UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

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
(Amendment No. )

 

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[   ] Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

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[   ]Definitive Additional Materials
[   ]Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

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Proxy Materials




PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!



Metropolitan West Funds

865
515 South FigueroaFlower Street


Los Angeles, California 9001790071

1-800-241-4671

November 4, 2021January 10, 2024

Dear Shareholder,Shareholder:

A

The enclosed Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement contain important information about the election of nine Trustees to the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust” and the series thereof, the “Funds”) at a Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on February 15, 2024 (the “Meeting”).

The Trustees voted unanimously to approve the recommendation. The Board believes this recommendation is in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders. The Board recommends that you vote in favor of the proposal in the Proxy Statement.

The Proxy Statement describes the voting process for shareholders. We ask you to read the Proxy Statement carefully and vote in favor of approval of the proposal. The election returns will be reported at the Meeting. Please return or submit your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope, on-line or by telephone as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

/s/ Peter Davidson
Peter Davidson
Vice President and Secretary

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS


NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 15, 2024


NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS (the “Meeting”) of the Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund, (the “AlphaTrak 500 Fund”) and theMetropolitan West Corporate Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Sustainable Securitized Fund, Metropolitan West Flexible Income Fund, Metropolitan West Floating Rate Income Fund, Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Intermediate Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Investment Grade Credit Fund, Metropolitan West Low Duration Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Opportunistic High Income Credit Fund, Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund, (the “Strategic Income Fund”)Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Ultra Short Bond Fund and Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund (each a “Fund,”“Fund” and, together, the “Funds”), each a series of the Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”), whose principal executive office is located at 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, will be held on February 15, 2024 at 8:9:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, January 20, 2022Pacific Time at TCW, 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071 to vote onapprove the below proposals in connection with the implementationelection of proposed changes to each Fund’s advisory fee, as described below. After considering eachnine Trustees of the proposals,Trust, as named in the attached proxy statement, to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) has unanimously approved each proposal. The Board believes that each proposal is in the best interests of the applicable Funduntil their successors have been duly elected and its shareholders. The Board recommends that shareholders vote qualifiedFOR each proposal.

The Meeting is being held to seek shareholder approval of the following proposals:.

 

1.

For shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets of the Fund; and

2.

For shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Board and the Adviser are seeking shareholder approval of the proposals to make the fee structure of each Fund less complicated and more understandable to investors and their investment advisors. Additionally, the Adviser believes that the changes would make the advisory fee for each Fund more competitive in the mutual fund marketplace, which could potentially make the Funds more appealing to investors and thereby increase overall assets with the potential to gain economies of scale; however, there is no guarantee that such economies will be realized.

You have received this letter and proxy statement because you were a shareholderShareholders of record of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and/or the Strategic Income Fund on November 2, 2021 (the “Record Date”).


It is very important that we receive your vote before Thursday, January 20, 2022. Voting is quick and easy. Everything you need is enclosed. To cast your vote:

INTERNET: Visit the website indicated on your Proxy Card. Enter the control number on your Proxy Card and follow the instructions.

PHONE: Call the toll-free number listed on your Proxy Card. The control number on your Proxy Card will be neededFunds at the time of the call.

MAIL: Complete the Proxy Card(s) enclosed in this package. BE SURE TO SIGN EACH CARD before mailing it in the postage-paid envelope.

We appreciate your participation and prompt response in this matter. If you have any questions, please contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 888-991-1296.

Sincerely,

/s/     David B. Lippman

DAVID B. LIPPMAN
President and Principal Executive Officer


METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund

Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund

865 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, California 90017

(213) 244-0000

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

A Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund and the Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund (collectively, the “Funds”), each a series of Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”), will be held at the Tivoli Room at Hotel Indigo LA Downtown, 899 Francisco Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, January 20, 2022.

The Meeting is being held to seek shareholder approval of the following proposals:

1.

For shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets of the Fund; and

2.

For shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Board has fixed the close of business on November 2, 2021 as the record date for the determination of the shareholdersJanuary 5, 2024 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote on, the proposal at the Meeting or any adjournment(s)adjournment thereof.

By Order of the Board of Trustees
/s/ Peter Davidson
Peter Davidson
Vice President and Secretary


Dated: January 10, 2024

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLYOF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACHTHE PROPOSAL.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN.

 

By order of the Board,

/s/     David B. Lippman

DAVID B. LIPPMAN
President and Principal Executive Officer

Dated: November 4, 2021PLEASE RETURN OR SUBMIT YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS NOTED ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.

 

 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT – PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY.

Shareholders

As a shareholder of the Funds, you are invitedasked to attend the Meeting either in person or by proxy. If you are unable to attend the Meeting in person. Any shareholder who does not expectperson, we urge you to attendvote by proxy. You can do this by completing, signing, dating and promptly returning or submitting the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope, on-line or by telephone. Your prompt voting by proxy will help assure a quorum at the Meeting and avoid additional expenses to the Funds associated with further solicitation. Voting by proxy will not prevent you from voting your shares in person at the Meeting. You may revoke your proxy before it is urgedexercised at the Meeting by submitting to vote through the InternetSecretary of the Trust a written notice of revocation or by phone by following the voting instructions found on the enclosed Proxy Card or to indicate voting instructions on the enclosed Proxy Card, date and sign it, and return it in the envelope provided, which needs no postage if mailed in the United States. In order to avoid unnecessary expense, we ask that you respond promptly, no matter how large or small your holdings may be.

a subsequently signed proxy card.


PROXY STATEMENT

SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF THE

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund

Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund

865
515 South FigueroaFlower Street


Los Angeles, California 9001790071

PROXY STATEMENT

(213) 244-0000

TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 20, 2022Introduction

This proxy statement (this “Proxy Statement”)Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with athe solicitation of proxies made by andor on behalf of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”) and two of its series, the Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund (the “AlphaTrak 500 Fund”) and the Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund (the “Strategic Income Fund”) (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), for use at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of the FundsTrust (the “Meeting”), to be held on February 15, 2024 at 8:9:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, January 20, 2022,Pacific Time at the Tivoli Room at Hotel Indigo LA Downtown, 899 Francisco Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, or any adjournment(s) thereof. The Meeting is being held to seek shareholder approval of the following proposals:

1.

For shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets of the Fund; and

2.

For shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of average daily net assets of the Fund.

Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 2, 2021 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. This Proxy Statement is expected to be mailed to shareholders of record as of the Record Date on or about November 4, 2021.

1


THE BOARD, INCLUDING ALL OF THE TRUSTEES WHO ARE NOT “INTERESTED PERSONS,” AS DEFINED IN THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED, OF THE TRUST (THE “INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES”), UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH PROPOSAL.

The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement are available at http://www.tcw.com. Enter the control number provided on your Proxy Card and follow the instructions. To obtain directions to attend the Meeting, please call 888-991-1296. The Trust will furnish, without charge, a copy of the Funds’ latest annual and/or semi-annual report to a shareholder upon request. For a free copy of that report, call 1-800-241-4671, write to Metropolitan West Funds, 865TCW, 515 South FigueroaFlower Street, Los Angeles, California 90017 or visit www.tcw.com.

BACKGROUND ON THE PROPOSALS AND VOTING INFORMATION

What is90071, and at any adjournment thereof. The Trust expects to mail this document and why did you send it to me?

As a shareholder of Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund (the “AlphaTrak 500 Fund”) and/or the Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund (the “Strategic Income Fund”) (each, a “Fund,” and together, the “Funds”), each a series of Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”), you are being asked by each Fund’s investment adviser, Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), and the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), to vote on proposals in connection with the implementation of proposed changes to each Fund’s advisory fee. This document includes aProxy Statement, Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Notice”), a Proxy Statement, and a Proxy Card. Please review this document in its entirety carefully before casting your vote.

What am I being asked to vote on?

Shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund are being asked to approve a proposal in connection with the implementation of proposed changes to the Fund’s advisory fee structure, as discussed below and in greater detail in the enclosed Proxy Statement. Specifically, shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund are being asked to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust (the “Advisory Agreement”),accompanying proxy card on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (“Proposal 1”).

Shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund are being askedor about January 10, 2024 to approve a proposal in connection with the implementation of proposed changes to the Fund’s advisory fee structure, as discussed below and in greater detail in the enclosed Proxy Statement. Specifically, shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund are being asked to approve an amendment to the Advisory Agreement, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s

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fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (“Proposal 2” and, together with Proposal 1, the “Proposals”).

The proposed amendment to the Advisory Agreement makes no other changes to the current Advisory Agreement; it would change only the date of effectiveness and the advisory fee rate for each Fund. Additionally, there are no differences in the Adviser’s obligations to the Funds imposed by the proposed amendment.

Each Proposal can be implemented only with shareholder approval.

Why am I being asked to vote?

Currently, the advisory fee each Fund pays to the Adviser depends on whether that Fund outperforms or underperforms its respective benchmark. Generally, in years where a Fund outperforms its benchmark, the advisory fee for the Fund will be higher, and in years where a Fund underperforms its benchmark, the advisory fee for the Fund will be lower. If shareholders approve Proposal 1, the advisory fee for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, regardless of how it performs, will be 0.40%. If shareholders approve Proposal 2, the advisory fee for the Strategic Income Fund, regardless of how it performs, will be 0.65%.

The Board and the Adviser are seeking shareholder approval of the Proposals to make the fee structure of each Fund less complicated and more understandable to investors and their investment advisers. Additionally, the Adviser believes that the changes would make the advisory fee for each Fund more competitive in the mutual fund marketplace, which could potentially make the Funds more appealing to investors and thereby increase overall assets with the potential to gain economies of scale; however, there is no guarantee that such economies will be realized.

How could the Proposals benefit the Adviser?

If shareholders approve Proposal 1, the advisory fee rate for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, regardless of how it performs, will be 0.40%. If shareholders approve Proposal 2, the advisory fee rate for the Strategic Income Fund, regardless of how it performs, will be 0.65%. This change could benefit the Adviser, because if a Fund underperforms its benchmark, the advisory fee the Fund pays under the proposed fee structure could be higher than the advisory fee the Fund pays under the current fulcrum fee structure.

Additionally, the Adviser believes that removing the fulcrum fee for each Fund and implementing an advisory fee rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and 0.65% of average daily net assets for the Strategic Income Fund will increase the competitiveness and marketability of the Funds and thus create the potential to grow overall assets. If the Funds’ assets grow, the Adviser will receive more in advisory fees, because the overall average daily net assets on which the Adviser will collect advisory fees will be greater.

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How could the Proposals benefit me?

As stated above, if shareholders approve Proposal 1, the advisory fee rate for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, regardless of how it performs, will be 0.40%. If shareholders approve Proposal 2, the advisory fee rate for the Strategic Income Fund, regardless of how it performs, will be 0.65%. These changes could benefit shareholders, because if a Fund outperforms its benchmark, the advisory fee the Fund pays under the proposed fee structure could be lower than the advisory fee the Fund pays under the current fulcrum fee structure.

Additionally, as explained above and more fully in the Proxy Statement, the Adviser believes that removing the fulcrum fee and implementing an advisory fee rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and 0.65% of average daily net assets for the Strategic Income Fund will increase the competitiveness and marketability of the Funds and thus create the potential to grow overall assets. If the Funds’ assets grow, you may realize economies of scale through reduced overall expenses; however, there is no guarantee that such economies will be realized.

Finally, the fulcrum fee can result in anomalous advisory fees being charged to the Funds. Under the fulcrum fee structure, if a Fund performs poorly compared to its peers and the overall market but still outperforms its benchmark index, shareholders may pay a higher advisory fee, up to a maximum of 0.70% for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and 1.90% for the Strategic Income Fund. If shareholders approve the Proposals, the advisory fee of a Fund will no longer be calculated based on the performance of the Fund against its benchmark index, and overall market volatility or downturns will not have a potential impact on the Fund’s advisory fee rate.

Will the elimination of the fulcrum fee structure of a Fund result in a change to the Fund’s investment objective or strategies?

No, there are no changes proposed to the investment objective or investment strategies of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund or the Strategic Income Fund.

How does the Board recommend I vote on the Proposals?

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” each Proposal. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, has unanimously approved the Proposals, believes that the Proposals are in the best interests of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and the Strategic Income Fund and their respective shareholders, and recommends that you approve the Proposal(s) applicable to your Fund(s).

Who is Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.?

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (the “Solicitor” or “Broadridge”) is a company that has been engaged by the Funds to assist in the solicitation of proxies. The Solicitor is not affiliated with the Funds or with the Adviser. The expenses of this

4


solicitation are estimated to be approximately $25,000. In order to hold a shareholder meeting, a certain percentage of a fund’s shares (often referred to as “quorum”) must be represented at the meeting. If a quorum is not attained, the meeting must adjourn to a future date. The Funds may attempt to reach shareholders through multiple mailings to remind the shareholders to cast their vote. As the Meeting approaches, phone calls may be made to shareholders who have not yet voted their shares so that the Meeting does not have to be adjourned or postponed. Voting your shares immediately will help minimize additional solicitation expenses and prevent the need to call you to solicit your vote.

Who is paying for the expenses of this solicitation of proxies in connection with the Meeting?

The expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation, including expenses associated with preparing the Proxy Statement and its enclosures and all related legal and solicitation expenses, will be borne by the Adviser.

Who is eligible to vote?

