Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated April 5, 2022)
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II
Up to 3,983,069 Common Shares
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II (the “Fund,”
“we,” or “our”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company which commenced operations on January
31, 2005. Our primary investment objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund
pursues its investment objectives by investing primarily in a portfolio of mid- and large-capitalization common stocks. The Fund may offer
and sell up to 3,983,069 common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value (“Common Shares”). This amount represents Common
Shares previously registered on Form N-2 (Reg. No. 333-229448) that are unsold and are being carried forward as permitted by Rule 415(a)(6)
and Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement dated July 26, 2022
(the “Distribution Agreement”) with Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) relating to the common
shares of beneficial interest (the “Common Shares”) offered by this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus
dated April 5, 2022. The Distributor has entered into a dealer agreement, dated July 26, 2022, (the “Dealer Agreement”) with
UBS Securities LLC (the “Dealer”) with respect to the Fund relating to the Common Shares offered by this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Dealer Agreement, we may offer and sell our Common Shares, $0.01
par value per share, from time to time through the Dealer as sub-placement agent for the offer and sale of the Common Shares. Under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund may not sell any Common Shares at a price below the
current net asset value of such Common Shares, exclusive of any distributing commission or discount.
Prior to March 1, 2021, the Distributor was a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary
of Eaton Vance Corp. (“EVC”). On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley acquired EVC (the “Transaction”) and the Distributor
became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
Our Common Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
under the symbol “EOS.” As of July 22, 2022, the last reported sale price for our Common Shares on the NYSE was $17.83 per
share.
Sales of our Common Shares, if any, under this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market”
as defined in Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other
than on an exchange.
The Fund will compensate the Distributor with respect to sales of the
Common Shares at a commission rate of 1.00% of the gross proceeds of the sale of Common Shares. The Distributor will compensate the Dealer
out of this commission at a certain percentage rate of the gross proceeds of the sale of Common Shares sold under the Dealer Agreement,
with the exact amount of such compensation to be mutually agreed upon by the Distributor and the Dealer from time to time. In connection
with the sale of the Common Shares on the Fund’s behalf, the Distributor may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within
the meaning of the 1933 Act and the compensation of the Dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts.
The Common Shares have traded both at a premium and a discount to
net asset value (“NAV”). The Fund cannot predict whether Common Shares will trade in the future at a premium or discount
to NAV. The provisions of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price of common shares (less any underwriting commissions
and discounts) must equal or exceed the NAV per share of a company’s common stock. The Fund’s issuance of Common Shares may
have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s Common Shares by increasing the number of Common Shares
available, which may put downward pressure on the market price for the Fund’s Common Shares. Shares of common stock of closed-end
investment companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV, which may increase investors’ risk of loss.
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. You could lose
some or all of your investment. See “Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks” beginning on page 20 of the accompanying Prospectus.
You should consider carefully these risks together with all of the other information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus before making a decision to purchase our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Prospectus Supplement dated July 26, 2022
This Prospectus Supplement, together with the accompanying Prospectus,
sets forth concisely information about the Fund that you should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus Supplement and
the accompanying Prospectus, which contain important information, before deciding whether to invest in our securities. You should retain
the accompanying Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”),
dated April 5, 2022 as supplemented from time to time, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus Supplement and the
accompanying Prospectus. This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the SAI are part of a “shelf” registration
statement that we filed with the SEC. This Prospectus Supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering (as defined below),
including the method of distribution. If information in this Prospectus Supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying Prospectus or
the SAI, you should rely on this Prospectus Supplement. You may request a free copy of the SAI, the table of contents of which is on page
48 of the accompanying Prospectus or a free copy of our annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, obtain other information or make
shareholder inquiries, by calling toll-free 1-800-262-1122 or by writing to the Fund at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
02110. The Fund’s SAI and annual and semi-annual reports also are available free of charge on our website at http://www.eatonvance.com
and on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You may also obtain these documents, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic
request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Our securities do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are
not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated
by reference into, this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus in making your investment decisions. The Fund has not authorized
any person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not
rely on it. The Fund is not making an offer to sell the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should
assume that the information in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus is accurate only as of the dates on their covers.
The Fund’s business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since the date of its description in this Prospectus Supplement
or the date of its description in the accompanying Prospectus.
Prospectus Supplement |
|
Prospectus Supplement Summary |
1 |
Capitalization |
2 |
Summary of Fund Expenses |
3 |
Market and Net Asset Value Information |
4 |
Use of Proceeds |
5 |
Plan of Distribution |
5 |
Legal Matters |
6 |
Incorporation by Reference |
6 |
Available Information |
7 |
|
|
Prospectus |
|
|
Prospectus Summary |
5 |
Summary of Fund Expenses |
16 |
Financial Highlights and Investment Performance |
17 |
The Fund |
19 |
Use of Proceeds |
20 |
Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks |
20 |
Management of the Fund |
34 |
Plan of Distribution |
35 |
Distributions |
36 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest |
37 |
Federal Income Tax Matters |
38 |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
41 |
Description of Capital Structure |
42 |
Custodian and Transfer Agent |
46 |
Legal Matters |
46 |
Reports to Shareholders |
46 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
46 |
Additional Information |
46 |
Incorporation by Reference |
47 |
Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information |
48 |
The Fund’s Privacy Policy |
50 |
Until August 20, 2022 (25 days after the date of
this Prospectus Supplement), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Common Shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may
be required to deliver the Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement. This requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation
to deliver the Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus
and the SAI contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,”
“will,” “intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,”
and similar terms and the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in this Prospectus Supplement as well
as in the accompanying Prospectus. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results
could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual
results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and
other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.
Although we believe that the expectations expressed
in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking
statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change
and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks”
section of the accompanying Prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus Supplement
or the accompanying Prospectus are made as of the date of this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus, as the case may be.
Except for our ongoing obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any
forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the
SAI are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by section 27A of the 1933 Act.
Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Investment Objectives, Policies
and Risks” section of the accompanying Prospectus. We urge you to review carefully that section for a more detailed discussion of
the risks of an investment in our securities.
Prospectus Supplement Summary
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the more detailed information included elsewhere in this Prospectus Supplement and in the accompanying Prospectus and in the SAI.
THE FUND
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II (the “Fund,”
“we,” or “our”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company, which commenced operations January
31, 2005. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.
Investments are based on Eaton Vance Management’s (‘‘Eaton Vance’’ or the ‘‘Adviser’’)
internal research and ongoing company analysis. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. There is no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
THE ADVISER
Eaton Vance acts as the Fund’s investment adviser under an Investment
Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Eaton Vance has offices at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110. EV LLC
(“EV”) serves as trustee of Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance and its predecessor organizations have been managing assets since 1924
and managing investment funds since 1931. Prior to March 1, 2021, Eaton Vance was a wholly owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. (“EVC”).
On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley acquired EVC (the “Transaction”)
and Eaton Vance became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. In connection with the Transaction, the Fund entered into
a new investment advisory agreement with Eaton Vance. The agreement was approved by shareholders prior to the consummation of the Transaction
and was effective upon its closing. Effective March 1, 2021, any fee reduction agreement previously applicable to the Fund was incorporated
into its new investment advisory agreement with Eaton Vance.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), whose principal offices are at 1585 Broadway,
New York, New York 10036, is a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well
as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. As of June 30, 2022, Morgan Stanley’s
asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $1.4 trillion.
Under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board, the Adviser
will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect
to the Fund, will determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged, and will implement such determinations. The Adviser
will furnish to the Fund investment advice and office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund. The
Adviser will compensate all Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of the Adviser’s organization and will also compensate
all other Adviser personnel who provide research and investment services to the Fund. In return for these services, facilities and payments,
the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Advisory Agreement a fee in the amount of 1.00% of the average weekly
gross assets of the Fund. Gross assets of the Fund means total assets of the Fund, including any form of investment leverage that the
Fund may in the future determine to utilize, minus all accrued expenses incurred in the normal course of operations, but not excluding
any liabilities or obligations attributable to any future investment leverage obtained through (i) indebtedness of any type (including,
without limitation, borrowing through a credit facility/commercial paper program or the issuance of debt securities), (ii) the issuance
of preferred shares or other similar preference securities, (iii) the reinvestment of collateral received for securities loaned in accordance
with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and/or (iv) any other means. During any future periods in which the Fund is
using leverage, the fees paid to Eaton Vance for investment advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because
the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s gross assets, including proceeds from any borrowings and from the issuance
of preferred shares.
THE OFFERING
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement dated July 26, 2022
(the “Distribution Agreement”) with Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) relating to the common
shares of beneficial interest (the “Common Shares”) offered by this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus
dated April 5, 2022 (the “Offering”). The Distributor has entered into a dealer agreement dated July 26, 2022 (the “Dealer
Agreement”) with UBS Securities LLC (the “Dealer”) with respect to the Fund relating to the Common Shares offered by
this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Dealer Agreement, the Fund may offer and
sell up to 3,983,069 Common Shares, par value $0.01 per Common Share, from time to time through the Dealer as sub-placement agent for
the offer and sale of the Common Shares. This amount represents Common Shares previously registered on Form N-2 (Reg. No. 333-229448)
that are unsold and are being carried forward as permitted by Rule 415(a)(6) and Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “1933 Act”).
Offerings of the Common Shares will be subject to the provisions of
the 1940 Act, which generally require that the public offering price of common shares of a closed-end investment company (exclusive of
distribution commissions and discounts) must equal or exceed the net asset value per share of the company’s common shares, absent
shareholder approval or under certain other circumstances.
Sales of the Common Shares, if any, under this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market”
as defined in Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or sales
made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. The Common Shares may not be sold through agents, underwriters or dealers
without delivery or deemed delivery of a Prospectus and an accompanying Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms of the offering
of Common Shares.
Prior to March 1, 2021, the Distributor was a direct, wholly owned subsidiary
of EVC. Upon the closing of the Transaction on March 1, 2021, the Distributor became an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
LISTING AND SYMBOL
The Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are listed on the
NYSE under the symbol “EOS.” Any new Common Shares offered and sold hereby are expected to be listed on the NYSE and trade
under this symbol. The net asset value of the Common Shares on July 22, 2022 was $17.41 per share. As of July 22, 2022, the last reported
sale price for the Common Shares was $17.83.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Fund currently intends to invest substantially all of the net proceeds
of any sales of Common Shares pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement in accordance with its investment objectives and policies as described
in the accompanying Prospectus under “Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks” as soon as practicable, but in no event,
assuming normal market conditions, later than three months after receipt of such proceeds. Such investments may be delayed up to three
months if suitable investments are unavailable at the time or for other reasons, such as market volatility and lack of liquidity in the
markets of suitable investments. Pending such investment, the Fund anticipates that it will invest the proceeds in short-term money market
instruments, securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, cash or cash equivalents. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds
could lower returns and reduce the Fund’s distribution to the holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) or result
in a distribution consisting principally of a return of capital.`
Capitalization
We may offer and sell up to 3,983,069 of our Common Shares, $0.01
par value per share, from time to time through the Dealer as sub-placement agent under this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus. This amount represents Common Shares previously registered on Form N-2 (Reg. No. 333-229448) that are unsold and are being
carried forward as permitted by Rule 415(a)(6) and Rule 457(p) under the 1933 Act. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales
of our Common Shares pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. The table below assumes that we will sell
3,983,069 Common Shares at a price of $17.83 per share (the last reported sale price per share of our Common Shares on the NYSE on July
22, 2022). Actual sales, if any, of our Common Shares under this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus may be greater
or less than $17.83 per share, depending on the market price of our Common Shares at the time of any such sale. To the extent that the
market price per share of our Common Shares on any given day is less than the net asset value per share on such day, we will instruct
the Dealer not to make any sales on such day.
The following table sets forth our capitalization:
• on a historical basis as of December 31,
2021 (audited); and
• on a pro forma as adjusted basis to
reflect the assumed sale of 3,983,069 Common Shares at $17.83 per share (the last reported sale price for our Common Shares on the NYSE
on July 22, 2022), in an offering under this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, after deducting the assumed commission
of $710,181 (representing an estimated commission to the Distributor of 1.00% of the gross proceeds of the sale of Common Shares, of which
a certain percentage will be paid to the Dealer in connection with sales of Common Shares effected in this Offering).
|
As of
December 31, 2021
(audited) |
Pro Forma
(unaudited) |
|
Actual |
As adjusted |
Net Assets |
$1,212,024,360 |
$1,282,332,299 |
$0.01 par value per share of common shares outstanding |
$511,029 |
$550,860 |
Additional paid-in capital |
$482,524,034 |
$552,831,973 |
Distributable earnings |
$728,989,297 |
$728,949,466 |
Net Assets |
$1,212,024,360 |
$1,282,332,299 |
Net asset value per share |
$23.72 |
$23.28 |
Common shares issued and outstanding |
51,102,915 |
55,085,984 |
Summary of Fund Expenses
The purpose of the table below is to help you understand all fees
and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. The table shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net
assets attributable to Common Shares for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Common Shareholder transaction expenses |
|
Sales load paid by you (as a percentage of offering price) |
1.00%(1) |
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price) |
None(2) |
Dividend reinvestment plan fees |
$5.00(3) |
|
Annual expenses |
Percentage of net assets attributable
to
Common Shares(4) |
Investment advisory fee |
1.00%(5) |
Other expenses |
0.08% |
Total annual Fund operating expenses |
1.08% |
EXAMPLE
The following example illustrates the expenses that Common Shareholders
would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (i) total annual expenses of 1.08% of net assets attributable to Common Shares
in years 1 through 10; (ii) a sales load of 1.00%; (iii) a 5% annual return; and (iv) all distributions are reinvested at NAV:
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
$21 |
$44 |
$69 |
$140 |
The above table and example and the assumption in the example of
a 5% annual return are required by regulations of the SEC that are applicable to all investment companies; the assumed 5% annual return
is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. For more complete
descriptions of certain of the Fund’s costs and expenses, see “Management of the Fund.” In addition, while the example
assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, participants in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan may receive
Common Shares purchased or issued at a price or value different from NAV. See “Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment
Plan.” The example does not include estimated offering costs, which would cause the expenses shown in the example to increase.
The example should not be considered a representation of past
or future expenses, and the Fund’s actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate
of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.
___________________
| (1) | Represents the estimated commission with respect to the Fund’s Common Shares being sold in this Offering. There is no guarantee
that there will be any sales of the Fund’s Common Shares pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus.
Actual sales of the Fund’s Common Shares under this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, if any, may be less than
as set forth under “Capitalization” above. In addition, the price per share of any such sale may be greater or less than the
price set forth under “Capitalization” above, depending on market price of the Fund’s Common Shares at the time of any
such sale. |
| (2) | Eaton Vance will pay the expenses of the Offering (other than the applicable commissions); therefore, Offering expenses are not included
in the Summary of Fund Expenses. Offering expenses generally include, but are not limited to, the preparation, review and filing with
the SEC of the Fund’s registration statement (including this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the SAI), the
preparation, review and filing of any associated marketing or similar materials, costs associated with the printing, mailing or other
distribution of this Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus, the SAI and/or marketing materials, associated filing fees, NYSE
listing fees, and legal and auditing fees associated with the Offering. |
| (3) | You will be charged a $5.00 service charge and pay brokerage charges if you direct the plan agent to sell your Common Shares held
in a dividend reinvestment account. |
| (4) | Stated as percentage of average net assets attributable to Common Shares for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
| (5) | The investment advisory fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser is based on the average weekly gross assets of the Fund, including all
assets attributable to any form of investment leverage that the Fund may utilize. Accordingly, if the Fund were to increase investment
leverage in the future, the advisory fee will increase as a percentage of net assets. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement between
the Fund and the Adviser, the investment advisory fee is computed at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly gross
assets and is payable monthly. |
Market and Net Asset Value Information
Our Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EOS.”
Our Common Shares commenced trading on the NYSE in 2005.
Our Common Shares have traded both at a premium and a discount to
net asset value or NAV. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade in the future at a premium or discount to NAV. The provisions
of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price of Common Shares (less any underwriting commissions and discounts) must
equal or exceed the NAV per share of a company’s common stock. Our issuance of Common Shares may have an adverse effect on prices
in the secondary market for our Common Shares by increasing the number of Common Shares available, which may put downward pressure on
the market price for our Common Shares. Shares of Common Stock of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from
NAV. See “Prospectus Summary—Special Risk Considerations—Discount from or premium to NAV” on page 9 of the accompanying
Prospectus.
The following table sets forth for the period indicated the high
and low closing market prices for Common Shares on the NYSE, and the corresponding NAV per share and the premium or discount to NAV per
share at which the Fund’s Common Shares were trading as of the same date. NAV is determined no less frequently than daily, generally
on each day of the week that the NYSE is open for trading. See “Determination of Net Asset Value” on page 19 of the accompanying
SAI for information as to the determination of the Fund’s net asset value.
|
Market Price |
|
NAV per Share on Date of Market Price |
|
NAV Premium/(Discount) on Date of Market Price |
Fiscal Quarter Ended |
High |
Low |
|
High |
Low |
|
High |
Low |
June 30, 2022 |
$21.29 |
$15.61 |
|
$21.08 |
$16.05 |
|
1.00% |
(2.74)% |
On July 22, 2022, the last reported sale price, NAV per Common
Share and percentage premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share, were $17.83, $17.41 and 2.41%, respectively. As of July 22, 2022, the
Trust had 51,412,994 Common Shares outstanding and net assets of $895,236,009.
The following table provides information about our outstanding Common
Shares as of July 22, 2022:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund or for its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common Shares |
Unlimited |
0 |
51,412,994 |
Use of Proceeds
Sales of our Common Shares, if any, under this Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at the market”
as defined in Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or sales made to or through a market maker other
than on an exchange. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our Common Shares pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and
the accompanying Prospectus. Actual sales, if any, of our Common Shares under this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus
may be less than as set forth below in this paragraph. In addition, the price per share of any such sale may be greater or less than the
price set forth in this paragraph, depending on the market price of our Common Shares at the time of any such sale. As a result, the actual
net proceeds we receive may be more or less than the amount of net proceeds estimated in this Prospectus Supplement. Assuming the sale
of all of the Common Shares offered under this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus, at the last reported sale price
of $17.83 per share for our Common Shares on the NYSE as of July 22, 2022, we estimate that the net proceeds of this Offering will be
approximately $70,307,939 after deducting the estimated sales load and the estimated offering expenses payable by the Fund, if any.
Subject to the remainder of this section, the Fund currently intends
to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of any sales of Common Shares pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement in accordance with
its investment objectives and policies as described in the accompanying Prospectus under “Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks”
within three months of receipt of such proceeds. Such investments may be delayed up to three months if suitable investments are unavailable
at the time or for other reasons, such as market volatility and lack of liquidity in the markets of suitable investments. Pending such
investment, the Fund anticipates that it will invest the proceeds in short-term money market instruments, securities with remaining maturities
of less than one year, cash or cash equivalents. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds could lower returns and reduce the Fund’s
distribution to Common Shareholders or result in a distribution consisting principally of a return of capital.
Plan of Distribution
Under the Dealer Agreement between the Distributor and the Dealer, upon
written instructions from the Distributor, the Dealer will use its reasonable best efforts, to sell, as sub-placement agent, the Common
Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Dealer Agreement. The Dealer’s solicitation will continue
until the Distributor instructs the Dealer to suspend the solicitations and offers. The Distributor will instruct the Dealer as to the
amount of Common Shares to be sold by the Dealer. The Distributor may instruct the Dealer not to sell Common Shares if the sales cannot
be effected at or above the price designated by the Distributor in any instruction. To the extent that the market price per share of the
Fund’s Common Shares on any given day is less than the net asset value per share on such day, the Distributor will instruct the
Dealer not to make any sales on such day. The Distributor or the Dealer may suspend the offering of Common Shares upon proper notice and
subject to other conditions.
The Dealer will provide written confirmation to the Distributor following
the close of trading on the day on which Common Shares are sold under the Dealer Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number
of shares sold on the preceding day, the net proceeds to the Fund and the compensation payable by the Distributor to the Dealer in connection
with the sales.
The Fund will compensate the Distributor with respect to sales of the
Common Shares at a commission rate of 1.00% of the gross proceeds of the sale of Common Shares. The Distributor will compensate the Dealer
for its services in acting as sub-placement agent in the sale of Common Shares out of this commission at a certain percentage rate of
the gross proceeds of the sale of Common Shares sold under the Dealer Agreement, with the exact amount of such compensation to be mutually
agreed upon by the Distributor and the Dealer from time to time. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of the Common Shares
pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus. Actual sales, if any, of the Common Shares under this Prospectus
Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus may be conducted at a price that is greater or less than the last reported sale price set forth
in this Prospectus Supplement, depending on the market price of Common Shares at the time of any such sale. Eaton Vance will pay the expenses
of the Offering (other than the applicable commissions).
Settlement for sales of Common Shares will occur on the second trading
day following the date on which such sales are made, in return for payment of the net proceeds to the Fund. There is no arrangement for
funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The Distributor has agreed to provide indemnification and contribution
to the Dealer against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act.
The Dealer Agreement will remain in full force and effect unless terminated
by either party upon 5 days’ written notice to the other party.
The principal business address of the Dealer is 1285 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10019.
The Dealer and its affiliates hold or may hold in the future, directly
or indirectly, investment interests in the Distributor and its funds. The interests held by the Dealer or its affiliates are not attributable
to, and no investment discretion is held by, the Dealer or its affiliates.
Legal Matters
Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed
upon for the Fund by internal counsel for Eaton Vance.
Incorporation by Reference
This Prospectus Supplement is part of a registration statement filed
with the SEC. The Fund is permitted to “incorporate by reference” the information filed with the SEC, which means that the
Fund can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered
to be part of this Prospectus Supplement, and later information that the Fund files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede
this information.
The documents listed below, and any reports and other documents subsequently
filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 30(b)(2) under the 1940 Act and Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
termination of the Offering will be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus Supplement and deemed to be part of this Prospectus
Supplement from the date of the filing of such reports and documents:
|
• |
|
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), dated April 5, 2022, filed with the accompanying Prospectus; |
|
• |
|
The Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022; and |
|
• |
|
The description of the Fund’s common shares contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on December 21, 2004, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering registered hereby. |
The Fund will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner, to whom this Prospectus Supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the documents that have
been or may be incorporated by reference in this the Prospectus Supplement, Prospectus, and SAI. You should direct requests for documents
by calling (800) 262-1122.
The Fund makes available this Prospectus Supplement, Prospectus, SAI
and the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, free of charge, at http://www.eatonvance.com. You may also obtain this Prospectus
Supplement, Prospectus, SAI, other documents incorporated by reference and other information the Fund files electronically, including
reports and proxy statements, on the SEC website (http://www.sec.gov) or with the payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request
at publicinfo@sec.gov. Information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this Prospectus
Supplement, Prospectus or SAI.
Available Information
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the 1940 Act and are required to file reports, including annual and semi-annual
reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These documents are available on the SEC’s EDGAR system.
This Prospectus Supplement, the accompanying Prospectus and the SAI
do not contain all of the information in our registration statement, including amendments, exhibits, and schedules that the Fund has filed
with the SEC (File No. 333-264149). Statements in this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus about the contents of any
contract or other document are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by this reference.
Additional information about us can be found in our registration statement
(including amendments, exhibits, and schedules) on Form N-2 filed with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains our registration statement, other documents incorporated by reference, and other information we have filed electronically
with the SEC, including proxy statements and reports filed under the Exchange Act.
As permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer being sent by mail unless you specifically request
paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are being made available on the Fund’s website (funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php),
and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report. If you already
elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you
hold shares at the Fund’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), you may elect to
receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by contacting AST. If you own your shares through a
financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up. You may elect to receive
all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you hold shares at AST, you can inform AST that you wish to continue receiving
paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-866-439-6787. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must
contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive
paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with AST or to all funds
held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.
BASE PROSPECTUS
Up to 7,168,522 Shares
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II
Common Shares
Investment
Objectives and Policies. Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management
investment company, which commenced operations on January 31, 2005. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current
income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment objectives by investing primarily in a portfolio
of mid- and large-capitalization common stocks. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to generate current earnings from option
premiums by selling covered call options on a substantial portion of its portfolio securities, although on up to 5% of the Fund’s
net assets, the Fund may sell the stock underlying a call option prior to purchasing back the call option. Such sales shall occur no more
than three days before the option buy back. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Investment
Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Eaton Vance Management (“Eaton Vance” or the “Adviser”).
Prior to March 1, 2021, Eaton Vance was a wholly owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. (“EVC”). On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley
acquired EVC (the “Transaction”) and Eaton Vance became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), whose principal offices are at 1585 Broadway,
New York, New York 10036, is a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well
as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. As of December 31, 2021, after giving
effect to the Transaction as described above, Morgan Stanley’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management
of approximately $1.6 trillion.
The Offering.
The Fund may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings (each, an “Offering”), the Fund’s common shares of beneficial
interest, $0.01 par value (“Common Shares”). Common Shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or
more supplements to this Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this Prospectus and the applicable
Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in Common Shares. Common Shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through
agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offering
identifies any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the offer or sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable offering
price, sales load, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and its agents or underwriters, or among its underwriters,
or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated, net proceeds and use of proceeds, and the terms of any sale. The Fund may not sell
any Common Shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and terms
of the particular Offering of the Common Shares. (continued on inside cover page)
The Common Shares have traded both at a premium and a discount
to net asset value (“NAV”). The Fund cannot predict whether Common Shares will trade in
the future at a premium or discount to NAV. The provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)
generally require that the public offering price of common shares (less any underwriting commissions and discounts) must equal or exceed
the NAV per share of a company’s common stock. The Fund’s issuance of Common Shares may have an adverse effect on prices in
the secondary market for the Fund’s Common Shares by increasing the number of Common Shares available, which may put downward pressure
on the market price for the Fund’s Common Shares. Shares of common stock of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at
a discount from NAV, which may increase investors’ risk of loss.
Investing in shares involves certain risks. See “Investment
Objectives, Policies and Risks” beginning at page 20.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
(continued from previous page)
Portfolio
Contents. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks. For the purposes
of the 80% test, total assets is defined as net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Normally, the Fund invests primarily
in common stocks of mid- and large-capitalization issuers. The Fund generally invests in common stocks on which exchange traded call options
are currently available. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. issuers, although the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total
assets in securities of foreign issuers.
Under
normal market conditions, the Fund pursues its primary investment objective principally by employing an options strategy of writing (selling)
covered call options on a substantial portion of its portfolio, although on up to 5% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may
sell the stock underlying a call option prior to purchasing back the call option. Such sales shall occur no more than three days before
the option buy back.
The extent of option writing activity
depends upon market conditions and the Adviser’s ongoing assessment of the attractiveness of writing call options on the Fund’s
stock holdings. Writing call options involves a tradeoff between the option premiums received and reduced participation in potential future
stock price appreciation. Depending on the Adviser’s evaluation, the Fund may write call options on varying percentages of the Fund’s
common stock holdings. The Fund seeks to generate current earnings from option writing premiums and, to a lesser extent, from dividends
on stocks held. The Fund’s call option-writing program seeks to achieve a high level of net option premiums, while maintaining the
potential for capital appreciation in each stock on which options are written up to a defined target price for that stock determined by
the Adviser.
The Fund may in certain circumstances
purchase put options on the Standard & Poor’s 500® Composite
Stock Price Index (“S&P 500®”) and other broad-based securities
indices deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or on individual stocks held in its portfolio or use other derivative instruments in order
to help protect against a decline in the value of its portfolio securities.
During unusual market conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of
its assets in cash or cash equivalents temporarily, which may be inconsistent with its investment objectives, principal strategies and
other policies.
Exchange
Listing. As of April 1, 2022, the Fund had 51,351,208 Common Shares outstanding. The Fund’s Common Shares are traded
on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EOS.” As of April 1, 2022, the last reported sales price
of a Common Share of the Fund on the NYSE was $21.09 Common Shares offered and sold pursuant to this Registration Statement will also
be listed on the NYSE and trade under this symbol.
The Fund’s net asset value and distribution rate will vary and
may be affected by numerous factors, including changes in stock prices, option premiums, market interest rates, dividend rates and other
factors. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives.
This Prospectus, together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement,
sets forth concisely information you should know before investing in the shares of the Fund. Please read and retain this Prospectus for
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) dated April 5, 2022, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI, the table of contents of which is on page 48 of this Prospectus,
a free copy of our annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, obtain other information or make shareholder inquiries, by calling
toll-free 1-800-262-1122 or by writing to the Fund at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. The Fund’s SAI and annual
and semi-annual reports also are available free of charge on our website at http://www.eatonvance.com and on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).
You may also obtain these documents, after paying a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Information contained in, or that can be accessed through the Fund’s website is not part of this Prospectus.
The Fund’s shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of,
and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are not federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making
an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this
Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus. The Fund’s business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 2 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Table of Contents
Prospectus Summary |
5 |
Summary of Fund Expenses |
16 |
Financial Highlights and Investment Performance |
17 |
The Fund |
19 |
Use of Proceeds |
20 |
Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks |
20 |
Management of the Fund |
34 |
Plan of Distribution |
35 |
Distributions |
36 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest |
37 |
Federal Income Tax Matters |
38 |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
41 |
Description of Capital Structure |
42 |
Custodian and Transfer Agent |
46 |
Legal Matters |
46 |
Reports to Shareholders |
46 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
46 |
Additional Information |
46 |
Incorporation by Reference |
47 |
Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information |
48 |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 3 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This Prospectus, any accompanying Prospectus Supplement and the SAI
contain “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words “may,” “will,”
“intend,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “anticipate,”
and similar terms and the negative of such terms. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in this Prospectus as well as in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results
could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors that could materially affect our actual
results are the performance of the portfolio of securities we hold, the price at which our shares will trade in the public markets and
other factors discussed in our periodic filings with the SEC.
Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking
statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our
future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject
to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in the “Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks” section of
this Prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any accompanying Prospectus
Supplement are made as of the date of this Prospectus or the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, as the case may be. Except for our ongoing
obligations under the federal securities laws, we do not intend, and we undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.
The forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the SAI are excluded from the
safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).
Currently known risk factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our expectations include, but are not limited to, the factors described in the “Investment Objectives, Policies
and Risks” section of this Prospectus. We urge you to review carefully that section for a more detailed discussion of the risks
of an investment in our securities.
Prospectus dated April 5, 2022
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 4 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Prospectus Summary
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the more detailed information included elsewhere in this Prospectus, in any related Prospectus Supplement, and in the SAI.
THE FUND
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II (the “Fund”)
is a diversified, closed-end management investment company, which commenced operations January 31, 2005. The Fund’s primary investment
objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. Investments are based on Eaton Vance Management’s
(‘‘Eaton Vance’’ or the ‘‘Adviser’’) internal research and ongoing company analysis. An
investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
THE OFFERING
The Fund may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings (each,
an “Offering”), up to 7,168,522 of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value (“Common Shares”),
on terms to be determined at the time of the Offering. The Common Shares may be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one
or more Prospectus Supplements. You should read this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement carefully before you invest in
Common Shares. Common Shares may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by the Fund,
or to or through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offering will identify any agents, underwriters or
dealers involved in the offer or sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable offering price, sales load, fee, commission
or discount arrangement between the Fund and its agents or underwriters, or among its underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount
may be calculated, net proceeds and use of proceeds, and the terms of any sale. See “Plan of Distribution.” The Fund may not
sell any of Common Shares through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing the method and
terms of the particular Offering of Common Shares.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS
The Fund’s primary investment
objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment objectives
by investing primarily in a portfolio of mid- and large-capitalization common stocks. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to
generate current earnings from option premiums by selling covered call options on a substantial portion of its portfolio securities, although
on up to 5% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may sell the stock underlying a call option prior to purchasing back the call option.
Such sales shall occur no more than three days before the option buy back. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objectives.
Under normal market conditions, the
Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks. For the purposes of the 80% test, total assets is defined as net assets
plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Normally, the Fund invests primarily in common stocks of mid- and large-capitalization issuers.
The Fund generally invests in common stocks on which exchange traded call options are currently available. The Fund invests primarily
in common stocks of U.S. issuers, although the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers, including
American Depositary Receipts (‘‘ADRs’’), Global Depositary Receipts (‘‘GDRs’’) and European
Depositary Receipts (‘‘EDRs’’).
Eaton Vance generally considers
mid-capitalization companies to be those companies having market capitalizations within the range of capitalizations for the S&P MidCap
400® Index. As of March 31, 2022, the median market capitalization
of companies in the S&P MidCap 400® Index was approximately
$5.4 billion. Market capitalizations of companies within the S&P MidCap 400®
Growth Index are subject to change. Eaton Vance generally considers large-capitalization companies to be those companies having market
capitalizations equal to or greater than the median market capitalization of the companies included in the S&P 500®.
As of March 31, 2022, the median market capitalization of companies in the S&P 500®
was approximately $31.7 billion. Market capitalizations of companies within the S&P 500®
Index are subject to change.
Under normal market conditions, the
Fund pursues its primary investment objective principally by employing an options strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on
a substantial portion of its portfolio securities, although on up to 5% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may sell the stock underlying
a call option prior to purchasing back the call option. Such sales shall occur no more than three days before the option buy back. The
extent of option writing activity will depend upon market conditions and the Adviser’s ongoing assessment of the attractiveness
of writing call options on the Fund’s stock holdings. Writing call options involves a tradeoff between the option premiums received
and reduced participation in potential future stock price appreciation. Depending on the Adviser’s evaluation, the Fund may write
call options on varying percentages of the Fund’s common stock holdings. The Fund seeks to generate current earnings from option
writing premiums and, to a lesser extent, from dividends on stocks held. The Fund may in certain circumstances purchase put options on
the S&P 500® and other broad-based securities indices
deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or on individual stocks held in its portfolio or use other derivative
instruments in order to help protect against a decline in the value of its portfolio securities.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 5 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund’s investments are normally
invested across a broad range of industries and market sectors. The Fund may not invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities
of issuers in any single industry or group of industries.
During unusual market conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of
its assets in cash or cash equivalents temporarily, which may be inconsistent with its investment objectives, principal strategies and
other policies.
INVESTMENT SELECTION STRATEGIES
A team of Eaton Vance investment professionals
with extensive experience in equity research and management is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s investments.
The Fund’s investments are actively managed, and securities and other investments may be bought or sold on a daily basis.
The Adviser believes that a strategy
combining active equity portfolio management with a systematic program of call option writing can provide potentially attractive long-term
returns. The Adviser further believes that a strategy of owning common stocks in conjunction with writing call options on a substantial
portion of the stocks held should generally provide returns that are superior to simply owning the same stocks under three different stock
market scenarios: (1) down-trending equity markets; (2) flat market conditions; and (3) moderately rising equity markets. In the Adviser’s
opinion, only in more strongly rising equity markets would the stock-plus-calls strategy generally be expected to underperform the stocks
held. For these purposes, the Adviser considers more strongly rising equity market conditions to exist whenever the current annual rate
of return for U.S. stocks materially exceeds the long-term historical average of stock market returns. The Adviser considers moderately
rising equity market conditions to exist whenever current annual returns on U.S. common stocks are positive, but not materially higher
than the long-term historical average of stock market returns.
Investment decisions for the Fund
will be made primarily on the basis of fundamental research. The portfolio managers utilize information provided by, and the expertise
of, the Adviser’s research staff in making investment decisions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser considers a
variety of issuer characteristics such as sustainable competitive advantage, predictable and dependable cash flows, high quality management
teams and solid balance sheets. Many of these considerations are subjective. In addition to its careful research based analysis in selecting
investments for the Fund, the Adviser also places a strong emphasis on the ongoing evaluation of portfolio holdings and the appropriate
time and circumstances to sell or reduce a holding. In this regard, the Adviser may sell a stock when it believes it is fully valued,
the fundamentals of a company deteriorate, a stock’s price falls below its acquisition cost, management fails to execute its strategy
or to pursue other more attractive investment opportunities, among other reasons.
The Fund writes primarily exchange-listed
call options on individual stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio, primarily with shorter maturities (typically one to three months
until expiration) and primarily at exercise prices approximately equal to or above the current stock price when written. When an option-writing
program is established for a particular stock, options will typically be written on a portion of the total stock position, which may allow
for upside potential. If the stock price increases, the Fund normally looks to buy back the call options written and to sell new call
options at higher exercise prices (up to the target price determined by the Adviser) as a risk management tool. If the stock price declines,
the Fund normally seeks to buy back the call options written or let the calls expire worthless at expiration. The Fund may also write
call options with different characteristics and managed differently than described in this paragraph.
In addition to the strategy of selling
covered call options, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other derivative instruments acquired for hedging, risk management
and investment purposes (to gain exposure to securities, securities markets, markets indices and/or currencies consistent with its investment
objectives and policies), provided that no more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in such derivative instruments
acquired for non-hedging purposes. Among other derivative strategies, the Fund may purchase put options on the S&P 500®
and other broad-based securities indices deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or on individual stocks held in its portfolio or use other
derivative instruments in order to help protect against a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. Derivative instruments may
be used by the Fund to enhance returns or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities.
The foregoing policies relating to
investment in common stocks and options writing are the Fund’s primary investment policies. In addition to its primary investment
policies, the Fund may invest to a limited extent in other types of securities and engage in certain other investment practices. See “Investment
Objectives, Policies and Risks -- Additional Investment Practices.”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 6 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
LISTING
As of April 1, 2022, the Fund had 51,351,208
Common Shares outstanding. The Fund’s Common Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol
“EOS.” As of April 1, 2022, the last reported sales price of a Common Share of the Fund on the NYSE was $21.09 Common Shares
offered and sold pursuant to this Registration Statement will also be listed on the NYSE and trade under this symbol.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR
Eaton Vance is the Fund’s investment adviser and administrator.
Prior to March 1, 2021, Eaton Vance was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. (“EVC”). On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley
acquired EVC (the “Transaction”) and Eaton Vance became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. As of December
31, 2021, Morgan Stanley’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $1.6 trillion.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Fund may sell the Common Shares being offered under this Prospectus
in any one or more of the following ways: (i) directly to purchasers; (ii) through agents; (iii) to or through underwriters; or (iv) through
dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the offer or
sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable offering price, sales load, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the
Fund and its agents or underwriters, or among its underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated, net proceeds and
use of proceeds, and the terms of any sale.
The Fund may distribute Common Shares from time to time in one or more
transactions at: (i) a fixed price or prices that may be changed; (ii) market prices prevailing at the time of sale; (iii) prices related
to prevailing market prices; or (iv) negotiated prices; provided, however, that in each case the offering price per Common Share (less
any underwriting commission or discount) must equal or exceed the NAV per Common Share.
The Fund from time to time may offer its Common Shares through or to
certain broker-dealers that have entered into selected dealer agreements relating to at-the-market offerings.
The Fund may directly solicit offers to purchase Common Shares, or the
Fund may designate agents to solicit such offers. The Fund will, in a Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offering, name any agent
that could be viewed as an underwriter under the 1933 Act, and describe any commissions the Fund must pay to such agent(s). Any such agent
will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
or other offering materials, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform services for the Fund in the ordinary course of business.
If any underwriters or agents are used in the sale of Common Shares
in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, the Fund will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the
time of sale to them, and the Fund will set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offering their names and the terms of
the Fund’s agreement with them.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of Common Shares in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered, the Fund will sell such Common Shares to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Common
Shares to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
The Fund may engage in at-the-market offerings to or through a market
maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the 1933 Act. An at-the-market
offering may be through an underwriter or underwriters acting as principal or agent for the Fund.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which
they may enter into with the Fund to indemnification by the Fund against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933
Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Fund in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the Offering of Common Shares, any underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of Common Shares or any other Common Shares the prices
of which may be used to determine payments on the Common Shares. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the
Offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of Common
Shares or of any such other Common Shares, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, Common Shares or any such other Common Shares in
the open market. Finally, in any Offering of Common Shares through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim
selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing Common Shares in the Offering if the syndicate repurchases
previously distributed Common Shares in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any
of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of Common Shares above independent
market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 7 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions with third parties,
or sell Common Shares not covered by this Prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable Prospectus
Supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell Common Shares covered by this Prospectus and the
applicable Prospectus Supplement or other offering materials, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use Common
Shares pledged by the Fund or borrowed from the Fund or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities,
and may use Common Shares received from the Fund in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this Prospectus, will be identified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement or other offering materials (or a post-effective amendment).
The maximum amount of compensation to be received by any member of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. will not exceed 8% of the initial gross proceeds from the sale of any security being sold
with respect to each particular Offering of Common Shares made under a single Prospectus Supplement.
