Eaton Vance Growth Trust

10/01/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2021 06:39

Filing by Investment Company (SEC Filing - 497K)

Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2021

as revised October 1, 2021

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund

Class /Ticker A / EVCGX C / ECCGX I / EICGX

This Summary Prospectus is designed to provide investors with key fund information in a clear and concise format. Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, which contain more information about the Fund and its risks. The Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated January 1, 2021, as may be amended or supplemented, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus. For free paper or electronic copies of the Fund's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, and other information about the Fund, go to http://www.eatonvance.com/funddocuments, email a request to [email protected], call 1-800-262-1122, or ask any financial advisor, bank, or broker-dealer who offers shares of the Fund. Unless otherwise noted, page number references refer to the current Prospectus for this Fund.

Investment Objective

The Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. Investors may also pay commissions or other fees to their financial intermediary, which are not reflected below. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $50,000 in Eaton Vance funds. Certain financial intermediaries also may offer variations in Fund sales charges to their customers as described in Appendix A - Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations in the Fund's Prospectus. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 18 of the Fund's Prospectus and page 22 of the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) Class A Class C Class I
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75% None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption) None 1.00% None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) Class A Class C Class I
Management Fees(1) 0.90% 0.90% 0.90%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees(2) 0.25% 1.00% None
Other Expenses 0.35% 0.35% 0.35%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1.50% 2.25% 1.25%
(1) Management Fees reflect a fee reduction to the Fund's investment advisory agreement effective October 1, 2021, and Management Fees have been restated to reflect the fees as if the Fund's revised advisory fee was in effect for the Fund's last fiscal year.
(2) Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees reflect a fee reduction to the Fund's Distribution Plan for Class A shares effective October 1, 2021, and Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees have been restated to reflect the fees as if the Class A shares revised Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee was in effect for the Fund's last fiscal year.

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the operating expenses remain the same and that any expense reimbursement arrangement remains in place for the contractual period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expenses with Redemption Expenses without Redemption
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Class A shares $719 $1,022 $1,346 $2,263 $719 $1,022 $1,346 $2,263
Class C shares $328 $703 $1,205 $2,396 $228 $703 $1,205 $2,396
Class I shares $127 $397 $686 $1,511 $127 $397 $686 $1,511

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" the portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 9% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies located in the China region (the "80% Policy"). The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies that, in the opinion of the investment sub-adviser, will benefit from the economic development and growth of the People's Republic of China. The China region includes Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, and may include securities trading in the form of depositary receipts. A company will be considered to be located in the China region if it is domiciled in the China region or has at least 50% of its assets in, or derives 50% or more of its revenues or profits from, the China region. The Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities in any one country in the China region. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets outside the China region. The Fund invests in companies with a broad range of market capitalizations, including smaller, less seasoned companies. More than 25% of the Fund's total assets may be denominated in a single currency. The Fund may invest in private placements. The Fund is "non-diversified," which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a "diversified" fund.

The Fund may engage in derivative transactions such as forward foreign currency exchange contracts to attempt to mitigate the adverse effects of foreign currency fluctuations during the period between the purchase of a security and its settlement. The Fund may also seek to gain exposure to common stocks through the use of equity-linked securities (such as participation notes ("p-notes")). The Fund expects to use p-notes to invest indirectly in certain stocks that trade in a market that restricts foreign investors, such as the Fund, from investing directly in the market. The Fund's investments in equity-linked securities will not exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets.

The investment sub-adviser invests primarily in common stocks of China region companies expected to grow in value over time, regardless of short-term market fluctuations. In selecting securities for the Fund, the investment sub-adviser seeks to invest in quality companies benefiting from secular growth trends that it believes are undervalued. Quality is determined by analysis of a company's financial statements and is measured by a company's demonstrated ability to consistently compound free cash flow at a steady rate. Quality companies typically have sustainable business models, robust balance sheets and proven management teams who are aligned with majority shareholders, among other characteristics. Stocks will generally be sold when they have achieved their perceived long-term value or to pursue more attractive investment options. The investment sub-adviser may also consider financially material environmental, social and governance factors in evaluating an issuer. These considerations may be taken into account alongside other factors in the investment selection process.

Principal Risks

Market Risk. The value of investments held by the Fund may increase or decrease in response to economic, political, financial, public health crises (such as epidemics or pandemics) 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. 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.