Only shareholders of record of the FundsTrust as of the close of business on November 2, 2021, the Record Date, are entitled to notice of, and to be present and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. Shareholders of record of each Fund as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to cast one vote for each full share and a fractional vote for each fractional share they hold on Proposal 1 and/or Proposal 2, as applicable.January 5, 2024 (the “Record Date”).

How can a quorum be established?

The presence of 40% of the outstanding shares of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund on the Record Date constitutes a quorum for the Meeting for that Fund with respect to Proposal 1. The presence of 40% of the outstanding shares of the Strategic Income Fund on the Record Date constitutes a quorum for that Fund with respect to Proposal 2. In determining whether a quorumTrust is present, shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions and votes that are withheld will be countedan open-end, management investment company, as shares that are present and entitled to vote. “Broker non-votes” will not be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. “Broker non-votes” are shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power; or (ii) the broker or nominee has not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other person who is entitled to instruct how the shares will be voted.

What vote is required?

The approval of the amendment to the Advisory Agreement by a Fund requires the affirmative vote of the “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of that Fund. Underdefined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”),. The principal executive offices of the Trust are located at 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. The Trust offers shares of fourteen separate operational series or funds (each of which may offer more than one share class): Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund, Metropolitan West Corporate Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Sustainable Securitized Fund, Metropolitan West Flexible Income Fund, Metropolitan West Floating Rate Income Fund, Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Intermediate Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Investment Grade Credit Fund, Metropolitan West Low Duration Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Opportunistic High Income Credit Fund, Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund, Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund, Metropolitan West Ultra Short Bond Fund and Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund. Each series of the Trust other than the Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund, the Metropolitan West Floating Rate Income Fund, the Metropolitan West Low Duration Bond Fund, the Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund and the Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund has two classes of shares of beneficial interest, Class M and Class I. The Metropolitan West Low Duration Bond Fund and the Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund each also has an Administrative Class of shares of beneficial interest. The Metropolitan West Floating Rate Income Fund, the Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund and the Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund each also has a

Plan Class of shares of beneficial interest. The Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund additionally has an I-2 Class of shares of beneficial interest.

 

5Voting; Revocation of Proxies


“majorityAll proxies solicited by the Board, which are properly executed and received by the Secretary of the outstanding voting securities” is defined asTrust before the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of a Fund presentMeeting, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the shareholders’ instructions thereon. A shareholder may revoke the accompanying proxy at any time before it is voted by delivering to the Trust before the Meeting a written notification or revocation or a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date. In addition, any shareholder who attends the Meeting in person may vote by ballot at the Meeting, thereby canceling any proxy previously given. If no instruction is given on a signed and returned proxy card, it will be voted “FOR” the proposals and the proxies may vote in their discretion with respect to other matters not now known to the Board that may be properly presented at the Meeting. Any shareholder may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal, but if the holdersshareholder fails to specify the number of more than 50%shares which the shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder’s approving vote is with respect to the total shares that the shareholder is entitled to vote on such proposal.

All proxies voted, including abstentions, will be counted toward establishing a quorum. Abstentions do not constitute a vote “for” and effectively result in a vote “against.” Broker non-votes (where the underlying holder has not voted and the broker does not vote the shares) do not represent a vote “for” or “against” and are disregarded in determining whether a quorum was established or whether a proposal has received enough votes, except where a minimum number of the outstanding voting securities is required, in which case a broker non-vote effectively counts as a vote against the proposal.

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Record Date/Shareholders Entitled to Vote

Shareholders of record of the FundFunds at the close of business on the Record Date are present or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50%entitled to notice of, and to vote on, the proposals at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof. At the close of business on the Record Date, the Funds had the following outstanding shares:

FundShares Outstanding as of Record Date
(January 5, 2024)
AlphaTrak 500 Fund
Class M2,503,733.420
Corporate Bond Fund
Class M328,092.828
Class I269,320.252
Sustainable Securitized Fund
Class M3,800.213
Class I797,532.392
Flexible Income Fund
Class M6,174,262.083
Class I37,660,816.289
Floating Rate Income Fund
Class M1,185,982.537
Class I32,478,186.224
Plan Class1,104.232
High Yield Bond Fund
Class M12,704,798.721
Class I39,678,681.448
Intermediate Bond Fund
Class M1,851,792.526
Class I102,258,595.212
Investment Grade Credit Fund
Class M696,826.214
Class I1,386,337.387
Low Duration Bond Fund
Class M19,022,412.112
Class I140,581,667.905
Admin Class971.435
Opportunistic High Income Credit Fund
Class M13,905.089
Class I177,318.423
Strategic Income Fund
Class M8,483,991.779
Class I3,940,026.243

2

FundShares Outstanding as of Record Date
(January 5, 2024)
Total Return Bond Fund
Class M449,204,125.478
Class I3,627,082,262.076
Class I-28,061,934.524
Plan Class2,001,220,765.926
Admin Class144,583,439.515
Ultra Short Bond Fund
Class M3,281,787.080
Class I9,433,752.943
Unconstrained Bond Fund
Class M13,788,819.642
Class I199,793,531.072
Plan Class38,054,341.777

Quorum and Adjournment/Required Vote

Forty percent (40%) of the outstanding voting securitiesshares of the Fund. Shareholders ofTrust on the Strategic Income Fund will vote on Proposal 2 in the aggregate as one class, and not by class of shares.

How do I vote my shares?

Although you may attend the Meeting and voteRecord Date, represented in person you do not have to. You can vote your shares by completing and signing the enclosed Proxy Card and mailing it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You may also vote through the Internet by visiting the Internet site listed on your Proxy Card and following the on-line instructions or by calling the toll-free number listed on your Proxy Card. If you need any assistanceproxy, must be present to vote your shares or have any questions regarding the Proposals, please call 888-991-1296.

If you simply sign and date the Proxy Card but do not indicateconstitute a specific vote, your shares will be voted “FOR” the applicable Proposal(s) and to grant discretionary authority to the persons named in the Proxy Card as to any other matters that properly come before the Meeting.

In determining whether shareholders have approved a Proposal, votes that are withheld and abstentions will be treated as shares present at the Meeting for establishing a quorum but that have not been voted. Accordingly, abstentions effectively will be votes “AGAINST” the Proposals because each Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the applicable Fund.

Shareholders who execute proxies may revoke them at any time before they are voted by (1) filing with the Funds a written notice of revocation, (2) timely voting a proxy bearing a later date or (3) attending the Meeting and voting in person.

What will happen if there are not enough votes to approve the Proposals?

It is important that we receive your signed Proxy Card to ensure that there is a quorum for the Meeting. If we do not receive your vote after several weeks, you may be contacted by a representative of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., who will remind you to vote your shares and help you return your Proxy Card. In the event that, with respect to each Proposal,the proposal presented. If a quorum is not present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the Meeting to a quorum is presentlater date, without notice other than announcement at the Meeting, but sufficient votes to approveuntil a Proposal are not received,quorum shall be present or represented. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting maywill be adjourned from timecounted by persons appointed by the Trust to time, whether or notact as inspectors of election for the Meeting.

A plurality of shares voted is necessary to elect each Trustee, meaning that the nominee receiving more votes relative to any other nominee running against that person will be elected.

The shares of each Fund will be counted using dollar-based voting. This means that each share of a quorum is present,Fund will represent the number of votes equal to that share’s net asset value on the Record Date.

Shareholder Reports

The Trust will furnish, without charge, a copy of its annual report, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and the Meeting may be held as adjourned within a reasonable time after the date setmost recent semi-annual report for the original Meeting without further notice.

six months ended September 30, 2023, to any shareholder upon request. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the annual report and semi-annual report by contacting the Trust at 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071 or by calling (800) 241-4671.

 

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Please complete, sign and return the enclosed Proxy Card in the enclosed envelope.

No postage is required if mailed in the United States.

You may also vote your proxy through the Internet or by phone in accordance with the instructions

set forth on the enclosed Proxy Card.

PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

 

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PROPOSALS

APPROVAL OF AMENDENT TO ADVISORY AGREEMENT

Proposal 1

The purpose of Proposal 1this proposal is for shareholdersto elect the Board of Trustees of the AlphaTrak 500 FundTrust who will assume office immediately upon election by shareholders. The Board is currently comprised of six members identified below. At a Board of Trustees meeting held on December 11, 2023, the Board unanimously nominated nine individuals (each a “Nominee”) to approveserve as Trustees of the Trust. The Board nominated all six current Trustees for re-election as Trustees. In addition, the Board nominated three Nominees for election who do not currently serve on the Board (each a “New Nominee”). Each Nominee has agreed to stand for election, serve if elected and hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified.

The following schedule sets forth certain information regarding each Nominee, including his or her age, address and any positions with the Trust, the length of time he or she has served as Trustee, if applicable, the Nominee’s principal occupations during the past five years (his or her titles may have varied during the period), the total number of separate portfolios in the fund complex the Nominee would oversee if elected, and certain other board memberships held by the Nominee during the past five years.

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Nominees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are referred to as “Independent Trustees.” Nominees who are “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act are referred to as “Interested Trustees.”

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Nominees. The mailing address of each Trustee and executive officer of the Trust is 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071.

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Name and Year of Birth

Position(s)

Held with

Trust

Term of Office and

Length of Time

Served*

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past

Five Years

Number of Funds

in Fund Complex

Overseen by

Nominee**

Other Directorships Held

by Trustee or Nominee for Trustee

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES***
Patrick C. Haden
(1953)
TrusteeIndefinite term, since 2019President (since 2003), Wilson Ave. Consulting (business consulting firm).31Auto Club (affiliate of AAA); TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual funds); TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (closed-end fund)
Martin Luther King III
(1957)
Trustee and
Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee
Indefinite term, since 1997President and Chief Executive Officer (since 1998), The King Center (non-profit organization). Since January 2006, he has served as Chief Executive Officer of Realizing the Dream, a non-profit organization that continues the humanitarian and liberating work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. He has been engaged as an independent motivational lecturer since 1980.30None
Peter McMillan
(1957)
TrusteeIndefinite term, since 2009Co-founder (since 2019), Pacific Oak Capital Advisors (investment advisory firm); Co-founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer (since May 2013), Temescal Canyon Partners (investment advisory firm); Co-founder and Executive Vice President (2005 – 2019), KBS Capital Advisors (a manager of real estate investment trusts).31Pacific Oak Strategic Opportunity REIT (real estate investments); Keppel Pacific Oak U.S. REIT (real estate investments); Pacific Oak Residential Trust (real estate investments); TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual funds); TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (closed-end fund); TCW DL VII Financing LLC (private fund)

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Name and Year of Birth

Position(s)

Held with

Trust

Term of Office and

Length of Time

Served*

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past

Five Years

Number of Funds

in Fund Complex

Overseen by

Nominee**

Other Directorships Held

by Trustee or Nominee for Trustee

Robert G. Rooney
(1957)
TrusteeIndefinite term, since 2009Founder (since August 2022), RGR Advisors CT, LLC (financial advisory firm); Senior Financial Advisor (August 2020 – March 2021), Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (November 2018 – August 2020), REEF Technology (real estate and technology services company); Chief Financial Officer (January 2018 – November 2018), Citizens Parking Inc. (nationwide automobile parking facilities).30None
Andrew Tarica
(1959)
Trustee and Chairman of the BoardIndefinite term, since 2002 and 2008, respectivelyDirector of Fixed Income (since February 2022), Forest Road Securities (broker-dealer); Chief Executive Officer (since February 2001), Meadowbrook Capital Management (asset management company); Employee (2003 – January 2022), Cowen Prime Services (broker-dealer).35TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual funds); TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (closed-end fund); TCW Direct Lending VII, LLC (business development company); TCW Direct Lending VIII, LLC (business development company); TCW Star Direct Lending, LLC (business development company); TCW ETF Trust (exchange-traded fund)

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Name and Year of Birth

Position(s)

Held with

Trust

Term of Office and

Length of Time

Served*

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past

Five Years

Number of Funds

in Fund Complex

Overseen by

Nominee**

Other Directorships Held

by Trustee or Nominee for Trustee

INTERESTED TRUSTEES****
Patrick Moore
(1964)
TrusteeIndefinite term, since 2014Group Managing Director (since 2000), Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC and TCW LLC. Mr. Moore is a member of the CFA Institute.30None
NOMINEES FOR INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE***
Victoria Rogers
(1964)
NomineeN/APresident and Chief Executive Officer (since 1996), The Rose Hills Foundation (charitable foundation).31Norton Simon Museum (art museum); Causeway Capital Management Trust (mutual funds); The Rose Hills Foundation (charitable foundation); Saint John’s Health Center Foundation (charitable foundation); TCW Funds, Inc. (mutual funds); TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (closed-end fund)
Michael Swell
(1966)
NomineeN/ARetired (since 2021); Partner and Managing Director (2007-2021), Goldman Sachs Asset Management (asset management company).30Apollo Realty Income Solutions Inc. (nontraded real estate investment trust)

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Name and Year of Birth

Position(s)

Held with

Trust

Term of Office and

Length of Time

Served*

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past

Five Years

Number of Funds

in Fund Complex

Overseen by

Nominee**

Other Directorships Held

by Trustee or Nominee for Trustee

NOMINEE FOR INTERESTED TRUSTEE****
Megan McClellan
(1978)
President and Principal Executive Officer; NomineeN/AGroup Managing Director (since July 2023), The TCW Group, Inc., TCW LLC, the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC30None

*A Trustee serves until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until the earlier of his or her, death, resignation, retirement or removal.