Any underwriter, agent or dealer utilized in the Offering of Common
Shares will not confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval
of its customer.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“Order”), the Fund is authorized to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once
per year. Pursuant to the Order, the Fund’s Board of Trustees approved a Managed Distribution Plan (“MDP”) pursuant
to which the Fund makes monthly cash distributions to Common Shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. Shareholders
should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms
of the MDP. The MDP is subject to regular periodic review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Board may amend or terminate the
MDP at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders. However, at this time there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that
might cause the termination of the MDP. The Fund may distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains and,
therefore, a distribution may include a return of capital. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s
investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” In addition, a return of capital is
treated as a non-dividend distribution for tax purposes, is not subject to current tax and reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis
in fund shares. With each distribution, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders and a press release containing information about
the amount and sources of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions contained in the notice
and press release are only estimates and are not provided for tax purposes. The amounts and sources of the Fund’s distributions
for tax purposes are reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV for each calendar year.
Subject to its MDP, the Fund makes monthly distributions to Common Shareholders
sourced from the Fund’s cash available for distribution. “Cash available for distribution” consists of the Fund’s
dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, net option premiums and net realized and unrealized gains on stock investments.
The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend
date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required
by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital.
Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes,
distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may include a substantial
return of capital component. The Fund’s distribution rate may be adjusted from time-to-time. The Fund's distributions are determined
by the Adviser based on its current assessment of the Fund’s long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous
factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and projected returns,
and other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change. The Board may modify
this distribution policy at any time without obtaining the approval of Common Shareholders.
The Fund distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial
reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of
tax basis earnings and profits be reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and
tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital
gains are considered to be from ordinary income.
Common Shareholders may elect to automatically reinvest some or all
of their distributions in additional Common Shares under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. See “Distributions”
and “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 8 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Fund has established a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”).
Under the Plan, a Common Shareholder may elect to have all dividend and capital gain distributions automatically reinvested in additional
Common Shares either purchased in the open market or newly issued by the Fund if the Common Shares are trading at or above their net asset
value. Common Shareholders may elect to participate in the Plan by completing the dividend reinvestment plan application form. Common
Shareholders who do not elect to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to them
by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as dividend paying agent. Common Shareholders who intend to hold their Common Shares
through a broker or nominee should contact such broker or nominee to determine whether or how they may participate in the Plan. See “Dividend
Reinvestment Plan.”
CLOSED-END STRUCTURE
Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies
(commonly referred to as mutual funds) in that closed-end funds generally list their shares for trading on a securities exchange and do
not redeem their shares at the option of the shareholder. By comparison, mutual funds issue securities redeemable at NAV at the option
of the shareholder and typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Mutual funds are subject to continuous asset in-flows
and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management, whereas closed-end funds generally can stay more fully invested in securities
consistent with the closed-end fund’s investment objective(s) and policies. In addition, in comparison to open-end funds, closed-end
funds have greater flexibility in the employment of financial leverage and in the ability to make certain types of investments, including
investments in illiquid securities.
However, common shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a
discount from their net asset value. Since inception, the market price of the Common Shares has fluctuated and at times traded below the
Fund’s NAV, and at times has traded above NAV. In recognition of this possibility that the Common Shares might trade at a discount
to NAV and that any such discount may not be in the interest of Common Shareholders, the Fund’s Board, in consultation with Eaton
Vance, from time to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount. The Board might consider open market repurchases or
tender offers for Common Shares at NAV. There can be no assurance that the Board will decide to undertake any of these actions or that,
if undertaken, such actions would result in the Common Shares trading at a price equal to or close to NAV per Common Share. The Board
might also consider the conversion of the Fund to an open-end mutual fund. The Board believes, however, that the closed-end structure
is desirable, given the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is highly unlikely
that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end investment company.
SPECIAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company
security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or you may lose part or all of
your investment.
Discount From or Premium to NAV. The
Offering is conducted only when Common Shares of the Fund are trading at a price equal to or above the Fund’s NAV per Common Share
plus the per Common Share amount of commissions. As with any security, the market value of the Common Shares may increase or decrease
from the amount initially paid for the Common Shares. The Fund’s Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount relative
to NAV. The shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. This is a risk separate
and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV may decrease.
Secondary Market for the Common Shares. The
issuance of Common Shares through the Offering may have an adverse effect on the secondary market for the Common Shares. The increase
in the amount of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares resulting from the Offering may put downward pressure on the market price
for the Common Shares of the Fund. Common Shares will not be issued pursuant to the Offering at any time when Common Shares are trading
at a price lower than a price equal to the Fund’s NAV per Common Share plus the per Common Share amount of commissions.
The Fund also issues Common Shares of the Fund through its dividend
reinvestment plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” Common Shares may be issued under the plan at a discount to the market
price for such Common Shares, which may put downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares of the Fund.
When the Common Shares are trading at a premium, the Fund may also issue
Common Shares of the Fund that are sold through transactions effected on the NYSE. The increase in the amount of the Fund’s outstanding
Common Shares resulting from that offering may also put downward pressure on the market price for the Common Shares of the Fund.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 9 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The voting power of current shareholders is diluted to the extent
that such shareholders do not purchase shares in any future Common Share offerings or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their
percentage interest. In addition, if the Adviser is unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per share
distribution may decrease (or may consist of return of capital) and the Fund may not participate in market advances to the same extent
as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned.
Market
Discount Risk. As with any security, the market value of the Common Shares may increase or decrease from the amount initially
paid for the Common Shares. The Fund’s Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount relative to NAV. The shares
of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. This is a risk separate and distinct from
the risk that the Fund’s NAV may decrease.
Investment
and Market Risk. An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal
amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are generally
traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may
move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. In addition, by writing (selling) call options on the equity securities held in
the Fund’s portfolio, the capital appreciation potential of such securities will be limited to the difference between the exercise
price of the call options written and the purchase price of the equity security underlying such options. The Common Shares at any point
in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of distributions.
The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in
response to economic, political and financial or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global
markets. The frequency and magnitude of such changes in value cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the
Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.
Actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as decreases or increases
in short-term interest rates, could cause high volatility in markets. Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments
to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.
Issuer Risk. The value of securities
held by the Fund may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage
and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services.
Equity Risk.
At least 80% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in common stocks and therefore a principal risk of investing in the Fund
is equity risk. Equity risk is the risk that securities held by the Fund may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or
the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical,
social or environmental developments; issuer- and sector-specific considerations; unexpected trading activity among retail investors;
and other factors. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long
term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings
report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly
sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks
and other equity securities held by the Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price
if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline
in its financial condition. Common equity securities in which the Fund will invest are structurally subordinated to preferred stocks,
bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will
be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. Finally, common stock prices may be sensitive
to rising interest rates, as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks
to a greater extent than other types of stocks. If the stock market declines, the value of Fund shares will also likely decline. Although
stock prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.
Risks Associated with Options on Securities. There
are numerous risks associated with transactions in options on securities. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves
the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior
or unexpected events. As the writer of a call option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from
increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the option premium received and the exercise price
of the call, but has retained the risk of loss, minus the option premium received, should the price of the underlying security decline.
The writer of an option has no control over when during the exercise period of the option it may be required to fulfill its obligation
as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order
to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. Thus, the use of options
may require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, will limit the amount
of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 10 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The value of options may also be adversely
affected if the market for such options becomes less liquid or smaller. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when
the Fund seeks to close out an option position either, in the case of a call option written, by buying the option, or, in the case of
a purchased put option, by selling the option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following:
(i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions
or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes
or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an
exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the ‘‘OCC’’) may not at all times be adequate to handle current
trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled to discontinue the trading
of options (or a particular class or series of options) at some future date. If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that
exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued
by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The Fund’s ability
to terminate over-the-counter options will be more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers
participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. If the Fund were unable to close out a call option that it had
written on a security, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise.
The hours of trading for options may
not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets
for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected
concurrently in the options markets. Call options are marked to market daily and their value will be affected by changes in the value
of and dividend rates of the underlying common stocks, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the
stock market and the underlying common stocks and the remaining time to the options’ expiration. Additionally, the exercise price
of an option may be adjusted downward before the option’s expiration as a result of the occurrence of certain corporate events affecting
the underlying equity security, such as extraordinary dividends, stock splits, merger or other extraordinary distributions or events.
A reduction in the exercise price of an option would reduce the Fund’s capital appreciation potential on the underlying security.
The number of call options the Fund
can write is limited by the number of shares of common stock the Fund holds, and further limited by the fact that listed call options
on individual common stocks generally trade in units representing 100 shares of the underlying stock. Furthermore, the Fund’s options
transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which
such options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single
investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different
exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers.
Thus, the number of options which the Fund may write or purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory
clients of the Adviser. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess
of these limits, and may impose certain other sanctions. The Fund will not write ‘‘naked’’ or uncovered call options.
If the Fund purchases put options
for hedging or risk management purposes, the Fund will be subject to the following additional risks. A put option acquired by the Fund
and not sold prior to expiration will expire worthless if the price of the stock or index at expiration exceeds the exercise price of
the option, thereby causing the Fund to lose its entire investment in the option. If restrictions on exercise were imposed, the Fund might
be unable to exercise an option it had purchased. If the Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased, it would have
to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. Stock market indices on which the Fund may purchase
options positions likely will not mirror the Fund’s actual portfolio holdings. The effectiveness of index put options as hedges
against declines in the Fund’s stock portfolio will be limited to the extent that the performance of the underlying index does not
correlate with that of the Fund’s holdings.
Risks of
Investing in Smaller and Mid-Sized Companies. The Fund may make investments in stocks of companies whose market capitalization
is considered middle sized or “mid-cap.” Smaller and mid-sized companies often are newer or less established companies than
larger companies. Investments in smaller and mid-sized companies carry additional risks because earnings of these companies tend to be
less predictable; they often have limited product lines, markets, distribution channels or financial resources; and the management of
such companies may be dependent upon one or a few key people. The market movements of equity securities of smaller and mid-sized companies
may be more abrupt or erratic than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more established companies or the stock market
in general. Historically, smaller and mid-sized companies have sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not perform as well
as larger companies. In addition, equity securities of smaller and mid-sized companies generally are less liquid than those of larger
companies. This means that the Fund could have greater difficulty selling such securities at the time and price that the Fund would like.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 11 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Risks of Growth Stock Investing. The Fund invests
substantially in stocks with “growth” characteristics. Growth stocks can react differently to issuer, political, market,
and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Growth stocks tend to be more expensive relative to
their earnings or assets compared to other types of stocks. As a result, growth stocks tend to be sensitive to changes in their
earnings and more volatile than other types of stocks.
Foreign
Investment Risk. The value of foreign securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax laws (including withholding
tax), government policies (in this country or abroad), relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other operational
risks. In addition, the costs of investing abroad are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may
be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than markets in the United States. Foreign investments also
could be affected by other factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation,
lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties
in enforcing contractual obligations. As an alternative to holding foreign-traded securities, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated
securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts, which
evidence ownership in underlying foreign securities). Since the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other
than the U.S. dollar, the value of foreign assets and currencies as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably
by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations, application of foreign tax laws (including withholding tax), governmental
administration of economic or monetary policies (in this country or abroad), and relations between nations and trading. Foreign currencies
also are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by intervention,
or the failure to intervene, by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the
United States or abroad. If the U.S. dollar rises in value relative to a foreign currency, a security denominated in that foreign currency
will be worth less in U.S. dollars. If the U.S. dollar decreases in value relative to a foreign currency, a security denominated in that
foreign currency will be worth more in U.S. dollars. A devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority
will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. Costs are incurred in connection with conversions
between currencies.
Because foreign companies are not
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to
U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity
in most foreign debt markets are less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker-dealers
and listed companies than in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable
than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions for, or loss of certificates
of, portfolio securities. Payment for securities before delivery may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments, which
could affect investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance
of payments position. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those
in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and
more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Political events in foreign countries may cause market disruptions.
In June 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) voted in a referendum to leave the European Union (“EU”) (“Brexit”).
Effective January 31, 2020, the UK ceased to be a member of the EU and, following a transition period during which the EU and the UK Government
engaged in a series of negotiations regarding the terms of the UK’s future relationship with the EU, the EU and the UK Government
signed an agreement on December 30, 2020 regarding the economic relationship between the UK and the EU. This agreement became effective
on a provisional basis on January 1, 2021 and entered into full force on May 1, 2021. There remains significant market uncertainty regarding
Brexit’s ramifications, and the range and potential implications of the possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes
in the UK, EU and beyond are difficult to predict. The end of the Brexit transition period may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity,
currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and an increased likelihood of a recession
in the UK. If one or more additional countries leave the EU or the EU dissolves, the world’s securities markets likely will be significantly
disrupted.
Emerging Markets. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total
assets in securities of issuers located in emerging markets. The risks of foreign investments described above apply to an even greater
extent to investments in emerging markets. The securities markets of emerging countries are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid,
and more volatile than the securities markets of the U.S. and developed foreign markets. Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects
are
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 12 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
less stringent than in the U.S. and developed foreign markets. There
also may be a lower level of monitoring and regulation of securities markets in emerging market countries and the activities of investors
in such markets and enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely limited. Many emerging countries have experienced substantial,
and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and
may continue to have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries. Economies in emerging
markets generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely
by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated
by the countries with which they trade. The economies of these countries also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic
conditions in the countries in which they trade. The economies of countries with emerging markets may also be predominantly based on only
a few industries or dependent on revenues from particular commodities. In addition, custodial services and other costs relating to investment
in foreign markets may be more expensive in emerging markets than in many developed foreign markets, which could reduce the Fund’s
income from such securities.
In many cases, governments of emerging countries continue to exercise
significant control over their economies, and government actions relative to the economy, as well as economic developments generally,
may affect the Fund’s investments in those countries. In addition, there is a heightened possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, imposition of withholding taxes on interest payments, or other similar developments that could affect investments in those countries.
There can be no assurance that adverse political changes will not cause the Fund to suffer a loss of any or all of its investments.
Interest Rate Risk. The level of premiums from call options writing
and the amounts available for distribution from the Fund’s options activity may decrease in declining interest rate environments.
Any preferred stocks paying fixed dividend rates in which the Fund invests, will likely change in value as market interest rates change.
When interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. To the extent that the Fund invests in preferred stocks,
the net asset value and price of the Common Shares may decline if market interest rates rise. Interest rates are currently low relative
to historic levels. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of preferred stock may exercise its option to redeem securities
prior to maturity, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as call risk. During periods of rising interest
rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected payments. This may lock in a below
market yield, increase the security’s duration, and reduce the value of the security. This is known as extension risk. The value
of the Fund’s common stock investments may also be influenced by changes in interest rates.
Sector Risk. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its
assets in securities of issuers in any single industry or sector of the economy (a broad based economic segment that may include many
distinct industries) if companies in that industry or sector meet the Fund’s investment criteria. If the Fund is focused in an industry
or sector, it may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries or sectors of the economy. This may
make the Fund more susceptible to adverse economic, political, or regulatory occurrences affecting these sectors. As the percentage of
the Fund’s assets invested in a particular sector increases, so does the potential for fluctuation in the net asset value of Common
Shares. The Fund may not invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry or group of industries.
Derivatives Risk. In addition
to writing call options, the risks of which are described above, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other derivative
investments acquired for hedging, risk management and investment purposes. Derivative transactions including options on securities and
securities indices and other transactions in which the Fund may engage (such as futures contracts and options thereon, swaps and short
sales) may subject the Fund to increased risk of principal loss due to unexpected movements in stock prices, changes in stock volatility
levels and interest rates, and imperfect correlations between the Fund’s securities holdings and indices upon which derivative transactions
are based. The Fund also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to any over-the-counter derivatives contracts
purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due
to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy
or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund may
invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities for which there is no readily available trading market or which are otherwise illiquid.
The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such investments
if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing
transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. In addition, the limited liquidity could affect the market price of the
investments, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. Limited liquidity
can also affect the market price of securities, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s net asset value and ability to make dividend
distributions. The financial markets in general have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during
which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some securities
could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 13 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Inflation Risk. Inflation
risk is the risk that the purchasing power of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases
the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions thereon can decline.
Market Discount Risk. As with
any security, the market value of the Common Shares may increase or decrease from the amount initially paid for the Common Shares. The
Fund's Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount relative to NAV. The shares of closed-end management investment companies
frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. This is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund's NAV may decrease.
Financial Leverage Risk. Although
the Fund has no current intention to do so, the Fund is authorized to utilize leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and/or
borrowings, including the issuance of debt securities. In the event that the Fund determines in the future to utilize investment leverage,
there can be no assurance that such a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage creates
risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Common Shares
and the risk that fluctuations in distribution rates on any preferred shares or fluctuations in borrowing costs may affect the return
to Common Shareholders. To the extent the income derived from securities purchased with proceeds received from leverage exceeds the cost
of leverage, the Fund’s distributions will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the securities
purchased with such proceeds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the amount available for distribution to Common Shareholders
will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, Eaton Vance, in its best judgment, may nevertheless determine to
maintain the Fund’s leveraged position if it deems such action to be appropriate. The costs of an offering of preferred shares and/or
a borrowing program would be borne by Common Shareholders and consequently would result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common
Shares. In addition, the fee paid to Eaton Vance will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s average daily gross assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings, so the fees will be higher when leverage is utilized. In this regard,
holders of preferred shares do not bear the investment advisory fee. Rather, Common Shareholders bear the portion of the investment advisory
fee attributable to the assets purchased with the proceeds of the preferred shares offering.
Management Risk. The Fund is
subject to management risk because it is actively managed. Eaton Vance and the individual portfolio managers invest the assets of the
Fund as they deem appropriate in implementing the Fund’s investment strategy. Accordingly, the success of the Fund depends upon
the investment skills and analytical abilities of Eaton Vance and the individual portfolio managers to develop and effectively implement
strategies that achieve the Fund’s investment objective. There is no assurance that Eaton Vance and the individual portfolio managers
will be successful in developing and implementing the Fund’s investment strategy. Subjective decisions made by Eaton Vance and the
individual portfolio managers may cause the Fund to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities.
Cybersecurity
Risk. With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers to conduct business, such as the Internet, the
Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. The Fund relies on communications technology, systems, and
networks to engage with clients, employees, accounts, shareholders, and service providers, and a cyber incident may inhibit the Fund’s
ability to use these technologies. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks
include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software
coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks
may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites
or via “ransomware” that renders the systems inoperable until appropriate actions are taken. A denial-of-service attack is
an effort to make network services unavailable to intended users, which could cause shareholders to lose access to their electronic accounts,
potentially indefinitely. Employees and service providers also may not be able to access electronic systems to perform critical duties
for the Fund, such as trading and NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions, during
a denial-of-service attack. There is also the possibility for systems failures due to malfunctions, user error and misconduct by employees
and agents, natural disasters, or other foreseeable and unforeseeable events.
Because technology is consistently changing, new ways to carry out cyber
attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack
may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other Funds and business
enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber incidents consistently. In addition
to deliberate cyber attacks, unintentional cyber incidents can occur, such as the inadvertent release of confidential information by the
Fund or its service providers.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 14 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund uses third party service providers who are also heavily
dependent on computers and technology for their operations. Cybersecurity failures or breaches by the Fund’s investment adviser
or administrator and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities
in which the Fund invests, may disrupt and otherwise adversely affect their business operations. This may result in financial losses to
the Fund, impede Fund trading, interfere with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, or cause violations of applicable privacy
and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, litigation costs, or additional
compliance costs. While many of the Fund service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems intended
to identify and mitigate cyber attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain
risks have not been identified. The Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund
and issuers in which the Fund invests. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Recent
Market Conditions. An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019
and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare
service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern
and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus has resulted in a substantial economic downturn, which may continue for an extended period
of time. Health crises caused by outbreaks of disease, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political,
social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the
worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries and industries, and could continue to affect the market in significant
and unforeseen ways. Other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future may have similar effects. For example, a global pandemic
or other widespread health crisis could cause substantial market volatility and exchange trading suspensions and closures. In addition,
the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single
country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The coronavirus outbreak and public and private sector responses
thereto have led to large portions of the populations of many countries working from home for indefinite periods of time, temporary or
permanent layoffs, disruptions in supply chains, and lack of availability of certain goods. The impact of such responses could adversely
affect the information technology and operational systems upon which the Fund and the Fund’s service providers rely, and could otherwise
disrupt the ability of the employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Any such impact
could adversely affect the Fund’s performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Fund invests and may lead to losses
on your investment in the Fund.
Market
Disruption. Global instability, war, geopolitical tensions and terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world
have previously resulted, and may in the future result in market volatility and may have long-term effects on the United States and worldwide
financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide. The Fund cannot predict the effects
of significant future events on the global economy and securities markets. A similar disruption of the financial markets could impact
interest rates, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to the Common Shares.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions. The Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) and Amended and Restated
By-Laws (the “By-Laws” and together with the Declaration of Trust, the “Organizational Documents”) include provisions
that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other persons or entities to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition
of its Board. For example, pursuant to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, the Fund Board is divided into three classes of Trustees
with each class serving for a three-year term and certain types of transactions require the favorable vote of holders of at least 75%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund. See “Description of Capital Structure - Certain Provisions of the Organizational Documents
- Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Organizational Documents.”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 15 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Summary of Fund Expenses
The purpose of the table below is to help you understand all
fees and expenses that you, as a holder of Common Shares (“Common Shareholder”), would bear directly or indirectly. The table
shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Common Shareholder transaction expenses |
|
Sales load paid by you (as a percentage of offering price) |
--(1) |
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price) |
None(2) |
Dividend reinvestment plan fees |
$5.00(3) |
|
|
Annual expenses |
Percentage of net assets
attributable to Common Shares(4) |
Investment advisory fee |
1.00%(5) |
Other expenses |
0.08% |
Total annual Fund operating expenses |
1.08% |
|
|
| (1) | If Common Shares are sold to or through underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable sales load. |
| (2) | The Adviser will pay the expenses of the Offering (other than the applicable commissions); therefore, Offering expenses are not included
in the Summary of Fund Expenses. Offering expenses generally include, but are not limited to, the preparation, review and filing with
the SEC of the Fund’s registration statement (including this Prospectus and the SAI), the preparation, review and filing of any
associated marketing or similar materials, costs associated with the printing, mailing or other distribution of the Prospectus, SAI and/or
marketing materials, associated filing fees, NYSE listing fees, and legal and auditing fees associated with the Offering. |
| (3) | You will be charged a $5.00 service charge and pay brokerage charges if you direct the plan agent to sell your Common Shares held
in a dividend reinvestment account. |
| (4) | Stated as a percentage of average net assets attributable to Common Shares for the year
ended December 31, 2021. |
| (5) | The investment advisory fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser is based on the average daily gross
assets of the Fund, including all assets attributable to any form of investment leverage that the Fund may utilize. Accordingly, if the
Fund were to utilize investment leverage in the future, the investment advisory fee will increase as a percentage of net assets. |
EXAMPLE
The following Example illustrates the expenses that Common Shareholders
would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (i) total annual expenses of 1.08% of net assets attributable to Common Shares
in years 1 through 10; (ii) a 5% annual return; and (iii) all distributions are reinvested at NAV:
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
$11 |
$34 |
$60 |
$132 |
The above table and example and the assumption in the example of
a 5% annual return are required by regulations of the SEC that are applicable to all investment companies; the assumed 5% annual return
is not a prediction of, and does not represent, the projected or actual performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. For more complete
descriptions of certain of the Fund’s costs and expenses, see “Management of the Fund.” In addition, while the example
assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at NAV, participants in the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan may receive
Common Shares purchased or issued at a price or value different from NAV. See “Distributions” and “Dividend Reinvestment
Plan.” The example does not include sales load or estimated offering costs, which would cause the expenses shown in the example
to increase.
The example should not be considered a representation of past or
future expenses, and the Fund’s actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate
of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 16 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Financial Highlights and Investment Performance
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table details the financial performance of the Common Shares, including
total return information showing how much an investment in the Fund has increased or decreased each period. This information has been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The report of Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Fund’s financial statements are incorporated herein by reference and included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
Selected data for a Common Share outstanding during the periods
stated.
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
Net asset value – Beginning of year |
$21.200 |
$17.530 |
$14.820 |
$15.770 |
$13.660 |
Income (Loss) From Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss)(1) |
$(0.082) |
$(0.063) |
$(0.026) |
$(0.027) |
$(0.023) |
Net realized and unrealized gain |
3.971 |
4.819 |
4.015 |
0.127 |
3.183 |
Total income from operations |
$3.889 |
$4.756 |
$3.989 |
$0.100 |
$3.160 |
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
From net realized gain |
(1.284) |
(0.037) |
(1.284)(2) |
(1.050) |
(0.423) |
Tax return of capital |
(0.094) |
(1.050) |
— |
— |
(0.627) |
Total distributions |
$(1.378) |
$(1.087) |
$(1.284) |
$(1.050) |
$(1.050) |
Premium from common shares sold through shelf offering(1) |
$0.009 |
$0.001 |
$0.005 |
$— |
$— |
Net asset value – End of year |
$23.720 |
$21.200 |
$17.530 |
$14.820 |
$15.770 |
Market value – End of year |
$24.590 |
$21.690 |
$17.830 |
$14.670 |
$15.220 |
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(3) |
18.82% |
28.55% |
27.71% |
0.21% |
24.04%(4) |
Total Investment Return on Market Value(3) |
20.40% |
29.31% |
31.22% |
2.78% |
27.76% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted) |
$1,212,024 |
$1,055,567 |
$859,315 |
$707,577 |
$751,565 |
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
1.08% |
1.09% |
1.09% |
1.10% |
1.10% |
Net investment income (loss) |
(0.36)% |
(0.35)% |
(0.16)% |
(0.17)% |
(0.15)% |
Portfolio Turnover |
18% |
38% |
40% |
44% |
48% |
(See
related footnotes.)
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 17 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
Net asset value – Beginning of year |
$14.410 |
$14.540 |
$14.170 |
$11.950 |
$11.750 |
Income (Loss) From Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(1) |
$0.025 |
$0.129 |
$0.024 |
$0.053 |
$0.045 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.275 |
0.791 |
1.396 |
3.211 |
1.195 |
Total income from operations |
$0.300 |
$0.920 |
$1.420 |
$3.264 |
$1.240 |
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income |
$(0.054) |
$(0.128) |
$(0.205) |
$(0.126) |
$(0.117) |
From net realized gain |
(0.126) |
(0.551) |
(0.845) |
(0.924) |
— |
Tax return of capital |
(0.870) |
(0.371) |
— |
— |
(0.942) |
Total distributions |
$(1.050) |
$(1.050) |
$(1.050) |
$(1.050) |
$(1.059) |
Anti-dilutive effect of share repurchase program(1) |
$— |
$— |
$— |
$0.006 |
$0.019 |
Net asset value – End of year |
$13.660 |
$14.410 |
$14.540 |
$14.170 |
$11.950 |
Market value – End of year |
$12.800 |
$13.640 |
$13.830 |
$12.990 |
$10.440 |
Total Investment Return on Net Asset Value(3) |
2.72% |
6.87% |
10.98% |
29.60% |
12.13% |
Total Investment Return on Market Value(3) |
1.68% |
6.43% |
15.07% |
35.99% |
12.74% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted) |
$651,080 |
$686,627 |
$693,110 |
$675,297 |
$572,036 |
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
1.11% |
1.10% |
1.11% |
1.13% |
1.12% |
Net investment income |
0.18% |
0.88% |
0.17% |
0.41% |
0.37% |
Portfolio Turnover |
58% |
52% |
77% |
121% |
45% |
| (1) | Computed using average shares outstanding. |
| (2) | The tax character of a portion of the distribution ($0.069 per share) was based on management’s estimate and was subsequently
determined to be $0.063 per share of tax return of capital and $0.006 per share from net realized gain. |
| (3) | Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or market value with all distributions
reinvested. Distributions are assumed to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. |
| (4) | During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Fund received a payment from an affiliate as reimbursement for certain losses. Excluding
this payment, total return at net asset value would have been 23.72%. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 18 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
TRADING AND NAV INFORMATION
The
Fund’s common shares have traded both at a premium and a discount to NAV. The Fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade
in the future at a premium or discount to NAV. The provisions of the 1940 Act generally require that the public offering price of common
shares (less any underwriting commissions and discounts) must equal or exceed the NAV per share of a company’s common stock. The
issuance of common shares may have an adverse effect on prices in the secondary market for the Fund’s common shares by increasing
the number of common shares available, which may put downward pressure on the market price for the Fund’s common shares. Shares
of common stock of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV. See “Risk Considerations – Discount
from or Premium to NAV”.
In addition, the Fund’s Board of Trustees has authorized the Fund
to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding common shares (as of the date of such authorization) in open-market transactions at a discount
to NAV. The repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific amount of shares. The results of the repurchase program
are disclosed in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. See “Description of Capital Structure –
Repurchase of Common Shares and Other Discount Measures.”
The following table sets forth for each of the periods indicated the
high and low closing market prices for Common Shares on the NYSE, and the corresponding NAV per share and the premium or discount to NAV
per share at which the Fund’s Common Shares were trading as of such date.
|
|
Market Price |
|
NAV per Share on Date of
Market Price |
|
NAV Premium/(Discount)
on Date of Market Price |
Fiscal Quarter Ended |
|
High |
Low |
|
High |
Low |
|
High |
Low |
3/31/2022 |
|
$24.38 |
$19.30 |
|
$23.84 |
$19.06 |
|
2.27% |
1.26% |
12/31/2021 |
|
$24.71 |
$22.86 |
|
$24.15 |
$22.35 |
|
2.32% |
2.28% |
9/30/2021 |
|
$24.86 |
$23.08 |
|
$24.07 |
$23.14 |
|
3.28% |
(0.26)% |
6/30/2021 |
|
$23.28 |
$21.28 |
|
$23.25 |
$21.37 |
|
0.13% |
(0.42)% |
3/31/2021 |
|
$22.87 |
$20.78 |
|
$22.41 |
$20.95 |
|
2.05% |
(0.81)% |
12/31/2020 |
|
$21.69 |
$17.93 |
|
$21.20 |
$18.50 |
|
2.31% |
(3.08)% |
9/30/2020 |
|
$19.88 |
$17.75 |
|
$20.07 |
$17.90 |
|
(0.95)% |
(0.84)% |
6/30/2020 |
|
$17.95 |
$12.90 |
|
$17.61 |
$13.78 |
|
1.93% |
(6.39)% |
3/31/2020 |
|
$18.90 |
$11.07 |
|
$18.65 |
$13.08 |
|
1.34% |
(15.37)% |
On April 1, 2022, the last reported sale price, NAV per Common
Share and percentage premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share, were $21.09, $20.79 and 1.44%, respectively. As of April 1, 2022, the
Trust had 51,351,208 Common Shares outstanding and net assets of $1,067,478,287.
The following table provides information about our outstanding Common
Shares as of April 1, 2022:
Title of Class |
Amount Authorized |
Amount Held by the Fund for its Account |
Amount Outstanding |
Common Shares |
Unlimited |
0 |
51,351,208 |
The Fund
The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 8, 2004 pursuant to an Agreement and
Declaration of Trust, as amended August 11, 2008, governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Fund’s principal
office is located at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, and its telephone number is 1-800-262-1122.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 19 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Use of Proceeds
Subject to the remainder of this section, and unless otherwise specified
in a Prospectus Supplement, the Fund currently intends to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of any sales of Common Shares pursuant
to this Prospectus in accordance with its investment objectives and policies as described under “Investment Objectives, Policies
and Risks” within three months of receipt of such proceeds. Such investments may be delayed up to three months if suitable investments
are unavailable at the time or for other reasons, such as market volatility and lack of liquidity in the markets of suitable investments.
Pending such investment, the Fund anticipates that it will invest the proceeds in short-term money market instruments, securities with
remaining maturities of less than one year, cash or cash equivalents. A delay in the anticipated use of proceeds could lower returns and
reduce the Fund’s distribution to Common Shareholders or result in a distribution consisting principally of a return of capital.
Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The Fund’s primary investment
objective is to provide current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its investment objectives
by investing primarily in a portfolio of mid- and large-capitalization common stocks,. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks
to generate current earnings from option premiums by selling covered call options on a substantial portion of its portfolio securities,
although on up to 5% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may sell the stock underlying a call option prior to purchasing back the
call option. Such sales shall occur no more than three days before the option buy back. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve
its investment objectives.
PRIMARY INVESTMENT POLICIES
General Composition of the Fund. Under
normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks. For the purposes of the 80% test, total
assets is defined as net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes. Normally, the Fund invests primarily in common stocks of
mid- and large-capitalization issuers. The Fund generally invests in common stocks on which exchange traded call options are currently
available. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of U.S. issuers, although the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in
securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts (‘‘ADRs’’), Global Depositary Receipts (‘‘GDRs’’)
and European Depositary Receipts (‘‘EDRs’’).
Eaton Vance generally considers
mid-capitalization companies to be those companies having market capitalizations within the range of capitalizations for the S&P MidCap
400® Index. As of March 31, 2022, the median market capitalization
of companies in the S&P MidCap 400® Index was approximately
$5.4 billion. Market capitalizations of companies within the S&P MidCap 400®
Growth Index are subject to change. Eaton Vance generally considers large-capitalization companies to be those companies having market
capitalizations equal to or greater than the median capitalization of the companies included in the S&P 500®.
As of March 31, 2022, the median market capitalization of companies in the S&P 500®
was approximately $31.7 billion. Market capitalizations of companies within the S&P 500®
Index are subject to change.
The Fund’s policy of investing,
under normal market circumstances, at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks is not considered to be fundamental by the Fund and
can be changed without a vote of the Fund’s shareholders. However, this policy may only be changed by the Fund’s Board of
Trustees (the ‘‘Board’’) following the provision of 60 days prior written notice to the Fund’s shareholders.
Under normal market conditions, the
Fund pursues its primary investment objective principally by employing an options strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on
a substantial portion of its portfolio securities, although on up to 5% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may sell the stock underlying
a call option prior to purchasing back the call option. Such sales shall occur no more than three days before the option buy back. The
extent of option writing activity will depend upon market conditions and the Adviser’s ongoing assessment of the attractiveness
of writing call options on the Fund’s stock holdings. Writing call options involves a tradeoff between the option premiums received
and reduced participation in potential future stock price appreciation. Depending on the Adviser’s evaluation, the Fund may write
call options on varying percentages of the Fund’s common stock holdings. The Fund seeks to generate current earnings from option
writing premiums and, to a lesser extent, from dividends on stocks held.
The Fund may in certain circumstances
purchase put options on the S&P 500® and other broad-based
securities indices deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or on individual stocks held in its portfolio or use other derivative instruments
in order to help protect against a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. The premiums paid to acquire any such put options
will reduce the amounts available for distribution to Common Shareholders from options activities.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 20 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund’s investments are normally
invested across a broad range of industries and market sectors. The Fund may, however, invest up to any amount less than 25% of its total
assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry or group of industries. See ‘‘Risk Considerations – Sector
Risk.’’
During unusual market conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of
its assets in cash or cash equivalents temporarily, which may be inconsistent with its investment objectives, principal strategies and
other policies.
Investment Strategy. A team of
Eaton Vance investment professionals with extensive experience in equity research and management is responsible for the overall management
of the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s investments are actively managed, and securities and other investments may be bought
or sold on a daily basis.
The Adviser believes that a strategy
combining active equity portfolio management with a systematic program of call option writing can provide potentially attractive long-term
returns. The Adviser further believes that a strategy of owning common stocks in conjunction with writing call options on a substantial
portion of the stocks held should generally provide returns that are superior to simply owning the same stocks under three different stock
market scenarios: (1) Down-trending equity markets; (2) flat market conditions; and (3) moderately rising equity markets. In the Adviser’s
opinion, only in more strongly rising equity markets would the stock-plus-calls strategy generally be expected to underperform the stocks
held. For these purposes, the Adviser considers more strongly rising equity market conditions to exist whenever the current annual rate
of return for U.S. stocks materially exceeds the long-term historical average of stock market returns. The Adviser considers moderately
rising equity market conditions to exist whenever current annual returns on U.S. common stocks are positive, but not materially higher
than the long-term historical average of stock market returns.
Investment decisions for the Fund
will be made primarily on the basis of fundamental research. The portfolio managers utilize information provided by, and the expertise
of, the Adviser’s research staff in making investment decisions. In selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser considers a
variety of issuer characteristics such as sustainable competitive advantage, predictable and dependable cash flows, high quality management
teams and solid balance sheets. Many of these considerations are subjective. In addition to its careful research based analysis in selecting
investments for the Fund, the Adviser also places a strong emphasis on the ongoing evaluation of portfolio holdings and the appropriate
time and circumstances to sell or reduce a holding. In this regard, the Adviser may sell a stock when it believes it is fully valued,
the fundamentals of a company deteriorate, a stock’s price falls below its acquisition cost, management fails to execute its strategy
or to pursue other more attractive investment opportunities, among other reasons.
The Fund writes primarily exchange-listed
call options on individual stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio, primarily with shorter maturities (typically one to three months
until expiration) and primarily at exercise prices approximately equal to or above the current stock price when written. When an option-writing
program is established for a particular stock, options will typically be written on a portion of the total stock position, which may allow
for upside potential. If the stock price increases, the Fund will normally look to buy back the call options written and to sell new call
options at higher exercise prices (up to the target price determined by the Adviser) as a risk management tool. If the stock price declines,
the Fund normally seeks to buy back the call options written or let the calls expire worthless at expiration. The Fund may also write
call options with different characteristics and managed differently than described in this paragraph.
In addition to the strategy of selling
call options, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other derivative instruments acquired for hedging, risk management
and investment purposes (to gain exposure to securities, securities markets, markets indices and/or currencies consistent with its investment
objectives and policies), provided that no more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in such derivative instruments
acquired for non-hedging purposes. Among other derivative strategies, the Fund may purchase put options on the S&P 500®
and other broad-based securities indices deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or on individual stocks held in its portfolio in order
to help protect against a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. Derivative instruments may be used by the Fund to enhance
returns or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities.
Common Stocks. Under normal market
conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks. Common stock represents an equity ownership interest
in the issuing corporation. Holders of common stock generally have voting rights in the issuer and are entitled to receive common stock
dividends when, as and if declared by the corporation’s board of directors. Common stock normally occupies the most subordinated
position in an issuer’s capital structure. Returns on common stock investments consist of any dividends received plus the amount
of appreciation or depreciation in the value of the stock. The Fund will have substantial exposure to common stocks.
Although common stocks have
historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long term and particularly during periods of
high or rising concerns about inflation, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns and may not
maintain their real value during inflationary periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the
value of a particular common stock held by the Fund. Also, the prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the
stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock
prices fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the
general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition,
common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 21 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Options—Generally. The
Fund’s principal options activity will consist of writing (selling) covered call options on common stocks held, although on up to
5% of the Fund’s net assets, the Fund may sell the stock underlying a call option prior to purchasing back the call option. Such
sales shall occur no more than three days before the option buy back. Among other potential options strategies, the Fund may purchase
put options on the S&P 500® and other broad-based securities
indices deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or on individual stocks held in its portfolio to help protect against a decline in the value
of its portfolio securities. An option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right
to buy from (in the case of a call) or sell to (in the case of a put) the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a
specified exercise or ‘‘strike’’ price. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise
of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the
underlying security. Certain options, known as ‘‘American style’’ options may be exercised at any time during
the term of the option. Other options, known as ‘‘European style’’ options, may be exercised only on the expiration
date of the option. Since listed options on individual stocks in the United States are generally American style options, the Adviser believes
that substantially all of the single-stock options written or acquired by the Fund will be American style options. Exchange-traded options
on stock indices are generally European style options.
A call option on a common stock or other security is covered if the
Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration
(or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or other assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser (in accordance with procedures
established by the Board) in such amount are segregated by the Fund’s custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other securities
held by the Fund. A call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security as the call written where the exercise price
of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call
written, provided the difference is maintained by the Fund in segregated assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser as described above.
The Fund may write call options on securities that it owns (so-called
covered calls) and also may temporarily hold uncovered call options. With respect to written calls, the Fund may sell the underlying security
prior to entering into a closing purchase transaction on up to 5% of its net assets within three days of such transaction.
