funds |
28,350,994 | | | 28,350,994 | ||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
| 9,373,201 | | 9,373,201 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments |
$ | 897,366,267 | $ | 896,625,065 | $ | | $ | 1,793,991,332 | ||||||||
Futures Contracts |
$ | | $ | 327,610 | $ | | $ | 327,610 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 897,366,267 | $ | 896,952,675 | $ | | $ | 1,794,318,942 | ||||||||
Liability Description |
||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts |
$ | (3,468,417 | ) | $ | (2,484,557 | ) | $ | | $ | (5,952,974 | ) | |||||
Total |
$ | (3,468,417 | ) | $ | (2,484,557 | ) | $ | | $ | (5,952,974 | ) |
* | Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets. |
At April 30, 2018, there were no investments transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months then ended.
22 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Board of Trustees Contract Approval
Overview of the Contract Review Process
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), provides, in substance, that each investment advisory agreement between a fund and its investment adviser will continue in effect from year to year only if its continuation is approved at least annually by the funds board of trustees, including by a vote of a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of the fund (Independent Trustees), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval.
At a meeting of the Boards of Trustees (each a Board) of the registered investment companies advised by either Eaton Vance Management or its affiliate, Boston Management and Research, (the Eaton Vance Funds) held on April 24, 2018, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of existing investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements for the Eaton Vance Funds for an additional one-year period. In voting its approval, the Board relied upon the affirmative recommendation of its Contract Review Committee, which is a committee comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Prior to making its recommendation, the Contract Review Committee reviewed information furnished by each adviser to the Eaton Vance Funds (including information specifically requested by the Board) for a series of meetings of the Contract Review Committee held between February and April 2018. The Contract Review Committee also considered information received at prior meetings of the Board and its committees, as relevant to its annual evaluation of the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.
The information that the Board considered included, among other things, the following (for funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolio(s), references to each fund in this section may include information that was considered at the portfolio-level):
Information about Fees, Performance and Expenses
| A report from an independent data provider comparing the advisory and related fees paid by each fund with fees paid by comparable funds as identified by the independent data provider (comparable funds); |
| A report from an independent data provider comparing each funds total expense ratio and its components to comparable funds; |
| A report from an independent data provider comparing the investment performance of each fund (including, where relevant, yield data, Sharpe ratios and information ratios) to the investment performance of comparable funds over various time periods; |
| Data regarding investment performance in comparison to benchmark indices, as well as customized groups of peer funds and blended indices identified by the adviser in consultation with the Board; |
| For each fund, comparative information concerning the fees charged and the services provided by each adviser in managing other accounts (including mutual funds, other collective investment funds and institutional accounts) using investment strategies and techniques similar to those used in managing such fund; |
| Profitability analyses for each adviser with respect to each fund; |
Information about Portfolio Management and Trading
| Descriptions of the investment management services provided to each fund, including the funds investment strategies and policies; |
| The procedures and processes used to determine the fair value of fund assets and actions taken to monitor and test the effectiveness of such procedures and processes; |
| Information about each advisers policies and practices with respect to trading, including each advisers processes for monitoring best execution of portfolio transactions; |
| Information about the allocation of brokerage transactions and the benefits received by each adviser as a result of brokerage allocation, including information concerning the acquisition of research through client commission arrangements and policies with respect to soft dollars; |
| Data relating to portfolio turnover rates of each fund; |
Information about each Adviser
| Reports detailing the financial results and condition of each adviser; |
| Descriptions of the qualifications, education and experience of the individual investment professionals whose responsibilities include portfolio management and investment research for the funds, and information relating to their responsibilities with respect to managing other mutual funds and investment accounts; |
| The Code of Ethics of each adviser 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 each adviser and its affiliates (including descriptions of various compliance programs) and their record of compliance; |
| Information concerning the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of each adviser and its affiliates; |
| A description of Eaton Vance Managements procedures for overseeing third party advisers and sub-advisers, including with respect to regulatory and compliance issues, investment management and other matters; |
23 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
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 Management and its affiliates; |
| Information concerning management of the relationship with the custodian, subcustodians and fund accountants by each adviser or the funds administrator; and |
| The terms of each investment advisory agreement. |
Over the course of the twelve-month period ended April 30, 2018, with respect to one or more funds, the Board met seven times and the Contract Review Committee, the Audit Committee, the Governance Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee and the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee, each of which is a Committee comprised solely of Independent Trustees, met seven, thirteen, six, eight and nine times, respectively. At such meetings, the Trustees participated in investment and performance reviews with the portfolio managers and other investment professionals of each investment adviser relating to each fund, and considered various investment and trading strategies used in pursuing each funds investment objective, such as the use of derivative instruments, as well as risk management techniques. The Board and its Committees also evaluated issues pertaining to industry and regulatory developments, compliance procedures, fund governance and other issues with respect to the funds, and received and participated in reports and presentations provided by Eaton Vance Management and other fund advisers with respect to such matters. In addition to the formal meetings of the Board and its Committees, the Independent Trustees hold regular teleconferences in between meetings to discuss, among other topics, matters relating to the continuation of investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements.