**The Fund Complex consists of the Trust, TCW Funds, Inc., TCW ETF Trust and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. Each Nominee is also nominated for election as a director of TCW Funds, Inc. and a trustee of TCW ETF Trust, and if so elected will oversee all funds in the Fund Complex (except for those trustees who do not currently serve as directors of TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.).

***Denotes a Trustee or Nominee who is not an “interested” person of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.

****Denotes a Trustee or Nominee who is an “interested” person of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act, due to the relationship indicated with the Adviser.

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OFFICERS OF THE TRUST WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES

Name and Year of Birth

Position(s)

Held with Trust

Term of Office and Length of Time Served*

Principal Occupation(s) During Past

Five Years

Richard Villa
(1964)
Treasurer, Principal
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
Since February 2021Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (since 2008), the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC, The TCW Group, Inc. and (since 2016), TCW LLC; Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (since February 2014), TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Drew Bowden
(1961)
Executive Vice PresidentSince December 2023Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since September 2023), the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, The TCW Group, Inc., TCW Asset Management Company LLC, TCW LLC; Chief Operating Officer (August 2021- September 2023) Western Asset Management Company; Executive Vice President and General Counsel (March 2020-February 2021) and Senior Vice President and General Counsel (May 2015-March 2020), Jackson Financial Inc.
Eric Chan
(1978)
Assistant TreasurerSince 2010Managing Director of Fund Operations (since November 2006), the Adviser and (since 2009), TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC and TCW LLC; Assistant Treasurer (since 2009), TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. Mr. Chan is a Certified Public Accountant
Lisa Eisen
(1963)
Tax OfficerSince December 2016Tax Officer (since December 2016), TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Managing Director and Director of Tax (since August 2016), TCW LLC.
Gladys Xiques
(1973)
Chief Compliance
Officer and Anti-Money
Laundering Officer
Since January 2021Chief Compliance Officer and AML Officer (since January 2021), TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Group Managing Director and Global Chief Compliance Officer (since January 2021), the Adviser, TCW LLC, TCW Investment Management Company LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC; Global Chief Compliance Officer (since January 2021), The TCW Group, Inc.; Senior Vice President (February 2015 – December 2020), the Adviser, TCW LLC, TCW Investment Management Company LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC

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Name and Year of Birth

Position(s)

Held with Trust

Term of Office and Length of Time Served*

Principal Occupation(s) During Past

Five Years

Peter Davidson
(1972)
Vice President and SecretarySince September 2022 and December 2023, respectivelySenior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary (since July 2022), the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC, TCW LLC; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since September 2022), TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.; Assistant General Counsel – Investment Products and Advisory Services (2020 – July 2022), The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company; Associate General Counsel (2019 – August 2020), Resolute Investment Managers; Assistant General Counsel (2003 – October 2019), Invesco Ltd.

*An officer serves until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until the earlier of his or her, death, resignation, retirement or removal.

Board Meetings and Standing Committees

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Board met five times. Each incumbent Trustee attended at least 75% of all meetings of the Board held during the fiscal year, including the meetings of the Board’s committees on which such Trustee was a member. The Trust does not hold annual shareholders meetings and, therefore, the Board does not have a policy with regard to Trustee attendance at such meetings.

The Board has an amendmentAudit Committee consisting of Messrs. Haden, King, McMillan, Rooney and Tarica. Mr. Rooney serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. If elected as a Trustee, the Board intends to appoint Ms. Rogers as Chair of the Audit Committee. All of the members of the Audit Committee are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). The Audit Committee reviews the scope and results of the Trust’s annual audit with the Trust’s independent registered public accountants, recommends the engagement of such accountants and approves all audit services and permissible non-audit services. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

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The Board has a Nominating and Governance Committee consisting of all the Independent Trustees. Mr. King is Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee (i) evaluates the qualifications of Board member candidates and makes nominations for Independent Trustee membership on the Board; (ii) recommends Trustee compensation for consideration by the full Board; and (iii) considers general matters of Trust governance and Board operations. The Nominating and Governance Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Additional Information About the Nominees

The Board took into account a variety of factors in the selection of candidates to serve as a Trustee, including the composition of the Board. Generally, no one factor was decisive in the selection of an individual to nominate for election to the Board. Among the factors the Board considered when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board were the following: (i) the individual’s business and professional experience and accomplishments; (ii) the individual’s ability to work effectively with the other members of the Board; and (iii) how the individual’s skills, experience, and attributes would contribute to an appropriate mix of relevant skills, experience and attributes on the Board. In addition, the Nominees also possess various other intangible qualities such as intelligence, work ethic, the ability to work together, to communicate effectively, to ask incisive questions and exercise judgment, and to oversee the business of the Trust. The Board also considered, among other factors, the particular attributes described below with respect to the various individual Nominees.

Patrick C. Haden. Mr. Haden is the President of Wilson Ave. Consulting. From July 2016 through June 2017, he served as the Senior Advisor to the President of the University of Southern California. He also currently serves on the board of directors of Auto Club, an affiliate of AAA, and as the Independent Chairman of the board of TCW Funds, Inc., a series of mutual funds, and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc., a publicly traded closed-end fund. Previously, he was the Athletic Director of the University of Southern California. Mr. Haden is a Rhodes Scholar and prior to August 2010 was a member of the board of trustees of the University of Southern California.

Martin Luther King III. Mr. King is a nationally prominent community leader and organizer. He has held leadership positions with various community organizations including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of The King Center (since 1998) and as Chief Executive Officer of Realizing the Dream (since January 2006).

Megan McClellan. Ms. McClellan is Head of Corporate Strategy for TCW. In this role, she develops and implements long-term strategic plans for TCW focused on growth and innovation with President and CEO Katie Koch. Prior to joining TCW, Ms. McClellan spent more than 15 years at J.P. Morgan where she held a number of senior roles across the firm, including Global Head of Private Credit, CFO of Asset Management, and Head of U.S. Fixed Income for Wealth Management. Prior to her leadership roles, Ms. McClellan was a fixed income trader and portfolio manager. Active in the community, Ms. McClellan serves as Co-Chair for the Philips Andover Academy Development Board and as a Member of the Board of the Block Island Maritime Institute. She volunteers with the SPCA of Westchester County.

Peter McMillan. Mr. McMillan is a Co-Founder of Pacific Oak Capital Advisors, an investment advisory agreementfirm, and Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Temescal Canyon Partners, an investment advisory firm. He is a Co-Founder of KBS Capital Advisors, a manager of real estate investment trusts, and from 2005 through 2019, served as Executive Vice President. Mr. McMillan serves on the boards of various Pacific Oak real estate investment trusts, TCW Funds, Inc., TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc., and TCW DL VII Financing LLC. Prior to forming Willowbrook Capital Group in 2000, Mr. McMillan served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Sun America Investments, Inc. Prior to 1989, he served as Assistant Vice President for Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company with responsibility for the company’s fixed income portfolios.

Patrick Moore. Mr. Moore is an executive officer with the Advisor and has many years of experience with the Advisor’s portfolio management activities for its clients, including the Funds.

Victoria B. Rogers. Ms. Rogers is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rose Hills Foundation. She also serves on the boards of Norton Simon Museum, Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, The Rose Hills Foundation, TCW Funds, Inc., TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc., and Causeway Capital Management Trust, a mutual fund complex. Previously, Ms. Rogers served on the boards of The Chandler School, The Hotchkiss School, Polytechnic School, Stanford University, USA Water Polo, USC Rossier School of Education and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in the area of taxes, accounting, non-profit organizations and foundation management, having been previously employed by Deloitte, Security Pacific Bank and The Whittier Trust Company.

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Robert G. Rooney. Mr. Rooney has many years of senior executive and board experience with various companies, including in-depth experience with financial matters. He has served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of REEF Technology from November 2018 to August 2020 and Senior Financial Advisor from August 2020 to March 2021. Previously, he was Chief Financial Officer of Citizens Parking Inc. from January 2018 to November 2018, Chief Financial Officer of Novitex Enterprise Solutions, Inc. from 2015 to 2017, Partner at Televerse Media from 2011 to 2015 and was Executive Vice President and interim Chief Financial Officer at Affinion from October 2005 to January 2006. Between November 2004 and October 2005, Mr. Rooney was Executive Vice President at CMG (predecessor to Affinion) and between January 2004 and October 2004, Mr. Rooney was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at CMG. From July 2001 to January 2004, Mr. Rooney was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Trilegiant, a subsidiary of Affinion.

Michael Swell. Mr. Swell has many years of experience as an executive in the securities industry. He served as Partner and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Asset Management from 2007 to 2021 where he led portfolio management globally across all fixed income products. He founded and served as portfolio manager on a number of flagship fixed income funds/strategies and has successfully trained, mentored and managed a large number of employees. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Swell was a senior managing director and led the fixed income team at Friedman, Billings & Ramsey. Prior to Friedman, Billings & Ramsey, Mr. Swell was vice president and head of securities sales and trading at Freddie Mac.

Andrew Tarica. Since 2001, Mr. Tarica has been Chief Executive Officer of Meadowbrook Capital Management, a fixed-income credit asset management company that also manages a fixed income hedge fund. In February 2022, Mr. Tarica joined Forest Road Securities as Director of Fixed Income. From 2003 through 2010, Mr. Tarica served as an employee of the broker-dealer business of Sanders Morris Harris, a Houston, Texas-based asset manager and broker-dealer, where he managed a fixed-income portfolio. Sanders Morris Harris’ broker-dealer business became Concept Capital Markets, LLC in 2010. In September 2015, Concept Capital Markets, LLC was purchased by Cowen & Co, where Mr. Tarica was employed until January 2022. From 1992 to 1999 Mr. Tarica was the global head of the high grade corporate bond department at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. From 1990 to 1992 he ran the investment grade sales and trading department at Kidder Peabody. He began his career at Drexel Burnham in 1983 in the investment grade trading area, where he eventually became the head of trading. Mr. Tarica also serves on the boards of the TCW Funds, Inc., TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc., TCW Direct Lending VII, LLC, TCW Direct Lending VIII, LLC, TCW Star Direct Lending, LLC and TCW ETF Trust.

Security and Other Interests

The table below sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee or Nominee in each Fund of the Trust and, on an aggregate basis, in any registered investment company overseen by the Trustee within the Trust’s family of investment companies, as of the Record Date.

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Name of Trustee or Nominee

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Funds (1)

(Amounts in Parentheses are

Deferred Trustees’ Fees Invested in the Funds as of the Record Date)

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in All Registered

Investment Companies Overseen

by Trustee in Family of

Investment Companies

(Deferred Trustees’ Fees Invested

in Funds as of the Record Date)

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES AND NOMINEES*
Patrick C. HadenOver $100,000Over $100,000
Martin Luther King, III$1-$10,000$1-$10,000
Peter McMillan(Over $100,000)(Over $100,000)
Victoria B. RogersNoneOver $100,000
Robert Rooney(Over $100,000)(Over $100,000)
Michael SwellNoneNone
Andrew Tarica(Over $100,000)(Over $100,000)
INTERESTED TRUSTEE AND NOMINEE**
Megan McClellan$50,001-$100,000$50,001-$100,000
Patrick MooreOver $100,000Over $100,000

(1)Securities beneficially owned as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) include direct and or indirect ownership of securities where the trustee’s economic interest is tied to the securities, employment ownership and securities when the trustee can exert voting power and when the trustee has authority to sell the securities. The dollar ranges are: None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, Over $100,000.

*Denotes a Trustee or Nominee who is not an “interested” person of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.

**Denotes a Trustee or Nominee who is an “interested” person of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act, due his or her relationship with the Adviser.

As of December 31, 2023, none of the Independent Trustees, or their immediate family members owned, beneficially or of record, any securities in the Adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust, or in a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust.

Compensation

The Trust does not pay salaries to any of its officers or fees to any of its Trustees who are affiliated with the Adviser. Effective January 1, 2022, each Independent Trustee receives an annual retainer of $150,000, with the Independent Chairman of the Board receiving an additional annual retainer of $60,000. Also effective January 1, 2022, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $40,000, and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $20,000. Each Independent Trustee also receives $10,000 for attendance at each of five regularly scheduled meetings during the year and/or $2,500 for telephone attendance at a regularly scheduled or special meeting. The total compensation paid by the Trust to each Independent Trustee for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 is set forth below.

Name Of Trustee

Aggregate
Compensation from
the Trust

Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued As
Part of Fund Expenses

Estimated Annual
Retirement Benefits
Upon Retirement

Total Compensation
From the Trust and
Fund Complex(3) Paid to Trustees

Ronald J. Consiglio(1)$ 200,000NoneNone$ 200,000
Patrick C. Haden$ 200,000NoneNone$ 423,600
Martin Luther King III$ 220,000NoneNone$ 220,000
Andrew Tarica(2)$ 260,000NoneNone$ 432,000
Peter McMillan(2)$ 200,000NoneNone$ 372,000
Robert G. Rooney$ 240,000NoneNone$ 240,000

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(1)Mr. Consiglio retired from the Board on December 31, 2023.

(2)Messrs. Tarica and McMillan participated in a deferred compensation plan for certain eligible Trustees of the Trust during the last fiscal year. The total value of deferred compensation as of March 31, 2023 was as follows: $2,219,141 for Mr. Tarica and $1,502,310 for Mr. McMillan. The deferred compensation plan is discussed in more detail below.

