The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed.
We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities
in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated July 9, 2010
$[
]
Claymore/Guggenheim
Strategic Opportunities Fund
Common
Shares
__________________
Investment
Objective and Philosophy. Claymore/Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities
Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company.
The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a
combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund will pursue a
relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes quantitative and
qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or spreads between
securities that deviate from their perceived fair value and/or historical norms.
The Fund’s sub-adviser seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio
with access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity
strategies. The Fund’s investment philosophy is predicated upon the belief that
thorough research and independent thought are rewarded with performance that has
the potential to outperform benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and
lower correlation of returns as compared to such benchmark indexes. The Fund
cannot ensure investors that it will achieve its investment
objective.
Investment
Portfolio. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by
investing in a wide range of fixed-income and other debt and senior equity
securities (“Income Securities”) selected from a variety of sectors and credit
qualities, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, loans and loan
participations, structured finance investments, U.S. government and agency
securities, mezzanine and preferred securities and convertible securities, and
in common stocks, limited liability company interests, trust certificates and
other equity investments (“Common Equity Securities”) that the Fund’s
sub-adviser believes offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation
potential, including employing a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and
put options on such equities.
Offering.
The Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $[ ] aggregate initial
offering price of common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per
share (“Common Shares”), in one or more offerings. The Fund may offer Common
Shares in amounts, at prices and on terms set forth in one or more supplements
to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus Supplement”). You should read this
Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement carefully before you decide to
invest in the Common Shares.
The
Fund may offer Common Shares (1) directly to one or more purchasers, (2) through
agents that the Fund may designate from time to time or (3) to or through
underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular
offering of Common Shares will identify any agents or underwriters involved in
the sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase price,
fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents or
underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be
calculated. The Fund may not sell Common Shares through agents, underwriters or
dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser.
Claymore Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s
investment adviser and is responsible for the management of the Fund. Guggenheim
Partners Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) will be responsible for the
management of the Fund’s portfolio of securities. Each of the Investment Adviser
and the Sub-Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC
(“Guggenheim”). Guggenheim is a diversified financial services firm with wealth
management, capital markets, investment management and proprietary investing
businesses, whose clients are an elite mix of individuals, family offices,
endowments, foundations, insurance companies and other institutions that have
entrusted Guggenheim with the supervision of more than $100 billion of
assets.
(continued
on following page)
__________________
Investing
in the Fund’s Common Shares involves certain risks. See “Risks” on page 43 of
this Prospectus.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission 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.
________________
Prospectus
dated , 2010
(continued
from previous page)
Investment Parameters. The
Fund may allocate its assets among a wide variety of Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities, provided that, under normal market conditions, the
Fund will not invest more than: 60% of its total assets in Income Securities
rated below-investment grade (commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk”
bonds), which are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity
to pay interest and repay principal; 50% of its total assets in Common Equity
Securities consisting of common stock; 20% of its total assets in other
investment companies, including registered investment companies, private
investment funds and/or other pooled investment vehicles; 20% of its total
assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated Income Securities; and 10% of its total
assets in Income Securities of issuers in emerging markets.
Common
Shares. The Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are, and the
Common Shares offered in this Prospectus will be, listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GOF”. The net asset value of the Common
Shares at the close of business on July 2, 2010 was $17.40 per share, and the
last sale price of the Common Shares on the NYSE on such date was $18.15. See
“Market and Net Asset Value Information.”
Financial
Leverage. The Fund may seek to enhance the level of its current
distributions by utilizing financial leverage through the issuance of senior
securities such as preferred shares (“Preferred Shares”), through borrowing or
the issuance of commercial paper or other forms of debt (“Borrowings”), through
reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls or similar transactions or through a
combination of the foregoing (collectively “Financial Leverage”). The Fund’s
total Financial Leverage may vary over time; however, the aggregate amount of
Financial Leverage is not currently expected to exceed 33 1/3% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets after such issuance and/or borrowing; however, the Fund
may utilize Financial Leverage up to the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. The
Fund has entered into a committed facility agreement with BNP Paribas Prime
Brokerage, Inc. pursuant to which the Fund may borrow up to $30 million. On May
31, 2010, outstanding Borrowings under the committed facility agreement were $[
] million, which represented [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets as of such
date. The Fund may invest a portion of its total assets through participation in
the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility program (the “TALF Program”), a
program developed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
the U.S. Department of the Treasury and operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York (“FRBNY”). Under the TALF Program, the FRBNY may provide loans to the
Fund to purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities which must be
backed by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans, small business loans or
certain commercial mortgage-backed securities. As of May 31, 2010, the Fund’s
borrowings under the TALF Program represented [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
In addition, as of May 31, 2010, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements
outstanding representing approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed assets
(including the leverage obtained through the use of the instruments), such that
the Fund’s total Financial Leverage represented approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets as of May 31, 2010.
You
should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the
Fund, together with any Prospectus Supplement, before deciding whether to
invest, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional
Information, dated , 2010, 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. You may request a free copy of the Statement of Additional
Information, the table of contents of which is on page 76 of this Prospectus, by
calling (800) 345-7999 or by writing to the Investment Adviser at Claymore
Advisors, LLC, 2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois 60532, or you may
obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s web site
(http://www.sec.gov). Free copies of the Fund’s reports and its Statement of
Additional Information will also be available from the Fund’s web site at
www.claymore.com/gof.
The
Fund’s common 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.
_________________
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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1
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23
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25
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26
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27
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27
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27
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28
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40
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43
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60
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62
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63
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64
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65
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67
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68
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68
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68
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72
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74
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74
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74
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74
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75
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76
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FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements,
within the meaning of the federal securities laws, that involve risks and
uncertainties. These statements describe the Fund’s plans, strategies, and goals
and our beliefs and assumptions concerning future economic and other conditions
and the outlook for the Fund, based on currently available information. In this
prospectus, words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “objectives,”
“goals,” “future,” “intends,” “seeks,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” and
similar expressions are used in an effort to identify forward-looking
statements, although some forward-looking statements may be expressed
differently. The Fund is not entitled to the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act.
This page
intentionally left blank.
This
is only a summary of information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus. This
summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before
investing in the Fund’s Common Shares. You should carefully read the more
detailed information contained in this Prospectus, any related Prospectus
Supplement and the Statement of Additional Information, dated , 2010 (the
“SAI”), especially the information set forth under the headings “Investment
Objective and Policies” and “Risks.”
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The
Fund
.......................................................................
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Claymore/Guggenheim
Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end
management investment company that commenced operations on July 26, 2007.
The Fund’s objective is to maximize total return through a combination of
current income and capital appreciation.
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Claymore
Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment
adviser and is responsible for the management of the Fund. Guggenheim
Partners Asset Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is responsible for
the management of the Fund’s portfolio of securities. Each of the
Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”).
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The
Offering
..............................................................
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The
Fund may offer, from time to time, up to $[ ] aggregate initial offering
price of Common Shares, on terms to be determined at the time of the
offering. The Fund will offer Common Shares at prices and on terms to be
set forth in one or more supplements to this Prospectus (each a
“Prospectus Supplement”).
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The
Fund may offer Common Shares (1) directly to one or more purchasers, (2)
through agents that the Fund may designate from time to time, or (3) to or
through underwriters or dealers. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in
the sale of Common Shares, and will set forth any applicable purchase
price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between the Fund and agents
or underwriters or among underwriters or the basis upon which such amount
may be calculated. The Fund may not sell Common Shares through agents,
underwriters or dealers without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement
describing the method and terms of the offering of Common Shares. See
“Plan of Distribution.”
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Use
of Proceeds
............................................................
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Unless
otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Fund intends to invest
the net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares in accordance with its
investment objective and policies as stated herein. It is currently
anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the
net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares in accordance with its
investment objective and policies within three months after the completion
of such offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the
proceeds will be invested in U.S. government securities or high quality,
short-term money market securities. The Fund may also use the proceeds for
working capital purposes, including the payment of distributions, interest
and operating expenses, although the Fund currently has no intent to issue
Common Shares primarily for this
purpose.
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Investment
Objective and
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Philosophy
...................................................................
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The
Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a
combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund will
pursue a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes
quantitative and qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or
spreads between securities that deviate from their perceived fair value
and/or historical norms. The Sub-Adviser seeks to combine a credit-managed
fixed-income portfolio with access to a diversified pool of alternative
investments and equity strategies. The Fund’s investment philosophy is
predicated upon the belief that thorough research and independent thought
are rewarded with performance that has the potential to outperform
benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and lower correlation of
returns as compared to such benchmark indexes. The Fund cannot ensure
investors that it will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s
investment objective is considered fundamental and may not be changed
without the approval of the holders of the Common Shares (the “Common
Shareholders”). See “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment
Philosophy and Investment Process.”
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Investment
Process
.......................................................
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The
Sub-Adviser’s investment process is a collaborative effort between its
Portfolio Construction Group, which utilizes tools such as Guggenheim’s
Dynamic Financial Analysis Model to determine allocation of assets among a
variety of sectors, and its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for
security selection within these sectors and for implementing securities
transactions, including the structuring of certain securities directly
with the issuer or with investment banks and dealers involved in the
origination of such securities.
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Investment
Portfolio
....................................................
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The
Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing
in:
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Income Securities. The
Fund may invest in a wide range of fixed-income and other debt and senior
equity securities (“Income Securities”) selected from a variety of sectors
and credit qualities. The Fund may invest in Income Securities of any
credit quality, including Income Securities rated below-investment grade
(commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), which are
considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. The sectors and types of Income Securities
in which the Fund may invest, include, but are not limited
to:
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•
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corporate
bonds;
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•
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loans
and loan participations (including senior secured floating rate loans,
“second lien” secured floating rate loans, and other types of secured and
unsecured loans with fixed and variable interest rates) (collectively,
“Loans”);
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•
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structured
finance investments (including residential and commercial mortgage-related
securities, asset-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations and
risk-linked securities);
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•
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U.S.
government and agency
securities;
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•
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mezzanine
and preferred securities; and
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•
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convertible
securities.
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The
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S.
dollar-denominated Income Securities of corporate and governmental issuers
located outside the United States, including up to 10% in emerging
markets.
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Common Equity Securities and
Covered Call Option Strategy. The Fund may invest in common stocks,
limited liability company interests, trust certificates and other equity
investments (“Common Equity Securities”) that the Sub-Adviser believes
offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation potential. As part of
its Common Equity Securities strategy, the Fund currently intends to
employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options and may, from
time to time, buy or sell put options on individual Common Equity
Securities and, to a lesser extent, on indices of securities and sectors
of securities. This covered call option strategy is intended to generate
current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions
payable to the Fund’s Common Shareholders.
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Real Property Asset Companies.
The Fund may invest in Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities issued by companies that own, produce, refine, process,
transport and market “real property assets,” such as real estate and the
natural resources upon or within real estate (“Real Property Asset
Companies”).
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Personal Property Asset
Companies. The Fund may invest in Income Securities and Common
Equity Securities issued by companies that own, produce, refine, process,
transport and market “personal property assets,” such as special situation
transportation assets (e.g., railcars, ships,
airplanes and automobiles) and collectibles (e.g., antiques, wine
and fine art) (“Personal Property Asset Companies”). The Fund will
typically seek to invest in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities
of Personal Property Asset Companies the investment performance of which
is not expected to be highly correlated with traditional market
indexes.
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Private Securities. The
Fund may invest in privately issued Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities of both public and private companies (“Private Securities”).
Private Securities have additional risk considerations than comparable
public securities, including availability of financial information about
the issuer and valuation and liquidity issues.
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Investment Funds. As an
alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund may also obtain
investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity Securities by
investing in other investment companies, including registered investment
companies, private investment funds and/or other pooled investment
vehicles (collectively, “Investment Funds”). The Fund may invest up to 30%
of its total assets in Investment Funds that primarily hold (directly or
indirectly) investments in which the Fund may invest directly, of which
amount up to 20% of its total assets may be invested in Investment Funds
that are registered as investment companies (“Registered
Investment
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Funds”)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As
used in this prospectus, “Private Investment Funds” means privately
offered Investment Funds that are excluded from the definition of
“investment company” under the 1940 Act, including by operation of Section
3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereof. Investments in other Investment Funds involve
operating expenses and fees at the Investment Fund level that are in
addition to the expenses and fees borne by the Fund and are borne
indirectly by holders of the Fund’s Common Shares.
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Affiliated Investment
Funds. Affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and of Guggenheim may act as
investment adviser or manager of Private Investment Funds and other pooled
or structured vehicles, including Investment Funds utilized in connection
with structured finance investments (collectively, “Affiliated Investment
Funds”). The Fund would only invest in Affiliated Investment Funds that
offer their securities to unaffiliated third parties (including to
existing security holders) and only on the same terms and at the same
times as such securities are offered to such unaffiliated third parties.
The Fund would pay its pro rata share of the fees and expenses allocable
to its investments in Affiliated Investment Funds. However, investments in
Affiliated Investment Funds would not constitute Managed Assets (as
defined herein) for purposes of determining the amount of management fees
payable by the Fund to the Sub-Adviser. The Fund may only invest in
Affiliated Investment Funds to the extent permitted by applicable law and
related interpretations of the staff of the SEC. The Fund may seek
exemptive relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to co-invest in
Private Securities, including Private Investment Funds managed by third
parties, with Affiliated Investment Funds. There can be no assurance that
the Fund will obtain such relief or that, if obtained, the terms will be
acceptable to the Fund.
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Synthetic Investments.
As an alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund may also
obtain investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities through the use of customized derivative instruments (including
swaps, options, forwards, notional principal contracts or other financial
instruments) to replicate, modify or replace the economic attributes
associated with an investment in Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities (including interests in Investment Funds and, in certain
circumstances, Affiliated Investment Funds).
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Investment
Policies
...........................................................
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The
Fund may allocate its assets among a wide variety of Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities, provided that, under normal market conditions,
the Fund will not invest more than:
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•
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60%
of its total assets in Income Securities rated below-investment
grade;
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•
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50%
of its total assets in Common Equity Securities consisting of common
stock;
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•
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30%
of its total assets in Investment Funds;
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20%
of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated Income Securities;
and
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•
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10%
of its total assets in Income Securities of issuers in emerging
markets.
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Unless
otherwise stated in this prospectus or the SAI, the Fund’s investment
policies are considered non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund (the “Board of Trustees”) without Common Shareholder
approval. The Fund will provide investors with at least 60 days’ prior
notice of any change in the Fund’s investment policies. See “Investment
Objective and Policies” in this prospectus and in the
SAI.
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Financial
Leverage
.........................................................
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The
Fund may seek to enhance the level of its current distributions by
utilizing financial leverage through the issuance of senior securities
such as preferred shares (“Preferred Shares”), through borrowing or the
issuance of commercial paper or other forms of debt (“Borrowings”),
through reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls or similar
transactions or through a combination of the foregoing (collectively
“Financial Leverage”). The Fund’s total Financial Leverage may vary over
time; however, the aggregate amount of Financial Leverage is not expected
to exceed 33 1/3% of
the Fund’s Managed Assets after such issuance and/or borrowing; however,
the Fund may utilize Financial Leverage up to the limits imposed by the
1940 Act. The Fund may also borrow in excess of such limit for temporary
purposes such as the settlement of transactions.
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The
Fund has entered into a committed facility agreement with BNP Paribas
Prime Brokerage, Inc. pursuant to which the Fund may borrow up to $30
million. On May 31, 2010, outstanding Borrowings under the committed
facility agreement were $[ ] million, which represented [ ]% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets as of such date. The Fund may invest a portion of its
Managed Assets through participation in the Term Asset-Backed Securities
Loan Facility program (the “TALF Program”), a program developed by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the U.S. Department
of the Treasury and operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(“FRBNY”). Under the TALF Program, the FRBNY may provide loans to the Fund
to purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities which must
be backed by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans, small business
loans or certain commercial mortgage-backed securities. As of May 31,
2010, the Fund’s borrowings under the TALF Program represented [ ]% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets. In addition, as of May 31, 2010, the Fund had
reverse repurchase agreements outstanding representing approximately [ ]%
of the Fund’s Managed assets (including the leverage obtained through the
use of the instruments), such that the Fund’s total Financial Leverage
represented approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, as of May 31,
2010.
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So
long as the net rate of return on the Fund’s investments purchased with
the proceeds of Financial Leverage exceeds the cost of such Financial
Leverage, such excess amounts will be available to pay higher
distributions to holders of the Fund’s Common Shares. Any use of Financial
Leverage must be approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. In connection
with the Fund’s use of
Financial
|
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Leverage,
the Fund may seek to hedge the interest rate risks associated with the
Financial Leverage through interest rate swaps, caps or other derivative
transactions. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s Financial Leverage
strategy will be successful during any period during which it is employed.
The Fund may also seek to enhance the level of its current distributions
by lending its portfolio securities to broker-dealers or financial
institutions. See “Use of Financial Leverage” and “Risks—Financial
Leverage Risk” and “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment
Practices—Loans of Portfolio Securities.”
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Other
Investment Practices
.........................................
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Temporary Defensive
Investments. At any time when a temporary defensive posture is
believed by the Sub-Adviser to be warranted (a “temporary defensive
period”), the Fund may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets
in money market instruments and repurchase agreements in respect of those
instruments. The Fund may not achieve its investment objective during a
temporary defensive period or be able to sustain its historical
distribution levels. See “Investment Objective and Policies—Temporary
Defensive Investments”.
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Derivative
Transactions. The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments
(which derive their value by reference to another instrument, security or
index) for investment purposes, such as obtaining investment exposure to
an investment category; risk management purposes, such as hedging against
fluctuations in securities prices or interest rates; diversification
purposes; or to change the duration of the Fund. In order to help protect
the soundness of derivative transactions and outstanding derivative
positions, the Sub-Adviser requires derivative counterparties to have a
minimum credit rating of A from Moody’s Investors Service (or a comparable
rating from another rating agency) and monitors such rating on an ongoing
basis.
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Management
of the Fund
.....................................................
|
Claymore
Advisors, LLC acts as the Fund’s Investment Adviser pursuant to an
advisory agreement with the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to
the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the
management of the Fund and administers the affairs of the Fund to the
extent requested by the Board of Trustees. As compensation for its
services, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in
an annual amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed
Assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (other than
assets attributable to any investments in Affiliated Investment Funds),
including the assets attributable to the proceeds from any borrowings or
other forms of Financial Leverage, minus liabilities, other than
liabilities related to any Financial Leverage.
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Guggenheim
Partners Asset Management, LLC acts as the Fund’s Sub-Adviser
pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Fund and the Investment
Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sub-Advisory
Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the management of the Fund’s
portfolio of securities. As compensation for its services, the Investment
Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in a maximum annual
amount equal to 0.50% of the
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Fund’s
average daily Managed Assets, less 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily
assets attributable to any investments by the Fund in Affiliated
Investment Funds.
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Each
of the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Guggenheim.
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Distributions
...............................................................
|
The
Fund intends to pay substantially all of its net investment income to
Common Shareholders through monthly distributions. In addition, the Fund
intends to distribute any net long-term capital gains to Common
Shareholders as long-term capital gain dividends at least annually. The
Fund expects that dividends paid on the Common Shares will consist of (i)
investment company taxable income, which includes, among other things,
ordinary income, short-term capital gain (for example, premiums earned in
connection with the Fund’s covered call option strategy) and income from
certain hedging and interest rate transactions, (ii) qualified dividend
income and (iii) long-term capital gain (gain from the sale of a capital
asset held longer than one year). To the extent the Fund receives
dividends with respect to its investments in Common Equity Securities that
consist of qualified dividend income (income from domestic and certain
foreign corporations), a portion of the Fund’s distributions to its Common
Shareholders may consist of qualified dividend income. The Fund cannot
assure you, however, as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the
Common Shares, if any, will consist of qualified dividend income or
long-term capital gains, which are taxed at lower rates for individuals
than ordinary income. See “Distributions.”
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If
you hold your Common Shares in your own name or if you hold your Common
Shares with a brokerage firm that participates in the Fund’s Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), unless you elect to receive cash,
all dividends and distributions that are declared by the Fund will be
automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund pursuant
to the Plan. If you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that
does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in
the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms
than those described above. Consult your financial adviser for more
information. See “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
Plan.”
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Listing
and Symbol
..................................................
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The
Common Shares of the Fund have been authorized for listing on the New York
Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GOF”.
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Special
Risk Considerations .................................
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Not a Complete Investment
Program. The Fund is intended for investors seeking current income
and capital appreciation. The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for
those who wish to play short-term swings in the stock market. An
investment in the Common Shares of the Fund should not be considered a
complete investment program. Each Common Shareholder should take into
account the Fund’s investment objective as well as the Common
Shareholder’s other investments when considering an investment in the
Fund.
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Investment and Market
Risk. An investment in Common Shares of the Fund is subject to
investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal
amount that you invest. An investment in the
Common
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Shares
of the Fund represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by
the Fund. The value of those securities may fluctuate, sometimes rapidly
and unpredictably. The value of the securities owned by the Fund will
affect the value of the Common Shares. At any point in time, your Common
Shares may be worth less than your original investment, including the
reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
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Management Risk. The
Fund is subject to management risk because it has an actively managed
portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk
analysis in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no
guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
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Income Risk. The income
investors receive from the Fund is based primarily on the interest it
earns from its investments in Income Securities, which can vary widely
over the short- and long-term. If prevailing market interest rates drop,
investors’ income from the Fund could drop as well. The Fund’s income
could also be affected adversely when prevailing short-term interest rates
increase and the Fund is utilizing leverage, although this risk is
mitigated to the extent the Fund’s investments include floating-rate
obligations.
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Dividend Risk.
Dividends on common stock and other Common Equity Securities which the
Fund may hold are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of an
issuer’s board of directors. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the
Common Equity Securities in which the Fund invests will declare dividends
in the future or that, if declared, they will remain at current levels or
increase over time.
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Income Securities Risk.
In addition to the risks discussed above, Income Securities, including
high-yield bonds, are subject to certain risks,
including:
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Issuer Risk.
The value of Income Securities may decline for a number of reasons which
directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial
leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and
services.
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Credit Risk.
Credit risk is the risk that one or more debt obligations in the Fund’s
portfolio will decline in price, or fail to pay interest or principal when
due, because the issuer of the obligation experiences a decline in its
financial status.
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Interest Rate
Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that Income Securities will
decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market
interest rates rise, the market value of Income Securities generally will
fall.
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Reinvestment
Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s
portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured,
traded or called Income Securities at market interest rates that are below
the Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate. A decline in income could
affect the Common Shares’ market price or the overall return of the
Fund.
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Prepayment
Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, borrowers may
exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing
the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as call
or prepayment risk.
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Liquidity Risk.
The Fund may invest without limitation in Income Securities for which
there is no readily available trading market or which are otherwise
illiquid, including certain high-yield bonds. The Fund may not be able to
readily dispose of illiquid securities and obligations at prices that
approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities and
obligations 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, limited liquidity could affect the market price of Income
Securities, thereby adversely affecting the Fund’s net asset value and
ability to make distributions.
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Valuation of Certain
Income Securities. The Sub-Adviser normally uses an independent
pricing service to value most Income Securities held by the Fund. Because
the secondary markets for certain investments may be limited, they may be
difficult to value. Where market quotations are not readily available,
valuation may require more research than for more liquid investments. In
addition, elements of judgment may play a greater role in valuation in
such cases than for investments with a more active secondary market
because there is less reliable objective data
available.
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Duration and Maturity
Risk. The Fund has no set policy regarding portfolio maturity or
duration. Holding long duration and long maturity investments will expose
the Fund to certain magnified risks. These risks include interest rate
risk, credit risk and liquidity risks as discussed
above.
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Below-Investment Grade
Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in Income Securities rated
below-investment grade or, if unrated, determined by the Sub-Adviser to be
of comparable credit quality, which are commonly referred to as
“high-yield” or “junk” bonds. Investment in securities of below-investment
grade quality involves substantial risk of loss. Income Securities of
below-investment grade quality are predominantly speculative with respect
to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due and
therefore involve a greater risk of default or decline in market value due
to adverse economic and issuer-specific developments. Income Securities of
below-investment grade quality display increased price sensitivity to
changing interest rates and to a deteriorating economic environment. The
market values for Income Securities of below-investment grade quality tend
to be more volatile and such securities tend to be less liquid than
investment grade debt securities.
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Senior Loans Risk. The
Fund may invest in senior secured floating rate Loans made to corporations
and other non-governmental entities and issuers (“Senior Loans”). Senior
Loans typically hold the most senior position in the capital structure of
the issuing entity, are typically secured with specific collateral and
typically have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the borrower that is
senior to that held by
subordinated
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debt
holders and stockholders of the borrower. The Fund’s investments in Senior
Loans are typically below-investment grade and are considered speculative
because of the credit risk of their issuers. The risks associated with
Senior Loans of below-investment grade quality are similar to the risks of
other lower grade Income Securities, although Senior Loans are typically
senior and secured in contrast to subordinated and unsecured Income
Securities. Senior Loans’ higher standing has historically resulted in
generally higher recoveries in the event of a corporate reorganization. In
addition, because their interest payments are adjusted for changes in
short-term interest rates, investments in Senior Loans generally have less
interest rate risk than other lower grade Income Securities, which may
have fixed interest rates.
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Second Lien Loans Risk.
The Fund may invest in “second lien” secured floating rate Loans made by
public and private corporations and other non-governmental entities and
issuers for a variety of purposes (“Second Lien Loans”). Second Lien Loans
are second in right of payment to one or more Senior Loans of the related
borrower. Second Lien Loans are subject to the same risks associated with
investment in Senior Loans and other lower grade Income Securities.
However, Second Lien Loans are second in right of payment to Senior Loans
and therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the
borrower and any property securing the Loan may be insufficient to meet
scheduled payments after giving effect to the senior secured obligations
of the borrower. Second Lien Loans are expected to have greater price
volatility and exposure to losses upon default than Senior Loans and may
be less liquid.
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Mezzanine Investments
Risk. The Fund may invest in certain lower grade securities known
as “Mezzanine Investments,” which are subordinated debt securities that
are generally issued in private placements in connection with an equity
security (e.g.,
with attached warrants) or may be convertible into equity securities.
Mezzanine Investments are subject to the same risks associated with
investment in Senior Loans, Second Lien Loans and other lower grade Income
Securities. However, Mezzanine Investments may rank lower in right of
payment than any outstanding Senior Loans and Second Lien Loans of the
borrower, or may be unsecured (i.e., not backed by a
security interest in any specific collateral), and are subject to the
additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and available assets
may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to any
higher ranking obligations of the borrower. Mezzanine Investments are
expected to have greater price volatility and exposure to losses upon
default than Senior Loans and Second Lien Loans and may be less
liquid.
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Convertible Securities
Risk. The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which include
bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks and other securities that
entitle the holder to acquire common stock or other equity securities of
the same or a different issuer. Convertible securities generally offer
lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of
similar quality. As with all Income Securities, the market values of
convertible securities tend to decline as
interest
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rates
increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline.
Convertible securities also tend to reflect the market price of the
underlying stock in varying degrees, depending on the relationship of such
market price to the conversion price in the terms of the convertible
security. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in an
issuer’s capital structure and consequently entail less risk than the
issuer’s common stock.
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Preferred Stock Risks.
The Fund may invest in preferred stock, which represents the senior
residual interest in the assets of an issuer after meeting all claims,
with priority to corporate income and liquidation payments over the
issuer’s common stock. As such, preferred stock is inherently more risky
than the bonds and other debt instruments of the issuer, but less risky
than its common stock. Preferred stocks may be significantly less liquid
than many other securities, such as U.S. Government securities, corporate
debt and common stock.
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Structured Finance Investments
Risk. The Fund’s structured finance investments may include
residential and commercial mortgage-related and asset-backed securities
issued by governmental entities and private issuers, collateralized debt
obligations and risk-linked securities. These securities entail
considerable risk, including many of the risks described above (e.g., market risk,
credit risk, interest rate risk and prepayment risk). The value of
collateralized debt obligations also may change because of changes in the
market’s perception of the underlying collateral of the pool, the
creditworthiness of the servicing agent for or the originator of the pool,
or the financial institution or entity providing credit support for the
pool. Returns on risk-linked securities are dependant upon such events as
property or casualty damages which may be caused by such catastrophic
events as hurricanes or earthquakes or other unpredictable
events.
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Foreign Securities
Risk. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S.
dollar-denominated Income Securities of foreign issuers. Investing in
foreign issuers may involve certain risks not typically associated with
investing in securities of U.S. issuers due to increased exposure to
foreign economic, political and legal developments, including favorable or
unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, exchange control
regulations (including currency blockage), expropriation or
nationalization of assets, imposition of withholding taxes on payments,
and possible difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against
foreign entities. Furthermore, issuers of foreign securities and
obligations are subject to different, often less comprehensive,
accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements than domestic issuers.
The securities and obligations of some foreign companies and foreign
markets are less liquid and at times more volatile than comparable U.S.
securities, obligations and markets. These risks may be more pronounced to
the extent that the Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in
companies located in one region and to the extent that the Fund invests in
securities of issuers in emerging markets. The Fund may also invest in
U.S. dollar-denominated Income Securities of foreign issuers, which are
subject to many of the risks described above regarding Income Securities
of foreign issuers denominated in foreign
currencies.
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Emerging Markets Risk.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in Income Securities the
issuers of which are located in countries considered to be emerging
markets, and investments in such securities are considered speculative.
Heightened risks of investing in emerging markets include: smaller market
capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative
illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign
investment; and potential restrictions on repatriation of investment
income and capital.
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Foreign Currency Risk.
The value of securities denominated or quoted in foreign currencies may be
adversely affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates
and by exchange control regulations. The Fund’s investment performance may
be negatively affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the Fund’s
investments are denominated or quoted. Further, the Fund’s investment
performance may be significantly affected, either positively or
negatively, by currency exchange rates because the U.S. dollar value of
securities denominated or quoted in another currency will increase or
decrease in response to changes in the value of such currency in relation
to the U.S. dollar.
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Common Equity Securities
Risk. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in Common
Equity Securities. Common Equity Securities’ prices fluctuate for a number
of reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial
condition of an issuer, the general condition of the relevant stock market
and broader domestic and international political and economic events. The
prices of Common Equity Securities are also sensitive to general movements
in the stock market, so a drop in the stock market may depress the prices
of Common Equity Securities to which the Fund has exposure. While broad
market measures of Common Equity Securities have historically generated
higher average returns than Income Securities, Common Equity Securities
have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.
Common Equity Securities in which the Fund may invest are structurally
subordinated to preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a
company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and
are therefore inherently more risky than preferred stock or debt
instruments of such issuers.
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Risks Associated with the
Fund’s Covered Call Option Strategy. The ability of the Fund to
achieve its investment objective is partially dependent on the successful
implementation of its covered call option strategy. There are significant
differences between the securities and options markets that could result
in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given
transaction not to achieve its objectives. 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.
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As
the writer of a covered 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 premium and the
strike price of the call, but retains the risk of
loss
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should
the price of the underlying security decline. As the Fund writes covered
calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital
appreciation becomes more limited. See “Risks—Risks Associated with the
Fund’s Covered Call Option Strategy—Risks Associated with Covered Call and
Put Options.”
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With
respect to exchange-traded options, there can be no assurance that a
liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option
position on an options exchange. 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. See “Risks—Risks Associated with the Fund’s Covered Call Option
Strategy—Exchange-Listed Option Risk.”
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The
Fund may also write (sell) over-the-counter options (“OTC options”).
Options written by the Fund with respect to non-U.S. securities, indices
or sectors generally will be OTC options. OTC options differ from
exchange-listed options in that they are two-party contracts, with
exercise price, premium and other terms negotiated between buyer and
seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as
exchange-listed options. See “Risks—Risks Associated with the Fund’s
Covered Call Option Strategy—OTC Option Risk.”
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Risks of Real Property Asset
Companies. The Fund may invest in Income Securities and Common
Equity Securities issued by Real Property Asset Companies. Because of the
Fund’s ability to make indirect investments in real estate and in the
securities of companies in the real estate industry, it is subject to
risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including
declines in the value of real estate; general and local economic
conditions; increased competition; and changes in interest rates. Because
of the Fund’s ability to make indirect investments in natural resources
and physical commodities, and in Real Property Asset Companies engaged in
oil and gas exploration and production, gold and other precious metals,
steel and iron ore production, energy services, forest products,
chemicals, coal, alternative energy sources and environmental services, as
well as related transportation companies and equipment manufacturers, the
Fund is subject to risks associated with such real property assets,
including supply and demand risk, depletion risk, regulatory risk and
commodity pricing risk.
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Risks of Personal Property
Asset Companies. The Fund may invest in Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities issued by Personal Property Asset Companies which
invest in personal property such as special situation transportation
assets (e.g.,
railcars, airplanes and ships) and collectibles (e.g., antiques, wine
and fine art). The risks of special situation transportation assets
include cyclicality of supply and demand for transportation assets and
risk of decline in the value of transportation assets and rental values.
The risks of collectible assets include the difficulty in valuing
collectible assets, the relative illiquidity of collectible assets, the
prospects of forgery or the inability to assess the authenticity of
collectible assets and the high transaction and related costs of
purchasing, selling and safekeeping collectible
assets.
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Private Securities
Risk. The Fund may invest in privately issued Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities of both public and private companies. Private
Securities have additional risk considerations than investments in
comparable public investments. Whenever the Fund invests in companies that
do not publicly report financial and other material information, it
assumes a greater degree of investment risk and reliance upon the
Sub-Adviser’s ability to obtain and evaluate applicable information
concerning such companies’ creditworthiness and other investment
considerations. Because there is often no readily available trading market
for Private Securities, the Fund may not be able to readily dispose of
such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could
sell them if they were more widely traded. Private Securities are also
more difficult to value. Private Securities that are debt securities
generally are of below-investment grade quality, frequently are unrated
and present many of the same risks as investing in below-investment grade
public debt securities.
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Investment Funds Risk.
As an alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund may also
obtain investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities by investing up to 20% of its total assets in Investment Funds,
of which amount up to 10% of its total assets may be invested in
Registered Investment Funds. Investments in Investment Funds present
certain special considerations and risks not present in making direct
investments in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities. Investments
in Investment Funds involve operating expenses and fees that are in
addition to the expenses and fees borne by the Fund. Such expenses and
fees attributable to the Fund’s investment in another Investment Fund are
borne indirectly by Common Shareholders. Accordingly, investment in such
entities involves expense and fee layering. To the extent management fees
of Investment Funds are based on total gross assets, it may create an
incentive for such entities’ managers to employ financial leverage,
thereby adding additional expense and increasing volatility and risk. A
performance-based fee arrangement may create incentives for an adviser or
manager to take greater investment risks in the hope of earning a higher
profit participation. Investments in Investment Funds frequently expose
the Fund to an additional layer of financial leverage.
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Private Investment Funds
Risk. In addition to those risks described above with respect to
all Investment Funds, investing in Private Investment Funds (including
Affiliated Investment Funds) may pose additional risks to the Fund.
Certain Private Investment Funds in which the Fund participates may
involve capital call provisions under which the Fund is obligated to make
additional investments at specified levels even if it would otherwise
choose not to. Investments in Private Investment Funds may have very
limited liquidity. Often there will be no secondary market for such
investments and the ability to redeem or otherwise withdraw from a Private
Investment Fund may be prohibited during the term of the Private
Investment Fund or, if permitted, may be infrequent. Certain Private
Investment Funds may be subject to “lock-up” periods of a year or more.