For funds that invest through one or more underlying portfolios, the Board considered similar information about the portfolio(s) when considering the approval of investment advisory agreements. In addition, in cases where the funds investment adviser has engaged a sub-adviser, the Board considered similar information about the sub-adviser when considering the approval of any sub-advisory agreement.
The Contract Review Committee was assisted throughout the contract review process by Goodwin Procter LLP, independent legal counsel for the Independent Trustees. The members of the Contract Review Committee relied upon the advice of such counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all the information provided and not any single factor. Moreover, each member of the Contract Review Committee may have placed varying emphasis on particular factors in reaching conclusions with respect to each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement. In evaluating each investment advisory and sub-advisory agreement, including the specific fee structures and other terms of the agreements, the Contract Review Committee was informed by multiple years of analysis and discussion among the Independent Trustees and the Eaton Vance Funds advisers and sub-advisers.
Results of the Process
Based on its consideration of the foregoing, and such other information as it deemed relevant, including the factors and conclusions described below, the Contract Review Committee concluded that the continuation of the investment advisory agreement of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund (the Fund) with Eaton Vance Management (the Adviser) and the sub-advisory agreement with Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd. (the Sub-adviser), an affiliate of the Adviser, including their fee structures, is in the interests of shareholders and, therefore, the Contract Review Committee recommended to the Board approval of each agreement. The Board accepted the recommendation of the Contract Review Committee based on the material factors considered and conclusions reached by the Contract Review Committee with respect to the agreements. Accordingly, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, voted to approve continuation of the investment advisory and the sub-advisory agreement for the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
In considering whether to approve the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement of the Fund, the Board evaluated the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser.
The Board considered the Advisers and the Sub-advisers management capabilities and investment process with respect to the types of investments held by the Fund, including the education, experience and number of its investment professionals and other personnel who provide portfolio management, investment research, and similar services to the Fund. With respect to the Adviser, the Board considered the Advisers responsibilities overseeing the Sub-adviser and coordinating activities in implementing the Funds investment strategy. The Board considered the Advisers in-house equity research capabilities and experience in managing funds that seek to maximize after-tax returns. The Board also considered the abilities and experience of the Sub-advisers investment professionals in investing in equity securities, including investing in both U.S. and foreign common stocks. In particular, the Board considered the abilities and experience of the Advisers and the Sub-advisers investment professionals in analyzing factors such as tax efficiency and special considerations relevant to investing in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks and foreign markets. The Board considered the international investment capabilities of the Sub-adviser, which is based in London, and the benefits to the Fund of having portfolio management services involving investments in international equities provided by investment professionals located abroad. The Board also took into account the resources dedicated to portfolio management and other services, as well as the compensation methods of the Adviser and other factors, such as the reputation and resources of the Adviser to recruit and retain highly qualified research, advisory and supervisory investment professionals. In addition, the Board considered the time
24 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Board of Trustees Contract Approval continued
and attention devoted to the Eaton Vance Funds, including the Fund, 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 Fund, including the provision of administrative services. The Board also considered the business-related and other risks to which the Adviser or its affiliates may be subject in managing the Fund.
The Board considered the compliance programs of the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser. Among other matters, the Board considered compliance and reporting matters relating to personal trading by investment professionals, selective 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 the Adviser 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 considered shareholder and other administrative services provided or managed by Eaton Vance Management 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.
After consideration of the foregoing factors, among others, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Adviser and Sub-adviser, taken as a whole, are appropriate and consistent with the terms of the investment advisory agreement and the sub-advisory agreement.
Fund Performance
The Board compared the Funds investment performance to that of comparable funds and appropriate benchmark indices. The Boards review included comparative performance data for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2017 for the Fund. In this regard, the Board noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than the median performance of the Funds peer group for the three-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its primary and secondary benchmark indexes for the three-year period. The Board concluded that the performance of the Fund was satisfactory.
Management Fees and Expenses
The Board considered contractual fee rates payable by the Fund for advisory and administrative services (referred to collectively as management fees). As part of its review, the Board considered the Funds management fees and total expense ratio for the one year period ended September 30, 2017, 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 that had an impact on Fund expense ratios relative to comparable funds.