(3)Includes TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc., each a registered investment company advised by TCW Investment Management Company LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Trust has an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) for certain eligible Trustees. The Plan allows Trustees to defer some or all of their annual trustees’ fees otherwise payable by the Trust for a minimum of three years. The fees deferred are posted to a bookkeeping account maintained by the Trust. The various series of the Trust will use the returns on those Funds selected by the Trustee to determine the income, gains and losses to allocate to the account. At the time for commencing distributions from a Trustee’s deferral account, which is no later than when the Trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees, deferred fees will be paid out in a single sum in cash or a maximum of ten annual installments.

Vote Required and Recommendation

The election of each Nominee as a Trustee requires a plurality of the shares voting for this proposal. When there are nine trustee nominees up for election, as is the case here, a vote by plurality means the nine Trustee nominees with the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected, regardless of the votes withheld for the candidates.

THE BOARD, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES, BELIEVES THAT THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE TRUST AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH NOMINEE LISTED IN THIS PROPOSAL.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Other Matters to Come Before the Meeting

The Board does not know of any matters to be presented at the Meeting other than those described in this Proxy Statement. If other business should properly come before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment.

Expenses

The expenses incurred in connection with the Meeting, including printing, mailing, solicitation and vote tabulation and proxy soliciting expenses, legal fees, and out-of-pocket expenses will be shared by the Adviser and the Trust, (the “Advisory Agreement”), on behalfwith the Adviser paying 27 percent of those costs and the remaining 73 percent to be borne by the Trust.

Solicitation of Proxies

Solicitation will be primarily by mail, email and telephone, but officers of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40%Funds or regular employees of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Proposal 2

Adviser may also solicit without compensation by telephone, electronic communication or personal contact. The purpose of Proposal 2 is for shareholders ofFunds will also retain EQ Fund Solutions to assist in the Strategic Income Fundsolicitation process at a cost not expected to approve an amendmentexceed $15,000 with respect to the Advisory Agreement, on behalfFunds’ share of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Introduction

Currently, the AlphaTrak 500 Fund has an advisory fee structure in place where the advisory fee is a performance-driven “fulcrum fee,” which is calculated off of a base fee at an annual rate of 0.35%, with a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annual rate of 0.35% based on the Fund’s performance relative to the S&P 500 Index plus a margin (as described below), resulting in a minimum fee of 0.00% if performance falls below the return of the S&P 500 Index plus that margin, and a maximum of 0.70% if performance exceeds the S&P 500 Index plus that margin.

Currently, the Strategic Income Fund has an advisory fee structure in place where the advisory fee is a performance-driven “fulcrum fee,” which is calculated off of a base fee at an annual rate of 1.20%, with a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annual rate of 0.70% based on the Fund’s performance relative to the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus a margin (as described below), resulting in a minimum fee of 0.50% if performance falls below the return of the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus that margin, and a maximum of 1.90% if performance exceeds the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus that margin.

The fulcrum fee for each Fund is explained more fully below under “Description of Current Advisory Agreement.” Most mutual funds have relatively simple or flat rate fee structures, either charging a fee based on a fund’s average daily net assets or a fee schedule that includes breakpoints whereby the advisory fee rate decreases as the fund’s asset size increases. Conversely, the fulcrum fee structure is more complicated. The Board and the Adviser are seeking shareholder approval of the Proposals to make the fee structure of each Fund less complicated and more understandable to investors and their investment advisers. Additionally, the Adviser believes that the changes

firm’s fees.

 

8


would make the advisory fee for each Fund more competitive in the mutual fund marketplace, which could potentially make the Funds more appealing to investors and thereby increase overall assets with the potential to gain economies of scale; however, there is no guarantee that such economies will be realized.

If Proposal 1 is not approved by shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, that Fund’s existing advisory agreement and fulcrum fee structure will remain in effect. If Proposal 2 is not approved by shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund, that Fund’s existing advisory agreement and fulcrum fee structure will remain in effect. If shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund approve Proposal 1 at the Meeting, the advisory fee rate at an annual rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets will become effective on February 1, 2022, or as soon as practicable following shareholder approval. If shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund approve Proposal 2 at the Meeting, the advisory fee rate at an annual rate of 0.65% of average daily net assets will become effective on February 1, 2022, or as soon as practicable following shareholder approval.

Shareholders of each Fund should consider the potential benefits to the Adviser if they approve the Proposals:

 

If the Funds’ assets grow as a result of having a less complex fee structure and therefore becoming more attractive to investors, the Adviser will receive more in advisory fees, because the overall average daily net assets on which the Adviser will collect the advisory fee will be greater.

If a Fund underperforms its benchmark, the advisory fee rate the Fund pays under the proposed fee structure could be higher than the advisory fee rate the Fund pays under the current fulcrum fee structure.

Shareholders of each Fund should also consider the potential benefits to themselves if the Proposals are approved:

If the Funds’ assets grow as a result of having a less complex fee structure and therefore becoming more attractive to investors, shareholders may realize economies of scale through reduced overall expenses. Shareholders should note, however, that there is no guarantee such economies will be realized.

If a Fund outperforms its benchmark, the advisory fee rate the Fund pays under the proposed fee structure could be lower than the advisory fee rate the Fund pays under the current fulcrum fee structure.

The fulcrum fee can result in anomalous advisory fees being charged to the Funds. Under the fulcrum fee structure, if a Fund performs poorly compared to its peers and the overall market, but still outperforms its benchmark index, shareholders may pay a higher advisory fee (or even 0.70% of average daily net assets for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and 1.90% for the Strategic Income Fund—the maximum advisory fee permitted under the fulcrum fee structure). The Adviser believes that it is in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to change the fee structure to a flat fee that is more understandable and predictable.

9


Information Regarding the Adviser

Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, with principal offices at 865515 South FigueroaFlower Street, Los Angeles, California 90017,90071, acts as the investment adviser to the Funds and generally administers the affairs of the Trust. Subject to the direction and control of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser supervises and arranges the purchase and sale of securities and other assets held in the portfolio of the Fund.Funds. The Adviser was founded in 1996, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of TCW Asset Management Company LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc. (“TCW Group”). The Adviser had approximately $140.9$102.8 billion under management or committed to management as of OctoberDecember 31, 2021.2023. The Adviser, together with TCW Group and its other subsidiaries, which provide a variety of investment management and investment advisory services, had approximately $264.8$209.6 billion under management or committed to management, including $226.9$177.5 billion of fixed income investments, as of OctoberDecember 31, 2021.2023.

The following table provides the name and principal occupation of each executive officer of the Adviser. The address of each officer and the Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser is c/o Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC, with principal offices at 865515 South FigueroaFlower Street, Los Angeles, California 90017.90071.

 

NameMember or Executive Officer

Principal Occupation(s)

Laird Landmann

Kathryn KochPresident for the Adviser and Group Managing Director ofChief Executive Officer (since February 2023), The TCW Group, Inc., TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC and TCW LLC

David B. Lippman

Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser (since June 2008), and the Chief Executive Officer and President of The TCW Group, Inc., TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC and TCW LLC

Tad Rivelle*

Chief Investment Officer and Group Managing Director for the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC, and (February 2023 to December 2023)of TCW LLCFunds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.
Liz KraningerExecutive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer (since March 2021), The TCW Group, Inc., TCW LLC, the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC.
Melissa StolfiExecutive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer (since November 2023), The TCW Group, Inc., TCW LLC, the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC.

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Member or Executive Officer

Principal Occupation(s)

Richard Villa

Group Managing Director,Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary (since 2008) of the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW Asset Management Company LLC and The TCW Group, Inc. (since 2008) and TCW LLC (since 2016); TCW LLC; Treasurer, and Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (since February 2014) of TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (since February 2014).
Meredith JacksonDrew BowdenExecutive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of(since September 2023), the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, The TCW Group, Inc., TCW LLC, TCW InvestmentAsset Management Company LLC, and TCW Asset Management Company LLC

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LLC.

Name

Principal Occupation(s)

Patrick Dennis

Peter DavidsonSenior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of(since July 2022), the Adviser, TCW Investment Management Company LLC, TCW LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC, TCW LLC; Vice President (since September 2022) and Secretary (since December 2023), TCW Funds, Inc. and TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.

 

*

Mr. Rivelle will retire as an officer of the Adviser as of December 31, 2021.

The following table sets forth the Trustees and officers of the FundsTrust who are also an officer, employee or member of the Adviser.

 

NameMember or Executive Officer

Position with the Trust

Position with the Adviser

Patrick Moore

Trustee and NomineeGroup Managing Director

Laird Landmann

Eric Chan
Assistant TreasurerTrustee and Executive Vice PresidentPresident

Managing Director of Fund Operations

David B. Lippman

Megan McClellanPresident and Principal Executive OfficerChief Executive Officer

Eric Chan

Assistant TreasurerManaging Director of Fund Operations

Tad Rivelle*

Executive Vice PresidentChief Investment Officer and Group Managing Director

Stephen M. Kane

Executive Vice PresidentGroup Managing Director

Richard Villa

Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting OfficerGroup Managing DirectorExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Drew Bowden

Executive Vice PresidentExecutive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Gladys Xiques

Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering OfficerGroup Managing Director and Global Chief Compliance Officer

Meredith Jackson

Peter DavidsonVice President and SecretaryExecutive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Adviser

Patrick Dennis

Vice President and Assistant SecretarySenior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

 

*

Mr. Rivelle will retire as an officer of the Trust and the Adviser as of December 31, 2021.

InterestedControl Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

To the knowledge of the Trust, and the Funds

Messrs. Moore and Landmann are deemed to be “interested persons”as of the TrustRecord Date, each of the nominees and the Funds because of their current ownership positions with the Adviser and status as executive officers of the Adviser. They each serveTrust beneficially owned individually and collectively as a Trustee of the Trust. Accordingly, they may be considered to have an interest with respect to the Proposals.

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Description of the Advisory Agreement

The Adviser provides investment advisory services to each Fund under an Investment Management Agreement dated February 6, 2013, as amended (the “Advisory Agreement”), between the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and the Adviser. The Agreement was approved for a two-year initial term by the shareholders of each series then existing, including the Funds, at a special meeting of shareholders held on November 28, 2012, which was adjourned until December 20, 2012 with respect to certain series of the Trust. The Agreement was most recently amended on July 29, 2021 for the purpose of adding two new series of the Trust. Following the Advisory Agreement’s initial two-year term with respect to each Fund, the Advisory Agreement continues in effect from year- to-year provided that the continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the vote of the holders of at least a majoritygroup less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any Fund.

16

AppendixA to this Proxy Statement lists the Funds, or bypersons that, to the Board, and, in either event, by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons”knowledge of the Trust, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19)owned beneficially 5% or more of the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”) casting votes in person at a meeting called for that purpose.

The Advisory Agreement has a current term through February 5, 2023. The Board, including a majority of Independent Trustees, last approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement on September 20, 2021.

The proposed amendment to the advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds (the “Proposed Amendment”), makes no changes to the Advisory Agreement, other than changing the date of effectiveness and the advisory fee rate for each Fund. Additionally, there are no differences in the Adviser’s obligations to the Funds imposed by the Proposed Amendment.

Management Fees and Other Fees

AlphaTrak 500 Fund. Under the Advisory Agreement relating to the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, the Trust currently pays the Adviser a basic management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The basic fee may be adjusted upward or downward (by a performance component of up to 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets), depending on whether and to what extent the investment performance of the Fund, exceeds or is exceeded by the investment record of the S&P 500 Stock Price Index plus a margin.

For purposes of the performance component of the management fee, the Fund uses a rolling 3-month performance period. The performance adjustment, which is applied to the Fund’s average daily net assets for the performance period, equals 35% of the difference between the Fund’s investment performance and the investment record of the S&P 500 Stock Price Index plus a margin of 0.30%, up to a maximum annual performance adjustment of a positive or negative 0.35%. This formula requires that the Fund’s performance exceed the investment record of the Index plus the margin before any performance adjustment is earned. If the Fund’s performance is below the

12


performance of the Index plus the margin, a negative performance adjustment would apply, and would reduce the Adviser’s fee. Thus, the maximum possible management fee payable by the Fund is an annual rate of 0.70% and the minimum is 0.00%.

Here are examples of how the adjustment would work (using annual rates for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund):

Fund
Performance
(assuming max
0.70% fee)
 Index
Plus
0.30%
Margin
 Basic
Fee
 Performance
Adjustment
 Current Total
Fee Rate
 Proposed Total
Fee Rate
7.00% 5.30% 0.35% 0.35% 0.70% 0.40%
6.00% 5.30% 0.35% 0.25% 0.60% 0.40%
5.00% 5.30% 0.35% -0.11% 0.24% 0.40%
4.00% 5.30% 0.35% -0.35% 0.00% 0.40%
3.00% 5.30% 0.35% -0.35% 0.00% 0.40%

The Fund’s investment performance is calculated based on its net asset value per share after expenses but assuming the maximum possible management fee. For purposes of calculating the Fund’s investment performance, any dividends or capital gains distributions paid by the Fund are treated as if those distributions were reinvested in Fund shares. The investment record for the Index is based on the change in value of the Index and earnings from underlying securities.