The valuation of
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investments
in Private Investment Funds often will be based upon valuations provided
by the adviser or manager and it may not always be possible to effectively
assess the accuracy of such valuations, particularly if the fund holds
substantial investments the values of which are determined by the adviser
or manager based upon a fair valuation methodology. Incentive fee
considerations, which are generally expected to be between 15%-25% of the
net capital appreciation (if any) in the assets managed by a Private
Investment Fund manager, may cause conflicts in the fair valuation of
investment holdings by a Private Investment Fund’s adviser or
manager.
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Private
Investment Funds (including Affiliated Investment Funds) in which the Fund
invests may employ a number of investment techniques, including short
sales, investment in non-investment grade or nonmarketable securities,
uncovered option transactions, forward transactions, futures and options
on futures transactions, foreign currency transactions and highly
concentrated portfolios, among others, which could, under certain
circumstances, magnify the impact of any negative market, sector or
investment development. The Fund may be exposed to increased leverage
risk, as the Private Investment Funds in which it invests may borrow and
may utilize various lines of credit, reverse repurchase agreements,
“dollar” rolls, issuance of debt securities, swaps, forward purchases and
other forms of leverage. Some of the Private Investment Funds may provide
very limited information with respect to their operation and performance
to the Fund, thereby severely limiting the Fund’s ability to verify
initially or on a continuing basis any representations made by the Private
Investment Funds or the investment strategies being employed, and exposing
the Fund to concentration risk if it invests in a number of Private
Investment Funds which have overlapping strategies and accumulate large
positions in the same or related instruments without the Sub-Adviser’s
knowledge. The Fund will not have the ability to direct or influence the
management of the Private Investment Funds in which it invests, so the
returns on such investments will primarily depend on the performance of
the Private Investment Funds’ managers and could suffer substantial
adverse effects by the unfavorable performance of such
managers.
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Affiliated Investment Funds
Risk. In addition to those risks described above with respect to
all Private Investment Funds, investing in Affiliated Investment Funds may
pose additional risks to the Fund. The Fund would only invest in
Affiliated Investment Funds that offer their securities to unaffiliated
third parties (including to existing security holders) and only on the
same terms and at the same times as such securities are offered to such
unaffiliated third parties. Similarly, the Fund may only redeem shares of
Affiliated Investment Funds on the same terms and at the same times as
redemptions are offered to such unaffiliated third parties. The Fund may
therefore be limited in the Affiliated Investment Funds in which it can
invest. The Fund may only invest in Affiliated Investment Funds to the
extent permitted by applicable law and related interpretations of the
staff of the SEC. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund will be prohibited from
co-investing with Affiliated Investment Funds in certain Private
Securities. The
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Fund
may seek exemptive relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to
co-invest in Private Securities, (including Private Investment Funds
managed by third parties) with Affiliated Investment Funds. There can be
no assurance that the Fund will obtain such relief or that, if obtained,
the terms will be acceptable to the Fund.
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Synthetic Investments
Risk. The Fund may be exposed to certain additional risks to the
extent the Sub-Adviser uses derivatives as a means to synthetically
implement the Fund’s investment strategies. If the Fund enters into a
derivative instrument whereby it agrees to receive the return of a
security or financial instrument or a basket of securities or financial
instruments, it will typically contract to receive such returns for a
predetermined period of time. During such period, the Fund may not have
the ability to increase or decrease its exposure. In addition, such
customized derivative instruments will likely be highly illiquid, and it
is possible that the Fund will not be able to terminate such derivative
instruments prior to their expiration date or that the penalties
associated with such a termination might impact the Fund’s performance in
a material adverse manner. Furthermore, derivative instruments typically
contain provisions giving the counterparty the right to terminate the
contract upon the occurrence of certain events. If a termination were to
occur, the Fund’s return could be adversely affected as it would lose the
benefit of the indirect exposure to the reference securities and it may
incur significant termination expenses.
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Inflation/Deflation
Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income
from investments 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 can decline. In addition, during any periods of
rising inflation, the dividend rates or borrowing costs associated with
the Fund’s use of Financial Leverage would likely increase, which would
tend to further reduce returns to Common Shareholders. Deflation risk is
the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time—the opposite
of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse affect on the creditworthiness
of issuers and may make issuer default more likely, which may result in a
decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
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Market Discount Risk.
The Fund’s Common Shares have a limited trading history and have traded
both at a premium and at a discount in relation to NAV. The Fund cannot
predict whether the Common Shares will trade in the future at a premium or
discount to NAV. The Fund’s Common Shares have recently traded at a
premium to NAV per share, which may not be sustainable. If the Common
Shares are trading at a premium to net asset value at the time you
purchase Common Shares, the NAV per share of the Common Shares purchased
will be less than the purchase price paid. Shares of closed-end investment
companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV, but in some cases have
traded above NAV. The risk of the Common Shares trading at a discount is a
risk separate from the risk of a decline in the Fund’s NAV as a result of
the Fund’s investment activities. The Fund’s NAV will be reduced
immediately following an offering of the Common Shares due to the costs of
such offering, which will be borne entirely by the Fund.
The
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sale
of Common Shares by the Fund (or the perception that such sales may occur)
may have an adverse effect on prices of Common Shares in the secondary
market. An increase in the number of Common Shares available may put
downward pressure on the market price for Common Shares. The Fund may,
from time to time, seek the consent of holders of Common Shares to permit
the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below the
Fund’s then current NAV, subject to certain conditions, and such sales of
Common Shares at price below NAV, if any, may increase downward pressure
on the market price for Common Shares. These sales, if any, also might
make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional Common Shares in
the future at a time and price it deems appropriate.
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Whether
Common Shareholder will realize a gain or loss upon the sale of Common
Shares depends upon whether the market value of the Common Shares at the
time of sale is above or below the price the Common Shareholder paid,
taking into account transaction costs for the Common Shares, and is not
directly dependent upon the Fund’s NAV. Because the market value of the
Common Shares will be determined by factors such as the relative demand
for and supply of the shares in the market, general market conditions and
other factors outside the Fund’s control, the Fund cannot predict whether
the Common Shares will trade at, below or above NAV, or at, below or above
the public offering price for the Common Shares. Common Shares of the Fund
are designed primarily for long-term investors; investors in Common Shares
should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading
purposes.
|
|
|
|
Dilution Risk. The
voting power of current Common Shareholders will be diluted to the extent
that current Common Shareholders do not purchase Common Shares in any
future offerings of Common Shares or do not purchase sufficient Common
Shares to maintain their percentage interest. If the Fund is unable to
invest the proceeds of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per Common
Share distribution may decrease and the Fund may not participate in market
advances to the same extent as if such proceeds were fully invested as
planned. If the Fund sells Common Shares at a price below NAV pursuant to
the consent of holders of Common Shares, shareholders will experience a
dilution of the aggregate NAV per Common Share because the sale price will
be less than the Fund’s then-current NAV per Common Share. This dilution
will be experienced by all shareholders, irrespective of whether they
purchase Common Shares in any such offering. See “Description of Capital
Structure—Common Shares— Issuance of Additional Common
Shares.”
|
|
|
|
Financial Leverage
Risk. Although the use of Financial Leverage by the Fund may create
an opportunity for increased after-tax total return for the Common Shares,
it also results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any
losses. If the income and gains earned on securities purchased with
Financial Leverage proceeds are greater than the cost of Financial
Leverage, the Fund’s return will be greater than if Financial Leverage had
not been used. Conversely, if the income or gains from the securities
purchased with such proceeds does not
cover
|
|
|
|
the
cost of Financial Leverage, the return to the Fund will be less than if
Financial Leverage had not been used.
|
|
|
|
Financial
Leverage involves risks and special considerations for shareholders,
including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and
market price of and dividends on the Common Shares than a comparable
portfolio without leverage; the risk that fluctuations in interest rates
on Borrowings or in the dividend rate on any Preferred Shares that the
Fund must pay will reduce the return to the Common Shareholders; and the
effect of Financial Leverage in a declining market, which is likely to
cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares than
if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in
the market price of the Common Shares.
|
|
|
|
Because
the fees received by the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser are based on
the Managed Assets of the Fund (including the proceeds of any Financial
Leverage), the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser have a financial
incentive for the Fund to utilize Financial Leverage, which may create a
conflict of interest between the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on
the one hand and the Common Shareholders on the other. There can be no
assurance that a leveraging strategy will be implemented or that it will
be successful during any period during which it is
employed.
|
|
|
|
Financial
leverage may also be achieved through the purchase of certain derivative
instruments. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments exposes the Fund to
special risks. See “Investment Objectives and Policies—Certain Other
Investment Practices— Derivative Transactions” and “—Derivative
Transactions Risk” below.
|
|
|
|
Recent
economic and market event have contributed to severe market volatility and
caused severe liquidity strains in the credit markets. If dislocations in
the credit markets continue, the Fund’s leverage costs may increase and
there is a risk that the Fund may not be able to renew or replace existing
leverage on favorable terms or at all. If the cost of leverage is no
longer favorable, or if the Fund is otherwise required to reduce its
leverage, the Fund may not be able to maintain distributions on Common
Shares at historical levels and Common Shareholders will bear any costs
associated with selling portfolio securities.
|
|
|
|
Derivative Transactions
Risks. Participation in options, futures and other derivative
transactions involves investment risks and transaction costs to which the
Fund would not be subject absent the use of such strategies. If the
Sub-Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction of the securities
and interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may
leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such
strategies. Positions in derivatives (such as options, swaps, and futures
and forward contracts and options thereon) may subject the Fund to
substantial loss of principal in relation to the Fund’s investment
amount.
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover
Risk. The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly
from year to year. Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting
factor in the execution of investment decisions for the
Fund.
|
|
|
|
A
higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by
the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in an increased realization
of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to
Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. Additionally, in
a declining market, portfolio turnover may create realized capital
losses.
|
|
|
|
Recent Market
Developments. Global and domestic financial markets have
experienced periods of unprecedented turmoil. Instability in the credit
markets has made it more difficult for a number of issuers to obtain
financings or refinancings for their investment or lending activities or
operations. There is a risk that such issuers will be unable to
successfully complete such financings or refinancings. In particular,
because of the conditions in the credit markets, issuers of debt
securities may be subject to increased cost for debt, tightening
underwriting standards and reduced liquidity for loans they make,
securities they purchase and securities they issue. There is also a risk
that developments in sectors of the credit markets in which the Fund does
not invest may adversely affect the liquidity and the value of securities
in sectors of the credit markets in which the Fund does invest, including
securities owned by the Fund.
|
|
|
|
The
debt and equity capital markets in the United States have been negatively
impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector
relating to sub-prime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the
broadly syndicated market, among other things. These events, along with
the deterioration of the housing market, the failure of major financial
institutions and the resulting United States federal government actions
led to worsening general economic conditions, which materially and
adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced
the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and
financial firms in particular. These events adversely affected the
willingness of some lenders to extend credit, which may make it more
difficult for issuers of Senior Loans to finance their operations. Such
market conditions may increase the volatility of the value of securities
owned by the Fund, may make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately
value its securities or to sell its securities on a timely basis and may
adversely affect the ability of the Fund to borrow for investment purposes
and increase the cost of such borrowings, which would reduce returns to
the holders of Common Shares. These developments adversely affected the
broader economy, and may continue to do so, which in turn may adversely
affect the ability of issuers of securities owned by the Fund to make
payments of principal and interest when due, lead to lower credit ratings
and increased defaults. Such developments could, in turn, reduce the value
of securities owned by the Fund and adversely affect the net asset value
of the Fund’s Common Shares. In addition, the prolonged continuation or
further deterioration of current market conditions could adversely impact
the Fund’s portfolio.
|
|
|
|
The
third and fourth quarters of 2009 witnessed more stabilized economic
activity as expectations for an economic recovery increased. However,
risks to a robust resumption of growth persist. A return
to
|
|
|
|
unfavorable
economic conditions or sustained economic slowdown could adversely impact
the Fund’s portfolio. Financial market conditions, as well as various
social, political, and psychological tensions in the United States and
around the world, have contributed to increased market volatility, may
have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets; and
may cause further economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United
States and worldwide. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not know how long the
financial markets will continue to be affected by these events and cannot
predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the U.S.
and global economies and securities markets in the Fund’s portfolio. The
Investment Advisor and the Sub-Adviser intend to monitor developments and
seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving
the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it
will be successful in doing so. Given the risks described above, an
investment in Common Shares may not be appropriate for all prospective
investors. A prospective investor should carefully consider his or her
ability to assume these risks before making an investment in the
Fund.
|
|
|
|
Government Intervention in
Financial Markets. The recent instability in the financial markets
discussed above has led the U.S. Government to take a number of
unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions
and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme
volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and
other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory
organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the
instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments,
in ways that are unforeseeable.
|
|
|
|
Governments
or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial
institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The
implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are
unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the
liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.
Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Fund to greater
market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio
instruments held by the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will monitor developments
and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with
achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance
that it will be successful in doing so.
|
|
|
|
Legislation Risk. At
any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation may be enacted
that could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such
assets. Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on
the Fund entities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may
also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. There can be no
assurance that future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not
have a material adverse effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability
of the Fund to achieve its investment
objective.
|
|
|
|
TALF, TARP, PPIP and Other
Government Programs Risks. In response to the financial crises
affecting the banking system and the financial markets, the United States
government, the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken action in
an attempt to stabilize the financial markets.
|
|
|
|
The
TALF Program and the Legacy Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility
program (“Legacy TALF Program”) are operated by the established by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”)
and the U.S. Treasury as a credit facility designed to restore liquidity
to the market for asset-backed securities and operated by the
FRBNY.
|
|
|
|
Pursuant
to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), the
Troubled Asset Relief Program (the “TARP”) was established. The purpose of
this legislation was to stabilize financial markets and institutions in
light of the financial crisis affecting the United States. In connection
with the TARP, the Treasury announced the creation of the Financial
Stability Plan in early 2009. The Financial Stability Plan outlined a
series of key initiatives to help restore the United States economy, one
of which was the creation of the Public-Private Investment Program
(“PPIP”). The PPIP is designed to encourage the transfer of eligible
assets, which include certain illiquid real estate-related assets issued
prior to 2009 (which may be rated below investment grade, have no readily
available trading market (or otherwise be considered illiquid), may be
difficult to value and may be backed in part by non-performing mortgages),
from banks and other financial institutions in an effort to restart the
market for these assets and support the flow of credit and other capital
into the broader economy.
|
|
|
|
Other
such programs may be sponsored, established or operated by U.S. or non
U.S. governments from time to time. It is unclear what effect these
programs, and their eventual termination, may have on the markets for
credit securities in which the fund may invest over the near- and
long-term. Such programs may have positive or negative effects on the
liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s portfolio
holdings.
|
|
|
|
The
Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets through participation in
the TALF Program. Under the TALF Program, the FRBNY may provide loans to
the Fund to purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities
which must be backed by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans,
small business loans or certain commercial mortgage-backed securities. The
Fund may seek to participate in other government programs from time to
time. Participation in such programs may expose the Fund to additional
risks and may limit the Fund’s ability to engage in certain of the
investment strategies or transactions described in this Prospectus or in
the SAI. There can be no assurance that the Trust will be able to
participate in any such program.
|
|
|
|
Market Disruption and
Geopolitical Risk. The aftermath of the war in Iraq and the
continuing occupation of Iraq, instability in the
Middle
|
|
|
|
East
and terrorist attacks in the United States and around the world may result
in market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide
financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in the
United States and worldwide. The Fund does not know how long the
securities markets may be affected by these events and cannot predict the
effects of the occupation or similar events in the future on the U.S.
economy and securities markets.
|
|
|
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
|
|
in
the Fund’s Governing
|
|
Documents
..........................................................
|
The
Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws (the “Governing
Documents”) include provisions that could limit the ability of other
entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to
an open-end fund. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the
Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a
premium over the then-current market price of the Common Shares. See
“Anti-Takeover and Other Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents” and
“Risks—Anti-Takeover Provisions.”
|
|
|
Administrator,
Custodian,
|
|
Transfer
Agent and Dividend
|
|
Disbursing
Agent ................................................
|
The
Bank of New York Mellon serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets
pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the
custodian holds the Fund’s assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its
services, the custodian will receive a monthly fee based upon, among other
things, the average value of the total assets of the Fund, plus certain
charges for securities transactions. The Bank of New York Mellon also
serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, agent under the Fund’s
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan Agent”), transfer agent
and registrar with respect to the Common Shares of the
Fund.
|
|
|
|
Claymore
Advisors, LLC serves as the Fund’s administrator. Pursuant to an
administration agreement with the Fund, Claymore Advisors, LLC provides
certain administrative, bookkeeping and accounting services to the
Fund.
|
The
following table contains information about the costs and expenses that Common
Shareholders will bear directly or indirectly. The table is based on the capital
structure of the Fund as of May 31, 2010 (except as noted below). The purpose of
the table and the example below is to help you understand the fees and expenses
that you, as a holder of Common Shares, would bear directly or
indirectly.
Shareholder
Transaction Expenses
|
|
|
|
Sales
load (as a percentage of offering price)
|
|
----%(1) |
|
Offering expenses borne by the Fund
(as a percentage of offering price)
|
|
----%(1) |
|
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
Plan fees(2)
|
|
None
|
|
Percentage of Net
Assets
|
|
Annual
Expenses
|
Attributable to Common
Shares(3)
|
|
|
Management fees
|
[
]%
|
Interest payments on borrowed funds
(4)
|
[
]%
|
Interest expense on reverse
repurchase agreements(5)
|
[
]%
|
Acquired Investment Fund fees and
expenses (6)
|
[
]%
|
Other
expenses(7)
|
[
]%
|
Total
annual expenses
|
[
]%
|
(1)
|
If
Common Shares to which this Prospectus relates are sold to or through
underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable
sales load and the estimated offering expenses borne by the
Fund.
|
|
|
(2)
|
You
will pay brokerage charges if you direct the Plan Agent to sell your
Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. See “Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
|
|
|
(3)
|
Based
upon net assets applicable to common shares as of May 31,
2010.
|
|
|
(4)
|
Based
upon the Fund’s outstanding Financial Leverage as of May 31, 2010, which
included Borrowings under the Fund’s committed facility agreement in an
amount equal to [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, at an annual interest
rate cost to the Fund of [ ]% and Borrowings under the TALF program in an
amount equal to [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, at an annual interest
rate cost to the Fund of [ ]%. The actual amount of interest payments by
the Fund will vary over time in accordance with the amount of Borrowings
and variations in market interest rates.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Assumes
the use of leverage in the form of reverse repurchase agreements
representing [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets at an annual interest rate
cost to the Fund of [ ]%. The actual amount of interest expense
on reverse repurchase agreements borne by the Fund will
vary over time in accordance with the level of the Fund’s use of reverse
repurchase agreements and variations in market interest
rates.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Fees
associated with Acquired Investment Funds typically include a base fee
plus a performance-based fee. The above figures include estimates of base
fees plus performance-based fees charged by representative Investment
Funds over the past twelve months. To the extent a performance-based fee
is triggered at termination or realization of an investment, it is not
included in this estimate. Therefore, the amount of fees paid on an
investment in Acquired Investment Funds may be higher or lower than the
amount shown.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Other
expenses are estimated based upon those incurred during the fiscal year
ended May 31, 2010.
|
Example
As
required by relevant Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, the
following Example illustrates the expenses that you would pay on a $1,000
investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) “Total annual expenses” of [ ]% of net
assets attributable to Common Shares and (2) a 5% annual return*:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
3 Years
|
|
5 Years
|
|
10 Years
|
|
Total
Expenses Incurred(1)
|
|
$[
] |
|
$[
] |
|
$[
] |
|
$[
] |
|
|
|
|
*
|
The Example should not be
considered a representation of future expenses or returns. Actual expenses
may be higher or lower than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual
rate of return may be higher or lower than the hypothetical 5% return
shown in the Example. The Example assumes that all dividends and
distributions are reinvested at net asset value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
example above does not include sales loads or estimated offering
costs.
|
|
The
financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s
financial performance. Except where noted, the information in this table is
derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by [ ], independent
registered public accounting firm for the Fund, whose report on such financial
statements, together with the financial statements of the Fund, are included in
the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended May 31, 2010,
which is incorporated by reference into the SAI, and is available upon
request.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per
share operating performance
for
a common share outstanding throughout the period
|
|
For
the
Year
Ended
May
31, 2010
|
|
For
the
Year
Ended
May
31, 2009
|
|
For
the period
July
27, 2007*
through
May
31, 2008
|
|
Net
asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
17.52
|
|
$
|
19.10
|
(b)
|
Income
from investment operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.06
|
|
|
0.79
|
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, options, futures,
swaps and unfunded commitments
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4.31
|
)
|
|
(0.99
|
)
|
Total
from investment operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.25
|
)
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
Common
share offering expenses charged to paid-in-capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
Distributions
to Common Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From
and in excess of net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.36
|
)
|
|
(0.98
|
)
|
Return
of capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
Total
distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.85
|
)
|
|
(1.34
|
)
|
Net
asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
12.42
|
|
$
|
17.52
|
|
Market
value, end of period
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
11.53
|
|
$
|
16.78
|
|
Total
investment return (c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value
|
|
|
|
|
|
-18.37
|
%
|
|
-1.40
|
%
|
Market
value
|
|
|
|
|
|
-19.51
|
%
|
|
-9.41
|
%
|
Ratios
and supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets, applicable to common shareholders, end of period
(thousands)
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
113,076
|
|
$
|
159,509
|
|
Ratios
to Average Net Assets applicable to Common Shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
expenses, excluding interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.06
|
%(g)
|
|
1.72
|
%
(d)(g)
|
Total
expenses, including interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
%(g)
|
|
3.36
|
%
(d)(g)
|
Net
investment income, including interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.84
|
%
|
|
5.08
|
%(d)
|
Ratios
to Average Managed Assets: (e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
expenses, excluding interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
%(g)
|
|
1.24
|
%(d)(g)
|
Total
expenses, including interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.37
|
%(g)
|
|
2.43
|
%(d)(g)
|
Net
investment income, including interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.72
|
%
|
|
3.67
|
%(d)
|
Portfolio
turnover (h)
|
|
|
|
|
|
58
|
%
|
|
210
|
%
|
Senior
Indebtedness
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Borrowings outstanding (in thousands)
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
31,085
|
|
$
|
76,016
|
|
Asset
coverage per $1,000 of indebtedness (f)
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
4,638
|
|
$
|
3,098
|
|
*
|
Commencement
of operations.
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based
on average shares outstanding during the period.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Before
deduction of offering expenses charged to capital.
|
|
|
(c)
|
Total
investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of a common share at
the beginning of the period and a sale on the last day of the period
reported either at net asset value (“NAV”) or market price per share.
Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at NAV for NAV
returns or the prices obtained under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan
for market value returns. Total investment return does not reflect
brokerage commissions. A return calculated for a period of less than one
year is not annualized.
|
|
|
(d)
|
Annualized.
|
|
|
(e)
|
Managed
assets is equal to net assets applicable to common shareholders plus
outstanding leverage.
|
|
|
(f)
|
Calculated
by subtracting the Fund’s total liabilities (not including the borrowings)
from the Fund’s total assets and dividing by the total
borrowings.
|
|
|
(g)
|
The
ratios of total expenses to average net assets applicable to common shares
and to average managed assets do not reflect fees and espense incurred
indirectly by the Fund as a result of its investment in shares of other
investment companies. If these fees were included in the expense ratio,
the net impact to the expense ratios would be 0.08% and 0.06% for the year
ended May 31, 2009 and 0.04% and 0.03% for the period ended May 31,
2008.
|
|
|
(h)
|
Portfolio
tunrover is not annualized for periods less than a
year.
|
See
notes to financial statements.
The
following table sets forth information about the Fund’s outstanding senior
securities as of the end of each fiscal year since its inception:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Period Ended
|
|
Title of Security
|
|
Total Principal
Amount Outstanding
|
|
Asset Coverage Per $1,000
of Principal Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May
31, 2010
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
$[ ]
|
|
$[ ]
|
|
May
31, 2009
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
$76,016,239
|
|
$4,638
|
|
May
31, 2008
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
$31,084,801
|
|
$3,098
|
|
Claymore
Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified,
closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) that commenced operations on July 26,
2007. The Fund was organized as a statutory trust on November 13, 2006, pursuant
to a Certificate of Trust, and is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
Its principal office is located at 2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois
60532, and its telephone number is (630) 505-3700.
Claymore
Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser
and is responsible for the management of the Fund. Guggenheim Partners Asset
Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is responsible for the management of
the Fund’s portfolio of securities. Each of the Investment Adviser and the
Sub-Adviser are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Guggenheim Partners, LLC
(“Guggenheim”).
Except
as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth in this prospectus
apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment and any subsequent
change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations does not
require any action.
Unless
otherwise specified in a supplement to this Prospectus (each a “Prospectus
Supplement”), the Fund intends to invest the net proceeds of an offering of
Common Shares in accordance with its investment objective and policies as stated
herein. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest
substantially all of the net proceeds of an offering of Common Shares in
accordance with its investment objective and policies within three months after
the completion of such offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that
the proceeds will be invested in U.S. government securities or high quality,
short-term money market securities. The Fund may also use the proceeds for
working capital purposes, including the payment of distributions, interest and
operating expenses, although the Fund currently has no intent to issue Common
Shares primarily for this purpose.
The
Fund’s currently outstanding Common Shares are, and the Common Shares offered by
this Prospectus, will be, subject to notice of issuance, listed on the New York
Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). The Fund’s Common Shares commenced trading on the
NYSE on July 27, 2007.
The
Common Shares have traded both at a premium and at a discount in relation to the
Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share. Although the Common Shares recently
have traded at a premium to NAV, there can be no assurance that this will
continue after the offering nor that the Common Shares will not trade at a
discount in the future. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently
trade at a discount to net asset value. The Fund’s NAV may be reduced
immediately following an offering of the Common Shares due to the costs of such
offering, which will be borne entirely by the Fund. The sale of Common Shares by
the Fund (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an adverse
effect on prices of Common Shares in the secondary market. An increase in the
number of Common Shares available may put downward pressure on the market price
for Common Shares. See “Risks—Market Discount Risk.”
The
following table sets forth, for each of the periods indicated, the high and low
closing market prices for the Common Shares on the NYSE, as well as the NAV per
Common Share and the premium or discount to net asset value per Common Share at
which the Common Shares were trading on the date of the high and low closing
prices. The
Fund
calculates its NAV as of the close of business, usually 5:00 p.m. Eastern time,
every day on which the NYSE is open. See “Net Asset Value” for information as to
the determination of the Fund’s NAV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAV
per Common
|
|
Premium/(Discount)
on
|
|
|
|
|
Share
on Date of Market
|
|
Date
of Market Price
|
|
|
Market Price
|
|
Price High and Low(1)
|
|
High and Low(2)
|
During Quarter Ended
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May
31, 2010
|
|
18.97
|
|
16.02
|
|
17.97
|
|
17.68
|
|
5.56
|
|
(9.39)
|
February
28, 2010
|
|
17.82
|
|
16.00
|
|
17.03
|
|
15.89
|
|
4.64
|
|
0.69
|
November
30, 2009
|
|
15.91
|
|
14.35
|
|
15.76
|
|
14.24
|
|
0.95
|
|
0.77
|
August
31, 2009
|
|
14.88
|
|
12.01
|
|
14.15
|
|
12.45
|
|
5.16
|
|
(3.53)
|
May
31, 2009
|
|
11.90
|
|
7.50
|
|
12.34
|
|
10.51
|
|
(3.57)
|
|
(28.64)
|
February
28, 2009
|
|
11.26
|
|
8.71
|
|
12.31
|
|
11.04
|
|
(8.53)
|
|
(21.11)
|
November
30, 2008
|
|
16.13
|
|
8.05
|
|
16.33
|
|
11.89
|
|
(1.22)
|
|
(32.30)
|
August
31, 2008
|
|
17.06
|
|
14.36
|
|
17.46
|
|
16.46
|
|
(2.29)
|
|
(12.76)
|
(1) Based on the
Fund’s computations
(2) Calculated based
on the information presented. Percentages are rounded.
The
last reported sale price, NAV per Common Share and percentage premium to NAV per
Common Share on July 2, 2010 was $18.15, $17.40 and 4.31%, respectively. The
Fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade in the future at a premium to
or discount from NAV, or the level of any premium or discount. Shares of
closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV. The
Fund’s Common Shares have in the past traded below their NAV. As of [ ], 2010, [
] Common Shares of the Fund were outstanding.
Investment
Objective
The
Fund’s investment objective is to maximize total return through a combination of
current income and capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is
considered fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of a majority
of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
The Fund cannot ensure investors that it will achieve its investment
objective.
Investment
Philosophy and Investment Process
The
Fund will pursue a relative value-based investment philosophy, which utilizes
quantitative and qualitative analysis to seek to identify securities or spreads
between securities that deviate from their fair value and/or historical norms.
The Sub-Adviser seeks to combine a credit-managed fixed-income portfolio with
access to a diversified pool of alternative investments and equity strategies.
The Fund’s investment philosophy is predicated upon the belief that thorough
research and independent thought is rewarded with performance that has the
potential to outperform benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and lower
correlation of returns as compared to such benchmark indexes. The Fund cannot
ensure that the perceived fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments will be
achieved.
The
Sub-Adviser’s investment process is a collaborative effort between its Portfolio
Construction Group, which utilizes tools such as Guggenheim’s Dynamic Financial
Analysis Model to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and
its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these
sectors and for implementing securities transactions, including the structuring
of certain securities directly with the issuer or with investment banks and
dealers involved in the origination of such securities.
Investment
Policies
The
Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in a wide range
of fixed-income and other debt and senior equity securities (“Income
Securities”) selected from a variety of sectors, including, but not limited to,
U.S. government and agency securities, corporate bonds, loans and loan
participations, structured finance investments (including residential and
commercial mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, collateralized
debt obligations and risk-linked securities), mezzanine and preferred securities
and convertible securities. The Fund may invest in non-U.S. dollar-denominated
Income Securities issued by sovereign entities and corporations, including
Income Securities of issuers in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest
in Income Securities of any credit
quality,
including Income Securities rated below-investment grade (commonly referred to
as “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), which are considered speculative with respect
to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
The
Fund may also invest in common stocks, limited liability company interests,
trust certificates and other equity investments (“Common Equity Securities”)
that the Sub-Adviser believes offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation
potential. As part of its Common Equity Securities strategy, the Fund currently
intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options and may,
from time to time, buy or sell put options on individual Common Equity
Securities. In addition to its covered call option strategy, the Fund may, to a
lesser extent, pursue a strategy that includes the sale (writing) of both
covered call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of
securities.
The
Fund may allocate its assets among a wide variety of Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities, provided that, under normal market conditions, the
Fund will not invest more than:
|
|
•
|
60%
of its total assets in Income Securities rated below-investment
grade;
|
|
|
•
|
50%
of its total assets in Common Equity Securities;
|
|
|
•
|
30%
of its total assets in other investment companies, including registered
investment companies, private investment funds and/or other pooled
investment vehicles;
|
|
|
•
|
20%
of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated fixed-income
securities; and
|
|
|
•
|
10%
of its total assets in emerging
markets.
|
These
policies may be changed by the Board of Trustees, but no change is anticipated.
If the Fund’s policies change, the Fund will provide shareholders at least 60
days’ notice before implementation of the change.
Percentage
limitations described in this prospectus are as of the time of investment by the
Fund and could thereafter be exceeded as a result of market value fluctuations
of the Fund’s portfolio.
Credit
Quality. The Fund may invest up to 60% of its total assets in Income
Securities rated below-investment grade (e.g., securities rated below
Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB- by Standard
& Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”)) or, if unrated, determined by the
Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund will not invest in Income
Securities rated below CCC by Moody’s or Caa2 by S&P or that at the time of
purchase are in default. Securities rated below-investment grade are regarded as
having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s
capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and are commonly referred to as
“junk bonds” or “high-yield bonds.” Lower grade securities may be particularly
susceptible to economic downturns. It is likely that an economic recession could
severely disrupt the market for such securities and may have an adverse effect
on the value of such securities. In addition, it is likely that any such
economic downturn could adversely affect the ability of the issuers of such
securities to repay principal and pay interest thereon and increase the
incidence of default for such securities.
These
credit quality policies apply only at the time a security is purchased, and the
Fund is not required to dispose of a security if a rating agency or the
Sub-Adviser downgrades its assessment of that security. In determining whether
to retain or sell a security that a rating agency or the Sub-Adviser has
downgraded, the Sub-Adviser may consider such factors as its assessment of the
credit quality of the security, the price at which the security could be sold,
and the rating, if any, assigned to the security by other ratings agencies. When
the Sub-Adviser believes it to be in the best interests of the Fund’s
shareholders, the Fund will reduce its investment in lower grade securities and,
in certain market conditions, the Fund may invest none of its assets in lower
grade securities.
The
ratings of Moody’s and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the
obligations which they undertake to rate. Ratings are relative and subjective
and, although ratings may be useful in evaluating the safety of interest and
principal payments, they do not evaluate the market value risk of such
obligations. Although these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of
portfolio investments, the Sub-Adviser also will independently evaluate these
securities and the ability of the issuers of such securities to pay interest and
principal. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated lower grade
securities, the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective will be more
dependent on the Sub-Adviser’s credit analysis than would be the case when the
Fund invests in rated securities.
Please
refer to Appendix A to the SAI for more information regarding Moody’s and
S&P’s ratings of fixed-income securities.
The
Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in the following
categories of securities:
Income Securities. The Fund
may invest in a wide range of Income Securities selected from a variety of
sectors, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, loans and loan
participations (including senior secured floating rate loans (“Senior Loans”),
“second lien” secured floating rate loans (“Second Lien Loans”), and other types
of secured and unsecured loans with fixed and variable interest rates)
(collectively, “Loans”), structured finance investments (including residential
and commercial mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities,
collateralized debt obligations and risk-linked securities), U.S. government and
agency securities, mezzanine and preferred securities and convertible
securities. The Fund may invest in non-U.S. dollar-denominated Income Securities
issued by sovereign entities and corporations, including Income Securities of
issuers in emerging market countries. The Fund may invest in Income Securities
of any credit quality, including Income Securities rated below-investment grade
(commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” bonds), which are considered
speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay
principal.
Common
Equity Securities and Covered Call Option Strategy. The Fund may invest
in Common Equity Securities that the Sub-Adviser believes offer attractive yield
and/or capital appreciation potential. As part of its Common Equity Securities
strategy, the Fund currently intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling)
covered call options and may, from time to time, buy or sell put options on
individual Common Equity Securities. In addition to its covered call option
strategy, the Fund may, to a lesser extent, pursue a strategy that includes the
sale (writing) of both covered call and put options on indices of securities and
sectors of securities. This option strategy is intended to generate current
gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the
Fund’s Common Shareholders. As the Fund writes covered calls over more of its
portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more
limited. A substantial portion of the options written by the Fund may be
over-the-counter options (“OTC options”).
Real
Property Asset Companies. The Fund may invest in Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities issued by companies that own, produce, refine, process,
transport and market “real property assets,” such as real estate and the natural
resources upon or within real estate (“Real Property Asset Companies”). These
Real Property Asset Companies include:
|
|
•
|
Companies
engaged in the ownership, construction, financing, management and/or sale
of commercial, industrial and/or residential real estate (or that have
assets primarily invested in such real estate), including real estate
investment trusts (“REITs”); and
|
|
|
•
|
Companies
engaged in energy, natural resources and basic materials businesses and
companies engaged in associated businesses. These companies include, but
are not limited to, those engaged in businesses such as oil and gas
exploration and production, gold and other precious metals, steel and iron
ore production, energy services, forest products, chemicals, coal,
alternative energy sources and environmental services, as well as related
transportation companies and equipment
manufacturers.
|
Personal
Property Asset Companies. The Fund may invest in Income Securities and
Common Equity Securities issued by companies that own, produce, refine, process,
transport and market “personal property assets” (“Personal Property Asset
Companies”). Personal (as opposed to real) property assets include any tangible,
movable chattel or asset. The Fund will typically seek to invest in Income
Securities and Common Equity Securities of Personal Property Asset Companies
with investment performance that is not highly correlated with traditional
market indexes, such as special situation transportation assets (e.g., railcars, ships,
airplanes and automobiles) and collectibles (e.g., antiques, wine and fine
art).