If an option written by the Fund expires
unexercised, the Fund realizes on the expiration date a capital gain equal to the premium received by the Fund at the time the option
was written. If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a capital loss equal to the premium paid. Prior
to the earlier of exercise or expiration, an exchange-traded option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option of
the same series (type, underlying security, exercise price, and expiration). There can be no assurance, however, that a closing purchase
or sale transaction can be effected when the Fund desires. The Fund may sell put or call options it has previously purchased, which could
result in a net gain or loss depending on whether the amount realized on the sale is more or less than the premium and other transaction
costs paid on the put or call option when purchased. The Fund will realize a capital gain from a closing purchase transaction if the cost
of the closing option is less than the premium received from writing the option, or, if it is more, the Fund will realize a capital loss.
If the premium received from a closing sale transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, the Fund will realize a
capital gain or, if it is less, the Fund will realize a capital loss. In most cases, net gains from the Fund’s option strategy will
be short-term capital gains which, for federal income tax purposes, will constitute net investment company taxable income. See ‘‘Distributions
– Federal Income Tax Matters.’’
The principal factors affecting the
market value of an option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security in relation to
the exercise price of the option, the actual or perceived volatility of the underlying security, and the time remaining until the expiration
date. The premium paid for an option purchased by the Fund is an asset of the Fund. The premium received for an option written by the
Fund is recorded as an asset and equivalent liability. The Fund then adjusts over time the liability to the market value of the option.
The value of an option purchased or written is marked to market daily and is valued at the closing price on the exchange on which it is
traded or, if not traded on an exchange or no closing price is available, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices or otherwise
at fair value as determined by the Board of the Fund.
The transaction costs of buying and
selling options consist primarily of commissions (which are imposed in opening, closing, exercise and assignment transactions), but may
also include margin and interest costs in particular transactions. The impact of transaction costs on the profitability of a transaction
may often be greater for options transactions than for transactions in the underlying securities because these costs are often greater
in relation to options premiums than in relation to the prices of underlying securities. Transaction costs may be especially significant
in option strategies calling for multiple purchases and sales of options, such as spreads or
straddles. Transaction costs may be different for transactions effected in foreign markets than for transactions effected in U.S. markets.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 22 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Call Options and Covered Call Writing. The
Fund follows a principal options strategy known as ‘‘covered call option writing,’’ which is a strategy designed
to generate earnings and offset a portion of a market decline in the underlying common stock. The Fund will only write (sell) options
on common stocks held in the Fund’s portfolio. It may not sell ‘‘naked’’ call options, i.e., options representing
more shares of the stock than are held in the portfolio.
The standard contract size for an
exchange-listed single-stock option is 100 shares of the common stock. There are four items needed to identify a particular option contract:
(1) the underlying security, (2) the expiration month, (3) the exercise (or strike) price and (4) the type (call or put). For example,
20 ABC Corp. January 40 call options provide the right to purchase 2,000 shares of ABC Corp. common stock on or before January 17, 2020
at $40 per share. A call option whose strike price is above the current price of the underlying stock is called ‘‘out-of-the-money,’’
a call option whose strike price is equal to the current price of the underlying stock is called ‘‘at-the-money’’
and a call option whose strike price is below the current price of the underlying stock is called ‘‘in-the-money.’’
The following is a conceptual example
of the returns that may be achieved from a stock-plus-call position, making the following assumptions: ABC common stock trades at $36.36
per share and ABC January 40 call options (10% out-of-the-money) trade at $1.82 per underlying share (5% option premium). This example
is not meant to represent the performance of any actual common stock, option contract or the Fund itself.
The return over the period until option
expiration earned by a holder of ABC stock who writes ABC January 40 call options and maintains the position until expiration will be
as follows: (1) if the stock price declines 5%, the option will expire worthless and the holder will have a net return of zero (option
premium offsets loss in stock); (2) if the stock price is flat, the option will again expire worthless and the holder will have a net
return of 5% (option premium plus no gain or loss on stock); (3) if the stock price rises 10% (to the $40 strike price), the option will
again expire with no value and the holder will have a net return of 15% (option premium plus 10% stock return); and (4) if the stock rises
20%, the exercise of the option would limit stock gain to 10% and total net return to 15%. If the stock price at exercise exceeds the
strike price, returns from the position are capped at 15%.
As demonstrated in the example, writing
covered call options on common stocks lowers the variability of potential returns and can enhance returns in three of four stock price
performance scenarios (down, flat or moderately up). Only when the stock price at expiration exceeds the sum of the premium received and
the option exercise price would the stock-plus-call strategy be expected to provide lower returns than the underlying stock. The amount
of downside protection afforded by the strategy in declining stock scenarios is limited, however, to the amount of option premium received.
If the stock price declines in an amount greater than the option premium, the Fund will incur a net loss.
For conventional listed call options,
the option’s expiration date can be up to nine months from the date the call options are first listed for trading. Longer-term call
options can have expiration dates up to three years from the date of listing. It is anticipated that many options that are written by
the Fund against its stock holdings will be repurchased prior to the option’s expiration date, generating a gain or loss in the
options. Options that are not repurchased prior to expiration are subject to exercise by the option holder if the stock price at expiration
is above the strike price.
Exchange listed options contracts
are originated and standardized by an independent entity called the Options Clearing Corporation (the ‘‘OCC’’).
Currently, listed options are available on over 2,300 stocks with new listings added periodically. The Fund will write (sell) call options
that are generally issued, guaranteed and cleared by the OCC. Listed call options are traded on the American Stock Exchange, Chicago Board
Options Exchange International Securities Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, Pacific Stock Exchange and Philadelphia Stock Exchange. With
multiple exercise prices and expiration dates for options on different stocks, the Adviser believes that there exists sufficient opportunities
in the options market to meet the needs of the Fund’s investment program.
Put Options. Put
options are contracts that give the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right to sell to the writer of the option the security/index
underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. As discussed above, the Fund may in certain
circumstances purchase put options on the S&P 500®
and other broad-based securities indices deemed suitable for this purpose, and/or
on individual stocks held in the portfolio to help protect against a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The
premiums paid to acquire put options will reduce amounts available for distribution from the Fund’s options activity.
Foreign Securities. The Fund
may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers located in countries other than the United States. The value of foreign
securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax laws (including withholding tax), government policies (in this country
or abroad), relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks. In addition, the costs of investing
abroad are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject
to governmental supervision than markets in the United States. Foreign investments also could be affected by other factors not present
in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation,
lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties
in enforcing contractual obligations. As an alternative to holding foreign-traded securities, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated
securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts, which
evidence ownership in underlying foreign securities).
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 23 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Because foreign companies are not
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to
U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity
in most foreign debt markets are less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker-dealers
and listed companies than in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable
than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio
securities. Payment for securities before delivery may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the
possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments, which could affect
investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such
respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments
position. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United
States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Since the Fund will invest in securities
denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the Fund will be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates
(and exchange control regulations) which affect the value of investments in the Fund and the accrued income and appreciation or depreciation
of the investments in U.S. dollars. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar
value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency and the Fund’s return on such assets as well as any temporary uninvested
reserves in bank deposits in foreign currencies. In addition, the Fund will incur costs in connection with conversions between various
currencies.
The Fund may invest in ADRs, EDRs
and GDRs. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of foreign issuers and are alternatives to purchasing directly
the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, they continue to be subject to many of the risks
associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic
risks of the underlying issuer’s country. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be sponsored or unsponsored. Unsponsored receipts are established
without the participation of the issuer. Unsponsored receipts may involve higher expenses, they may not pass-through voting or other shareholder
rights, and they may be less liquid.
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its
total assets in securities of issuers located in emerging markets.
The Fund may write covered call options
on common stocks of foreign issuers subject to the same guidelines described herein with respect to its covered call options writing program
generally.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT PRACTICES
In addition to its primary investment policies, the Fund may engage
in the following investment practices to a limited extent. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total
assets in common stocks, including stocks of foreign issuers. The Fund may invest in the aggregate up to 20% of its total assets in all
investments described below.
Preferred Stocks.
Preferred stock, like common stock, represents an equity ownership in an issuer. Generally, preferred stock has a priority of claim
over common stock in dividend payments and upon liquidation of the issuer. Unlike common stock, preferred stock does not usually have
voting rights. Preferred stock in some instances is convertible into common stock. Although they are equity securities, preferred stocks
have certain characteristics of both debt and common stock. They are debt-like in that their promised income is contractually fixed. They
are common stock-like in that they do not have rights to precipitate bankruptcy proceedings or collection activities in the event of missed
payments.
Furthermore, they have many of the key characteristics of equity due
to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure and because their quality and value are heavily dependent on the
profitability of the issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. The Fund will only invest in preferred stocks
that are rated investment grade at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Standard
& Poor’s Ratings Group and Fitch Ratings consider securities rated BBB- and above to be investment grade and Moody’s Investors
Service, Inc. considers securities rated Baa3 and above to be investment grade.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 24 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Warrants.
The Fund may invest in equity and index warrants of domestic and international issuers. Equity warrants are securities that give
the holder the right, but not the obligation, to subscribe for equity issues of the issuing company or a related company at a fixed price
either on a certain date or during a set period. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value
of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may
offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights
with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have
value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
The sale of a warrant results in a long- or short-term capital gain or loss depending on the period for which a warrant is held.
Convertible Securities
and Bonds with Warrants Attached. The Fund may invest in preferred stocks and fixed-income obligations that are convertible into
common stocks of domestic and foreign issuers, and bonds issued as a unit with warrants. Convertible securities in which the Fund may
invest, comprised of both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be converted at either a stated price or at a stated rate
into underlying shares of common stock. Because of this feature, convertible securities generally enable an investor to benefit from increases
in the market price of the underlying common stock. Convertible securities often provide higher yields than the underlying equity securities,
but generally offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in
relation to changes in interest rates like bonds, and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to the underlying common stock.
Short Sales. The Fund may sell
a security short if it owns at least an equal amount of the security sold short or another security convertible or exchangeable for an
equal amount of the security sold short without payment of further compensation (a short sale against-the-box). In a short sale against-the-box,
the short seller is exposed to the risk of being forced to deliver stock that it holds to close the position if the borrowed stock is
called in by the lender, which would cause gain or loss to be recognized on the delivered stock. The Fund expects normally to close its
short sales against-the-box by delivering newly acquired stock.
The ability to use short sales against-the-box,
certain equity swaps and certain equity collar strategies as a tax-efficient management technique with respect to holdings of appreciated
securities is limited to circumstances in which the hedging transaction is closed out not later than thirty days after the end of the
Fund’s taxable year in which the transaction was initiated, and the underlying appreciated securities position is held unhedged
for at least the next sixty days after the hedging transaction is closed. Not meeting these requirements would trigger the recognition
of gain on the underlying appreciated securities position under the federal tax laws applicable to constructive sales.
Temporary Investments. During
unusual market conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, which may be inconsistent with its
investment objectives, principal strategies and other policies. Cash equivalents are highly liquid, short-term securities such as commercial
paper, time deposits, certificates of deposit, short-term notes and short-term U.S. government obligations. In moving to a substantial
temporary investments position and in transitioning from such a position back into conformity with the Fund’s normal investment
objectives and policies, the Fund may incur transaction costs that would not be incurred if the Fund had remained fully invested in accordance
with such normal policies. The transition to and from a substantial temporary investments position may also result in the Fund having
to sell common stocks and/or close out options positions and then later purchase common stocks and open new options positions in circumstances
that might not otherwise be optimal. The Fund’s investment in such temporary investments under unusual market circumstances may
not be in furtherance of the Fund’s investment objectives.
When-Issued Securities and Forward Commitments. Securities
may be purchased on a ‘‘forward commitment’’ or ‘‘when-issued’’ basis (meaning securities
are purchased or sold with payment and delivery taking place in the future) in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous
price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction. However, the return on a comparable security when the transaction is consummated
may vary from the return on the security at the time that the forward commitment or when-issued transaction was made. From the time of
entering into the transaction until delivery and payment is made at a later date, the securities that are the subject of the transaction
are subject to market fluctuations. In forward commitment or when-issued transactions, if the seller or buyer, as the case may be, fails
to consummate the transaction, the counterparty may miss the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous.
Forward commitment or when-issued transactions may occur a month or more before delivery is due. However, no payment or delivery is made
until payment is received or delivery is made from the other party to the transaction. Forward commitment or when-issued transactions
will not be entered into for the purpose of investment leverage.
Restricted
Securities. Securities held by the Fund may be legally restricted as to resale (such as those issued in private placements),
including commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
thereunder, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers initially offered and sold outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S
thereunder. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. The Fund may incur additional
expense when disposing of restricted securities, including all or a
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 25 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
portion of the cost to register the securities. The Fund also may
acquire securities through private placements under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities that
are in addition to applicable legal restrictions. In addition, if the Adviser receives material non-public information about the issuer,
the Fund may as a result be unable to sell the securities. Restricted securities may be difficult to value properly and may involve greater
risks than securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale. It may be difficult to sell restricted securities at a price representing
fair value until such time as the securities may be sold publicly. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse
changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when the Adviser believes
it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held. Holdings
of restricted securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them. Restricted
securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk, which may result in substantial losses.
Illiquid
Investments. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in investments for which there is no readily available trading
market or that are otherwise illiquid. It may be difficult to sell illiquid investments at a price representing their fair value until
such time as such investments may be sold publicly. Where registration is required, a considerable period may elapse between a decision
by the Fund to sell the investments and the time when it would be permitted to sell. Thus, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable
a price as that prevailing at the time of the decision to sell. The Fund may also acquire investments through private placements under
which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of such investments. Such restrictions might prevent their sale at a time
when such sale would otherwise be desirable.
At times, a portion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in investments
as to which the Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all
of such investments. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the
issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such investments when the Adviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able
to sell such investments only at prices lower than if such investments were more widely held. It may also be more difficult to determine
the fair value of such investments for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value.
Other Derivative Instruments. In
addition to the strategy of selling call options, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in derivative instruments (which are
instruments that derive their value from another instrument, security or index) acquired for hedging, risk management and investment purposes
(to gain exposure to securities, securities markets, markets indices and/or currencies consistent with its investment objectives and policies),
provided that no more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in such derivative instruments acquired for non-hedging
purposes. These strategies may be executed through the use of derivative contracts in the United States or abroad. In the course of pursuing
these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and sell equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase and sell futures
contracts and options thereon, and enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars. In addition, derivatives may
also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Derivative instruments may be used
by the Fund to enhance returns or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities.
Swaps. Swap contracts may
be purchased or sold to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or market conditions, to mitigate non-payment
or default risk, or to gain exposure to particular securities, baskets of securities, indices or currencies. In a standard ‘‘swap’’
transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) to be exchanged or ‘‘swapped’’
between the parties, which returns are calculated with respect to a ‘‘notional amount,’’ i.e., the return on
or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, or in a particular security, ‘‘basket’’
of securities or index. The Fund will enter into swaps only on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund
receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. If the other party to a swap defaults, the Fund’s
risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The net amount of the excess,
if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian.
The Fund will not enter into any swap unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade
by the Adviser. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the
agreements related to the transaction. Swaps are traded in the over-the-counter market. The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity,
which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the
Adviser is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and other applicable factors, the investment performance of the
Fund would be unfavorably affected.
Total Return Swaps. Total return
swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments of the total return from the underlying asset(s), which may include securities,
baskets of securities, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for payments equal to a fixed or floating rate of
interest or the total return from other underlying asset(s).
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 26 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Interest Rate Swaps. Interest
rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange
of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments).
Futures and Options on Futures. The
Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of financial futures contracts and options thereon to seek to hedge against changes in stock
prices or interest rates, for other risk management purposes or to gain exposure to certain securities, indices and currencies. Futures
contracts may be based on various securities indices and securities. Such transactions involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to adverse
changes in securities prices, which may exceed the Fund’s initial investment in these contracts. The Fund will only purchase or
sell futures contracts or related options in compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. These transactions
involve transaction costs. Sales of futures contracts and related options generally result in realization of short-term or long-term capital
gain depending on the period for which the investment is held. To the extent that any futures contract or options on futures contract
held by the Fund is a ‘‘Section 1256 contract’’ under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the ‘‘Code’’),
the contract will be marked-to-market annually and any gain or loss will be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term, regardless of
the holding period for such contract.
Securities Lending. The Fund
may seek to earn income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other institutional borrowers. As with other extensions of
credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities fails financially.
Loans will be made only to organizations whose credit quality or claims paying ability is considered by the Adviser to be at least investment
grade and when the expected returns, net of administrative expenses and any finders’ fees, justifies the attendant risk. Securities
loans currently are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents (such as money market instruments) or
other liquid securities held by the custodian and maintained in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned.
The financial condition of the borrower will be monitored by the Adviser on an ongoing basis. The Fund will not lend portfolio securities
subject to a written covered call contract.
Borrowings. The Fund may borrow
money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act as interpreted, modified or otherwise permitted by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction.
Although there is no current intention to do so, the Fund may in the future from time to time borrow money to add leverage to the portfolio.
The Fund may also borrow money for temporary administrative purposes.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The
Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund temporarily transfers possession of
a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash. At the same time, the Fund agrees to repurchase
the instrument at an agreed upon time and price, which reflects an interest payment. The Fund may enter into such agreements when it is
able to invest the cash acquired at a rate higher than the cost of the agreement, which would increase earned income. Income realized
on reverse repurchase agreements will be taxable as ordinary income.
When the Fund enters into a reverse
repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of either the securities transferred to another party or the securities in
which the proceeds may be invested would affect the market value of the Fund’s assets. As a result, such transactions may increase
fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s assets. While there is a risk that large fluctuations in the market value of the
Fund’s assets could affect net asset value, this risk is not significantly increased by entering into reverse repurchase agreements,
in the opinion of the Adviser. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be considered to be the practical equivalent of borrowing funds,
they constitute a form of leverage and may be subject to leverage risks. Such agreements will be treated as subject to investment restrictions
regarding ‘‘borrowings.’’ If the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement at a rate lower
than the cost of the agreement, entering into the agreement will lower the Fund’s yield.
Research
Process. The Fund’s portfolio management utilizes the information provided by, and the expertise of, the research staff
of the investment adviser and/or certain of its affiliates in making investment decisions. As part of the research process, portfolio
management may consider financially material environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors. Such factors, alongside
other relevant factors, may be taken into account in the Fund’s securities selection process.
Portfolio
Turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its portfolio turnover rate, but the annual turnover rate may exceed 100% (excluding
turnover of securities having a maturity of one year or less). A high turnover rate (100% or more) necessarily involves greater expenses
to the Fund. The portfolio turnover rate(s) for the Fund for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 18%, 38% and
40%, respectively.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 27 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company
security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or even that you may lose part
or all of your investment.
Discount From or Premium to NAV. The
Offering is conducted only when Common Shares of the Fund are trading at a price equal to or above the Fund’s NAV per Common Share
plus the per Common Share amount of commissions. As with any security, the market value of the Common Shares may increase or decrease
from the amount initially paid for the Common Shares. The Fund’s Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount relative
to NAV. The shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. This is a risk separate
and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s NAV may decrease.
Secondary Market for the Common Shares. The
issuance of Common Shares through the Offering may have an adverse effect on the secondary market for the Common Shares. The increase
in the amount of the Fund’s outstanding Common Shares resulting from the Offering may put downward pressure on the market price
for the Common Shares of the Fund. Common Shares will not be issued pursuant to the Offering at any time when Common Shares are trading
at a price lower than a price equal to the Fund’s NAV per Common Share plus the per Common Share amount of commissions.
The Fund also issues Common Shares of the Fund through its dividend
reinvestment plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” Common Shares may be issued under the plan at a discount to the market
price for such Common Shares, which may put downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares of the Fund.
When the Common Shares are trading at a premium, the Fund may also issue
Common Shares of the Fund that are sold through transactions effected on the NYSE. The increase in the amount of the Fund’s outstanding
Common Shares resulting from that offering may also put downward pressure on the market price for the Common Shares of the Fund.
The voting power of current shareholders is diluted to the extent
that such shareholders do not purchase shares in any future Common Share offerings or do not purchase sufficient shares to maintain their
percentage interest. In addition, if the Adviser is unable to invest the proceeds of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per share
distribution may decrease (or may consist of return of capital) and the Fund may not participate in market advances to the same extent
as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned.
Market
Discount Risk. As with any security, the market value of the Common Shares may increase or decrease from the amount initially
paid for the Common Shares. The Fund’s Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount relative to NAV. The shares
of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV. This is a risk separate and distinct from
the risk that the Fund’s NAV may decrease.
Investment
and Market Risk. An investment in Common Shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal
amount invested. An investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are generally
traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may
move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. In addition, by writing (selling) call options on the equity securities held in
the Fund’s portfolio, the capital appreciation potential of such securities will be limited to the difference between the exercise
price of the call options written and the purchase price of the equity security underlying such options. The Common Shares at any point
in time may be worth less than the original investment, even after taking into account any reinvestment of distributions.
The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in
response to economic, political and financial or other disruptive events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global
markets. The frequency and magnitude of such changes in value cannot be predicted. Certain securities and other investments held by the
Fund may experience increased volatility, illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in reaction to changing market conditions.
Actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as decreases or increases
in short-term interest rates, could cause high volatility in markets. Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments
to stimulate or stabilize the global economy may not be effective and could lead to high market volatility.
Issuer Risk. The value of securities
held by the Fund may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage
and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services.
Equity Risk.
At least 80% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in common stocks and therefore a principal risk of investing in the Fund
is equity risk. Equity risk is the risk that securities held by the Fund may decline in response to adverse changes in the economy or
the economic outlook; deterioration in investor sentiment; interest rate, currency, and commodity price fluctuations; adverse geopolitical,
social or environmental developments; issuer- and sector-specific considerations; and other factors. Although common stocks have historically
generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more
volatility in returns. An
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 28 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the
value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general
movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity
securities held by the Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails
to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial
condition. Common equity securities in which the Fund will invest are structurally subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt
instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater
dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. Finally, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest
rates, as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent
than other types of stocks. If the stock market declines, the value of Fund shares will also likely decline. Although stock prices can
rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.
Risks Associated with Options on Securities. There
are numerous risks associated with transactions in options on securities. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves
the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior
or unexpected events. As the writer of a call option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from
increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the option premium received and the exercise price
of the call, but has retained the risk of loss, minus the option premium received, should the price of the underlying security decline.
The writer of an option has no control over when during the exercise period of the option it may be required to fulfill its obligation
as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order
to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. Thus, the use of options
may require the Fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, will limit the
amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.
The value of options may also be adversely
affected if the market for such options becomes less liquid or smaller. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when
the Fund seeks to close out an option position either, in the case of a call option written, by buying the option, or, in the case of
a purchased put option, by selling the option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following:
(i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions
or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes
or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an
exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the ‘‘OCC’’) may not at all times be adequate to handle current
trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled to discontinue the trading
of options (or a particular class or series of options) at some future date. If trading were discontinued, the secondary market on that
exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist. However, outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued
by the OCC as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. The Fund’s ability
to terminate over-the-counter options will be more limited than with exchange-traded options and may involve the risk that broker-dealers
participating in such transactions will not fulfill their obligations. If the Fund were unable to close out a covered call option that
it had written on a security, it would not be able to sell the underlying security unless the option expired without exercise.
The hours of trading for options may
not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets
for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected
concurrently in the options markets. Call options are marked to market daily and their value will be affected by changes in the value
of and dividend rates of the underlying common stocks, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the
stock market and the underlying common stocks and the remaining time to the options’ expiration. Additionally, the exercise price
of an option may be adjusted downward before the option’s expiration as a result of the occurrence of certain corporate events affecting
the underlying equity security, such as extraordinary dividends, stock splits, merger or other extraordinary distributions or events.
A reduction in the exercise price of an option would reduce the Fund’s capital appreciation potential on the underlying security.
The number of call options the
Fund can write is limited by the number of shares of common stock the Fund holds, and further limited by the fact that listed call
options on individual common stocks generally trade in units representing 100 shares of the underlying stock. Furthermore, the
Fund’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other
trading facilities on which such options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may
be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written
or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more
accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options which the Fund may write or
purchase may be affected by options written or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the Adviser. An exchange, board of trade
or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and may impose certain other sanctions.
The Fund will not write ‘‘naked’’ or uncovered call options.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 29 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
If the Fund purchases put options
for hedging or risk management purposes, the Fund will be subject to the following additional risks. A put option acquired by the Fund
and not sold prior to expiration will expire worthless if the price of the stock or index at expiration exceeds the exercise price of
the option, thereby causing the Fund to lose its entire investment in the option. If restrictions on exercise were imposed, the Fund might
be unable to exercise an option it had purchased. If the Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased, it would have
to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. Stock market indices on which the Fund may purchase
options positions likely will not mirror the Fund’s actual portfolio holdings. The effectiveness of index put options as hedges
against declines in the Fund’s stock portfolio will be limited to the extent that the performance of the underlying index does not
correlate with that of the Fund’s holdings.
Risks of
Investing in Smaller and Mid-Sized Companies. The Fund may make investments in stocks of companies whose market capitalization
is considered middle sized or “mid-cap.” Smaller and mid-sized companies often are newer or less established companies than
larger companies. Investments in smaller and mid-sized companies carry additional risks because earnings of these companies tend to be
less predictable; they often have limited product lines, markets, distribution channels or financial resources; and the management of
such companies may be dependent upon one or a few key people. The market movements of equity securities of smaller and mid-sized companies
may be more abrupt or erratic than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more established companies or the stock market
in general. Historically, smaller and mid-sized companies have sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not perform as well
as larger companies. In addition, equity securities of smaller and mid-sized companies generally are less liquid than those of larger
companies. This means that the Fund could have greater difficulty selling such securities at the time and price that the Fund would like.
Risks of Growth
Stock Investing. The Fund invests substantially in stocks with ‘‘growth’’ characteristics. Growth stocks
can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Growth
stocks tend to be more expensive relative to their earnings or assets compared to other types of stocks. As a result, growth stocks tend
to be sensitive to changes in their earnings and more volatile than other types of stocks.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The value of foreign securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax laws (including withholding tax),
government policies (in this country or abroad), relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks.
In addition, the costs of investing abroad are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less
liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than markets in the United States. Foreign investments also could be
affected by other factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform
accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual
obligations. As an alternative to holding foreign-traded securities, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies
that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts, which evidence ownership in underlying
foreign securities). Since the Fund may invest in securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the value
of foreign assets and currencies as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates
and exchange control regulations, application of foreign tax laws (including withholding tax), governmental administration of economic
or monetary policies (in this country or abroad), and relations between nations and trading. Foreign currencies also are subject to settlement,
custodial and other operational risks. Currency exchange rates can be affected unpredictably by intervention, or the failure to intervene,
by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. If the
U.S. dollar rises in value relative to a foreign currency, a security denominated in that foreign currency will be worth less in U.S.
dollars. If the U.S. dollar decreases in value relative to a foreign currency, a security denominated in that foreign currency will be
worth more in U.S. dollars. A devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority will have a significant impact
on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. Costs are incurred in connection with conversions between currencies.
Because foreign companies are not
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to
U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity
in most foreign debt markets are less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile
than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker-dealers
and listed companies than in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable
than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions for, or loss of certificates
of, portfolio securities. Payment for securities before delivery may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries,
there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments, which
could affect investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S.
economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance
of payments position. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those
in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and
more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 30 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Political events in foreign countries may cause market disruptions.
In June 2016, the United Kingdom (“UK”) voted in a referendum to leave the European Union (“EU”) (“Brexit”).
Effective January 31, 2020, the UK ceased to be a member of the EU and, following a transition period during which the EU and the UK Government
engaged in a series of negotiations regarding the terms of the UK’s future relationship with the EU, the EU and the UK Government
signed an agreement on December 30, 2020 regarding the economic relationship between the UK and the EU. This agreement became effective
on a provisional basis on January 1, 2021 and entered into full force on May 1, 2021. There remains significant market uncertainty regarding
Brexit’s ramifications, and the range and potential implications of the possible political, regulatory, economic, and market outcomes
in the UK, EU and beyond are difficult to predict. The end of the Brexit transition period may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity,
currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and an increased likelihood of a recession
in the UK. If one or more additional countries leave the EU or the EU dissolves, the world’s securities markets likely will be significantly
disrupted.
Emerging
Markets. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in securities of issuers located in emerging markets. The risks
of foreign investments described above apply to an even greater extent to investments in emerging markets. The securities markets of
emerging countries are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid, and more volatile than the securities markets of the U.S. and
developed foreign markets. Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in the U.S. and developed foreign
markets. There also may be a lower level of monitoring and regulation of securities markets in emerging market countries and the activities
of investors in such markets and enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely limited. Many emerging countries have experienced
substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates
have had and may continue to have very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries. Economies
in emerging markets generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected
adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed
or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. The economies of these countries also have been and may continue to be adversely
affected by economic conditions in the countries in which they trade. The economies of countries with emerging markets may also be predominantly
based on only a few industries or dependent on revenues from particular commodities. In addition, custodial services and other costs
relating to investment in foreign markets may be more expensive in emerging markets than in many developed foreign markets, which could
reduce the Fund’s income from such securities.
In many cases, governments of emerging countries continue to exercise
significant control over their economies, and government actions relative to the economy, as well as economic developments generally,
may affect the Fund’s investments in those countries. In addition, there is a heightened possibility of expropriation or confiscatory
taxation, imposition of withholding taxes on interest payments, or other similar developments that could affect investments in those countries.
There can be no assurance that adverse political changes will not cause the Fund to suffer a loss of any or all of its investments.
Interest
Rate Risk. The level of premiums from call options writing and the amounts available for distribution from the
Fund’s options activity may decrease in declining interest rate environments. Any preferred stocks paying fixed dividend rates
in which the Fund invests, will likely change in value as market interest rates change. When interest rates rise, the market value
of such securities generally will fall. To the extent that the Fund invests in preferred stocks, the net asset value and price of
the Common Shares may decline if market interest rates rise. Interest rates are currently low relative to historic levels. During
periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of preferred stock may exercise its option to redeem securities prior to maturity,
forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as call risk. During periods of rising interest rates, the
average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower than expected payments. This may lock in a below
market yield, increase the security’s duration, and reduce the value of the security. This is known as extension risk. The
value of the Fund’s common stock investments may also be influenced by changes in interest rates.
Sector Risk. The Fund
may invest a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers in any single industry or sector of the economy (a broad
based economic segment that may include many distinct industries) if companies in that industry or sector meet the Fund’s
investment criteria. If the Fund is focused in an industry or sector, it may present more risks that if it were broadly diversified
over numerous industries or sectors of the economy. This may make the Fund more susceptible to adverse economic, political, or
regulatory occurrences affecting these sectors. As the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in a particular sector
increases, so does the potential for fluctuation in the net asset value of Common Shares. The Fund may not invest 25% or more of its
total assets in the securities of issuers in any single industry or group of industries.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 31 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Derivatives Risk. In addition
to writing call options, the risks of which are described above, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other derivative
investments acquired for hedging, risk management and investment purposes. Derivative transactions including options on securities and
securities indices and other transactions in which the Fund may engage (such as futures contracts and options thereon, swaps and short
sales) may subject the Fund to increased risk of principal loss due to unexpected movements in stock prices, changes in stock volatility
levels and interest rates, and imperfect correlations between the Fund’s securities holdings and indices upon which derivative transactions
are based. The Fund also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to any over-the-counter derivatives contracts
purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due
to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy
or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund may
invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities for which there is no readily available trading market or which are otherwise illiquid.
The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such investments
if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing
transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. In addition, the limited liquidity could affect the market price of the
investments, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. Limited liquidity
can also affect the market price of securities, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s net asset value and ability to make dividend
distributions. The financial markets in general have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand
imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic
value. During such periods, some securities could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market
dislocation may occur again at any time.
Inflation Risk. Inflation
risk is the risk that the purchasing power of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases
the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions thereon can decline.
Financial Leverage Risk. Although
the Fund has no current intention to do so, the Fund is authorized to utilize leverage through the issuance of preferred shares and/or
borrowings, including the issuance of debt securities. In the event that the Fund determines in the future to utilize investment leverage,
there can be no assurance that such a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. Leverage creates
risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Common Shares
and the risk that fluctuations in distribution rates on any preferred shares or fluctuations in borrowing costs may affect the return
to Common Shareholders. To the extent the income derived from securities purchased with proceeds received from leverage exceeds the cost
of leverage, the Fund’s distributions will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the securities
purchased with such proceeds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the amount available for distribution to Common Shareholders
will be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, Eaton Vance, in its best judgment, may nevertheless determine to
maintain the Fund’s leveraged position if it deems such action to be appropriate. The costs of an offering of preferred shares and/or
a borrowing program would be borne by Common Shareholders and consequently would result in a reduction of the net asset value of Common
Shares. In addition, the fee paid to Eaton Vance will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s average daily gross assets, including
proceeds from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings, so the fees will be higher when leverage is utilized. In this regard,
holders of preferred shares do not bear the investment advisory fee. Rather, Common Shareholders bear the portion of the investment advisory
fee attributable to the assets purchased with the proceeds of the preferred shares offering.
Management Risk. The Fund is
subject to management risk because it is actively managed. Eaton Vance and the individual portfolio managers invest the assets of the
Fund as they deem appropriate in implementing the Fund’s investment strategy. Accordingly, the success of the Fund depends upon
the investment skills and analytical abilities of Eaton Vance and the individual portfolio managers to develop and effectively implement
strategies that achieve the Fund’s investment objective. There is no assurance that Eaton Vance and the individual portfolio managers
will be successful in developing and implementing the Fund’s investment strategy. Subjective decisions made by Eaton Vance and the
individual portfolio managers may cause the Fund to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities.
Cybersecurity
Risk. With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers to conduct business, such as the Internet, the
Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. The Fund relies on communications technology, systems, and
networks to engage with clients, employees, accounts, shareholders, and service providers, and a cyber incident may inhibit the Fund’s
ability to use these technologies. In general, cyber incidents can result from
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 32 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks include,
but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding)
for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks may
also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites
or via “ransomware” that renders the systems inoperable until appropriate actions are taken. A denial-of-service attack is
an effort to make network services unavailable to intended users, which could cause shareholders to lose access to their electronic accounts,
potentially indefinitely. Employees and service providers also may not be able to access electronic systems to perform critical duties
for the Fund, such as trading NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions, during a
denial-of-service attack. There is also the possibility for systems failures due to malfunctions, user error and misconduct by employees
and agents, natural disasters, or other foreseeable and unforeseeable events.
Because technology is consistently changing, new ways to carry out
cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an
attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other Funds and
business enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber incidents consistently.
In addition to deliberate cyber attacks, unintentional cyber incidents can occur, such as the inadvertent release of confidential information
by the Fund or its service providers.
The Fund uses third party service providers who are also heavily
dependent on computers and technology for their operations. Cybersecurity failures or breaches by the Fund’s investment adviser
or administrator and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities
in which the Fund invests, may disrupt and otherwise adversely affect their business operations. This may result in financial losses to
the Fund, impede Fund trading, interfere with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, or cause violations of applicable privacy
and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, litigation costs, or additional
compliance costs. While many of the Fund service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems intended
to identify and mitigate cyber attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain
risks have not been identified. The Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund
and issuers in which the Fund invests. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Recent
Market Conditions. An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in late 2019
and subsequently spread internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, changes to healthcare
service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern
and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus has resulted in a substantial economic downturn, which may continue for an extended period
of time. Health crises caused by outbreaks of disease, such as the coronavirus outbreak, may exacerbate other pre-existing political,
social and economic risks and disrupt normal market conditions and operations. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the
worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries and industries, and could continue to affect the market in significant
and unforeseen ways. Other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future may have similar effects. For example, a global pandemic
or other widespread health crisis could cause substantial market volatility and exchange trading suspensions and closures. In addition,
the increasing interconnectedness of markets around the world may result in many markets being affected by events or conditions in a single
country or region or events affecting a single or small number of issuers. The coronavirus outbreak and public and private sector responses
thereto have led to large portions of the populations of many countries working from home for indefinite periods of time, temporary or
permanent layoffs, disruptions in supply chains, and lack of availability of certain goods. The impact of such responses could adversely
affect the information technology and operational systems upon which the Fund and the Fund’s service providers rely, and could otherwise
disrupt the ability of the employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Any such impact
could adversely affect the Fund’s performance, or the performance of the securities in which the Fund invests and may lead to losses
on your investment in the Fund.
Market
Disruption. Global instability, war, geopolitical tensions and terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world
have previously resulted, and may in the future result in market volatility and may have long-term effects on the United States and worldwide
financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide. The Fund cannot predict the effects
of significant future events on the global economy and securities markets. A similar disruption of the financial markets could impact
interest rates, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to the Common Shares.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions. The Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”) and Amended and Restated
By-Laws (the “By-Laws” and together with the Declaration of Trust, the “Organizational Documents”) include provisions
that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other persons or entities to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition
of its Board. For example, pursuant to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, the Fund Board is divided into three classes of Trustees with each class serving for a three-year
term and certain types of transactions require the favorable vote of holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. See
“Description of Capital Structure - Certain Provisions of the Organizational Documents - Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Organizational
Documents.”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 33 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Management of the Fund
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties
performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement (as defined below), is the responsibility of the Fund’s Board under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the 1940 Act.
THE ADVISER
Eaton Vance acts as the Fund’s investment adviser under an
Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Eaton Vance has offices at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110.
Eaton Vance and its predecessor organizations have been managing assets since 1924 and managing investment funds since 1931. Prior to
March 1, 2021, Eaton Vance was a wholly owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp. (“EVC”).
On March 1, 2021, Morgan Stanley acquired EVC (the “Transaction”)
and Eaton Vance became an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. In connection with the Transaction, the Fund entered into
a new investment advisory agreement with Eaton Vance. The agreement was approved by shareholders prior to the consummation of the Transaction
and was effective upon its closing.
Effective March 1, 2021, any fee reduction agreement previously applicable
to the Fund was incorporated into its new investment advisory agreement with Eaton Vance.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), whose principal offices are at 1585 Broadway,
New York, New York 10036, is a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well
as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. As of December 31, 2021, Morgan Stanley’s
asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $1.6 trillion.
Under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board, the Adviser
will carry out the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect
to the Fund, will determine which securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged, and will implement such determinations. The Adviser
will furnish to the Fund investment advice and office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund. The
Adviser will compensate all Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of the Adviser’s organization and who render investment
services to the Fund, and will also compensate all other Adviser personnel who provide research and investment services to the Fund. In
return for these services, facilities and payments, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Advisory Agreement
an annual fee in the amount of 1.00% of the average daily gross assets of the Fund. Gross assets of the Fund means total assets of the
Fund, including any form of investment leverage that the Fund may in the future determine to utilize, minus all accrued expenses incurred
in the normal course of operations, but not excluding any liabilities or obligations attributable to any future investment leverage obtained
through (i) indebtedness of any type (including, without limitation, borrowing through a credit facility/commercial paper program or the
issuance of debt securities), (ii) the issuance of preferred shares or other similar preference securities, (iii) the reinvestment of
collateral received for securities loaned in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, and/or (iv) any other
means. During any future periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid to Eaton Vance for investment advisory services will
be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s gross assets,
including proceeds from any borrowings and from the issuance of preferred shares.
The Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report contains information
regarding the basis for the Trustees’ approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement.
Lewis R. Piantedosi and Douglas R. Rogers are responsible for the overall
and day-to-day management of the Fund’s investments. Mr. Piantedosi is a Vice President of Eaton Vance, has been a portfolio manager
of the Fund since September 2014 and has managed other Eaton Vance portfolios for more than five years. Mr. Piantedosi is retiring from
the Eaton Vance organization effective June 30, 2022. Mr. Rogers is a Vice President of Eaton Vance, has been a portfolio manager of
the Fund since July 2021 and has been with Eaton Vance for more than five years.
Additional Information Regarding Portfolio Managers
The SAI provides additional information
about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers’
ownership of securities in the Fund. The SAI is available free of charge by calling 1-800-262-1122 or by visiting the Fund’s website
at http://www.eatonvance.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of
this Prospectus or the SAI.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 34 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund and the Adviser have adopted
codes of ethics relating to personal securities transactions (the “Codes of Ethics”). The Codes of Ethics permit Adviser personnel
to invest in securities (including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund) for their own accounts, subject to the provisions
of the Codes of Ethics and certain employees are also subject to certain pre-clearance, reporting and other restrictions and procedures
contained in such Codes of Ethics
THE ADMINISTRATOR
Eaton Vance serves as administrator of the Fund under an Administrative
Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), but currently receives no compensation for providing administrative services
to the Fund. Under the Administration Agreement, Eaton Vance has been engaged to administer the Fund’s affairs, subject to the supervision
of the Board, and shall furnish office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for administering the affairs
of the Fund.