Because the adjustment to the basic fee is based on the comparative performance of the Fund and the record of the Index, the controlling factor (regarding the performance adjustment) is not whether the Fund’s performance is up or down, but whether it is up or down more or less than the investment record of the Index plus the margin. Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the Fund is based solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative performance over a longer or shorter period.

Strategic Income Fund. Under the Advisory Agreement relating to all share classes of the Strategic Income Fund, the Trust pays the Adviser a basic management fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an annual rate of 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The basic fee may be adjusted upward or downward (by a performance component of up to 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the relevant 12-month performance period), depending on whether and to what extent the investment performance of the Fund, for that performance period, exceeds or is exceeded by the investment record of the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus a margin.

For purposes of the performance component of the management fee, the Fund uses a rolling 12-month performance period. The performance adjustment, which is applied to the Fund’s average daily net assets for the performance period, equals 35% of the difference between the Fund’s investment performance and the investment record of

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the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus a margin of 0.10%, up to a maximum annual performance adjustment of a positive or negative 0.70%. This formula requires that the Fund’s performance exceed the investment record of the Index plus the margin before any performance adjustment is earned. If the Fund’s performance is below the performance of the Index plus the margin, a negative performance adjustment would apply, and would reduce the Adviser’s fee. Thus, the maximum possible management fee payable by the Fund is an annual rate of 1.90% and the minimum is 0.50%. The performance adjustment is calculated based on the performance of the Fund’s Class I Shares, which are the highest expense (lowest performing) share class of the Fund.

Here are examples of how the adjustment would work (using annual rates for the Strategic Income Fund):

Fund
Performance
(assuming max
1.90% fee)
 Index
Plus
0.10%
Margin
 Basic
Fee
 Performance
Adjustment
 Current Total
Fee Rate
 Proposed Total
Fee Rate
7.00% 4.10% 1.20% 0.70% 1.90% 0.65%
6.00% 4.10% 1.20% 0.67% 1.87% 0.65%
5.00% 4.10% 1.20% 0.32% 1.52% 0.65%
4.00% 4.10% 1.20% -0.04% 1.16% 0.65%
3.00% 4.10% 1.20% -0.39% 0.81% 0.65%
2.00% 4.10% 1.20% -0.70% 0.50% 0.65%

The Fund’s investment performance is calculated based on its net asset value per share after expenses but assuming the maximum possible management fee. For purposes of calculating the Fund’s investment performance, any dividends or capital gains distributions paid by the Fund are treated as if those distributions were reinvested in Fund shares. The investment record for the Index is based on the change in value of the Index and earnings from underlying securities.

Because the adjustment to the basic fee is based on the comparative performance of the Fund and the record of the Index, the controlling factor (regarding the performance adjustment) is not whether the Fund’s performance is up or down, but whether it is up or down more or less than the investment record of the Index plus the margin. Moreover, the comparative investment performance of the Fund is based solely on the relevant performance period without regard to the cumulative performance over a longer or shorter period.

The management fee and any performance adjustment for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund and the Strategic Income Fund are each accrued daily, and the entire management fee normally is paid monthly. Shareholders should note that it is possible for high past performance to result in a daily management fee accrual or monthly management fee payment by the Fund that is higher than lower current performance would otherwise produce.

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The Advisory Agreement permits the Adviser to recoup fees it did not charge and Fund expenses it paid under the Operating Expenses Agreement (described below), provided that those amounts are recouped within three years of being reduced or paid. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within three years, provided that the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement, or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. See “Operating Expenses Agreement” below for additional information.

Operating Expenses Agreement. Pursuant to the operating expenses agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds (the “Operating Expenses Agreement”), the Adviser has agreed to waive its investment management fee and/or reimburse the operating expenses of each Fund to the extent such Fund’s operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, dividends on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) exceed, in the aggregate, the rate per annum, as set forth below. The Operating Expenses Agreement will remain in effect until July 31, 2023.

Fund

Expense Cap
(As Percent of
Average Net
Asset Value)

AlphaTrak 500 Fund

Class M

0.90%

Strategic Income Fund

Class M

1.04%

Class I

0.80%

Includes Rule 12b-1 fees paid by Class Moutstanding shares of the Funds. There are no Rule 12b-1 fees assessable for Class I shares.

If Proposal 1 is approved, the Adviser has agreed to lower the expense cap for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, as further described below under “Description of the Proposed Amendment.”

The table below shows the advisory fees earned by the Adviser and the amounts of the reductions in fees and reimbursements of expenses by the Adviser for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 as a result of the expense limitations described above.

   Contractual
Advisory
Fees
   Advisory
Fees
Reduced
and
Expenses
Reimbursed
by Adviser
 

AlphaTrak 500 Fund

  $174,544   $122,267 

Strategic Income Fund

  $498,908   $58,686 

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Rule 12b-1 Fee. The Funds’ Class M shares have a Share Marketing Plan or “Rule 12b-1 Plan” under which they may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the Board of Trustees of the Funds and the expenses paid under the plan were incurred within the last 12 months and accrued while the plan is in effect. Expenditures by a Fund under the plan may not exceed 0.25% of its average net assets annually (all of which may include fees for shareholder services provided by third-party intermediaries not included in the shareholder servicing expenses described below). Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The Adviser has contractually agreed, through July 31, 2023 to pay the distribution expenses of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund out of its own resources, rather than the Fund paying these expenses.

Other Shareholder Servicing Expenses Paid By the Funds. Each Fund is authorized to compensate each broker-dealer and other third-party intermediary up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the assets serviced for that Fund by that intermediary for shareholder services to each Fund and its shareholders who have invested in the I Share or M Share class. These services constitute sub-recordkeeping, sub-transfer agent or similar services and are similar in scope to services provided by the transfer agent to a Fund. These expenses represent amounts paid by a Fund to intermediaries for those services to the extent their fees are not covered through amounts paid under the Rule 12b-1 Plan. These amounts may be adjusted, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. These expenses paid would remain subject to any expense limitations applicable to that Fund.

Compensation of Other Parties. The Adviser may, at its own expense and out of its own legitimate profits or other resources, pay additional compensation to third parties such as (but not limited to) broker-dealers, investment advisers, retirement plan administrators, or other financial intermediaries that have entered into a distribution, service or other type of arrangement with the Adviser, the distributor or the Funds (“Authorized Firms”). These are payments over and above other types of shareholder servicing and distribution payments described elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.

Payments may relate to selling and/or servicing activities, such as: access to an intermediary’s customers or network; recordkeeping services; aggregating, netting and transmission of orders; generation of sales and other informational materials; individual or broad-based marketing and sales activities; wholesale activity; conferences; retention of assets; new sales of Fund shares; and a wide range of other activities. Compensation amounts generally vary, and can include various initial and on-going payments. Additional compensation may also be paid to broker-dealers who offer certain Funds as part of a special preferred-list or other preferred treatment program.

The Adviser does not direct the Funds’ portfolio securities transactions, or otherwise compensate broker-dealers in connection with any Fund’s portfolio transactions, in consideration of sales of Fund shares.

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The Adviser also may pay financial consultants for products and/or services such as: (i) performance analytical software, (ii) attendance at, or sponsorship of, professional conferences, (iii) product evaluations and other types of investment consulting and (iv) asset/liability studies and other types of retirement plan consulting. The Adviser may also provide non-cash compensation to financial consultants, including occasional gifts, meals, or other entertainment. These activities may create, or could be viewed as creating, an incentive for such consultants or their employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Funds to their client investors.

Authorized Firms and consultants that receive these various types of payments may have a conflict of interest in recommending or selling the Funds rather than other mutual funds to their client investors, particularly if these payments exceed the amounts paid by other mutual funds.

The Adviser also manages individual investment advisory accounts. The Adviser reduces the fees charged to individual advisory accounts by the amount of the investment advisory fee charged to that portion of the client’s assets invested in any Fund.

Description of Proposed Amendment

The Proposed Amendment makes no changes to the Advisory Agreement, other than changing the date of effectiveness and the advisory fee rate for each Fund (as described above). Additionally, there are no differences in the Adviser’s obligations to the Funds imposed by the Proposed Amendment. The Proposed Amendment will be effective with respect to a Fund only upon shareholder approval. The Proposed Amendment’s initial term will last until the expiration of the current term of the Advisory Agreement on February 5, 2023 and will continue in effect for successive one-year periods thereafter if its continuance is approved, on behalf of the Funds, at least annually in the manner required by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The proposed fee rates under the Proposed Amendment are as follows:

Fund

Annual Fee as a Percentage
of Average Daily Net
Assets

AlphaTrak 500 Fund

0.40

Strategic Income Fund

0.65

In addition, if Proposal 1 is approved, upon effectiveness of the new advisory fee rates, the Adviser has agreed to amend the Operating Expenses Agreement to reduce the expense limitation for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund by 45 basis points, from 0.90% to 0.45%. If Proposal 1 is approved, the amended Operating Expenses Agreement would remain in effect through July 31, 2023. If Proposal 1 is not approved by shareholders, the AlphaTrak 500 Fund will retain its fulcrum fee structure and the expense limitation will remain at its existing level of 0.90%.

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If Proposal 2 is not approved by shareholders, the Strategic Income Fund will retain its fulcrum fee structure.

Fee and Expense Comparison

The following expense tables and examples provide a comparison of each Fund’s annual operating expenses based on total annual fund operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, and pro forma expenses showing these same expenses adjusted for the change in the advisory fee.

AlphaTrak 500 Fund – Class M

   Current  Pro Forma 

Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)

   None   None 

Management Fees

   0.52%1   0.40

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

   0.00  0.00

Other Expenses

   0.74  0.74

Shareholder Servicing Expenses2

   0.06%  0.06

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses

   0.01  0.01

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   1.27  1.15

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

   (0.36)%3   (0.69)%4 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

   0.91  0.46

1

The current management fee paid to the Adviser for providing services to the Fund consists of a basic fee at an annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average net assets and a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annual rate of 0.35% (applied to the average assets for the rolling 3-month performance period), resulting in a total minimum fee of 0.00% and a total maximum fee of 0.70%. The average monthly management fee for the year ended March 31, 2021 was 0.52% (annual rate).

2

The Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M Class assets serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder services.

3

Under the current Operating Expense Agreement, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within three years, provided that the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

18


or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until July 31, 2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion with written notice to the Adviser.
4

If the Proposed Amendment is approved by shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, the Adviser has agreed to lower the Fund’s expense cap pursuant to the Operating Expense Agreement from its current level of 0.90% to 0.45%.

Strategic Income Fund – Class M

   Current  Pro Forma 

Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)

   None   None 

Management Fees

   1.27%1   0.65

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

   0.25  0.25

Other Expenses

   1.21  1.21

Shareholder Servicing Expenses2

   0.09%  0.09

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   2.73  2.11

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

   (1.69)%3   (1.07)%4 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

   1.04  1.04

1

The current management fee paid to the Adviser for providing services to the Fund consists of a basic fee at an annual rate of 1.20% of the Fund’s average net assets and a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annual rate of 0.70% (applied to the average net assets for the 12-month performance period), resulting in a total minimum fee of 0.50% and a total maximum fee of 1.90%. The average monthly management fee for the year ended March 31, 2021 was 1.27% (annual rate) based on average net assets for the year ended March 31, 2021.

2

The Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the I Class assets serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder services.

3

Under the current Operating Expense Agreement, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within three years, provided that the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until July 31, 2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion with written notice to the Adviser.

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Strategic Income Fund – Class I

   Current  Pro Forma 

Shareholder Fees (paid directly from your investment)

   None   None 

Management Fees

   1.27%1   0.65

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

   None   None 

Other Expenses

   0.66  0.66

Shareholder Servicing Expenses2

   0.09%  0.09

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   1.93  1.31

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement3

   (1.13)%   (0.51)% 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

   0.80  0.80

1

The current management fee paid to the Adviser for providing services to the Fund consists of a basic fee at an annual rate of 1.20% of the Fund’s average net assets and a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annual rate of 0.70% (applied to the average net assets for the rolling 12-month performance period), resulting in a total minimum fee of 0.50% and a total maximum fee of 1.90%. The average monthly management fee for the year ended March 31, 2021 was 1.27% based on average net assets for the year ended March 31, 2021.

2

The Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the I Class assets serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder services.

3

Under the current Operating Expense Agreement, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within three years, provided that the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until July 31, 2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion with written notice to the Adviser.

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The following examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in each Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in a Fund for the time periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that there is no performance adjustment to the management fee, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs below reflect the net expensesclass of a Fund that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions you would pay the following expenses whether or not you redeemed your shares at the end of each period:

     

1 Year

  

3 Years

  

5 Years

  

10 Years

AlphaTrak 500 Fund – Class M

 Current  $93  $367  $662  $1,502
 Pro Forma  $47  $297  $566  $1,336

Strategic Income Fund – Class M

 Current  $106  $687  $1,294  $2,937
 Pro Forma  $106  $558  $1,035  $2,357

Strategic Income Fund – Class I

 Current  $82  $496  $937  $2,162
 Pro Forma  $82  $365  $669  $1,534

The table below compares the actual advisory fees paid to the Adviser for each Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 to a hypothetical exampleas of the amount of fees that would have been paid during this period had the Proposed Amendment been in effect, and also shows the percentage difference between the actual and pro forma values. The fees below reflect the advisory fees reduced and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Operating Expenses Agreement.