Private
Securities. The Income Securities and Common Equity Securities in which
the Fund may invest include privately issued securities of both public and
private companies (“Private Securities”). Private Securities have additional
risk considerations than comparable public securities, including availability of
financial information about the issuer and valuation and liquidity
issues.
Investment
Funds. As an alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund may
also obtain investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities by investing in other investment companies, including registered
investment companies, private investment funds and/or other pooled investment
vehicles (collectively, “Investment Funds”). The Fund may invest up to 30% of
its total assets in Investment Funds that primarily hold (directly or
indirectly) investments in which the Fund may invest directly, of which amount
up to 20% of its total assets may be invested in Investment Funds that are
registered as investment companies (“Registered Investment Funds”) under the
1940 Act. As used in this prospectus, “Private Investment Funds” means privately
offered Investment Funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment
company” under the 1940 Act, including by operation of Section 3(c)(1) or
3(c)(7) thereof. Investments in other Investment Funds involve operating
expenses and fees at the Investment Fund level that are in addition to the
expenses and fees borne by the Fund and are borne indirectly by holders of the
Fund’s Common Shares.
Affiliated
Investment Funds. Affiliates of the Sub-Adviser and of Guggenheim may act
as investment adviser or manager of Private Investment Funds and other pooled or
structured vehicles, including Investment Funds utilized in connection with
structured finance investments (collectively, “Affiliated Investment Funds”).
The Fund would only invest in Affiliated Investment Funds that offer their
securities to unaffiliated third parties (including to existing security
holders) and only on the same terms and at the same times as such securities are
offered to such unaffiliated third parties. The Fund would pay its pro rata
share of the fees and expenses allocable to its investments in Affiliated
Investment Funds. However, investments in Affiliated Investment Funds would not
constitute Managed Assets for purposes of determining the amount of management
fees payable by the Fund to the Sub-Adviser. The Fund may only invest in
Affiliated Investment Funds to the extent permitted by applicable law and
related interpretations of the staff of the SEC. The Fund may seek exemptive
relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to co-invest in Private
Securities, including Private Investment Funds managed by third parties, with
Affiliated Investment Funds. There can be no assurance that the Fund will obtain
such relief or that, if obtained, the terms will be acceptable to the
Fund.
Synthetic
Investments. As an alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund
may also obtain investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities through the use of customized derivative instruments (including
swaps, options, forwards, notional principal contracts or other financial
instruments) to replicate, modify or replace the economic attributes associated
with an investment in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities (including
interests in Investment Funds and, in certain circumstances, Affiliated
Investment Funds). The Fund may be exposed to certain additional risks should
the Sub-Adviser use derivatives as a means to synthetically implement the Fund’s
investment strategies, including a lack of liquidity in such derivative
instruments and additional expenses associated with using such derivative
instruments.
Portfolio
Contents
The
Fund’s investment portfolio consists of investments in the following types of
securities:
Corporate
Bonds. Corporate bonds are debt obligations issued by corporations.
Corporate bonds may be either secured or unsecured. Collateral used for secured
debt includes, but is not limited to, real property, machinery, equipment,
accounts receivable, stocks, bonds or notes. If a bond is unsecured, it is known
as a debenture.Bondholders, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common
and preferred stockholders as to both income and assets of the corporation for
the principal and interest due them and may have a prior claim over other
creditors if liens or mortgages are involved. Interest on corporate bonds may be
fixed or floating, or the bonds may be zero coupons. Interest on corporate bonds
is typically paid semi-annually and is fully taxable to the bondholder.
Corporate bonds contain elements of both interest-rate risk and credit risk. The
market value of a corporate bond generally may be expected to rise and fall
inversely with interest rates and may also be affected by the credit rating of
the corporation, the corporation’s performance and perceptions of the
corporation in the marketplace. Corporate bonds usually yield more than
government or agency bonds due to the presence of credit risk.
Investment
Grade Bonds. The Fund may invest in a wide variety of fixed-income
securities rated or determined by the Sub-Adviser to be investment grade quality
that are issued by corporations and other non-governmental entities and issuers
(“Investment Grade Bonds”). Investment Grade Bonds are subject to market and
credit risk. Market risk relates to changes in a security’s value. Investment
Grade Bonds have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates and
varying degrees of credit quality. In general, bond prices rise when interest
rates fall, and fall when interest rates rise. Longer-term and zero coupon bonds
are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes. Credit risk relates to
the ability of the issuer to make payments of principal and interest. The values
of Investment Grade
Bonds,
like those of other fixed-income securities, may be affected by changes in the
credit rating or financial condition of an issuer. Investment Grade Bonds are
generally considered medium- and high-quality securities. Some, however, may
possess speculative characteristics, and may be more sensitive to economic
changes and changes in the financial condition of issuers. The market prices of
Investment Grade Bonds in the lowest investment grade categories may fluctuate
more than higher-quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of
general or regional economic difficulty. Investment Grade Bonds in the lowest
investment grade categories may be thinly traded, making them difficult to sell
promptly at an acceptable price. Investment Grade Bonds include certain
investment grade quality mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities,
and other hybrid securities and instruments that are treated as debt obligations
for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Below-Investment
Grade Bonds. The Fund may invest up to 60% of its total assets in a wide
variety of fixed-income securities that are rated or determined by the
Sub-Adviser to be below-investment grade quality (“Below-Investment Grade
Bonds”). The credit quality of most Below-Investment Grade Bonds reflects a
greater than average possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition
of an issuer, or in general economic conditions, or both, may impair the ability
of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The inability (or
perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payment of interest and principal
would likely make the values of Below-Investment Grade Bonds held by the Fund
more volatile and could limit the Fund’s ability to sell such Bonds at favorable
prices. In the absence of a liquid trading market for its Below-Investment Grade
Bonds, the Fund may have difficulties determining the fair market value of such
investments. Below-Investment Grade Bonds include certain investment grade
quality mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities, and other hybrid
securities and instruments that are treated as debt obligations for U.S. federal
income tax purposes.
In
addition to pre-existing outstanding debt obligations of below-investment grade
issuers, the Fund may also invest in “debtor-in-possession” or “DIP” Loans newly
issued in connection with “special situation” restructuring and refinancing
transactions. DIP Loans are Loans to a debtor-in-possession in a proceeding
under the U.S. bankruptcy code that have been approved by the bankruptcy court.
DIP Loans are typically fully secured by a lien on the debtor’s otherwise
unencumbered assets or secured by a junior lien on the debtor’s encumbered
assets (so long as the Loan is fully secured based on the most recent current
valuation or appraisal report of the debtor). DIP Loans are often required to
close with certainty and in a rapid manner in order to satisfy existing
creditors and to enable the issuer to emerge from bankruptcy or to avoid a
bankruptcy proceeding. The Sub-Adviser believes that DIP Loans can offer holders
thereof the opportunity to achieve attractive rates of return relative to the
risk assumed.
Senior
Loans. Senior Loans are floating rate Loans made to corporations and
other non-governmental entities and issuers. Senior Loans typically hold the
most senior position in the capital structure of the issuing entity, are
typically secured with specific collateral and typically have a claim on the
assets and/or stock of the borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated
debt holders and stockholders of the borrower. The proceeds of Senior Loans
primarily are used to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers,
acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends, and, to a lesser extent, to finance
internal growth and for other corporate purposes. Senior Loans typically have
rates of interest that are redetermined daily, monthly, quarterly or
semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium or credit
spread. Base lending rates in common usage today are primarily the
London-Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), and secondarily the prime rate offered
by one or more major U.S. banks (the “Prime Rate”) and the certificate of
deposit (“CD”) rate or other base lending rates used by commercial
lenders.
Second
Lien Loans. Second Lien Loans are Loans made by public and private
corporations and other non-governmental entities and issuers for a variety of
purposes. Second Lien Loans are second in right of payment to one or more Senior
Loans of the related borrower. Second Lien Loans typically are secured by a
second priority security interest or lien to or on specified collateral securing
the borrower’s obligation under the Loan and typically have similar protections
and rights as Senior Loans. Second Lien Loans are not (and by their terms
cannot) become subordinate in right of payment to any obligation of the related
borrower other than Senior Loans of such borrower. Second Lien Loans, like
Senior Loans, typically have adjustable floating rate interest payments. Because
Second Lien Loans are second to Senior Loans, they present a greater degree of
investment risk but often pay interest at higher rates reflecting this
additional risk. Such investments generally are of below-investment grade
quality. Other than their subordinated status, Second Lien Loans have many
characteristics and risks similar to Senior Loans discussed above. In addition,
Second Lien Loans and debt securities of below-investment grade quality share
many of the risk characteristics of Non-Investment Grade Bonds.
Mezzanine
Investments. The Fund may invest in certain lower grade securities known
as “Mezzanine Investments,” which are subordinated debt securities that are
generally issued in private placements in connection with an equity security
(e.g., with attached
warrants) or may be convertible into equity securities. Mezzanine Investments
may be issued with or without registration rights. Similar to other lower grade
securities, maturities of Mezzanine Investments are typically seven to ten
years, but the expected average life is significantly shorter at three to five
years. Mezzanine Investments are usually unsecured and subordinated to other
obligations of the issuer.
Convertible
Securities. Convertible securities include bonds, debentures, notes,
preferred stocks and other securities that entitle the holder to acquire common
stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. Convertible
securities have general characteristics similar to both debt and equity
securities. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive
interest or preferred dividends paid or accrued until the convertible security
matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible
securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt obligations.
Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital
structure and, therefore, generally entail less risk than the corporation’s
common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large
measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value
as a debt obligation. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the
option of the issuer at a predetermined price. If a convertible security held by
the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund would be required to permit the
issuer to redeem the security and convert it to underlying common stock, or
would sell the convertible security to a third party, which may have an adverse
effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. The price of
a convertible security often reflects variations in the price of the underlying
common stock in a way that non-convertible debt may not. The value of a
convertible security is a function of (i) its yield in comparison to the yields
of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a
conversion privilege and (ii) its worth if converted into the underlying common
stock.
Preferred
Stocks. Preferred stocks represent the senior residual interest in the
assets of an issuer after meeting all claims, with priority to corporate income
and liquidation payments over the issuer’s common stock. As such, preferred
stock is inherently more risky than the bonds and loans of the issuer, but less
risky than its common stock. Preferred stocks often contain provisions that
allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the
issuers’ call. Preferred stocks typically do not provide any voting rights,
except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond a certain time period.
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. In
order to be payable, dividends on preferred stock must be declared by the
issuer’s board of directors. In addition, distributions on preferred stock may
be subject to deferral and thus may not be automatically payable. Income
payments on some preferred stocks are cumulative, causing dividends and
distributions to accrue even if not declared by the board of directors or
otherwise made payable. Other preferred stocks are non-cumulative, meaning that
skipped dividends and distributions do not continue to accrue. There is no
assurance that dividends on preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be
declared or otherwise made payable. If the Fund owns preferred stock that is
deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for U.S.
federal income tax purposes while it is not receiving cash payments
corresponding to such income. When interest rates fall below the rate payable on
an issue of preferred stock or for other reasons, the issuer may redeem the
preferred stock, generally after an initial period of call protection in which
the stock is not redeemable. Preferred stocks may be significantly less liquid
than many other securities, such as U.S. Government securities, corporate bonds
and common stock.
Structured
Finance Investments. The Fund may invest in structured finance
investments, which are Income Securities and Common Equity Securities typically
issued by special purpose vehicles that hold income-producing securities (e.g., mortgage loans,
consumer debt payment obligations and other receivables) and other financial
assets. Structured finance investments are tailored, or packaged, to meet
certain financial goals of investors. Typically, these investments provide
investors with capital protection, income generation and/or the opportunity to
generate capital growth. The Sub-Adviser believes that structured finance
investments provide attractive risk-adjusted returns,
frequent
sector rotation opportunities and prospects for adding value through security
selection. Structured finance investments include:
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Mortgage-Related
Securities. Mortgage-related securities are a form of derivative
collateralized by pools of commercial or residential mortgages. Pools of
mortgage loans are assembled as securities for sale to investors by
various governmental, government-related and private organizations. These
securities may include complex instruments such as collateralized mortgage
obligations, REITs (including debt and preferred stock issued by REITs),
and other real estate-related securities. The mortgage-related securities
in which the Fund may invest include those with fixed, floating or
variable interest rates, those with interest rates that change based on
multiples of changes in a specified index of interest rates, and those
with interest rates that change inversely to changes in interest rates, as
well as those that do not bear interest. The Fund may invest in
residential and commercial mortgage-related securities issued by
governmental entities and private issuers, including subordinated
mortgage-related securities. The underlying assets of certain
mortgage-related securities may be subject to prepayments, which shorten
the weighted average maturity and may lower the return of such
securities.
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Asset-Backed
Securities. Asset-backed securities are a form of derivative issued
by governmental entities and private issuers which utilizes securitization
techniques similar to those used for mortgage-related securities. The
collateral for these securities may include home equity loans, automobile
and credit card receivables, boat loans, computer leases, airplane leases,
mobile home loans, recreational vehicle loans and hospital account
receivables. The Fund may invest in these and other types of asset-backed
securities that may be developed in the future. Asset-backed securities
are subject to the same risk of prepayment described above with respect to
mortgage-related securities. Asset-backed securities may provide the Fund
with a less effective security interest in the related collateral than do
mortgage-related securities, and thus it is possible that recovery on
repossessed collateral might be unavailable or inadequate to support
payments on these securities.
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Collateralized Debt
Obligations. A collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) is an
asset-backed security whose underlying collateral is typically a portfolio
of bonds, bank loans, other structured finance securities and/or synthetic
instruments. Where the underlying collateral is a portfolio of bonds, a
CDO is referred to as a collateralized bond obligation (“CBO”). Where the
underlying collateral is a portfolio of bank loans, a CDO is referred to
as a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”). Investors in CDOs bear the
credit risk of the underlying collateral. Multiple tranches of securities
are issued by the CDO, offering investors various maturity and credit risk
characteristics. Tranches are categorized as senior, mezzanine, and
subordinated/equity, according to their degree of risk. If there are
defaults or the CDO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled
payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine
tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence
over those to subordinated/equity tranches. CDOs are subject to the same
risk of prepayment described with respect to certain mortgage-related and
asset-backed securities. The value of CDOs may be affected by changes in
the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for
the pool, the originator of the pool, or the financial institution or fund
providing the credit support or enhancement.
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Risk-Linked
Securities. Risk-linked securities (“RLS”) are a form of derivative
issued by insurance companies and insurance-related special purpose
vehicles that apply securitization techniques to catastrophic property and
casualty damages. RLS are typically debt obligations for which the return
of principal and the payment of interest are contingent on the
non-occurrence of a pre-defined “trigger event.” Depending on the specific
terms and structure of the RLS, this trigger could be the result of a
hurricane, earthquake or some other catastrophic event. Insurance
companies securitize this risk to transfer to the capital markets the
truly catastrophic part of the risk exposure. A typical RLS provides for
income and return of capital similar to other fixed-income investments,
but would involve full or partial default if losses resulting from a
certain catastrophe exceeded a predetermined amount. RLS typically have
relatively high yields compared with similarly rated fixed-income
securities, and also have low correlation with the returns of traditional
securities. The Sub-Adviser believes that inclusion of RLS in the Fund’s
portfolio could lead to significant improvement in its overall risk-return
profile. Investments in RLS may be linked to a broad range of insurance
risks, which can be broken down into three major categories: natural risks
(such as hurricanes and earthquakes), weather risks (such as insurance
based on a regional average temperature) and non-natural events (such as
aerospace and shipping catastrophes). Although property-casualty RLS have
been in existence for over a decade, significant developments have started
to occur in securitizations done by life insurance companies. In general,
life insurance industry securitizations could fall into a number
of
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categories.
Some are driven primarily by the desire to transfer risk to the capital
markets, such as the transfer of extreme mortality risk (mortality bonds).
Others, while also including the element of risk transfer, are driven by
other considerations. For example, a securitization could be undertaken to
relieve the capital strain on life insurance companies caused by the
regulatory requirements of establishing very conservative reserves for
some types of products. Another example is the securitization of the
stream of future cash flows from a particular block of business, including
the securitization of embedded values of life insurance business or
securitization for the purpose of funding acquisition
costs.
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U.S.
Government Securities. The Fund may invest in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities including:
(1) U.S. Treasury obligations, which differ in their interest rates, maturities
and times of issuance, such as U.S. Treasury bills (maturity of one year or
less), U.S. Treasury notes (maturity of one to ten years), and U.S. Treasury
bonds (generally maturities of greater than ten years), including the principal
components or the interest components issued by the U.S. government under the
separate trading of registered interest and principal securities program (i.e., “STRIPS”), all of which
are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and (2)
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or
instrumentalities, including government guaranteed mortgage-related securities,
some of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, some
of which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S.
government, and some of which are backed only by the credit of the issuer
itself.
Foreign
Securities. While the Fund invests primarily in securities of U.S.
issuers, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S.
dollar-denominated fixed-income securities of corporate and governmental issuers
located outside the United States, including up to 10% in emerging markets.
Foreign securities include securities issued or guaranteed by companies
organized under the laws of countries other than the United States and
securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies or
instrumentalities and supra-national governmental entities, such as the World
Bank. Foreign securities also may be traded on foreign securities exchanges or
in over-the-counter capital markets. The value of foreign securities and
obligations 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.
Since
the Fund may invest in securities and obligations that are denominated or quoted
in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the Fund may 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 seek to fully hedge its
exposures to foreign currencies but may, at the discretion of the Sub-Adviser,
at any time limit or eliminate foreign currency hedging activity.
Common
Stocks and Other Common Equity Securities. The Fund may also invest in
common stocks and other Common Equity Securities that the Sub-Adviser believes
offer attractive yield and/or capital appreciation potential. Common stock
represents the residual ownership interest in the issuer. Holders of common
stocks and other Common Equity Securities are entitled to the income and
increase in the value of the assets and business of the issuer after all of its
debt obligations and obligations to preferred stockholders are satisfied. The
Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization.
Options.
As part of its Common Equity Securities strategy, the Fund currently intends to
employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options and may, from time
to time, buy or sell put options on individual Common Equity Securities. In
addition to its covered call option strategy, the Fund may, to a lesser extent,
pursue a strategy that includes the sale (writing) of both covered call and put
options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. This option strategy
is intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance
distributions
payable
to the Fund’s Common Shareholders. 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.
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. Net gains from the Fund’s option strategy will be short-term
capital gains which, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will constitute net
investment company taxable income.
The
Fund will follow a strategy known as “covered call option writing,” which is a
strategy designed to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to
enhance distributions payable to the Fund’s Common Shareholders. As the Fund
writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from
capital appreciation becomes more limited.
As
part of its strategy, the Fund may not sell “naked” call options on individual
securities, i.e.,
options representing more shares of the stock than are held in the portfolio. A
call option written by the Fund on a 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
Sub-Adviser (in accordance with procedures established by the board of trustees)
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 Sub-Adviser as described above.
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 underlying
the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the
option. These strategies may produce a considerably higher return than the
Fund’s primary strategy of covered call writing, but involve a higher degree of
risk and potential volatility.
The
Fund will write (sell) put options on individual securities only if the put
option is “covered.” A put option written by the Fund on a security is “covered”
if the Fund segregates or earmarks assets determined to be liquid by the
Sub-Adviser, as described above, equal to the exercise price. A put option is
also covered if the Fund holds a put on the same security as the put written
where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the
exercise price of the put written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the
put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Fund in segregated or
earmarked assets determined to be liquid by the Sub-Adviser, as described
above.
The
Fund may sell put and call options on indices of securities. Options on an index
differ from options on securities because (i) the exercise of an index option
requires cash payments and does not involve the actual purchase or sale of
securities, (ii) the holder of an index option has the right to receive cash
upon exercise of the option if the level of the index upon which the option is
based is greater, in the case of a call, or less, in the case of a put, than the
exercise price of the option and (iii) index options reflect price-fluctuations
in a group of securities or segments of the securities market rather than price
fluctuations in a single security.
TALF
Program
The
Fund may invest a portion of its total assets through participation in the Term
Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility program (the “TALF Program”), a program
developed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the U.S.
Department of the Treasury and operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
(“FRBNY”). Under the TALF Program, the FRBNY may provide loans to the Fund to
purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities which must be backed
by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans, small business loans or certain
commercial mortgage-backed securities. As of May 31, 2010, the Fund’s borrowings
under the TALF Program represented [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed
Assets.
In
order to obtain a loan under the TALF Program, the Fund is required to put up a
certain percentage of the purchase price or value of the eligible collateral
(called the “haircut”). In addition, it will be required to pay an
administrative fee to the New York Fed on the settlement date of each TALF
Program loan received by the Fund. The interest rate under the loan will vary
and will be determined under the terms of the TALF Program. The term of a loan
under the TALF Program will depend on the nature of the eligible collateral, and
are currently three years or five years.
The
Fund pledges eligible collateral, which consists of either certain eligible
asset-backed securities that the Fund currently owns or other asset-backed
securities that the Fund purchases with the loan proceeds. Except in limited
circumstances, TALF loans by the New York Fed to the Fund are non-recourse, and
if the Fund does not repay the loan, the New York Fed may enforce its rights
only against the eligible collateral pledged by the Fund and not against any
other assets of the Fund. TALF loans are prepayable at the option of the Fund
without penalty, and the Fund may satisfy its loan obligation in full at any
time by surrendering the eligible collateral to the New York Fed. If the
securities constituting eligible collateral default and lose all their value,
under the current terms of the TALF Program the New York Fed cannot look to the
Fund to cover the principal on the loan. Generally, under the terms of the TALF
Program a payment of principal on eligible collateral must be used immediately
to reduce the principal amount of the TALF loan in proportion to the haircut
(for example, if the original haircut was 10%, 90% of any principal repaid must
be immediately paid to the New York Fed).
The
risk of leverage to the Fund under the TALF Program is the same risk of leverage
that applies to other types of borrowings the Fund may engage in. The Fund will
borrow under the TALF Program only if it maintains segregated liquid assets (in
addition to any assets pledged as eligible collateral), marked-to-market daily,
in an amount equal to the Fund’s outstanding principal and interest under the
TALF loan, treating the loans under the TALF Program similar to other financial
instruments (such as reverse repurchase agreements) that obligate a fund to
“cover” its obligation to purchase or deliver cash or securities at a future
time.
The
New York Fed reserves the right to reject any request for a loan, in whole or in
part, in its sole discretion, even if the Fund meets all requirements of the
TALF Program. The Federal Reserve may also change the terms of the TALF Program
at its discretion. While the current terms of the TALF Program state that
amendments will only apply to future participations, there is no guarantee that
retroactive changes to the TALF Program will not occur. The Fund cannot predict
the form any such changes or modifications might take and, if the Fund
participates in the TALF Program, such changes may adversely affect the value of
the Fund’s assets and the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment
objectives. Any changes to the TALF Program may, among other things, further
limit or expand the types of securities that may be purchased with the proceeds
of a TALF Program loan.
Participation
in the TALF Program requires the Fund to contract with a primary dealer that
will be authorized to act as agent for the Fund. A primary dealer may receive
direct or indirect fees for its services. Any such fees incurred will be borne
by the Fund. Under the terms of the TALF Program, any interest and principal
payments from TALF eligible collateral will be directed first to a custodial
account in the name of the primary dealer prior to remittance to the Fund. As a
result, the Fund will be subject to the counterparty risk of the primary dealer.
Any voting rights held in respect of TALF eligible collateral under a TALF
Program loan currently are subject to the consent of the New York Fed, whose
consent must be obtained via the primary dealer, which may delay the Fund’s
voting ability.
Under
certain circumstances, loans under the TALF Program may be become recourse to
the Fund, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its
investment objective. In connection with any borrowing by the Fund under the
TALF Program, the Fund will be required to represent, among other things, that
at the time of borrowing the Fund is an eligible borrower and that the
collateral is eligible collateral. A determination that the Fund is, at any
time,
not an
eligible borrower (based on the criteria that is applicable at the time of
borrowing), or a determination that certain representations made by the Fund
under the TALF Program were untrue when made, will cause the loan to become full
recourse to the Fund, and the Fund must then repay the loan or surrender the
eligible collateral at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so, which
may result in losses to the Fund. Additionally, the loan may become recourse to
the Fund if certain persons acquire more than 25% of the Fund’s outstanding
securities or if the Fund fails to make certain timely filings under the TALF
Program. If loans under the TALF Program become recourse against the Fund and
the value of the eligible collateral pledged to the New York Fed does not at
least equal the amount of principal and interest the Fund owes to the New York
Fed under the loan, then the Fund will be required to pay the difference to the
New York Fed. In order to make this payment, the Fund may be required to sell
portfolio securities during adverse market conditions or at other times it would
not otherwise choose to sell such securities. Finally, if the Fund were to
surrender its eligible collateral under the terms of the TALF Program, it would
lose the amount of the haircut.
Under
the terms of its agreement with the Fund, the primary dealer generally disclaims
all liability for losses that may occur in connection with the TALF Program, the
risk of which is borne by the Fund. Further, the Fund indemnifies for any losses
that the primary dealer may incur under the terms of the TALF Program. The
primary dealer may terminate its agreement with the Fund at any time. If the
Fund is not able to find a replacement primary dealer within the requisite
period of time, it may be required to either repay the loan, sell the eligible
collateral, or surrender the eligible collateral at a time when it may not be
advantageous to do so, which may result in losses to the Fund. Agreements with
the primary dealer are subject to amendment by the primary dealer without the
Fund’s consent, in order to conform to any future amendments of the TALF Program
by the Federal Reserve.
Temporary
Defensive Investments
At
any time when a temporary defensive posture is believed by the Investment
Adviser to be warranted (a “temporary defensive period”), the Fund may, without
limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in money market instruments and
repurchase agreements in respect of those instruments. The money market
instruments in which the Fund may invest are obligations of the U.S. government,
its agencies or instrumentalities; commercial paper rated A-1 or higher by
S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s; and certificates of deposit and bankers’
acceptances issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks that are members of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. During a temporary defensive period, the
Fund may also invest in shares of money market mutual funds. Money market mutual
funds are investment companies, and the investments in those companies by the
Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions
and applicable law. See “Investment Restrictions” in the Fund’s SAI. As a
shareholder in a mutual fund, the Fund will bear its ratable share of its
expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the
fees to the Investment Adviser, with respect to assets so invested. See
“Management of the Fund.” The Fund may not achieve its investment objective
during a temporary defensive period or be able to sustain its historical
distribution levels.
Certain
Other Investment Practices
Derivative
Transactions. The Fund may, but is not required to, use various strategic
transactions in futures, options and other derivative contracts in order to earn
income, facilitate portfolio management and mitigate risks. These strategies may
be executed through the use of derivative contracts. 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, derivative transactions may also include new techniques,
instruments or strategies that are permitted as regulatory changes occur. For a
more complete discussion of the Fund’s investment practices involving
transactions in derivatives and certain other investment techniques, see
“Investment Objective and Policies. Derivative Instruments” in the Fund’s
SAI.
When
Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may
enter into forward commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including
on a “when issued” or “delayed delivery” basis, in excess of customary
settlement periods for the type of security involved. In some cases, a forward
commitment may be conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as
approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt
restructuring (i.e., a
when, as and if issued security). When such transactions are negotiated, the
price is fixed at the time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking
place in the future, generally a month or more after the date of the commitment.
While it will only enter into a forward commitment with the intention
of
actually
acquiring the security, the Fund may sell the security before the settlement
date if it is deemed advisable. Securities purchased under a forward commitment
are subject to market fluctuation, and no interest (or dividends) accrues to the
Fund prior to the settlement date. The Fund will segregate with its custodian
cash or liquid securities in an aggregate amount at least equal to the amount of
its outstanding forward commitments.
Loans
of Portfolio Securities. To increase income, the Fund may lend its
portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions if
(i) the loan is collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements and (ii) no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to
exceed 33 1/3% of the
value of the Fund’s total assets. If the borrower fails to maintain the
requisite amount of collateral, the loan automatically terminates and the Fund
could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower
liable for any excess of replacement cost over the value of the collateral. As
with any extension of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some
cases even loss of rights in collateral should the borrower of the securities
fail financially. There can be no assurance that borrowers will not fail
financially. On termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the
securities to the Fund, and any gain or loss in the market price during the loan
would inure to the Fund. If the other party to the loan petitions for bankruptcy
or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the
rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there
may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral and the Fund
would suffer a loss. See “Investment Objective and Policies–Loans of
Portfolio Securities” in the Fund’s SAI.
Repurchase
Agreements. Repurchase agreements may be seen as loans by the Fund
collateralized by underlying debt securities. Under the terms of a typical
repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire an underlying debt obligation for a
relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to an
obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation
at an agreed price and time. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return
to the Fund that is not subject to market fluctuations during the holding
period. The Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a
repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed in or
prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities,
including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying
securities during the period in which it seeks to assert these rights. The
Investment Adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, reviews the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the
Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate these risks and monitors on
an ongoing basis the value of the securities subject to repurchase agreements to
ensure that the value is maintained at the required level. The Fund will not
enter into repurchase agreements with the Investment Adviser or its
affiliates.
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 (normally within seven days)
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. When the Fund enters
into a reverse repurchase agreement, any fluctuations in the market value of
either the instruments transferred to another party or the instruments 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 Investment Adviser. Because reverse repurchase agreements may be
considered to be the practical equivalent of borrowing funds, they constitute a
form of leverage. 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 cash available for
distribution.
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund will buy and sell securities to seek to accomplish its investment
objective. Portfolio turnover generally involves some expense to the Fund,
including brokerage commissions or dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs
on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The portfolio
turnover rate is computed by dividing the lesser of the amount of the securities
purchased or securities sold by the average monthly value of securities owned
during the year (excluding securities whose maturities at acquisition were one
year or less). Higher portfolio turnover
may
decrease the after-tax return to individual investors in the Fund to the extent
it results in a decrease of the long-term capital gains portion of distributions
to shareholders.
Investment
Restrictions
The
Fund has adopted certain other investment limitations designed to limit
investment risk. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed
without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common
Shares, as defined in the 1940 Act (and preferred shares, if any, voting
together as a single class). See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a
complete list of the fundamental investment policies of the Fund.
The
Fund may seek to enhance the level of its current distributions by utilizing
financial leverage through the issuance of senior securities such as preferred
shares (“Preferred Shares”), through borrowing or the issuance of commercial
paper or other forms of debt (“Borrowings”), through reverse repurchase
agreements, dollar rolls or similar transactions or through a combination of the
foregoing (collectively “Financial Leverage”). The Fund’s total Financial
Leverage may vary over time; however, the aggregate amount of Financial Leverage
is not currently expected to exceed 33 1/3% of the
Fund’s Managed Assets after such issuance and/or borrowing; however, the Fund
may utilize Financial Leverage up to the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. The
Fund may also utilize Borrowings in excess of such limit for temporary purposes
such as the settlement of transactions. So long as the net rate of return on the
Fund’s investments purchased with the proceeds of Financial Leverage exceeds the
cost of such Financial Leverage, such excess amounts will be available to pay
higher distributions to holders of the Fund’s Common Shares. Any use of
Financial Leverage must be approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. There can
be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be implemented or that it will
be successful during any period during which it is employed.
The
Fund has entered into a committed facility agreement with BNP Paribas Prime
Brokerage, Inc. pursuant to which the Fund may borrow up to $30 million. On May
31, 2010, outstanding Borrowings under the committed facility agreement were $[
] million, which represented [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets as of such date.
The Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets through participation in the
Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility program (the “TALF Program”), a
program developed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
the U.S. Department of the Treasury and operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York (“FRBNY”). Under the TALF Program, the FRBNY may provide loans to the
Fund to purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities which must be
backed by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans, small business loans or
certain commercial mortgage-backed securities. As of May 31, 2010, the Fund’s
borrowings under the TALF Program represented [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
In addition, as of May 31, 2010, the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements
outstanding representing approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed assets
(including the leverage obtained through the use of the instruments), such that
the Fund’s total Financial Leverage represented approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets, as of May 31, 2010.
Borrowing
As
noted above, the Fund is authorized to borrow or issue debt securities for
financial leveraging purposes and for temporary purposes such as the settlement
of transactions. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund generally is not permitted to
issue commercial paper or notes or engage in other Borrowings unless,
immediately after the Borrowing, the value of the Fund’s total assets less
liabilities other than the principal amount represented by commercial paper,
notes or other Borrowings, is at least 300% of such principal amount. In
addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other
distribution on the Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the
value of the Fund’s total assets, less liabilities other than the principal
amount represented by Borrowings, is at least 300% of such principal amount
after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution. If the Fund
borrows, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to prepay all or a portion of
the principal amount of any outstanding commercial paper, notes or other
Borrowings to the extent necessary to maintain the required asset
coverage.
The
terms of any such Borrowings may require the Fund to pay a fee to maintain a
line of credit, such as a commitment fee, or to maintain minimum average
balances with a lender. Any such requirements would increase the cost of such
Borrowings over the stated interest rate. Such lenders would have the right to
receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such Borrowings, which
right will be senior to those of the Common Shareholders. Any such Borrowings
may contain provisions limiting certain activities of the Fund, including the
payment of dividends to
Common
Shareholders in certain circumstances. Any Borrowings will likely be ranked
senior or equal to all other existing and future Borrowings of the
Fund.
Certain
types of Borrowings subject the Fund to covenants in credit agreements relating
to asset coverage and portfolio composition requirements. Certain Borrowings
issued by the Fund also may subject the Fund to certain restrictions on
investments imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies, which may
issue ratings for such Borrowings. Such guidelines may impose asset coverage or
portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by
the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will
impede the Sub-Adviser from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the
Fund’s investment objective and policies.
The
1940 Act grants to the lenders to the Fund, under certain circumstances, certain
voting rights in the event of default in the payment of interest on or repayment
of principal. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could
result in an event of default and entitle the debt holders to elect a majority
of the Board of Trustees.
Reverse
Repurchase Agreements
Borrowings
may be made by the Fund through reverse repurchase agreements under which the
Fund sells portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and
broker-dealers and agrees to repurchase them at a particular date and price.
Such agreements are considered to be borrowings under the Investment Company
Act. The Fund may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated
that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the
transaction is greater than the interest expense of the
transaction.
Dollar
Roll Transactions
Borrowings
may be made by the Fund through dollar roll transactions. A dollar roll
transaction involves a sale by the Fund of a mortgage-backed or other security
concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase a similar security at a
later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will
bear the same interest rate and stated maturity as those sold, but pools of
mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment
histories than those sold. During the period between the sale and repurchase,
the Fund will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the
securities sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional instruments
for the Fund, and the income from these investments will generate income for the
Fund. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain
or loss that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the
dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance
of the Fund compared with what the performance would have been without the use
of dollar rolls.
Effects
of Financial Leverage
Assuming
the Fund’s total Financial Leverage represented approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets and interest costs to the Fund at a combined average annual rate
of [ ]% with respect to such Financial Leverage, then the incremental income
generated by the Fund’s portfolio (net of estimated expenses including expenses
related to the Financial Leverage) must exceed approximately [ ]% to cover such
interest expense. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates used for
illustration. The amount of Financial Leverage used by the Fund as well as
actual interest expenses on such Financial Leverage will vary.