Plan of Distribution
The Fund may sell the Common Shares being offered under this Prospectus
in any one or more of the following ways: (i) directly to purchasers; (ii) through agents; (iii) to or through underwriters; or (iv) through
dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the offer or
sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable offering price, sales load, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the
Fund and its agents or underwriters, or among its underwriters, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated, net proceeds and
use of proceeds, and the terms of any sale.
The Fund may distribute Common Shares from time to time in one or more
transactions at: (i) a fixed price or prices that may be changed; (ii) market prices prevailing at the time of sale; (iii) prices related
to prevailing market prices; or (iv) negotiated prices; provided, however, that in each case the offering price per Common Share (less
any underwriting commission or discount) must equal or exceed the NAV per Common Share.
The Fund from time to time may offer its Common Shares through or to
certain broker-dealers that have entered into selected dealer agreements relating to at-the-market offerings.
The Fund may directly solicit offers to purchase Common Shares, or the
Fund may designate agents to solicit such offers. The Fund will, in a Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offering, name any agent
that could be viewed as an underwriter under the 1933 Act, and describe any commissions the Fund must pay to such agent(s). Any such agent
will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
or other offering materials, on a firm commitment basis. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform services for the Fund in the ordinary course of business.
If any underwriters or agents are used in the sale of Common Shares
in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, the Fund will enter into an underwriting agreement or other agreement with them at the
time of sale to them, and the Fund will set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offering their names and the terms of
the Fund’s agreement with them.
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of Common Shares in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered, the Fund will sell such Common Shares to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Common
Shares to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
The Fund may engage in at-the-market offerings to or through a market
maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise, in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the 1933 Act. An at-the-market
offering may be through an underwriter or underwriters acting as principal or agent for the Fund.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which
they may enter into with the Fund to indemnification by the Fund against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933
Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Fund in the ordinary course of business.
In order to facilitate the Offering of Common Shares, any underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of Common Shares or any other Common Shares the prices
of which may be used to determine payments on the Common Shares. Specifically, any underwriters may over-allot in connection with the
Offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of Common
Shares or of any such other Common Shares, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, Common Shares or any such other Common Shares in
the open market. Finally, in any Offering of Common Shares through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim
selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing Common Shares in the Offering if the syndicate repurchases
previously distributed Common Shares in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any
of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of Common Shares above independent
market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 35 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions with third parties,
or sell Common Shares not covered by this Prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable Prospectus
Supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell Common Shares covered by this Prospectus and the
applicable Prospectus Supplement or other offering materials, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use Common
Shares pledged by the Fund or borrowed from the Fund or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of securities,
and may use Common Shares received from the Fund in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities.
The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this Prospectus, will be identified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement or other offering materials (or a post-effective amendment).
The Fund or one of the Fund’s affiliates may loan or pledge Common
Shares to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell Common Shares using this Prospectus. Such financial institution
or third party may transfer its short position to investors in Common Shares or in connection with a simultaneous Offering of other Common
Shares offered by this Prospectus or otherwise.
The maximum amount of compensation to be received by any member of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. will not exceed 8% of the initial gross proceeds from the sale of any security being sold
with respect to each particular Offering of Common Shares made under a single Prospectus Supplement.
Any underwriter, agent or dealer utilized in the Offering of Common
Shares will not confirm sales to accounts over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval
of its customer.
Distributions
Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“Order”), the Fund is authorized to distribute long-term capital gains to shareholders more frequently than once
per year. Pursuant to the Order, the Fund’s Board of Trustees approved a Managed Distribution Plan (“MDP”) pursuant
to which the Fund makes monthly cash distributions to Common Shareholders, stated in terms of a fixed amount per common share. Shareholders
should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms
of the MDP. The MDP is subject to regular periodic review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Board may amend or terminate the
MDP at any time without prior notice to Fund shareholders. However, at this time there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that
might cause the termination of the MDP. The Fund may distribute more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains and,
therefore, a distribution may include a return of capital. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s
investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” In addition, a return of capital is
treated as a non-dividend distribution for tax purposes, is not subject to current tax and reduces a shareholder’s tax cost basis
in fund shares. With each distribution, the Fund will issue a notice to shareholders and a press release containing information about
the amount and sources of the distribution and other related information. The amounts and sources of distributions contained in the notice
and press release are only estimates and are not provided for tax purposes. The amounts and sources of the Fund’s distributions
for tax purposes are reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV for each calendar year.
Subject to its MDP, the Fund makes monthly distributions to Common Shareholders
sourced from the Fund’s cash available for distribution. “Cash available for distribution” consists of the Fund’s
dividends and interest income after payment of Fund expenses, net option premiums and net realized and unrealized gains on stock investments.
The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend
date. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required
by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital.
Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes,
distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income. Distributions in any year may include a substantial
return of capital component. The Fund’s distribution rate may be adjusted from time-to-time. The Fund's distributions are determined
by the Adviser based on its current assessment of the Fund’s long-term return potential. Fund distributions may be affected by numerous
factors including changes in Fund performance, the cost of financing for leverage, portfolio holdings, realized and projected returns,
and other factors. As portfolio and market conditions change, the rate of distributions paid by the Fund could change. The Board may modify
this distribution policy at any time without obtaining the approval of Common Shareholders
The Fund distinguishes between distributions on a tax basis and a financial
reporting basis. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that only distributions in excess of
tax basis earnings and profits be reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and
tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital
gains are considered to be from ordinary income.
Common Shareholders may elect to automatically reinvest some or all
of their distributions in additional Common Shares under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment
Plan.”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 36 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest
As a diversified global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley,
the parent company of the investment adviser, engages in a broad spectrum of activities, including financial advisory services, investment
management activities, lending, commercial banking, sponsoring and managing private investment funds, engaging in broker-dealer transactions
and principal securities, commodities and foreign exchange transactions, research publication and other activities. In the ordinary course
of its business, Morgan Stanley is a full-service investment banking and financial services firm and therefore engages in activities where
Morgan Stanley’s interests or the interests of its clients may conflict with the interests of a Fund or Portfolio, as applicable
(collectively, for purposes of this section, “Fund” or “Funds”). Morgan Stanley advises clients and sponsors,
manages or advises other investment funds and investment programs, accounts and businesses (collectively, together with any new or successor
Morgan Stanley funds, programs, accounts or businesses, (other than funds, programs, accounts or businesses sponsored, managed, or advised
by former direct or indirect subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. (“Eaton Vance Investment Accounts”)), the “MS Investment
Accounts,” and, together with the Eaton Vance Investment Accounts, the “Affiliated Investment Accounts”) with a wide
variety of investment objectives that in some instances may overlap or conflict with a Fund’s investment objectives and present
conflicts of interest. In addition, Morgan Stanley or the investment adviser may also from time to time create new or successor Affiliated
Investment Accounts that may compete with a Fund and present similar conflicts of interest. The discussion below enumerates certain actual,
apparent and potential conflicts of interest. There is no assurance that conflicts of interest will be resolved in favor of Fund shareholders
and, in fact, they may not be. Conflicts of interest not described below may also exist.
The discussions below with respect to actual, apparent and potential
conflicts of interest also may be applicable to or arise from the MS Investment Accounts whether or not specifically identified.
For more information about conflicts of interest, see the section entitled
“Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.
Material
Non-public Information. It is expected that confidential or material non-public information regarding an investment or potential
investment opportunity may become available to the investment adviser. If such information becomes available, the investment adviser may
be precluded (including by applicable law or internal policies or procedures) from pursuing an investment or disposition opportunity with
respect to such investment or investment opportunity. Morgan Stanley has established certain information barriers and other policies to
address the sharing of information between different businesses within Morgan Stanley. In limited circumstances, however, including for
purposes of managing business and reputational risk, and subject to policies and procedures and any applicable regulations, Morgan Stanley
personnel, including personnel of the investment adviser, on one side of an information barrier may have access to information and personnel
on the other side of the information barrier through “wall crossings.” The investment adviser faces conflicts of interest
in determining whether to engage in such wall crossings. Information obtained in connection with such wall crossings may limit or restrict
the ability of the investment adviser to engage in or otherwise effect transactions on behalf of the Fund(s) (including purchasing or
selling securities that the investment adviser may otherwise have purchased or sold for a Fund in the absence of a wall crossing).
Investments
by Morgan Stanley and its Affiliated Investment Accounts. In serving in multiple capacities to Affiliated Investment Accounts,
Morgan Stanley, including the investment adviser and its investment teams, may have obligations to other clients or investors in Affiliated
Investment Accounts, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of a Fund or its shareholders. A Fund’s investment
objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of certain Affiliated Investment Accounts. As a result, the members of an investment
team may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among a Fund and other investment funds, programs, accounts and
businesses advised by or affiliated with the investment adviser. Certain Affiliated Investment Accounts may provide for higher management
or incentive fees or greater expense reimbursements or overhead allocations, all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest
and create an incentive for the investment adviser to favor such other accounts. To seek to reduce potential conflicts of interest and
to attempt to allocate such investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, the investment adviser has implemented allocation
policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are intended to give all clients of the investment adviser, including the Fund(s),
fair access to investment opportunities consistent with the requirements of organizational documents, investment strategies, applicable
laws and regulations, and the fiduciary duties of the investment adviser.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 37 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Investments
by Separate Investment Departments. The entities and individuals that provide investment-related services for the Fund and
certain other Eaton Vance Investment Accounts (the “Eaton Vance Investment Department”) may be different from the entities and individuals that provide investment-related
services to MS Investment Accounts (the “MS Investment Department” and, together with the Eaton Vance Investment Department,
the “Investment Departments”). Although Morgan Stanley has implemented information barriers between the Investment Departments
in accordance with internal policies and procedures, each Investment Department may engage in discussions and share information and resources
with the other Investment Department on certain investment-related matters. A MS Investment Account could trade in advance of a Fund (and
vice versa), might complete trades more quickly and efficiently than a Fund, and/or achieve different execution than a Fund on the same
or similar investments made contemporaneously, even when the Investment Departments shared research and viewpoints that led to that investment
decision. Any sharing of information or resources between the Investment Department servicing the Fund and the MS Investment Department
may result, from time to time, in a Fund simultaneously or contemporaneously seeking to engage in the same or similar transactions as
an account serviced by the other Investment Department and for which there are limited buyers or sellers on specific securities, which
could result in less favorable execution for the Fund than such account.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. The investment adviser and/or EVD may pay compensation, out of their
own funds and not as an expense of a Fund, to certain financial intermediaries (which may include affiliates of the investment adviser
and EVD), including recordkeepers and administrators of various deferred compensation plans, in connection with the sale, distribution,
marketing and retention of shares of the Fund and/or shareholder servicing. The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation,
as described above, by financial intermediaries may provide such financial intermediaries and their financial advisors and other salespersons
with an incentive to favor sales of shares of a Fund over other investment options with respect to which these financial intermediaries
do not receive additional compensation (or receive lower levels of additional compensation). These payment arrangements, however, will
not change the price that an investor pays for shares of a Fund or the amount that the Fund receives to invest on behalf of an investor.
Investors may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund
shares and should review carefully any disclosures provided by financial intermediaries as to their compensation. In addition, in certain
circumstances, the investment adviser may restrict, limit or reduce the amount of a Fund’s investment, or restrict the type of governance
or voting rights it acquires or exercises, where the Fund (potentially together with Morgan Stanley) exceeds a certain ownership interest,
or possesses certain degrees of voting or control or has other interests.
Morgan Stanley Trading and Principal Investing Activities. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, Morgan Stanley will generally conduct its sales and trading businesses, publish research and analysis,
and render investment advice without regard for a Fund’s holdings, although these activities could have an adverse impact on the
value of one or more of the Fund’s investments, or could cause Morgan Stanley to have an interest in one or more portfolio investments
that is different from, and potentially adverse to, that of a Fund.
Morgan
Stanley’s Investment Banking and Other Commercial Activities. Morgan Stanley advises clients on a variety of mergers,
acquisitions, restructuring, bankruptcy and financing transactions. Morgan Stanley may act as an advisor to clients, including other investment
funds that may compete with a Fund and with respect to investments that a Fund may hold. Morgan Stanley may give advice and take action
with respect to any of its clients or proprietary accounts that may differ from the advice given, or may involve an action of a different
timing or nature than the action taken, by a Fund. Morgan Stanley may give advice and provide recommendations to persons competing with
a Fund and/or any of a Fund’s investments that are contrary to the Fund’s best interests and/or the best interests of any
of its investments. Morgan Stanley’s activities on behalf of its clients (such as engagements as an underwriter or placement agent)
may restrict or otherwise limit investment opportunities that may otherwise be available to a Fund.
Morgan Stanley may be engaged to act as a financial advisor to a
company in connection with the sale of such company, or subsidiaries or divisions thereof, may represent potential buyers of businesses
through its mergers and acquisition activities and may provide lending and other related financing services in connection with such transactions.
Morgan Stanley’s compensation for such activities is usually based upon realized consideration and is usually contingent, in substantial
part, upon the closing of the transaction. Under these circumstances, a Fund may be precluded from participating in a transaction with
or relating to the company being sold or participating in any financing activity related to merger or acquisition.
General Process
for Potential Conflicts. All of the transactions described above involve the potential for conflicts of interest between the
investment adviser, related persons of the investment adviser and/or their clients. The Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the
“Advisers Act”) the 1940 Act and ERISA impose certain requirements designed to decrease the possibility of conflicts of interest
between an investment adviser and its clients. In some cases, transactions may be permitted subject to fulfillment of certain conditions.
Certain other transactions may be prohibited. In addition, the investment adviser has instituted policies and procedures designed to prevent
conflicts of interest from arising and, when they do arise, to ensure that it effects transactions for clients in a manner that is consistent
with its fiduciary duty to its clients and in accordance with applicable law. The investment adviser seeks to ensure that potential or
actual conflicts of interest are appropriately resolved taking into consideration the overriding best interests of the client.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 38 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Federal Income Tax Matters
The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year
as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code. Accordingly, the Fund intends to satisfy certain requirements relating
to sources of its income and diversification of its assets and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and
net capital gains, if any, (after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed
by the Code, so as to maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying any federal income or excise tax. To the extent it qualifies for
treatment as a RIC and satisfies the above-mentioned distribution requirements, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax
on income paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends.
If the Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution
requirements, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional
distributions, or disposing of certain assets.
If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund's
taxable income will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including distributions of
net long-term capital gain (if any), will generally be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary income. Such distributions may be
treated as qualified dividend income with respect to Common Shareholders who are individuals and may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction in the case of Common Shareholders taxed as corporations, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. In
order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest,
and make substantial distributions.
The Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to Common
Shareholders based upon its projected annual cash available from option premiums and dividends. The Fund expects that over time it will
distribute all of its investment company taxable income. The Fund intends to distribute annually any net capital gain (which is the excess
of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). Distributions of the Fund’s net capital gain that are properly
reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to Common Shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the
length of time Common Shares have been held by Common Shareholders. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund
owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. If, for any taxable year, the total distributions exceed the Fund’s
current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to each Common Shareholder (up
to the amount of the Common Shareholder’s basis in his or her Common Shares) and thereafter as gain from the sale of Common Shares
(assuming the Common Shares are held as a capital asset). The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce the Common Shareholder’s
adjusted basis in his or her Shares, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent
sale or other disposition of his or her Common Shares. A corporation that owns Fund shares generally will only be entitled to the dividends-received
deduction to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by the Fund for the taxable year, and only if holding period and
other requirements are met at the shareholder and Fund levels.
Certain of the Fund’s investment practices, including its transactions
in options, are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) convert dividends that
would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income into higher taxed ordinary income, (ii) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible
for the corporate dividends-received deduction as ineligible for such treatment, (iii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance
of certain losses or deductions, (iv) convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (v) convert an ordinary
loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without
a corresponding receipt of cash, (vii) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur
and (viii) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.
The Fund may recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale
of certain ‘‘appreciated financial positions’’ if the Fund enters into a short sale, offsetting notional principal
contract, or forward contract transaction with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property. Appreciated financial
positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are interests (including options and forward contracts and short sales) in stock
and certain other instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply if the transaction is closed not later than thirty days after
the end of the taxable year in which the transaction was initiated, and the underlying appreciated securities position is held unhedged
for at least the next sixty days after the hedging transaction is closed.
The Code contains special rules that apply to ‘‘straddles,’’
defined generally as the holding of ‘‘offsetting positions with respect to personal property.’’ For example, the
straddle rules normally apply when a taxpayer holds stock and an offsetting option with respect to such stock or substantially identical
stock or securities. In general, investment positions will be offsetting if there is a substantial diminution in the risk of loss from
holding one position by reason of holding one or more other positions. The Fund expects that the call options it writes on portfolio securities
will generally be ‘‘qualified covered calls’’ that are exempt from the straddle rules. To meet the qualified covered
call option exemption, a stock-plus-call position cannot be part of a larger straddle and must meet a number of other conditions, including
that the option is written more than 30 days prior to expiration and is not ‘‘deep-in-the-money’’ as defined in
the Code. The Fund may enter
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 39 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
into certain investments that may constitute positions in a straddle.
If two or more positions constitute a straddle, recognition of a realized loss from one position must be deferred to the extent of unrecognized
gain in an offsetting position. In addition, long-term capital gain may be recharacterized as short-term capital gain, or short-term capital
loss as long-term capital loss. Interest and other carrying charges allocable to personal property that is part of a straddle are not
currently deductible but must instead be capitalized. Similarly, ‘‘wash sale’’ rules apply to prevent the recognition
of loss by the Fund from the disposition of stock or securities at a loss in a case in which identical or substantially identical stock
or securities (or an option to acquire such property) is or has been acquired within a prescribed period.
The Code allows a taxpayer to elect to offset gains and losses from
positions that are part of a ‘‘mixed straddle.’’ Generally, a ‘‘mixed straddle’’ is a
straddle in which one or more but not all positions are Section 1256 Contracts. The Fund may be eligible to elect to establish one or
more mixed straddle accounts for certain of its mixed straddle trading positions. The mixed straddle account rules require a daily ‘‘marking
to market’’ of all open positions in the account and a daily netting of gains and losses from positions in the account. At
the end of a taxable year, the annual net gains or losses from the mixed straddle account are recognized for tax purposes. The net capital
gain or loss is treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss if attributable to the section 1256 contract positions,
or all short-term capital gain or loss if attributable to the non-section 1256 contract positions.
Gain or loss from a short sale of property is generally considered as
capital gain or loss to the extent the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except
with respect to certain situations where the property used to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date the short
sale is entered into, gains on short sales generally are short-term capital gains. A loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term
capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, ‘‘substantially identical property’’ has been held by the Fund
for more than one year. In addition, these rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of ‘‘substantially identical
property’’ held by the Fund.
Gain or loss on a short sale will generally not be realized until such
time as the short sale is closed. However, as described above in the discussion of constructive sales, if the Fund holds a short sale
position with respect to securities that has appreciated in value, and it then acquires property that is the same as or substantially
identical to the property sold short, the Fund generally will recognize gain on the date it acquires such property as if the short sale
were closed on such date with such property. Similarly, if the Fund holds an appreciated financial position with respect to securities
and then enters into a short sale with respect to the same or substantially identical property, the Fund generally will recognize gain
as if the appreciated financial position were sold at its fair market value on the date it enters into the short sale. The subsequent
holding period for any appreciated financial position that is subject to these constructive sale rules will be determined as if
such position were acquired on the date of the constructive sale.
“Qualified dividend income” received by an individual is
generally taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for a dividend received by a Common Shareholder to be qualified
dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stock in its portfolio and
the Common Shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be
treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share
of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning at the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share
becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning
90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise)
to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the
dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend
is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (with
the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.)
or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company. Payments in lieu of dividends, such as payments pursuant to securities lending
arrangements, also do not qualify to be treated as qualified dividend income. In general, distributions of investment income properly
reported by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a Common Shareholder taxed
as an individual provided the Common Shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s
shares.
Distributions are taxable as described herein whether Common Shareholders
receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Common Shareholders receiving dividends or distributions in the form of additional
Common Shares pursuant to the Plan will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving a dividend in an amount equal to
either (i) if the shares are trading below net asset value, the amount of cash allocated to the Common Shareholder for the purchase of
shares on its behalf in the open market, or (ii) if the shares are trading at or above net asset value, generally the fair market value
of the new shares issued to the Common Shareholder. The Fund will inform Common Shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions
promptly after the close of each calendar year.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 40 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Selling Common Shareholders will generally recognize gain or loss in
an amount equal to the difference between the Common Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares sold and the amount received.
If the Common Shares are held as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. Any loss on a disposition of Common
Shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (or deemed received) with respect to those Common Shares. For purposes of determining
whether Common Shares have been held for six months or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the Common Shareholder’s
risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property, or through
certain options or short sales. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of Common Shares will be disallowed to the extent those Common
Shares are replaced by other Common Shares within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition
of the Common Shares (whether through the reinvestment of distributions, which could occur, for example, if the Common Shareholder is
a participant in the Plan (as defined below) or otherwise). In that event, the basis of the replacement Common Shares will be adjusted
to reflect the disallowed loss.
The net investment income of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts
is subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax. For individuals, the tax is on the lesser of the “net investment income” and
the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly). Net investment income includes, among
other things, interest, dividends, and gross income and capital gains derived from passive activities and trading in securities or commodities.
Net investment income is reduced by deductions “properly allocable” to this income.
Investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding
taxes or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) which may decrease the Fund’s
yield on such securities. These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of an applicable tax treaty. Common Shareholders generally
will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund. In addition, investments in foreign
securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the Fund’s recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing
or amount of the Fund’s distributions.
An investor should be aware that, if Common Shares are purchased shortly
before the record date for any taxable distribution (including a capital gain distribution), the purchase price likely will reflect the
value of the distribution and the investor then would receive a taxable distribution likely to reduce the trading value of such Common
Shares, in effect resulting in a taxable return of some of the purchase price.
Taxable distributions to individuals and certain other non-corporate
Common Shareholders, including those who have not provided their correct taxpayer identification number and other required certifications,
may be subject to ‘‘backup’’ federal income tax withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any
amounts withheld may be credited against the Common Shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information
is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).
An investor should also be aware that the benefits of the reduced
tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative
minimum tax to individual shareholders.
Certain foreign entities including foreign entities acting as intermediaries
may be subject to a 30% withholding tax on ordinary dividend income paid under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”).
To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions subject to FATCA must agree to disclose to the relevant revenue authorities certain
information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners and other foreign entities must certify certain information regarding their
direct and indirect U.S. owners to the Fund. In addition, the IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing
that these withholding rules will not be applicable to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or capital gain dividends the Fund pays.
For more detailed information regarding FATCA withholding and compliance, please refer to the SAI.
The foregoing briefly summarizes some of the important federal
income tax consequences to Common Shareholders of investing in Common Shares, reflects the federal tax law as of the date of this
Prospectus, and does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate and foreign investors.
Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes that an investor is a U.S. person and holds Common Shares as a capital asset. This discussion
is based upon current provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities,
all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the IRS retroactively or prospectively. Investors should
consult their tax advisors regarding other federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances,
as well as any proposed tax law changes.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Fund offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”),
pursuant to which a Common Shareholder may elect to have distributions automatically reinvested in Common Shares of the Fund. You may
elect to participate in the Plan by completing the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Application Form. If you do not participate, you will receive
all Fund distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to you by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (“AST”
or “Plan Agent”), as dividend paying agent. On the distribution payment date, if the net asset value per Common Share is equal
to or less than the market price per Common Share plus estimated brokerage commissions, then new Common Shares will be issued. The number
of Common Shares shall be determined by the greater of the net asset value per Common Share or 95% of the market price. Otherwise, Common Shares generally
will be purchased on the open market by the Plan Agent. Distributions subject to income tax (if any) are taxable whether or not shares
are reinvested.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 41 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
If your shares are in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee,
you can ask the firm or nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf. If the nominee does not offer the Plan, you will need to request
that your shares be re-registered in your name with the Fund’s transfer agent, AST, or you will not be able to participate.
The Plan Agent’s service fee for handling distributions will be
paid by the Fund. Each participant will be charged their pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
Plan participants may withdraw from the Plan at any time by writing
to the Plan Agent at the address noted on page 46. If you withdraw, you will receive shares in your name for all Common Shares credited
to your account under the Plan. If a participant elects by written notice to the Plan Agent to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of
his or her Common Shares and remit the proceeds, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $5.00 fee plus brokerage commissions from the
proceeds.
Any inquiries regarding the Plan can
be directed to the Plan Agent, AST, at 1-866-439-6787.
Description of Capital Structure
The Fund is an unincorporated business trust established under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”). The Declaration
of Trust provides that the Board may authorize separate classes of shares of beneficial interest. The Board has authorized an unlimited
number of Common Shares. The Fund holds annual meetings of Common Shareholders in compliance with the requirements of the NYSE.
COMMON SHARES
The Declaration of Trust permits the Fund to issue an unlimited number
of full and fractional Common Shares. Each Common Share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund with each
other Common Share in the Fund. Common Shareholders will be entitled to the payment of distributions when, as and if declared by the Board.
The 1940 Act or the terms of any future borrowings or issuance of preferred shares may limit the payment of distributions to the Common
Shareholders. Each whole Common Share shall be entitled to one vote as to matters on which it is entitled to vote pursuant to the terms
of the Declaration of Trust on file with the SEC.
The Fund’s By-Laws include provisions (the “Control Share
Provisions”), pursuant to which a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of Fund shares in a “Control Share Acquisition”
may exercise voting rights with respect to such shares only to the extent the authorization of such voting rights is approved by other
shareholders of the Fund. The By-Laws define a “Control Share Acquisition,” pursuant to various conditions and exceptions,
to include an acquisition of Fund shares that would give the beneficial owner, upon the acquisition of such shares, the ability to exercise
voting power, but for the Control Share Provisions, in the election of Fund Trustees in any of the following ranges: (i) one-tenth or
more, but less than one-fifth of all voting power; (ii) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third of all voting power; (iii) one-third
or more, but less than a majority of all voting power; or (iv) a majority or more of all voting power. Subject to various conditions and
procedural requirements, including the delivery of a “Control Share Acquisition Statement” to the Fund’s secretary setting
forth certain required information, a shareholder who obtains beneficial ownership of shares in a Control Share Acquisition generally
may request a vote of Fund shareholders (excluding such acquiring shareholder and certain other interested shareholders) to approve the
authorization of voting rights for such shares at the next annual meeting of Fund shareholders following the Control Share Acquisition.
See “Certain Provisions of the Organizational Documents” below for more information.
The By-Laws establish qualification criteria applicable to prospective
Trustees and generally require that advance notice be given to the Fund in the event a shareholder desires to nominate a person for election
to the Board or to transact any other business at a meeting of shareholders. Any notice by a shareholder must be accompanied by certain
information as required by the By-Laws. No shareholder proposal will be considered at any meeting of shareholders of the Fund if such
proposal is submitted by a shareholder who does not satisfy all applicable requirements set forth in the By-Laws.
In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, after paying or adequately
providing for the payment of all liabilities of the Fund and the liquidation preference with respect to any outstanding preferred shares,
and upon receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements as they deem necessary for their protection, the Board may distribute
the remaining assets of the Fund among the Common Shareholders. The Declaration of Trust provides that Common Shareholders are not liable
for any liabilities of the Fund and permits inclusion of a clause to that effect in every agreement entered into by the Fund and, in coordination
with the Fund’s By-laws, indemnifies shareholders against any such liability. Although shareholders of an unincorporated business
trust established under Massachusetts law may, in certain limited circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the
business trust as though they were general partners, the provisions of the Fund’s Organizational Documents described in the foregoing
sentence make the likelihood of such personal liability remote.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 42 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund has no current intention to issue preferred shares or to borrow
money. However, if at some future time there are any borrowings or preferred shares outstanding, the Fund may not be permitted to declare
any cash distribution on its Common Shares, unless at the time of such declaration, (i) all accrued distributions on preferred shares
or accrued interest on borrowings have been paid and (ii) the value of the Fund’s total assets (determined after deducting the amount
of such distribution), less all liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund not represented by senior securities, is at least 300% of the
aggregate amount of such securities representing indebtedness and at least 200% of the aggregate amount of securities representing indebtedness
plus the aggregate liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares. In addition to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund may
be required to comply with other asset coverage requirements as a condition of the Fund obtaining a rating of preferred shares from a
nationally recognized statistical rating agency (a “Rating Agency”). These requirements may include an asset coverage test
more stringent than under the 1940 Act. This limitation on the Fund’s ability to make distributions on its Common Shares could in
certain circumstances impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company for
federal income tax purposes. If the Fund were in the future to issue preferred shares or borrow money, it would intend, however, to the
extent possible to purchase or redeem preferred shares or reduce borrowings from time to time to maintain compliance with such asset coverage
requirements and may pay special distributions to the holders of the preferred shares in certain circumstances in connection with any
potential impairment of the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company. See “Federal Income Tax Matters.” Depending
on the timing of any such redemption or repayment, the Fund may be required to pay a premium in addition to the liquidation preference
of the preferred shares to the holders thereof.
The Fund has no present intention of offering additional Common Shares,
except as described herein. Other offerings of its Common Shares, if made, will require approval of the Board. Any additional offering
will not be sold at a price per Common Share below the then current net asset value (exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions)
except in connection with an offering to existing Common Shareholders or with the consent of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares.
The Common Shares have no preemptive rights.
The Fund generally will not issue Common Share certificates. However,
upon written request to the Fund’s transfer agent, a share certificate will be issued for any or all of the full Common Shares credited
to an investor’s account. Common Share certificates that have been issued to an investor may be returned at any time.
CREDIT FACILITY/COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM
The Fund has no current intention to borrow money for the purpose of
obtaining investment leverage. If, in the future, the Fund determines to engage in investment leverage using borrowings, the Fund may
enter into definitive agreements with respect to a credit facility/commercial paper program or other borrowing program, pursuant to which
the Fund would expect to be entitled to borrow up to a specified amount. Any such borrowings would constitute financial leverage. Borrowings
under such a facility/ commercial paper program would not be expected to be convertible into any other securities of the Fund. Outstanding
amounts would be expected to be prepayable by the Fund prior to final maturity without significant penalty, and no sinking fund or mandatory
retirement provisions would be expected to apply. Outstanding amounts would be payable at maturity or such earlier times as required by
the agreement. The Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the facility/program or incur a penalty rate of interest in
the event of the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund would be expected to indemnify the lenders under the facility/program
against liabilities they may incur in connection with the facility/program.
In addition, the Fund expects that any such credit facility/program
would contain covenants that, among other things, likely would limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances,
incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations,
and may require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund may be required to pledge its assets and
to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses.
The Fund expects that any credit facility/program would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions. There can be
no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for a credit facility/program on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing,
or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into, any such credit facility/program may in the future be
replaced or refinanced by one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares or
debt securities.
REPURCHASE OF COMMON SHARES AND OTHER DISCOUNT METHODS
Because shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently
trade at a discount to their NAVs, the Board has determined that from time-to-time it may be in the interest of Common Shareholders for
the Fund to take corrective actions to reduce trading discounts in the Common Shares. The Board, in consultation with Eaton Vance, will
review at least annually the possibility of open market repurchases and/or tender offers for the Common Shares and will consider such
factors as the market price of the Common Shares, the NAV of the Common Shares, the liquidity of the assets of the Fund, the effect on
the Fund’s expenses, whether such transactions would impair the Fund’s status as a regulated investment company or result
in a failure to comply with applicable asset coverage requirements, general economic conditions and such other events or conditions that
may have a material effect on the Fund’s ability to consummate such transactions. There are no assurances that the Board will,
in fact, decide to undertake either of these actions or, if undertaken, that such actions will result in the Common Shares trading at
a price equal to or approximating their NAV. In recognition of the possibility that the Common Shares
might trade at a discount to NAV and that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Board, in consultation with
Eaton Vance, from time to time may review possible actions to reduce any such discount.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 43 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
In August 2012, the Board of Trustees initially approved a share repurchase
program for the Fund. Pursuant to the reauthorization of the share repurchase program by the Board of Trustees in March 2019, the Fund
is authorized to repurchase up to 10% of its common shares outstanding as of the last day of the prior calendar year at market prices
when shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Fund to purchase a specific
amount of shares. Results of the share repurchase program are disclosed in the Fund's annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.
PREFERRED SHARES
The Fund has no current intention of issuing any shares other than the
Common Shares. However, the Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with
preference rights (the “preferred shares”) in one or more series, with rights as determined by the Board, by action of the
Board without the approval of the Common Shareholders.
Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund must, immediately after
the issuance of any preferred shares, have an “asset coverage” of at least 200%. Asset coverage means the ratio which the
value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities (as defined in the 1940
Act), bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of the Fund, if any, plus the aggregate liquidation
preference of the preferred shares. If the Fund seeks a rating for preferred shares, asset coverage requirements in addition to those
set forth in the 1940 Act may be imposed. The liquidation value of any preferred shares would be expected to equal their aggregate original
purchase price plus redemption premium, if any, together with any accrued and unpaid distributions thereon (on a cumulative basis), whether
or not earned or declared. The terms of any preferred shares, including their distribution rate, voting rights, liquidation preference
and redemption provisions, will be determined by the Board (subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Declaration of Trust) if and
when it authorizes preferred shares. The Fund may issue preferred shares that provide for the periodic redetermination of the distribution
rate at relatively short intervals through an auction or remarketing procedure, although the terms of such preferred shares may also enable
the Fund to lengthen such intervals. At times, the distribution rate on any preferred shares may exceed the Fund’s return after
expenses on the investment of proceeds from the preferred shares and the Fund’s leverage structure, resulting in a lower rate of
return to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so structured.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Fund, the terms of any preferred shares may entitle the holders of preferred shares to receive a preferential liquidating
distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus redemption premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid
dividends, whether or not earned or declared and on a cumulative basis) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders.
After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the preferred shareholders would not be entitled
to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.
Holders of preferred shares, voting as a class, would be entitled to
elect two of the Fund’s Trustees if any preferred shares are issued. The holders of both the Common Shares and the preferred shares
(voting together as a single class with each share entitling its holder to one vote) shall be entitled to elect the remaining Trustees
of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, if at any time dividends on the preferred shares are unpaid in an amount equal to two full years’
dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding preferred shares, voting as a class, will be allowed to elect a majority of the Board
until all distributions in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, if required by a Rating Agency rating
the preferred shares or if the Board determines it to be in the best interests of the Common Shareholders, issuance of the preferred shares
may result in more restrictive provisions than required under the 1940 Act. In this regard, holders of preferred shares may be entitled
to elect a majority of the Board in other circumstances, for example, if one payment on the preferred shares is in arrears. The differing
rights of the holders of preferred and Common Shares with respect to the election of Trustees do not affect the obligation of all Trustees
to take actions they believe to be consistent with the best interests of the Fund. All such actions must be consistent with (i) the obligations
of the Fund with respect to the holders of preferred shares (which obligations arise primarily from the contractual terms of the preferred
shares, as specified in the Declaration of Trust and By-laws of the Fund) and (ii) the fiduciary duties owed to the Fund, which include
the duties of loyalty and care.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 44 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
In the event of any future issuance of preferred shares, the Fund likely
would seek a credit rating for such preferred shares from a Rating Agency. In such event, as long as preferred shares are outstanding,
the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by such Rating Agency. Based on previous guidelines established by
Rating Agencies for the securities of other issuers, the Fund anticipates that the guidelines
with respect to any preferred shares would establish a set of tests for portfolio composition and asset coverage that supplement (and
in some cases are more restrictive than) the applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. Although no assurance can be given as to the
nature or extent of the guidelines that may be imposed in connection with obtaining a rating of any preferred shares, the Fund anticipates
that such guidelines would include asset coverage requirements that are more restrictive than those under the 1940 Act, restrictions on
certain portfolio investments and investment practices and certain mandatory redemption requirements relating to any preferred shares.
No assurance can be given that the guidelines actually imposed with respect to any preferred shares by a Rating Agency would be more or
less restrictive than those described in this Prospectus.
EFFECTS OF POSSIBLE FUTURE LEVERAGE
As discussed above, the Fund has no current intention to issue preferred
shares or to borrow money for the purpose of obtaining investment leverage. In the event that the Fund determines in the future to utilize
investment leverage, there can be no assurance that such a leveraging strategy would be successful during any period in which it is employed.
Leverage creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of NAV and market price of the Common Shares
and the risk that fluctuations in distribution rates on any preferred shares or fluctuations in borrowing costs may affect the return
to Common Shareholders. To the extent that amounts available for distribution derived from securities purchased with the proceeds of leverage
exceed the cost of such leverage, the Fund’s distributions would be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the
amounts available for distribution derived from securities purchased with leverage proceeds are not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage,
distributions to Common Shareholders would be less than if leverage had not been used. In the latter case, Eaton Vance, in its best judgment,
may nevertheless determine to maintain the Fund’s leveraged position if it deems such action to be appropriate. The costs of an
offering of preferred shares and/or a borrowing program would be borne by Common Shareholders and consequently would result in a reduction
of the NAV of Common Shares. See “Risk Considerations – Financial Leverage Risk.”
In addition, the advisory fee paid to Eaton Vance is calculated on the
basis of the Fund’s average daily gross assets, which includes any form of investment leverage utilized by the Fund, including proceeds
from the issuance of preferred shares and/or borrowings, so such fees would be higher if leverage is utilized. In this regard, holders
of preferred shares would not bear the investment advisory fee. Rather, Common Shareholders would bear the portion of the investment advisory
fee attributable to the assets purchased with the proceeds of the preferred shares offering. See “Risk Considerations – Financial
Leverage Risk.”
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS
Summary of Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Organizational Documents
Pursuant to the Organization Documents, the Board is divided into
three classes, with the term of one class expiring at each annual meeting of holders of Common Shares and preferred shares, if any. At
each annual meeting, one class of Trustees is elected to a three-year term. This provision could delay the replacement of a majority of
the Board, thereby increasing stability of the composition of the Board. In addition, in the event a Trustee is not elected at an annual
meeting at which such Trustee’s term expires, and a nominee presented to shareholders as such Trustee’s successor is also
not elected, then the incumbent Trustee shall remain a member of the relevant class of Trustees and hold office until the expiration of
the term applicable to Trustees in that class. In a contested Trustee election, a nominee must receive the affirmative vote of a majority
of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote in order to be elected. A Trustee may be removed from office only for cause by a written
instrument signed by the remaining Trustees or by a vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the class of shares of the Fund that
elects such Trustee and are entitled to vote on the matter. These provisions similarly could delay the replacement of Trustees, which
similarly increases stability of the composition of the Board.