Fund

  Advisory Fees
Paid, Net of
Waivers
  Pro Forma
Advisory Fees
Based on the
Proposed
Amendment, Net
of Waivers*
  Percentage
Difference
between Actual
and Proposed
Advisory Fees

AlphaTrak 500 Fund

  $52,277  $(97,669)  (0.45)%

Strategic Income Fund

  $440,222  $(17,270)  (1.16)%

*

Parentheses indicate that if the management fees included in the Proposed Amendment had been in effect for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the Adviser would have reimbursed the Funds in the amounts shown assuming the same expense limitation was in place during that period.

As reflected in the table above, the actual advisory fees paid to the Adviser for each Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, would have been lower for each Fund had the proposed flat advisory fee structure been in place during the past fiscal year, as compared to the fulcrum fee structure during the same period. However, because the current fulcrum fee for each Fund is tied to the Fund’s performance and because it is impossible to predict future performance, the Adviser cannot determine, if the Proposals are approved, whether the advisory fee for each Fund will be higher, lower,Record Date. A shareholder who beneficially owns, directly or the same as the advisory fee paid by that Fund under the current fulcrum fee structure.

21


The form of the Proposed Amendment, which was approved by the Board, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, is included in the Proxy Statement in Exhibit A.

Board Considerations Regarding Proposed Amendment

The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered information specifically relating to its consideration of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund at meetings held on August 24, 2020, and September 14, 2020 (the “September 2020 Meeting”), and the Board approved the renewal of the Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund for an additional one-year term at the September 2020 Meeting. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, considered information specifically relating to the Proposed Amendment, including the proposed flat fee structure, and approved the Proposed Amendment at a meeting held on June 14, 2021 (the “June 2021 Meeting”), subject to shareholder approval. For each approval, the Board met by telephone, notwithstanding the in-person approval requirement that normally applies under the 1940 Act, as permitted by relief provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board also recently approved the renewal of the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term at a meeting held on September 20, 2021. Because the consideration of the Proposed Amendment occurred before this recent renewal, the discussion herein refers to the Board’s considerations at the September 2020 Meeting and the June 2021 Meeting.

In considering whether to approve the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Independent Trustees considered and discussed a wide variety of materials provided by the Adviser. The Adviser discussed at length the rationale for its recommendations and also explained that the Proposals would need to be submitted to and approved by the shareholders of each Fund, which would require a proxy solicitation and a special meeting of shareholders, the costs of which would be borne by the Adviser. The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered detailed information regarding the fees and expenses of similarly situated competitor funds provided by Adviser based on information prepared by a third party. The Board and the Independent Trustees had the opportunity to discuss the Proposals at length with representatives of the Adviser and with independent legal counsel, which included considering information and representations from the Adviser supporting a conclusion that the Proposed Amendment will not result in any reduction in the nature or quality of services that are provided to the Funds by the Adviser.

In considering the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Independent Trustees noted that the Proposed Amendment would eliminate the fulcrum adjustment for purposes of calculating, prospectively, the advisory fee, but that the annual base fee rate would be reduced for the Strategic Income Fund and increased by 5 basis points for the AlphaTrak 500 Fund. The Board and the Independent Trustees considered that the

22


elimination of the fulcrum fee adjustment and implementation of a flat advisory fee for each Fund would in many circumstances result in a lower advisory feeindirectly, more than what would have been charged under the fulcrum fee structure. The Board and the Independent Trustees further noted that, under some circumstances where a Fund underperforms its applicable benchmark index, it is possible that the new flat advisory fee structure could result in an advisory fee that is greater than what would have been charged under the fulcrum fee structure. The Board and the Independent Trustees took into account the Adviser’s belief that the Proposed Amendment would make the fee structure of each Fund less complicated and more understandable to investors and their investment advisers. The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered the Adviser’s belief that the new advisory fee structure would be more competitive in the mutual fund marketplace, which could potentially make the Funds more appealing to investors and thereby increase overall assets with the potential to gain economies of scale, and also considered that economies of scale might not be realized. The Board and the Independent Trustees further considered that the Adviser believes that the proposed advisory fee to be paid by each Fund is reasonable in relation to its respective peer group. The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered that, other than the changes to the advisory fee structure of the Funds and the effective date of the Proposed Amendment, the other terms of the Advisory Agreement would not change.

The Board and the Independent Trustees determined that the information received and the basis for the renewal of the Advisory Agreement at the September 2020 Meeting also would ground and support the Board’s approval of the Proposed Amendment; these considerations included updated performance information regarding the Funds received at Board meetings subsequent to the September 2020 Meeting, through June 14, 2021, and information contained in the materials received by the Board in connection with the proposed change in fee structure as reflected in the Proposed Amendment.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services provided by the Adviser. As part of its consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Funds and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Funds. The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the depth and quality of the Adviser’s investment management process, including its research and strong analytical capabilities; the experience, capability, and integrity of its senior management and other personnel; the relatively low turnover rates of its key personnel; the overall resources available to the Adviser; and the ability of its organizational structure to address the growth in assets over the past several years. The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the ability of the Adviser to attract and retain well-qualified investment professionals, noting in particular the Adviser’s hiring of professionals in various areas over the past several years, continued upgrading of resources in its middle office and back office operations and other areas, as well as a continuing and extensive program of infrastructure and systems enhancements. The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered that the Adviser made available to its investment professionals a variety of resources and systems

23


relating to investment management, compliance, trading, operations, administration, research, and portfolio accounting. They noted the substantial additional resources made available by TCW, the parent company of the Adviser. The Board and the Independent Trustees examined and discussed a detailed description of the extensive additional services provided to the Funds to support their operations and compliance, as compared to the much narrower range of services provided to the Adviser’s institutional and sub-advised clients, as well as the Adviser’s oversight and coordination of numerous outside service providers to the Funds. They further noted the high level of regular communication between the Adviser and the Independent Trustees. The Adviser explained its responsibility to supervise the activities25% of the Funds’ various service providers, as well as supportingvoting securities may be deemed a “control person” (as defined in the Independent Trustees and their meetings, regulatory filings, and various operational personnel, and the related costs. The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that the nature, extent, and quality1940 Act) of the services provided by the Adviser are of a high quality and have benefited and should continue to benefit the Funds and their shareholders.

When considering the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Independent Trustees acknowledged these previous considerations and took into account that the Adviser had undertaken that it would not reduce the nature, extent or quality of services provided under the Proposed Amendment as compared to the Advisory Agreement. The Board sought and received confirmation from the Adviser and its affiliates that they are prepared to commit the resources necessary for the provision of services under the Proposed Amendment, notwithstanding any decrease in revenue to the Adviser that could result (at current asset levels) under the Proposed Amendment.

Investment Results. In considering the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees considered the investment results of each Fund in light of its investment objective(s) and principal investment strategies. Specifically, they compared each Fund’s total returns with the total returns of other mutual funds in peer group reports prepared by Broadridge with respect to various longer and more recent periods all ended May 31, 2020. The Board and the Independent Trustees reviewed information as to peer group selections presented by Broadridge and discussed the methodology for those selections with the Adviser. In reviewing each Fund’s relative performance, the Board and the Independent Trustees took into account each Fund’s investment strategies, distinct characteristics, asset size and diversification.

As part of their consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees noted that each Fund’s performance was satisfactory over the relevant periods and in some cases very favorable, particularly over longer periods, which the Board and the Independent Trustees believe are generally the most relevant. The Board and the Independent Trustees indicated their belief that the performance of each Fund remained satisfactory even when it lagged its respective peer group average because of the higher levels of risk employed by some peer funds to achieve higher performance. The Board and the Independent Trustees recognized the Adviser’s deliberate strategy to manage risk in light of its critical view

Fund.

 

24


of the fixed-income securities markets and overall investment market conditions in the near term. For that reason, the Board and the Independent Trustees believed that relative performance also should be considered in light of future market conditions expected by the Adviser. The Board and the Independent Trustees noted the Adviser’s view that longer term performance can be more meaningful for active fixed income funds such as the Funds because market cycles in fixed income are generally longer than three years. The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered data showing that the Funds generally experienced less volatility for many periods compared to other funds in the applicable peer groups. Following such evaluation the Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that the Adviser was implementing each Fund’s investment objective(s) and that the Adviser’s record in managing the Funds indicated that its continued management should benefit each Fund and its shareholders over the long term.

When considering the approval of the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Independent Trustees took into account these considerations as well as the performance information relating to the Funds that the Adviser had provided and the Board and the Independent Trustees had reviewed subsequent to the Board’s approval of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement at the September 2020 Meeting.

Advisory Fees and Total Expenses. As part of their consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees compared the management fees (which Broadridge defines to include advisory fee and administrative fee) and total expenses of each Fund (each as a percentage of average net assets) with the median management fee and operating expense levels of the other mutual funds in the relevant Broadridge peer groups. These comparisons assisted the Board and the Independent Trustees by providing a reasonable statistical measure to assess each Fund’s fees relative to its relevant peers. The Board and the Independent Trustees observed that the AlphaTrak 500 Fund’s management fee was below and the Strategic Income Fund’s management fee was above the median of its peer group funds on a current basis. With respect to the Strategic Income Fund, the Board and the Independent Trustees considered the Adviser’s view that the Broadridge peer group did not provide a suitable comparison given the significant differences in the strategies used by the Fund as compared to those used by funds in the peer group. In particular, the Adviser’s view is that the Strategic Income Fund should instead be compared to private absolute return funds, which the Adviser views as that Fund’s closest relevant comparison and to which its fees and expenses compare very favorably. The Board and the Independent Trustees also noted the contractual expense limitations to which the Adviser has agreed with respect to each Fund and that the Adviser historically has absorbed any expenses in excess of these limits. They noted that although the Adviser may recoup, and has recouped in the past, certain fees and/or expenses previously waived or reimbursed for certain Funds, such recoupment is permitted only if it does not cause the applicable Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. The

Principal Underwriter

 

25


Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that the competitive fees charged by the Adviser, and competitive expense ratios, should continue to benefit each Fund and its shareholders.

At the September Meeting, the Board and the Independent Trustees also reviewed information regarding the advisory fees charged by the Adviser to its institutional and sub-advisory clients with similar investment mandates. The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that, although the fees paid by those clients generally were lower than advisory fees paid by the Funds, the differences appropriately reflected the more extensive services provided by the Adviser to the Funds and the Adviser’s significantly greater responsibilities and expenses with respect to the Funds, including the additional time spent by portfolio managers for reasons such as managing the more active cash flows from purchases and redemptions by shareholders, the additional risks of managing a pool of assets for public investors, administrative burdens, daily pricing, valuation and liquidity responsibilities, the supervision of vendors and service providers, and the costs of additional infrastructure and operational resources and personnel and of complying with and supporting the more comprehensive regulatory and governance regime applicable to mutual funds.

In considering the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Independent Trustees took into account these factors, as well as that: (i) the structure of the proposed management fee for the Funds would change from the existing fulcrum fee structure to a flat advisory fee structure; (ii) the proposed advisory fee for each Fund will remain competitive when compared to similarly situated competitor funds; and (iii) the Adviser will bear the costs associated with obtaining shareholder approval of the Proposed Amendment for each Fund.

The Adviser’s costs, level of profits, and economies of scale. In their consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees reviewed information regarding the Adviser’s costs of providing services to the Funds, as well as the resulting level of profits to the Adviser. They reviewed the Adviser’s stated assumptions and methods of allocating certain costs, such as personnel compensation costs, which constitute the Adviser’s largest operating cost. The Board and the Independent Trustees recognized that the Adviser should be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services that it provides to each Fund. The Board and the Independent Trustees also reviewed a comparison of the Adviser’s profitability with respect to the Funds to the profitability of certain unaffiliated publicly traded asset managers, which the Adviser believed supported its view that the Adviser’s profitability was reasonable. Based on their review, the Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that they were satisfied that the Adviser’s level of profitability from its relationship with each Fund was not unreasonable or excessive.

In their consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees also considered the extent to which potential economies of scale could be realized as the Funds grow and whether the advisory fees reflect those

26


potential economies of scale. They recognized that the advisory fees for the Funds do not have breakpoints, which would otherwise result in lower advisory fee rates as the Funds grow larger. They also recognized the Adviser’s view that the advisory fees compare favorably to peer group fees and expenses and remain competitive even at higher asset levels and that the relatively low advisory fees reflect the potential economies of scale. The Board and the Independent Trustees recognized the benefits of the Adviser’s substantial past and on-going investment in the advisory business, such as successfully recruiting and retaining key professional talent, systems and technology upgrades, added resources dedicated to legal, compliance and cybersecurity programs, and improvements to the overall firm infrastructure, as well as the financial pressures of competing against much larger firms and passive investment products. The Board and the Independent Trustees also noted the Adviser’s explanation of the increased resources required to manage the Funds as a result of both asset growth and increased competitive pressures. The Board and the Independent Trustees further noted the Adviser’s past and current subsidies of the operating expenses of newer and smaller Funds and the Adviser’s commitment to maintain reasonable overall operating expenses for each Fund. The Board and the Independent Trustees also recognized that the Funds benefit from receiving investment advice from an organization with other types of advisory clients in addition to mutual funds. The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the risk borne by the Adviser that the Funds’ net assets and thus the Adviser’s fees might decline and that smaller Funds might not grow to become profitable. Based on these considerations, the Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that the Adviser was satisfactorily sharing potential economies of scale with the Funds through low fees and expenses, and through reinvesting in its capabilities for serving the Funds and their shareholders.