The
following table is furnished pursuant to requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on
Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns
(comprised of income, net expenses and changes in the value of investments held
in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment
portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of
what the Fund’s investment portfolio returns will be. The table further assumes
Financial Leverage representing approximately [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets
and interest costs to the Fund at a combined average annual rate of [ ]% with
respect to such Financial Leverage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed
portfolio total return (net of expenses)
|
(10.00)%
|
(5.00)%
|
0.00%
|
5.00%
|
10.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Share total return
|
[
]%
|
[
]%
|
[
]%
|
[
]%
|
[
]%
|
Common
Share total return is composed of two elements—the Common Share dividends paid
by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the Fund’s net
investment income after paying the carrying cost of Financial Leverage) and
realized and unrealized gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund
owns. As
required
by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the table assumes that the Fund is
more likely to suffer capital loss than to enjoy capital appreciation. For
example, to assume a total return of 0%, the Fund must assume that the net
investment income it receives on its investments is entirely offset by losses on
the value of those investments. This table reflects the hypothetical performance
of the Fund’s portfolio and not the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares, the
value of which will be determined by market and other factors.
During
the time in which the Fund is utilizing Financial Leverage, the amount of the
fees paid to the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser for investment advisory
services will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize Financial Leverage
because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets,
which may create a conflict of interest between the Investment Adviser and the
Sub-Adviser and the Common Shareholders. Because the Financial Leverage costs
will be borne by the Fund at a specified rate, only the Fund’s Common
Shareholders will bear the cost of the Fund’s fees and expenses.
Interest
Rate Transactions
In
connection with the Fund’s use of Financial Leverage, the Fund may enter into
interest rate swap or cap transactions. Interest rate swaps involve the Fund’s
agreement with the swap counterparty to pay a fixed-rate payment in exchange for
the counterparty’s paying the Fund a variable rate payment that is intended to
approximate all or a portion of the Fund’s variable-rate payment obligation on
the Fund’s Financial Leverage.
The
payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap, which will
not exceed the amount of the Fund’s Financial Leverage. The Fund may use an
interest rate cap, which would require it to pay a premium to the cap
counterparty and would entitle it, to the extent that a specified variable-rate
index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, to receive payment from the
counterparty of the difference based on the notional amount. The Fund would use
interest rate swaps or caps only with the intent to reduce or eliminate the risk
that an increase in short-term interest rates could have on Common Share net
earnings as a result of leverage.
The
Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis; that is, the two
payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or
dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund’s receiving or paying, as the
case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to
segregate cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the Fund’s
net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily. The
Fund will treat such amounts as illiquid.
The
use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with
ordinary portfolio security transactions. Depending on the state of interest
rates in general, the Fund’s use of interest rate instruments could enhance or
harm the overall performance of the Common Shares. To the extent there is a
decline in interest rates, the net amount receivable by the Fund under the
interest rate swap or cap could decline and could thus result in a decline in
the net asset value of the Common Shares. In addition, if short-term interest
rates are lower than the Fund’s fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap,
the swap will reduce Common Share net earnings if the Fund must make net
payments to the counterparty. If, on the other hand, short-term interest rates
are higher than the fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap
will enhance Common Share net earnings if the Fund receives net payments from
the counterparty. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the
Common Shares by limiting the Fund’s maximum leverage expense. Buying interest
rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the Common Shares if the
premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional cost of the
Financial Leverage that the Fund would have been required to pay had it not
entered into the cap agreement.
Interest
rate swaps and caps do not involve the delivery of securities or other
underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to
interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the
Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund
would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap or cap to
offset the costs of the Financial Leverage. Depending on whether the Fund would
be entitled to receive net payments from the counterparty on the swap or cap,
which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at
that point in time, such a default could negatively impact the performance of
the Common Shares.
Although
this will not guarantee that the counterparty does not default, the Fund will
not enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with any counterparty
that the Sub-Adviser believes does not have the financial
resources
to honor
its obligation under the interest rate swap or cap transaction. Further, the
Sub-Adviser will regularly monitor the financial stability of a counterparty to
an interest rate swap or cap transaction in an effort to proactively protect the
Fund’s investments.
In
addition, at the time the interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its
scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to
obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not
be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a
negative impact on the performance of the Common Shares.
The
Fund may choose or be required to redeem some or all Fund Preferred Shares or
prepay any Borrowings. Such a redemption or prepayment would likely result in
the Fund’s seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap
transaction. Such early termination of a swap could result in a termination
payment by or to the Fund. An early termination of a cap could result in a
termination payment to the Fund. There may also be penalties associated with
early termination.
Investors
should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated
with investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment
risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you
invest.
Not
a Complete Investment Program
The
Fund is intended for investors seeking current income and capital appreciation.
The Fund is not meant to provide a vehicle for those who wish to play short-term
swings in the stock market. An investment in the Common Shares of the Fund
should not be considered a complete investment program. Each Common Shareholder
should take into account the Fund’s investment objective as well as the Common
Shareholder’s other investments when considering an investment in the
Fund.
Investment
and Market Risk
An
investment in Common Shares of the Fund is subject to investment risk, including
the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest. An investment
in the Common Shares of the Fund represents an indirect investment in the
securities owned by the Fund. The value of those securities may fluctuate,
sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. The value of the securities owned by the
Fund will affect the value of the Common Shares. At any point in time, your
Common Shares may be worth less than your original investment, including the
reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Management
Risk
The
Fund is subject to management risk because it has an actively managed portfolio.
The Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will apply investment techniques and
risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no
guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Income
Risk
The
income investors receive from the Fund is based primarily on the interest it
earns from its investments in Income Securities, which can vary widely over the
short and long-term. If prevailing market interest rates drop, investors’ income
from the Fund could drop as well. The Fund’s income could also be affected
adversely when prevailing short-term interest rates increase and the Fund is
utilizing leverage, although this risk is mitigated to the extent the Fund’s
investments include floating-rate obligations.
Dividend
Risk
Dividends
on common stock and other Common Equity Securities which the Fund may hold are
not fixed but are declared at the discretion of an issuer’s board of directors.
There is no guarantee that the issuers of the equity securities in which the
Fund invests will declare dividends in the future or that, if declared, they
will remain at current levels or increase over time. The dividend income from
the Fund’s investment in Common Equity Securities will be influenced by both
general economic activity and issuer-specific factors. In the event of adverse
changes in economic conditions or adverse events effecting a specific industry
or issuer, the issuers of the Common Equity Securities held by the Fund may
reduce the dividends paid on such securities.
Income
Securities Risk
In
addition to the risks discussed above, Income Securities, including high-yield
bonds, are subject to certain risks, including:
Issuer
Risk. The value of Income Securities may decline for a number of reasons
which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial
leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods and services.
Credit
Risk. Credit risk is the risk that one or more debt obligations in the
Fund’s portfolio will decline in price, or fail to pay interest or principal
when due, because the issuer of the obligation experiences a decline in its
financial status.
Interest
Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that Income Securities will
decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market
interest rates rise, the market value of Income Securities generally will fall.
During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of
Income Securities may be extended because of slower than expected prepayments.
This may lock in a below market yield, increase the security’s duration and
reduce the value of the security. Investments in Income Securities with
long-term maturities may experience significant price declines if long-term
interest rates increase.
Reinvestment
Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio
will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called
Income Securities at market interest rates that are below the Fund portfolio’s
current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares’
market price or the overall return of the Fund.
Prepayment
Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, borrowers may exercise
their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled, forcing the Fund to
reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as call or prepayment risk.
Income Securities frequently have call features that allow the issuer to
repurchase the security prior to its stated maturity. An issuer may redeem an
obligation if the issuer can refinance the debt at a lower cost due to declining
interest rates or an improvement in the credit standing of the
issuer.
Liquidity
Risk. The Fund may invest without limitation in Income Securities for
which there is no readily available trading market or which are otherwise
illiquid, including certain high-yield bonds. The Fund may not be able to
readily dispose of illiquid securities and obligations at prices that
approximate those at which the Fund could sell such securities and obligations
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, limited liquidity
could affect the market price of Income Securities, thereby adversely affecting
the Fund’s net asset value and ability to make distributions.
Valuation
of Certain Income Securities. The Sub-Adviser normally uses an
independent pricing service to value most Income Securities held by the Fund.
The Sub-Adviser may use the fair value method to value investments if market
quotations for them are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, or if
events occurring after the close of a securities market and before the Fund
values its assets would materially affect net asset value. Because the secondary
markets for certain investments may be limited, they may be difficult to value.
Where market quotations are not readily available, valuation may require more
research than for more liquid investments. In addition, elements of judgment may
play a greater role in valuation in such cases than for investments with a more
active secondary market because there is less reliable objective data
available.
Duration
and Maturity Risk. The Fund has no set policy regarding portfolio
maturity or duration. Holding long duration and long maturity investments will
expose the Fund to certain magnified risks. These risks include interest rate
risk, credit risk and liquidity risks as discussed above.
Below-Investment
Grade Securities Risk
The
Fund may invest in Income Securities rated below-investment grade or, if
unrated, determined by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable credit quality, which
are commonly referred to as “high-yield” or “junk” bonds. Investment in
securities of below-investment grade quality involves substantial risk of loss.
Income Securities of below-investment grade quality are predominantly
speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay
principal when due and therefore involve a greater risk of default or decline in
market value due to adverse
economic
and issuer-specific developments. Income Securities of below-investment grade
quality display increased price sensitivity to changing interest rates and to a
deteriorating economic environment. The market values for Income Securities of
below-investment grade quality tend to be more volatile and such securities tend
to be less liquid than investment grade debt securities.
Senior
Loans Risk
The
risks associated with Senior Loans of below-investment grade quality are similar
to the risks of other lower grade Income Securities, although Senior Loans are
typically senior and secured in contrast to subordinated and unsecured Income
Securities. Senior Loans’ higher standing has historically resulted in generally
higher recoveries in the event of a corporate reorganization. In addition,
because their interest payments are adjusted for changes in short-term interest
rates, investments in Senior Loans generally have less interest rate risk than
other lower grade Income Securities, which may have fixed interest rates. The
Fund’s investments in Senior Loans are typically below-investment grade and are
considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Such
companies are more likely to default on their payments of interest and principal
owed to the Fund, and such defaults could reduce the Fund’s net asset value and
income distributions. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher
non-payment rate, and a debt obligation may lose significant value before a
default occurs. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a Senior Loan
may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the Senior
Loan’s value.
Economic
and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for certain
Senior Loans or Senior Loans generally, which may reduce market prices and cause
the Fund’s net asset value per share to fall. The frequency and magnitude of
such changes cannot be predicted.
Loans
and other debt instruments are also subject to the risk of price declines due to
increases in prevailing interest rates, although floating-rate debt instruments
are substantially less exposed to this risk than fixed-rate debt instruments.
Interest rate changes may also increase prepayments of debt obligations and
require the Fund to invest assets at lower yields. No active trading market may
exist for certain Senior Loans, which may impair the ability of the Fund to
realize full value in the event of the need to liquidate such assets. Adverse
market conditions may impair the liquidity of some actively traded Senior
Loans.
Second
Lien Loans Risk
Second
Lien Loans are subject to the same risks associated with investment in Senior
Loans and other lower grade Income Securities. However, Second Lien Loans are
second in right of payment to Senior Loans and therefore are subject to the
additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and any property securing the
Loan may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to the
senior secured obligations of the borrower. Second Lien Loans are expected to
have greater price volatility and exposure to losses upon default than Senior
Loans and may be less liquid. There is also a possibility that originators will
not be able to sell participations in Second Lien Loans, which would create
greater credit risk exposure.
Mezzanine
Investments Risk
Mezzanine
Investments are subject to the same risks associated with investment in Senior
Loans, Second Lien Loans and other lower grade Income Securities. However,
Mezzanine Investments may rank lower in right of payment than any outstanding
Senior Loans and Second Lien Loans of the borrower, or may be unsecured (i.e., not backed by a
security interest in any specific collateral), and are subject to the additional
risk that the cash flow of the borrower and available assets may be insufficient
to meet scheduled payments after giving effect to any higher ranking obligations
of the borrower. Mezzanine Investments are expected to have greater price
volatility and exposure to losses upon default than Senior Loans and Second Lien
Loans and may be less liquid.
Convertible
Securities Risk
Convertible
securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than
non-convertible securities of similar quality. As with all Income Securities,
the market values of convertible securities tend to decline as interest rates
increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. However, when
the market price of the common stock underlying a convertible security exceeds
the conversion price, the convertible security tends to reflect the market price
of the underlying common stock. As the market price of the underlying common
stock declines, the convertible security tends to trade increasingly on a yield
basis and thus may not decline in price to the same extent as
the
underlying
common stock. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in an issuer’s
capital structure and consequently entail less risk than the issuer’s common
stock.
Preferred
Stock Risks
Preferred
stock represents the senior residual interest in the assets of an issuer after
meeting all claims, with priority to corporate income and liquidation payments
over the issuer’s common stock. As such, preferred stock is inherently more
risky than the bonds and other debt instruments of the issuer, but less risky
than its common stock. Certain preferred stocks contain provisions that allow an
issuer under certain conditions to skip (in the case of “non-cumulative”
preferred stocks) or defer (in the case of “cumulative” preferred stocks)
dividend payments. Preferred stocks often contain provisions that allow for
redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuer’s call.
Preferred stocks typically do not provide any voting rights, except in cases
when dividends are in arrears beyond a certain time period. There is no
assurance that dividends on preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be
declared or otherwise made payable. If the Fund owns preferred stock that is
deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for U.S.
federal income tax purposes while it is not receiving cash payments
corresponding to such income. When interest rates fall below the rate payable on
an issue of preferred stock or for other reasons, the issuer may redeem the
preferred stock, generally after an initial period of call protection in which
the stock is not redeemable. Preferred stocks may be significantly less liquid
than many other securities, such as U.S. Government securities, corporate debt
and common stock.
Structured
Finance Investments Risk
The
Fund’s structured finance investments may include residential and commercial
mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities issued by governmental
entities and private issuers. These securities entail considerable risk, i.e., credit risk, market
risk, prepayment risk and interest rate risk.
Prepayment
Risks. The yield and maturity characteristics of mortgage-related
securities and other asset-backed securities differ from traditional debt
securities. A major difference is that the principal amount of the obligations
may normally be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) generally may be
prepaid at any time (although certain mortgage-related and asset-backed
securities may limit prepayments). In calculating the average weighted maturity
of the Fund, the maturity of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities
held by the Fund will be based on estimates of average life, which take
prepayments into account. These estimates, however, may not accurately predict
actual prepayment rates. Prepayment risks include the following:
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•
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The
relationship between prepayments and interest rates may give some lower
grade mortgage-related and asset-backed securities less potential for
growth in value than conventional bonds with comparable
maturities.
|
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•
|
In
addition, when interest rates fall, the rate of prepayments tends to
increase, and during such periods, the reinvestment of prepayment proceeds
by the Fund will generally be at lower rates than the rates that were
carried by the obligations that have been prepaid.
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•
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Because
of these and other reasons, a mortgage-related or asset-backed security’s
total return and maturity may be difficult to predict.
|
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•
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To
the extent that the Fund purchases mortgage-related or asset-backed
securities at a premium, prepayments may result in loss of the Fund’s
principal investment to the extent of premium
paid.
|
Risks Associated With
Mortgage-Related Securities. The risks associated with mortgage-related
securities include:
|
|
|
|
•
|
credit
risks associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage
properties and of the borrowers owning these
properties;
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•
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adverse
changes in economic conditions and circumstances, which are more likely to
have an adverse impact on mortgage-related securities secured by loans on
certain types of commercial properties than on those secured by loans on
residential properties;
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prepayment
risk, which can lead to significant fluctuations in value of the
mortgage-related security; and
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loss
of all or part of the premium, if any, paid if there is a decline in the
market value of the security, whether resulting from changes in interest
rates or prepayments on the underlying mortgage
collateral.
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Risks Associated With Asset-Backed
Securities. Asset-backed securities involve certain risks in addition to
those presented by mortgage-related securities:
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Primarily,
these securities do not have the benefit of the same security interest in
the underlying collateral and are more dependent on the borrower’s ability
to pay.
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Credit
card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to
the protection of a number of state and Federal consumer credit laws, many
of which give debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the
credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due.
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Most
issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers to retain
possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell
these obligations to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser
would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related
automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of
vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under
state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may
not have an effective security interest in all of the obligations backing
such receivables. There is a possibility that recoveries on repossessed
collateral may not, in some cases, be able to support payments on these
securities.
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Risks
Associated with CDOs. The credit quality of CDO securities depends
primarily upon the quality of the underlying assets and the level of credit
support and/or enhancement provided. The underlying assets (e.g., debt obligations) of a
CDO are subject to prepayments, which shorten the weighted average maturity and
may lower the return of the securities issued by the CDO. If the credit support
or enhancement is exhausted, losses or delays in payment may result if the
required payments of principal and interest are not made. The value of CDO
securities also may change because of changes in market value, that is changes
in the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for
the pool, the originator of the pool, or the financial institution or fund
providing the credit support or enhancement.
Risks
Associated with Risk-Linked Securities. Risk-linked securities (“RLS”)
are a form of derivative issued by insurance companies and insurance-related
special purpose vehicles that apply securitization techniques to catastrophic
property and casualty damages. Unlike other insurable low-severity,
high-probability events (such as auto collision coverage), the insurance risk of
which can be diversified by writing large numbers of similar policies, the
holders of a typical RLS are exposed to the risks from high-severity,
low-probability events such as that posed by major earthquakes or hurricanes.
RLS represent a method of reinsurance, by which insurance companies transfer
their own portfolio risk to other reinsurance companies and, in the case of RLS,
to the capital markets. A typical RLS provides for income and return of capital
similar to other fixed-income investments, but involves full or partial default
if losses resulting from a certain catastrophe exceeded a predetermined amount.
In essence, investors invest funds in RLS and if a catastrophe occurs that
“triggers” the RLS, investors may lose some or all of the capital invested. In
the case of an event, the funds are paid to the bond sponsor — an insurer,
reinsurer or corporation — to cover losses. In return, the bond sponsors pay
interest to investors for this catastrophe protection. RLS can be structured to
pay-off on three types of variables—insurance-industry catastrophe loss
indicies, insure-specific catastrophe losses and parametric indices based on the
physical characteristics of catastrophic events. Such variables are difficult to
predict or model, and the risk and potential return profiles of RLS may be
difficult to assess. Catastrophe-related RLS have been in use since
the 1990s, and the securitization and risk-transfer aspects of such RLS are
beginning to be employed in other insurance and risk-related areas. The RLS
market is thus in the early stages of development. No active trading market may
exist for certain RLS, which may impair the ability of the Fund to realize full
value in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.
Foreign
Securities Risk
The
Fund may invest in non-U.S. dollar-denominated Income Securities of foreign
issuers. Investing in foreign issuers may involve certain risks not typically
associated with investing in securities of U.S. issuers due to increased
exposure to foreign economic, political and legal developments, including
favorable or unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, exchange control
regulations (including currency blockage), expropriation or nationalization of
assets, imposition of withholding taxes on payments, and possible difficulty in
obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign entities. Furthermore, issuers
of foreign securities and obligations are subject to different, often less
comprehensive, accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements than domestic
issuers. The securities and obligations of some foreign companies and foreign
markets are less liquid and at times more volatile than
comparable
U.S.
securities, obligations and markets. Foreign brokerage commissions and other
fees are also generally higher than in the United States. The laws of some
foreign countries may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in securities and
obligations of certain issuers located in these foreign countries. There are
also special tax considerations which apply to securities and obligations of
foreign issuers and securities and obligations principally traded overseas.
These risks may be more pronounced to the extent that the Fund invests a
significant amount of its assets in companies located in one region and to the
extent that the Fund invests in securities of issuers in emerging markets. The
Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated Income Securities of foreign
issuers, which are subject to many of the risks described above regarding Income
Securities of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies.
Emerging
Markets Risk
The
Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in Income Securities the issuers
of which are located in countries considered to be emerging markets, and
investments in such securities are considered speculative. Heightened risks of
investing in emerging markets government debt include: smaller market
capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative
illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment;
and potential restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital.
Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales
and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced
mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or
creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries
may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may
occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund. Inflation and
rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have,
negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging
market countries.
Foreign
Currency Risk
The
value of securities denominated or quoted in foreign currencies may be adversely
affected by fluctuations in the relative currency exchange rates and by exchange
control regulations. The Fund’s investment performance may be negatively
affected by a devaluation of a currency in which the Fund’s investments are
denominated or quoted. Further, the Fund’s investment performance may be
significantly affected, either positively or negatively, by currency exchange
rates because the U.S. dollar value of securities denominated or quoted in
another currency will increase or decrease in response to changes in the value
of such currency in relation to the U.S. dollar. Finally, the Fund’s
distributions are paid in U.S. dollars, and to the extent the Fund’s assets are
denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, there is a risk that the
value of any distribution from such assets may decrease if the currency in which
such assets or distributions are denominated falls in relation to the value of
the U.S. dollar. The Fund expects initially to seek to hedge its exposures to
foreign currencies but may, at the discretion of the Investment Adviser, at any
time limit or eliminate foreign currency hedging activity. To the extent the
Fund does not hedge (or is unsuccessful in seeking to hedge) its foreign
currency risk, the value of the Fund’s assets and income could be adversely
affected by currency exchange rate movements.
Common
Equity Securities Risk
The
Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in Common Equity Securities. 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 equity
securities are sensitive to general movements in the stock market, so a drop in
the stock market may depress the prices of equity securities to which the Fund
has exposure. Common Equity Securities’ prices fluctuate for a number of
reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition
of an issuer, the general condition of the relevant stock market, and broader
domestic and international political and economic events. In addition, Common
Equity Securities’ prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest
rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase. At times,
stock markets can be volatile and stock prices can change substantially. While
broad market measures of Common Equity Securities have historically generated
higher average returns than Income Securities, Common Equity Securities have
also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. Common Equity
Securities in which the Fund may invest are structurally subordinated to
preferred stock, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital
structure in terms of priority to corporate income and are therefore inherently
more risky than preferred stock or debt instruments of such
issuers.
Risks
Associated with the Fund’s Covered Call Option Strategy
The
ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective is partially dependent
on the successful implementation of its option strategy. Risks that may
adversely affect the ability of the Fund to successfully implement its option
strategy include the following:
Risks
Associated with Options on Securities. There are several risks associated
with transactions in options on securities used in connection with the Fund’s
option strategy. For example, there are significant differences between the
securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation
between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its
objectives. 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.
Risks
Associated with Covered Call and Put Options. As the writer of a covered
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 premium and the strike price of the call, but has
retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline.
As the Fund writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to
benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited. The writer of an option
has no control over the time when 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.
When
the Fund writes covered put options, it bears the risk of loss if the value of
the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If
the option is exercised, the Fund could incur a loss if it is required to
purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market
price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Fund
received when it wrote the option. While the Fund’s potential gain in writing a
covered put option is limited to distributions earned on the liquid assets
securing the put option plus the premium received from the purchaser of the put
option, the Fund risks a loss equal to the entire exercise price of the option
minus the put premium.
Exchange-Listed
Option Risk. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist
when the Fund seeks to close out an option position on an options exchange.
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 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 at some future date to discontinue the trading of options
(or a particular class or series of options). 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 Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that
exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. 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 on an exchange 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 cannot be
reflected in the options markets. Call options are marked to market daily and
their value will be affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of the
underlying common stocks, an increase 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.
OTC
Option Risk. The Fund may write (sell) OTC options. Options written by
the Fund with respect to non-U.S. securities, indices or sectors generally will
be OTC options. OTC options differ from exchange-listed options in
that
they are
two-party contracts, with exercise price, premium and other terms negotiated
between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as
exchange-listed options. The counterparties to these transactions typically will
be major international banks, broker-dealers and financial institutions. The
Fund may be required to treat as illiquid securities being used to cover certain
written OTC options. The OTC options written by the Fund will not be issued,
guaranteed or cleared by the Options Clearing Corporation. In addition, the
Fund’s ability to terminate the OTC options may be more limited than with
exchange-traded options. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions
participating in such transaction may fail to settle a transaction in accordance
with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency
of the counterparty, the Fund may be unable to liquidate an OTC option
position.
Risks
of Real Property Asset Companies
The
Fund may invest in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities issued by Real
Property Asset Companies.
Real
Estate Risks. Because of the Fund’s ability to make indirect investments
in real estate and in the securities of companies in the real estate industry,
it is subject to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate.
These risks include:
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declines
in the value of real estate;
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general
and local economic conditions;
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unavailability
of mortgage funds;
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overbuilding;
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extended
vacancies of properties;
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increased
competition;
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increases
in property taxes and operating expenses;
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changes
in zoning laws;
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losses
due to costs of cleaning up environmental problems and
contamination;
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limitations
on, or unavailability of, insurance on economic terms;
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liability
to third parties for damages resulting from environmental
problems;
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casualty
or condemnation losses;
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limitations
on rents;
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changes
in neighborhood values and the appeal of properties to
tenants;
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changes
in valuation due to the impact of terrorist incidents on a particular
property or area, or on a segment of the economy; and
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changes
in interest rates.
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National Resources and
Commodities Risks. Because of the Fund’s ability to make indirect
investments in natural resources and physical commodities, and in Real
Property Asset Companies engaged in oil and gas exploration and
production, gold and other precious metals, steel and iron ore production,
energy services, forest products, chemicals, coal, alternative energy
sources and environmental services, as well as related transportation
companies and equipment manufacturers, the Fund is subject to risks
associated with special risks, which
include:
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Supply and Demand
Risk. A decrease in the production of a physical commodity or a
decrease in the volume of such commodity available for transportation,
mining, processing, storage or distribution may adversely impact the
financial performance of an energy, natural resources, basic materials or
an associated company that devotes a portion of its business to that
commodity. Production declines and volume decreases could be caused by
various factors, including catastrophic events affecting production,
depletion of resources, labor difficulties, environmental proceedings,
increased regulations, equipment failures and unexpected maintenance
problems, import supply disruption, governmental expropriation, political
upheaval or conflicts or increased competition from alternative energy
sources or commodity prices. Alternatively, a sustained decline in demand
for such commodities could also adversely affect the financial performance
of energy, natural resources, basic materials or associated companies.
Factors that could lead to a decline in demand include economic recession
or other adverse economic conditions, higher taxes on commodities or
increased
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governmental
regulations, increases in fuel economy, consumer shifts to the use of
alternative commodities or fuel sources, changes in commodity prices, or
weather.
Depletion and Exploration
Risk. Many energy, natural resources, basic materials and associated
companies are engaged in the production of one or more physical commodities or
are engaged in transporting, storing, distributing and processing these items on
behalf of shippers. To maintain or grow their revenues, these companies or their
customers need to maintain or expand their reserves through exploration of new
sources of supply, through the development of existing sources, through
acquisitions or through long-term contracts to acquire reserves. The financial
performance of energy, natural resources, basic materials and associated
companies may be adversely affected if they, or the companies to whom they
provide the service, are unable to cost-effectively acquire additional reserves
sufficient to replace the natural decline.
Operational and Geological
Risk. Energy, natural resources, basic materials companies and associated
companies are subject to specific operational and geological risks in addition
to normal business and management risks. Some examples of operational risks
include mine rock falls, underground explosions and pit wall failures.
Geological risk would include faulting of the ore body and misinterpretation of
geotechnical data.
Regulatory Risk.
Energy, natural resources, basic materials and associated companies are subject
to significant federal, state and local government regulation in virtually every
aspect of their operations, including how facilities are constructed, maintained
and operated, environmental and safety controls, and the prices they may charge
for the products and services they provide. Various governmental authorities
have the power to enforce compliance with these regulations and the permits
issued under them, and violators are subject to administrative, civil and
criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or both. Stricter laws,
regulations or enforcement policies could be enacted in the future which would
likely increase compliance costs and may adversely affect the operations and
financial performance of energy, natural resources and basic materials
companies.
Commodity Pricing
Risk. The operations and financial performance of energy, natural
resources and basic materials companies may be directly affected by commodity
prices, especially those energy, natural resources, basic materials and
associated companies that own the underlying commodity. Commodity prices
fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in market and economic
conditions, the impact of weather on demand, levels of domestic production and
imported commodities, energy conservation, domestic and foreign governmental
regulation and taxation, the availability of local, intrastate and interstate
transportation systems, governmental expropriation and political upheaval and
conflicts. Volatility of commodity prices, which may lead to a reduction in
production or supply, may also negatively impact the performance of energy,
natural resources, basic materials and associated companies that are solely
involved in the transportation, processing, storing, distribution or marketing
of commodities. Volatility of commodity prices may also make it more difficult
for energy, natural resources, basic materials and associated companies to raise
capital to the extent the market perceives that their performance may be
directly or indirectly tied to commodity prices.
Precious Metals Pricing
Risk. The Fund may invest in companies that have a material exposure to
precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum and precious metals related
instruments and securities. The price of precious metals can fluctuate widely
and is affected by numerous factors beyond the Fund’s control including: global
or regional political, economic or financial events and situations; investors’
expectations with respect to the future rates of inflation and movements in
world equity, financial and property markets; global supply and demand for
specific precious metals, which is influenced by such factors as mine production
and net forward selling activities by precious metals producers, central bank
purchases and sales, jewelry demand and the supply of recycled jewelry, net
investment demand and industrial demand, net of recycling; interest rates and
currency exchange rates, particularly the strength of and confidence in the U.S.
dollar; and investment and trading activities of hedge funds, commodity funds
and other speculators. The Fund does not intend to hold physical precious
metals
Risks
of Personal Property Asset Companies
The
Fund may invest in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities issued by
Personal Property Asset Companies. Personal (as opposed to real) property
includes any tangible, movable chattel or asset. The Fund will typically seek to
invest in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities of Personal Property
Asset Companies that are associated with personal property assets with
investment performance that is not highly correlated with traditional market
indexes, such as special situation transportation assets (e.g., railcars, airplanes and
ships) and collectibles (e.g., antiques, wine and fine
art).
Special
Situation Transportation Assets Risks. The risks of special situation
transportation assets include:
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Cyclicality of Supply
and Demand for Transportation Assets. The transportation asset
leasing and sales industry has periodically experienced cycles of
oversupply and undersupply of railcars, aircraft and ships. The oversupply
of a specific type of transportation asset in the market is likely to
depress the values of that type of transportation asset. The supply and
demand of transportation assets is affected by various cyclical factors
that are not under the Fund’s control, including: (i) passenger and cargo
demand; (ii) commercial demand for certain types of transportation assets,
(iii) fuel costs and general economic conditions affecting lessees’
operations; (iv) government regulation, including operating restrictions;
(v) interest rates; (vi) the availability of credit; (vii) manufacturer
production level; (viii) retirement and obsolescence of certain classes of
transportation assets; (ix) re-introduction into service of transportation
assets previously in storage; and (x) traffic control infrastructure
constraints.
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Risk of Decline in
Value of Transportation Assets and Rental Values. In addition to
factors linked to the railway, aviation and shipping industries, other
factors that may affect the value of transportation assets, and thus of
the Personal Property Asset Companies in which the Fund invests, include:
(i) manufacturers merging or exiting the industry or ceasing to produce
specific types of transportation asset; (ii) the particular maintenance
and operating history of the transportation assets; (iii) the number of
operators using that type of transportation asset; (iv) whether the
railcar, aircraft or ship is subject to a lease; (v) any regulatory and
legal requirements that must be satisfied before the transportation asset
can be operated, sold or re-leased, (vi) compatibility of parts and layout
of the transportation asset among operators of particular asset; and (vii)
any renegotiation of a lease on less favorable terms.
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Technological
Risks. The availability for sale or lease of new, technologically
advanced transportation assets and the imposition of stringent noise,
emissions or environmental regulations may make certain types of
transportation assets less desirable in the marketplace and therefore may
adversely affect the owners’ ability to lease or sell such transportation
assets. Consequently, the owner will have to lease or sell many of the
transportation assets close to the end of their useful economic life. The
owners’ ability to manage these technological risks by modifying or
selling transportation assets will likely be limited.
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Risks Relating to
Leases of Transportation Assets. Owner/lessors of transportation
assets will typically require lessees of assets to maintain customary and
appropriate insurance. There can be no assurance that the lessees’
insurance will cover all types of claims that may be asserted against the
owner, which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in
the Personal Property Asset Company owning such transportation asset.
Personal Property Asset Companies will be subject to credit risk of the
lessees’ ability to the provisions of the lease of the transportation
asset. The Personal Property Asset Company will need to release or sell
transportation assets as the current leases expire in order to continue to
generate revenues. The ability to re-lease or sell transportation assets
will depend on general market and competitive conditions. Some of the
competitors of the Personal Property Asset Company may have greater access
to financial resources and may have greater operational flexibility. If
the Personal Property Asset Company is not able to re-lease a
transportation asset, it may need to attempt to sell the aircraft to
provide funds for its investors, including the
Fund.
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Collectible
Assests Risks. The risks of collectible assets include:
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Valuation of
Collectible Assets. The market for collectible assets as a
financial investment is in the early stages of development. Collectible
assets are typically bought and sold through auction houses, and estimates
of prices of collectible assets at auction are imprecise. Accordingly,
collectible assets are difficult to
value.
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Liquidity of
Collectible Assets. There are relatively few auction houses in
comparison to brokers and dealers of traditional financial assets. The
ability to sell collectible assets is dependent on the demand for
particular classes of collectible assets, which demand has been volatile
and erratic in the past. There is no assurance that collectible assets can
be sold within a particular timeframe or at the price at which such
collectible assets are valued, which may impair the ability of the Fund to
realize full value of Personal Property Asset Companies in the event of
the need to liquidate such assets.
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Authenticity of
Collectible Assets. The value of collectible assets often depends
on its rarity or scarcity, or of its attribution as the product of a
particular artisan. Collectible Assets are subject to forgery and to the
inabilities to assess the authenticity of the collectible asset, which may
significantly impair the value of the collectible
asset.
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High Transaction and
Related Costs. Collectible assets are typically bought and sold
through auction houses, which typically charge commissions to the
purchaser and to the seller which may exceed 20% of the sale price of the
collectible asset. In addition, holding collectible assets entails storage
and insurance costs, which may be
substantial.
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Private
Securities Risk
The
Income Securities and Common Equity Securities in which the Fund may invest
include privately issued securities of both public and private companies.
Private Securities have additional risk considerations than investments in
comparable public investments. Whenever the Fund invests in companies that do
not publicly report financial and other material information, it assumes a
greater degree of investment risk and reliance upon the Sub-Adviser’s ability to
obtain and evaluate applicable information concerning such companies’
creditworthiness and other investment considerations. Because there is often no
readily available trading market for Private Securities, the Fund may not be
able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at
which the Fund could sell them if they were more widely traded. Private
Securities are also more difficult to value. Valuation may require more
research, and elements of judgment may play a greater role in the valuation of
Private Securities as compared to public securities because there is less
reliable objective data available. Private Securities that are debt securities
generally are of below-investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and
present many of the same risks as investing in below-investment grade public
debt securities. Investing in private debt instruments is a highly specialized
investment practice that depends more heavily on independent credit analysis
than investments in other types of obligations.
Investment
Funds Risk
As
an alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund may also obtain
investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity Securities by
investing up to 30% of its total assets in Investment Funds, of which amount up
to 20% of its total assets may be invested in Registered Investment Funds.
