Loomis Sayles uses the services of third parties (“Proxy Voting Service(s)”), to research and administer the vote on proxies for those accounts and funds for which Loomis Sayles has voting authority. Each Proxy Voting Service has a copy of Loomis Sayles' proxy voting procedures (“Procedures”) and provides vote recommendations and/or analysis to Loomis Sayles based on Loomis Sayles' Procedures and the Proxy Voting Service's own research. Loomis Sayles will generally follow its express policy with input from the Proxy Voting Services unless the Proxy Committee determines that the client's best interests are served by voting otherwise.

All issues presented for shareholder vote will be considered under the oversight of the Proxy Committee. All non-routine issues will be directly considered by the Proxy Committee and, when necessary, the equity analyst, following the company and/or the portfolio manager of an account holding the security, and will be voted in the best investment interests of the client. All routine for and against issues will be voted according to Loomis Sayles' policy approved by the Proxy Committee unless special factors require that they be considered by the Proxy Committee and, when necessary, the equity analyst following the company and/or the portfolio manager of an account holding the security. Loomis Sayles' Proxy Committee has established these routine policies in what it believes are the best investment interests of Loomis Sayles' clients.

The specific responsibilities of the Proxy Committee, include, (1) developing, authorizing, implementing and updating the Procedures, including an annual review of the Procedures, existing voting guidelines and the proxy voting process in general, (2) oversight of the proxy voting process including oversight of the vote on proposals according to the predetermined policies in the voting guidelines, directing the vote on proposals where there is reason not to vote according to the predetermined policies in the voting guidelines or where proposals require special consideration, and consultation with the portfolio managers and analysts for the accounts holding the security when necessary or appropriate and, (3) engagement and oversight of third-party vendors, including Proxy Voting Services.

Loomis Sayles has established several policies to ensure that proxy votes are voted in its clients' best interest and are not affected by any possible conflicts of interest. First, except in certain limited instances, Loomis Sayles votes in accordance with its pre-determined policies set forth in the Procedures. Second, where these Procedures allow for discretion, Loomis Sayles will generally consider the recommendations of the Proxy Voting Services in making its voting decisions. However, if the Proxy Committee determines that the Proxy Voting Services' recommendation is not in the best interest of its clients, then the Proxy Committee may use its discretion to vote against the Proxy Voting Services' recommendation, but only after taking the following steps: (1) conducting a review for any material conflict of interest Loomis Sayles may have and, (2) if any material conflict is found to exist, excluding anyone at Loomis Sayles who is subject to that conflict of interest from participating in the voting decision in any way. However, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Proxy Committee after full prior disclosure of any conflict, that person may provide information, opinions or recommendations on any proposal to the Proxy Committee. In such event the Proxy Committee will make reasonable efforts to obtain and consider, prior to directing any vote information, opinions or recommendations from or about the opposing position on any proposal.

For more complete information about the Loomis Sayles Funds, including charges and expenses, please click here for a prospectus or write or call Natixis Distributors, L.P., for a free prospectus. Investors should consider a fund's objective, risks and expenses before investing. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

View Loomis Sayles' complete proxy voting policy and procedure manual

View Fund voting records