China Region Risk. Economies of countries in the China region differ from the U.S. economy in various ways, such as rate of growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. As export-driven economies, the economies of countries in the China region are affected by developments in the economies and governmental actions of their principal trading partners, such as the imposition of trading restrictions and tariffs. China's governmental actions and the actions of other governments can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in the China region or a particular issuer or industry, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of investments. For example, a government may restrict investment in companies or industries considered important to national interests, intervene in the financial markets, maintain strict currency controls, or impose repatriation restrictions. Although China and certain other countries in the China region may be larger and/or more established than many emerging markets, markets in these countries carry the high levels of risk associated with emerging markets.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of equity securities and related instruments 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; or other factors. Market conditions may affect certain types of stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks. If the stock market declines in value, the value of the Fund's equity securities will also likely decline. Although prices can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels.

Borrowing Risk. Borrowing cash to increase investments (sometimes referred to as "leverage") may exaggerate the effect on the Fund's net asset value of any increase or decrease in the value of the security purchased with the borrowing. There can be no assurance that the use of borrowings will be successful. In connection with its borrowings, the Fund will be required to maintain specified asset coverage with respect to such borrowings by applicable federal securities laws and the terms of its credit facility with the lender. The Fund may be required to dispose of portfolio investments on unfavorable terms if market fluctuations or other factors cause the required asset coverage to be less than the prescribed amount. Borrowings involve additional expense to the Fund.

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund 2 Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2021 as revised October 1, 2021

Foreign Investment Risk. Foreign investments can be adversely affected by political, economic and market developments abroad, including the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the United States or another country. There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers because they may not be subject to reporting practices, requirements or regulations comparable to those to which United States companies are subject. Foreign markets may be smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in the United States and, as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile. Trading in foreign markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country. Depositary receipts are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign instruments.

Emerging Markets Investment Risk. Investment markets within emerging market countries are typically smaller, less liquid, less developed and more volatile than those in more developed markets like the United States, and may be focused in certain economic sectors. Emerging market securities often involve greater risks than developed market securities. The information available about an emerging market issuer may be less reliable than for comparable issuers in more developed capital markets.

Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The value of foreign investments may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets and currency transactions are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks.

Smaller Company Risk. The stocks of smaller, less seasoned companies are generally subject to greater price fluctuations, limited liquidity, higher transaction costs and higher investment risk than the stocks of larger, more established companies. Such companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, may be dependent on a limited management group, and may lack substantial capital reserves or an established performance record. There may be generally less publicly available information about such companies than for larger, more established companies. Stocks of these companies frequently have lower trading volumes making them more volatile and potentially more difficult to value.

Growth Risk. Because the Fund normally invests primarily in stocks of growth companies, it is subject to the risk of underperforming the overall stock market during periods in which stocks of such companies are out of favor and generate lower returns than the market as a whole.

Geographic and Sector Risk. Because the Fund may invest significantly in a particular geographic region or country and may, under certain market conditions, invest a significant portion of its assets in one or more sectors, the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that region or country or a particular sector and may fluctuate more than that of a fund that invests more broadly.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell an investment or continue to hold it or keep the position open, sell other investments to raise cash or abandon an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund's performance. These effects may be exacerbated during times of financial or political stress.

Participation Note Risk. Participation notes ("P-Notes") are subject to the risks normally associated with a direct investment in the foreign securities underlying the P-Notes. As the purchaser of a P-Note, the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of the counterparty issuing the P-Note and does not have the same rights under the P-Note as it would as the owner of the underlying security. If the counterparty becomes insolvent, the Fund could lose the total value of its investment in the P-Note. In addition, there is no assurance that there will be a trading market for a P-Note or that the trading price of a P-Note will equal the value of the underlying security.

Restricted Securities Risk. Unless registered for sale to the public under applicable federal securities law, restricted securities can be sold only in private transactions to qualified purchasers pursuant to an exemption from registration. The sale price realized from a private transaction could be less than the Fund's purchase price for the restricted security. It may be difficult to identify a qualified purchaser for a restricted security held by the Fund and such security could be deemed illiquid. It may also be more difficult to value such securities.

Issuer Diversification Risk. The Fund is "non-diversified," which means it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a fund that is "diversified." Non-diversified funds may focus their investments in a small number of issuers, making them more susceptible to risks affecting such issuers than a more diversified fund might be.