Investments in Investment Funds present certain special considerations and risks
not present in making direct investments in Income Securities and Common Equity
Securities. Investments in Investment Funds involve operating expenses and fees
that are in addition to the expenses and fees borne by the Fund. Such expenses
and fees attributable to the Fund’s investment in another Investment Fund are
borne indirectly by Common Shareholders. Accordingly, investment in such
entities involves expense and fee layering. Fees charged by other Investment
Funds in which the Fund invests may be similar to the fees charged by the Fund
and can include asset-based management fees and administrative fees payable to
such entities’ advisers and managers, thus resulting in duplicative fees. To the
extent management fees of Investment Funds are based on total gross assets, it
may create an incentive for such entities’ managers to employ financial
leverage, thereby adding additional expense and increasing volatility and risk.
Fees payable to advisers and managers of Investment Funds may include
performance-based incentive fees calculated as a percentage of profits. Such
incentive fees directly reduce the return that otherwise would have been earned
by investors over the applicable period. A performance-based fee arrangement may
create incentives for an adviser or manager to take greater investment risks in
the hope of earning a higher profit participation. Investments in Investment
Funds frequently expose the Fund to an additional layer of financial leverage.
Investments in Investment Funds expose the Fund to additional management risk.
The success of the Fund’s investments in Investment Funds will depend in large
part on the investment skills and implementation abilities of the advisers or
managers of such entities. Decisions made by the advisers or managers of such
entities may cause the Fund to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities.
While the Sub-Adviser will seek to evaluate managers of Investment Funds and
where possible independently evaluate the underlying assets, a substantial
degree of reliance on such entities’ managers is nevertheless present with such
investments.
Private
Investment Funds Risk
In
addition to those risks described above with respect to all Investment Funds,
investing in Private Investment Funds may pose additional risks to the Fund.
Certain Private Investment Funds in which the Fund participates may involve
capital call provisions under which the Fund is obligated to make additional
investments at specified levels even if it would otherwise choose not to.
Investments in Private Investment Funds may have very limited liquidity. Often
there will be no secondary market for such investments and the ability to redeem
or otherwise withdraw from a Private Investment Fund may be prohibited during
the term of the Private Investment Fund or, if permitted, may be infrequent.
Certain Private Investment Funds may be subject to “lock-up” periods of a year
or more. The valuation of investments in Private Investment Funds often will be
based upon valuations provided by the adviser or manager and it may not always
be possible to effectively assess the accuracy of such valuations, particularly
if the fund holds substantial investments the values of which are determined by
the adviser or manager based upon a fair valuation methodology. Incentive fee
considerations may cause conflicts in the fair valuation of investment holdings
by a Private Investment Fund’s adviser or manager.
The
amount of management fees and incentive allocations varies among Private
Investment Funds, but the management fees are generally expected to be between
1%-2.5%, on an annual basis, of the total assets managed by a Private Investment
Fund manager, and the performance allocations are generally expected to be
between 15%-25% of the net capital appreciation (if any) in the assets managed
by a Private Investment Fund manager. Interests in Private Investment Funds will
generally be valued in accordance with accepted methods for securities and
instruments included in the Private Investment Fund. These valuations may be
provided by the manager of the Private Investment Fund to the Fund based on
interim unaudited financial statements. Accordingly, these figures may be
subject to an upward or downward adjustment following the auditing of such
financial records, which will be reflected in the net asset value calculation of
the Fund’s Common Shares at the time of such adjustment.
Private
Investment Funds in which the Fund invests may employ a number of investment
techniques, including short sales, investment in non-investment grade or
nonmarketable securities, uncovered option transactions, forward transactions,
futures and options on futures transactions, foreign currency transactions and
highly concentrated portfolios, among others, which could, under certain
circumstances, magnify the impact of any negative market, sector or investment
development. As the Fund may not, on a day-to-day basis, be privy to the precise
holdings of any Private Investment Fund in which it invests, the Fund may
inadvertently be exposed to concentration risk if it invests in a number of
Private Investment Funds which have overlapping strategies and accumulate large
positions in the same or related instruments without the Sub-Adviser’s
knowledge.
The
Fund may be exposed to increased leverage risk, as the Private Investment Funds
in which it invests may borrow and may utilize various lines of credit, reverse
repurchase agreements, “dollar” rolls, issuance of debt securities, swaps,
forward purchases and other forms of leverage. The Fund will not have the
ability to direct or influence the management of the Private Investment Funds in
which it invests, so the returns of on such investments will primarily depend on
the performance of the Private Investment Funds’ managers and could suffer
substantial adverse effects by the unfavorable performance of such managers.
Some of the Private Investment Funds may provide very limited information with
respect to their operation and performance to the Fund, thereby severely
limiting the Fund’s ability to verify initially or on a continuing basis any
representations made by the Private Investment Funds or the investment
strategies being employed. This may result in significant losses to the Fund
based on investment strategies and positions employed by the Private Investment
Funds or other actions of which the Sub-Adviser has limited or no
knowledge.
Certain
of the managers of Private Investment Funds may engage in other forms of related
and unrelated activities in addition to advising a Private Investment Fund. They
may also make investments in securities for their own account. Activities such
as these could detract from the time a manager devotes to the affairs of a
Private Investment Fund. In addition, certain of the managers may engage
affiliated entities to furnish brokerage services to Private Investment Funds
and may themselves provide market-making services, including those of
counterparty in securities and OTC transactions. As a result, in such instance
the choice of broker, market maker or counterparty and the level of commissions
or other fees paid for such services (including the size of any mark-up imposed
by a counterparty) may not have been made at arm’s length.
The
Fund’s interest in a Private Investment Fund is valued at an amount equal to the
Fund’s capital account in the limited partnership or other entity which issued
such interest, as determined pursuant to the instrument governing
such
issuance. As
a general matter, the governing instruments of the Private Investment Funds in
which the Fund invests provide that any securities or investments which are
illiquid, not traded on an exchange or in an established market or for which no
value can be readily determined, will be assigned such fair value as the
respective investment managers may determine in their judgment based on various
factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to, aggregate dealer quotes
or independent appraisals. Such valuations may not be indicative of what actual
fair market value would be in an active, liquid or established market.
Valuations may be provided by the managers of a Private Investment Fund to the
Fund based on interim unaudited financial statements. These figures may be
subject to a subsequent upward or downward adjustment following the auditing of
such financial records.
Affiliated
Investment Funds Risk
In
addition to those risks described above with respect to all Private Investment
Funds, investing in Affiliated Investment Funds may pose additional risks to the
Fund. The Fund would only invest in Affiliated Investment Funds that offer their
securities to unaffiliated third parties (including to existing security
holders) and only on the same terms and at the same times as such securities are
offered to such unaffiliated third parties. Similarly, the Fund may only redeem
shares of Affiliated Investment Funds on the same terms and at the same times as
redemptions are offered to such unaffiliated third parties. The Fund may
therefore be limited in the Affiliated Investment Funds in which it can invest.
The Fund may only invest in Affiliated Investment Funds to the extent permitted
by applicable law and related interpretations of the staff of the SEC. Under the
1940 Act, the Fund will be prohibited from co-investing with Affiliated
Investment Funds in certain Private Securities. The Fund may seek exemptive
relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to co-invest in Private
Securities (including Private Investment Funds managed by third parties) with
Affiliated Investment Funds. There can be no assurance that the Fund will obtain
such relief or that, if obtained, the terms will be acceptable to the
Fund.
Synthetic
Investments Risk
As
an alternative to holding investments directly, the Fund may also obtain
investment exposure to Income Securities and Common Equity Securities through
the use of customized derivative instruments (including swaps, options,
forwards, notional principal contracts or other financial instruments) to
replicate, modify or replace the economic attributes associated with an
investment in Income Securities and Common Equity Securities (including
interests in Investment Funds and, in certain circumstances, Affiliated
Investment Funds). The Fund may be exposed to certain additional risks to the
extent the Sub-Adviser use derivatives as a means to synthetically implement the
Fund’s investment strategies. If the Fund enters into a derivative instrument
whereby it agrees to receive the return of a security or financial instrument or
a basket of securities or financial instruments, it will typically contract to
receive such returns for a predetermined period of time. During such period, the
Fund may not have the ability to increase or decrease its exposure. In addition,
such customized derivative instruments will likely be highly illiquid, and it is
possible that the Fund will not be able to terminate such derivative instruments
prior to their expiration date or that the penalties associated with such a
termination might impact the Fund’s performance in a material adverse manner.
Furthermore, derivative instruments typically contain provisions giving the
counterparty the right to terminate the contract upon the occurrence of certain
events. Such events may include a decline in the value of the reference
securities and material violations of the terms of the contract or the portfolio
guidelines as well as other events determined by the counterparty. If a
termination were to occur, the Fund’s return could be adversely affected as it
would lose the benefit of the indirect exposure to the reference securities and
it may incur significant termination expenses.
In
the event the Fund seeks to participate in Investment Funds (including Private
Investment Funds and, in certain circumstances, Affiliated Investment Funds)
through the use of such synthetic derivative instruments, the Fund will not
acquire any voting interests or other shareholder rights that would be acquired
with a direct investment in the underlying Investment Fund. Accordingly, the
Fund will not participate in matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. In
addition, the Fund may not receive all of the information and reports to
shareholders that the Fund would receive with a direct investment in such
Investment Fund. Further, the Fund will pay the counterparty to any such
customized derivative instrument structuring fees and ongoing transaction fees,
which will reduce the investment performance of the Fund. Finally, certain tax
aspects of such customized derivative instruments are uncertain and a Common
Shareholder’s return could be adversely affected by an adverse tax ruling.
Inflation/Deflation
Risk
Inflation
risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments 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
can
decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, the dividend rates
or borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of Financial Leverage would
likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common
Shareholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy
decline over time—the opposite of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse
affect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer default more
likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
Market
Discount Risk
The
Fund’s Common Shares have a limited trading history and have traded both at a
premium and at a discount in relation to NAV. The Fund cannot predict whether
the Common Shares will trade in the future at a premium or discount to NAV. The
Fund’s Common Shares have recently traded at a premium to NAV per share, which
may not be sustainable. If the Common Shares are trading at a premium to net
asset value at the time you purchase Common Shares, the NAV per share of the
Common Shares purchased will be less than the purchase price paid. Shares of
closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from NAV, but in
some cases have traded above NAV. The risk of the Common Shares trading at a
discount is a risk separate from the risk of a decline in the Fund’s NAV as a
result of the Fund’s investment activities. The Fund’s NAV will be reduced
immediately following an offering of the Common Shares due to the costs of such
offering, which will be borne entirely by the Fund. The sale of Common Shares by
the Fund (or the perception that such sales may occur) may have an adverse
effect on prices of Common Shares in the secondary market. An increase in the
number of Common Shares available may put downward pressure on the market price
for Common Shares. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of holders
of Common Shares to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at
a price below the Fund’s then current NAV, subject to certain conditions, and
such sales of Common Shares at price below NAV, if any, may increase downward
pressure on the market price for Common Shares. These sales, if any, also might
make it more difficult for the Fund to sell additional Common Shares in the
future at a time and price it deems appropriate.
Whether
Common Shareholder will realize a gain or loss upon the sale of Common Shares
depends upon whether the market value of the Common Shares at the time of sale
is above or below the price the Common Shareholder paid, taking into account
transaction costs for the Common Shares, and is not directly dependent upon the
Fund’s NAV. Because the market value of the Common Shares will be determined by
factors such as the relative demand for and supply of the shares in the market,
general market conditions and other factors outside the Fund’s control, the Fund
cannot predict whether the Common Shares will trade at, below or above NAV, or
at, below or above the public offering price for the Common Shares. Common
Shares of the Fund are designed primarily for long-term investors; investors in
Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading
purposes.
Dilution
Risk
The
voting power of current Common Shareholders will be diluted to the extent that
current Common Shareholders do not purchase Common Shares in any future
offerings of Common Shares or do not purchase sufficient Common Shares to
maintain their percentage interest. If the Fund is unable to invest the proceeds
of such offering as intended, the Fund’s per Common Share distribution may
decrease and the Fund may not participate in market advances to the same extent
as if such proceeds were fully invested as planned. If the Fund sells Common
Shares at a price below NAV pursuant to the consent of holders of Common Shares,
shareholders will experience a dilution of the aggregate NAV per Common Share
because the sale price will be less than the Fund’s then-current NAV per Common
Share. This dilution will be experienced by all shareholders, irrespective of
whether they purchase Common Shares in any such offering. See “Description of
Capital Structure—Common Shares—Issuance of Additional Common
Shares.”
Financial
Leverage Risk
Although
the use of Financial Leverage by the Fund may create an opportunity for
increased after-tax total return for the Common Shares, it also results in
additional risks and can magnify the effect of any losses. If the income and
gains earned on securities purchased with Financial Leverage proceeds are
greater than the cost of Financial Leverage, the Fund’s return will be greater
than if Financial Leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or gains
from the securities purchased with such proceeds does not cover the cost of
Financial Leverage, the return to the Fund will be less than if Financial
Leverage had not been used.
Financial
Leverage involves risks and special considerations for shareholders, including
the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of and
dividends on the Common Shares than a comparable portfolio
without
leverage; the risk that fluctuations in interest rates on Borrowings or in the
dividend rates on any Preferred Shares that the Fund must pay will reduce the
return to the Common Shareholders; and the effect of Financial Leverage in a
declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset
value of the Common Shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result
in a greater decline in the market price of the Common Shares.
It
is also possible that the Fund will be required to sell assets, possibly at a
loss, in order to redeem or meet payment obligations on any Financial Leverage.
Such a sale would reduce the Fund’s net asset value and also make it difficult
for the net asset value to recover. The Fund in its best judgment nevertheless
may determine to continue to use Financial Leverage if it expects that the
benefits to the Fund’s shareholders of maintaining the leveraged position will
outweigh the current reduced return.
Because
the fees received by the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser are based on the
Managed Assets of the Fund (including the proceeds of any Financial Leverage),
the Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser have a financial incentive for the Fund
to utilize Financial Leverage, which may create a conflict of interest between
the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on the one hand and the Common
Shareholders on the other. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy
will be implemented or that it will be successful during any period during which
it is employed.
The
Fund may enter into a swap or cap transaction to attempt to protect itself from
increasing dividend or interest expenses resulting from increasing short-term
interest rates. A decline in interest rates may result in a decline in net
amounts receivable by the Fund from the counterparty under the swap or cap (or
an increase in the net amounts payable by the Fund to the counterparty under the
swap), which may result in a decline in the net asset value of the Fund. See
“Use of Financial Leverage—Interest Rate Transactions.”
Financial
leverage may also be achieved through the purchase of certain derivative
instruments. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments exposes the Fund to
special risks. See “Investment Objective and Policies—Certain Other Investment
Practices—Derivative Transactions” and “—Derivative Transactions Risk”
below.
Recent
economic and market event have contributed to severe market volatility and
caused severe liquidity strains in the credit markets. If dislocations in the
credit markets continue, the Fund’s leverage costs may increase and there is a
risk that the Fund may not be able to renew or replace existing leverage on
favorable terms or at all. If the cost of leverage is no longer favorable, or if
the Fund is otherwise required to reduce its leverage, the Fund may not be able
to maintain distributions on Common Shares at historical levels and Common
Shareholders will bear any costs associated with selling portfolio
securities.
Derivative
Transactions Risks
Participation
in options, futures and other derivative transactions involves investment risks
and transaction costs to which the Fund would not be subject absent the use of
such strategies. If the Sub-Adviser’s prediction of movements in the direction
of the securities and interest rate markets is inaccurate, the consequences to
the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not used such
strategies. Positions in derivatives (such as options, swaps, and futures and
forward contracts and options thereon) may subject the Fund to substantial loss
of principal in relation to the Fund’s investment amount. The Fund also will be
subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative
positions held 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 proceeding. The
Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such
circumstances.
Portfolio
Turnover Risk
The
Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year.
Portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of
investment decisions for the Fund. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in
correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses
that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in an increased
realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed
to Common Shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. Additionally, in a
declining market, portfolio turnover may create realized capital losses. See
“Taxation.”
Recent
Market Developments
Recent
instability in the credit markets has made it more difficult for a number of
issuers to obtain financings or refinancings for their investment or lending
activities or operations. There is a risk that such issuers will be unable to
successfully complete such financings or refinancings. In particular, issuers of
debt securities may be subject to increased cost for debt, tightening
underwriting standards and reduced liquidity for loans they make, securities
they purchase and securities they issue. There is also a risk that developments
in sectors of the credit markets in which the Fund does not invest may adversely
affect the liquidity and the value of securities in sectors of the credit
markets in which the Fund does invest, including securities owned by the
Fund.
The
debt and equity capital markets in the United States have been negatively
impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to
sub-prime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated
market, among other things. These events, along with the deterioration of the
housing market, the failure of major financial institutions and the resulting
United States federal government actions led to worsening general economic
conditions, which materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and
credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the
market as a whole and financial firms in particular. These events may adversely
affect the willingness of some lenders to extend credit, in general, which may
make it more difficult for issuers of Senior Loans to finance their operations.
These developments may increase the volatility of the value of securities owned
by the Fund. These developments also may make it more difficult for the Fund to
accurately value its securities or to sell its securities on a timely basis.
These developments could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to utilize
Financial Leverage and increase the cost of such Financial Leverage, which would
reduce returns to the holders of Common Shares. These developments have
adversely affected the broader economy, and may continue to do so, which in turn
may adversely affect the ability of issuers of securities owned by the Fund to
make payments of principal and interest when due, lead to lower credit ratings
and increased defaults. Such developments could, in turn, reduce the value of
securities owned by the Fund and adversely affect the net asset value of the
Fund’s common shares.
The
current financial market situation, as well as various social, political, and
psychological tensions in the United States and around the world, may continue
to contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the
U.S. and worldwide financial markets; and may cause further economic
uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. The prolonged
continuation or further deterioration of the current U.S. and global economic
downturn could adversely impact the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser does not
know how long the financial markets will continue to be affected by these events
and cannot predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the
U.S. economy and securities markets in the Fund’s portfolio. The Sub-Adviser
intends to monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a
manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can
be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so. Given the risks
described above, an investment in Common Shares may not be appropriate for all
prospective investors. A prospective investor should carefully consider his or
her ability to assume these risks before making an investment in the
Fund.
Government
Intervention in Financial Markets
The
recent instability in the financial markets discussed above has led the U.S.
Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain
financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have
experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Federal,
state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory
organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in
which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are
unforeseeable.
Governments
or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions
and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of
government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a
program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and
performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial
markets can expose the Fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential
difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Fund. The Sub-Adviser
will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner
consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no
assurance that it will be successful in doing so.
Legislation
Risk
At
any time after the date of this Prospectus, legislation may be enacted that
could negatively affect the assets of the Fund or the issuers of such assets.
Changing approaches to regulation may have a negative impact on the Fund
entities in which the Fund invests. Legislation or regulation may also change
the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. There can be no assurance that
future legislation, regulation or deregulation will not have a material adverse
effect on the Fund or will not impair the ability of the Fund to achieve its
investment objective.
TALF,
TARP, PPIP and Other Government Programs Risks
In
response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and the financial
markets, the United States government, the Treasury, the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System and other governmental and regulatory bodies have
taken action in an attempt to stabilize the financial markets.
The
TALF Program and the Legacy Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility program
(“Legacy TALF Program”) are operated by the established by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and the U.S.
Treasury as a credit facility designed to restore liquidity to the market for
asset-backed securities and operated by the FRBNY.
Pursuant
to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”), the Troubled
Asset Relief Program (the “TARP”) was established. The purpose of this
legislation was to stabilize financial markets and institutions in light of the
financial crisis affecting the United States. In connection with the TARP, the
Treasury announced the creation of the Financial Stability Plan in early 2009.
The Financial Stability Plan outlined a series of key initiatives to help
restore the United States economy, one of which was the creation of the
Public-Private Investment Program (“PPIP”). The PPIP is designed to encourage
the transfer of eligible assets, which include certain illiquid real
estate-related assets issued prior to 2009 (which may be rated below investment
grade, have no readily available trading market (or otherwise be considered
illiquid), may be difficult to value and may be backed in part by non-performing
mortgages), from banks and other financial institutions in an effort to restart
the market for these assets and support the flow of credit and other capital
into the broader economy.
Other
such programs may be sponsored, established or operated by U.S. or non U.S.
governments from time to time. It is unclear what effect these programs, and
their eventual termination, may have on the markets for credit securities in
which the fund may invest over the near- and long-term. Such programs may have
positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the
Fund’s portfolio holdings.
The
Fund may invest a portion of its Managed Assets through participation in the
TALF Program. Under the TALF Program, the FRBNY may provide loans to the Fund to
purchase certain investment-grade, asset-backed securities which must be backed
by auto loans, student loans, credit card loans, small business loans or certain
commercial mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may seek to participate in other
government programs from time to time. Participation in such programs may expose
the Fund to additional risks and may limit the Fund’s ability to engage in
certain of the investment strategies or transactions described in this
Prospectus or in the SAI. There can be no assurance that the Trust will be able
to participate in any such program.
Market
Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The
aftermath of the war in Iraq and the continuing occupation of Iraq, instability
in the Middle East and terrorist attacks in the United States and around the
world may result in market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S.
and worldwide financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in
the United States and worldwide. The Fund does not know how long the securities
markets may be affected by these events and cannot predict the effects of the
occupation or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities
markets.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
The
Fund’s Certificate of Trust, Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws (the
“Governing Documents”) include provisions that could limit the ability of other
entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an
open-end fund. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the Common
Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the
then-current market price of the Common Shares. See “Anti-Takeover and Other
Provisions in the Fund’s Governing Documents.”
Trustees
and Officers
The Board
of Trustees is broadly responsible for the management of the Fund, including
general supervision of the duties performed by the Investment Adviser. The names
and business addresses of the Trustees and officers of the Fund and their
principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set
forth under “Management of the Fund” in the SAI.
The
Investment Adviser
Claymore
Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guggenheim, acts as the Fund’s
Investment Adviser pursuant to an advisory agreement with the Fund (the
“Advisory Agreement”). As of March 31, 2010, Claymore entities have provided
supervision, management and/or servicing on approximately $15.9 billion in
assets through closed-end funds, unit investment trusts and exchange-traded
funds. The Investment Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company, with its
principal offices located at 2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois 60532.
Guggenheim
is a diversified financial services firm with wealth management, capital
markets, investment management and proprietary investing businesses, whose
clients are a mix of individuals, family offices, endowments, foundations,
insurance companies and other institutions that have entrusted Guggenheim with
the supervision of more than $100 billion of assets. Guggenheim is headquartered
in Chicago and New York with a global network of offices throughout the United
States, Europe, and Asia.
Pursuant
to the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the
management of the Fund; furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment on
behalf of the Fund; oversees the activities of the Fund’s Sub-Adviser; provides
personnel, including certain officers required for the Fund’s administrative
management; and pays the compensation of all officers and Trustees of the Fund
who are its affiliates.
As
compensation for its services, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee,
payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily
Managed Assets (from which the Investment Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser’s fee as
described under “—The Sub-Adviser” below). “Managed Assets” of the Fund means
the total assets of the Fund (other than assets attributable to any investments
in Affiliated Investment Funds), including the assets attributable to the
proceeds from any borrowings or other forms of Financial Leverage, minus
liabilities, other than liabilities related to any Financial
Leverage.
A
discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the Advisory Agreement by the
Board of Trustees is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for
the period ending May 31, 2010.
In
addition to the fees of the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays all other costs
and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its Trustees (other
than those affiliated with the Investment Adviser), custodial expenses, transfer
agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of the Fund’s
independent registered public accounting firm, expenses of repurchasing shares,
listing expenses, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses,
stockholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental
agencies, and taxes, if any.
The
Sub-Adviser
Guggenheim
Partners Asset Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Guggenheim, acts as the Fund’s
Sub-Adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement with the Fund and the
Investment Adviser (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). The Sub-Adviser is an
investment manager specializing in innovative investment strategies that aim to
add alpha relative to benchmarks in both up and down markets. The Sub-Adviser’s
investment philosophy is predicated upon the belief that thorough research and
independent thought are rewarded with performance that has the potential to
outperform benchmark indexes with both lower volatility and lower correlation of
returns over time as compared to such benchmark indexes. The Sub-Adviser manages
more than $29 billion in investments for a mix of individuals, family offices,
endowments, foundations, insurance companies and other institutions. The
Sub-Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company, with its principal offices
located at 100 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90401.
Guggenheim
is a diversified financial services firm with wealth management, capital
markets, investment management and proprietary investing businesses, whose
clients are a mix of individuals, family offices, endowments, foundations,
insurance companies and other institutions that have entrusted Guggenheim with
the supervision of more
than $100
billion of assets. Guggenheim is headquartered in Chicago and New York with a
global network of offices throughout the United States, Europe, and
Asia.
Pursuant
to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser, under the supervision of the
Fund’s Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of the Fund’s
portfolio of securities and provides certain facilities and personnel related to
such management. As compensation for the Sub-Adviser’s services, the Investment
Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in an annual amount equal
to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, less 0.50% of the Fund’s
average daily assets attributable to any investments by the Fund in Affiliated
Investment Funds.
A
discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement by
the Board of Trustees is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders
for the period ending May 31, 2010.
Portfolio
Management
The
Sub-Adviser’s investment process is a collaborative effort between its Portfolio
Construction Group, which utilizes tools such as Guggenheim’s Dynamic Financial
Analysis Model to determine allocation of assets among a variety of sectors, and
its Sector Specialists, who are responsible for security selection within these
sectors and for implementing securities transactions, including the structuring
of certain securities directly with the issuer or with investment banks and
dealers involved in the origination of such securities. The Sub-Adviser’s
Portfolio Construction Group is led by B. Scott Minerd and Michael Curcio. The
Sub-Adviser’s personnel with the most significant responsibility for the
day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are:
B.
Scott Minerd, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer. Since
2001, Mr. Minerd has served as Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser,
guiding the investment strategies of the sector portfolio managers. He was
formerly a Managing Director with Credit Suisse First Boston in charge of
trading and risk management for the Fixed Income Credit Trading Group. In this
position, he was responsible for the corporate bond, preferred stock, money
markets, U.S. government agency and sovereign debt, derivatives securities,
structured debt and interest-rate swaps trading business units. Previously, Mr.
Minerd was Morgan Stanley’s London-based European Capital Markets Products
Trading and Risk Manager responsible for Eurobonds, Euro-MTNs, domestic European
Bonds, FRNs, derivative securities and money market products in 12 European
currencies and Asian markets. Mr. Minerd has also held capital markets positions
with Merrill Lynch and Continental Bank and was a Certified Public Accountant
working for Price Waterhouse. Mr. Minerd holds a BS degree in Economics from the
Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and has completed graduate work at
both the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and the Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania.
Anne
Bookwalter Walsh, Senior Managing Director. Ms. Walsh joined Guggenheim
and the Sub-Adviser in 2007. As a senior member of the Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio
Construction Group, she will assist with the development of the Fund’s asset
allocation strategies. Prior to joining Guggenheim, she was Senior Vice
President and the Chief Investment Officer for Reinsurance Group of America,
where she was employed from 2000 to 2007. Prior to that role, Ms. Walsh served
as Vice President and Senior Investment Consultant for Zurich Scudder
Investments. Earlier, she held roles at Lincoln Investment Management and
American Bankers Insurance Group. Ms. Walsh received her BSBA and MBA from
Auburn University and her JD from the University of Miami School of Law. She is
a CFA Charter holder, a Fellow of the Life Management Institute and a member of
the CFA Institute.
Michael
Curcio, Managing Director. Mr. Curcio joined Guggenheim in April 2002 and
has been part of the Sub-Adviser since 2006. Mr. Curcio will assist with the
development of the Fund’s asset allocation strategies as a member of the
Portfolio Construction Group. Prior to joining Guggenheim, he traded equity
index futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Mr. Curcio has 14 years of
experience in the insurance industry and was an actuary for Aon, LaSalle Re,
Bankers Life and Casualty and Coregis. He obtained an Associateship in the
Society of Actuaries and in the Casualty Actuarial Society. He has an MS in
mathematics and a BS in metallurgical engineering from the University of
Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Robert
N. Daviduk, Managing Director. Mr. Daviduk joined the Sub-Adviser in 2006
and is a member of the Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Construction Group. In addition,
he is currently head of the High Quality Corporate Credit Investment Sector. Mr.
Daviduk will be primarily responsible for the management of the Fund, overseeing
the implementation of the asset allocation strategies developed by the Porfolio
Construction Group. Mr. Daviduk has over 20 years of portfolio management
experience. Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser, he was a Partner and COO at
Global
Fixed
Income Partners, LLC from 2005-2006. Mr. Daviduk was responsible for the firm’s
investments in the global structured finance sector and oversaw the operations
of the firm. Mr. Daviduk was a Managing Director at Wells Capital Management
from 2002-2005 and headed several investment teams responsible for the
management of $25 billion of fixed-income assets across a full range of
durations, asset classes and credit qualities. Before that, Mr. Daviduk was a
Senior Vice President at Banc of America Capital Management from 1997-2002,
where he headed the firm’s structured product investments, which included
mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and commercial
mortgage-backed securities. At Banc of America, he also served as a portfolio
generalist and managed numerous portfolios with significant allocations to
corporate and cross-over credits. While at Banc of America, Mr. Daviduk managed
the Nation’s Short-Term Bond Fund, which was ranked in the top 10% of all funds
in its peer group by Lipper Analytical Services. Mr. Daviduk was at Brown
Brothers Harriman & Co. from 1985-1990, where he managed municipal,
high-yield, investment-grade and non-U.S. dollar securities. Mr. Daviduk earned
his MBA in Finance and International Business from New York University, where he
graduated first in his class, and earned his BS in Business Administration and
Accounting from Bucknell University.
Eric
Silvergold, Managing Director. Mr. Silvergold joined Guggenheim in June
2001 as a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager in the firm’s fixed
income division, and has been with the Sub-Adviser since 2006. Mr. Silvergold is
a member of the Sub-Adviser’s Portfolio Construction Group and will oversee the
execution of strategies relating to interest rate products, mortgage securities
and insurance products. Mr. Silvergold has more than 19 years of experience in
institutional asset management with an emphasis on quantitative fixed income
investing. Prior to joining Guggenheim, Mr. Silvergold was a Senior Vice
President and Senior Portfolio Manager with Lazard Asset Management where he
headed Lazard’s Global Structured Products Group and served as a member of
Lazard’s portfolio construction team. At Lazard, Mr. Silvergold pioneered the
utilization of insurance-linked securities as an alternative investment strategy
within institutional fixed income portfolios. Before joining Lazard in 1995, Mr.
Silvergold was a Senior Fixed Income Engineer with Alliance Capital Management
where he designed and developed fixed income trading, portfolio management, and
analytic systems to enhance the performance of the mortgage, sector rotation,
and municipal bond teams. Prior to that, Mr. Silvergold spent six years at
MetLife as an investment analyst. While at MetLife, Mr. Silvergold initiated the
early adoption of option-adjusted analytics, performance attribution techniques
and key-rate duration based asset-liability management methodologies. Mr.
Silvergold earned his MBA in Finance and Statistics from the Stern School of
Business at New York University and earned his BA in Economics from Rutgers
University.
The
SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation,
other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’
ownership of securities of the Fund.
The
net asset value of the Common Shares is calculated by subtracting the Fund’s
total liabilities (including from Borrowings) and the liquidation preference of
any outstanding Preferred Shares from total assets (the market value of the
securities the Fund holds plus cash and other assets). The per share net asset
value is calculated by dividing its net asset value by the number of Common
Shares outstanding and rounding the result to the nearest full cent. The Fund
calculates its net asset value as of the close of business, usually 5:00 p.m.
Eastern time, every day on which the NYSE is open. Information that becomes
known to the Fund or its agent after the Fund’s net asset value has been
calculated on a particular day will not be used to retroactively adjust the
price of a security or the Fund’s net asset value determined earlier that
day.
The
Fund values equity securities at the last reported sale price on the principal
exchange or in the principal OTC market in which such securities are traded, as
of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the day the securities are being
valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean between the last available bid and
asked prices on that day. Securities traded primarily on the Nasdaq Stock Market
are normally valued by the Fund at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”)
provided by Nasdaq each business day. The NOCP is the most recently reported
price as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, unless that price is outside the range of
the “inside” bid and asked prices (i.e., the bid and asked
prices that dealers quote to each other when trading for their own accounts); in
that case, Nasdaq will adjust the price to equal the inside bid or asked price,
whichever is closer. Because of delays in reporting trades, the NOCP may not be
based on the price of the last trade to occur before the market closes. The Fund
values debt securities at the last available bid price for such securities or,
if such prices are not available, at prices for securities of
comparable
maturity,
quality, and type. The Fund values exchange-traded options and other derivative
contracts at the mean of the best bid and asked prices at the close on those
exchanges on which they are traded.
The
Fund’s securities traded primarily in foreign markets may be traded in such
markets on days that the NYSE is closed. As a result, the net asset value of the
Fund may be significantly affected on days when holders of Common Shares have no
ability to trade the Common Shares on the NYSE.
The
Fund values certain of its securities on the basis of bid quotations from
independent pricing services or principal market makers, or, if quotations are
not available, by a method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately
reflects fair value. The Fund periodically verifies valuations provided by the
pricing services. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of less than
60 days may be valued at cost which, when combined with interest earned,
approximates market value.
Any
swap transaction that the Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable
interest rate environment, have a positive or negative value for purposes of
calculating net asset value. Any cap transaction that the Fund enters into may,
depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have no value or a
positive value. In addition, accrued payments to the Fund under such
transactions will be assets of the Fund and accrued payments by the Fund will be
liabilities of the Fund.
The
Fund values securities for which market quotations are not readily available,
including restricted securities, by valuation guidelines that the Trustees of
the Fund believe accurately reflects fair value. Under the valuation guidelines,
interests in Investment Funds and other securities for which reliable market
quotes are readily available generally will be valued at the mean of such bid
and ask quotes and all other interests in Investment Funds (including Private
Investment Funds and Affiliated Investment Funds) will be valued at fair value
in good faith following procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
In general, these procedures provide that the value of any interests held by the
Fund in an Investment Fund for which reliable market quotes are not readily
available will be valued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
respective partnership agreement, investment advisory agreement or similar
agreement governing each investment partnership, managed account or other pooled
investment vehicle in which the Fund invests. The Fund may rely solely on the
valuations provided by Investment Funds with respect to the investments such
Investment Funds have made. Generally, Investment Funds provide information to
investors as to the value of their interests on a limited periodic basis, such
as quarterly, monthly or weekly. The Fund calculates its net asset value on a
daily basis. The value of the Fund’s interest in a Investment Fund on days other
than those that such value is provided by the Investment Fund will be valued by
the Fund at their fair value, pursuant to procedures established and
periodically reviewed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Fair value represents a
good faith approximation of the value of an asset at the time such approximation
is made. Valuations provided by Investment Funds may be subject to subsequent
adjustments by the Fund to reflect changes in market conditions and other events
subsequent to the determination of net capital appreciation, net capital
depreciation, net assets and other accounting items of the Fund. Year-end net
capital calculations are audited by the Fund’s independent auditors and may be
revised as a result of such audit. Such revisions may also result from
adjustments in valuations provided by Investment Funds.
