Article 4
Specific rules regarding the content of information to be provided to unit-holders
1.
Member States shall require that the information to be provided in accordance with Article 43(3)(b) of Directive 2009/65/EC to the unit-holders of the merging UCITS shall also include:
(a)
details of any differences in the rights of unit-holders of the merging UCITS before and after the proposed merger takes effect;
(b)
if the key investor information of the merging UCITS and the receiving UCITS show synthetic risk and reward indicators in different categories, or identify different material risks in the accompanying narrative, a comparison of those differences;
(c)
a comparison of all charges, fees and expenses for both UCITS, based on the amounts disclosed in their respective key investor information;
(d)
if the merging UCITS applies a performance-related fee, an explanation of how it will be applied up to the point at which the merger becomes effective;
(e)
if the receiving UCITS applies a performance-related fee, how it will subsequently be applied to ensure fair treatment of those unit-holders who previously held units in the merging UCITS;
(f)
in cases where Article 46 of Directive 2009/65/EC permits costs associated with the preparation and the completion of the merger to be charged to either the merging or the receiving UCITS or any of their unit-holders, details of how those costs are to be allocated;
(g)
an explanation of whether the management or investment company of the merging UCITS intends to undertake any rebalancing of the portfolio before the merger takes effect.
2.
Member States shall require that the information to be provided in accordance with Article 43(3)(b) of Directive 2009/65/EC to the unit-holders of the receiving UCITS shall also include an explanation of whether the management or investment company of the receiving UCITS expects the merger to have any material impact on the portfolio of the receiving UCITS, and whether it intends to undertake any rebalancing of the portfolio either before or after the merger takes effect.
3.
Member States shall require that the information to be provided in accordance with Article 43(3)(c) of Directive 2009/65/EC shall also include:
(a)
details of how any accrued income in the respective UCITS is to be treated;
(b)
an indication of how the report of the independent auditor or the depositary referred to in Article 42(3) of Directive 2009/65/EC may be obtained.
4.
Member States shall require that if the terms of the proposed merger include provisions for a cash payment in accordance with points (p)(i) and (p)(ii) of Article 2(1) of Directive 2009/65/EC, the information to be provided to the unit-holders of the merging UCITS shall contain details of that proposed payment, including when and how unit-holders of the merging UCITS will receive the cash payment.
5.
Member States shall require that the information to be provided in accordance with Article 43(3)(d) shall include:
(a)
where relevant under national law for the particular UCITS, the procedure by which unit-holders will be asked to approve the merger proposal, and what arrangements will be made to inform them of the outcome;
(b)
the details of any intended suspension of dealing in units to enable the merger to be carried out efficiently;
(c)
when the merger will take effect in accordance with Article 47(1) of Directive 2009/65/EC.
6.
Member States shall ensure that in cases where, under the national law for the particular UCITS, the merger proposal must be approved by unit-holders, the information may contain a recommendation by the respective management company or board of directors of the investment company as to the course of action.
7.
Member States shall require that the information to be provided to the unit-holders of the merging UCITS shall include:
(a)
the period during which the unit-holders shall be able to continue making subscriptions and requesting redemptions of units in the merging UCITS;
(b)
the time when those unit-holders not making use of their rights granted pursuant to Article 45(1) of Directive 2009/65/EC, within the relevant time limit, shall be able to exercise their rights as unit-holders of the receiving UCITS;
(c)
an explanation that in cases where the merger proposal must be approved by the unit-holders of the merging UCITS under national law and the proposal is approved by the necessary majority, those unit-holders who vote against the proposal or who do not vote at all, and who do not make use of their rights granted pursuant to Article 45(1) of Directive 2009/65/EC within the relevant time limit, shall become unit-holders of the receiving UCITS.
8.
If a summary of the key points of the merger proposal is provided at the beginning of the information document, it must cross-refer to the parts of the information document where further information is provided.