The Organizational Documents establish supermajority voting requirements
with respect to certain other matters. The Declaration of Trust requires the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding
shares of each class of the Fund, voting as a class, then entitled to vote to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions with 5%-or-greater
holders (“Principal Shareholders”) of a class of shares and their associates, unless the Board shall by resolution have approved
a memorandum of understanding with such holders, in which case normal voting requirements would be in effect. For purposes of these provisions,
a Principal Shareholder refers to any person who, whether directly or indirectly and whether alone or together with its affiliates and
associates, beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of beneficial interest of the Fund. The transactions
subject to these special approval requirements are: (i) the merger or consolidation of the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund with or
into any Principal Shareholder; (ii) the issuance of any securities of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder for cash; (iii) the sale,
lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder (except assets having an aggregate
fair market value of less than $1,000,000, aggregating for the purpose of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any
series of similar transactions within a twelve-month period); or (iv) the sale, lease or exchange to or with the Fund or any subsidiary
thereof, in exchange for securities of the Fund, of any assets of any Principal Shareholder (except assets having an aggregate fair market
value of less than $1,000,000, aggregating for the purposes of such computation all assets sold, leased or exchanged in any series of
similar transactions within a twelve-month period). For information on the Control Share Provisions and
the qualification criteria applicable to prospective Trustees in the Fund’s By-Laws, see “Description of Capital Structure
– Common Shares.”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 45 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Board believes that these provisions are in the best interests
of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions may provide some protection to the Fund against insurgent campaigns from “activist”
investors that may, under some circumstances, impede the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective and may otherwise threaten
to harm the long-term interests of the Fund and its other shareholders. These provisions promote continuity and stability and enhance
the Fund’s ability to pursue the Fund’s investment strategies that are consistent with its stated investment objective and
investment policies. Because these provisions may discourage third parties from seeking to obtain control of the Fund or from seeking
to effect a tender offer or similar transaction, they may reduce opportunities for Common Shareholders to sell their Common Shares at
a short-term premium over the then-current market price. However, they allow the Board to balance the interests of the entire shareholder
base in evaluating these and other types of transactions rather than prioritizing the interests of certain shareholders.The Board has
determined that all voting requirements described above that are greater than the minimum requirements under Massachusetts law or the
1940 Act are in the best interest of holders of Common Shares and preferred shares generally. Reference is made to the Organizational
Documents on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
Conversion to Open-End Fund
The Fund may be converted to an open-end management investment company
at any time if approved by the lesser of (i) two-thirds or more of the Fund’s then outstanding Common Shares and preferred shares
(if any), each voting separately as a class, or (ii) more than 50% of the then outstanding Common Shares and preferred shares (if any),
voting separately as a class if such conversion is recommended by at least 75% of the Trustees then in office. If approved in the foregoing
manner, conversion of the Fund could not occur until 90 days after the shareholders’ meeting at which such conversion was approved
and would also require at least 30 days’ prior notice to all shareholders. Conversion of the Fund to an open-end management investment
company also would require the redemption of any outstanding preferred shares and could require the repayment of borrowings, which would
eliminate any future leveraged capital structure of the Fund with respect to the Common Shares. In the event of conversion, the Common
Shares would cease to be listed on the NYSE or other national securities exchange or market system. The Board believes that the closed-end
structure is desirable, given the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Investors should assume, therefore, that it is unlikely
that the Board would vote to convert the Fund to an open-end management investment company. Shareholders of an open-end management investment
company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940
Act) at their NAV, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. If the Fund were to convert
to an open-end investment company, the Fund expects it would pay all such redemption requests in cash, but would likely reserve the right
to pay redemption requests in a combination of cash or securities. If such partial payment in securities were made, investors may incur
brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. If the Fund were converted to an open-end fund, it is likely that new Common Shares
would be sold at NAV plus a sales load.
Custodian and Transfer Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”),
State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, is the custodian of the Fund and will maintain custody of the securities
and cash of the Fund. State Street maintains the Fund’s general ledger and computes NAV per share at least weekly. State Street
also attends to details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, transfer and other dealings with the Fund’s investments,
and receives and disburses all funds. State Street also assists in preparation of shareholder reports and the electronic filing of such
reports with the SEC.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th
Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219 is the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 46 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Legal Matters
Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares are passed
upon for the Fund by internal counsel for Eaton Vance.
Reports to Shareholders
The Fund will send to Common Shareholders unaudited semi-annual and
audited annual reports, including a list of investments held.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”),
200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116, independent registered public accounting firm, audits the Fund’s financial statements. Deloitte
and/or its affiliates provide other audit, tax and related services to the Fund
Additional Information
The Prospectus and the SAI do not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and regulations. The SAI can be obtained without
charge by calling 1-800-262-1122.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
or other documents referred to are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, each such statement being qualified
in all respects by such reference.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer being
sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports are available on the Fund’s website
(funds.eatonvance.com/closed-end-fund-and-term-trust-documents.php), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and
provided with a website address to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not
be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you hold shares at the Fund’s transfer agent, American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, LLC (“AST”), you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically
by contacting AST. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial
intermediary to sign up. You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you hold shares at AST,
you can inform AST that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-866-439-6787. If you own
these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this
disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports
in paper will apply to all funds held with AST or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.
Incorporation by Reference
This Prospectus is part of a registration statement filed with the
SEC. The Fund is permitted to “incorporate by reference” the information filed with the SEC, which means that the Fund can
disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to
be part of this Prospectus, and later information that the Fund files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
The documents listed below, and any reports and other documents subsequently
filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 30(b)(2) under the 1940 Act and Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
termination of the Offering will be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and deemed to be part of this Prospectus from the date
of the filing of such reports and documents:
|
• |
|
The Fund’s SAI, dated April 5, 2022, filed with this Prospectus; |
|
• |
|
The Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022; and |
|
|
• |
|
the description of the Fund’s common shares contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on December 21, 2004, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering registered hereby. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 47 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the documents that have
been or may be incorporated by reference in this the Prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should direct requests
for documents by calling (800) 262-1122.
The Fund makes available this Prospectus, SAI and the Fund’s
annual and semi-annual reports, free of charge, at http://www.eatonvance.com. You may also obtain this Prospectus, the SAI, other documents
incorporated by reference and other information the Fund files electronically, including reports and proxy statements, on the SEC website
(http://www.sec.gov) or with the payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov. Information contained in,
or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this Prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 48 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information
|
Page |
Additional Investment Information and Restrictions |
2 |
Trustees and Officers |
6 |
Investment Advisory and Other Services |
16 |
Determination of Net Asset Value |
19 |
Portfolio Trading |
21 |
Taxes |
23 |
Other Information |
30 |
Custodian |
30 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
30 |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities |
31 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest |
31 |
Incorporation by Reference |
37 |
Financial Statements |
38 |
APPENDIX A: Ratings |
39 |
APPENDIX B: Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures |
48 |
APPENDIX C: Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures |
49 |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 49 | Prospectus dated April 5, 2022 |
Up to 7,168,522 Shares
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II
Common Shares
Prospectus April 5, 2022
Printed on recycled paper.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
April 5, 2022
EATON VANCE ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND
II
Two International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
1-800-262-1122
Table of Contents
|
Page |
Additional Investment Information and Restrictions |
2 |
Trustees and Officers |
6 |
Investment Advisory and Other Services |
16 |
Determination of Net Asset Value |
19 |
Portfolio Trading |
21 |
Taxes |
23 |
Other Information |
30 |
Custodian |
30 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
30 |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities |
31 |
Potential Conflicts of Interest |
31 |
Incorporation by Reference |
37 |
Financial Statements |
38 |
APPENDIX A: Ratings |
39 |
APPENDIX B: Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures |
48 |
APPENDIX C: Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures |
50 |
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (“SAI”)
IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY THE PROSPECTUS OF EATON
VANCE ENHANCED EQUITY INCOME FUND II (THE “FUND”) DATED April 5, 2022 (THE “PROSPECTUS”), AS SUPPLEMENTED FROM
TIME TO TIME, WHICH IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THIS SAI SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUCH PROSPECTUS, A COPY OF WHICH
MAY BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE BY CONTACTING YOUR FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY OR CALLING THE FUND AT 1-800-262-1122.
Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the
meanings given them in the Fund’s Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplements.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS
Primary investment strategies are described in the Prospectus. The following
is a description of the various investment policies that may be engaged in, whether as a primary or secondary strategy, and a summary
of certain attendant risks. Eaton Vance may not buy any of the following instruments or use any of the following techniques unless it
believes that doing so will help to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.
Equity Investments.
As described in the Prospectus, the Fund invests primarily in common stocks.
Preferred
Stocks. The Fund may invest in preferred stocks of both domestic and foreign issuers. Under normal market conditions, the Fund
expects, with respect to that portion of its total assets invested in preferred stocks, to invest only in preferred stocks of investment
grade quality as determined by S&P, Fitch or Moody’s or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by Eaton Vance.
The foregoing credit quality policies apply only at the time a security is purchased, and the Fund is not required to dispose of
a security in the event of a downgrade of an assessment of credit quality or the withdrawal of a rating. Preferred stocks involve credit
risk, which is the risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, or fail to pay dividends when expected, because the issuer experiences
a decline in its financial status. In addition to credit risk, investment in preferred stocks involves certain other risks as more fully
described in the Prospectus.
Derivative
Instruments. Derivative instruments (which are instruments that derive their value from any underlying reference instrument)
may be purchased or sold to enhance return (which may be considered speculative), to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices or
market conditions, or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies. Depending on the type of derivative instrument
and the Fund’s investment strategy, a derivative instrument may be based on a security, instrument, index, currency, commodity,
economic indicators or event (referred to as “reference instruments”). These strategies may be executed through the use of
derivative contracts in the United States. or abroad. In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may purchase and
sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, equity and fixed-income indices and other instruments, purchase
and sell futures contracts and options thereon, and enter into various transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars. In addition,
derivatives may also include new techniques, instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. Transactions in
derivative instruments involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates,
indices, or the other financial instruments’ prices; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect
correlation between a position and the desired hedge; tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on
securities subject to such transactions. The loss on derivative instruments (other than purchased options) may substantially exceed an
investment in these instruments. In addition, the entire premium paid for purchased options may be lost before they can be profitably
exercised. Transaction costs are incurred in opening and closing positions. Derivative instruments may sometimes increase or leverage
exposure to a particular market risk, thereby increasing price volatility. Over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’) derivative
instruments, equity swaps and forward sales of stocks involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its
contractual obligations. Some derivative instruments are not readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market conditions.
In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative instrument,
which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount
that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily limit is
reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the closing out of positions to limit losses. The
ability to terminate OTC derivative instruments may depend on the cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded
derivative instruments, the only source of price quotations may be the selling dealer or counterparty. In addition, certain provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the ‘‘Code’’) limit the use of derivative instruments. The Fund
has claimed an exclusion from the definition of a Commodity Pool Operator (‘‘CPO’’) under the Commodity Exchange
Act and therefor is not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO. There can be no assurance that the use of derivative instruments
will be advantageous.
Foreign exchange traded futures contracts and options thereon
may be used only if the Adviser determines that trading on such foreign exchange does not entail risks, including credit and liquidity
risks, that are materially greater than the risks associated with trading on CFTC-regulated exchanges.
Investments
in ETFs. The Fund can invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are pooled investment vehicles that
trade their shares on stock exchanges at market prices (rather than net asset value) and are only redeemable from the ETF itself in large
increments or in exchange for baskets of securities. As an exchange traded security, an ETF’s shares are priced continuously and
trade throughout the day. ETFs may track a securities index, a particular market sector, a particular segment of a securities index or
market sector (“Passive ETFs”), or they may be
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 2 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
actively managed (“Active ETFs”). An investment in an
ETF generally involves the same primary risks as an investment in a fund that is not exchange-traded that has the same investment objectives,
strategies and policies of the ETF, such as liquidity risk, sector risk and foreign and emerging market risk, as well as risks associated
with equity securities, fixed income securities, real estate investments and commodities, as applicable. In addition, a Passive ETF may
fail to accurately track the market segment or index that underlies its investment objective or may fail to fully replicate its underlying
index, in which case the Passive ETF’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results. The way in which shares of ETFs
are traded, purchased and redeemed involves certain risks. An ETF may trade at a price that is lower than its net asset value. Secondary
market trading of an ETF may result in frequent price fluctuations, which in turn may result in a loss to a Fund. Additionally, natural
or environmental disasters, widespread disease or other public health issues, war, acts of terrorism or other events could result in increased
premiums or discounts to an ETF’s net asset value. There is no guarantee that an active market for the ETF’s shares will develop
or be maintained. An ETF may fail to meet the listing requirements of any applicable exchanges on which it is listed. Further, trading
in an ETF may be halted if the trading in one or more of the securities held by an ETF is halted. The existence of extreme market volatility
or potential lack of an active trading market for an ETF’s shares could result in such shares trading at a significant premium or
discount to their NAV.
A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management
fees and other operating expenses of an ETF in which it invests. A Fund may pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase
and sale of shares of ETFs.
Short Sales.
The Fund may sell a security short if it owns at least an equal amount of the security sold
short or another security convertible or exchangeable for an equal amount of the security sold short without payment of further compensation
(a short sale against-the-box).
Purchasing securities to close out
the short position can itself cause the price of the securities to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. Short-selling exposes
the Fund to unlimited risk with respect to that security due to the lack of an upper limit on the price to which an instrument can rise.
Although the Fund reserves the right to utilize short sales, the Adviser is under no obligation to utilize short sales at all.
Securities
Lending. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may lend a portion of its portfolio securities
to broker-dealers or other institutional borrowers. Loans will be made only to organizations whose credit quality or claims paying ability
is considered by the Adviser to be at least investment grade. All securities loans will be collateralized on a continuous basis by cash
or U.S. government securities having a value, marked to market daily, of at least 100% of the market value of the loaned securities.
The Fund may receive loan fees in connection with loans that are collateralized by securities or on loans of securities for which there
is special demand. The Fund may also seek to earn income on securities loans by reinvesting cash collateral in securities consistent
with its investment objectives and policies, seeking to invest at rates that are higher than the ‘‘rebate’’ rate
that it normally will pay to the borrower with respect to such cash collateral. Any such reinvestment will be subject to the investment
policies, restrictions and risk considerations described in the Prospectus and in this SAI.
Securities loans may result in delays in recovering, or a failure of the
borrower to return, the loaned securities. The defaulting borrower ordinarily would be liable to the Fund for any losses resulting from
such delays or failures, and the collateral provided in connection with the loan normally would also be available for that purpose. Securities
loans normally may be terminated by either the Fund or the borrower at any time. Upon termination and the return of the loaned securities,
the Fund would be required to return the related cash or securities collateral to the borrower and it may be required to liquidate longer
term portfolio securities in order to do so. To the extent that such securities have decreased in value, this may result in the Fund realizing
a loss at a time when it would not otherwise do so. The Fund also may incur losses if it is unable to reinvest cash collateral at rates
higher than applicable rebate rates paid to borrowers and related administrative costs. These risks are substantially the same as those
incurred through investment leverage, and will be subject to the investment policies, restrictions and risk considerations described in
the Prospectus and in this SAI.
The Fund will receive amounts equivalent to any interest or other distributions
paid on securities while they are on loan, and the Fund will not be entitled to exercise voting or other beneficial rights on loaned securities.
The Fund will exercise its right to terminate loans and thereby regain these rights whenever the Adviser considers it to be in the Fund’s
interest to do so, taking into account the related loss of reinvestment income and other factors.
Cybersecurity
Risk. With the increased use of technologies by Fund service providers to conduct business, such as the Internet, the
Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. The Fund relies on communications technology, systems, and
networks to engage with clients, employees, accounts, shareholders, and service providers, and a cyber incident may inhibit the Fund’s
ability to use these technologies. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber attacks
include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software
coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber attacks
may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites
or via “ransomware”
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 3 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
that renders the systems inoperable until appropriate actions are
taken. A denial-of-service attack is an effort to make network services unavailable to intended users, which could cause shareholders
to lose access to their electronic accounts, potentially indefinitely. Employees and service providers also may not be able to access
electronic systems to perform critical duties for the Fund, such as trading, NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of
Fund share purchases and redemptions, during a denial-of-service attack. There is also the possibility for systems failures due to malfunctions,
user error and misconduct by employees and agents, natural disasters, or other foreseeable and unforeseeable events.
Because technology is consistently changing, new ways to carry out cyber
attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack
may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund’s ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other funds and
business enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber incidents consistently.
In addition to deliberate cyber attacks, unintentional cyber incidents can occur, such as the inadvertent release of confidential information
by the Fund or its service providers. To date, cyber incidents have not had a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business operations
or performance.
The Fund uses third party service providers who are also heavily dependent
on computers and technology for their operations. Cybersecurity failures by or breaches of the Fund’s investment adviser or administrator
and other service providers (including, but not limited to, the custodian or transfer agent), and the issuers of securities in which the
Fund invests, may disrupt and otherwise adversely affect their business operations. This may result in financial losses to the Fund, impede
Fund trading, interfere with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, or cause violations of applicable privacy and other laws,
regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, litigation costs, or additional compliance
costs. While many of the Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans and risk management systems intended
to identify and mitigate cyber attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain
risks have not been identified. The Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by service providers to the Fund
and issuers in which the Fund invests. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.
Operational
Risk. The Fund’s service providers, including the investment adviser, may experience disruptions or operating errors
that could negatively impact the Fund. While service providers are expected to have appropriate operational risk management policies and
procedures, their methods of operational risk management may differ from the Fund’s in the setting of priorities, the personnel
and resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. It also is not possible for Trust service providers to identify all
of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence
or effects.
Illiquid Investments.
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in investments for which there is no readily available trading market or that are otherwise
illiquid. It may be difficult to sell illiquid investments at a price representing their fair value until such time as such investments
may be sold publicly. Where registration is required, a considerable period may elapse between a decision by the Fund to sell the investments
and the time when it would be permitted to sell. Thus, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price as that prevailing at the
time of the decision to sell. The Fund may also acquire investments through private placements under which it may agree to contractual
restrictions on the resale of such investments. Such restrictions might prevent their sale at a time when such sale would otherwise be
desirable.
At times, a portion of the Fund’s assets may be invested in investments
as to which the Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all
of such investments. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the
issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such investments when the Adviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able
to sell such investments only at prices lower than if such investments were more widely held. It may also be more difficult to determine
the fair value of such investments for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value.
LIBOR.
The London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR is the average offered rate for various maturities of short-term loans between major international
banks who are members of the British Bankers Association. It is used throughout global banking and financial industries to determine interest
rates for a variety of financial instruments (such as debt instruments and derivatives) and borrowing arrangements. In July 2017, the
Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), the United Kingdom financial regulatory body, announced a desire to phase out the
use of LIBOR. The ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, the administrator of LIBOR, ceased publishing certain LIBOR settings on December
31, 2021, and is expected to cease publishing the remaining LIBOR settings on June 30, 2023. Many market participants are in the process
of transitioning to the use of alternative reference or benchmark rates.
On September 29, 2021 the FCA announced that it will compel the
ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (the “IBA”) to publish a subset of non-U.S. LIBOR maturities after December 31, 2021
using a “synthetic” methodology that is not based on panel bank contributions and has indicated that it may also require
IBA to publish a subset of U.S. LIBOR maturities after June 30, 2023, using a similar synthetic methodology. However, these synthetic
publications are expected to be published for a limited period of time and would be considered non-representative of the underlying market.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 4 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Although the transition process away from LIBOR has become increasingly
well-defined the impact on certain debt securities, derivatives and other financial instruments that utilize LIBOR remains uncertain.
The transition process may involve, among other things, increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently
rely on LIBOR. The transition may also result in a change in (i) the value of certain instruments held by the Trust, (ii) the cost of
borrowing or the dividend rate for preferred shares, or (iii) the effectiveness of related Trust transactions such as hedges, as applicable.
Various financial industry groups are planning for the transition
away from LIBOR, but there are obstacles to converting certain longer term securities and transactions to a new benchmark. In June 2017,
the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a group of large U.S. banks working with the Federal Reserve, announced its selection of a
new Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to be a broad measure of secured overnight U.S. Treasury
repo rates, as an appropriate replacement for LIBOR. Bank working groups and regulators in other countries have suggested other alternatives
for their markets, including the Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (“SONIA”) in England. Both SOFR and SONIA, as well
as certain other proposed replacement rates, are materially different from LIBOR, and changes in the applicable spread for financial instruments
transitioning away from LIBOR need to be made to accommodate the differences. Liquid markets for newly-issued instruments that use an
alternative reference rate are still developing. Consequently, there may be challenges for a Trust to enter into hedging transactions
against instruments tied to alternative reference rates until a market for such hedging transactions develops.
Additionally, while some existing LIBOR-based instruments may contemplate
a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative or “fallback” rate-setting methodology, there
may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such alternative methodologies to replicate LIBOR. Not all existing
LIBOR-based instruments have such fallback provisions, and many that do, do not contemplate the permanent cessation of LIBOR. While it
is expected that market participants will amend legacy financial instruments referencing LIBOR to include fallback provisions to alternative
reference rates, there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of parties to add or amend such fallback provisions in
legacy instruments maturing after the end of 2021, particularly with respect to legacy cash products. Although there are ongoing efforts
among certain government entities and other organizations to address these uncertainties, the ultimate effectiveness of such efforts is
not yet known.
Any effects of the transition away from LIBOR and the adoption of
alternative reference rates, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result in losses to the Trust, and such effects may occur prior
to the discontinuation of the remaining LIBOR settings in 2023. Furthermore, the risks associated with the discontinuation of LIBOR and
transition to replacement rates may be exacerbated if an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate is not completed in a timely
manner.
Asset
Coverage Requirements. To the extent required by SEC guidelines, if a transaction creates a future obligation of the Fund
to another party the Fund will: (1) cover the obligation by entering into an offsetting position or transaction; and/or (2)
segregate cash and/or liquid securities with a value (together with any collateral posted with respect to the obligation) at least
equal to the marked-to market value of the obligations. Assets used as cover or segregated cannot be sold while the position(s)
requiring cover is open unless replaced with other appropriate assets. The types of transactions that may require asset coverage
include (but are not limited to) reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, short sales, securities lending, forward
contracts, certain options, forward commitments, futures contracts, when-issued securities, swap agreements, residual interest
bonds, and participation in revolving credit facilities.
Temporary Investments. The Fund may invest in cash equivalents
to invest daily cash balances or for temporary defensive purposes. Cash equivalents are highly liquid, short-term securities such as
commercial paper, time deposits, certificates of deposit, short-term notes and short-term U.S. Government obligations.
Investment
Restrictions. The following investment restrictions of the Fund are designated as fundamental policies and as such cannot
be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, which as used in this
SAI means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at a meeting if the holders of more than 50%
of the outstanding shares are present or represented at the meeting or (b) more than 50% of outstanding shares of the Fund. As a matter
of fundamental policy the Fund may not:
| (1) | Borrow money, except as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the ‘‘1940
Act’’). The 1940 Act currently requires that any indebtedness incurred by a closed-end investment company have an asset coverage
of at least 300%; |
| (2) | Issue senior securities, as defined in the 1940 Act, other than (a) preferred shares which immediately after issuance will have asset
coverage of at least 200%, (b) indebtedness which immediately after issuance will have asset coverage of at least 300%, or (c) the borrowings
permitted by investment restriction (1) above. The 1940 Act currently defines ‘‘senior security’’ as any bond,
debenture, note or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness and any stock of a class having
priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payment of
dividends. Debt and equity securities issued by a closed-end investment company meeting the foregoing asset coverage provisions are excluded
from the general 1940 Act prohibition on the issuance of senior securities; |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 5 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
| (3) | Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases
and sales of securities). The purchase of investment assets with the proceeds of a permitted borrowing or securities offering will not
be deemed to be the purchase of securities on margin; |
| (4) | Underwrite securities issued by other persons, except insofar as it may technically be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, in selling or disposing of a portfolio investment; |
| (5) | Make loans to other persons, except by (a) the acquisition of loan interests, debt securities and other obligations in which the Fund
is authorized to invest in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) entering into repurchase agreements, and (c) lending
its portfolio securities; |
| (6) | Purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities which are secured by interests in real estate and securities
of issuers which invest or deal in real estate. The Fund reserves the freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a
result of the ownership of securities; |
| (7) | Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts for the purchase or sale of physical commodities. Physical commodities do not include
futures contracts with respect to securities, securities indices, currencies, interest or other financial instruments; |
| (8) | With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer or purchase
more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies; and |
| (9) | Invest 25% or more of its total assets in any single industry or group of industries (other than securities issued or guaranteed by
the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities). |
The Fund may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or
emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely
dispositions of Fund securities. The 1940 Act currently requires that the Fund have 300% asset coverage with respect to all borrowings
other than temporary borrowings.
For purposes of construing restriction (9), a large economic or market
sector shall not be construed as a group of industries.
The Fund has adopted the following nonfundamental investment policy
which may be changed by the Board without approval of the Fund’s shareholders. As a matter of nonfundamental policy, the Fund may
not make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, unless at all times when a short position is open it either owns an equal
amount of such securities or owns securities convertible into or exchangeable, without payment of any further consideration, for securities
of the same issue as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short.
Upon the Board’s approval, the Fund may invest more than 10% of
its total assets in one or more other management investment companies (or may invest in affiliated investment companies) to the extent
permitted by the 1940 Act and rules thereunder.
Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction set forth in
the Prospectus or this SAI states a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in any security or other assets or describes a policy
regarding quality standards, such percentage limitation or standard shall be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s
acquisition of such security or asset. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, assets or other
circumstances or any subsequent rating change made by a rating service (or as determined by the Adviser if the security is not rated by
a rating agency) will not compel the Fund to dispose of such security or other asset. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund must always
be in compliance with the borrowing policies set forth above.
TRUSTEES
AND OFFICERS
The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) is responsible
for the overall management and supervision of the affairs of the Fund. The Board members and officers of the Fund are listed below. Except
as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Each Trustee holds
office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor is elected and qualified,
subject to a prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Under the terms of the Fund’s current Trustee retirement
policy, an Independent Trustee must retire and resign as a Trustee on the earlier of: (i) the first day of July following his or her 74th
birthday; or (ii), with limited exception, December 31st of the 20th year in which he or she has served as a Trustee. However, if such
retirement and resignation would cause the Fund to be out of compliance with Section 16 of the 1940 Act or any other regulations or guidance
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), then such retirement
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 6 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
and resignation will not become effective until such time as action
has been taken for the Fund to be in compliance therewith. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are
not “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Board member
and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used in this SAI, “BMR” refers to Boston Management
and Research, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to EV LLC, “Eaton Vance” or “EVM”
refers to Eaton Vance Management and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EV is the trustee of each of Eaton Vance
and BMR. Effective March 1, 2021, each of Eaton Vance, BMR, EVD and EV are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley. Each
officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with
Eaton Vance listed below.
Name and Year of Birth |
Fund Position(s)(1) |
Term of Office and
Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee(2) |
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years |
Interested Trustee |
|
|
|
|
|
THOMAS E. FAUST JR.
1958 |
Class I Trustee |
Until 2023. 3 years. Since 2007. |
Chairman of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. (MSIM), member of the Board of Managers and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance and BMR, and Director of EVD. Formerly, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with MSIM, BMR, Eaton Vance, EVD and EV, which are affiliates of the Fund, and his former position with EVC, which was an affiliate of the Fund prior to March 1, 2021. |
137 |
Formerly, Director of EVC (2007-2021) and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm) (2012-2021). |
Noninterested Trustees |
|
|
|
|
|
MARK R. FETTING
1954 |
Class III Trustee |
Until 2022. 3 years. Since 2016. |
Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000). |
138 |
None |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 7 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Name and Year of Birth |
|
Fund
Position(s)(1) |
|
Length of Service |
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
|
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee(2) |
|
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years |
Noninterested Trustees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARK R. FETTING
1954 |
|
Class III
Trustee |
|
Until 2024.
3 years.
Since 2016. |
|
Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000). |
|
138 |
|
None |
CYNTHIA E. FROST
1961 |
|
Class I
Trustee |
|
Until 2022.
3 years.
Since 2014. |
|
Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985). |
|
137 |
|
None |
GEORGE J. GORMAN
1952 |
|
Chairperson of the Board and Class II
Trustee |
|
Until 2023.
3 years.
Chairperson of the Board since 2021 and Trustee since 2014. |
|
Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009). |
|
138 |
|
None |
VALERIE A. MOSLEY
1960 |
|
Class III
Trustee |
|
Until 2024.
3 years.
Since 2014. |
|
Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Founder of Upward Wealth, Inc., dba BrightUP, a fintech platform. Formerly, Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990). |
|
138 |
|
Director of DraftKings, Inc. (digital sports entertainment and gaming company) (since September 2020). Director of Groupon, Inc. (e-commerce provider) (since April 2020). Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (2013-2020). |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 8 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Fund Position(s)(1) |
Term of Office and
Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee(2) |
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years |
WILLIAM H. PARK
1947 |
Class II Trustee |
Until 2024. 3 years. Since 2003. |
Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group, L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981). |
138 |
None |
HELEN FRAME PETERS
1948 |
Class II Trustee |
Until 2024. 3 years. Since 2008. |
Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998). |
138 |
None |
KEITH QUINTON
1958 |
Class I Trustee |
Until 2023. 3 years. Since 2018. |
Private investor, researcher and lecturer. Formerly, Independent Investment
Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (2017-2021). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity
Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014). |
138 |
Formerly, Director (2016-2021) and Chairman (2019-2021) of New Hampshire
Municipal Bond Bank. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 9 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Fund Position(s)(1) |
Term of Office and
Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen By
Trustee(2) |
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years |
MARCUS L. SMITH
1966 |
Class III Trustee |
Until 2022. 3 years. Since 2018. |
Private investor and independent corporate director. Formerly, Chief
Investment Officer, Canada (2012-2017), Chief Investment Officer, Asia (2010-2012), Director of Asian Research (2004-2010) and portfolio
manager (2001-2017) at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm). |
138 |
Director of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. (an industrial REIT) (since 2021). Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018). |
SUSAN J. SUTHERLAND
1957 |
Class II Trustee |
Until 2024. 3 years. Since 2015. |
Private investor. Director of Ascot Group Limited and certain of its
subsidiaries (insurance and reinsurance) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of Hagerty Holding Corp. (insurance) (2015-2018) and Montpelier
Re Holdings Ltd. (insurance and reinsurance) (2013-2015). Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
& Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013). |
138 |
Director of Kairos Acquisition Corp. (insurance/InsurTech acquisition company) (since 2021). |
SCOTT E. WENNERHOLM
1959 |
Class I Trustee |
Until 2023. 3 years. Since 2016. |
Private investor. Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997). |
138 |
None |
NANCY A. WISER
1967 |
Class II Trustee |
Until 2024. 3 years. Since 2022. |
Formerly, Executive Vice President and the Global Head of Operations at Wells Fargo Asset Management (2011-2021). |
135 |
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) | The Board of Trustees is divided into three classes, each class having a term of three years to expire on the date of the third annual
meeting following its election. |
| (2) | Includes both funds and portfolios in a hub and spoke structure. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 10 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Principal Officers who are not Trustees |
Name and Year of Birth |
|
Fund Position(s) |
|
Length of Service |
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
EDWARD J. PERKIN
1972 |
|
President |
|
Since 2017 |
|
Chief Equity Investment Officer and
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR. Officer of 22 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Also
Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”) since 2016. |
DEIDRE E. WALSH
1971 |
|
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer |
|
Since 2021 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR. Officer of 138 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Also Vice President of CRM and officer of 39 registered investment companies advised or administered by CRM since 2021. |
JAMES F. KIRCHNER
1967 |
|
Treasurer |
|
Since 2013 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR. Officer
of 138 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Also Vice President of CRM and officer of 39 registered
investment companies advised or administered by CRM since 2016. |
JILL R. DAMON
1984 |
|
Secretary |
|
Since 2022 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR since 2017. Officer of 135 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Formerly, associate at Dechert LLP (2009-2017). |
RICHARD F. FROIO
1968 |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
Since 2017 |
|
Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR since 2017. Officer of 138 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012). |
The Board has general oversight responsibility with respect to the
business and affairs of the Fund. The Board has engaged an investment adviser and (if applicable) a sub-adviser(s) (collectively the “adviser”)
to manage the Fund and an administrator to administer the Fund and is responsible for overseeing such adviser and administrator
and other service providers to the Fund. The Board is currently composed of twelve Trustees, including ten Trustees who are not “interested
persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (each a “noninterested Trustee”). In addition to
six regularly scheduled meetings per year, the Board holds special meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that
may require action prior to the next regular meeting. As discussed below, the Board has established six committees to assist the Board
in performing its oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed a noninterested Trustee to serve in the role
of Chairperson. The Chairperson’s primary role is to participate in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and
the identification of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson
also presides at all meetings of the Board and acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Board members
generally between meetings. The Chairperson may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. In addition,
the Board may appoint a noninterested Trustee to serve in the role of Vice-Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson has the power and authority
to perform any or all of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson and/or as requested by the
Chairperson. Except for any duties specified herein or pursuant to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust or By-laws, the designation of
Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson does not impose on such noninterested Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than
the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board, generally.
The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including, among others, investment,
compliance, operational, and valuation risks. Risk oversight is part of the Board’s general oversight of the Fund and is addressed
as part of various activities of the Board and its Committees. As part of its oversight of the Fund, the Board directly, or through a
Committee, relies on and reviews reports from, among others, Fund management, the adviser, the administrator, the principal underwriter,
the Chief Compliance Officer (the “CCO”), and other Fund service providers responsible for day-to-day oversight of Fund investments,
operations and compliance to assist the Board in identifying and understanding the nature and extent of risks and determining whether,
and to what extent, such risks can or should be mitigated. The Board also interacts with the CCO and with senior personnel of the adviser,
administrator, principal underwriter and other Fund service providers and provides input on risk management issues during meetings of the Board
and its Committees. Each of the adviser, administrator, principal underwriter and the other Fund service providers has its own, independent
interest and responsibilities in risk management, and its policies and methods for carrying out risk management functions will depend,
in part, on its individual priorities, resources and controls. It is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund
or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks
(such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 11 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The Board, with the assistance of management and with input from the
Board’s various committees, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of Fund performance. The Board has
appointed a Fund CCO who oversees the implementation and testing of the Fund compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance
matters for the Fund and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board’s periodic review of the advisory, subadvisory
(if applicable), distribution and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their operations
and the functions for which they are responsible. With respect to valuation, the Board approves and periodically reviews valuation policies
and procedures applicable to valuing the Fund’s shares. The administrator, the investment adviser and the sub-adviser (if applicable)
are responsible for the implementation and day-to-day administration of these valuation policies and procedures and provides reports to
the Audit Committee of the Board and the Board regarding these and related matters. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board or the
Board receives reports periodically from the independent public accounting firm for the Fund regarding tests performed by such firm on
the valuation of all securities, as well as with respect to other risks associated with mutual funds. Reports received from service providers,
legal counsel and the independent public accounting firm assist the Board in performing its oversight function.
The Fund’s Declaration of Trust does not set forth any specific
qualifications to serve as a Trustee. The Charter of the Governance Committee also does not set forth any specific qualifications, but
does set forth certain factors that the Committee may take into account in considering noninterested Trustee candidates. In general, no
one factor is decisive in the selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considers when concluding that
an individual should serve on the Board are the following: (i) knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) experience
as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) educational background; (iv) reputation for high ethical standards and professional
integrity; (v) specific financial, technical or other expertise, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board members’
existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board,
including the ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the
ability to qualify as a noninterested Trustee for purposes of the 1940 Act and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving
the individual and the Fund; and (viii) such other factors as the Board determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition
of the Board.
Among the attributes or skills common to all Board members are their
ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other members
of the Board, management, sub-advisers, other service providers, counsel and independent registered public accounting firms, and to exercise
effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as members of the Board. Each Board member’s ability
to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the Board member’s business, consulting, public service and/or
academic positions and through experience from service as a member of the Boards of the Eaton Vance family of funds (“Eaton Vance
Fund Boards”) (and/or in other capacities, including for any predecessor funds), public companies, or non-profit entities or other
organizations as set forth below. Each Board member’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively also has been enhanced by
his or her educational background, professional training, and/or other life experiences.
In respect of each current member of the Board, the individual’s
substantial professional accomplishments and experience, including in fields related to the operations of registered investment companies,
were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a member of the Board. The following is a summary of
each Board member’s particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Board’s conclusion
that he or she should serve as a member of the Board:
Thomas E.
Faust Jr. Mr. Faust has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2007. Effective March 1, 2021, he is Chairman
of MSIM. He is also a member of the Board of Managers and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance and BMR,
and Director of EVD. Mr. Faust previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EVC from 2007 through March 1, 2021 and as
President of EVC from 2006 through March 1, 2021. Mr. Faust served as a Director of Hexavest Inc. from 2012-2021. From 2016 through 2019,
Mr. Faust served as a Director of SigFig Wealth Management LLC. Mr. Faust previously served as an equity analyst, portfolio manager, Director
of Equity Research and Management and Chief Investment Officer of Eaton Vance from 1985-2007. He holds B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering
and Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr. Faust has been a Chartered Financial
Analyst since 1988. He is a trustee and member of the executive committee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc. and trustee emeritus
of Wellesley College.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 12 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Mark R.
Fetting. Mr. Fetting has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2016 and is the Chairperson of the Contract
Review Committee. He has over 30 years of experience in the investment management industry as an executive and in various leadership roles.
From 2000 through 2012, Mr. Fetting served in several capacities at Legg Mason, Inc., including most recently serving as President, Chief
Executive Officer, Director and Chairman from 2008 to his retirement in 2012. He also served as a Director/Trustee and Chairman of the
Legg Mason family of funds from 2008-2012 and Director/Trustee of the Royce family of funds from 2001-2012. From 2001 through 2008, Mr.
Fetting also served as President of the Legg Mason family of funds. From 1991 through 2000, Mr. Fetting served as Division President and
Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies. Early in his professional career, Mr. Fetting was a Vice President
at T. Rowe Price and served in leadership roles within the firm’s mutual fund division from 1981-1987.
Cynthia E. Frost. Ms. Frost has served as a member of the Eaton
Vance Fund Boards since 2014 and is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Management Committee. From 2000 through 2012, Ms. Frost was the Chief
Investment Officer of Brown University, where she oversaw the evaluation, selection and monitoring of the third party investment managers
who managed the university’s endowment. From 1995 through 2000, Ms. Frost was a Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company,
which oversaw Duke University’s endowment. Ms. Frost also served in various investment and consulting roles at Cambridge Associates
from 1989-1995, Bain and Company from 1987-1989 and BA Investment Management Company from 1983-1985. She serves as a member of the investment
committee of The MCNC Endowment.
George
J. Gorman. Mr. Gorman has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014 and is the Independent Chairperson of
the Board. From 1974 through 2009, Mr. Gorman served in various capacities at Ernst & Young LLP, including as a Senior Partner in
the Asset Management Group (from 1988) specializing in managing engagement teams responsible for auditing mutual funds registered with
the SEC, hedge funds and private equity funds. Mr. Gorman also has experience serving as an independent trustee of other mutual fund complexes,
including the Bank of America Money Market Funds Series Trust from 2011-2014 and the Ashmore Funds from 2010-2014.
Valerie
A. Mosley. Ms. Mosley has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2014 and is the Chairperson of the
Governance Committee. She currently owns and manages a consulting and investment firm, Valmo Ventures, and in 2020 founded Upward Wealth,
Inc., doing business as BrightUP, a fintech platform focused on helping everyday workers grow their net worth and reinforce their self-worth.
From 1992 through 2012, Ms. Mosley served in several capacities at Wellington Management Company, LLP, an investment management firm,
including as a Partner, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist. Ms. Mosley also served as Chief Investment
Officer at PG Corbin Asset Management from 1990-1992 and worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody from 1986-1990.
She was also a Director of Progress Investment Management Company, a manager of emerging managers until 2020. She is a Director of Groupon,
Inc., an ecommerce provider, and a Director of Envestnet, Inc., a provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial
wellness. She is also a Director of DraftKings, Inc., a digital sports entertainment and gaming company and a board member of Caribou
Financial, Inc., an auto loan refinancing company. Ms. Mosley previously served as a Director of Dynex Capital, Inc., a mortgage REIT,
from 2013-2020. She serves as a trustee or board member of several major non-profit organizations and endowments. In addition, she is
a member of the Risk Audit Committee of the United Auto Workers Retiree Medical Benefits Trust.
William
H. Park. Mr. Park has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2003 and was formerly the Independent Chairperson
of the Board from 2016-2021. Mr. Park was formerly a consultant from 2012-2014 and formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group,
L.P. from 2010-2011. Mr. Park also served as Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. from 2006-2010, as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC from 2002-2005, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset
Management Corporation from 1982-2001 and as Senior Manager of Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) from 1972-1981.
Helen Frame
Peters. Dr. Peters has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2008. Dr. Peters is currently a Professor of
Finance at Carroll School of Management, Boston College and was formerly Dean of Carroll School of Management from 2000-2002. Dr. Peters
was previously a Director of BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. from 2004-2011. In addition, Dr. Peters was the Chief Investment Officer,
Fixed Income at Scudder Kemper Investments from 1998-1999 and Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income at Colonial Management
Associates from 1991-1998. Dr. Peters also served as a Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust from 2000-2009 and as
a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston from 2007-2009.