The
Fund intends to pay substantially all of its net investment income, if any, to
Common Shareholders through monthly distributions. In addition, the Fund intends
to distribute any net long-term capital gains to Common Shareholders as
long-term capital gain dividends at least annually. The Fund expects that
dividends paid on the Common Shares will consist of (i) investment company
taxable income taxed as ordinary income, which includes, among other things,
ordinary income, short-term capital gain (for example, premiums earned in
connection with the Fund’s covered call option strategy) and income from certain
hedging and interest rate transactions, (ii) qualified dividend income and (iii)
long-term capital gain (gain from the sale of a capital asset held longer than
one year). To the extent the Fund receives dividends with respect to its
investments in Common Equity Securities that consist of qualified dividend
income (income from domestic and certain foreign corporations), a portion of the
Fund’s distributions to its Common Shareholders may consist of qualified
dividend income. For individuals, the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate on
qualified dividend income is currently 15%, on long-term capital gains is
currently 15% and on other types of income, including income from premiums from
the Fund’s covered call option strategy, is currently 35%. These tax rates are
scheduled to apply through 2010. Thereafter, high tax rates will apply
unless
further
legislative action is taken by Congress. The Fund cannot assure you, however, as
to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Common Shares, if any, will
consist of qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains, which are taxed
at lower rates for individuals than ordinary income.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the 1940 Act, in the event the Fund makes distributions
from sources other than income, a notice will accompany each monthly
distribution with respect to the estimated source of the distribution made. Such
notices will describe the portion, if any, of the monthly dividend which, in the
Fund’s good faith judgment, constitutes long-term capital gain, short-term
capital gain, investment company taxable income or a return of capital. The
actual character of such dividend distributions for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, however, will only be determined finally by the Fund at the close of
its fiscal year, based on the Fund’s full year performance and its actual net
investment company taxable income and net capital gains for the year, which may
result in a recharacterization of amounts distributed during such fiscal year
from the characterization in the monthly estimates.
Initial
distributions to Common Shareholders are expected to be declared approximately
60 to 90 days after completion of the Common Share offering, and paid
approximately 90 to 120 days after the completion of the Common Share offering,
depending upon market conditions. The Fund expects that over time it will
distribute all of its investment company taxable income. The investment company
income of the Fund will consist of all dividend and interest income accrued on
portfolio assets, short-term capital gain (for example, premiums earned in
connection with the Fund’s covered call option strategy) and income from certain
hedging and interest rate transactions, less all expenses of the Fund. Expenses
of the Fund will be accrued each day.
To
permit the Fund to maintain more stable monthly distributions, the Fund may
initially distribute less than the entire amount of the net investment income
earned in a particular period. The undistributed net investment income may be
available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions
paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the
amount of net investment income actually earned by the Fund during the period,
and the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio to make a
distribution at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate
such action. Undistributed net investment income is included in the Common
Shares’ net asset value, and, correspondingly, distributions from net investment
income will reduce the Common Shares’ net asset value.
If
you hold your Common Shares in your own name or if you hold your Common Shares
with a brokerage firm that participates in the Fund’s Automatic Dividend
Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”), unless you elect to receive cash, all dividends
and distributions that are declared by the Fund will be automatically reinvested
in additional Common Shares of the Fund pursuant to the Plan. If you hold your
Common Shares with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you
will not be able to participate in the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be
effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial
adviser for more information. See “Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
Plan.”
Under
the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan, a shareholder whose Common
Shares are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions
reinvested automatically by The Bank of New York Mellon, which is agent under
the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with
respect to Common Shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other
nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee
in additional Common Shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided
by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in
cash. Investors who own Common Shares registered in street name should consult
their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to
investors who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed
directly to the record holder by The Bank of New York Mellon as dividend
disbursing agent.
Under
the Plan, whenever the market price of the Common Shares is equal to or exceeds
net asset value at the time Common Shares are valued for purposes of determining
the number of Common Shares equivalent to the cash dividend or capital gains
distribution, participants in the Plan are issued new Common Shares from the
Fund, valued at the greater of (i) the net asset value as most recently
determined or (ii) 95% of the then-current market price of the Common Shares.
The valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date
is not a NYSE trading day, the next preceding trading day. If the net asset
value of the Common Shares at the time of valuation exceeds the
market
price of the Common Shares, the Plan agent will buy the Common Shares for such
Plan in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’
accounts, except that the Plan agent will endeavor to terminate purchases in the
open market and cause the Fund to issue Common Shares at the greater of net
asset value or 95% of market value if, following the commencement of such
purchases, the market value of the Common Shares exceeds net asset value. If the
Fund should declare a distribution or capital gains distribution payable only in
cash, the Plan agent will buy the Common Shares for such Plan in the open
market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. There is no
charge from the Fund for reinvestment of dividends or distributions in Common
Shares pursuant to the Plan; however, all participants will pay a pro rata share
of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan agent when it makes open-market
purchases.
The
Plan agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written
confirmations of all transactions in the account, including information needed
by shareholders for personal and tax records. Common Shares in the account of
each Plan participant will be held by the Plan agent in noncertificated form in
the name of the participant.
In
the case of shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees, which hold Common
Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan agent will administer
the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time
by the shareholder as representing the total amount registered in the
shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who participate
in the Plan.
The
automatic reinvestment of dividends and other distributions will not relieve
participants of an income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on
such dividends or distributions.
Experience
under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund
reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan as applied to any voluntary
cash payments made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written
notice of the change sent to the members of such Plan at least 90 days before
the record date for such dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended
or terminated by the Plan agent on at least 90 days written notice to the
participants in such Plan. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be
directed to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, PO Box 358015, Pittsburgh, PA
15252-8015, phone number: (866) 488-3559.
The
following is a brief description of the terms of the Common Shares, Borrowings
and Preferred Shares which may be issued by the Fund. This description does not
purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Fund’s Governing
Documents.
Common
Shares
The
Fund is an unincorporated statutory trust organized under the laws of Delaware
pursuant to a Certificate of Trust, dated as of November 13, 2006. Pursuant to
the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, dated as of November 13, 2006,
the Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares of
beneficial interest, par value $.01 per share. Each Common Shared, when issued
and paid for in accordance with the terms of this offering, will be fully paid
and non-assessable, except that the Board of Trustees shall have the power to
cause shareholders to pay expenses of the Fund by setting off charges due from
shareholders from declared but unpaid dividends or distributions owed the
shareholders and/or by reducing the number of Common Shares owned by each
respective shareholder. All Common Shares are equal as to dividends, assets and
voting privileges and have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription
rights. The Fund will send annual and semi-annual reports, including financial
statements, to all holders of its shares.
Listing
and Symbol. The Fund’s Common Shares are listed on the NYSE under the
symbol “GOF.”
Voting
Rights. Until any Preferred Shares are issued, holders of the Common
Shares will vote as a single class to elect the Fund’s Board of Trustees and on
additional matters with respect to which the 1940 Act mandates a vote by the
Fund’s shareholders. If Preferred Shares are issued, holders of Preferred Shares
will have a right to elect two of the Fund’s Trustees, and will have certain
other voting rights. See “Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Fund’s Governing
Documents.”
Book-Entry.
The Common Shares will be held in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for the
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”). The Fund will treat Cede & Co. as the
holder of record of the Common Shares for all purposes. In accordance with the
procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of Common Shares will be deemed the
beneficial owners of Common Shares purchased for purposes of dividends, voting
and liquidation rights.
Issuance of Additional Common
Shares. The provisions of the 1940 Act generally require that the public
offering price (less underwriting commissions and discounts) of common shares
sold by a closed-end investment company must equal or exceed the NAV of such
company’s common shares (calculated within 48 hours of the pricing of such
offering), unless such sale is made with the consent of a majority of its common
shareholders. The Fund may, from time to time, seek the consent of holders of
Common Shares to permit the issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a
price below the Fund’s then-current NAV, subject to certain conditions. If such
consent is obtained, the Fund may, contemporaneous with and in no event more
than one year following the receipt of such consent, sell Common Shares at price
below NAV in accordance with any conditions adopted in connection with the
giving of such consent. Additional information regarding any consent of Common
Shareholders obtained by the Fund and the applicable conditions imposed on the
issuance and sale by the Fund of Common Shares at a price below NAV will be
disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement relating to any such offering of Common
Shares at a price below NAV. Until such consent of holders of Common Shares, if
any, is obtained, the Fund may not sell Common Shares at a price below NAV.
Because the Fund’s advisory fee and sub-advisory fee are based upon average
Managed Assets, the Adviser’s and the Sub-Adviser’s interests in recommending
the issuance and sale of Common Shares at a price below NAV may conflict with
the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Borrowings
The
Fund is permitted, without prior approval of the Common Shareholders, to borrow
money. The Fund may issue notes or other evidence of indebtedness (including
bank borrowings or commercial paper) and may secure any such Borrowings by
mortgaging, pledging or otherwise subjecting the Fund’s assets as security. In
connection with such Borrowings, the Fund may be required to maintain minimum
average balances with the lender or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain
a line of credit. Any such requirements will increase the cost of borrowing over
the stated interest rate. The Fund has entered into a committed facility
agreement with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, Inc. dated as of November 20, 2008,
amended August 5, 2009, pursuant to which the Fund may borrow up to $30 million.
Interest payable by the Fund on Borrowings under the committed facility
agreement is based on the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus
95 basis points. The amounts drawn under such facility may vary over time and
such amounts will be reported in the Fund’s audited and unaudited financial
statements contained in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders. On May 31, 2010, outstanding Borrowings under the committed
facility agreement were $[ ] million, which represented [ ]% of the Fund’s
Managed Assets as of such date. As of May 31, 2010, the interest rate payable by
the Fund on Borrowings under the committed facility agreement was [ ]%. The Fund
may invest a portion of its total assets through participation in the TALF
Program. As of May 31, 2010, the Fund’s borrowings under the TALF Program
represented [ ]% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.
Limitations.
Borrowings by the Fund are subject to certain limitations under the 1940 Act,
including the amount of asset coverage required. In addition, agreements related
to the Borrowings may also impose certain requirements, which may be more
stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. See “Use of Financial Leverage”
and “Risks—Financial Leverage Risk.”
Distribution
Preference. The rights of lenders to the Fund to receive interest on, and
repayment of, principal of any such Borrowings will be senior to those of the
Common Shareholders, and the terms of any such Borrowings may contain provisions
which limit certain activities of the Fund, including the payment of dividends
to Common Shareholders in certain circumstances.
Voting
Rights. The 1940 Act does (in certain circumstances) grant to the lenders
to the Fund certain voting rights in the event of default in the payment of
interest on, or repayment of, principal. Any Borrowings will likely be ranked
senior or equal to all other existing and future borrowings of the
Fund.
Preferred
Shares
The
Fund’s Governing Documents provide that the Board of Trustees may authorize and
issue preferred shares with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by
action of the Board of Trustees without prior approval of the holders of the
Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares have no preemptive right to purchase any
preferred
shares
that might be issued. Any such preferred share offering would be subject to the
limits imposed by the 1940 Act, which currently limits the aggregate liquidation
preference of all outstanding preferred shares to 50% of the value of the Fund’s
total assets less liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund. Any preferred shares
issued by the Fund would have special voting rights and a liquidation preference
over the Common Shares. If the Fund issues and has preferred shares outstanding,
the holders of Common Shares will not be entitled to receive any distributions
from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on preferred shares have been paid,
unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred
shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions and
unless certain other requirements imposed by any rating agencies rating the
preferred shares have been met. Issuance of preferred shares would constitute
financial leverage and would entail special risks to the common shareholders.
The Fund has no present intention to issue preferred shares.
Capitalization
The
following table provides information about the outstanding securities of the
Fund as of May 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title
of Class
|
|
|
Amount
Authorized
|
|
|
Amount
Held by the
Fund
or for its Account
|
|
|
Amount
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
shares of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
beneficial
interest, par
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
value
$0.01 per share
|
|
|
Unlimited
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
9,215,636
|
FUND’S
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
The
Fund presently has provisions in its Governing Documents which could have the
effect of limiting, in each case, (i) the ability of other entities or persons
to acquire control of the Fund, (ii) the Fund’s freedom to engage in certain
transactions or (iii) the ability of the Fund’s Trustees or shareholders to
amend the Governing Documents or effectuate changes in the Fund’s management.
These provisions of the Governing Documents of the Fund may be regarded as
“anti-takeover” provisions. The Board of Trustees is divided into two classes,
with the terms of one class expiring at each annual meeting of shareholders. At
each annual meeting, one class of Trustees is elected to a two-year term. This
provision could delay for up to one year the replacement of a majority of the
Board of Trustees. A Trustee may be removed from office by the action of a
majority of the remaining Trustees followed by a vote of the holders of at least
75% of the shares then entitled to vote for the election of the respective
Trustee.
In
addition, the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust requires the favorable
vote of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees followed by the favorable
vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of each affected
class or series of the Fund, voting separately as a class or series, to approve,
adopt or authorize certain transactions with 5% or greater holders of a class or
series of shares and their associates, unless the transaction has been approved
by at least 80% of the Trustees, in which case “a majority of the outstanding
voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be required.
For purposes of these provisions, a 5% or greater holder of a class or series of
shares (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 or series of
shares of beneficial interest of the Fund.
The
5% holder transactions subject to these special approval requirements
are:
|
|
|
|
•
|
the
merger or consolidation of the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund with or
into any Principal Shareholder;
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the
issuance of any securities of the Fund to any Principal Shareholder for
cash (other than pursuant of any automatic dividend reinvestment
plan);
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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
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the
sale, lease or exchange to the Fund or any subsidiary of the Fund, 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
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$1,000,000,
aggregating for purposes of such computation all assets sold, leased or
exchanged in any series of similar transactions within a twelve-month
period.
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To
liquidate the Fund, the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust requires the
favorable vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees followed by the favorable
vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of each affected
class or series of the Fund, voting separately as a class or series, unless such
liquidation has been approved by at least 80% of Trustees, in which case “a
majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the Fund shall be required.
For
the purposes of calculating “a majority of the outstanding voting securities”
under the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each class and series of
the Fund shall vote together as a single class, except to the extent required by
the 1940 Act or the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust with respect to
any class or series of shares. If a separate vote is required, the applicable
proportion of shares of the class or series, voting as a separate class or
series, also will be required.
The
Board of Trustees has determined that provisions with respect to the Board of
Trustees and the shareholder voting requirements described above, which voting
requirements are greater than the minimum requirements under Delaware law or the
1940 Act, are in the best interest of shareholders generally. Reference should
be made to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for the full text of these provisions. See “Additional
Information.”
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 net
asset value 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 and policies. In addition, in
comparison to open-end funds, closed-end funds have greater flexibility in their
ability to make certain types of investments, including investments in illiquid
securities.
However,
shares of closed-end investment companies listed for trading on a securities
exchange frequently trade at a discount from net asset value, but in some cases
trade at a premium. The market price may be affected by trading volume of the
shares, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the
control of the closed-end fund. The foregoing factors may result in the market
price of the Common Shares being greater than, less than or equal to net asset
value. The Board of Trustees has reviewed the structure of the Fund in light of
its investment objective and policies and has determined that the closed-end
structure is in the best interests of the shareholders. Investors should assume,
therefore, that it is highly unlikely that the Board would vote to convert the
Fund to an open-end investment company.
The
Board of Trustees will review periodically the trading range and activity of the
Fund’s shares with respect to its net asset value and the Board may take certain
actions to seek to reduce or eliminate any such discount. Such actions may
include open market repurchases or tender offers for the Common Shares at net
asset value. 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 net asset value per Common
Share.
The
following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Fund’s Common Shares. A more complete discussion of the tax rules applicable
to the Fund and its Common Shareholders can be found in the SAI that is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Except as otherwise noted, this
discussion assumes you are a taxable U.S. person and that you hold your Common
Shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets
held for
investments).
This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder and
judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject to change or
differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the
“IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a
detailed explanation of all U.S. federal tax concerns affecting the Fund and its
Common Shareholders (including Common Shareholders subject to special treatment
under U.S. federal income tax law).
The
discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice and potential
investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the specific
U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of investing in
the Fund.
Taxation
of the Fund
The
Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify annually as a regulated
investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the
Fund must, among other things, meet certain income, asset diversification and
distribution requirements.
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(i)
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The
Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income
from the following sources: (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt
interest), payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign
currencies, or other income (including gain from options, futures and
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in
such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) interests in
“qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code).
Generally, a qualified publicly traded partnership includes a partnership
the interests of which are traded on an established securities market or
readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent
thereof).
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(ii)
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The
Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of
each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s total
assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities,
the securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other
securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount 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 (b) not more than 25%
of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the
securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of
other RICs) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers that the
Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same business
or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more
“qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in the
Code).
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As
long as the Fund qualifies as a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its investment company
taxable income and net realized capital gains. The Fund intends to distribute
substantially all of such income each year. The Fund will be subject to income
tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not
distribute to its Common Shareholders.
The
Fund will either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net
capital gain (which consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain
over its net short-term capital loss). If any such gain is retained, the Fund
will be subject to a corporate income tax (currently at a maximum rate of 35%)
on such retained amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the
retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its Common
Shareholders, each of whom, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term
capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income
tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts,
(ii) will be entitled to credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the
Fund against its U.S. federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the
extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its basis
in its Common Shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed
capital gain included in such Common Shareholder’s gross income.
The
Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund
does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98%
of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for
the calendar year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss
(adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on
October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s
fiscal year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any
year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any
under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from
the
previous
year. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the
manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% nondeductible excise tax,
there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income
and capital gain will be distributed to entirely avoid the imposition of the
excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on
the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution
requirement.
Certain
of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S.
federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) disallow,
suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii)
convert lower taxed long-term capital gains or “qualified dividend income” into
higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (iii) convert an
ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is
more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a
corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the time as to when a
purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter
the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce
income that will not be “qualified” income for purposes of the 90% gross income
requirement described above. These U.S. federal income tax provisions could
therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to Common
Shareholders. The Fund intends to structure and monitor its transactions and may
make certain tax elections and may be required to dispose of securities to
mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent disqualification of the Fund
as a RIC (which may adversely affect the net after-tax return to the
Fund).
If
for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable
income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular
corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to Common Shareholders,
and such distributions will be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary
dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and
profits. Such dividends, however, would be eligible (i) to be treated as
qualified dividend income in the case of U.S. Common Shareholders taxed as
individuals and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of U.S.
Common Shareholders taxed as corporations. The Fund could be required to
recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (which could be
subject to interest charges) before requalifying for taxation as a
RIC.
Taxation
of Common Shareholders
Distributions.
Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its net capital gains, which is the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, if any,
that the Fund properly designates as capital gains dividends (“capital gain
dividends”) are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you
have held your Common Shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund
(including dividends from short-term capital gains) from its current or
accumulated earnings and profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally
subject to tax as ordinary income.
In
the case of corporate shareholders, ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund
generally will be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent
that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations and
certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Special rules apply to
ordinary income dividends paid to individuals with respect to taxable years
beginning on or before December 31, 2010. If you are an individual, any such
ordinary income dividend that you receive from the Fund generally will be
eligible for taxation at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains
(currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that (i) the ordinary income
dividend is attributable to “qualified dividend income” (i.e., generally dividends
paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations) received by the
Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements with
respect to the stock on which such qualified dividend income was paid and (iii)
you satisfy certain holding period and other requirements with respect to your
Common Shares. The reduced rates for “qualified dividend income” are not
applicable to dividends paid by a foreign corporation that is a PFIC. Qualified
dividend income eligible for these special rules are not actually treated as
capital gains, however, and thus will not be included in the computation of your
net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset any capital losses. In
general, you may include as qualified dividend income only that portion of the
dividends that may be and are so designated by the Fund as qualified dividend
income. Dividend income from PFICs and, in general, dividend income from REITs
is not eligible for the reduced rate for qualified dividend income and is taxed
as ordinary income. There can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s
distributions will qualify for favorable treatment as qualified dividend
income.
Any
distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current and
accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital
to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, and thereafter
as capital gain from the sale of Common Shares. The amount of any Fund
distribution that is treated as a tax-free
return of
capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, thereby
increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss on any subsequent
sale or other disposition of your Common Shares.
Dividends
and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even if they are reinvested
in additional Common Shares of the Fund. Dividends and other distributions paid
by the Fund are generally treated as received by you at the time the dividend or
distribution is made. If, however, the Fund pays you a dividend in January that
was declared in the previous October, November or December and you were the
Common Shareholder of record on a specified date in one of such months, then
such dividend will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid
by the Fund and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend
was declared.
The
Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the
amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.
Sale
of Common Shares. The sale or other disposition of Common Shares of the
Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to you and will be long-term
capital gain or loss if you have held such Common Shares for more than one year.
Any loss upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares held for six months
or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital
gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital
gain) by you with respect to such Common Shares. Any loss you recognize on a
sale or other disposition of Common Shares will be disallowed if you acquire
other Common Shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or
otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days
after your sale or exchange of the Common Shares. In such case, your tax basis
in the Common Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
Current
U.S. federal income tax law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of
corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate
taxpayers, short-term capital gain is currently taxed at rates applicable to
ordinary income (currently at a maximum of 35%) while long-term capital gain
generally is taxed at a maximum rate of 15% with respect to taxable years
beginning on or before December 31, 2010 (20% thereafter).
Backup
Withholding. The Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal
backup withholding tax purposes, a portion of the dividends, distributions and
redemption proceeds payable to non-corporate Common Shareholders who fail to
provide the Fund (or its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification
number (in the case of individuals, generally, their social security number) or
to make required certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup
withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld
may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if
any, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS.
The
foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and
the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the
Fund and its Common Shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by
legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. A
more complete discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its Common
Shareholders can be found in the Statement of Additional Information that is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Common Shareholders are urged to
consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal,
state, local and foreign income or other taxes.
The
Fund may sell up to $[ ] in aggregate initial offering price of Common Shares
from time to time under this Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement
(1) directly to one or more purchases; (2) through agents; (3) through
underwriters; (4) through dealers; or (5) pursuant to the Plan. Each Prospectus
Supplement relating to an offering of Common Shares will state the terms of the
offering, including:
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the
names of any agents, underwriters or dealers
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any
sales loads or other items constituting underwriters’
compensation;
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any
discounts, commissions, or fees allowed or paid to dealers or
agents;
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the
public offering or purchase price of the offered Common Shares and the net
proceeds the Fund will receive from the sale; and
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any
securities exchange on which the offered Common Shares may be
listed.
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Direct
Sales
The
Fund may sell Common Shares directly to, and solicit offers from, institutional
investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters as defined in the 1933
Act for any resales of the securities. In this case, no underwriters or agents
would be involved. The Fund may use electronic media, including the internet, to
sell offered securities directly. The Fund will describe the terms of any of
those sales in a Prospectus Supplement.
By
Agents
The
Fund may offer Common Shares through agents that the Fund may designate. The
Fund will name any agent involved in the offer and sale and describe any
commissions payable by the Fund in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the agents will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
By
Underwriters
The
Fund may offer and sell Common Shares from time to time to one or more
underwriters who would purchase the Common Shares as principal for resale to the
public, either on a firm commitment or best efforts basis. If the Fund sells
Common Shares to underwriters, the Fund will execute an underwriting agreement
with them at the time of the sale and will name them in the Prospectus
Supplement. In connection with these sales, the underwriters may be deemed to
have received compensation from the Fund in the form of underwriting discounts
and commissions. The underwriters also may receive commissions from purchasers
of Common Shares for whom they may act as agent. Unless otherwise stated in the
Prospectus Supplement, the underwriters will not be obligated to purchase the
Common Shares unless the conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement are
satisfied, and if the underwriters purchase any of the Common Shares, they will
be required to purchase all of the offered Common Shares. The underwriters may
sell the offered Common Shares to or through dealers, and those dealers may
receive discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters as well as
from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any public offering price
and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be
changed from time to time.
If
a Prospectus Supplement so indicates, the Fund may grant the underwriters an
option to purchase additional Common Shares at the public offering price, less
the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 45 days from the date of the
Prospectus Supplement, to cover any overallotments.
By
Dealers
The
Fund may offer and sell Common Shares from time to time to one or more dealers
who would purchase the securities as principal. The dealers then may resell the
offered Common Shares to the public at fixed or varying prices to be determined
by those dealers at the time of resale. The Fund will set forth the names of the
dealers and the terms of the transaction in the Prospectus
Supplement.
General
Information
Agents,
underwriters, or dealers participating in an offering of Common Shares may be
deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commission received by them and
any profit realized by them on resale of the
offered
Common Shares for whom they act as agent, may be deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the 1933 Act.
The
Fund may offer to sell securities either at a fixed price or at prices that may
vary, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
To
facilitate an offering of Common Shares in an underwritten transaction and in
accordance with industry practice, the underwriters may engage in transactions
that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the Common
Shares or any other security. Those transactions may include overallotment,
entering stabilizing bids, effecting syndicate covering transactions, and
reclaiming selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a
dealer.
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An
overallotment in connection with an offering creates a short position in
the common stock for the underwriter’s own account.
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An
underwriter may place a stabilizing bid to purchase the Common Shares for
the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the Common
Shares.
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Underwriters
may engage in syndicate covering transactions to cover overallotments or
to stabilize the price of the Common Shares by bidding for, and
purchasing, the Common Shares or any other securities in the open market
in order to reduce a short position created in connection with the
offering.
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The
managing underwriter may impose a penalty bid on a syndicate member to
reclaim a selling concession in connection with an offering when the
Common Shares originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in
syndicate covering transactions or
otherwise.
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Any
of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common
Shares above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to
engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any
time.
Any
underwriters to whom the offered Common Shares are sold for offering and sale
may make a market in the offered Common Shares, but the underwriters will not be
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time without
notice. There can be no assurance that there will be a liquid trading market for
the offered Common Shares.
Under
agreements entered into with the Fund, underwriters and agents may be entitled
to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the 1933 Act, or to contribution for payments the underwriters
or agents may be required to make.
The
underwriters, agents, and their affiliates may engage in financial or other
business transactions with the Fund in the ordinary course of
business.
Pursuant
to a requirement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, the
maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent
broker-dealer may not be greater than eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds
received by the Fund for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to
SEC Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The
aggregate offering price specified on the cover of this Prospectus relates to
the offering of the Common Shares not yet issued as of the date of this
Prospectus.
To
the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, the underwriters may from time to time act as a broker
or dealer and receive fees in connection with the execution of our portfolio
transactions on behalf of the Fund after the underwriters have ceased to be
underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, each may act as a broker
while it is an underwriter.
A
Prospectus and accompanying Prospectus Supplement in electronic form may be made
available on the websites maintained by underwriters. The underwriters may agree
to allocate a number of Common Shares for sale to their online brokerage account
holders. Such allocations of Common Shares for internet distributions will be
made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Common Shares may be
sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell Common Shares to
online brokerage account holders.
Automatic
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The
Fund may issue and sell Common Shares pursuant to the Plan.
AND
DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT
The
Bank of New York Mellon serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to
a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement, the custodian holds the Fund’s
assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the custodian will
receive a monthly fee based upon, among other things, the average value of the
total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions. The
Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Fund’s dividend disbursing agent, Plan
Agent under the Fund’s Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan, transfer agent and
registrar for the Common Shares of the Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon is
located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.
Claymore
Advisors, LLC serves as administrator to the Fund. Pursuant to an administration
agreement, Claymore Advisors, LLC is responsible for: (1) coordinating with the
custodian and transfer agent and monitoring the services they provide to the
Fund, (2) coordinating with and monitoring any other third parties furnishing
services to the Fund, (3) supervising the maintenance by third parties of such
books and records of the Funds as may be required by applicable federal or state
law, (4) preparing or supervising the preparation by third parties of all
federal, state and local tax returns and reports of the Fund required by
applicable law, (5) preparing and, after approval by the Fund, filing and
arranging for the distribution of proxy materials and periodic reports to
shareholders of the Fund as required by applicable law, (6) preparing and, after
approval by the Fund, arranging for the filing of such registration statements
and other documents with the SEC and other federal and state regulatory
authorities as may be required by applicable law, (7) reviewing and submitting
to the officers of the Fund for their approval invoices or other requests for
payment of the Fund’s expenses and instructing the custodian to issue checks in
payment thereof and (8) taking such other action with respect to the Fund as may
be necessary in the opinion of the administrator to perform its duties under the
Administration Agreement. For the services, the Fund pays Claymore Advisors a
fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annualized rate of .0275% of the
average daily Managed Assets of the Fund, reduced on assets over $200
million.
Certain
legal matters will be passed on by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
Chicago, Illinois (“Skadden”), as special counsel to the Fund in connection with
the offering of the Common Shares. If certain legal matters in connection with
an offering of Common Shares are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of
such offering, that counsel will be named in the Prospectus Supplement related
to that offering.
[
], [ ], is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and is
expected to render an opinion annually on the financial statements of the
Fund.
This
prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement filed by the Fund with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act, and the 1940
Act. This prospectus omits certain of the information contained in the
Registration Statement, and reference is hereby made to the Registration
Statement and related exhibits for further information with respect to the Fund
and the Common Shares offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning
the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete, and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed by its rules and
regulations or free of charge through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
web site (http://www.sec.gov).
The
Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to
safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is
provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how
the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share
information with select other parties.
Generally,
the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its
shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its
shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any
non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to
anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service
shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party
administrator).
The
Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders
to employees of the Fund’s Investment Adviser and its delegates and affiliates
with a legitimate business need for the information. The Fund maintains
physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the
non-public personal information of its shareholders.
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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The
Fund
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S-2
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Investment
Objective and Policies
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S-2
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Investment
Restrictions
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S-12
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Management
of the Fund
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S-13
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Portfolio
Transactions
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S-26
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Portfolio
Turnover
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S-27
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U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations
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S-27
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General
Information
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S-33
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Financial
Statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
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S-35
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Appendix
A: Description of Securities Ratings of Investments
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A-1
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Appendix
B: Proxy Voting Procedures
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B-1
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$[
]
Claymore/Guggenheim
Strategic Opportunities Fund
Common
Shares
_____________
PROSPECTUS
_____________
,
2010
The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not
complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell
these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any
state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated July 9, 2010
Claymore/Guggenheim
Strategic Opportunities Fund
__________________________
Statement
of Additional Information
Claymore/Guggenheim
Strategic Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified, closed-end
management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize
total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment
objective by investing in a wide range of fixed-income and other debt and senior
equity securities selected from a variety of sectors and credit qualities,
including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, loans and loan participations,
structured finance investments, U.S. government and agency securities, mezzanine
and preferred securities and convertible securities, and in common stocks,
limited liability company interests, trust certificates and other equity
investments that the Sub-Adviser believes offer attractive yield and/or capital
appreciation potential, including employing a strategy of writing (selling)
covered call and put options on such equities. There can be no assurance that
the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
This
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but should be
read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Fund dated , 2010 (the
“Prospectus”), and any related supplement to the Prospectus (each a “Prospectus
Supplement”). Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus and any related
Prospectus Supplement prior to purchasing Common Shares. A copy of the
Prospectus and any related Prospectus Supplement may be obtained without charge,
by calling the Fund at (800) 345-7999.
The
Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
Washington, D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from the Securities
and Exchange Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the
Securities and Exchange Commission’s office or via its website (www.sec.gov) at
no charge. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings
ascribed to them in the prospectus.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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S-2
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S-2
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S-12
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S-13
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S-25
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S-26
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S-26
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S-32
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S-34
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A-1
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B-1
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Statement
of Additional Information
dated
, 2010.
The
Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company organized under
the laws of the State of Delaware. The Fund’s common shares of beneficial
interest, par value $.01 (the “Common Shares”), have been approved for listing
on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), subject to notice of issuance,
under the symbol “GOF.”
Additional
Investment Policies
The
following information supplements the discussion of the Fund’s investment
objective, policies and techniques that are described in the prospectus. The
Fund may make the following investments, among others, some of which are part of
its principal investment strategies and some of which are not. The principal
risks of the Fund’s principal investment strategies are discussed in the
prospectus. The Fund may not buy all of the types of securities or use all of
the investment techniques that are described.
Mortgage
REITs. Mortgage REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest the
majority of their assets in real property mortgages and which generally derive
income primarily from interest payments thereon. Mortgage REITs are generally
not taxed on income timely distributed to shareholders, provided they comply
with the applicable requirements of the Code. The Fund will indirectly bear its
proportionate share of any management and other expenses paid by mortgage REITs
in which it invests. Investing in mortgage REITs involves certain risks related
to investing in real property mortgages. Mortgage REITs are subject to interest
rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by borrowers. Mortgage
REITs whose underlying assets are mortgages on real properties used by a
particular industry or concentrated in a particular geographic region are
subject to risks associated with such industry or region. Real property
mortgages may be relatively illiquid, limiting the ability of mortgage REITs to
vary their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other
conditions. Mortgage REITs may have limited financial resources, their
securities may trade infrequently and in limited volume, and they may be subject
to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more
broadly based companies.
Mortgage-Backed
Securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent direct or indirect
participations in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by
real property and include single- and multi-class pass-through securities and
collateralized mortgage obligations. U.S. government mortgage-backed securities
include mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed as to the payment of
principal and interest (but not as to market value) by the Government National
Mortgage Association (also known as Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage
Association (also known as Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (also known as Freddie Mac) or other government-sponsored
enterprises. Other mortgage-backed securities are issued by private issuers.
Private issuers are generally originators of and investors in mortgage loans,
including savings associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, investment
bankers and special purpose entities. Payments of principal and interest (but
not the market value) of such private mortgage-backed securities may be
supported by pools of mortgage loans or other mortgage-backed securities that
are guaranteed, directly or indirectly, by the U.S. government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities, or they may be issued without any government
guarantee of the underlying mortgage assets but with some form of non-government
credit enhancement. Non-governmental mortgage-backed securities may offer higher
yields than those issued by government entities, but may also be subject to
greater price changes than governmental issues. Some mortgage-backed securities,
such as collateralized mortgage obligations, make payments of both principal and
interest at a variety of intervals; others make semi-annual interest payments at
a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond).
Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of mortgages including
those on commercial real estate or residential properties. These securities
often have stated maturities of up to thirty years when they are issued,
depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities. In
practice, however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on
the underlying mortgages may make the securities’ effective maturity shorter
than this, and the prevailing interest rates may be higher or lower than the
current yield of the Fund’s portfolio at the time the Fund receives the payments
for reinvestment.
Loans.
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in loan participations and
other direct claims against a borrower. The Sub-Adviser believes corporate loans
to be high-yield debt instruments if the issuer has outstanding
debt
securities rated below-investment grade or has no rated securities. The
corporate loans in which the Fund invests primarily consist of direct
obligations of a borrower and may include debtor in possession financings
pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, obligations of a borrower
issued in connection with a restructuring pursuant to Chapter 11 of the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code, leveraged buy-out loans, leveraged recapitalization loans,
receivables purchase facilities, and privately placed notes. The Fund may invest
in a corporate loan at origination as a co-lender or by acquiring in the
secondary market participations in, assignments of or novations of a corporate
loan. By purchasing a participation, the Fund acquires some or all of the
interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a corporate or
government borrower. The participations typically will result in the Fund having
a contractual relationship only with the lender, not the borrower. The Fund will
have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which
it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon
receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. Many such loans are
secured, although some may be unsecured. Such loans may be in default at the
time of purchase. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection
than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or
principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral
from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that
the collateral can be liquidated. Direct debt instruments may involve a risk of
loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower and may offer less legal
protection to the Fund in the event of fraud or misrepresentation. In addition,
loan participations involve a risk of insolvency of the lending bank or other
financial intermediary. The markets in loans are not regulated by federal
securities laws or the Securities and Exchange Commission. As in the case of
other high-yield investments, such corporate loans may be rated in the lower
rating categories of the established rating services (such as “Ba” or lower by
Moody’s or “BB” or lower by S&P), or may be unrated investments determined
to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Adviser. As in the case of other
high-yield investments, such corporate loans can be expected to provide higher
yields than lower yielding, higher rated fixed-income securities, but may be
subject to greater risk of loss of principal and income. There are, however,
some significant differences between corporate loans and high-yield bonds.