In their consideration of the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Independent Trustees took into account these considerations as well as additional information relating to the anticipated impact on the advisory fees payable to the Adviser by the Funds in connection with implementing the proposed flat advisory fee structure under the Proposed Amendment. The Board and the Independent Trustees also considered that the Adviser had agreed to lower the expense limitation for Class M Shares of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund under the Operating Expenses Agreement from 0.90% to 0.45%, to be effective upon the effectiveness of the Proposed Amendment, and the Adviser’s recent reduction of the expense cap for the Strategic Income Fund, from 2.35% to 1.04% for Class M Shares and from 2.10% to 0.80% for Class I Shares, effective March 15, 2021. The Board and the Independent Trustees considered the potential impacts of those reductions on the Adviser’s profitability, and the costs associated with soliciting shareholder approval of the Proposed Amendment.

Ancillary Benefits. In their consideration of the renewal of the Advisory Agreement, the Board and the Independent Trustees also considered other actual and potential financial benefits to the Adviser or its affiliates. In particular, they noted that the Adviser does not have any affiliates that materially benefit from the Adviser’s relationship to the Funds except through TCW’s ownership of the Adviser. They noted

27


that the principal underwriter forof the Funds’ shares is affiliated withTCW Funds Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”). The Distributor offers the Adviser but does not derive a profit from that role. The Board and the Independent Trustees concluded that any potential benefits received or to be derived by the Adviser from its relationships with the Funds are reasonably relatedFunds’ shares to the services provided bypublic on a continuous basis. The address of the Adviser toDistributor is 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071.

Administrator and Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (the “Administrator”) serves as administrator and transfer agent of the Funds. In their considerationThe Administrator provides management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Proposed Amendment, the Board and the Funds. The business address of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing is Attention: 534453, 500 Ross Street, 154-0520, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15262.

Independent Trustees took into account these prior considerations.Auditors

Conclusions. In the course of their deliberations, the Board and the Independent Trustees did not identify any particular information or factor that was all important or controlling. Based on the Trustees’ deliberations and their evaluation of the information described above, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees unanimously, approved the Proposed Amendment with respect to the Funds, subject to shareholder approval, and concluded that the compensation under the Proposed Amendment with respect to the Funds is fair and reasonable in light of the services that the Adviser will provide and the expenses it will bear thereunder and in light of such other matters

Deloitte & Touche LLP, 555 W 5th St., Suite 2700, Los Angeles, CA 90013 serves as the Board and the Independent Trustees considered to be relevant in the exercise of their reasonable judgment.Funds’ independent auditor.

Vote Required

Approval of theShareholder Proposals by the applicable Fund requires the affirmative vote of the “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of that Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” is defined as the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of a Fund present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund will vote on Proposal 2 in the aggregate as one class, and not by class of shares. If approved by shareholders, the Proposed Amendment will take effect on February 1, 2022, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board knows of no other business to be brought before the Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, proxies that do not contain specific instructions to the contrary will be voted on such matters in accordance with the judgment of the persons designated therein.

SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and currently does not intend to hold such meetings unless shareholder action is required in accordance with the 1940 Act. Any shareholder who wishes to submit proposals to be considered at a special meeting of the shareholders should send such proposals to the Secretary of the Trust at 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. A shareholder proposal intended to be presented at any future meeting of shareholders must be received by the Trust at the address above in a reasonable time before the solicitation of proxies for such meeting in order for such proposal to be considered for inclusion in

28


the proxy statement atrelating to such meeting. Moreover, the inclusion of any subsequent meeting of shareholders must be submitted within a reasonable time before the proxy statement for that meetingsuch proposals is mailed. Whether a proposal is submitted in the proxy statement will be determined in accordance withsubject to limitations under applicable federal and state laws.

NOTICE TO BANKS, BROKER-DEALERS AND

VOTING TRUSTEES AND THEIR NOMINEES

Banks, broker-dealers, voting trustees and their nominees should advise the Funds whether other persons are beneficial owners of shares held in their names for which proxies are being solicited and, if so, the number of copies of the Proxy Statement they wish to receive in order to supply copies to the beneficial owners of the respective shares.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Principal Underwriter

TCW Funds Distributors LLC (the “Underwriter”), located at 865 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017, is a broker-dealer that serves as each Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares on a best-efforts basis. The Underwriter is under common ownership with the Adviser.

Administrator and Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing serves as transfer agent and administrator to the Trust and also provides accounting services pursuant to servicing agreements. The business address of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing is 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406-1212.

Shareholder Communications

 

29


Voting Securities, Principal Shareholders and Management Ownership

Shareholders of a Fund who wish to send communications to the Funds atBoard or specific Trustees should submit the close of business on November 2, 2021,communication in writing to the Record Date, will be entitled to notice of and to be present and vote at the Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. Asattention of the Record Date, the Funds have the following number of shares outstanding, which in each case equals the number of votes to which the shareholders of the Funds are entitled:

Fund

Shares Outstanding as of Record Date
(November 2, 2021)

AlphaTrak 500 Fund

Class M

3,212,843.558

Strategic Income Fund

Class M

2,376,184.503

Class I

1,632,456.229

Management Ownership. As of the Record Date, the Trustees and officersSecretary of the Trust individually and as a group, owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds, other than Class I of the Strategic Income Fund, of which they owned 3.96%. The Board is aware of no arrangements, the operation of which at a subsequent date may result in a change in control of the Funds. As of the Record Date, the Independent Trustees, and their respective immediate family members, did not own any securities beneficially or of record in the Adviser, the Underwriter or any of their respective affiliates.

Control Persons and Principal Shareholders. A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of a Fund. A control person under the 1940 Act is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of a Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. A control person can have a significant impact on the outcome of a shareholder vote. Appendix B to this Proxy Statement lists the persons that, to the knowledge of the Trust, owned beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of a Fund as of September 30, 2021.

Householding

If possible, depending on shareholder registration and address information, and unless you have otherwise opted out, only one copy of this Proxy Statement will be sent to shareholders at the same address. However, each shareholder will receive separate Proxy Cards. If you would like to receive a separate copy of the Proxy Statement, please call 1-800-241-4671 or write to Metropolitan West Funds, 865515 South FigueroaFlower Street, Los Angeles, California 90017. If you currently receive multiple copies of proxy statements and would like to request to receive90071, identifying the correspondence as intended for the Board or a singlespecified Trustee. The Secretary will maintain a copy of documents in the future, please call the toll-free number or writeany such communication and will promptly forward it to the address above.

Board or a specified Trustee, as appropriate.

 

30


ExhibitPROMPT EXECUTION AND RETURN OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS REQUESTED. A

FORM OF AMENDMENT TO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

This Amendment to Investment Management Agreement (this “Amendment”), effective as of [], 2022, is made by and between Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”) and Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Manager,” and together with the Trust, the “Parties”).

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Investment Management Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2013, as most recently amended effective July 29, 2021, by and between the Trust and the Manager (the “Agreement”).

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, the Parties originally entered into the Agreement, wherein the Manager agreed to provide certain services to the Trust; and

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to amend Appendix A to the Agreement to provide for a new advisory fee structure for the Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund and Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund, each a series of the Trust.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

1.        The management fee for each of the Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund and Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund is amended as set forth on the attached amended Appendix A.

2.        The Agreement will otherwise remain in full force and effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Amendment, including the amended Appendix A attached hereto, to be signed by their duly authorized officers as of the date set forth below. SELF-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE IF RETURNING BY MAIL. YOU MAY ALSO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY ON-LINE OR BY TELEPHONE.

 

/s/ Peter Davidson
METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

METROPOLITAN WEST ASSET

MANAGEMENT, LLC

By:

By:

Title:Peter Davidson, Vice President and Assistant Secretary Title:

Senior Vice President, Associate General

Counsel and Assistant Secretary

Date:Date:

31


Appendix A to Investment Management Agreement

Name of Fund

Applicable FeeEffective Date

Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund

0.35February 6, 2013

Metropolitan West Low Duration Bond Fund

0.30February 6, 2013

Metropolitan West Ultra Short Bond Fund

0.25February 6, 2013

Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund

0.40[], 2022

Metropolitan West High Yield Bond Fund

0.50February 6, 2013

Metropolitan West Intermediate Bond Fund

0.35February 6, 2013

Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund

0.65[], 2022

Metropolitan West Unconstrained Bond Fund

0.65February 6, 2013

Metropolitan West Floating Rate Income Fund

0.55June 26, 2013

Metropolitan West Flexible Income Fund

0.45June 29, 2018

Metropolitan West Investment Grade Credit Fund

0.35June 29, 2018

Metropolitan West Corporate Bond Fund

0.40June 29, 2018

Metropolitan West ESG Securitized Fund

0.40July 29, 2021

Metropolitan West Opportunistic High Income Credit Fund

0.50July 29, 2021

 

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

METROPOLITAN WEST ASSET

MANAGEMENT, LLC

By:

By:

Title:Vice President and Assistant SecretaryTitle:Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary

January 10, 2024

17

APPENDIX A

 

A-1


APPENDIX B

As of September 30, 2021,December 31, 2023, to the knowledge of management, no person owned beneficially or of record more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds, except as follows:

 

FUND

PERCENT OWNERSHIP

ALPHATRAK 500 FUND – CLASS M:

LPL Financial

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

18.69

National Financial Services LLC

For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers

Attn: Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07310

17.87

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Special Custody Acct FBO Customers

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

13.00

Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC

Special Custody Acct FEBO Customer

2801 Market Street

Saint Louis, MO 63103

10.76

STRATEGIC INCOME FUND – CLASS M:

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Special Custody Acct FBO Customers

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

62.61

National Financial Services Corp

For the Benefit of our Customers

Attn: Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07310

21.97

STRATEGIC INCOME FUND – CLASS I:

National Financial Services LLC

For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers

Attn: Mutual Funds Dept. 4th Floor

499 Washington Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ 07310

28.89

 

Shares Beneficially Owned

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Number

Percent of Fund

ALPHATRAK 500 FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

475,454.761

18.79%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

391,799.189

15.49%

LPL FINANCIAL
A/C 1000-0005
4707 EXECUTIVE DRIVE
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091

376,443.217

14.88%

EMPOWER TRUST FBO
EMPOWER BENEFIT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111

213,193.626

8.43%

NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY FSB
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029

182,632.880

7.22%

DCGT AS TTEE AND/OR CUST
FBO PLIC VARIOUS RETIREMENT PLANS
OMNIBUS
ATTN NPIO TRADE DESK
711 HIGH STREET
DES MOINES, IA 50392

136,937.316

5.41%

WELLS FARGO CLEARING SVCS LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523

136,181.657

5.38%

CORPORATE BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

97,466.784

36.17%

18

B-1


FUND

PERCENT OWNERSHIP

TD Ameritrade Inc.

For The Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients

PO Box 2226

Omaha, NE 68103

20.28

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.

Special Custody Acct FBO Customers

Attn: Mutual Funds

101 Montgomery Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

12.19

Wells Fargo Clearing SVCS LLC

Special Custody Acct for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer

2801 Market Street

St. Louis, MO 63103

10.70

LPL Financial

4707 Executive Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

9.97

Pershing LLC

1 Pershing Plaza

Jersey City, NJ 07399

6.28

B-2


 

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002

60,764.889

22.55%

JERRY MICHAEL CUDZIL &
LORIE ELIZABETH CUDZIL TTEES
CUDZIL REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
U/A DTD 11/02/2020
641 ALMA REAL DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4422

16,675.920

6.19%

DAVID LIPPMAN &
JODY LIPPMAN TTEES
DAVID & JODY LIPPMAN FAMILY TRUST
U/A DTD 11/12/2008
1341 SAN REMO DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4009

16,666.627

6.18%

CETERA INVESTMENT SVCS (FBO)
LEBANK
8AH-00075-13
600 INWOOD AVE N
OAKDALE MN 55128

15,479.635

5.74%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

13,605.107

5.05%

CORPORATE BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

112,848.688

34.28%

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

96,141.906

29.20%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

90,551.202

27.51%

FLEXIBLE INCOME FUND - CLASS I

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

21,303,928.319

57.70%

LOGO

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

865 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 9001719

LOGO

LOGO

To vote by Internet

1)

Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.

2)

Go to website www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above

3)

Follow the instructions provided on the website.

LOGO

To vote by Telephone

1)

Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.

2)

Call 1-800-690-6903

3)

Follow the instructions.

LOGO

To vote by Mail

1)

Read the Proxy Statement.

2)

Check the appropriate box on the proxy card below.

3)

Sign and date the proxy card.

4)

Return the proxy card in the envelope provided.