Keith
Quinton. Mr. Quinton has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since October 1, 2018. He had over thirty years
of experience in the investment industry before retiring from Fidelity Investments in 2014. Prior to joining Fidelity, Mr. Quinton was
a vice president and quantitative analyst at MFS Investment Management from 2000-2001. From 1997 through 2000, he was a senior quantitative
analyst at Santander Global Advisors and, from 1995 through 1997, Mr. Quinton was senior vice president in the quantitative equity research
department at Putnam Investments. Prior to joining Putnam Investments, Mr. Quinton served in various investment roles at Eberstadt Fleming,
Falconwood Securities Corporation and Drexel Burnham Lambert, where he began his career in the investment industry as a senior quantitative
analyst in 1983. Mr. Quinton served as an Independent Investment Committee Member of the New Hampshire Retirement System, a five member
committee that manages investments based on the investment policy and asset allocation approved by the board of trustees (2017-2021),
and as a Director, (2016-2021) and Chairman, (2019-2021) of the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 13 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Marcus
L. Smith. Mr. Smith has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since October 1, 2018 and is the Chairperson
of the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters. Mr. Smith has been a Director of First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc., a fully integrated
owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, since 2021, where he serves on the Investment and Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committees. Since 2017, Mr. Smith has been a Director of MSCI Inc., a leading provider of investment decision support tools worldwide,
where he serves on the Compensation and Talent Management Committee and Strategy & Finance Committee. From 2017 through 2018, he served
as a Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc., a leading logistics real estate company, where he served as a member of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance and Audit Committees. From 1994 through 2017, Mr. Smith served in several capacities at MFS Investment Management,
an investment management firm, where he managed the MFS Institutional International Fund for 17 years and the MFS Concentrated International
Fund for 10 years. In addition to his portfolio management duties, Mr. Smith served as Chief Investment Officer, Canada from 2012-2017,
Chief Investment Officer, Asia from 2010-2012, and Director of Asian Research from 2005-2010. Prior to joining MFS, Mr. Smith was a senior
consultant at Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) from 1988-1992. Mr. Smith served as a United States Army Reserve Officer from
1987-1992. He was also a trustee of the University of Mount Union from 2008-2020 and served on the Boston advisory board of the Posse
Foundation from 2015-2021. Mr. Smith currently sits on the Harvard Medical School Advisory Council on Education, the Board of Directors
for Facing History and Ourselves and is a Trustee of the Core Knowledge Foundation.
Susan J.
Sutherland. Ms. Sutherland has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2015 and is the Chairperson of the Compliance
Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. She is also a Director of Ascot Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries. Ascot Group Limited,
through its related businesses including Syndicate 1414 at Lloyd’s of London, is a leading global underwriter of specialty property
and casualty insurance and reinsurance. In addition, Ms. Sutherland is a Director of Kairos Acquisition Corp., which is concentrating
on acquisition and business combination efforts within the insurance and insurance technology (also known as “InsurTech”)
sectors. Ms. Sutherland was a Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., a global provider of customized reinsurance and insurance products,
from 2013 until its sale in 2015 and of Hagerty Holding Corp., a leading provider of specialized automobile and marine insurance from
2015-2018. From 1982 through 2013, Ms. Sutherland was an associate, counsel and then a partner in the Financial Institutions Group of
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she primarily represented U.S. and international insurance and reinsurance companies,
investment banks and private equity firms in insurance-related corporate transactions. In addition, Ms. Sutherland is qualified as a Governance
Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors and has also served as a board member of prominent non-profit organizations.
Scott
E. Wennerholm. Mr. Wennerholm has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since 2016 and is the Chairperson of the
Audit Committee. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry in various leadership and executive roles. Mr.
Wennerholm served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management from 2005-2011. He also served
as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management from 1997-2004 and was a Vice President at Fidelity
Investments Institutional Services from 1994-1997. In addition, Mr. Wennerholm served as a Trustee at Wheelock College, a postsecondary
institution from 2012-2018.
Nancy
A. Wiser. Ms. Wiser has served as a member of the Eaton Vance Fund Boards since April 4, 2022. Ms. Wiser has over 30 years
of experience in the investment management and financial services industry. From 2011-2021, Ms. Wiser served as an Executive Vice President
and the Global Head of Operations at Wells Fargo Asset Management, where she oversaw operations and governance matters. In the role of
governance, Ms. Wiser served as chairman of the board for the Wells Fargo Asset Management United Kingdom and Luxembourg legal entities
as well as the Luxembourg funds. Additionally, Ms. Wiser served as the Treasurer for the Wells Fargo Funds from 2012-2021. Prior to joining
Wells Fargo Asset Management, Ms. Wiser served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for two registered asset management
companies where she oversaw all non-investment activities. She currently serves on the University of Minnesota philanthropic board for
the Masonic Cancer Center (since 2021) and Benilde-St-Margaret’s High School Investment Committee (since 2021), and previously served
on several other non-profit boards including her alma mater Providence College Business Advisory board, Boston Scores and the National
Black MBA Advisory board.
The Board(s) of the Fund has several standing Committees, including
the Governance Committee, the Audit Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee,
the Contract Review Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters. Each of the Committees are comprised of only noninterested
Trustees.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 14 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Mmes. Mosley (Chairperson), Frost, Peters, Sutherland, Wiser, and
Messrs. Fetting, Gorman, Park, Quinton, Smith and Wennerholm are members of the Governance Committee. The purpose of the Governance Committee
is to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board with respect to the structure, membership and operation of the Board and
the Committees thereof, including the nomination and selection of noninterested Trustees and a Chairperson of the Board and the compensation
of such persons. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Governance Committee convened seven times.
The Governance Committee will, when a vacancy exists, consider a nominee
for Trustee recommended by a shareholder, provided that such recommendation is submitted in writing to the Fund’s Secretary
at the principal executive office of the Fund. Such recommendations must be accompanied by biographical and occupational data on the candidate
(including whether the candidate would be an “interested person” of the Fund), a written consent by the candidate to be named
as a nominee and to serve as Trustee if elected, record and ownership information for the recommending shareholder with respect to the
Fund, and a description of any arrangements or understandings regarding recommendation of the candidate for consideration.
Messrs. Wennerholm (Chairperson), Gorman, Park and Quinton and
Mmes. Peters and Wiser are members of the Audit Committee. The Board has designated Messrs. Gorman, Park and Wennerholm, each a
noninterested Trustee, as audit committee financial experts. The Audit Committee’s purposes are to (i) oversee
the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting processes, its internal control over financial reporting, and, as
appropriate, the internal control over financial reporting of certain service providers; (ii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist
Board oversight of the quality and integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii)
oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that
relate to the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent
audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement and, when appropriate, replacement of the independent registered public
accounting firm, and, if applicable, nominate the independent registered public accounting firm to be proposed for shareholder
ratification in any proxy statement of the Fund; (v) evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the
independent registered public accounting firm and the audit partner in charge of leading the audit; and (vi) prepare, as necessary,
audit committee reports consistent with the requirements of applicable SEC and stock exchange rules for inclusion in the proxy
statement of the Fund. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Audit Committee convened eleven times.
Messrs. Fetting (Chairperson), Gorman, Park, Quinton, Smith and Wennerholm,
and Mmes. Frost, Mosley, Peters, Sutherland and Wiser are members of the Contract Review Committee. The purposes of the Contract Review
Committee are to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the following matters: (i) contractual arrangements
with each service provider to the Fund, including advisory, sub-advisory, transfer agency, custodial and fund accounting, distribution
services and administrative services; (ii) any and all other matters in which any service provider (including Eaton Vance or any affiliated
entity thereof) has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the interests of the Fund or investors therein; and (iii) any other
matter appropriate for review by the noninterested Trustees, unless the matter is within the responsibilities of the other Committees
of the Board. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Contract Review Committee convened seven times.
Mmes. Frost (Chairperson), Mosley and Peters and Messrs. Smith and
Wennerholm are members of the Portfolio Management Committee. The purposes of the Portfolio Management Committee are to: (i) assist the
Board in its oversight of the portfolio management process employed by the Fund and its investment adviser and sub-adviser(s), if applicable,
relative to the Fund’s stated objective(s), strategies and restrictions; (ii) assist the Board in its oversight of the trading policies
and procedures and risk management techniques applicable to the Fund; and (iii) assist the Board in its monitoring of the performance
results of all funds and portfolios, giving special attention to the performance of certain funds and portfolios that it or the Board
identifies from time to time. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Portfolio Management Committee convened seven times.
Mmes. Sutherland (Chairperson) and Wiser, and Messrs. Fetting, Park
and Quinton are members of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. The purposes of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory
Matters Committee are to: (i) assist the Board in its oversight role with respect to compliance issues and certain other regulatory matters
affecting the Fund; (ii) serve as a liaison between the Board and the Fund’s CCO; and (iii) serve as a “qualified legal compliance
committee” within the rules promulgated by the SEC. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory
Matters Committee convened eight times.
Messrs. Smith (Chairperson) and Fetting and Ms. Sutherland are members
of the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters. The purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters is to consider, evaluate
and make recommendations to the Board with respect to issues specifically related to Eaton Vance Closed-End Funds. During the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021, the Ad Hoc Committee for Closed-End Fund Matters convened three times.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 15 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Share
Ownership. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund and
in the Eaton Vance family of funds overseen by the Trustee as of December 31, 2021.
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned in the Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially Owned in Funds
Overseen by Trustee in the
Eaton Vance Family of Funds |
Interested Trustee |
|
|
Thomas E. Faust Jr. |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Noninterested Trustees |
|
|
Mark R. Fetting |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Cynthia E. Frost |
None |
Over $100,000 |
George J. Gorman |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Valerie A. Mosley |
None |
Over $100,000 |
William H. Park |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Helen Frame Peters |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Keith Quinton |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Marcus L. Smith |
None |
Over $100,000 |
Susan J. Sutherland |
None |
Over $100,000(2) |
Scott E. Wennerholm |
None |
Over $100,000(2) |
Nancy A.Wiser (1) |
None |
None |
(1) Ms. Wiser began serving
as a Trustee effective April 4, 2022. |
(2) Includes shares which
may be deemed to be beneficially owned through the Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan. |
As of December 31, 2021, no noninterested Trustee or any of
their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any class of securities of Morgan Stanley, EVD, any sub-adviser, if applicable,
or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with Morgan Stanley or EVD or any sub-adviser, if applicable, collectively
(“Affiliated Entity”).
During the calendar years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31,
2021, no noninterested Trustee (or their immediate family members) had:
| 1. | Any direct or indirect interest in any Affiliated Entity; |
| 2. | Any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or series of similar transactions with (i) the Fund; (ii) another fund
managed or distributed by any Affiliated Entity; (iii) any Affiliated Entity; or (iv) an officer of any of the above; or |
| 3. | Any direct or indirect relationship with (i) the Fund; (ii) another fund managed or distributed by any Affiliated Entity; (iii) any
Affiliated Entity; or (iv) an officer of any of the above. |
During the calendar years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31,
2021, no officer of any Affiliated Entity served on the board of directors of a company where a noninterested Trustee of the Fund or any
of their immediate family members served as an officer.
Noninterested Trustees may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage
of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of a Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”).
Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, an eligible Board member may elect to have his or her deferred fees invested in the shares of one
or more funds in the Eaton Vance family of funds, and the amount paid to the Board members under the Deferred Compensation Plan will be
determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Board member’s fees in accordance with the Deferred Compensation
Plan will have a negligible effect on the assets, liabilities, and net income of a participating fund or portfolio, and do not require
that a participating Board member be retained. There is no retirement plan for Board members.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 16 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The fees and expenses of the Board members of the Fund are
paid by the Fund. (A Board member of the Fund who is a member of the Eaton Vance organization receives no compensation from the Fund.)
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board members of the Fund earned the following compensation in their capacities as
Board members from the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Board members earned the following compensation in their capacities
as Board members of the funds in the Eaton Vance fund complex(1):
Source of Compensation |
Mark R.
Fetting |
Cynthia E.
Frost |
George J.
Gorman |
Valerie A.
Mosley |
William H.
Park |
Helen Frame
Peters |
Keith
Quinton |
Marcus L.
Smith |
Susan J.
Sutherland |
Scott E.
Wennerholm |
Nancy A. Wiser |
Fund |
$10,235 |
$10,763(2) |
$ 11,983 |
$10,763 |
$12,841 |
$10,201 |
$9,775 |
$9,850 |
$10,905(3) |
$11,184 |
$4,931 |
Fund and Fund Complex(1) |
$ 364,625 |
$ 383,375(4) |
$ 427,125 |
$ 383,375 |
$ 457,125 |
$ 363,375 |
$348,179 |
$350,875 |
$388,375(5) |
$398,375 |
$350,875 |
| (1) | As
of April 1, 2022, the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of 138 registered investment companies
or series thereof. Ms. Wiser began serving as Trustee effective April 4, 2022, and thus the
compensation figures listed for the Fund and for the Fund and Fund Complex are estimated
based on amounts she would have received if she had been a Trustee for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021 and for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021. |
| (2) | Includes $3,549 of deferred compensation. |
| (3) | Includes $5,456 of deferred compensation. |
| (4) | Includes $250,000 of deferred compensation. |
| (5) | Includes $384,337 of deferred compensation. |
Proxy
Voting Policy. The Board adopted a proxy voting policy and procedures (the “Fund Policy”), pursuant to which the
Board has delegated proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser and adopted the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures (the
“Adviser Policies”). An independent proxy voting service has been retained to assist in the voting of Fund proxies through
the provision of vote analysis, implementation and recordkeeping and disclosure services. The members of the Board will review the Fund’s
proxy voting records from time to time and will review annually the Adviser Policies. For a copy of the Fund Policy and the Adviser Policies,
see Appendix B and C, respectively. Pursuant to certain provisions of the 1940 Act relating to funds investing in other funds, a Fund
may be required or may elect to vote its interest in another fund in the same proportion as the holders of all other shares of that fund.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available
(1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Adviser.
Eaton Vance, its affiliates and its predecessor companies have been managing assets of individuals and institutions since 1924
and of investment companies since 1931. They maintain a large staff of experienced fixed-income, senior loan and equity investment professionals
to service the needs of their clients. The equity group covers stocks ranging from blue chip to emerging growth companies. The fixed-income
group focuses on all kinds of taxable investment-grade and high-yield securities, tax-exempt investment-grade and high-yield securities,
and U.S. government securities. The senior loan group focuses on senior floating rate loans, unsecured loans and other floating rate debt
securities such as notes, bonds and asset backed securities.
As described in the Prospectus, upon the closing of the transaction
by which Morgan Stanley acquired EVC (the “Transaction”), the Fund entered into a new investment advisory agreement with Eaton
Vance. The Fund will be responsible for all of its costs and expenses not expressly stated to be payable by Eaton Vance under the Investment
Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) or the Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”).
Effective March 1, 2021, any fee reduction agreement previously applicable to the Fund was incorporated into its new investment advisory
agreement with Eaton Vance.
The Advisory Agreement with the Adviser continues in effect through
and including the second anniversary of its execution and shall continue in full force and effect indefinitely thereafter, but only so
long as such continuance after such second anniversary is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of those
Trustees of the Fund who are not interested persons of the Adviser or the Fund cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the
purpose of voting on such approval and (ii) by the Fund’s Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund. The Administration Agreement continues in effect through and including the second anniversary of its execution and shall continue
in full force and effect indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as such continuance after such second anniversary is specifically approved
at least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Fund who are not
interested persons of Eaton Vance or the Fund. Each Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days’
written notice by either party, or by vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and the Advisory Agreement
will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. Each Agreement provides that the investment adviser may render services to
others. Each Agreement also provides that Eaton Vance shall not be liable for any loss incurred in connection with the performance of
its duties, or action taken or omitted under the Agreements, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, and Eaton Vance shall not be liable for any losses sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other
investment. Each Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any person not a party to it any right, benefit or remedy of
any nature.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 17 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The Advisory Agreement provides that Eaton Vance may engage one
or more investment sub-advisers to assist with some or all aspects of the management of the Fund’s investments subject to such
approvals as are required under the 1940 Act. The Advisory Agreement provides that Eaton Vance may terminate any sub-advisory agreement
entered into and directly assume any functions performed by the sub-adviser, upon approval of the Board of Trustees, without the need
for approval of the shareholders of the Fund.
For the fiscal years ended December 2021, 2020 and 2019, the
Fund incurred $11,427,327, $8,900,226 and $7,987,172, respectively, in advisory fees.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, based on the current level
of compensation payable to Eaton Vance by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, Eaton Vance receives no compensation from the Fund in
respect of the services rendered and the facilities provided as administrator under the Administration Agreement.
Information
About Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance is a business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EV
serves as trustee of Eaton Vance. As described in the Prospectus, following the closing of the Transaction on March 1, 2021, EV and Eaton
Vance became indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities
trading and brokerage activities, as well as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.
Prior to March 1, 2021, each of EV and Eaton Vance were wholly owned
subsidiaries of EVC, a Maryland corporation and publicly-held holding company, and BMR was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EVC.
EVC through its subsidiaries and affiliates engaged primarily in investment management, administration and marketing activities. The Directors
of EVC were Thomas E. Faust Jr., Ann E. Berman, Leo I. Higdon, Jr., Paula A. Johnson, Brian D. Langstraat, Dorothy E. Puhy, Winthrop H.
Smith, Jr. and Richard A. Spillane, Jr. All shares of the outstanding Voting Common Stock of EVC were deposited in a Voting Trust, the
Voting Trustees of which were Mr. Faust, Paul W. Bouchey, Craig R. Brandon, Daniel C. Cataldo, Michael A. Cirami, Cynthia J. Clemson,
James H. Evans, Maureen A. Gemma, Laurie G. Hylton, Mr. Langstraat, Thomas Lee, Frederick S. Marius, David C. McCabe, Edward J. Perkin,
Lewis R. Piantedosi, Charles B. Reed, Craig P. Russ, Thomas C. Seto, John L. Shea, Eric A. Stein, John H. Streur, Andrew N. Sveen, Payson
F. Swaffield, R. Kelly Williams and Matthew J. Witkos (all of whom are or were officers of Eaton Vance or its affiliates). The Voting
Trustees had unrestricted voting rights for the election of Directors of EVC. Prior to March 1, 2021, all of the outstanding voting trust
receipts issued under said Voting Trust were owned by certain of the officers of Eaton Vance who may also have been officers, or officers
and Directors of EVC and EV. As indicated under “Trustees and Officers,” all of the officers of the Fund (as well as Mr. Faust
who is also a Trustee) are employees of Eaton Vance.
Code of Ethics.
The Adviser and the Fund have adopted Codes of Ethics (the “Codes”) governing personal securities transactions pursuant to
Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Codes, employees of the Adviser may purchase and sell securities (including securities held or
eligible for purchase by the Fund) subject to the provisions of the Codes and certain employees are also subject to pre-clearance, reporting
requirements and/or other procedures.
The Codes of Ethics can be reviewed on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s
Internet site (http://www.sec.gov), or a copy of the Codes of Ethics may be requested by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 18 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Portfolio Managers. The
portfolio manager(s) of the Fund are listed below. The following table shows, as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end, the
number of accounts the portfolio managers managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the
accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on
the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in those accounts.
|
Number of
All Accounts |
Total Assets of
All Accounts |
Number of Accounts
Paying a Performance Fee |
Total Assets of Accounts
Paying a Performance Fee |
Lewis R. Piantedosi(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
6 |
$ 3,128.3 |
0 |
$ 0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
1 |
$ 30.0 |
0 |
$ 0 |
Other Accounts |
6 |
$ 74.1 |
0 |
$ 0 |
Douglas R. Rogers(1)(2) |
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment Companies |
6 |
$ 3,128.3 |
0 |
$ 0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
1 |
$ 30.0 |
0 |
$ 0 |
Other Accounts |
6 |
$ 74.1 |
0 |
$ 0 |
(1) This
portfolio manager serves as portfolio manager of one or more registered investment companies that invests or may invest in one or more
underlying registered investment companies in the Eaton Vance family of funds or other pooled investment vehicles sponsored by Eaton Vance.
The underlying investment companies may be managed by this portfolio manager or another portfolio manager.
| (2) | This portfolio manager provides advisory services for certain of the “Other Accounts” on
a nondiscretionary or model basis. For “Other Accounts” that are part of a wrap account program, the number of accounts is
the number of sponsors for which the portfolio manager provides advisory services rather than the number of individual customer accounts
within each wrap account program. The assets managed may include assets advised on a nondiscretionary or model basis. |
The following table shows the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially
owned by each portfolio manager as of the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end and in the Eaton Vance family of funds as of December
31, 2021.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned in the Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially Owned
in the Eaton Vance Family of Funds |
Lewis R. Piantedosi |
None |
Over $1,000,000 |
Douglas R. Rogers |
None |
Over $1,000,000 |
It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with
a portfolio manager’s management of the Fund’s investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which
a portfolio manager is responsible on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management
time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he or she advises. In addition, due to differences in the
investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, the portfolio manager may take action with respect to another
account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may
compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance
based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment
opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his or her discretion in a manner
that he or she believes is equitable to all interested persons. The investment adviser has adopted several policies and procedures designed
to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern the investment adviser’s trading practices,
including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocations, cross trades and best execution.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 19 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Compensation
Structure for Eaton Vance. The compensation structure of Eaton Vance and its affiliates that are investment advisers (for
purposes of this section “Eaton Vance”) is based on a total reward system of base salary and incentive compensation, which
is paid either in the form of cash bonus, or for employees meeting the specified deferred compensation eligibility threshold, partially
as a cash bonus and partially as mandatory deferred compensation. Deferred compensation granted to Eaton Vance employees are generally
granted as a mix of deferred cash awards under the Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP) and equity-based awards in the form of
stock units. The portion of incentive compensation granted in the form of a deferred compensation award and the terms of such awards are
determined annually by the Compensation, Management Development and Succession Committee of the Board of Directors of Eaton Vance’s
parent company, Morgan Stanley.
Base salary compensation. Generally, portfolio managers and research
analysts receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Adviser.
Incentive compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio
managers and research analysts may receive discretionary year-end compensation. Incentive compensation may include:
•
Cash bonus
•
Deferred compensation:
| · | A mandatory program that defers a portion of incentive compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan
Stanley common stock or other plans that are subject to vesting and other conditions |
| · | IMAP is a cash-based deferred compensation plan designed to increase the alignment of participants’ interests with the interests
of clients. For eligible employees, a portion of their deferred compensation is mandatorily deferred into IMAP on an annual basis. Awards
granted under IMAP are notionally invested in referenced funds available pursuant to the plan, which are funds advised by MSIM and its
affiliates including Eaton Vance. Portfolio managers are required to notionally invest a minimum of 40% of their account balance in the
designated funds that they manage and are included in the IMAP notional investment fund menu. |
| · | Deferred compensation awards are typically subject to vesting over a multi-year period and are subject to cancellation through
the payment date for competition, cause (i.e., any act or omission that constitutes a breach of obligation to the Funds, including failure
to comply with internal compliance, ethics or risk management standards, and failure or refusal to perform duties satisfactorily, including
supervisory and management duties), disclosure of proprietary information, and solicitation of employees or clients. Awards are also subject
to clawback through the payment date if an employee’s act or omission (including with respect to direct supervisory responsibilities)
causes a restatement of the firm’s consolidated financial results, constitutes a violation of the firm’s global risk management
principles, policies and standards, or causes a loss of revenue associated with a position on which the employee was paid and the employee
operated outside of internal control policies. |
Eaton Vance compensates employees based on principles of pay-for-performance,
market competitiveness and risk management. Eligibility for, and the amount of any, discretionary compensation is subject to a multi-dimensional
process. Specifically, consideration is given to one or more of the following factors, which can vary by portfolio management team and
circumstances:
•
Revenue and profitability of the business and/or each fund/account managed by the portfolio manager
•
Revenue and profitability of the firm
•
Return on equity and risk factors of both the business units and Morgan Stanley
•
Assets managed by the portfolio manager
•
External market conditions
•
New business development and business sustainability
•
Contribution to client objectives
•
Team, product and/or Eaton Vance performance
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 20 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
•
The pre-tax investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager(1) (which may, in certain
cases, be measured against the applicable benchmark(s) and/or peer group(s) over one, three and five-year periods),(2) provided
that for funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance net of taxes will be considered
•
Individual contribution and performance
Further, the firm’s Global Incentive Compensation Discretion
Policy requires compensation managers to consider only legitimate, business related factors when exercising discretion in determining
variable incentive compensation, including adherence to Morgan Stanley’s core values, conduct, disciplinary actions in the current
performance year, risk management and risk outcomes.
| (1) | Generally,
this is total return performance, provided that consideration may also be given to relative
risk-adjusted performance. |
| (2) | When
a fund’s peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by the relevant
Eaton Vance Chief Investment Officer, or in case of the sub-advised Funds, the Director of
Product Development and Sub-Advised Funds, not to provide a fair comparison, performance
may instead be evaluated primarily against a customer peer group or market index. |
Investment
Advisory Services. Under the general supervision of the Fund’s Board, Eaton Vance will carry out the investment and
reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, will furnish continuously an investment program with respect to the Fund, will determine which
securities should be purchased, sold or exchanged, and will implement such determinations. Eaton Vance will furnish to the Fund investment
advice and provide related office facilities and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund. Eaton Vance will compensate all
Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of the Eaton Vance organization and who render investment services to the Fund, and
will also compensate all other Eaton Vance personnel who provide research and investment services to the Fund.
Commodity
Futures Trading Commission Registration. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) has adopted regulations
that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of
its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swaps agreements) or markets itself as providing
investment exposure to such instruments. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of “commodity pool operator”
under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to its management of the Fund. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the Adviser with respect
to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, Eaton Vance is registered with
the CFTC as a commodity pool operator. Eaton Vance is also registered as a commodity trading advisor. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor
approved the Fund’s investment strategies or this SAI.
Administrative
Services. Eaton Vance serves as administrator of the Fund under the Administration Agreement, but currently receives no compensation
for providing administrative services to the Fund. Under the Administration Agreement, Eaton Vance has been engaged to administer the
Fund’s affairs, subject to the supervision of the Board, and shall furnish office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment
and personnel for administering the affairs of the Fund.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the Fund is determined by State Street Bank
and Trust Company (as agent and custodian) by subtracting the liabilities of the Fund from the value of its total assets. The Fund
is closed for business and will not issue a net asset value on the following business holidays and any other business day that the New
York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) is closed: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day,
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Board has approved procedures pursuant to which investments are
valued for purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value. Listed below is a summary of the methods generally used to value
investments (some or all of which may be held by the Fund) under the procedures.
| · | Equity securities (including common stock, exchange-traded funds, closed end funds, preferred equity securities, exchange-traded notes
and other instruments that trade on recognized stock exchanges) are valued at the last sale, official close or if there are no reported
sales at the mean between the bid and asked price on the primary exchange on which they are traded. |
| · | Most debt obligations are valued on the basis of market valuations furnished by a pricing service or at the mean of the bid and asked
prices provided by recognized broker/dealers of such securities. The pricing service may use a pricing matrix to determine valuation. |
| · | Short-term instruments with remaining maturities of less than 397 days are valued on the basis of market valuations furnished by a
pricing service or based on dealer quotations. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 21 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
| · | Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars based on foreign currency exchange quotations supplied by a pricing service. |
| · | Senior and Junior Loans are valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service. The pricing service uses transactions and
market quotations from brokers in determining values. |
| · | Futures contracts are valued at the settlement or closing price on the primary exchange or board of trade on which they are traded. |
| · | Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices. Over-the-counter options are valued based on quotations
obtained from a pricing service or from a broker (typically the counterparty to the option). |
| · | Non-exchange traded derivatives (including swap agreements, forward contracts and equity participation notes) are generally valued
on the basis of valuations provided by a pricing service or using quotes provided by a broker/dealer (typically the counterparty) or,
for total return swaps, based on market index data. |
| · | Precious metals are valued at the New York Composite mean quotation. |
| · | Liabilities with a payment or maturity date of 364 days or less are stated at their principal value and longer dated liabilities generally
will be carried at their fair value. |
| · | Valuations of foreign equity securities and total return swaps and exchange-traded futures contracts on non-North American equity
indices are generally based on fair valuation provided by a pricing service. |
Investments which are unable to be valued in accordance with the
foregoing methodologies are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the members of the Board.
Such methods may include consideration of relevant factors, including but not limited to (i) the type of security and the existence of
any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, (ii) the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of
the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, (iii) quotations or relevant information obtained from broker-dealers or other market
participants, (iv) information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities),
(v) an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial condition, (vi) an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer
and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold (vii) an analysis of the terms of any transaction involving the issuer of
such securities; and (viii) any other factors deemed relevant by the investment adviser. The portfolio managers of one Eaton Vance fund
that invests in Senior and Junior Loans may not possess the same information about a Senior or Junior Loan as the portfolio managers of
another Eaton Vance fund. As such, at times the fair value of a Loan determined by certain Eaton Vance portfolio managers may vary from
the fair value of the same Loan determined by other portfolio managers.
The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves
Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities utilizing
the amortized cost valuation technique in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. This technique involves initially valuing a portfolio
security at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium. If amortized cost is determined
not to approximate fair value, Cash Reserves Fund may value its investment securities in the same manner as debt obligations described
above.
PORTFOLIO TRADING
Decisions concerning the execution of portfolio security transactions,
including the selection of the market and the broker-dealer firm or other financial intermediary (each an “intermediary”),
are made by the investment adviser. The Fund is responsible for the expenses associated with its portfolio transactions. The investment
adviser is also responsible for the execution of transactions for all other accounts managed by it. The investment adviser places the
portfolio security transactions for execution with one or more intermediaries. The investment adviser uses its best efforts to obtain
execution of portfolio security transactions at prices that, in the investment adviser’s judgment, are advantageous to the client
and at a reasonably competitive spread or (when a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably competitive commission rates. In
seeking such execution, the investment adviser will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration
to various relevant factors, which may include, without limitation, the full range and quality of the intermediary’s services, responsiveness
of the intermediary to the investment adviser, the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security,
the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities
of the intermediary the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the intermediary, the value and quality of the
services rendered by the intermediary in this and other transactions, and the amount of the spread or commission, if any. In addition,
the investment adviser may consider the receipt of Research Services (as defined below), provided it does not compromise the investment
adviser’s obligation to seek best overall execution for the Fund and is otherwise in compliance with applicable law. The investment
adviser may engage in portfolio transactions with an intermediary that sells shares of Eaton Vance funds, provided such transactions are not
directed to that intermediary as compensation for the promotion or sale of such shares.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 22 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
As described in the Prospectus, following the closing of the Transaction
on March 1, 2021, Eaton Vance became an “affiliated person,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates,
including certain intermediaries (as previously defined). As a result, Eaton Vance is subject to certain restrictions regarding transactions
with Morgan Stanley-affiliated intermediaries, as set forth in the 1940 Act. Under certain circumstances, such restrictions may limit
Eaton Vance’s ability to place portfolio transactions on behalf of a Fund at the desired time or price. Any transaction Eaton Vance
enters into with a Morgan Stanley-affiliated intermediary on behalf of a Fund will be done in compliance with applicable laws, rules,
and regulations; will be subject to any restrictions contained in a Fund’s investment advisory agreement with Eaton Vance; will
be subject to Eaton Vance’s duty to seek best execution; and will comply with any applicable Eaton Vance policies and procedures,
as described below.
Subject to the overriding objective of obtaining the best execution
of orders and applicable rules and regulations, as described above, a Fund may use an affiliated intermediary, including a Morgan Stanley-affiliated
intermediary, to effect Fund portfolio transactions, including transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, under
procedures adopted by the Board. In order to use such affiliated intermediaries, the Fund’s Board must approve and periodically
review procedures reasonably designed to ensure that commission rates and other remuneration paid to the affiliated intermediaries are
fair and reasonable in comparison to those of other intermediaries for comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased
or sold during a comparable time period.
Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC, a Fund is permitted to engage
in principal transactions in money market instruments, subject to certain conditions, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a broker-dealer
affiliated with Morgan Stanley. Since March 1, 2021, the Fund did not effect any principal transactions with any broker-dealer affiliated
with Morgan Stanley.
Transactions on stock exchanges and other agency transactions involve
the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different broker-dealer firms, and a particular broker-dealer
may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction and the volume of business done
with such broker-dealer. Transactions in foreign securities often involve the payment of brokerage commissions, which may be higher than
those in the United States. There is generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter markets including
transactions in fixed-income securities which are generally purchased and sold on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through intermediaries
acting for their own account rather than as brokers. Such intermediaries attempt to profit from such transactions by buying at the bid
price and selling at the higher asked price of the market for such obligations, and the difference between the bid and asked price is
customarily referred to as the spread. Fixed income transactions may also be transacted directly with the issuer of the obligations. In
an underwritten offering the price paid often includes a disclosed fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer.
Although spreads or commissions paid on portfolio security transactions will, in the judgment of the investment adviser, be reasonable
in relation to the value of the services provided, commissions exceeding those which another firm might charge may be paid to intermediaries
who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of the investment adviser’s clients in part for providing brokerage and research
services to the investment adviser as permitted by applicable law.
Pursuant to the safe harbor provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Section 28(e)”) and to the extent permitted by other applicable law, a broker or dealer
who executes a portfolio transaction may receive a commission that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would
have charged for effecting that transaction if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such compensation was reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. This determination may be made on the basis of either that particular
transaction or on the basis of the overall responsibility which the investment adviser and its affiliates have for accounts over which
they exercise investment discretion. “Research Services” as used herein includes any and all brokerage and research services
to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) and other applicable law. Generally, Research Services may include, but are not limited to, such
matters as research, analytical and quotation services, data, information and other services products and materials which assist the investment
adviser in the performance of its investment responsibilities. More specifically, Research Services may include general economic, political,
business and market information, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities and portfolio strategies and transactions, technical
analysis of various aspects of the securities markets, recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities and other portfolio transactions,
certain financial, industry and trade publications, certain news and information services and certain research oriented computer software,
data bases and services. Any particular Research Service obtained through a broker-dealer may be used by the investment adviser in connection
with client accounts other than those accounts which pay commissions to such broker-dealer, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Any such Research Service may be broadly useful and of value to the investment adviser in rendering investment advisory services to all
or a significant portion of its clients, or may be relevant and useful for the management of only one client’s account or of a few
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 23 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
clients’ accounts, or may be useful for the management of merely
a segment of certain clients’ accounts, regardless of whether any such account or accounts paid commissions to the broker-dealer
through which such Research Service was obtained. The investment adviser evaluates the nature and quality of the various Research Services
obtained through broker-dealer firms and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may attempt to allocate sufficient portfolio security
transactions to such firms to ensure the continued receipt of Research Services which the investment adviser believes are useful or of
value to it in rendering investment advisory services to its clients. The investment adviser may also receive brokerage and Research Services
from underwriters and dealers in fixed price offerings, when permitted under applicable law.
Research Services provided by (and produced by) broker-dealers that
execute portfolio transactions or from affiliates of executing broker-dealers are referred to as “Proprietary Research.” Except
for trades executed in jurisdictions where such consideration is not permissible, the investment adviser may and does consider the receipt
of Proprietary Research Services as a factor in selecting broker dealers to execute client portfolio transactions, provided it does not
compromise the investment adviser’s obligation to seek best overall execution. In jurisdictions where permissible, the investment
adviser also may consider the receipt of Research Services under so called “client commission arrangements” or “commission
sharing arrangements” (both referred to as “CCAs”) as a factor in selecting broker dealers to execute transactions,
provided it does not compromise the investment adviser’s obligation to seek best overall execution. Under a CCA arrangement, the
investment adviser may cause client accounts to effect transactions through a broker-dealer and request that the broker-dealer allocate
a portion of the commissions paid on those transactions to a pool of commission credits that are paid to other firms that provide Research
Services to the investment adviser. Under a CCA, the broker-dealer that provides the Research Services need not execute the trade. Participating
in CCAs may enable the investment adviser to consolidate payments for research using accumulated client commission credits from transactions
executed through a particular broker-dealer to periodically pay for Research Services obtained from and provided by other firms, including
other broker-dealers that supply Research Services. The investment adviser believes that CCAs offer the potential to optimize the execution
of trades and the acquisition of a variety of high quality Research Services that the investment adviser might not be provided access
to absent CCAs. The investment adviser may enter into CCA arrangements with a number of broker-dealers and other firms, including certain
affiliates of the investment adviser. The investment adviser will only enter into and utilize CCAs to the extent permitted by Section
28(e) and other applicable law.
The EU's Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II ("MiFID
II"), which became effective January 3, 2018, requires investment advisers regulated under MiFID II to pay for research services
separately from trade execution services, either through their own resources or a research payment account funded by a specific charge
to a client. Following its withdrawal from the EU, the United Kingdom adopted many of the provisions of MiFID II, and investment managers
in the United Kingdom are required to comply with certain MiFID II equivalent requirements in accordance with rules and guidance issued
by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Although the Adviser is not directly subject to the provisions of
MiFID II, certain of its affiliated advisers are subject to MiFID II or equivalent requirements under the law of the United Kingdom, such
as Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited and Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd (collectively, the "Affiliated Advisers");
accordingly, as applicable, the Adviser makes a reasonable valuation and allocation of the cost of research services as between MiFID
II client accounts and other accounts that are able to participate in CSAs, and the Affiliated Adviser will pay for research services
received with respect to MiFID II client accounts from its own resources. The investment companies sponsored by the investment adviser
or certain of its affiliates also may allocate brokerage commissions to acquire information relating to the performance, fees and expenses
of such companies and other investment companies, which information is used by the members of the Board of such companies to fulfill their
responsibility to oversee the quality of the services provided to various entities, including the investment adviser, to such companies.
Such companies may also pay cash for such information.
Securities considered as investments for a Fund may also be appropriate
for other investment accounts managed by the investment adviser or certain of its affiliates. Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell
securities by a Fund and one or more of such other accounts simultaneously, the investment adviser will allocate the security transactions
(including “new” issues) in a manner which it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. As a result of such allocations,
there may be instances where a Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts. If an aggregated order
cannot be filled completely, allocations will generally be made on a pro rata basis. An order may not be allocated on a pro rata basis
where, for example: (i) consideration is given to portfolio managers who have been instrumental in developing or negotiating a particular
investment; (ii) consideration is given to an account with specialized investment policies that coincide with the particulars of a specific
investment; (iii) pro rata allocation would result in odd-lot or de minimis amounts being allocated to a portfolio or other client; or
(iv) where the investment adviser reasonably determines that departure from a pro rata allocation is advisable. While these aggregation
and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to a Fund from time to time,
it is the opinion of the members of the Board that the benefits from the investment adviser organization outweigh any disadvantage that
may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 24 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The following table shows brokerage commissions paid during
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, as well as the amount of portfolio security transactions for the most recent
fiscal year (if any) that were directed to firms that provided some Research Services to the investment adviser or its affiliates (see
above), and the commissions paid in connection therewith.
Fiscal
Year End |
Brokerage
Commission Paid |
Amount
of Transactions Directed to Firms
Providing Research |
Commissions
Paid on Transactions
Directed to Firms Providing Research |
December
31, 2021 |
$152,029 |
$325,011,754 |
$117,624 |
December
31, 2020 |
$274,604 |
|
|
December
31, 2019 |
$257,518 |
|
|
The following table shows brokerage commissions paid to broker-dealers
affiliated with Morgan Stanley (“Morgan Stanley affiliated broker-dealers”) during December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, as well
as the percentage of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to Morgan Stanley affiliated broker-dealers and the percentage of total brokered
transactions effected through Morgan Stanley affiliated broker-dealers for the most recent fiscal year.
Fiscal
Year End |
Brokerage
Commissions Paid to Morgan Stanley
Affiliated Broker-Dealers |
Percentage
of Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid to Morgan Stanley Affiliated Broker-Dealers |
Percentage
of Total Brokered Transactions Effected Through Morgan Stanley
Affiliated Broker -Dealers |
December
31, 2021 |
$
0 |
0% |
0% |
December
31, 2020 |
$474 |
|
|
December
31, 2019 |
$4,933 |
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2021, the Fund held securities of its “regular
brokers or dealers”, as that term is defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act, and the value of such securities as of the Fund’s
fiscal year end was as follows:
Regular
Broker or Dealer |
Aggregate
Value |
Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. |
$20,270,559 |
TAXES
The Fund has elected
and intends to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Accordingly, the Fund intends to satisfy certain requirements relating to sources of its
income and diversification of its assets and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains, if any,
(after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code, so as to
maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying any federal income or excise tax. To the extent it qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies
the above-mentioned distribution requirements, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in
the form of dividends.
In order to qualify
for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Fund must, among other things:
(a) derive
at least 90% of its annual gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the
sale or other disposition of stock, securities, and foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options,
futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies, and net income
derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below);
(b) distribute
with respect to each taxable year at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code
without regard to the deduction for dividends paid--generally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital
gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, for such year; and
(c) diversify
its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year: (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s
total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect
of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer; and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested, including through
corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government
or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related
trades or businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below).
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 25 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
In general, for
purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying
income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized
directly by the RIC. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership”
(a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market
or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in paragraph
(a) above) will be treated as qualifying income. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs,
such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. If the Fund
invests in publicly traded partnerships, it might be required to recognize in its taxable year income in excess of its cash distributions
from such publicly traded partnerships during that year. Such income, even if not reported to the Fund by the publicly traded partnerships
until after the end of that year, would nevertheless be subject to the RIC income distribution requirements and would be taken into account
for purposes of the 4% excise tax described below.