Corporate loan obligations are frequently secured by pledges of liens and
security interests in the assets of the borrower, and the holders of corporate
loans are frequently the beneficiaries of debt service subordination provisions
imposed on the borrower’s bondholders. These arrangements are designed to give
corporate loan investors preferential treatment over high-yield investors in the
event of deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer. Even when these
arrangements exist, however, there can be no assurance that the borrowers of the
corporate loans will repay principal and/or pay interest in full. Corporate
loans generally bear interest at rates set at a margin above a generally
recognized base lending rate that may fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, in the
case of the prime rate of a U.S. bank, or which may be adjusted on set dates,
typically 30 days but generally not more than one year, in the case of the
London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Consequently, the value of corporate
loans held by the Fund may be expected to fluctuate significantly less than the
value of other fixed rate high-yield instruments as a result of changes in the
interest rate environment; however, the secondary dealer market for certain
corporate loans may not be as well developed as the secondary dealer market for
high-yield bonds and, therefore, presents increased market risk relating to
liquidity and pricing concerns.
Mezzanine
Investments. The Fund may invest in certain lower grade securities known
as “Mezzanine Investments,” which are subordinated debt securities that are
generally issued in private placements in connection with an equity security
(e.g., with attached
warrants) or may be convertible into equity securities. Mezzanine Investments
may be issued with or without registration rights. Similar to other lower grade
securities, maturities of Mezzanine Investments are typically seven to ten
years, but the expected average life is significantly shorter at three to five
years. Mezzanine Investments are usually unsecured and subordinated to other
obligations of the issuer.
In
connection with its purchase of Mezzanine Investments, the Fund may participate
in rights offerings and may purchase warrants, which are privileges issued by
corporations enabling the owners to subscribe and purchase a specified number of
shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of
time. Subscription rights normally have a short life span to expiration. The
purchase of rights or warrants involves the risk that the Trust could lose the
purchase value of a right or warrant if the right to subscribe to additional
shares is not exercised prior to the rights’ and warrants’ expiration. Also, the
purchase of rights and/or warrants involves the risk that the effective price
paid for the right and/or warrant added to the subscription price of the related
security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as
when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security.
Short
Sales. Although the Fund has no present intention of doing so, the Fund
is authorized to make short sales of securities. A short sale is a transaction
in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation
that
the
market price of that security will decline. To the extent the Fund engages in
short sales, the Fund will not make a short sale, if, after giving effect to
such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the
value of its total assets. Also, the market value of the securities sold short
of any one issuer will not exceed either 10% of the Fund’s total assets or 5% of
such issuer’s voting securities. The Fund may also make short sales “against the
box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the
time of the sale, the Fund owns, or has the immediate and unconditional right to
acquire at no additional cost, the identical security. If the price of the
security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time
the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely,
if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be
decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction costs incurred by
the Fund, including the costs associated with providing collateral to the
broker-dealer (usually cash and liquid securities) and the maintenance of
collateral with its custodian. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price
at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically
unlimited.
Securities
Subject To Reorganization. The Fund may invest in securities of companies
for which a tender or exchange offer has been made or announced and in
securities of companies for which a merger, consolidation, liquidation or
reorganization proposal has been announced if, in the judgment of the Investment
Adviser, there is a reasonable prospect of high total return significantly
greater than the brokerage and other transaction expenses involved. In general,
securities which are the subject of such an offer or proposal sell at a premium
to their historic market price immediately prior to the announcement of the
offer or may also discount what the stated or appraised value of the security
would be if the contemplated transaction were approved or consummated. Such
investments may be advantageous when the discount significantly overstates the
risk of the contingencies involved; significantly undervalues the securities,
assets or cash to be received by shareholders of the prospective portfolio
company as a result of the contemplated transaction; or fails adequately to
recognize the possibility that the offer or proposal may be replaced or
superseded by an offer or proposal of greater value. The evaluation of such
contingencies requires unusually broad knowledge and experience on the part of
the Investment Adviser which must appraise not only the value of the issuer and
its component businesses as well as the assets or securities to be received as a
result of the contemplated transaction but also the financial resources and
business motivation of the offer and/or the dynamics and business climate when
the offer or proposal is in process. Since such investments are ordinarily
short-term in nature, they will tend to increase the turnover ratio of the Fund,
thereby increasing its brokerage and other transaction expenses. The Investment
Adviser intends to select investments of the type described which, in its view,
have a reasonable prospect of capital appreciation which is significant in
relation to both the risk involved and the potential of available alternative
investments.
Warrants
and Rights. The Fund may invest in warrants or rights (including those
acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to
buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will
do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Investment
Adviser for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio.
Restricted
and Illiquid Securities. Although the Fund does not anticipate doing so
to any significant extent, the Fund may invest in securities for which there is
no readily available trading market or that are otherwise illiquid. Illiquid
securities include securities legally restricted as to resale, such as
commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the “Securities Act”), and securities eligible for resale pursuant
to Rule 144A thereunder. Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities may, however, be
treated as liquid by the Investment Adviser pursuant to procedures adopted by
the Fund’s Board of Trustees, which require consideration of factors such as
trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers
willing to purchase the security. If the Fund invests in Rule 144A securities,
the level of portfolio illiquidity may be increased to the extent that eligible
buyers become uninterested in purchasing such securities.
It
may be difficult to sell such securities at a price representing the fair value
until such time as such securities may be sold publicly. Where registration is
required, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the
securities 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 securities through private
placements under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of
such securities. Such restrictions might prevent their sale at a time when such
sale would otherwise be desirable.
Derivative
Instruments
Swaps.
Swap contracts may be purchased or sold to obtain investment exposure
and/or to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, currencies, interest
rates or market conditions, to change the duration of the overall portfolio or
to mitigate default risk. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to
exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) on different
currencies, securities, baskets of currencies or securities, indices or other
instruments, which returns are calculated with respect to a “notional value,”
i.e., the designated
reference amount of exposure to the underlying instruments. The Fund intends to
enter into swaps primarily 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. The Fund may use swaps for risk management
purposes and as a speculative investment.
The
net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s swap obligations over its
entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian.
The Investment Adviser requires counterparties to have a minimum credit rating
of A from Moody’s (or comparable rating from another Rating Agency) and monitors
such rating on an on-going basis. If the other party to a swap contract
defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss will consist of the net amount of payments
that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. Under such circumstances,
the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to
the transaction. Swap instruments are not exchange-listed securities and may be
traded only in the over-the-counter market.
Interest rate
swaps. Interest
rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of respective
commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed
rate payments for floating rate payments).
Total return
swaps. Total
return swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments of the
total return from the designated underlying asset(s), which may include
securities, baskets of securities, or securities indices, during the specified
period, in return for receiving payments equal to a fixed or floating rate of
interest or the total return from the other designated underlying
asset(s).
Currency swaps. Currency swaps involve the
exchange of the two parties’ respective commitments to pay or receive
fluctuations with respect to a notional amount of two different currencies
(e.g., an exchange of
payments with respect to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative
to the Japanese yen).
Credit default
swaps. When the
Fund is the buyer of a credit default swap contract, the Fund is entitled to
receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation
from the counterparty to the contract in the event of a default by a third
party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the debt obligation. In
return, the Fund would normally pay the counterparty a periodic stream of
payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has
occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund would have spent the stream of payments
and received no benefit from the contract. When the Fund is the seller of a
credit default swap contract, it normally receives a stream of payments but is
obligated to pay upon default of the referenced debt obligation. As the seller,
the Fund would add the equivalent of leverage to its portfolio because, in
addition to its total assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure
on the notional amount of the swap. The Fund may enter into credit default swap
contracts and baskets thereof for investment and risk management purposes,
including diversification.
The
use of interest rate, total return, currency, credit default and other swaps is
a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks
different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
If the Investment 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.
Futures
and Options on Futures. The Fund may purchase and sell various kinds of
financial futures contracts and options thereon to obtain investment exposure
and/or to seek to hedge against changes in interest rates or for other risk
management purposes. Futures contracts may be based on various securities and
securities indices. Such transactions involve a risk of loss or depreciation due
to adverse changes in prices of the reference securities or indices, and such
losses 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. Transactions in
financial futures and options on futures involve certain costs. There can be no
assurance that the Fund’s use of futures contracts will be advantageous.
Financial covenants related to future Fund borrowings may limit use of these
transactions.
Exchange
Traded and Over-The-Counter Options. The Fund may purchase or write
(sell) exchange traded and over-the-counter options. Writing call options
involves giving third parties the right to buy securities from the Fund for a
fixed price at a future date and writing put options involves giving third
parties the right to sell securities to the Fund for a fixed price at a future
date. Buying an options contract gives the Fund the right to purchase securities
from third parties or gives the Fund the right to sell securities to third
parties for a fixed price at a future date. In addition to options on individual
securities, the Fund may buy and sell put and call options on currencies,
baskets of securities or currencies, indices and other instruments. Options
bought or sold by the Fund may be “cash settled,” meaning that the purchaser of
the option has the right to receive a cash payment from the writer of the option
to the extent that the value of the underlying position rises above (in the case
of a call) or falls below (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the
option. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of options will be
successful.
Options.
The Fund may purchase or sell, i.e., write, options on
securities and securities indices or on currencies, which options are listed on
a national securities exchange or in the OTC market, as a means of achieving
additional return or of hedging the value of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund my
purchase call or put options as long as the aggregate initial margins and
premiums, measured at the time of such investment, do not exceed 10% of the fair
market value of the Fund’s total assets.
A
call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right to buy
from the writer of the call option, in return for a premium, the security or
currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during
the term of the option. The writer of the call option has the obligation, upon
exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security or currency upon
payment of the exercise price during the option period. A put option is a
contract that gives the holder of the option the right, in return for a premium,
to sell to the seller the underlying security or currency at a specified price.
The seller of the put option has the obligation to buy the underlying security
upon exercise at the exercise price.
In
the case of a call option on a common stock or other security, the option 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 Investment Adviser (in accordance with
procedures established by the Board of Trustees) 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
Investment Adviser as described above. A put option on a security is “covered”
if the Fund segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Investment Adviser
as described above equal to the exercise price. A put option is also covered if
the Fund holds a put on the same security as the put written where the exercise
price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the
put written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided
the difference is maintained by the Fund in segregated assets determined to be
liquid by the Investment Adviser as described above.
If
the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by effecting a
closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished by purchasing an option of
the same series as the option previously written. However, once the Fund has
been assigned an exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing
purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an option it may
liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale transaction. This is
accomplished by selling an option of the same series as the option previously
purchased. There can be no assurance that either a closing purchase or sale
transaction can be effected when the Fund so desires.
The
Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is more
than the premium paid to purchase the option; the Fund will realize a loss from
a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the premium
received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid to purchase
the option. Since call option prices generally reflect increases in the price of
the underlying security or currency, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a
call option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized appreciation of
the underlying security or currency. Other principal factors affecting the
market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest
rates, the current market price and price volatility of the underlying security
or currency and the time remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses
on investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the Investment
Adviser
to
predict correctly the effect of these factors. The use of options cannot serve
as a complete hedge since the price movement of securities underlying the
options will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio
securities subject to the hedge.
An
option position may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary
market for an option of the same series or in a private transaction. Although
the Fund will generally purchase or write only those options for which there
appears to be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option. In such
event it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular
options, so that the Fund would have to exercise its options in order to realize
any profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise of call
options and upon the subsequent disposition of underlying securities for the
exercise of put options. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable
to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be
able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or it delivers the
underlying security upon exercise or otherwise covers the position.
Options
on Securities Indices. The Fund may purchase and sell securities index
options. One effect of such transactions may be to hedge all or part of the
Fund’s securities holdings against a general decline in the securities market or
a segment of the securities market. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on stocks except that, rather than the right to take or make delivery of
stock at a specified price, an option on a securities index gives the holder the
right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing
level of the securities index upon which the option is based is greater than, in
the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of
the option.
The
Fund’s successful use of options on indices depends upon its ability to predict
the direction of the market and is subject to various additional risks. The
correlation between movements in the index and the price of the securities being
hedged against is imperfect and the risk from imperfect correlation increases as
the composition of the Fund diverges from the composition of the relevant index.
Accordingly, a decrease in the value of the securities being hedged against may
not be wholly offset by a gain on the exercise or sale of a securities index put
option held by the Fund.
Futures
Contracts and Options on Futures. The Fund may, without limit, enter into
futures contracts or options on futures contracts. It is anticipated that these
investments, if any, will be made by the Fund primarily for the purpose of
hedging against changes in the value of its portfolio securities and in the
value of securities it intends to purchase. Such investments will only be made
if they are economically appropriate to the reduction of risks involved in the
management of the Fund. In this regard, the Fund may enter into futures
contracts or options on futures for the purchase or sale of securities indices
or other financial instruments including but not limited to U.S. government
securities.
A
“sale” of a futures contract (or a “short” futures position) means the
assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the securities underlying the
contract at a specified price at a specified future time. A “purchase” of a
futures contract (or a “long” futures position) means the assumption of a
contractual obligation to acquire the securities underlying the contract at a
specified price at a specified future time. Certain futures contracts, including
stock and bond index futures, are settled on a net cash payment basis rather
than by the sale and delivery of the securities underlying the futures
contracts.
No
consideration will be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of
a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the
broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1% to 10% of
the contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the exchange or board
of trade on which the contract is traded and brokers or members of such board of
trade may charge a higher amount). This amount is known as the “initial margin”
and is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the
contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the
broker will be made daily as the price of the index or security underlying the
futures contract fluctuates. At any time prior to the expiration of the futures
contract, the Fund may elect to close the position by taking an opposite
position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the
contract.
An
option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise
price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon
exercise
of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option
to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated
balance in the writer’s futures margin account attributable to that contract,
which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract
exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the
exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential loss related
to the purchase of an option on futures contracts is limited to the premium paid
for the option (plus transaction costs). Because the value of the option
purchased is fixed at the point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the
purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however,
the value of the option does change daily and that change would be reflected in
the net assets of the Fund.
Futures
and options on futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the
following: no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be
offset at favorable prices, possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to
the use of hedging, possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged
and the hedging instrument, possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits on
price fluctuations, imperfect correlation between the contracts and the
securities being hedged, losses from investing in futures transactions that are
potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements described
below.
In
the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long futures contracts,
under current interpretations of the 1940 Act, an amount of cash or liquid
securities equal to the market value of the contract must be deposited and
maintained in a segregated account with the custodian of the Fund to
collateralize the positions, in order for the Fund to avoid being treated as
having issued a senior security in the amount of its obligations. For short
positions in futures contracts and sales of call options, the Fund may establish
a segregated account (not with a futures commission merchant or broker) with
cash or liquid securities that, when added to amounts deposited with a futures
commission merchant or a broker as margin, equal the market value of the
instruments or currency underlying the futures contracts or call options,
respectively (but are no less than the stock price of the call option or the
market price at which the short positions were established).
The
purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar in some respects to
the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the
pricing of the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon
which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may
not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt
securities. As with the purchase of futures contracts, when the Fund is not
fully invested it may purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge
against a market advance due to declining interest rates.
The
purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to the purchase of
protective put options on portfolio securities. The Fund may purchase a put
option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund’s portfolio against the risk of
rising interest rates and consequent reduction in the value of portfolio
securities.
Interest
Rate Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. The Fund may purchase or sell
interest rate futures contracts to take advantage of or to protect the Fund
against fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value of securities that
the Fund holds or intends to acquire. For example, if interest rates are
expected to increase, the Fund might sell futures contracts on securities, the
values of which historically have a high degree of positive correlation to the
values of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Such a sale would have an effect
similar to selling an equivalent value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. If
interest rates increase, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities will
decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund will increase at
approximately an equivalent rate thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund
from declining as much as it otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish
similar results by selling securities with longer maturities and investing in
securities with shorter maturities when interest rates are expected to increase.
However, since the futures market may be more liquid than the cash market, the
use of futures contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund to
maintain a defensive position without having to sell its portfolio securities.
Similarly,
the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts when it is expected that
interest rates may decline. The purchase of futures contracts for this purpose
constitutes a hedge against increases in the price of securities (caused by
declining interest rates) that the Fund intends to acquire. Since fluctuations
in the value of appropriately selected futures contracts should approximate that
of the securities that will be purchased, the Fund can take advantage of the
anticipated rise in the cost of the securities without actually buying them.
Subsequently, the Fund can make its intended purchase of the securities in the
cash market and currently liquidate its futures
position.
To the extent the Fund enters into futures contracts for this purpose, it will
maintain in a segregated asset account with the Fund’s custodian, assets
sufficient to cover the Fund’s obligations with respect to such futures
contracts, which will consist of cash or liquid securities from its portfolio in
an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market value of such
futures contracts and the aggregate value of the initial margin deposited by the
Fund with its custodian with respect to such futures contracts.
Securities
Index Futures Contracts and Options Thereon. Purchases or sales of
securities index futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to
protect the Fund’s current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in
stock or bond prices. For example, the Fund may sell securities index futures
contracts in anticipation of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the
decrease in market value of the Fund’s securities portfolio that might otherwise
result. If such decline occurs, the loss in value of portfolio securities may be
offset, in whole or part, by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not
fully invested in the securities market and anticipates a significant market
advance, it may purchase securities index futures contracts in order to gain
rapid market exposure that may, in part or entirely, offset increases in the
cost of securities that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are
made, the corresponding positions in securities index futures contracts will be
closed out. The Fund may write put and call options on securities index futures
contracts for hedging purposes.
Additional
Risks Relating to Derivative Instruments
Neither
the Investment Adviser nor the Sub-Adviser is registered as a commodity pool
operator. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term
“commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the
Fund’s investments in derivative instruments described in the prospectus and
this SAI are not limited by or subject to regulation under the Commodity
Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
Risks
Associated with Options on Securities. There are several risks associated
with transactions in options on securities. For example, there are significant
differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an
imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to
achieve its objectives. 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.
There
can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close
out an option position. 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 at some future date to discontinue the
trading of options (or a particular class or series of options). 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 is 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 cannot be reflected 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, an increase 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 amount of Fund
assets that can cover such options, and further limited by the fact that call
options normally represent 100 share lots of the underlying common stock. The
Fund will not write “naked” or uncovered call options. 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
Investment 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 it
may impose certain other sanctions.
To
the extent that the Fund writes covered put options, the Fund will bears the
risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise
price. If the option is exercised, the Fund could incur a loss if it is required
to purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the
market price of the stock at the time of exercise. While the Fund’s potential
gain in writing a covered put option is limited to the interest earned on the
liquid assets securing the put option plus the premium received from the
purchaser of the put option, the Fund risks a loss equal to the entire value of
the stock.
To
the extent that the Fund purchases options, the Fund will be subject to the
following additional risks. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not
sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying
security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a
put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a
call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put
or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price
movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move
more or less than the price of the related security. 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 on a
security, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or
the option may expire worthless.
Call
Option Writing Risks. To the extent that the Fund writes covered 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 premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained
the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer
of an option has no control over the time when 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, may 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.
Special
Risk Considerations Relating to Futures and Options Thereon. The Fund’s
ability to establish and close out positions in futures contracts and options
thereon will be subject to the development and maintenance of liquid markets.
Although the Fund generally will purchase or sell only those futures contracts
and options thereon for which there appears to be a liquid market, there is no
assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular
futures contract or option thereon at any particular time. In the event no
liquid market exists for a particular futures contract or option thereon in
which the Fund maintains a position, it will not be possible to effect a closing
transaction in that contract or to do so at a satisfactory price, and the Fund
would either have to make or take delivery under the futures contract or, in the
case of a written option, wait to sell the underlying securities until the
option expires or is exercised or, in the case of a purchased option, exercise
the option. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon that the Fund
has written and that the Fund is unable to close, the Fund would be required to
maintain margin deposits on the futures contract or option thereon and to make
variation margin payments until the contract is closed.
Successful
use of futures contracts and options thereon by the Fund is subject to the
ability of the Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the
direction of interest rates. If the Investment Adviser’s expectations are not
met, the Fund will be in a worse position than if a hedging strategy had not
been pursued. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the possibility of an
increase in interest rates that would adversely affect the price of securities
in its portfolio and the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund
will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities
because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in
such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation
margin requirements, it may have to sell securities to meet the requirements.
These sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which
reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell securities at a time when
it is disadvantageous to do so.
Additional
Risks of Foreign Options, Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts and
Forward Contracts. Options, futures contracts and options thereon and
forward contracts on securities may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such
transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the
United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and
are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the
prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be
adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic
factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to
make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic
events occurring in the foreign markets during non-business hours in the United
States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and
procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lesser
trading volume.
Exchanges
on which options, futures and options on futures are traded may impose limits on
the positions that the Fund may take in certain circumstances.
Loans
of Portfolio Securities
Consistent
with applicable regulatory requirements and the Fund’s investment restrictions,
the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or
financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the
Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times
secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated
account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the
market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such
loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities
while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as
collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. The Fund will not
lend its portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or
regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. The Fund’s
loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with
applicable regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the value of all
loaned securities to exceed 33% of the value of the Fund’s total
assets.
A
loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business day notice, or
by the Fund on five business days notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the
loaned securities within five days after receipt of notice, the Fund could use
the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for
any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of
credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of
rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially.
However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed
by the Fund’s management to be creditworthy and when the income that can be
earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. The board of trustees of
the Fund (the “Board of Trustees” or the “Board”) will oversee the
creditworthiness of the contracting parties on an ongoing basis. Upon
termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to
the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would
inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of portfolio securities are
substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements. Thus, if
the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the
United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is
unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction
on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral, and the Fund would suffer a loss.
When voting or consent rights that accompany loaned securities pass to the
borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to
be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights
if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund’s investment in
such loaned securities. The Fund will pay reasonable finder’s, administrative
and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.
The
Fund operates under the following restrictions that constitute fundamental
policies that, except as otherwise noted, cannot be changed without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund voting together as a single class, which is defined by
the 1940 Act as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s voting securities
present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding
voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of
the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. Except as otherwise noted, all
percentage limitations set forth below apply immediately after a purchase or
initial investment and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage
resulting from market fluctuations does not require any action. These
restrictions provide that the Fund shall not:
1.
Issue senior securities nor borrow money, except the Fund may issue senior
securities or borrow money to the extent permitted by applicable
law.
2.
Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the extent that,
in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, it may be deemed to
be an underwriter under applicable securities laws.
3.
Invest in any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the value of the Fund’s
total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the
securities of issuers in any particular industry, except that this policy shall
not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its
agencies and instrumentalities or tax-exempt securities of state and municipal
governments or their political subdivisions.
4.
Purchase or sell real estate except that the Fund may: (a) acquire or lease
office space for its own use, (b) invest in securities of issuers that invest in
real estate or interests therein or that are engaged in or operate in the real
estate industry, (c) invest in securities that are secured by real estate or
interests therein, (d) purchase and sell mortgage-related securities, (e) hold
and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of
securities and (f) as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
5.
Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership
of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not
prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and
related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any
other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments
backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.
6.
Make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent that
securities or interests in which the Fund may invest are considered to be loans,
(b) through the loan of portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of the
Fund’s total assets, (c) by engaging in repurchase agreements or (d) as may
otherwise be permitted by applicable law.
Trustees
and Officers
Overall
responsibility for management and supervision of the Fund rests with its Board
of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves all significant agreements between
the Fund and the companies that furnish the Fund with services, including
agreements with the Investment Adviser.
The
Trustees are divided into two classes. Trustees serve until their successors
have been duly elected. The Trustees’ occupations during the past five years and
other directorships held by the Trustee are listed below.
Name,
Business Address(1)
and Age
|
|
Position
Held with the Fund
|
|
Term
of Office(2)
and Length of Time Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation During Past Five Years
|
|
Number
of Portfolios in Fund Complex(3) Overseen
by Trustee
|
|
Other
Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five
Years
|
INDEPENDENT
TRUSTEES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall
C. Barnes Year of Birth: 1951
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Trustee
since 2006
|
|
Investor
(2001-present). Formerly, Senior Vice President, Treasurer (1993-1997),
President, Pizza Hut International (1991-1993) and Senior Vice President,
Strategic Planning and New Business Development (1987-1990) of PepsiCo,
Inc. (1987-1997).
|
|
[
]
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roman
Friedrich III Year of Birth: 1946
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Trustee
since 2010
|
|
Founder
of Roman Friedrich & Company, which specializes in the provision of
financial advisory services to corporations in the resource sector (1998-
present). Formerly, Managing Director of TD Securities (1996- present);
Managing Director of Lancaster Financial Ltd. (1990- 1996); Managing
Director of Burns Fry Ltd. (1980-1984); President of Chase Manhattan Bank
(Canada) Ltd. (1975-1977).
|
|
[
]
|
|
Director,
Zincore Metals Inc. (2009- present); GFM Resources Ltd. (2005- present);
StrataGold Corporation (2003-2009); Gateway Gold Corp.
(2004-2008).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
B. Karn III Year of Birth: 1942
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Trustee
since 2010
|
|
Consultant
(1998- present). Formerly, Partner of Arthur Andersen, LLP
(1977-1997).
|
|
|
|
Director,
Peabody Energy Company (2003-present); Natural Resource Partners, LLC
(2002-present); Kennedy Capital Management, Inc.
(2002-present).
|
Name,
Business Address(1)
and Age
|
|
Position
Held with the Fund
|
|
Term
of Office(2)
and Length of Time Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation During Past Five Years
|
|
Number
of Portfolios in Fund Complex(3)
Overseen by Trustee
|
|
Other
Directorships Held by Trustee During the Past Five
Years
|
Ronald
A. Nyberg Year of Birth: 1953
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Trustee
since 2006
|
|
Partner
of Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC, a law firm specializing in corporate law,
estate planning and business transactions (2000- present). Formerly,
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Van
Kampen Investments (1982-1999).
|
|
[
]
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald
E. Toupin Jr. Year of birth: 1958
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Trustee
since 2006
|
|
Formerly
Vice President, Manager and Portfolio Manager of Nuveen Asset Management
(1998- 1999), Vice President of Nuveen Investment Advisory Corporation
(1992-1999), Vice President and Manager of Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts
(1991-1999), and Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Nuveen
Unit Trusts (1988-1999), each of John Nuveen & Company, Inc. (asset
manager) (1982-1999).
|
|
[
]
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTERESTED
TRUSTEE:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
M. Robinson* Year of Birth: 1959
|
|
Trustee;
Chief Legal Officer
|
|
Trustee
since 2009; Chief Legal Officer since 2008
|
|
Senior
Managing Director and General Counsel of Claymore Advisors, LLC and
Claymore Group, Inc. (2007-present). Formerly, Associate General Counsel
and Assistant Corporate Secretary of NYSE Euronext, Inc.
(2000-2007).
|
|
[
]
|
|
None
|
*
|
Mr.
Robinson is an interested person of the Fund because of his position as an
officer of the Investment Adviser and certain of its
affiliates.
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
business address of each Trustee of the Fund is 2455 Corporate West Drive,
Lisle, Illinois 60532, unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
Each
Trustee is expected to serve a two year term concurrent with the class of
Trustees for which he serves.
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Messrs.
Barnes, Friedrich and Robinson are the Class I Trustees. It is currently
anticipated that the Class I Trustees will next stand for election at the
Fund’s annual meeting of Shareholders for the Fund’s fiscal year ending
May 31, 2012.
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
Messrs.
Karn, Nyberg and Toupin are the Class II Trustees. It is currently
anticipated that the Class II Trustees will next stand for election at the
Fund’s annual meeting of Shareholders for the Fund’s fiscal year ending
May 31, 2011.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
As
of the date of this SAI, the “Fund Complex” consists of [ ] closed-end
funds and [ ] exchange-traded funds advised or serviced by the
Adviser
|
Trustee
Qualifications
The
Trustees were selected to serve and continue on the Board based upon their
skills, experience, judgment, analytical ability, diligence, ability to work
effectively with other Trustees, availability and commitment to attend meetings
and perform the responsibilities of a Trustee and, for each Independent Trustee,
a demonstrated willingness to take an independent and questioning view of
management.
The
following is a summary of the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills
of each Trustee that support the conclusion, as of the date of this proxy
statement, that each Trustee should serve as a Trustee in light of the Fund’s
business and structure. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills
of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding
out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise and shall not
impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the
Board by reason thereof.
Randall
C. Barnes. Mr. Barnes has served as a Trustee of the Fund and other funds
in the Claymore fund complex since 2003. Mr. Barnes also serves on the board of
certain Claymore sponsored Canadian funds. Through his service as a Trustee of
the Fund and as chairman of the Audit Committee, employment experience as
President of Pizza Hut International and as Treasurer of PepsiCo, Inc., and his
personal investment experience, Mr. Barnes is experienced in financial,
accounting, regulatory and investment matters.
Roman
Friedrich III. Mr. Friedrich has served as a Trustee of the Fund and
other funds in the Claymore fund complex since 2003. Mr. Friedrich also serves
on the board of certain Claymore sponsored Canadian funds. Through his service
as a Trustee, his service on other public company boards, his experience as
founder and chairman of Roman Friedrich & Company, a financial advisory firm
and his prior experience as a senior executive of various financial securities
firms, Mr. Friedrich is experienced in financial, investment and regulatory
matters.
Robert
B. Karn III. Mr. Karn has served as a Trustee of the Fund and other funds
in the Claymore fund complex since 2004. Through his service as a Trustee of the
Fund and as chairman of the Audit Committee, his service on other public and
private company boards, his experience as an accountant and consultant, and his
prior experience, including Managing Partner of the Financial and Economic
Consulting Practice of the St. Louis office at Arthur Andersen, LLP, Mr. Karn is
experienced in accounting, financial, investment and regulatory matters. The
Board has determined that Mr. Karn is an “audit committee financial expert” as
defined by the SEC.
Ronald
A. Nyberg. Mr. Nyberg has served as a Trustee of the Fund and other funds
in the Claymore fund complex since 2003. Through his service as a Trustee of the
Fund and as chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee, his
professional training and experience as an attorney and partner of a law firm,
Nyberg & Cassioppi. LLC, and his prior employment experience, including
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Van Kampen Investments, an asset
management firm, Mr. Nyberg is experienced in financial, regulatory and
governance matters.
Kevin
M. Robinson. Mr. Robsinson has served as a Trustee of the Fund since
2009. Through his service as a Trustee of the Fund, his professional training,
employment experience as Senior Managing Director, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of the Adviser and Claymore Securities, Inc., and his prior employment
experience, including Associate General Counsel of NYSE Euronext, Inc. and
Senior Counsel of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Robinson is
experienced in financial and governance matters.
Ronald
E. Toupin, Jr. Mr. Toupin has served as a Trustee of the Fund and other
funds in the Claymore fund complex since 2003. Through his service as a Trustee
of the Fund and as chairman of the Board, and his professional training and
employment experience, including Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Nuveen
Asset Management, an asset management firm, Mr. Toupin is experienced in
financial, regulatory and investment matters.
Each
Trustee also now has considerable familiarity with the Fund, its adviser and
other service providers, and their operations, as well as the special regulatory
requirements governing regulated investment companies and the special
responsibilities of investment company trustees as a result of his substantial
prior service as a Trustee of the Fund.
Executive
Officers
The
following information relates to the executive officers of the Funds who are not
Trustees. The Funds’ officers receive no compensation from the Funds but may
also be officers or employees of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or affiliates of
the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser and may receive compensation in such
capacities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Business Address(1)
and Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Term
of Office(2)
and Length of Time Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation During the Past Five Years
|
J.
Thomas Futrell Year of Birth: 1955
|
|
Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
Officer
since 2006
|
|
Senior
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Claymore Advisors, LLC
and Claymore Securities, Inc. (2008-present). Formerly, Managing Director
of Research, Nuveen Asset Management (2000-2007).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven
M. Hill Year of Birth: 1964
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
|
|
Officer
since 2006
|
|
Senior
Managing Director of Claymore Advisors, LLC and Claymore Securities Inc.
(2005-present). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer of Claymore Group Inc.
(2005-2006), Managing Director of Claymore Advisors, LLC and Claymore
Securities. Inc. 92003-2005). Formerly, Treasurer of Henderson Global
Funds and Operations Manager of Henderson Global Investors (NA) Inc.
(2002-2003); Managing Director of FrontPoint Partners LLC (2001-2002);
Vice President of Nuveen Investments (1999-2001).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark
E. Mathiasen Year of Birth: 1978
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Officer
since 2008
|
|
Vice
President, Assistant General Counsel of Claymore Securities, Inc. (2007-
present). Secretary of certain funds in the Fund Complex. Previously, Law
Clerk, Idaho State Courts (2003-2006).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce
Saxon Year of Birth: 1957
|
|
Chief
Compliance Officer
|
|
Officer
since 2006
|
|
Vice
President, Fund Compliance Officer of Claymore Group, Inc. (2006 to
present). Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer/Assistant Secretary of Harris
Investment Management, Inc. (2003-2006). Director-Compliance of
Harrisdirect LLC (1999-2003).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James
Howley Year of birth: 1972
|
|
Assistant
Treasurer
|
|
Officer
since 2007
|
|
Vice
President, Fund Administration (2004-present) of Claymore Advisors, LLC
and Claymore Securities, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer of certain funds in the
Fund Complex. Previously, Manager, Mutual Fund Administration of Van
Kampen Investments, Inc.
(2000-2004).
|
Name,
Business Address(1)
and Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Term
of Office(2)
and Length of Time Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation During the Past Five Years
|
Mark
J. Furjanic Year of birth: 1959
|
|
Assistant
Treasurer
|
|
Officer
since 2008
|
|
Vice
President, Fund Administration- Tax (2005-present) of Claymore Advisors,
LLC and Claymore Securities, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer of certain funds in
the Fund Complex. Formerly, Senior Manager (1999-2005) for Ernst &
Young LLP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Donald
P. Swade Year of birth: 1972
|
|
Assistant
Treasurer
|
|
Officer
since 2008
|
|
Vice
President, Fund Administration (2006-present) of Claymore Advisors, LLC
and Claymore Securities, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer of certain funds in the
Fund Complex. Formerly, Manager- Mutual Fund Financial Administration
(2003-2006) for Morgan Stanley/Van Kampen Investments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Melissa
J. Nguyen Year of birth: 1978
|
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
|
Officer
since 2008
|
|
Vice
President, Assistant General Counsel of Claymore Group Inc. (2005-
present). Secretary of certain funds in the Fund Complex. Previously,
Associate, Vedder Price P.C. (2003-2005).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth
H. Hudson Year of birth: 1980
|
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
|
Officer
since 2009
|
|
Assistant
General Counsel of Claymore Group Inc. (2009-present) Assistant Secretary
of certain funds in the Fund Complex. Previously, associate at Bell, Boyd
& Lloyd LLP (nka K&L Gates LLP)
(2007-2008).
|
|
|
(1)
|
The
business address of each officer of the Fund is 2455 Corporate West Drive,
Lisle, Illinois 60532, unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Officers
serve at the pleasure of the Board and until his or her successor is
appointed and qualified or until his or her resignation or
removal.
|
Board
Leadership Structure
The
primary responsibility of the Board of Trustees is to represent the interests of
the Fund and to provide oversight of the management of the Fund. The Fund’s
day-to-day operations are managed by the Adviser, the Subadviser and other
service providers who have been approved by the Board. The Board is currently
comprised of six Trustees, five of whom (including the chairman) are classified
under the 1940 Act as “non-interested” persons of the Fund (“Independent
Trustees”) and one of whom is classified as an interested person of the Fund
(“Interested Trustee”). Generally, the Board acts by majority vote of all the
Trustees, including a majority vote of the Independent Trustees if required by
applicable law.