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund 3 Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2021 as revised October 1, 2021

Derivatives Risk. The Fund's exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. The use of derivatives can lead to losses because of adverse movements in the price or value of the security, instrument, index, currency, commodity, economic indicator or event underlying a derivative ("reference instrument"), due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create leverage in the Fund, which represents a non-cash exposure to the underlying reference instrument. Leverage can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund. Derivatives risk may be more significant when derivatives are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a cash investment position, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position held by the Fund. Use of derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and a transaction may be unsuccessful in whole or in part because of market behavior or unexpected events. Changes in the value of a derivative (including one used for hedging) may not correlate perfectly with the underlying reference instrument. Derivative instruments traded in over-the-counter markets may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying reference instrument. If a derivative's counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment, particularly when there is no stated limit on the Fund's use of derivatives. A derivative investment also involves the risks relating to the reference instrument underlying the investment.

Risks Associated with Active Management. The success of the Fund's investment strategy depends on portfolio management's successful application of analytical skills and investment judgment. Active management involves subjective decisions.

General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is designed to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not suited for short-term trading. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. Purchase and redemption activities by Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective(s). In addition, the redemption by one or more large shareholders or groups of shareholders of their holdings in the Fund could have an adverse impact on the remaining shareholders in the Fund. The Fund relies on various service providers, including the investment adviser, in its operations and is susceptible to operational, information security and related events (such as public health crises, cyber or hacking attacks) that may affect the service providers or the services that they provide to the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund 4 Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2021 as revised October 1, 2021

Performance

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and how the Fund's average annual returns over time compare with those of a broad-based securities market index. The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. The Fund's performance for certain periods reflects the effects of expense reductions. Absent these reductions, performance for certain periods would have been lower. Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com.

For the ten years ended December 31, 2019, the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 19.30%for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, and the lowest quarterly return was -24.40%for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The year-to-date total return through the end of the most recent calendar quarter (December 31, 2019 to September 30, 2020) was 6.89%.

Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2019

One Year Five Years Ten Years
Class A Return Before Taxes 16.15% 8.58% 5.89%
Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions 15.54% 7.34% 4.95%
Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Class A Shares 10.42% 6.90% 4.76%
Class C Return Before Taxes 21.35% 9.11% 5.78%
Class I Return Before Taxes 23.55% 10.20% 6.83%
MSCI Golden Dragon Index (reflects net dividends, which reflect the deduction of withholding taxes) 23.78% 8.15% 6.72%

These returns reflect the maximum sales charge for Class A (5.75%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") for Class C. The Class I performance shown above for the period prior to October 1, 2009 (commencement of operations) is the performance of Class A shares at net asset value without adjustment for any differences in the expenses of the two classes. If adjusted for such differences, returns would be different. Investors cannot invest directly in an Index. (Source for the MSCI Golden Dragon Index: MSCI). MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not approved this data and has no liability hereunder.

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholder's tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions may be the same as Return Before Taxes for a period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return Before Taxes and/or Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.

Management

Investment Adviser. Boston Management and Research ("BMR").

Investment Sub-Adviser. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company ("MSIM Company").

Portfolio Managers

Amay Hattangadi,Managing Director of MSIM Company, has managed the Fund since October 1, 2021.

Leon Sun,Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, has managed the Fund since October 1, 2021.

In rendering investment advisory services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser uses the portfolio management, research and other resources of Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, a foreign (non-U.S.) affiliate of MSIM Company that is not registered under the 1940 Act, and may provide services to the Fund through this "participating affiliate" arrangement, as that term is used in relief granted by the staff of the SEC allowing U.S. registered investment advisers to use portfolio management or research resources of advisory affiliates subject to the regulatory supervision of the registered investment adviser.

Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund 5 Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2021 as revised October 1, 2021

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or (except for purchases of Class C shares by accounts with no specified financial intermediary) directly from the Fund either by writing to the Fund, P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, or by calling 1-800-262-1122. The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000 for each Class (with the exception of Class I) and $250,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances). There is no minimum for subsequent investments.

Tax Information

If your shares are held in a taxable account, the Fund's distributions will be taxed to you as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are exempt from taxation. If your shares are held in a tax-advantaged account, you will generally be taxed only upon withdrawals from the account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund's shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (collectively, "financial intermediaries"), the Fund, its principal underwriter and its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

4238 10.1.21 © 2021 Eaton Vance Management
Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund 6 Summary Prospectus dated January 1, 2021 as revised October 1, 2021