By Andrew Scott on Monday, 27 January 2020
Category: News

Proposed Merger of Artemis US Equity Fund into Artemis US Select Fund



Current Fund

Receiving Fund

US Equity I Acc (GB00BMMV4S07)

US Select I Acc (GB00BMMV5105)

    1. If it is approved by shareholders, we propose to transfer the assets of the Current Fund into the Receiving Fund by a process called a Scheme of Arrangement (the “Merger”). New shares in the Receiving Fund will then be issued to you in exchange for your existing shares in the Current Fund.
    2. Following this, the Current Fund will be closed.
    1. We have undertaken an assessment on the ongoing viability of the Current Fund. Having considered a number of options, we have concluded that a merger of the Current Fund with the Receiving Fund is in the best interests of investors.
    1. In order for the Merger to proceed, at least 75% of votes cast at an Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders (“EGM”) on 6 February 2020 at 10.00am (UK time) must be in favour of the transfer.
    2. Investors can vote for or against this proposal, either in person at the EGM or by sending us a completed copy of the Voting Form, to be received by us by 10.00am (UK time) on 4 February 2020.
    3. If the Merger is approved at the EGM, the Merger will take place on 14 February 2020 (the “Effective Date”).
    4. The results of the EGM will be published on our website www.artemisfunds.com by 5.00pm (UK time) on 7 February 2020.
    1. If it is approved, the Merger will bind all investors in the Current Fund on 14 February 2020 whether or not they voted in favour of it, or voted at all. If the Merger is not approved, the Current Fund will continue in its existing form and Artemis will review its options in relation to the Current Fund.
    2. The Current Fund closely resembles the Receiving Fund and has a number of features that are similar, and so it is a felt to be a suitable alternative fund for investors in the Current Fund who wish to maintain their exposure to a long only US equity strategy.
    1. Our priority is to minimise any disruption to you and provide ongoing certainty and continuity. We believe that approving the proposed Merger would be in your best interests.
    2. If the Merger is approved and you wish to redeem your existing shares in the Current Fund (“Existing Shares”) or switch your holding before the Merger takes place, we must receive your instructions before 12.00 noon (UK time) on 14 February 2020. If you send a request after this time, we will treat this as applying to your new shares in the Receiving Fund issued under the Merger and it will be processed on the next dealing day in the Receiving Fund. If you wish to redeem or switch your Existing Shares prior to the Merger, please contact us using the details below.
    1. The tax implications of the proposed Merger are described in Part B of the Circular.