Finally, for
purposes of paragraph (c) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities
of a qualified publicly traded partnership. For purposes of the diversification test in (c) above, the identification of the issuer (or,
in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification
of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”) with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Fund's ability
to meet the diversification test in (c) above.
As a result of
qualifying as a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net investment income (i.e., its investment company
taxable income, as that term is defined in the Code, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain
(i.e., the excess of its net realized long-term capital gain over its net realized short-term capital loss), if any, that it distributes
to its shareholders in each taxable year, provided that it distributes to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its net investment
income and 90% of its net exempt interest income (if any) for such taxable year.
If the Fund were to fail to meet
the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying
a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets.
If the Fund does
not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions
from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income.
Such distributions, may be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of individual and other noncorporate shareholders
and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”) in the case of corporate shareholders, provided, in both cases, the
shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Fund’s shares. In addition, in order to requalify
for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make certain distributions.
In order to avoid
incurring a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that the Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed)
by December 31 of each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 98.2% of
its capital gain net income, generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 (or November 30 or December 31
of that year if the Fund is eligible to elect and so elects) of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards,
and (iii) 100% of any ordinary income and capital gain net income from the prior year (as previously computed) that were not paid out
during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax.
For United States
federal income tax purposes, distributions paid out of the Fund's current or accumulated earnings and profits will, except in the case
of distributions of qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends described below, generally be taxable as ordinary income. “Qualified
dividend income” received by an individual is generally taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. In order for a
dividend received by Fund shareholders to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with
respect to the dividend-paying stock in its portfolio and the shareholders must meet holding period and other requirements with respect
to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1)
if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the
date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain
preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under
an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar
or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation
on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the
benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation
readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.) or (b) treated as a passive foreign
investment company (“PFIC”). Payments in lieu of dividends, such as payments pursuant to securities lending arrangements,
also do not qualify to be treated as qualified dividend income. In general, distributions of investment income properly reported by the
Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided
the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 26 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
If the aggregate
qualified dividend income received by the Fund during any taxable year is 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital
gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than dividends properly designated as capital gain
dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
A portion of distributions
made by the Fund which are derived from dividends from U.S. corporations may qualify for the DRD for corporations. The DRD is reduced
to the extent the Fund shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under the Code and is eliminated
if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally more than 45 days (more than 90 days in the case
of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date (during the 181-day period beginning
90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or if the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short
sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Receipt of certain
distributions qualifying for the DRD may result in reduction of the tax basis of the corporate shareholder’s shares. Payments in
lieu of dividends, such as payments pursuant to securities lending arrangements, also do not qualify for the DRD.
For federal income
tax purposes, net capital losses incurred by the Fund in a particular taxable year can be carried forward to offset net capital gains
in any subsequent year until such loss carryforwards have been fully used, and such capital losses carried forward will retain their character
as either short-term or long-term capital losses. To the extent subsequent net capital gains are offset by such losses, they would not
result in federal income tax liability to the Fund and would not be distributed as such to shareholders.
Distributions
of net capital gain, if any, designated as capital gains dividends are taxable to a shareholder as long-term capital gains, regardless
of how long the shareholder has held Fund shares. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued regulations that impose special
rules in respect of capital gain dividends received through partnership interests constituting “applicable partnership interests”
under Section 1061 of the Code. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits will
be treated by a shareholder as a return of capital which is applied against and reduces the shareholder's basis in his or her shares.
To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the shareholder's basis in his or her shares, the excess will be treated
by the shareholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned
for one year or less will generally be taxable as ordinary income.
The Fund may
elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such
case, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who will be treated as if each
received a distribution of their pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will (i) be required to report their
pro rata share of such gain on their tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit their pro rata share of
tax paid by the Fund on the gain and claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent such credit exceeds the shareholder’s
U.S. federal income tax liabilities and (iii) increase the tax basis for their shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less
the tax credit. The Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance the Fund will, make their designation if it retains all or
a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
Distributions are
taxable as described herein whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional shares of the Fund. Shareholders receiving distributions
in the form of additional shares pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as receiving
a dividend in an amount equal to either (i) if the shares are trading below net asset value, the amount of cash allocated to the shareholder
for the purchase of shares on its behalf in the open market, or (ii) if the shares are trading at or above net asset value, generally
the fair market value of the new shares issued to the shareholder. The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all
distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
The benefits of
the reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative
minimum tax to individual shareholders.
From time to
time, the Fund may make a tender offer for its shares. Shareholders who tender all shares held, or considered to be held, by them will
generally be treated as having sold their shares and generally will realize a capital gain or loss. If a shareholder tenders fewer than
all of its shares, such shareholder may be treated as having received a distribution under Section 301 of the Code (“Section 301
distribution”) unless the redemption is treated as being either (i) “substantially disproportionate” with respect to
such shareholder or (ii) otherwise “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” under the relevant rules of the Code. A Section
301 distribution is not treated as a sale or exchange giving rise to a capital gain or loss, but rather is treated as a dividend to the
extent supported by the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, with the excess treated as a return of capital reducing
the shareholder’s tax basis in Fund shares, and thereafter as capital gain. Where a redeeming shareholder is treated as receiving
a dividend, there is a risk that non-tendering shareholders whose interests in the Fund increase as a result of such tender may
be treated as having received a taxable distribution from the Fund. The extent of such risk will vary depending upon the particular circumstances
of the tender offer, in particular whether such offer is a single and isolated event or is part of a plan for periodically redeeming
the shares of the Fund; if isolated, any such risk is likely remote.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 27 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The net investment
income of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts is subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax. For individuals, the tax is on
the lesser of the “net investment income” and the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 (or $250,000 if married
filing jointly). Net investment income includes, among other things, interest, dividends, and gross income and capital gains derived from
passive activities and trading in securities or commodities. Net investment income is reduced by deductions “properly allocable”
to this income.
The taxation of
equity options that the Fund expects to write that do not qualify as “Section 1256 Contracts” (as defined below) are governed
by Code Section 1234. Pursuant to Code Section 1234, the premium received by the Fund for selling a call option is not included in income
at the time of receipt. If an option written by the Fund expires unexercised, the premium is short-term capital gain to the Fund. If the
Fund enters into a closing transaction, the difference between the amount paid to close out its position and the premium received for
writing the option is short-term capital gain or loss. If a call option written by the Fund is exercised, thereby requiring the Fund to
sell the underlying security, the premium will increase the amount realized upon the sale of the security and any resulting gain or loss
will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the holding period of the security. If securities are purchased by the Fund pursuant to
the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis
in the securities purchased. With respect to a put or call option that is purchased by the Fund, if the option is sold, any resulting
gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, and will be short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If
the option expires, the resulting loss is a capital loss and is short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period for the option.
If the option is exercised, the cost of the option, in the case of a call option, is added to the basis of the purchased security and,
in the case of a put option, reduces the amount realized on the underlying security in determining gain or loss. Because the Fund does
not have control over the exercise of the call options it writes, such exercise or other required sales of the underlying securities may
cause the Fund to realize capital gains or losses at inopportune times.
The Fund’s
investment in zero coupon, payment in kind and certain other securities may cause it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments
with respect to these securities. Such income will be accrued daily by the Fund and, in order to avoid a tax payable by the Fund, the
Fund may be required to liquidate securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, including at a time when it may not be advantageous
to do so, in order to generate cash so that the Fund may make required distributions to its shareholders.
Some debt obligations
with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be
treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt
obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with original issue discount (“OID”), its “revised issue price”)
over the purchase price of such obligation. Subject to the discussion below regarding Section 451 of the Code, (i) generally, any gain
recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary
income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security,
(ii) alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued
market discount in the Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though
payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security, and (iii)
the rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted
accrual methods the Fund elects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective for taxable years beginning after 2017, Section 451 of the Code
generally requires any accrual method taxpayer to take into account items of gross income no later than the time at which such items are
taken into account as revenue in the taxpayer's financial statements. The Department of Treasury and IRS have issued final regulations
providing that Section 451 does not apply to market discount. If Section 451 were to apply to the accrual of market discount, the Fund
would be required to include in income any market discount as it takes the same into account on its financial statements.
Investments in
debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear on the treatment
of such debt obligations, including as to whether or to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation,
when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts
or worthless securities and how the Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These
and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if they invest in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that
they distribute sufficient income to preserve their status as RICs and do not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
The Fund’s
transactions in futures contracts and options will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect
the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital, or short-term
or long-term), may accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and may defer Fund losses. These rules could, therefore, affect the character,
amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) may require the Fund to
mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), and (b) may cause the Fund
to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement
for qualifying to be taxed as a RIC and the 98% and 98.2% distribution requirements for avoiding excise taxes.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 28 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
In particular, the
Fund expects to write call options with respect to certain securities held by the Fund. Depending on whether such options are exercised
or lapse, or whether the securities or options are sold, the existence of these options will affect the amount and timing of the recognition
of income and whether the income qualifies as long-term capital gain.
Further, certain
of the Fund’s investment practices, such as its transactions in options, are subject to special and complex federal income tax provisions
that may, among other things, (i) convert dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income into ordinary income taxed
at the higher rate applicable to ordinary income, (ii) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate DRD as ineligible
for such treatment, (iii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (iv) convert long-term capital
gain into short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (v) convert an ordinary loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility
of which is more limited), (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (vii) adversely affect
the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (viii) adversely alter the characterization of certain
complex financial transactions, and (ix) produce income that will not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% annual gross
income requirement described above.
The Fund’s
options activities may include transactions constituting straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, that trigger the U.S.
federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Such straddles include, for example, positions in a
particular security, or an index of securities, and one or more options that offset the former position, including options that are “covered”
by the Fund’s long position in the subject security. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be
deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to “substantially similar or related property,” to the
extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for
the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no longer part of a straddle. Options on single stocks
that are not “deep in the money” may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules;
the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are “in the money” although not “deep in the money”
will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. These straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls
could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions
that would otherwise constitute “qualified dividend income” or qualify for the DRD to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements
and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or to fail to qualify for the DRD as the case may be.
The tax treatment
of certain positions entered into by the Fund (including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed
non-equity options) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (“Section 1256 Contracts”). Gains or losses on Section 1256
Contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign
currency gains and losses from such Contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, Section 1256 Contracts held by the Fund at
the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked
to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss
is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.
Any loss realized
upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of a loss realized on a sale
or other disposition of Fund shares may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shareholder acquires other
shares of the same Fund (whether through the reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days
before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the shares. Any disallowed loss will result in an adjustment to the shareholder’s
tax basis in some or all of the other shares acquired.
Sales charges paid
upon a purchase of shares cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on a sale of the shares before the 91st
day after their purchase to the extent a sales charge is reduced or eliminated in a subsequent acquisition of shares of the Fund (or of
another fund), during the period beginning on the date of such sale and ending on January 31 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which such sale was made, pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. Any disregarded amounts will result in an adjustment
to the shareholder’s tax basis in some or all of any other shares acquired.
Dividends and distributions
on the Fund’s shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s
realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s
investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Fund’s net asset value reflects
gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Such realized gains may be required
to be distributed even when the Fund’s net asset value also reflects unrealized losses. Certain distributions declared in October,
November or December and paid in the following January will be taxed to shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year in which
they were declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled
back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for purposes of the non-deductible 4% federal excise tax) during such taxable year.
In such case, shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually
made.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 29 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund will inform
shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
Dividends and
interest received, and gains realized, by the Fund on foreign securities may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed
by foreign countries and U.S. possessions (collectively “foreign taxes”) that would reduce the return on its securities. Tax
conventions between certain countries and the United States, however, may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes.
If more than 50%
of the Fund's assets at taxable year end consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders
to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portions of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign
countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case,
shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A shareholder's ability
to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations
imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholder's not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes.
Shareholders who do not itemize on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes.
However, even if the Fund qualifies to make such elections for any year, it may determine not to do so.
Equity investments by the Fund
in certain PFICs could potentially subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received
from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions
to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC
as a “qualified electing fund” (i.e., make a “QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include
its share of the PFIC’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC.
The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as
though it had sold (and, solely for purposes of this mark-to-market election, repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day
of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections
may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund
to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it
is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the
Fund’s total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income.” Because
it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, the Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above
in some instances.
Under Section 988
of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or
expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or
pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts
and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates
between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.
Amounts paid by
the Fund to individuals and certain other shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number
(“TIN”) and certain certifications required by the IRS as well as shareholders with respect to whom the Fund has received
certain information from the IRS or a broker may be subject to “backup” withholding of federal income tax arising from the
Fund’s taxable dividends and other distributions as well as the gross proceeds of sales of shares. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited
against such shareholder’s federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Distributions by
the Fund to shareholders that are not “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the Code (“foreign shareholders”) properly
reported by the Fund as (1) capital gain dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, as defined
and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.
In general, the
Code defines (1) “short-term capital gain dividends” as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term
capital losses and (2) “interest-related dividends” as distributions from U.S. source interest income of types similar to
those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such
distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders. The exceptions to withholding for capital
gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign
shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution
and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade
or business within the United
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 30 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests. The exception to withholding
for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement
that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation
if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have
inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person
that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation. The Fund is permitted
to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required
to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion
of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.
Foreign shareholders
with respect to whom income from the Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within
the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable
to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and,
in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits
of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if
it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders
who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described
herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors. Distributions by the Fund to foreign shareholders other than capital gain dividends,
short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends (e.g. dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest
income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not
apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
A foreign shareholder
is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares
of the Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the
United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a
period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special
rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” apply to the foreign shareholder’s
sale of shares of the Fund.
In order to qualify
for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption
from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S.
status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or substitute form). Foreign shareholders should consult their
tax advisors in this regard.
Special rules (including
withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. Additional
considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax
advisors about their particular situation.
Code Sections 1471
through 1474 and the U.S. Treasury Regulations and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”) generally require
a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental
agreement (an “IGA”) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the
requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of
30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations
providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or capital gain dividends the Fund pays.
If a payment by the Fund is subject to withholding under FATCA, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise
be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g. short-term capital gain dividends
and interest-related dividends). Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these requirements
on their investment in the Fund.
If a shareholder
realizes a loss on disposition of the Fund’s shares in any single tax year of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or
$10 million or more for a corporate shareholder or, in any combination of tax years, $4 million or more for an individual shareholder
or $20 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct
shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders
of a RIC are not excepted.
The foregoing
briefly summarizes some of the important U.S. federal income tax consequences to shareholders of investing in shares, reflects the federal
tax law as of the date of this SAI, and does not address special tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as corporate
and foreign investors. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes that an investor is a U.S. shareholder and holds shares
as a capital asset. This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial
and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the courts or the IRS retroactively
or prospectively. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding other federal, state or local tax considerations that may be
applicable to their particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 31 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
OTHER INFORMATION
The Fund is an organization of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts
business trust.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, in certain circumstances, be held personally liable
as partners for the obligations of the trust. The Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability in connection
with Fund property or the acts, obligations or affairs of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust, in coordination with the Fund’s By-laws,
also provides for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable for the claims and liabilities to which
a shareholder may become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself is unable to meet its obligations. The Fund
has been advised by its counsel that the risk of any shareholder incurring any liability for the obligations of the Fund is remote.
The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees will not be liable
for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law; but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to
the Fund or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. Voting rights are not cumulative, which means that the
holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees and, in such event, the holders
of the remaining less than 50% of the shares voting on the matter will not be able to elect any Trustees.
The Declaration of Trust provides that no person shall serve as a Trustee
if shareholders holding two-thirds of the outstanding shares have removed him from that office either by a written declaration filed with
the Fund’s custodian or by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose. The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees
of the Fund shall promptly call a meeting of the shareholders for the purpose of voting upon a question of removal of any such Trustee
or Trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of not less than 10 per centum of the outstanding shares.
The Fund’s Prospectus, any related Prospectus Supplement and this
SAI do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement that the Fund has filed with the SEC. The complete Registration
Statement may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed by its Rules and Regulations.
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), State
Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, is the custodian of the Fund and will maintain custody of the securities
and cash of the Fund. State Street maintains the Fund’s general ledger and computes net asset value per share at least weekly. State
Street also attends to details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, transfer and other dealings with the Fund’s
investments, and receives and disburses all funds. State Street also assists in preparation of shareholder reports and the electronic
filing of such reports with the SEC.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), 200 Berkeley
Street, Boston, MA 02116, independent registered public accounting firm, audits the Fund’s financial statements. Deloitte and/or
its affiliates provide other audit, tax and related services to the Fund.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of April 1, 2022, the officers and Trustees of the Fund as a group
owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
To the knowledge of the Fund, no shareholders owned 5% or more of
the outstanding Common Shares of the Fund as of April 1, 2022. Owners of 25% or more of common shares of a fund are presumed to be a control
person of such fund.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 32 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As a diversified global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley engages
in a broad spectrum of activities, including financial advisory services, investment management activities, lending, commercial banking,
sponsoring and managing private investment funds, engaging in broker-dealer transactions and principal securities, commodities and foreign
exchange transactions, research publication and other activities. In the ordinary course of its business, Morgan Stanley is a full-service
investment banking and financial services firm and therefore engages in activities where Morgan Stanley’s interests or the interests
of its clients may conflict with the interests of a Fund or Portfolio, if applicable, (collectively for the purposes of this section,
“Fund” or “Funds”). Morgan Stanley advises clients and sponsors, manages or advises other investment funds and
investment programs, accounts and businesses (collectively, together with the Morgan Stanley funds, any new or successor funds, programs,
accounts or businesses (other than funds, programs, accounts or businesses sponsored, managed, or advised by former direct or indirect
subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. (“Eaton Vance Investment Accounts”)), the ‘‘MS Investment Accounts, and, together
with the Eaton Vance Investment Accounts, the “Affiliated Investment Accounts’’) with a wide variety of investment objectives
that in some instances may overlap or conflict with a Fund’s investment objectives and present conflicts of interest. In addition,
Morgan Stanley or the investment adviser may also from time to time create new or successor Affiliated Investment Accounts that may compete
with a Fund and present similar conflicts of interest. The discussion below enumerates certain actual, apparent and potential conflicts
of interest. There is no assurance that conflicts of interest will be resolved in favor of Fund shareholders and, in fact, they may not
be. Conflicts of interest not described below may also exist.
The discussions below with respect to actual, apparent and potential
conflicts of interest also may be applicable to or arise from the MS Investment Accounts whether or not specifically identified.
Material Non-public and Other Information. It is expected that
confidential or material non-public information regarding an investment or potential investment opportunity may become available to the
investment adviser. If such information becomes available, the investment adviser may be precluded (including by applicable law or internal
policies or procedures) from pursuing an investment or disposition opportunity with respect to such investment or investment opportunity.
The investment adviser may also from time to time be subject to contractual ‘‘stand-still’’ obligations and/or
confidentiality obligations that may restrict its ability to trade in certain investments on a Fund’s behalf. In addition, the
investment adviser may be precluded from disclosing such information to an investment team, even in circumstances in which the information
would be beneficial if disclosed. Therefore, the investment team may not be provided access to material non-public information in the
possession of Morgan Stanley that might be relevant to an investment decision to be made on behalf of a Fund, and the investment team
may initiate a transaction or sell an investment that, if such information had been known to it, may not have been undertaken. In addition,
certain members of the investment team may be recused from certain investment-related discussions so that such members do not receive
information that would limit their ability to perform functions of their employment with the investment adviser or its affiliates unrelated
to that of a Fund. Furthermore, access to certain parts of Morgan Stanley may be subject to third party confidentiality obligations and
to information barriers established by Morgan Stanley in order to manage potential conflicts of interest and regulatory restrictions,
including without limitation joint transaction restrictions pursuant to the 1940 Act. Accordingly, the investment adviser’s ability
to source investments from other business units within Morgan Stanley may be limited and there can be no assurance that the investment
adviser will be able to source any investments from any one or more parts of the Morgan Stanley network.
The investment adviser may restrict its investment decisions and activities
on behalf of the Funds in various circumstances, including because of applicable regulatory requirements or information held by the investment
adviser or Morgan Stanley. The investment adviser might not engage in transactions or other activities for, or enforce certain rights
in favor of, a Fund due to Morgan Stanley’s activities outside the Funds. In instances where trading of an investment is restricted,
the investment adviser may not be able to purchase or sell such investment on behalf of a Fund, resulting in the Fund’s inability
to participate in certain desirable transactions. This inability to buy or sell an investment could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s
portfolio due to, among other things, changes in an investment’s value during the period its trading is restricted. Also, in situations
where the investment adviser is required to aggregate its positions with those of other Morgan Stanley business units for position limit
calculations, the investment adviser may have to refrain from making investments due to the positions held by other Morgan Stanley business
units or their clients. There may be other situations where the investment adviser refrains from making an investment due to additional
disclosure obligations, regulatory requirements, policies, and reputational risk, or the investment adviser may limit purchases or sales
of securities in respect of which Morgan Stanley is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution capacity.
Morgan Stanley has established certain information barriers and
other policies to address the sharing of information between different businesses within Morgan Stanley. As a result of information barriers,
the investment adviser generally will not have access, or will have limited access, to certain information and personnel in other areas
of Morgan Stanley and generally will not manage the Funds with the benefit of the information held by such other areas. Morgan Stanley,
due to its access to and knowledge of funds, markets and securities based on its prime brokerage and other businesses, may make decisions
based on information or take (or refrain from taking) actions with respect to interests in investments of the kind held (directly or
indirectly) by the Funds in a manner that may be adverse to the Funds, and will not have any obligation or other duty to share information
with the investment adviser.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 33 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
In limited circumstances, however, including for purposes of managing
business and reputational risk, and subject to policies and procedures and any applicable regulations, Morgan Stanley personnel, including
personnel of the investment adviser, on one side of an information barrier may have access to information and personnel on the other side
of the information barrier through “wall crossings.” The investment adviser faces conflicts of interest in determining whether
to engage in such wall crossings. Information obtained in connection with such wall crossings may limit or restrict the ability of the
investment adviser to engage in or otherwise effect transactions on behalf of the Funds (including purchasing or selling securities that
the investment adviser may otherwise have purchased or sold for a Fund in the absence of a wall crossing). In managing conflicts of interest
that arise because of the foregoing, the investment adviser generally will be subject to fiduciary requirements. The investment adviser
may also implement internal information barriers or ethical walls, and the conflicts described herein with respect to information barriers
and otherwise with respect to Morgan Stanley and the investment adviser will also apply internally within the investment adviser. As a
result, a Fund may not be permitted to transact in (e.g., dispose of a security in whole or in part) during periods when it otherwise
would have been able to do so, which could adversely affect a Fund. Other investors in the security that are not subject to such restrictions
may be able to transact in the security during such periods. There may also be circumstances in which, as a result of information held
by certain portfolio management teams in the investment adviser, the investment adviser limits an activity or transaction for a Fund,
including if the Fund is managed by a portfolio management team other than the team holding such information.
Investments by Morgan Stanley and its Affiliated Investment Accounts.
In serving in multiple capacities to Affiliated Investment Accounts, Morgan Stanley, including the investment adviser and its investment
teams, may have obligations to other clients or investors in Affiliated Investment Accounts, the fulfillment of which may not be in the
best interests of a Fund or its shareholders. A Fund’s investment objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of certain
Affiliated Investment Accounts. As a result, the members of an investment team may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities
among a Fund and other investment funds, programs, accounts and businesses advised by or affiliated with the investment adviser. Certain
Affiliated Investment Accounts may provide for higher management or incentive fees or greater expense reimbursements or overhead allocations,
all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest and create an incentive for the investment adviser to favor such other accounts.
Morgan Stanley currently invests and plans to continue to invest on
its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliated Investment Accounts in a wide variety of investment opportunities globally. Morgan Stanley
and its Affiliated Investment Accounts, to the extent consistent with applicable law and policies and procedures, will be permitted to
invest in investment opportunities without making such opportunities available to a Fund beforehand. Subject to the foregoing, Morgan
Stanley may offer investments that fall into the investment objectives of an Affiliated Investment Account to such account or make such
investment on its own behalf, even though such investment also falls within a Fund’s investment objectives. A Fund may invest in
opportunities that Morgan Stanley and/or one or more Affiliated Investment Accounts has declined, and vice versa. All of the foregoing
may reduce the number of investment opportunities available to a Fund and may create conflicts of interest in allocating investment opportunities.
Investors should note that the conflicts inherent in making such allocation decisions may not always be resolved to a Fund’s advantage.
There can be no assurance that a Fund will have an opportunity to participate in certain opportunities that fall within their investment
objectives.
To seek to reduce potential conflicts of interest and to attempt to
allocate such investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, the investment adviser has implemented allocation policies and
procedures. These policies and procedures are intended to give all clients of the investment adviser, including the Funds, fair access
to investment opportunities consistent with the requirements of organizational documents, investment strategies, applicable laws and regulations,
and the fiduciary duties of the investment adviser. Each client of the investment adviser that is subject to the allocation policies and
procedures, including each Fund, is assigned an investment team and portfolio manager(s) by the investment adviser. The investment team
and portfolio managers review investment opportunities and will decide with respect to the allocation of each opportunity considering
various factors and in accordance with the allocation policies and procedures. The allocation policies and procedures are subject to change.
Investors should note that the conflicts inherent in making such allocation decisions may not always be resolved to the advantage of a
Fund.
It is possible that Morgan Stanley or an Affiliated Investment Account,
including another Eaton Vance fund, will invest in or advise a company that is or becomes a competitor of a company of which a Fund holds
an investment. Such investment could create a conflict between the Fund, on the one hand, and Morgan Stanley or the Affiliated Investment
Account, on the other hand. In such a situation, Morgan Stanley may also have a conflict in the allocation of its own resources to the
portfolio investment. Furthermore, certain Affiliated Investment Accounts will be focused primarily on investing in other funds which
may have strategies that overlap and/or directly conflict and compete with a Fund.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 34 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
In addition, certain investment professionals who are involved in a
Fund’s activities remain responsible for the investment activities of other Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by the investment
adviser and its affiliates, and they will devote time to the management of such investments and other newly created Affiliated Investment
Accounts (whether in the form of funds, separate accounts or other vehicles), as well as their own investments. In addition, in connection
with the management of investments for other Affiliated Investment Accounts, members of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may serve on
the boards of directors of or advise companies which may compete with a Fund’s portfolio investments. Moreover, these Affiliated
Investment Accounts managed by Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may pursue investment opportunities that may also be suitable for a Fund.
It should be noted that Morgan Stanley may, directly or indirectly,
make large investments in certain of its Affiliated Investment Accounts, and accordingly Morgan Stanley’s investment in a Fund may
not be a determining factor in the outcome of any of the foregoing conflicts. Nothing herein restricts or in any way limits the activities
of Morgan Stanley, including its ability to buy or sell interests in, or provide financing to, equity and/or debt instruments, funds or
portfolio companies, for its own accounts or for the accounts of Affiliated Investment Accounts or other investment funds or clients in
accordance with applicable law.
Different clients of the investment adviser, including a Fund, may invest
in different classes of securities of the same issuer, depending on the respective clients’ investment objectives and policies.
As a result, the investment adviser and its affiliates, at times, will seek to satisfy fiduciary obligations to certain clients owning
one class of securities of a particular issuer by pursuing or enforcing rights on behalf of those clients with respect to such class of
securities, and those activities may have an adverse effect on another client which owns a different class of securities of such issuer.
For example, if one client holds debt securities of an issuer and another client holds equity securities of the same issuer, if the issuer
experiences financial or operational challenges, the investment adviser and its affiliates may seek a liquidation of the issuer on behalf
of the client that holds the debt securities, whereas the client holding the equity securities may benefit from a reorganization of the
issuer. Thus, in such situations, the actions taken by the investment adviser or its affiliates on behalf of one client can negatively
impact securities held by another client. These conflicts also exist as between the investment adviser’s clients, including the
Funds, and the Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by Morgan Stanley.
The investment adviser and its affiliates may give advice and recommend
securities to other clients which may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought for, a Fund even though such other
clients’ investment objectives may be similar to those of the Fund.
The investment adviser and its affiliates manage long and short
portfolios. The simultaneous management of long and short portfolios creates conflicts of interest in portfolio management and trading
in that opposite directional positions may be taken in client accounts, including client accounts managed by the same investment team,
and creates risks such as: (i) the risk that short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of long positions in one or
more portfolios (and vice versa) and (ii) the risks associated with the trading desk receiving opposing orders in the same security simultaneously.
The investment adviser and its affiliates have adopted policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to mitigate these conflicts.
In certain circumstances, the investment adviser invests on behalf of itself in securities and other instruments that would be appropriate
for, held by, or may fall within the investment guidelines of its clients, including a Fund. At times, the investment adviser may give
advice or take action for its own accounts that differs from, conflicts with, or is adverse to advice given or action taken for any client.
From time to time, conflicts also arise due to the fact that certain
securities or instruments may be held in some client accounts, including a Fund, but not in others, or that client accounts may have different
levels of holdings in certain securities or instruments. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions
among client accounts, the investment adviser may take action with respect to one account that differs from the action taken with respect
to another account. In some cases, a client account may compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held
by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the investment adviser
in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. The investment adviser has adopted several policies and
procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern the investment adviser’s
trading practices, including, among other things, the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocations, cross
trades and best execution.
In addition, at times an investment adviser investment team will
give advice or take action with respect to the investments of one or more clients that is not given or taken with respect to other clients
with similar investment programs, objectives, and strategies. Accordingly, clients with similar strategies will not always hold the same
securities or instruments or achieve the same performance. The investment adviser’s investment teams also advise clients with conflicting
programs, objectives or strategies. These conflicts also exist as between the investment adviser’s clients, including the Funds,
and the Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by Morgan Stanley.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 35 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The investment adviser maintains separate trading desks by investment
team and generally based on asset class, including two trading desks trading equity securities. These trading desks operate independently
of one another. The two equity trading desks do not share information. The separate equity trading desks may result in one desk competing
against the other desk when implementing buy and sell transactions, possibly causing certain accounts to pay more or receive less for
a security than other accounts. In addition, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates maintain separate trading desks that operate independently
of each other and do not share trading information with the investment adviser. These trading desks may compete against the investment
adviser trading desks when implementing buy and sell transactions, possibly causing certain Affiliated Investment Accounts to pay more
or receive less for a security than other Affiliated Investment Accounts.
Investments by Separate Investment Departments. The entities
and individuals that provide investment-related services for the Fund and certain other Eaton Vance Investment Accounts (the “Eaton
Vance Investment Department”) may be different from the entities and individuals that provide investment-related services to MS
Investment Accounts (the “MS Investment Department and, together with the Eaton Vance Investment Department, the ”Investment
Departments“). Although Morgan Stanley has implemented information barriers between the Investment Departments in accordance with
internal policies and procedures, each Investment Department may engage in discussions and share information and resources with the other
Investment Department on certain investment-related matters. The sharing of information and resources between the Investment Departments
is designed to further increase the knowledge and effectiveness of each Investment Department. Because each Investment Department generally
makes investment decisions and executes trades independently of the other, the quality and price of execution, and the performance of
investments and accounts, can be expected to vary. In addition, each Investment Department may use different trading systems and technology
and may employ differing investment and trading strategies. As a result, a MS Investment Account could trade in advance of the Fund (and
vice versa), might complete trades more quickly and efficiently than the Fund, and/or achieve different execution than the Fund on the
same or similar investments made contemporaneously, even when the Investment Departments shared research and viewpoints that led to that
investment decision. Any sharing of information or resources between the Investment Department servicing the Fund and the MS Investment
Department may result, from time to time, in the Fund simultaneously or contemporaneously seeking to engage in the same or similar transactions
as an account serviced by the other Investment Department and for which there are limited buyers or sellers on specific securities, which
could result in less favorable execution for the Fund than such account. The Eaton Vance Investment Department will not knowingly or
intentionally cause the Fund to engage in a cross trade with an account serviced by the MS Investment Department, however, subject to
applicable law and internal policies and procedures, the Fund may conduct cross trades with other accounts serviced by the Eaton Vance
Investment Department. Although the Eaton Vance Investment Department may aggregate the Fund’s trades with trades of other accounts
serviced by the Eaton Vance Investment Department, subject to applicable law and internal policies and procedures, there will be no aggregation
or coordination of trades with accounts serviced by the MS Investment Department, even when both Investment Departments are seeking to
acquire or dispose of the same investments contemporaneously.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries.
The investment adviser and/or EVD may pay compensation, out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Funds, to certain financial
intermediaries (which may include affiliates of the investment adviser and EVD), including recordkeepers and administrators of various
deferred compensation plans, in connection with the sale, distribution, marketing and retention of shares of the Funds and/or shareholder
servicing. For example, the investment adviser or EVD may pay additional compensation to a financial intermediary for, among other things,
promoting the sale and distribution of Fund shares, providing access to various programs, mutual fund platforms or preferred or recommended
mutual fund lists that may be offered by a financial intermediary, granting EVD access to a financial intermediary’s financial
advisors and consultants, providing assistance in the ongoing education and training of a financial intermediary’s financial personnel,
furnishing marketing support, maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, recordkeeping, administrative, shareholder or transaction
processing services. Such payments are in addition to any distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees and/or transfer agency fees that
may be payable by the Funds. The additional payments may be based on various factors, including level of sales (based on gross or net
sales or some specified minimum sales or some other similar criteria related to sales of the Funds and/or some or all other Eaton Vance
funds), amount of assets invested by the financial intermediary’s customers (which could include current or aged assets of the
Funds and/or some or all other Eaton Vance funds), a Fund’s advisory fee, some other agreed upon amount or other measures as determined
from time to time by the investment adviser and/or EVD. The amount of these payments may be different for different financial intermediaries.
The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation,
as described above, by financial intermediaries may provide such financial intermediaries and their financial advisors and other salespersons
with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Funds over other investment options with respect to which these financial intermediaries
do not receive additional compensation (or receive lower levels of additional compensation). These payment arrangements, however, will
not change the price that an investor pays for shares of the Funds or the amount that the Funds receive to invest on behalf of an investor.
Investors may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Fund
shares and should review carefully any disclosures provided by financial intermediaries as to their compensation. In addition, in certain
circumstances, the investment adviser may restrict, limit or reduce the amount of a Fund's investment, or restrict the type of governance
or voting rights it acquires or exercises, where the Fund (potentially together with Morgan Stanley) exceeds a certain ownership interest,
or possesses certain degrees of voting or control or has other interests.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 36 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Morgan Stanley Trading and Principal Investing Activities. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, Morgan Stanley will generally conduct its sales and trading businesses, publish research and analysis,
and render investment advice without regard for a Fund’s holdings, although these activities could have an adverse impact on the
value of one or more of the Fund’s investments, or could cause Morgan Stanley to have an interest in one or more portfolio investments
that is different from, and potentially adverse to that of a Fund. Furthermore, from time to time, the investment adviser or its affiliates
may invest “seed” capital in a Fund, typically to enable the Fund to commence investment operations and/or achieve sufficient
scale. The investment adviser and its affiliates may hedge such seed capital exposure by investing in derivatives or other instruments
expected to produce offsetting exposure. Such hedging transactions, if any, would occur outside of a Fund.
Morgan Stanley’s sales and trading, financing and principal investing
businesses (whether or not specifically identified as such, and including Morgan Stanley’s trading and principal investing businesses)
will not be required to offer any investment opportunities to a Fund. These businesses may encompass, among other things, principal trading
activities as well as principal investing.
Morgan Stanley’s sales and trading, financing and principal investing
businesses have acquired or invested in, and in the future may acquire or invest in, minority and/or majority control positions in equity
or debt instruments of diverse public and/or private companies. Such activities may put Morgan Stanley in a position to exercise contractual,
voting or creditor rights, or management or other control with respect to securities or loans of portfolio investments or other issuers,
and in these instances Morgan Stanley may, in its discretion and subject to applicable law, act to protect its own interests or interests
of clients, and not a Fund’s interests.
Subject to the limitations of applicable law, a Fund may purchase from
or sell assets to, or make investments in, companies in which Morgan Stanley has or may acquire an interest, including as an owner, creditor
or counterparty.
Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking and Other Commercial
Activities. Morgan Stanley advises clients on a variety of mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, bankruptcy and financing transactions.
Morgan Stanley may act as an advisor to clients, including other investment funds that may compete with a Fund and with respect to investments
that a Fund may hold. Morgan Stanley may give advice and take action with respect to any of its clients or proprietary accounts that
may differ from the advice given, or may involve an action of a different timing or nature than the action taken, by a Fund. Morgan Stanley
may give advice and provide recommendations to persons competing with a Fund and/or any of a Fund’s investments that are contrary
to the Fund’s best interests and/or the best interests of any of its investments.
Morgan Stanley could be engaged in financial advising, whether on the
buy-side or sell-side, or in financing or lending assignments that could result in Morgan Stanley’s determining in its discretion
or being required to act exclusively on behalf of one or more third parties, which could limit a Fund’s ability to transact with
respect to one or more existing or potential investments. Morgan Stanley may have relationships with third-party funds, companies or investors
who may have invested in or may look to invest in portfolio companies, and there could be conflicts between a Fund’s best interests,
on the one hand, and the interests of a Morgan Stanley client or counterparty, on the other hand.
To the extent that Morgan Stanley advises creditor or debtor companies
in the financial restructuring of companies either prior to or after filing for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
or similar laws in other jurisdictions, the investment adviser’s flexibility in making investments in such restructurings on a Fund’s
behalf may be limited.
Morgan Stanley could provide investment banking services to competitors
of portfolio companies, as well as to private equity and/or private credit funds; such activities may present Morgan Stanley with a conflict
of interest vis-a-vis a Fund’s investment and may also result in a conflict in respect of the allocation of investment banking resources
to portfolio companies.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Morgan Stanley may provide
a broad range of financial services to companies in which a Fund invests, including strategic and financial advisory services, interim
acquisition financing and other lending and underwriting or placement of securities, and Morgan Stanley generally will be paid fees (that
may include warrants or other securities) for such services. Morgan Stanley will not share any of the foregoing interest, fees and other
compensation received by it (including, for the avoidance of doubt, amounts received by the investment adviser) with a Fund, and any advisory
fees payable will not be reduced thereby.
Morgan Stanley may be engaged to act as a financial advisor to a company
in connection with the sale of such company, or subsidiaries or divisions thereof, may represent potential buyers of businesses through
its mergers and acquisition activities and may provide lending and other related financing services in connection with such transactions.
Morgan Stanley’s compensation for such activities is usually based upon
realized consideration and is usually contingent, in substantial part, upon the closing of the transaction. Under these circumstances,
a Fund may be precluded from participating in a transaction with or relating to the company being sold or participating in any financing
activity related to merger or acquisition.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 37 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The involvement or presence of Morgan Stanley in the investment banking
and other commercial activities described above (or the financial markets more broadly) may restrict or otherwise limit investment opportunities
that may otherwise be available to the Funds. For example, issuers may hire and compensate Morgan Stanley to provide underwriting, financial
advisory, placement agency, brokerage services or other services and, because of limitations imposed by applicable law and regulation,
a Fund may be prohibited from buying or selling securities issued by those issuers or participating in related transactions or otherwise
limited in its ability to engage in such investments.
Morgan Stanley’s Marketing Activities. Morgan Stanley
is engaged in the business of underwriting, syndicating, brokering, administering, servicing, arranging and advising on the distribution
of a wide variety of securities and other investments in which a Fund may invest. Subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, including
Sections 10(f) and 17(e) thereof, a Fund may invest in transactions in which Morgan Stanley acts as underwriter, placement agent, syndicator,
broker, administrative agent, servicer, advisor, arranger or structuring agent and receives fees or other compensation from the sponsors
of such products or securities. Any fees earned by Morgan Stanley in such capacity will not be shared with the investment adviser or
the Funds. Certain conflicts of interest, in addition to the receipt of fees or other compensation, would be inherent in these transactions.
Moreover, the interests of one of Morgan Stanley’s clients with respect to an issuer of securities in which a Fund has an investment
may be adverse to the investment adviser’s or a Fund’s best interests. In conducting the foregoing activities, Morgan Stanley
will be acting for its other clients and will have no obligation to act in the investment adviser’s or a Fund’s best interests.