After considering the foregoing information, and in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the Sub-adviser, the Board concluded that the management fees charged for advisory and related services are reasonable.
Profitability and Other Fall-Out Benefits
The Board considered the level of profits realized by the Adviser and relevant affiliates thereof, including the Sub-adviser, in providing investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund and to all Eaton Vance Funds as a group. The Board considered the level of profits realized without regard to marketing support or other payments by the Adviser and its affiliates to third parties in respect of distribution services. The Board also considered other direct or indirect fall-out benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, in connection with their relationships with the Fund, including the benefits of research services that may be available to the Adviser or the Sub-adviser as a result of securities transactions effected for the Fund and other investment advisory clients.
The Board concluded that, in light of the foregoing factors and the nature, extent and quality of the services rendered, the profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates, including the Sub-adviser, are deemed not to be excessive.
Economies of Scale
In reviewing management fees and profitability, the Board also considered the extent to which the Adviser and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Fund, on the other hand, can expect to realize benefits from economies of scale as the assets of the Fund 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. The Board reviewed data summarizing the increases and decreases in the assets of the Fund and of all Eaton Vance Funds as a group over various time periods, and evaluated the extent to which the total expense ratio of the Fund and the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates may have been affected by such increases or decreases. Based upon the foregoing, the Board concluded that the Fund currently shares in any benefits from economies of scale. The Board also concluded that, assuming reasonably foreseeable increases in the assets of the Fund, the structure of the advisory fee, which includes breakpoints at several asset levels, will allow the Fund to continue to benefit from any economies of scale in the future.
25 |
Eaton Vance
Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
April 30, 2018
Officers and Trustees
Officers of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
Trustees of Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
* | Interested Trustee |
26 |
Eaton Vance Funds
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Privacy. The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each of the financial institutions identified below has in effect the following policy (Privacy Policy) with respect to nonpublic personal information about its customers:
| Only such information received from you, through application forms or otherwise, and information about your Eaton Vance fund transactions will be collected. This may include information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account balances and transactions. |
| None of such information about you (or former customers) will be disclosed to anyone, except as permitted by law (which includes disclosure to employees necessary to service your account). In the normal course of servicing a customers account, Eaton Vance may share information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various required services such as transfer agents, custodians and broker-dealers. |
| Policies and procedures (including physical, electronic and procedural safeguards) are in place that are designed to protect the confidentiality of such information. |
| We reserve the right to change our Privacy Policy at any time upon proper notification to you. Customers may want to review our Privacy Policy periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com. |
Our pledge of privacy applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd., Eaton Vance Managements Real Estate Investment Group and Boston Management and Research. In addition, our Privacy Policy applies only to those Eaton Vance customers who are individuals and who have a direct relationship with us. If a customers account (i.e., fund shares) is held in the name of a third-party financial advisor/broker-dealer, it is likely that only such advisors privacy policies apply to the customer. This notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about Eaton Vances Privacy Policy, please call 1-800-262-1122.
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 advisor, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct AST, or your financial advisor, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact AST or your financial advisor. 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 advisor.
Portfolio Holdings. Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) will file a schedule of portfolio holdings on Form N-Q with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-Q will be available 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. Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SECs public reference room in Washington, D.C. (call 1-800-732-0330 for information on the operation of the public reference room).
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.
Share Repurchase Program. The Funds Board of Trustees has approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Fund to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding common shares as of the approved date in open-market transactions at a discount to net asset value. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. The Funds repurchase activity, including the number of shares purchased, average price and average discount to net asset value, is disclosed in the Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
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.
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7737 4.30.18
Item 2. Code of Ethics
Not required in this filing.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Not required in this filing.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Not required in this filing.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
Not required in this filing.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments
Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not required in this filing.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not required in this filing.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers
No such purchases this period.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No material changes.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) It is the conclusion of the registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrants current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commissions rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) There have been no changes in the registrants internal controls over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Item 13. Exhibits
(a)(1) | Registrants Code of Ethics Not applicable (please see Item 2). | |
(a)(2)(i) | Treasurers Section 302 certification. | |
(a)(2)(ii) | Presidents Section 302 certification. | |
(b) | Combined Section 906 certification. |
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
By: | /s/ Edward J. Perkin | |
Edward J. Perkin | ||
President | ||
Date: | June 21, 2018 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ James F. Kirchner | |
James F. Kirchner | ||
Treasurer | ||
Date: | June 21, 2018 | |
By: | /s/ Edward J. Perkin | |
Edward J. Perkin | ||
President | ||
Date: | June 21, 2018 |