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

5,818,050.159

15.76%

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
C/O ID 337
ATTN: MUTUAL FUNDS
ONE FREEDOM VALLEY DRIVE
OAKS, PA 19456

2,368,264.381

6.41%

FLEXIBLE INCOME FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

4,248,993.356

68.60%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

1,529,128.105

24.69%

FLOATING RATE INCOME FUND - CLASS I

  

SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
C/O PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL ID 636
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMINISTRATOR
ONE FREEDOM VALLEY DRIVE
OAKS, PA 19456

4,793,311.803

14.75%

BUREAU OF LABOR FUNDS
LABOR PENSION FUND DTD 11/16/2016
10F NO 6 SEC 1 ROOSEVELT RD
ZHOGZHERG DIST
TOPEI CITY 100
TAIWAN R.O.C

2,366,715.267

7.28%

THE NORTH CAROLINA SUPPLEMENTAL
RETIREMENT PLANS GROUP TRUST
U/A DTD 08/11/2015
3200 ATLANTIC AVE
RALEIGH NC 27604-1668

1,941,595.590

5.97%

FIDELITY MANAGEMENT TR CO TTEE
MASTER TRUST FOR DC PLANS OF
AMERICAN AIRLINES & US AIRWAYS ET
U/A DTD 01/01/2012
4333 AMON CARTER BLVD MD 5662
FORT WORTH TX 76155

1,649,257.091

5.07%

20

 

FLOATING RATE INCOME FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

421,371.746

35.40%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

368,307.733

30.95%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105

104,451.342

8.78%

JEFFERSON BANK
1777 NE LOOP 410
SUITE 100
PO BOX 5190
SAN ANTONIO TX 78217

98,491.634

8.28%

FLOATING RATE INCOME FUND - PLAN CLASS

  

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

1,104.232

100.00%

HIGH YIELD BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

4,545,876.530

11.44%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

4,062,811.707

10.22%

BUREAU OF LABOR FUNDS
LABOR PENSION FUND DTD 11/16/2016
10F NO 6 SEC 1 ROOSEVELT RD
ZHOGZHERG DIST
TOPEI CITY 100
TAIWAN R.O.C

3,704,923.525

9.32%

21

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
D62408-S35477                KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — —
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

 

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL.

ForAgainstAbstain

1.  For shareholders of the AlphaTrak 500 Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.40% of average daily net assets of the Fund.

☐    ☐    ☐    

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]Date      Signature [Joint Owners]                        Date      

CAPINCO
C/O US BANK NA
1555 N RIVERCENTER DR STE 302
MILWAUKEE WI 53212-3958

1,990,707.114

5.01%

HIGH YIELD BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

5,824,439.248

45.41%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
(FBO) OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT 4TH FL
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

4,481,914.503

34.94%

INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS
1 NEW YORK PLAZA FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1901

29,368,190.365

28.77%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

19,546,988.630

19.15%

THE TRUST COMPANY OF TENNESSEE
4823 OLD KINGSTON PIKE, SUITE 100
KNOXVILLE TN 37919

11,907,287.324

11.67%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

10,804,391.802

10.59%

INTERMEDIATE BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

693,538.992

37.55%

22


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com.

— — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — —

D62409-S35477   

 

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
(FBO) OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT 4TH FL
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

393,783.983

21.32%

MATRIX TRUST COMPANY CUST. FBO
TYDINGS & ROSENBERG LLP
717 17TH STREET
SUITE 1300
DENVER CO 80202

246,474.440

13.35%

EMPOWER TRUST FBO
EMPOWER BENEFIT PLANS
8515 E ORCHARD RD 2T2
GREENWOOD VILLAGE CO 80111

204,034.943

11.05%

INVESTMENT GRADE CREDIT FUND - CLASS I

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

513,723.425

39.84%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

387,870.571

30.08%

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

112,893.470

8.76%

BRYAN T WHALEN &
CORINN CROSS TTEES
THE WHALEN FAMILY TRUST
U/A DTD 06/15/2007
520 TOYOPA DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4469

97,381.445

7.55%

DAVID LIPPMAN &
JODY LIPPMAN TTEES
DAVID & JODY LIPPMAN FAMILY TRUST
U/A DTD 11/12/2008
1341 SAN REMO DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4009

87,877.164

6.82%

INVESTMENT GRADE CREDIT FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

308,834.618

44.18%

23

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

212,271.790

30.36%

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

111,601.897

15.96%

TD AMERITRADE INC FBO THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226

44,565.663

6.37%

LOW DURATION BOND FUND - ADMIN CLASS

  

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

971.264

99.98%

LOW DURATION BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS
1 NEW YORK PLAZA FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1901

38,471,545.857

27.29%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

33,082,872.920

23.47%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

14,189,503.556

10.07%

MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH
INC SOLE BENEFIT OF ITS CUSTOMERS
ATTN SERVICE TEAM
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST 3RD FLOOR
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246

11,435,335.998

8.11%

MAC & CO A/C 290479
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND OPERATIONS
500 GRANT STREET
ROOM 151-1010
PITTSBURGH PA 15258

7,555,379.429

5.36%

24

WELLS FARGO CLEARING SVCS LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523

7,205,144.615

5.11%

LOW DURATION BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

11,362,672.296

59.56%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

3,650,401.843

19.13%

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS
1 NEW YORK PLAZA FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1901

1,004,936.812

5.27%

OPPORTUNISTIC HIGH INCOME CREDIT FUND - CLASS I

  

BRYAN T WHALEN &
CORINN CROSS TTEES
THE WHALEN FAMILY TRUST
U/A DTD 06/15/2007
520 TOYOPA DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4469

64,054.763

36.12%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

50,218.553

28.32%

JERRY MICHAEL CUDZIL &
LORIE ELIZABETH CUDZIL TTEES
CUDZIL REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
U/A DTD 11/02/2020
641 ALMA REAL DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4422

20,905.874

11.79%

STEVEN JOHN PURDY
469 20TH ST
SANTA MONICA CA 90402-0000

12,810.957

7.22%

25

OPPORTUNISTIC HIGH INCOME CREDIT FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

9,012.182

71.15%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

3,641.820

28.75%

STRATEGIC INCOME FUND - CLASS I

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

1,424,245.711

36.33%

LPL FINANCIAL
A/C 1000-0005
4707 EXECUTIVE DRIVE
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091

1,086,498.816

27.72%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

507,747.312

12.95%

PERSHING LLC
1 PERSHING PLAZA
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0002

384,736.705

9.81%

STRATEGIC INCOME FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

6,687,224.622

78.94%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP
(FBO) OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT 4TH FL
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

1,405,014.819

16.59%

26

SUSTAINABLE SECURITIZED FUND - CLASS I

  

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INTERNATIONAL LTD
865 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1800
LOS ANGELES CA 90017

533,868.719

66.84%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

200,424.977

25.09%

BRYAN T WHALEN &
CORINN CROSS TTEES
THE WHALEN FAMILY TRUST
U/A DTD 06/15/2007
520 TOYOPA DR
PACIFIC PALISADES CA 90272-4469

53,729.854

6.73%

SUSTAINABLE SECURITIZED FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

2,049.754

53.70%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

1,756.326

46.02%

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND - ADMIN CLASS

  

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

67,859,633.167

46.79%

MINNESOTA LIFE INSURANCE CO
400 ROBERT ST N
SAINT PAUL MN 55101-2037

30,552,489.651

21.07%

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

652,673,267.102

17.94%

RAYMOND JAMES
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
HOUSE ACCT FIRM 92500015
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PARKWAY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716

528,263,957.856

14.52%

27

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

495,833,721.294

13.63%

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS
1 NEW YORK PLAZA FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1901

455,162,588.208

12.51%

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

162,289,781.653

35.91%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

138,764,794.054

30.71%

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND - CLASS I-2

  

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

7,927,925.446

99.52%

TOTAL RETURN BOND FUND - PLAN CLASS

  

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

405,706,494.631

20.10%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

165,068,845.696

8.18%

28

CAPINCO
C/O US BANK NA
1555 N RIVERCENTER DR STE 302
MILWAUKEE WI 53212-3958

133,881,667.026

6.63%

ULTRA SHORT BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

NATIONWIDE TRUST COMPANY FSB
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029

4,696,943.185

48.77%

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INVESTMENT SVC
(FBO) # 41999970
707 2ND AVE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405

1,677,426.557

17.42%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

1,107,740.010

11.50%

LPL FINANCIAL
A/C 1000-0005
4707 EXECUTIVE DRIVE
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091

846,662.063

8.79%

WELLS FARGO CLEARING SVCS LLC
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMER
2801 MARKET ST
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103-2523

689,641.140

7.16%

ULTRA SHORT BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

1,249,520.778

38.15%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

728,118.684

22.23%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105

705,549.602

21.54%

29

UNCONSTRAINED BOND FUND - CLASS I

  

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

38,149,311.792

19.07%

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

37,957,691.015

18.98%

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF ITS
CUSTOMERS
1 NEW YORK PLAZA FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1901

15,060,120.748

7.53%

BUREAU OF LABOR FUNDS
LABOR PENSION FUND DTD 11/16/2016
10F NO 6 SEC 1 ROOSEVELT RD
ZHOGZHERG DIST
TOPEI CITY 100
TAIWAN R.O.C

10,021,014.295

5.01%

UNCONSTRAINED BOND FUND - CLASS M

  

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC SPECIAL
CUSTODY ACCT FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
101 MONTGOMERY ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94104-4122

7,169,917.063

52.02%

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR
CUST
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-2010

3,161,914.355

22.94%

VANGUARD BROKERAGE SERVICES
A/C 11111111
100 VANGUARD BLVD
MALVERNA PA 19355

1,414,998.807

10.27%

UNCONSTRAINED BOND FUND - PLAN CLASS

  

TEXAS TREASURY SAFEKEEPING TRUST
COMPANY(TESTIF)
208 E 10TH ST 4TH FL
AUSTIN TX 78701

27,128,576.978

71.30%

CAPINCO
C/O US BANK NA
1555 N RIVERCENTER DR STE 302
MILWAUKEE WI 53212-3958

9,314,188.329

24.48%

30

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

Metropolitan West AlphaTrak 500 Fund



515 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, California 90071

PROXY CARD FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS – January 20, 2022February 15, 2024

This proxy card is solicited on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”)Trust for the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) to be held on January 20, 2022.February 15, 2024.

The undersigned hereby appoints Patrick DennisAndrew Bowden and Richard VillaPeter Davidson as proxies, each with the power to appoint his or her substitute and to vote the shares held by him or her at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of Metropolitan West Funds (the “Meeting”) to be held on February 15, 2024 at 8:9:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on January 20, 2022Pacific Time at the Tivoli Room at Hotel IndigoTCW, 515 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, DowntownCalifornia 90071 and at any adjournment thereof, in the manner directed below with respect to the matters referred to in the Proxy Statement for the Meeting, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in the proxies’Proxies’ discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meetingmeeting or any adjournment thereof.

PLEASE VOTE, SIGN AND DATE THIS VOTING INSTRUCTIONPROXY CARD AND RETURN OR SUBMIT IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.ENVELOPE, ON-LINE OR BY TELEPHONE.

THESE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS VOTING INSTRUCTIONPROXY CARD WILL BE VOTED “FOR” ALL PROPOSALS.

Please indicate your vote by marking the appropriate box. Example: [X]

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

To approve the election of nine Trustees:


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METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

865 SOUTH FIGUEROA STREET

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017

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To vote by Internet

1)Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2)Go to website www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above
3)

Follow the instructions provided on the website.

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To vote by Telephone

1)Read the Proxy Statement and have the proxy card below at hand.
2)Call 1-800-690-6903
3)

Follow the instructions.

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To vote by Mail

1)Read the Proxy Statement.
2)Check the appropriate box on the proxy card below.
3)Sign and date the proxy card.
4)Return the proxy card in the envelope provided.

 

Patrick C. Haden[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:Martin Luther King III[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
Megan McClellan[   ] FOR                  D62410-S35477[   ] AGAINSTKEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS[   ] ABSTAIN

— — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —  — — — — — — — — — — -

Peter McMillan
[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
Patrick Moore[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
Victoria B. RogersDETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
Robert G. Rooney[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
Michael Swell[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN
Andrew Tarica[   ] FOR[   ] AGAINST[   ] ABSTAIN

 

IMPORTANT

IN ORDER TO AVOID THE DELAY AND EXPENSE OF FURTHER SOLICITATION, WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO REVIEW, COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE SIGN AND DATE BELOW BEFORE MAILING.

NOTE: This proxy must be signed exactly as your name(s) appears hereon. If as an attorney, executor, guardian or in some representative capacity or as an officer of a corporation, please add titles as such. A proxy with respect to shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by one of them unless at or prior to exercise of such proxy the Trust receives specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them.

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Signature
   

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL.

ForAgainstAbstain

2.  For shareholders of the Strategic Income Fund, to approve an amendment to the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, that removes the Fund’s fulcrum fee structure and implements an advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.65% of average daily net assets of the Fund.

  

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

Signature (if held jointly)
 
   
 Date: __________________________, 2024 
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]Date            Signature [Joint Owners]Date            


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

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D62411-S35477      

[   ] CHECK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. (___ PERSON(S) WILL ATTEND)

METROPOLITAN WEST FUNDS

Metropolitan West Strategic Income Fund

SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS – January 20, 2022

This proxy card is solicited on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan West Funds (the “Trust”) for the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) to be held on January 20, 2022.

The undersigned hereby appoints Patrick Dennis and Richard Villa as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute and to vote the shares held by him at the Meeting to be held at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific time) on January 20, 2022 at the Tivoli Room at Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown and at any adjournment thereof, in the manner directed below with respect to the matters referred to in the Proxy Statement for the Meeting, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in the proxies’ discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, AND DATE THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

THESE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS VOTING INSTRUCTION WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSAL.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

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