Client Relationships. Morgan Stanley has existing and potential
relationships with a significant number of corporations, institutions and individuals. In providing services to its clients, Morgan Stanley
may face conflicts of interest with respect to activities recommended to or performed for such clients, on the one hand, and a Fund,
its shareholders or the entities in which the Fund invests, on the other hand. In addition, these client relationships may present conflicts
of interest in determining whether to offer certain investment opportunities to a Fund.
In acting as principal or in providing advisory and other services to
its other clients, Morgan Stanley may engage in or recommend activities with respect to a particular matter that conflict with or are
different from activities engaged in or recommended by the investment adviser on a Fund’s behalf.
Principal Investments. To the extent permitted by applicable
law, there may be situations in which a Fund’s interests may conflict with the interests of one or more general accounts of Morgan
Stanley and its affiliates or accounts managed by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates. This may occur because these accounts hold public
and private debt and equity securities of many issuers which may be or become portfolio companies, or from whom portfolio companies may
be acquired.
Transactions with Portfolio Companies of Affiliated Investment Accounts.
The companies in which a Fund may invest may be counterparties to or participants in agreements, transactions or other arrangements
with portfolio companies or other entities of portfolio investments of Affiliated Investment Accounts (for example, a company in which
a Fund invests may retain a company in which an Affiliated Investment Account invests to provide services or may acquire an asset from
such company or vice versa). Certain of these agreements, transactions and arrangements involve fees, servicing payments, rebates and/or
other benefits to Morgan Stanley or its affiliates. For example, portfolio entities may, including at the encouragement of Morgan Stanley,
enter into agreements regarding group procurement and/or vendor discounts. Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may also participate in
these agreements and may realize better pricing or discounts as a result of the participation of portfolio entities. To the extent permitted
by applicable law, certain of these agreements may provide for commissions or similar payments and/or discounts or rebates to be paid
to a portfolio entity of an Affiliated Investment Account, and such payments or discounts or rebates may also be made directly to Morgan
Stanley or its affiliates. Under these arrangements, a particular portfolio company or other entity may benefit to a greater degree than
the other participants, and the funds, investment vehicles and accounts (which may or may not include a Fund) that own an interest in
such entity will receive a greater relative benefit from the arrangements than the Eaton Vance funds, investment vehicles or accounts
that do not own an interest therein. Fees and compensation received by portfolio companies of Affiliated Investment Accounts in relation
to the foregoing will not be shared with a Fund or offset advisory fees payable.
Investments in Portfolio Investments of Other Funds. To the
extent permitted by applicable law, when a Fund invests in certain companies or other entities, other funds affiliated with the investment
adviser may have made or may be making an investment in such companies or other entities. Other funds that have been or may be managed
by the investment adviser may invest in the companies or other entities in which a Fund has made an investment. Under such circumstances,
a Fund and such other funds may have conflicts of interest (e.g., over the terms, exit strategies and related matters, including the
exercise of remedies of their respective investments). If the interests held by a Fund are different from (or take priority over) those
held by such other funds, the investment adviser may be required to make a selection at the time of conflicts between the interests held
by such other funds and the interests held by a Fund.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 38 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Allocation of Expenses. Expenses may be incurred that are attributable
to a Fund and one or more other Affiliated Investment Accounts (including in connection with issuers in which a Fund and such other Affiliated
Investment Accounts have overlapping investments). The allocation of such expenses among such entities raises potential conflicts of
interest. The investment adviser and its affiliates intend to allocate such common expenses among a Fund and any such other Affiliated
Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis or in such other manner as the investment adviser deems to be fair and equitable or in such other
manner as may be required by applicable law.
Temporary Investments. To more efficiently invest short-term
cash balances held by a Fund, the investment adviser may invest such balances on an overnight “sweep” basis in shares of
one or more money market funds or other short-term vehicles. It is anticipated that the investment adviser to these money market funds
or other short-term vehicles may be the investment adviser (or an affiliate) to the extent permitted by applicable law, including Rule
12d1-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment
company managed by Eaton Vance, for this purpose. Eaton Vance does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash
Reserves Fund.
Transactions with Affiliates. The investment adviser and any
investment sub-adviser might purchase securities from underwriters or placement agents in which a Morgan Stanley affiliate is a member
of a syndicate or selling group, as a result of which an affiliate might benefit from the purchase through receipt of a fee or otherwise.
Neither the investment adviser nor any investment sub-adviser will purchase securities on behalf of a Fund from an affiliate that is
acting as a manager of a syndicate or selling group. Purchases by the investment adviser on behalf of a Fund from an affiliate acting
as a placement agent must meet the requirements of applicable law. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley may face conflicts of interest when the
Funds use service providers affiliated with Morgan Stanley because Morgan Stanley receives greater overall fees when they are used.
General Process for Potential Conflicts. All of the transactions
described above involve the potential for conflicts of interest between the investment adviser, related persons of the investment adviser
and/or their clients. The Advisers Act, the 1940 Act and ERISA impose certain requirements designed to decrease the possibility of conflicts
of interest between an investment adviser and its clients. In some cases, transactions may be permitted subject to fulfillment of certain
conditions. Certain other transactions may be prohibited. In addition, the investment adviser has instituted policies and procedures
designed to prevent conflicts of interest from arising and, when they do arise, to ensure that it effects transactions for clients in
a manner that is consistent with its fiduciary duty to its clients and in accordance with applicable law. The investment adviser seeks
to ensure that potential or actual conflicts of interest are appropriately resolved taking into consideration the overriding best interests
of the client.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This SAI is part of a registration statement filed with the SEC.
The Fund is permitted to “incorporate by reference” the information filed with the SEC, which means that the Fund can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of
this SAI, and later information that the Fund files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.
The documents listed below, and any reports and other documents subsequently
filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 30(b)(2) under the 1940 Act and Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the
termination of the Offering will be incorporated by reference into this SAI and deemed to be part of this SAI from the date of the filing
of such reports and documents
|
• |
|
The Fund’s Prospectus, dated April 5, 2022, filed with this SAI; |
|
• |
|
The Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022; and |
|
• |
|
the description of the Fund’s common shares contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on December 21, 2004, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering registered hereby. |
The Fund will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this SAI is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the documents that have been or
may be incorporated by reference in this SAI, the Prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should direct requests for
documents by calling (800) 262-1122.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 39 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
The Fund makes available the Prospectus, SAI and the Fund’s
annual and semi-annual reports, free of charge, at http://www.eatonvance.com. You may also obtain this SAI, the Prospectus, other
documents incorporated by reference and other information the Fund files electronically, including reports and proxy statements, on the
SEC website (http://www.sec.gov) or with the payment of a duplication fee, by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov. Information contained
in, or that can be accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this SAI, the Prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements and the report of the independent
registered public accounting firm of the Fund, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, are incorporated herein by reference from
the Fund’s most recent Annual Report to Common Shareholders filed on February 25, 2022 with the SEC (Accession
No. 0001193125-22-053948) on Form N-CSR pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the 1940 Act.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 40 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
APPENDIX A
RATINGS
The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings
available at the date of this SAI for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While
the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not
necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on a particular date.
MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (“Moody’s”)
Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating
scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial
institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers
or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual
financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Short-term ratings are assigned
to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual
financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of a default or impairment.
GLOBAL LONG-TERM RATINGS SCALE
Aaa:
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.
Aa:
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A:
Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa:
Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics
Ba:
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B:
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa:
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca:
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and
interest.
C:
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note:
Moody’s appends numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates
that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
GLOBAL SHORT-TERM RATING SCALE
Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers
to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments.
Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
P-1:
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2:
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3:
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP:
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime ratings categories.
ISSUER RATINGS
Issuer Ratings are opinions of the ability of entities to honor senior
unsecured debt and debt like obligations. As such, Issuer Ratings incorporate any external support that is expected to apply to all current
and future issuance of senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts, such as explicit support stemming from a guarantee of all
senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts, and/or implicit support for issuers subject to joint default analysis (e.g. banks
and government-related issuers). Issuer Ratings do not incorporate support arrangements, such as guarantees, that apply only to specific
(but not to all) senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 41 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
US MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS AND DEMAND OBLIGATION
RATINGS
SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS
The global short-term ‘prime’ rating scale is applied to
commercial paper issued by U.S. municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit
or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer’s self-liquidity.
For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody’s uses one of
two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed
below.
The MIG scale is used for U.S. municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation
notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, the MIG scale
is used for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.
MIG 1
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity
support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing
is likely to be less well-established.
SG
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component
rating is assigned. The components are a long-term rating and a short-term demand obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the
issuer’s ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term demand obligation rating addresses the ability
of the issuer or the liquidity provider to make payments associated with the purchase-price-upon demand feature (“demand feature”)
of the VRDO. The short-term demand obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. VMIG ratings with liquidity support use as an input the short-term
counterparty risk assessment of the support provider, or the long-term rating of the underlying obligor in the absence of third party
liquidity support. Transitions of VMIG ratings of demand obligations with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions on the
Prime scale to reflect the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer’s long-term rating drops below investment
grade.
VMIG 1:
This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity
provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 2:
This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity
provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3:
This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of
the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG:
This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider
that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely
payment of purchase price upon demand.
S&P GLOBAL RATINGS (“S&P”)
ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS DEFINITIONS
An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific
financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness
of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation
is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P’s view of the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments
as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event
of default.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term
issue credit ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. Short-term issue credit
ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term
obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 42 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS:
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s
analysis of the following considerations:
· Likelihood of payment—capacity
and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
· Nature of and provisions
of the financial obligation and the promise that it is imputed; and
· Protection afforded
by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws
of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate
an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior
obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior
and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
AAA:
An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA:
An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet
its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.
A:
An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions
than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation
is still strong.
BBB:
An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC and C
Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’,
‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least
degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics,
these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB:
An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity
to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B:
An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently
has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair
the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC:
An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and
economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial or,
economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC:
An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet
occurred, but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
C:
An obligation rated 'C' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority
or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.
D:
An obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five
business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The 'D' rating
also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual
certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to a distressed exchange
offer.
NR:
This indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 43 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Plus (+)
or Minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to’ CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus
(-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1:
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This
indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.
A-2:
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is satisfactory.
A-3:
A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B:
A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently
has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate
capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C:
A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial
and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
D:
A short-term obligation rated 'D' is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the 'D' rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made
within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days.
The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation
is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to 'D' if it is subject to
a distressed exchange offer.
ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS DEFINITIONS
S&P’s issuer credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about
an obligor's overall creditworthiness. This opinion focuses on the obligor's capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments
as they come due. It does not apply to any specific financial obligation, as it does not take into account the nature of and provisions
of the obligation, its standing in bankruptcy or liquidation, statutory preferences, or the legality and enforceability of the obligation.
Sovereign credit ratings are forms of issuer credit ratings.
Issuer credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term.
LONG-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS
AAA:
An obligor rated ‘AAA’ has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. ‘AAA’ is the highest issuer
credit rating assigned by S&P.
AA:
An obligor rated ‘AA’ has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors
only to a small degree.
A:
An obligor rated ‘A’ has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.
BBB:
An obligor rated ‘BBB’ has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.
BB, B, CCC and CC
Obligors rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’,
and ‘CC’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation
and ‘CC’ the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed
by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.
BB:
An obligor ‘BB’ is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet
its financial commitments.
B:
An obligor rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable than the obligors rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity
to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity
or willingness to meets its financial commitments.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 44 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
CCC:
An obligor rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions
to meet its financial commitments.
CC:
An obligor rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable. The 'CC' rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P
expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.
SD and D:
An obligor is rated 'SD' (selective default) or 'D' if S&P considers there to be a default on one or more of its
financial obligations, whether long -or short-term, including rated and unrated financial obligations but excluding hybrid instruments
classified as regulatory capital or in non-payment according to terms. A 'D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default
will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An 'SD'
rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it
will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. A rating on an obligor is
lowered to 'D' or 'SD' if it is conducting a distressed exchange offer.
NR:
Indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.
Plus (+)
or Minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to’ CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus
(-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
SHORT-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS
A-1:
An obligor rated ‘A-1’ has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P.
Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its
financial commitments is extremely strong.
A-2:
An obligor rated ‘A-2’ has satisfactory capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible
to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.
A-3:
An obligor rated ‘A-3’ has adequate capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.
B:
An obligor rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has
the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C:
An obligor rated 'C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment that would result in a 'SD' or 'D' issuer rating, and is dependent upon favorable
business, financial, and economic conditions for it to meet its financial commitments.
SD and D:
An obligor is rated 'SD' (selective default) or 'D' if S&P considers there to be a default on one or more of its financial obligations,
whether long- or short-term, including rated and unrated obligations but excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital
or in nonpayment according to term. An obligor is considered in default unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within
any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. A 'D'
rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially
all of its obligations as they come due. An 'SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on
a specific issue or class of obligations, excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital, but it will continue to meet
its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. An obligor's rating is lowered to 'D' or 'SD' if
it is conducting a distressed exchange offer.
NR: Indicates
that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 45 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM NOTE RATINGS
SHORT-TERM
NOTES: An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P opinions about the liquidity factors and market access risks
unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three
years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P’s analysis
will review the following considerations: Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more
likely it will be treated as a note; and Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more
likely it will be treated as a note.
Municipal Short-Term Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1:
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt will be given a plus
(+) designation.
SP-2:
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of
the notes.
SP-3:
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
D:
‘D’ is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy
petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay
provisions.
FITCH RATINGS
LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Issuer Default Ratings
AAA: Highest
credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of
exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. The capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable
events.
AA: Very
high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity
for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit
quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments
is considered strong. The capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is
the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good
credit quality. 'BBB' ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial
commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB: Speculative.
'BB' ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic
conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exist that supports the servicing of financial commitments.
B: Highly
speculative. B' ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments
are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.
CCC: Substantial
credit risk. Default is a real possibility.
CC: Very
high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.
C: Near default.
A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably
impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:
• The issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following
non-payment of a material financial obligation;
• The issuer had entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or
standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation;
• The formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of distressed
debt exchange;
• A closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably
impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment
default is imminent.
RD: Restricted
Default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced:
• An unsecured payment default or distressed debt exchange on
a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 46 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
• Has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership,
liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and
• Has not otherwise ceased operating.
This would include:
• The selective payment default on specific class or currency
of debt;
• The uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period
or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;
• The extension of multiple waivers of forbearance periods upon
a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt
exchange on one or more material financial obligations.
D: Default.
‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership,
liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.
• Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or
their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not
be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy
or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.
• In all cases, the assignment of default rating reflects the
agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from
the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.
Notes to Long-Term ratings:
The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to
a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term IDR
category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ‘B’.
Short-Term Credit Ratings Assigned to Issuers and Obligations
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on
the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with
the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as
“short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations,
and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.
F1: Highest
short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may
have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good
short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3: Fair
short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B: Speculative
short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near
term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High short-term
default risk. Default is a real possibility.
RD: Restricted
default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet
other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D:
Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
DESCRIPTION OF INSURANCE FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. Insurance Financial Strength
Ratings
Moody’s Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the
ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations and also reflect the expected financial
loss suffered in the event of default.
S&P Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
An S&P insurer financial strength rating is a forward-looking opinion
about the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies
and contracts in accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are also assigned to health maintenance organizations
and similar health plans with respect to their ability to pay under their policies and contracts in accordance with their terms.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 47 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
This opinion is not specific to any particular policy or contract, nor
does it address the suitability of a particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does
not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties, timeliness of payment, nor the likelihood of the use of a defense
such as fraud to deny claims.
Insurer financial strength ratings do not refer to an organization's
ability to meet nonpolicy (i.e., debt) obligations. Assignment of ratings to debt issued by insurers or to debt issues that are fully
or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts, or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurer financial
strength ratings, and it follows procedures consistent with those used to assign an issue credit rating. An insurer financial strength
rating is not a recommendation to purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer.
Long-Term Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
Category Definition
AAA
An insurer rated 'AAA' has extremely strong financial security characteristics.
'AAA' is the highest insurer financial strength rating assigned by S&P.
AA
An insurer rated 'AA' has very strong financial security characteristics,
differing only slightly from those rated higher.
A
An insurer rated 'A' has strong financial security characteristics,
but is somewhat more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are insurers with higher ratings.
BBB
An insurer rated 'BBB' has good financial security characteristics,
but is more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are higher-rated insurers.
BB, B, CCC and CC
An insurer rated 'BB' or lower is regarded as having vulnerable characteristics
that may outweigh its strengths. 'BB' indicates the least degree of vulnerability within the range and 'CC' the highest.
BB
An insurer rated 'BB' has marginal financial security characteristics.
Positive attributes exist, but adverse business conditions could lead to insufficient ability to meet financial commitments.
B
An insurer rated 'B' has weak financial security characteristics. Adverse
business conditions will likely impair its ability to meet financial commitments.
CCC
An insurer rated 'CCC' has very weak financial security characteristics,
and is dependent on favorable business conditions to meet financial commitments.
CC
An insurer rated 'CC' has extremely weak financial security characteristics
and is likely not to meet some of its financial commitments.
SD or D
An insurer rated 'SD' (selective default) or 'D' is in default on one
or more of its insurance policy obligations. The 'D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
similar action if payments on a policy obligation are at risk. A 'D' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be
a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay substantially all of its obligations in full in accordance with the policy terms.
An 'SD' rating is assigned when S&P believes that the insurer has selectively defaulted on a specific class of policies but it will
continue to meet its payment obligations on other classes of obligations. A selective default includes the completion of a distressed
exchange offer. Claim denials due to lack of coverage or other legally permitted defenses are not considered defaults.
NR: Indicates that a rating has
not been assigned or is no longer assigned.
Plus (+)
or Minus (-): The ratings from ‘AA’ to’ CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus
(-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 48 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Fitch Insurer Financial Strength Rating
The Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating provides an assessment of
the financial strength of an insurance organization. The IFS Rating is assigned to the insurance company's policyholder obligations, including
assumed reinsurance obligations and contract holder obligations, such as guaranteed investment contracts. The IFS Rating reflects both
the ability of the insurer to meet these obligations on a timely basis, and expected recoveries received by claimants in the event the
insurer stops making payments or payments are interrupted, due to either the failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention.
In the context of the IFS Rating, the timeliness of payments is considered relative to both contract and/or policy terms but also recognizes
the possibility of reasonable delays caused by circumstances common to the insurance industry, including claims reviews, fraud investigations
and coverage disputes.
The IFS Rating does not encompass policyholder obligations residing
in separate accounts, unit-linked products or segregated funds, for which the policyholder bears investment or other risks. However, any
guarantees provided to the policyholder with respect to such obligations are included in the IFS Rating.
Expected recoveries are based on the agency's assessments of the sufficiency
of an insurance company's assets to fund policyholder obligations, in a scenario in which payments have ceased or been interrupted. Accordingly,
expected recoveries exclude the impact of recoveries obtained from any government sponsored guaranty or policyholder protection funds.
Expected recoveries also exclude the impact of collateralization or security, such as letters of credit or trusteed assets, supporting
select reinsurance obligations.
IFS Ratings can be assigned to insurance and reinsurance companies in
any insurance sector, including the life & annuity, non-life, property/casualty, health, mortgage, financial guaranty, residual value
and title insurance sectors, as well as to managed care companies such as health maintenance organizations.
The IFS Rating uses the same symbols used by the agency for its International
and National credit ratings of long-term or short-term debt issues. However, the definitions associated with the ratings reflect the unique
aspects of the IFS Rating within an insurance industry context.
Obligations for which a payment interruption has occurred due to either
the insolvency or failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention will generally be rated between 'B' and 'C' on the Long-Term
IFS Rating scales (both International and National). International Short-Term IFS Ratings assigned under the same circumstances will align
with the insurer's International Long-Term IFS Ratings.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 49 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
APPENDIX B
Eaton Vance Funds
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
I. Overview
The Boards of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Eaton Vance
Funds1 have determined that it is in
the interests of the Funds’ shareholders to adopt these written proxy voting policy and procedures (the “Policy”). For
purposes of this Policy:
| · | “Fund” means each registered investment company sponsored by the Eaton Vance organization; and |
| · | “Adviser” means the investment adviser or sub-adviser responsible for the day-to-day management of all or a portion
of the Fund’s assets. |
II. Delegation of Proxy Voting Responsibilities
The Board hereby delegates to the Adviser responsibility for voting
the Fund’s proxies as described in this Policy. In this connection, the Adviser is required to provide the Board with a copy of
its proxy voting policies and procedures (“Adviser Procedures”) and all Fund proxies will be voted in accordance with the
Adviser Procedures, provided that in the event a material conflict of interest arises with respect to a proxy to be voted for the Fund
(as described in Section IV below) the Adviser shall follow the process for voting such proxy as described in Section IV below.
The Adviser is required to report any material change to the Adviser
Procedures to the Board in the manner set forth in Section V below. In addition, the Board will review the Adviser Procedures annually.
III. Delegation of Proxy Voting Disclosure Responsibilities
Pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 promulgated under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund is required to file Form N-PX no later than August 31st of each year. On Form
N-PX, the Fund is required to disclose, among other things, information concerning proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio investments,
whether or not the Fund (or its Adviser) voted the proxies relating to securities held by the Fund and how it voted on the matter and
whether it voted for or against management.
To facilitate the filing of Form N-PX for the Fund:
| · | The Adviser is required to record, compile and transmit in a timely manner all data required to be filed on Form N-PX for the Fund
that it manages. Such data shall be transmitted to Eaton Vance Management, which acts as administrator to the Fund (the “Administrator”)
or the third party service provider designated by the Administrator; and |
| · | the Administrator is required to file Form N-PX on behalf of the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
as required by the 1940 Act. The Administrator may delegate the filing to a third party service provider provided each such filing is
reviewed and approved by the Administrator. |
IV. Conflicts of Interest
The Board expects the Adviser, as a fiduciary to the Fund it manages,
to put the interests of the Fund and its shareholders above those of the Adviser. When required to vote a proxy for the Fund, the Adviser
may have material business relationships with the issuer soliciting the proxy that could give rise to a potential material conflict of
interest for the Adviser.2 In the event
such a material conflict of interest arises, the Adviser, to the extent it is aware or reasonably should have been aware of the material
conflict, will refrain from voting any proxies related to companies giving rise to such material conflict until it notifies and consults
with the appropriate Board, or any committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees identified by the Board (as long as such
committee, sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees) (the “Board Members”), concerning the
material conflict.3, 4 For ease of communicating
with the Board Members, the Adviser is required to provide the foregoing notice to the Fund’s Chief Legal Officer who will then
notify and facilitate a consultation with the Board Members.
Once the Board Members have been notified of the material conflict:
| · | They shall convene a meeting to review and consider all relevant materials related to the proxies involved. This meeting shall be
convened within 3 business days, provided that it an effort will be made to convene the meeting sooner if the proxy must be voted in less
than 3 business days; |
| · | In considering such proxies, the Adviser shall make available all materials requested by the Board Members and make reasonably
available appropriate personnel to discuss the matter upon request; and |
| · | The Board Members will then instruct the Adviser on the appropriate course of action with respect to the proxy at issue. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 50 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
If the Board Members are unable to meet and the failure to vote a proxy
would have a material adverse impact on the Fund(s) involved, the Adviser will have the right to vote such proxy, provided that it discloses
the existence of the material conflict to the Chairperson of the Board as soon as practicable and to the Board at its next meeting. Any
determination regarding the voting of proxies of the Fund that is made by the Board Members shall be deemed to be a good faith determination
regarding the voting of proxies by the full Board.
V. Reports and Review
The Administrator shall make copies of Form N-PX filed on behalf
of the Fund available for the Board’s review upon the Board’s request. The Administrator (with input from the Adviser for
the Fund) shall also provide any reports reasonably requested by the Board regarding the proxy voting records of the Fund.
The Adviser shall report any material changes to the Adviser Procedures
to the Board as soon as practicable and the Boards will review the Adviser Procedures annually.
The Adviser also shall report any material changes to the Adviser
Procedures to the Fund’s Chief Legal Officer prior to implementing such changes in order to enable the Administrator to effectively
coordinate the Fund’s disclosure relating to the Adviser Procedures.
To the extent requested by the Commission, the Policy and the Adviser
Procedures shall be appended to the Fund’s statement of additional information included in its registration statement.
| 1 | The Eaton Vance Funds may be organized as trusts or corporations. For ease of reference, the Funds may be referred to herein as Trusts
and the Funds’ Board of Trustees or Board of Directors may be referred to collectively herein as the Board. |
| 2 | An Adviser is expected to maintain a process for identifying a potential material conflict of interest. As an example only, such potential
conflicts may arise when the issuer is a client of the Adviser and generates a significant amount of fees to the Adviser or the issuer
is a distributor of the Adviser’s products. |
| 3 | If a material conflict of interest exists with respect to a particular proxy and the proxy voting procedures of the relevant Adviser
require that proxies are to be voted in accordance with the recommendation of a third party proxy voting vendor, the requirements of this
Section IV shall only apply if the Adviser intends to vote such proxy in a manner inconsistent with such third party recommendation. |
| 4 | Effective October 1, 2021, and to the extent that Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company is acting as sub-adviser to Eaton
Vance Greater China Growth Fund, the requirements of this Section IV shall be waived, as approved by the Board of Trustees on October
12, 2021. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 51 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
APPENDIX C
EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT
BOSTON MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
EATON VANCE WATEROAK ADVISORS
EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED
EATON VANCE GLOBAL ADVISORS LIMITED
EATON VANCE ADVISERS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
I. Introduction
Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research, Eaton Vance
WaterOak Advisors, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited and Eaton Vance Advisers International
Ltd. (each an “Adviser” and collectively the “Advisers”) have each adopted and implemented policies and procedures
that each Adviser believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with
its fiduciary duties and, to the extent applicable, Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisers’
authority to vote the proxies of their clients is established by their advisory contracts or similar documentation. These proxy policies
and procedures are intended to reflect current requirements applicable to investment advisers registered with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These procedures may change from time to time.
II. Overview
Each Adviser manages its clients’ assets with the overriding goal
of seeking to provide the greatest possible return to such clients consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each
client. In pursuing that goal, each Adviser seeks to exercise its clients’ rights as shareholders of voting securities to support
sound corporate governance of the companies issuing those securities with the principle aim of maintaining or enhancing the companies’
economic value.
The exercise of shareholder rights is generally done by casting votes
by proxy at shareholder meetings on matters submitted to shareholders for approval (for example, the election of directors or the approval
of a company’s stock option plans for directors, officers or employees). Each Adviser has established guidelines (“Guidelines”)
as described below and generally will utilize such Guidelines in voting proxies on behalf of its clients. The Guidelines are largely based
on those developed by the Agent (defined below) but also reflect input from the Global Proxy Group (defined below) and other Adviser investment
professionals and are believed to be consistent with the views of the Adviser on the various types of proxy proposals. These Guidelines
are designed to promote accountability of a company’s management and board of directors to its shareholders and to align the interests
of management with those of shareholders. The Guidelines provide a framework for analysis and decision making but do not address all potential
issues.
Except as noted below, each Adviser will vote any proxies received by
a client for which it has sole investment discretion through a third-party proxy voting service (“Agent”) in accordance with
the Guidelines in a manner that is reasonably designed to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, as described more fully below.
The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Where applicable, proxies will be voted in accordance with client-specific
guidelines or, in the case of an Eaton Vance Fund that is sub-advised, pursuant to the sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures.
Although an Adviser retains the services of the Agent for research and voting recommendations, the Adviser remains responsible for proxy
voting decisions.
III. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Proxy Administrator
The Proxy Administrator and/or her designee coordinate the
consideration of proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent, and otherwise administers these Procedures. In the Proxy Administrator’s
absence, another employee of the Adviser may perform the Proxy Administrator’s responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Global
Proxy Group. The Proxy Administrator also may designate another employee to perform certain of the Proxy Administrator’s duties
hereunder, subject to the oversight of the Proxy Administrator.
B. Agent
The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the clients’
custodians and the Advisers to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed
in a timely fashion. Each Adviser shall instruct the custodian for its clients to deliver proxy ballots and related materials to the Agent.
The Agent shall vote and/or refer all proxies in accordance with the Guidelines. The Agent shall retain a record of all proxy votes handled
by the Agent. With respect to each Eaton Vance Fund memorialized therein, such record must reflect all of the information required to be disclosed in the Fund’s
Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to the extent applicable. In addition, the Agent is responsible
for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to an Adviser upon request.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 52 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall
establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services to the Advisers,
including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest, and shall disclose
such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations
of the Agent shall refer to those in which no conflict of interest has been identified. The Advisers are responsible for the ongoing oversight
of the Agent as contemplated by SEC Staff Legal Bulletin No. 20 (June 30, 2014) and interpretive guidance issued by the SEC in August
2019 regarding proxy voting responsibilities of investment advisers (Release Nos. IA-5325 and IC-33605). Such oversight currently may
include one or more of the following and may change from time to time:
| · | periodic review of Agent’s proxy voting platform and reporting capabilities (including recordkeeping); |
| · | periodic review of a sample of ballots for accuracy and correct application of the Guidelines; |
| · | periodic meetings with Agent’s client services team; |
| · | periodic in-person and/or web-based due diligence meetings; |
| · | receipt and review of annual certifications received from the Agent; |
| · | annual review of due diligence materials provided by the Agent, including review of procedures and practices regarding potential conflicts
of interests; |
| · | periodic review of relevant changes to Agent’s business; and/or |
| · | periodic review of the following to the extent not included in due diligence materials provided by the Agent: (i) Agent’s staffing,
personnel and/or technology; (ii) Agent’s process for seeking timely input from issuers (e.g., with respect to proxy voting
policies, methodologies and peer group construction); (iii) Agent’s process for use of third-party information; (iv) the Agent’s
policies and procedures for obtaining current and accurate information relevant to matters in its research and on which it makes voting
recommendations; and (v) Agent’s business continuity program (“BCP”) and any service/operational issues experienced
due to the enacting of Agent’s BCP. |
C. Global Proxy Group
The Adviser shall establish a Global Proxy Group which is
responsible for establishing the Guidelines (described below) and reviewing such Guidelines at least annually. The Global Proxy Group
shall also review recommendations to vote proxies in a manner that is contrary to the Guidelines and when the proxy relates to a conflicted
company of the Adviser or the Agent as described below.
The members of the Global Proxy Group shall include the Chief
Equity Investment Officer of Eaton Vance Management (“EVM”) and selected members of the Equity Departments of EVM and Eaton
Vance Advisers International Ltd. (“EVAIL”) and EVM’s Global Income Department. The Proxy Administrator is not a voting
member of the Global Proxy Group. Members of the Global Proxy Group may be changed from time to time at the Advisers’ discretion.
Matters that require the approval of the Global Proxy Group may be acted upon by its member(s) available to consider the matter.
IV. Proxy Voting
A. The Guidelines
The Global Proxy Group shall establish recommendations for
the manner in which proxy proposals shall be voted (the “Guidelines”). The Guidelines shall identify when ballots for specific
types of proxy proposals shall be voted(1) or
referred to the Adviser. The Guidelines shall address a wide variety of individual topics, including, among other matters, shareholder
voting rights, anti-takeover defenses, board structures, the election of directors, executive and director compensation, reorganizations,
mergers, issues of corporate social responsibility and other proposals affecting shareholder rights. In determining the Guidelines, the
Global Proxy Group considers the recommendations of the Agent as well as input from the Advisers’ portfolio managers and analysts
and/or other internally developed or third party research.
The Global Proxy Group shall review the Guidelines at least
annually and, in connection with proxies to be voted on behalf of the Eaton Vance Funds, the Adviser will submit amendments to the Guidelines
to the Fund Boards each year for approval.
With respect to the types of proxy proposals listed below,
the Guidelines will generally provide as follows:
1. Proposals Regarding Mergers and Corporate Restructurings/Disposition
of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied
by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee for all proposals relating to Mergers
and Corporate Restructurings.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 53 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
2. Corporate Structure Matters/Anti-Takeover Defenses
As a general matter, the Advisers will normally vote against
anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions (except in the
case of closed-end management investment companies).
3. Proposals Regarding Proxy Contests
The Agent shall be directed to refer contested proxy proposals
accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee.
4. Social and Environmental Issues
The Advisers will vote social and environmental proposals
on a “case-by-case” basis taking into consideration industry best practices and existing management policies and practices.
Interpretation and application of the Guidelines is not intended
to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer or the Adviser may be or become subject.
The Guidelines generally relate to the types of proposals that are most frequently presented in proxy statements to shareholders. In certain
circumstances, an Adviser may determine to vote contrary to the Guidelines subject to the voting procedures set forth below.
B. Voting Procedures
Except as noted in Section V below, the Proxy Administrator
and/or her designee shall instruct the Agent to vote proxies as follows:
1. Vote in Accordance with Guidelines
If the Guidelines prescribe the manner in which the proxy
is to be voted, the Agent shall vote in accordance with the Guidelines, which for certain types of proposals, are recommendations of the
Agent made on a case-by-case basis.
2. Seek Guidance for a Referred Item or a Proposal for
which there is No Guideline
If (i) the Guidelines state that the proxy shall be referred
to the Adviser to determine the manner in which it should be voted or (ii) a proxy is received for a proposal for which there is no Guideline,
the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee shall consult with the analyst(s) covering the company subject to the proxy proposal and shall
instruct the Agent to vote in accordance with the determination of the analyst. The Proxy Administrator and/or her designee will maintain
a record of all proxy proposals that are referred by the Agent, as well as all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received
and the resolution of the matter. Where more than one analyst covers a particular company and the recommendations of such analysts for
voting a proposal subject to this Section IV.B.2 conflict, the Global Proxy Group shall review such recommendations and any other available
information related to the proposal and determine the manner in which it should be voted, which may result in different recommendations
for clients (including Funds).
3. Votes Contrary to the Guidelines or Where Agent is
Conflicted
In the event an analyst with respect to companies within
his or her coverage area may recommend a vote contrary to the Guidelines, the Proxy Administrator and/or her designee will provide the
Global Proxy Group with the Agent’s recommendation for the proposal along with any other relevant materials, including a description
of the basis for the analyst’s recommendation via email and the Proxy Administrator and/or designee will then instruct the Agent
to vote the proxy in the manner determined by the Global Proxy Group. Should the vote by the
Global Proxy Group concerning one or more
recommendations result in a tie, EVM’s Chief Equity Investment
Officer will determine the manner in
which the proxy will be voted.
The Adviser will provide a report to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds reflecting any votes cast on behalf of the
Eaton Vance Funds contrary to the Guidelines, and shall do so quarterly. A similar process will be followed if the Agent has a conflict
of interest with respect to a proxy as described in Section VI.B.
4. Do Not Cast a Vote
It shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to take
no action on a proxy for which no client holds a position or otherwise maintains an economic interest in the relevant security at the
time the vote is to be cast. In addition, the Advisers may determine not to vote (i) if the economic effect on shareholders' interests
or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant (e.g., proxies in connection with securities no longer
held in the portfolio of a client or proxies being considered on behalf of a client that is no longer in existence); (ii) if the cost
of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits (e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices
may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security); or (iii) in markets in which shareholders' rights are limited; and
(iv) the Adviser is unable to access or access timely ballots or other proxy information. Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in
which the Agent's recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for herein.
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 54 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
C. Securities on Loan
When a fund client participates in the lending of its securities
and the securities are on loan at the record date for a shareholder meeting, proxies related to such securities generally will not be
forwarded to the relevant Adviser by the fund’s custodian and therefore will not be voted. In the event that the Adviser determines
that the matters involved would have a material effect on the applicable fund’s investment in the loaned securities, the Adviser
will make reasonable efforts to terminate the loan in time to be able to cast such vote or exercise such consent. The Adviser shall instruct
the fund’s security lending agent to refrain from lending the full position of any security held by a fund to ensure that the Adviser
receives notice of proxy proposals impacting the loaned security.
V. Recordkeeping
The Advisers will maintain records relating to the proxies they vote
on behalf of their clients in accordance with Section 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Those records will include:
| · | A copy of the Advisers’ proxy voting policies and procedures; |
| · | Proxy statements received regarding client securities. Such proxy statements received from issuers are either in the SEC’s EDGAR
database or are kept by the Agent and are available upon request; |
| · | A record of each vote cast; |
| · | A copy of any document created by the Advisers that was material to making a decision on how to vote a proxy for a client or that
memorializes the basis for such a decision; and |
| · | Each written client request for proxy voting records and the Advisers’ written response to any client request (whether written
or oral) for such records. |
All records described above will be maintained in an easily accessible
place for five years and will be maintained in the offices of the Advisers or their Agent for two years after they are created.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section V, Eaton Vance Trust
Company shall maintain records relating to the proxies it votes on behalf of its clients in accordance with laws and regulations applicable
to it and its activities. In addition, EVAIL shall maintain records relating to the proxies it votes on behalf of its clients in accordance
with UK law.
VI. Assessment of Agent and Identification and Resolution of Conflicts
with Clients
A. Assessment
of Agent
The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (i) is independent
from the Advisers, (ii) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (iii) can make recommendations
in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the clients and, where applicable, their beneficial owners. The Advisers shall utilize,
and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall
do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy voting service. The Agent shall also notify the
Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection
with establishing the Agent’s independence, competence or impartiality.
B. Conflicts of Interest
As fiduciaries to their clients, each Adviser puts the interests
of its clients ahead of its own. In order to ensure that relevant personnel of the Advisers are able to identify potential material conflicts
of interest, each Adviser will take the following steps:
| · | Quarterly, the Eaton Vance Legal and Compliance Department will seek information from the department heads of each department of the
Advisers and of Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (“EVD”) (an affiliate of the Advisers and principal underwriter of certain
Eaton Vance Funds). Each department head will be asked to provide a list of significant clients or prospective clients of the Advisers
or EVD. |
| · | A representative of the Legal and Compliance Department will compile a list of the companies identified (the “Conflicted Companies”)
and provide that list to the Proxy Administrator. |
| · | The Proxy Administrator will compare the list of Conflicted Companies with the names of companies for which he or she has been referred
a proxy statement (the “Proxy Companies”). If a Conflicted Company is also a Proxy Company, the Proxy Administrator will report
that fact to the Global Proxy Group. |
| · | If the Proxy Administrator expects to instruct the Agent to vote the proxy of the Conflicted Company strictly according to the Guidelines
contained in these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Policies”) or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable,
he or she will (i) inform the Global Proxy Group of that fact, (ii) instruct the Agent to vote the proxies and (iii) record the existence
of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter. |
| · | If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines, the Global Proxy Group
will then determine if a material conflict of interest exists between the relevant Adviser and its clients (in consultation with the Legal
and Compliance Department if needed). If the Global Proxy Group determines that a material conflict exists, prior to instructing
the Agent to vote any proxies relating to these Conflicted Companies the Adviser will seek instruction on how the proxy should be voted
from: |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 55 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
| · | The client, in the case of an individual, corporate, institutional or benefit plan client; |
| · | In the case of a Fund, its board of directors, any committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees (as long as such committee,
sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees); or |
| · | The adviser, in situations where the Adviser acts as a sub-adviser to such adviser. |
The Adviser will provide all reasonable assistance to each party to
enable such party to make an informed decision.
If the client, Fund board or adviser, as the case may be, fails to instruct
the Adviser on how to vote the proxy, the Adviser will generally instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to abstain from
voting in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. If however, the failure of the Adviser to vote its clients’ proxies would
have a material adverse economic impact on the Advisers’ clients’ securities holdings in the Conflicted Company, the Adviser
may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to vote such proxies in order to protect its clients’ interests. In either
case, the Proxy Administrator will record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.
The Advisers shall also identify and address conflicts that may arise
from time to time concerning the Agent. Upon the Advisers’ request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15)
calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with
such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose
a conflict of interest with respect to the Agent’s proxy analysis or recommendations. Such information shall include, but is not
limited to, a monthly report from the Agent detailing the Agent’s Corporate Securities Division clients and related revenue data.
The Advisers shall review such information on a monthly basis. The Proxy Administrator shall instruct the Agent to refer any proxies for
which a material conflict of the Agent is deemed to be present to the Proxy Administrator. Any such proxy referred by the Agent shall
be referred to the Global Proxy Group for consideration accompanied by the Agent’s written analysis and voting recommendation. The
Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Global Proxy Group.
| (1) | The Guidelines will prescribe how a proposal shall be voted or provide factors to be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Agent
in recommending a vote pursuant to the Guidelines. |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 56 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II
Statement of Additional Information
April 5, 2022
________________
Investment Adviser and Administrator
Eaton Vance Management
Two International Place
Boston, MA 02110
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116
Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II | 57 | SAI dated April 5, 2022 |
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