The
Board has appointed an Independent Trustee, Mr. Toupin, as chairperson of the
Board, who presides at Board meetings and who is responsible for, among other
things, participating in the planning of Board meetings, setting the tone of
Board meetings and seeking to encourage open dialogue and independent inquiry
among the trustees and management. The Board has established two standing
committees (as described below) and has delegated certain responsibilities to
those committees, each of which is comprised solely of Independent Trustees. The
Board and its committees meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the
Fund’s activities, review contractual arrangements with service providers,
review the Fund’s financial statements, oversee compliance with regulatory
requirements, and review performance. The Independent Trustees are represented
by independent legal counsel at Board and committee meetings. The Board has
determined that this leadership structure, including an
Independent
Chairperson, a supermajority of Independent Trustees and committee membership
limited to Independent Trustees, is appropriate in light of the characteristics
and circumstances of the Fund.
Board
Committees
Audit Committee. The Board
has an Audit Committee, composed of Messrs. Barnes, Friedrich, Karn, Nyberg and
Toupin. Mr. Barnes serves as chairperson of the Audit Committee. In addition to
being “Independent Trustees” (defined for purposes herein as Trustees who: (1)
are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined by the 1940 Act and (2) are
“independent” of the Fund as defined by the NYSE listing standards), each of
these Trustees also meets the additional independence requirements for audit
committee members as defined by the NYSE. The Audit Committee is charged with
selecting the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing
accounting matters with the Fund’s independent registered public accounting
firm.
The Audit
Committee presents the following report:
The Audit
Committee has performed the following functions: (i) the Audit Committee
reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Fund with
management of the Fund, (ii) the Audit Committee discussed with the Fund’s
independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be
discussed by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, (iii) the Audit
Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from the Fund’s
independent registered public accounting firm required by Impendence Standards
Board Standard No. 1 and has discussed with the Fund’s independent registered
public accounting firm the Fund’s independent registered public accounting
firm’s independence and (iv) the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Trustees of the Fund that the financial statements be included in the Fund’s
Annual Report for the past fiscal period.
Nominating and Governance Committee. The Board has a Nominating and
Governance Committee, composed of Messrs. Barnes, Friedrich, Karn, Nyberg and
Toupin, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. Mr. Nyberg serves as chairperson
of the Nominating and Governance Committee.
As part of its duties, the Nominating and Governance Committee makes
recommendations to the full Board with respect to candidates for the Board. The
Nominating and Governance Committee will consider Trustee candidates recommended
by shareholders. In considering candidates submitted by shareholders, the
Nominating and Governance Committee will take into consideration the needs of
the Board and the qualifications of the candidate. To have a candidate
considered by the Nominating and Governance Committee, a shareholder must submit
the recommendation in writing and must include the information required by
the procedures for shareholders to Submit Nominee Candidates, which
are set forth as Appendix A to the Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee
Charter. The shareholder recommendation must be sent to the Fund’s Secretary,
c/o Claymore Advisors, LLC, 2455 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois
60532.
Board
and Committee Meetings. During the Fund’s fiscal year ended May 31, 2010,
the Board held 5 meetings, the Fund’s Audit Committee held 2 meetings and the
Fund’s Nominating and Governance Committee held 5 meetings.
Board’s
Role in Risk Oversight
Consistent
with its responsibility for oversight of the Fund, the Board, among other
things, oversees risk management of the Fund’s investment program and business
affairs directly and through the committee structure it has established. The
Board has established the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance
Committee to assist in its oversight functions, including its oversight of the
risks the Fund faces. Each committee reports its activities to the Board on a
regular basis. Risks to the Fund include, among others, investment risk, credit
risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk and operational risk, as well as the
overall business risk relating to the Fund. The Board has adopted, and
periodically reviews, policies, procedures and controls designed to address
these different types of risks. Under the Board’s supervision, the officers of
the Fund, the Adviser, the Subadviser and other service providers to the Fund
also have implemented a variety of processes, procedures and controls to address
various risks. In addition, as part of the Board’s periodic review of the Fund’s
advisory, subadvisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may
consider risk management aspects of the service providers’ operations and the
functions for which they are responsible.
The
Board requires officers of the Fund to report to the full Board on a variety of
matters at regular and special meetings of the Board and its committees, as
applicable, including matters relating to risk management. The Audit Committee
also receives reports from the Fund’s independent registered public accounting
firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. On at least a
quarterly basis, the Board meets with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer,
including separate meetings with the Independent Trustees in executive session,
to discuss compliance matters and, on at least an annual basis, receives a
report from the Chief Compliance Officer regarding the effectiveness of the
Fund’s compliance program. The Board, with the assistance of Fund management,
reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of the
Fund’s performance. In addition, the Board receives reports from the Adviser and
Subadviser on the investments and securities trading of the Fund. With respect
to valuation, the Board oversees a pricing committee comprised of Fund officers
and Adviser personnel and has approved Fair Valuation procedures applicable to
valuing the Fund’s securities, which the Board and the Audit Committee
periodically review. The Board also requires the Adviser to report to the Board
on other matters relating to risk management on a regular and as-needed
basis.
Trustee
Compensation
The
Fund pays an annual retainer and fee per meeting attended to each Trustee who is
not affiliated with the Investment Adviser, Sub-Adviser or their respective
affiliates and pays an additional annual fee to the chairman of the Board and of
any committee of the Board, if any. The following table provides information
regarding the compensation of the Fund’s Trustees for the Fund’s fiscal year
ended May 31, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name(1)
|
|
Aggregate
Estimated Compensation from the Fund
|
|
Pension
or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund Expenses(2)
|
|
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement(2)
|
|
Total
Compensation from the Fund and Fund Complex(3) Paid to
Trustee
|
Independent
Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Randall
C. Barnes
|
|
$25,000
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
$275,00
|
Roman
Friedrich III
|
|
$1,000
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
$43,500
|
Robert
B. Karn III
|
|
$1,000
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
$51,000
|
Ronald
A. Nyberg
|
|
$25,000
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
$380,500
|
Ronald
E. Toupin, Jr.
|
|
$28,000
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
$325,000
|
|
|
(1)
|
Trustees
not entitled to compensation are not included in the table.
|
(2)
|
The
Fund does not accrue or pay retirement or pension benefits to Trustees as
of the date of this SAI.
|
(3)
|
As
of the date of this SAI, the “Fund Complex” consists of [ ] closed-end
funds and [ ] exchange-traded funds advised or serviced by the
Adviser
|
Share
Ownership
As of
December 31, 2009, the most recently completed calendar year prior to the date
of this SAI, each Trustee of the Fund beneficially owned equity securities of
the Fund and all of the registered investment companies in the family of
investment companies overseen by the Trustee in the dollar range amounts
specified below.
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in
the Fund
|
|
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by Trustee in Fund Complex(1)s
|
Independent
Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
Randall
C. Barnes
|
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
|
over
$100,000
|
Roman
Friedrich III
|
|
None
|
|
$1-$10,000
|
Robert
B. Karn III
|
|
None
|
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Ronald
A. Nyberg
|
|
$1-$10,000
|
|
over
$100,000
|
Ronald
E. Toupin, Jr.
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested
Trustee:
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
Robinson
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
(1)
|
As
of the date of this SAI, the “Fund Complex” consists of [ ] closed-end
funds and [ ] exchange-traded funds advised or serviced by the
Adviser
|
Indemnification
of Officers and Trustees; Limitations on Liability
The
governing documents of the Fund provide that the Fund will indemnify its
Trustees and officers and may indemnify its employees or agents against
liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they
may be involved because of their positions with the Fund, to the fullest extent
permitted by law. However, nothing in the governing documents of the Fund
protects or indemnifies a trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund
against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject in the
event of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her
position.
The
Fund has entered into an Indemnification Agreement with each Independent
Trustee, which provides that the Fund shall indemnify and hold harmless such
Trustee against any and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the
Trustee in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with the Trustee’s
service to the Fund, to the fullest extent permitted by the Declaration of Trust
and By-Laws and the laws of the State of Delaware, the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless it has
been finally adjudicated that (i) the Trustee is subject to such expenses by
reason of the Trustee’s not having acted in good faith in the reasonable belief
that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust or (ii) the
Trustee is liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his or her office, as defined in Section 17(h) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Portfolio
Management
The
Sub-Adviser’s personnel with the most significant responsibility for the
day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are B. Scott Minerd, Chief
Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer; Anne Bookwalter Walsh, Senior
Managing Director; Michael Curcio, Managing Director; Robert N. Daviduk,
Managing Director; and Eric Silvergold, Managing Director.
Other
Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers.
As
of May 31, 2010, Mr. Minerd managed or was a member of the management team for
the following client accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Accounts
|
|
Assets
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of Accounts Subject to a Performance Fee
|
|
Assets
Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Pooled
Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
As
of May 31, 2010, Ms. Walsh managed or was a member of the management team for
the following client accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Accounts
|
|
Assets
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of Accounts Subject to a Performance Fee
|
|
Assets
Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Pooled
Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
As
of May 31, 2010, Mr. Curcio managed or was a member of the management team for
the following client accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Accounts
|
|
Assets
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of Accounts Subject to a Performance Fee
|
|
Assets
Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Pooled
Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
As
of May 31, 2010, Mr. Daviduk managed or was a member of the management team for
the following client accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Accounts
|
|
Assets
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of Accounts Subject to a Performance Fee
|
|
Assets
Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Pooled
Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
As
of May 31, 2010, Mr. Silvergold managed or was a member of the management team
for the following client accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of Accounts
|
|
Assets
of Accounts
|
|
Number
of Accounts Subject to a Performance Fee
|
|
Assets
Subject to a Performance Fee
|
Registered
Investment Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Pooled
Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Other
Accounts
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
|
[
]
|
|
$[
]
|
Potential
Conflicts of Interest. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise
when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect
to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers
who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with one or
more of the following potential conflicts.
The
management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio
manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each fund
and/or other account. The Sub-Adviser seeks to manage such competing interests
for the time and attention of a portfolio manager by having the portfolio
manager focus on a particular investment discipline. Most other accounts managed
by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment models that are
used in connection with the management of the Fund.
If
a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be
suitable for more than one fund or other account, a fund may not be able to take
full advantage of the opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or
sale orders across all eligible funds and other accounts. To deal with these
situations, the Sub-Adviser has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio
transactions across multiple accounts.
The
Sub-Adviser determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent
with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect
to certain other accounts (such as mutual funds for which the Sub-Adviser acts
as advisor, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual
funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the
Sub-Adviser may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of
brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In
these cases, trades for a fund in a particular security may be placed separately
from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate
transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price
of the security for the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible
detriment of the Fund or other account(s) involved.
The
Sub-Adviser has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to
address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such
procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict
arises.
Portfolio
Manager Compensation. The portfolio managers’ compensation consists of
the following elements:
Base Salary: The
portfolio managers are paid a fixed base salary by the Sub-Adviser which is set
at a level determined to be appropriate based upon the individual’s experience
and responsibilities.
Annual Bonus: The
portfolio managers are paid a discretionary annual bonus by the Sub-Adviser,
which is based on the overall performance and profitability of the Sub-Adviser
and not on performance of the Funds or accounts managed by the portfolio
managers. The portfolio managers also participate in benefit plans and programs
generally available to all employees of the Sub-Adviser.
Securities Ownership of the Portfolio Manager. As of May 31, 2010, the
dollar range of equity securities of the Fund beneficially owned by the
portfolio manager is shown below:
B. Scott
Minerd: [ ]
Anne
Bookwalter Walsh: [ ]
Michael
Curcio: [ ]
Robert N.
Daviduk: [ ]
Eric
Silvergold: [ ]
Advisory
Agreement
Claymore
Advisors, LLC, a subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), acts as
the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Investment Adviser”) pursuant to an advisory
agreement with the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Investment Adviser is a
Delaware limited liability company with principal offices located at 2455
Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois 60532. The Investment Adviser is a
registered investment adviser.
Under
the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser Pursuant to the
Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the management of
the Fund; furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment on behalf of the
Fund; oversees the activities of the Fund’s Sub-Adviser; provides personnel,
including certain officers required for the Fund’s administrative management;
and pays the compensation of all officers and Trustees of the Fund who are its
affiliates. For services rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the
Fund under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee,
payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily
Managed Assets.
Pursuant
to its terms, the Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until February 3,
2011, and from year to year thereafter if approved annually (i) by the Fund’s
Board of Trustees or by the holders of a majority of its outstanding voting
securities and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested
persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any party to the Advisory Agreement, by
vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such
approval. The Advisory Agreement terminates automatically on its assignment and
may be terminated without penalty on 60 days written notice at the option of
either party thereto or by a vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the Fund’s outstanding shares.
The
Advisory Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties
thereunder, the Investment Adviser is not liable for any error or judgment or
mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As part of the Advisory
Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name “Claymore” is the Investment
Adviser’s property and that in the event the Investment Adviser ceases to act as
an investment adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not
including “Claymore.”
Advisory
Fee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended May 30,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2008(1)
|
|
The
Investment Adviser received approximate advisory fees of
|
|
$
|
[
]
|
|
$
|
1,690,591
|
|
$
|
1,966,137
|
|
(1)
|
For
the period from July 27, 2007 (commencement of operations) through May 31,
2008.
|
Sub-Advisory
Agreement
Guggenheim
Partners Asset Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Guggenheim, acts as the Fund’s
investment sub-adviser (the “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to an investment
sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with the Fund and the
Investment Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is a Delaware limited liability
company with principal offices at 100 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica,
California 90401. The Sub-Adviser is a registered investment
adviser.
Under
the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser manages the portfolio
of the Fund in accordance with its stated investment objective and policies,
makes investment decisions for the Fund, places orders to purchase and sell
securities on behalf of the Fund and manages its other business and affairs, all
subject to the supervision and direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the
Investment Adviser. For services rendered by the
Sub-Adviser
on behalf of the Fund under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser
pays the Sub-Adviser a fee, payable monthly, in an annual amount equal to .50%
of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, less .50% of the Fund’s average
daily assets attributable to any investments by the Fund in Affiliated
Investment Funds.
The
Sub-Advisory Agreement continues until February 3, 2011 and from year to year
thereafter if approved annually (i) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by the
holders of a majority of its outstanding voting securities and (ii) by a
majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the
1940 Act) of any party to the Sub-Advisory Agreement, by vote cast in person at
a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Sub-Advisory
Agreement terminates automatically on its assignment and may be terminated
without penalty on 60 days written notice at the option of either party thereto,
by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority (as defined in the
1940 Act) of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
The
Sub-Advisory Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard for its obligations and duties
thereunder, the Sub-Adviser is not liable for any error or judgment or mistake
of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund. As part of the Sub-Advisory
Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name “Guggenheim” is the Sub-Adviser’s
property, and that in the event the Sub-Adviser ceases to act as an investment
sub-adviser to the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including
“Guggenheim.”
Sub-Advisory Fee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended May 30,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2008(1)
|
|
The Sub-Adviser received approximate sub-advisory fees of
|
|
$
|
[
]
|
|
$
|
845,295
|
|
$
|
983,068
|
|
(1)
|
For
the period from July 27, 2007 (commencement of operations) through May 31,
2008.
|
Other
Agreements
Administration
Agreement. Claymore Advisors, LLC serves as administrator to the Fund.
Pursuant to an administration agreement, Claymore Advisors, LLC is responsible
for: (1) coordinating with the custodian and transfer agent and monitoring the
services they provide to the Fund, (2) coordinating with and monitoring any
other third parties furnishing services to the Fund, (3) supervising the
maintenance by third parties of such books and records of the Funds as may be
required by applicable federal or state law, (4) preparing or supervising the
preparation by third parties of all federal, state and local tax returns and
reports of the Fund required by applicable law, (5) preparing and, after
approval by the Fund, filing and arranging for the distribution of proxy
materials and periodic reports to shareholders of the Fund as required by
applicable law, (6) preparing and, after approval by the Fund, arranging for the
filing of such registration statements and other documents with the SEC and
other federal and state regulatory authorities as may be required by applicable
law, (7) reviewing and submitting to the officers of the Fund for their approval
invoices or other requests for payment of the Fund’s expenses and instructing
the custodian to issue checks in payment thereof and (8) taking such other
action with respect to the Fund as may be necessary in the opinion of the
administrator to perform its duties under the Administration Agreement. For the
services, the Fund pays Claymore Advisors a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly,
at the annualized rate of .0275% of the average daily Managed Assets of the
Fund, reduced on assets over $200 million.
Administration Fee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended May 30,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2008(1)
|
|
Claymore Advisors, LLC received approximate administration fees
of
|
|
$
|
[
]
|
|
$
|
45,980
|
|
$
|
51,770
|
|
|
(1)
|
For
the period from July 27, 2007 (commencement of operations) through May 31,
2008.
|
Subject
to policies established by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, the Sub-Adviser is
responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and the allocation of brokerage
on behalf of the Fund. Transactions in equity securities are in most cases
effected on U.S. stock exchanges and involve the payment of negotiated brokerage
commissions. In general, there may be no stated commission in the case of
securities traded in over-the-counter markets, but the prices of those
securities may include undisclosed commissions or mark-ups. Principal
transactions are not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. The Fund has no
obligations to deal with any broker or group of brokers in executing
transactions in portfolio securities. In executing transactions, the Sub-Adviser
seeks to obtain the best price and execution for the Fund, taking into account
such factors as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and operational
facilities of the firm involved and the firm’s risk in positioning a block of
securities. While the Sub-Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive
commission rates, the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission
available.
Subject
to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who provide supplemental
research, market and statistical information to the Sub-Adviser or its
affiliates may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. The term “research,
market and statistical information” includes advice as to the value of
securities, and advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities,
and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities, and
furnishing analyses and reports concerning issues, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts.
Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services
required to be performed by the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement,
and the expenses of the Sub-Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result
of the receipt of such supplemental information. Such information may be useful
to the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates in providing services to clients other
than the Fund, and not all such information is used by the Sub-Adviser in
connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information provided to the
Sub-Adviser and its affiliates by brokers and dealers through whom other clients
of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be
useful to the Sub-Adviser in providing services to the Fund.
Although
investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of the other
accounts managed by the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates, investments of the kind
made by the Fund may also be made by those other accounts. When the same
securities are purchased for or sold by the Fund and any of such other accounts,
it is the policy of the Sub-Adviser and its affiliates to allocate such
purchases and sales in the manner deemed fair and equitable to all of the
accounts, including the Fund.
Commissions
Paid. Unless otherwise disclosed below, the Fund paid no commissions to
affiliated brokers during the last three fiscal years. The Fund paid
approximately the following commissions to brokers during the fiscal years
shown:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended May 31,
|
|
|
All
Brokers
|
|
|
Affiliated
Brokers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
$
|
[
]
|
|
$
|
[
]
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
189,357
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
2008(1)
|
|
$
|
316,826
|
|
$
|
0
|
|
(1)
|
For
the period from July 27, 2007 (commencement of operations) through May 31,
2008.
|
Fiscal
Year Ended May 31, 2010 Percentages:
Percentage
of aggregate brokerage commissions paid to affiliated
broker
|
|
|
[
]
|
%
|
Percentage
of aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of
commissions effected through affiliated broker
|
|
|
[
]
|
%
|
During
the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010, the Fund paid $[ ] in brokerage commissions
on transactions totaling $[ ] to brokers selected primarily on the basis of
research services provided to the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser.
Portfolio
turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of an investment company’s
annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the monthly average value
of securities in its portfolio during the year, excluding portfolio securities
the maturities of which at the time of acquisition were one year or less. A high
rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission
expense than a lower rate, which expense must be borne by the Fund and
indirectly by its shareholders. A higher rate of portfolio turnover may also
result in taxable gains being passed to shareholders sooner than would otherwise
be the case. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009, the
Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was [ ]% and 58%, respectively.
The
following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Fund’s Common Shares. Except as otherwise noted, this discussion assumes you
are a taxable U.S. person and that you hold your Common Shares as capital assets
for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment).
This discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), the regulations promulgated thereunder and
judicial and administrative authorities, all of which are subject to change or
differing interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the
“IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect. No attempt is made to present a
detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax concerns
affecting the Fund and its Common Shareholders (including Common Shareholders
subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law).
The
discussions set forth herein and in the prospectus do not constitute tax advice
and potential investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine
the specific U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of
investing in the Fund.
Taxation
of the Fund
The
Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund must,
among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross
income from (a) dividends, interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments
with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other
disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income
(including gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with
respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign
currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly
traded partnerships” (as defined in the Code) (the “Gross Income Test”); and
(ii) diversify its holdings so
that, at
the end of each quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the market
value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S.
Government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies
and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one
issuer, to an amount 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
(b) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets is invested
in the securities of (I) any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities
and the securities of other regulated investment companies), (II) any two or
more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the
same business or similar or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or
more qualified publicly traded partnerships. Generally, a qualified publicly
traded partnership includes a partnership the interests of which are traded on
an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market (or
the substantial equivalent thereof).
As
long as the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund generally
will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains that the Fund
distributes to its Common Shareholders, provided that it distributes each
taxable year at least 90% of the sum of (i) the Fund’s investment company
taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the
excess of any net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and
other taxable income, other than any net capital gain (defined below), reduced
by deductible expenses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends
and distributions paid and (ii) the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest (the excess
of its gross tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund
intends to distribute substantially all of such income each year. The Fund will
be subject to income tax at regular corporate rates on any taxable income or
gains that it does not distribute to its Common Shareholders.
The
Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the Fund to the extent the Fund
does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98%
of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for
the calendar year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain in excess of its capital loss
(adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a one-year period generally ending on
October 31 of the calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Fund’s
taxable year). In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any
year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any
under-distribution or over-distribution, as the case may be, from the previous
year. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the
manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% nondeductible excise tax,
there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Fund’s taxable income
and capital gain will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the
excise tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the excise tax only on
the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution
requirement.
If
for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment
company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain, which
consists of the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term
capital loss) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any
deduction for distributions to Common Shareholders, and such distributions will
be taxable to the Common Shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the
Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such dividends, however,
would be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of
Common Shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received
deduction in the case of corporate Common Shareholders, subject, in each case,
to certain holding period requirements. To qualify again to be taxed as a
regulated investment company in a subsequent year, the Fund would be required to
distribute to its Common Shareholders its earnings and profits attributable to
non-regulated investment company years reduced by an interest charge on 50% of
such earnings and profits payable by the Fund to the IRS. If the Fund fails to
qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it must pay out its
earnings and profits for that year in order to qualify again as a regulated
investment company. If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment
company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund may be required to
recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its
assets (i.e., the
excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses
that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the Fund had been
liquidated) or, alternatively, to elect to be subject to taxation on such
built-in gain recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a
regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
The
Fund’s Investments
Certain
of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S.
federal income tax provisions (including mark-to-market, constructive sale,
straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules) that may, among other things,
(i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or
deductions, including
the
dividends received deduction, (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains
or “qualified dividend income” into higher taxed short-term capital gains or
ordinary income, (iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss
(the deductibility of which is more limited), (iv) cause the Fund to recognize
income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the
time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur,
(vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial
transactions and (vii) produce income that will not be “qualified” income for
purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. These U.S.
federal income tax provisions could therefore affect the amount, timing and
character of distributions to Common Shareholders. The Fund intends to monitor
its transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to
dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these provisions and prevent
disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company. Additionally,
the Fund may be required to limit its activities in derivative instruments in
order to enable it to maintain its regulated investment company
status.
Certain
types of income received by the Fund from real estate investment trusts
(“REITS”), real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), taxable mortgage
pools or other investments may cause the Fund to designate some or all of its
distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To Fund Common Shareholders such
excess inclusion income will (i) constitute taxable income, as “unrelated
business taxable income” (“UBTI”) for those Common Shareholders who would
otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts,
Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities, (ii) not be offset
against net operating losses for tax purposes, (iii) not be eligible for reduced
U.S. withholding for non-U.S. Common Shareholders even from tax treaty countries
and (iv) cause the Fund to be subject to tax if certain “disqualified
organizations,” as defined by the Code (which includes charitable remainder
trusts), are Fund Common Shareholders.
Gain
or loss on the sales of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term
capital gain or loss if the securities have been held by the Fund for more than
one year. Gain or loss on the sale of securities held for one year or less will
be short-term capital gain or loss.
Because
the Fund may invest in foreign securities, its income from such securities may
be subject to non-U.S. taxes. The Fund will not be eligible to elect to
“pass-through” to Common Shareholders of the Fund the ability to use the foreign
tax deduction or foreign tax credit for foreign taxes paid with respect to
qualifying taxes.
Private
Investment Funds Taxed as Partnerships. Certain of the Private Investment
Funds in which the Fund may invest will be treated as partnerships for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Consequently, the Fund’s income, gains, losses,
deductions and expenses will depend upon the corresponding items recognized by
such Private Investment Funds. In addition, the Fund’s proportionate share of
the assets of each such Private Investment Fund will be treated as if held
directly by the Fund. In these instances, the Fund will be required to meet the
diversification test with respect to the assets of such Private Investment
Funds. The Fund generally will not invest in Private Investment Funds that are
treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless the terms of
such investment provide, or the managers of such Private Investment Funds agree
to provide, the Fund with information on a regular basis as reasonably necessary
to monitor the Fund’s qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
Private
Investment Funds Taxed as PFICs. The Fund anticipates that certain of the
Private Investment Funds in which it invests will be treated as “passive foreign
investment companies” (“PFICs”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In
general, a PFIC is any foreign corporation that has 75% or more of its gross
income for the taxable year which consists of passive income or that has 50% or
more of the average fair market value of its assets which consists of assets
that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.
If
the Fund makes an election to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (a
“QEF Election”), the Fund would be taxed currently on the PFIC’s income without
regard to whether the Fund received any distributions from the PFIC. If the Fund
makes a QEF Election with respect to a Private Investment Fund and the Private
Investment Fund complies with certain annual reporting requirements, the Fund
will be required to include in its gross income each year its pro rata share of
the Private Investment Fund’s ordinary income and net capital gains (at ordinary
income and capital gain rates, respectively) for each year in which the Private
Investment Fund is a PFIC, regardless of whether the Fund receives distributions
from the Private Investment Fund. The Fund believes that such income and gain
inclusions resulting from a QEF Election constitute qualifying income for
purposes of the income
requirement
applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code. By
reason of such inclusions, the Fund would be deemed to have received net
investment income, which would be subject to the 90% distribution requirement,
and to have received net capital gains, possibly without a corresponding receipt
of cash. The Fund’s basis in the shares it owns in the Private Investment Fund
will be increased to reflect any such deemed distributed income. Because some of
the Private Investment Funds in which the Fund may invest may defer the payment
of management and/or incentive compensation fees, during the deferral period the
Fund’s pro rata share of the Private Investment Fund’s ordinary income will be
higher than it would be if the Private Investment Fund had not deferred the
payment of such fees. A QEF Election is subject to a number of specific rules
and requirements, and not all of the Private Investment Funds in which the Fund
may invest may provide their investors with the information required to satisfy
the reporting requirements necessary for the Fund to make a QEF
Election.
In
lieu of making a QEF Election, the Fund could elect to mark to market its PFIC
stock and include in income any resulting gain or loss (a “Mark-to-Market
Election”). The Fund anticipates that it will make a Mark-to-Market Election
with respect to the stock of any PFICs in which it invests that do not provide
the Fund with the information necessary for the Fund to make a QEF Election.
Unlike in the case of a QEF Election, under a Mark-to-Market Election the Fund
will not be deemed to have received distributions of net investment income or
net capital gains from the PFIC. If the Fund makes a Mark-to-Market Election
with respect to a PFIC, the Fund will be deemed to have sold the shares of that
PFIC as of the last day of the Fund’s taxable year and will be required to
include in the Fund’s net investment income the positive difference, if any,
between the fair market value of shares as of the end of the Fund’s taxable year
and the adjusted basis of such shares. All of such positive difference will be
treated as ordinary income and will be a dividend in the hands of the Fund.
Moreover, any gain from the Fund’s actual sale of PFIC shares with respect to
which the Fund has made a Mark-to-Market Election will be ordinary income in the
Fund’s hands. Thus, unlike the case of a QEF Election, the Fund cannot generate
long-term capital gains with respect to PFIC stock for which the Fund has made a
Mark-to-Market Election. The Fund will recognize income regardless of whether
the PFIC has made any distributions to the Fund and such income will constitute
net investment income subject to the 90% distribution requirement described
above. The Fund’s basis in the shares it owns in the Private Investment Fund
will be increased to reflect any such recognized income. The Fund may deduct any
decrease in value equal to the excess of its adjusted basis in the shares over
the fair market value of the shares of the Private Investment Fund as of the end
of the Fund’s taxable year, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market
gains included in the Fund’s income for prior taxable years.
The
Fund intends to borrow funds or to redeem a sufficient amount of its investments
in Private Investment Funds that are PFICs and for which the Fund has made
either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election so that the Fund has
sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements to maintain its
qualification as a regulated investment company and minimize U.S. federal income
and excise taxes.
In
the event that the Fund does not make a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market
Election with respect to PFIC stock held by the Fund, the Fund would be taxed at
ordinary income rates and pay an interest charge if it received an “excess
distribution” (generally, a distribution in excess of a base amount) or if it
realized gain on the sale of its PFIC stock. The amount of the excess
distribution or gain would be allocated ratably to each day in the Fund’s
holding period for the PFIC stock, and the Fund would be required to include the
amount allocated to the current taxable year in its income as ordinary income
for such year. The amounts allocated to prior taxable years generally would be
taxed at the highest ordinary income tax rate in effect for each such prior
taxable year and would also be subject to an interest charge computed as if such
tax liability had actually been due with respect to each such prior taxable
year. The Fund expects to make a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election with
respect to the PFICs in which it invests and, accordingly, does not expect to be
subject to this “excess distribution” regime.
Risk-Linked
Securities. The treatment of risk-linked securities for U.S. federal
income tax purposes is uncertain and will depend on the particular features of
each such securities. The Fund expects that it will generally treat the
risk-linked securities in which it invests as equity of the issuer for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, whether that treatment is mandated by the terms of
the applicable bond indentures or otherwise, although this determination will
necessarily be made on an investment by investment basis. It is possible that
the IRS will provide future guidance with respect to the treatment of
instruments like the risk-linked securities or challenge the treatment adopted
by the Fund for one or more of its risk-linked securities investments. A change
in the treatment of the Fund’s risk-linked securities investments that is
required as a result of such guidance or an IRS challenge could affect the
timing, character and
amount of
the Fund’s income from the risk-linked securities. This, in turn, could affect
whether the Fund has satisfied the distribution requirements necessary to
qualify as a regulated investment company and to avoid a Fund-level
tax.
Risk-linked
securities that are treated as equity may be subject to special U.S. federal
income tax rules applicable to equity investments in a PFIC, and will generally
be subject to the PFIC rules described above under the caption “Private
Investment Funds Taxed as PFICs.” In cases in which the Fund treats such
risk-linked securities as an equity interest in a PFIC, the Fund generally
expects to make a Mark-to-Market Election, which would require the Fund to
recognized income or (subject to certain limitations) loss annually based on the
difference between the fair market value of the risk-linked securities at the
end of the year and the Fund’s adjusted basis in the risk-linked securities.
Because the Mark-to-Market Election can result in recognition of income without
the concurrent receipt of cash, the Fund may have to borrow funds or sell
portfolio securities, thereby possibly resulting in the recognition of
additional income or gain to satisfy the distribution requirements necessary to
qualify as a regulated investment company and to avoid a Fund-level tax. If the
Fund were not able to meet such distribution requirements, the Fund would run
the risk of losing its qualification as a regulated investment
company.
Taxation
of Common Shareholders
The
Fund will either distribute or retain for reinvestment all or part of its net
capital gain. If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a
corporate income tax (currently at a maximum rate of 35%) on such retained
amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the retained amount as
undistributed capital gain in a notice to its Common Shareholders, each of whom,
if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be
required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as long-term
capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be entitled to
credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund against its U.S.
federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit
exceeds such liability and (iii) will increase its basis in its Common Shares by
an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gain included in
such Common Shareholder’s gross income.
Distributions
paid to you by the Fund from its net capital gains, if any, that the Fund
properly designates as capital gains dividends (“capital gain dividends”) are
taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held your
Common Shares. All other dividends paid to you by the Fund (including dividends
from net short-term capital gains) from its current or accumulated earnings and
profits (“ordinary income dividends”) are generally subject to tax as ordinary
income. Special rules apply, however, to ordinary income dividends paid to
individuals with respect to taxable years beginning on or before December 31,
2010. For corporate taxpayers, both ordinary income dividends and capital gain
dividends are taxed at a maximum rate of 35%. Capital gain dividends are not
eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Ordinary
income dividends received by corporate holders of Common Shares generally will
be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent that the Fund’s
income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations and certain holding
period requirements are satisfied. In the case of Common Shareholders who are
individuals, any ordinary income dividends that you receive from the Fund
generally will be eligible for taxation at the rates applicable to long-term
capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15%) to the extent that (i) the
ordinary income dividend is attributable to “qualified dividend income” (i.e., generally dividends
paid by U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations) received by the
Fund, (ii) the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements with
respect to the stock on which such qualified dividend income was paid and (iii)
you satisfy certain holding period and other requirements with respect to your
Common Shares. The reduced rates for “qualified dividend income” are not
applicable to (i) dividends paid by a foreign corporation that is a PFIC, (ii)
income inclusions from a QEF Election with respect to a PFIC and (iii) ordinary
income from a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to a PFIC. Qualified dividend
income eligible for these special rules is not actually treated as capital
gains, however, and thus will not be included in the computation of your net
capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset any capital losses. These
special rules relating to the taxation of qualified dividend income paid by the
Fund to Common Shareholders who are individuals generally apply to taxable years
beginning on or before December 31, 2010. Thereafter, the Fund’s dividends,
other than capital gain dividends, will be fully taxable at ordinary income tax
rates unless further Congressional action is taken. There can be no assurance as
to what portion of the Fund’s distributions will qualify for favorable treatment
as qualified dividend income or will be eligible for the dividends received
deduction.
A
dividend (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund Common Shares)
will not be treated as qualified dividend income (whether received by the Fund
or paid by the Fund to a Common Shareholder) if (1) the dividend is received
with respect to any share 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, (2) to the extent that the
Common Shareholder 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, or (3) if the Common Shareholder elects to have the
dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on
deductibility of investment interest.
Any
distributions you receive that are in excess of the Fund’s current and
accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital
to the extent of your adjusted tax basis in your Common Shares, and thereafter
as capital gain from the sale of Common Shares (assuming the Common Shares are
held as a capital asset). The amount of any Fund distribution that is treated as
a tax-free return of capital will reduce your adjusted tax basis in your Common
Shares, thereby increasing your potential gain or reducing your potential loss
on any subsequent sale or other disposition of your Common Shares.
Common
Shareholders may be entitled to offset their capital gain dividends with capital
loss. The Code contains a number of statutory provisions affecting when capital
loss may be offset against capital gain, and limiting the use of loss from
certain investments and activities. Accordingly, Common Shareholders that have
capital losses are urged to consult their tax advisers.
Dividends
and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even though they are
reinvested in additional Common Shares of the Fund. Dividends and other
distributions paid by the Fund are generally treated under the Code as received
by you at the time the dividend or distribution is made. If, however, the Fund
pays you a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October,
November or December and you were the Common Shareholder of record on a
specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you
on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. In addition,
certain other distributions made after the close of the Fund’s taxable year may
be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for purposes of the 4%
nondeductible excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, you will be
treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the
distributions were actually made.
The
price of Common Shares purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a
forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing Common Shares just prior to a
distribution will receive a distribution which will be taxable to them even
though it represents in part a return of invested capital.
The
Fund will send you information after the end of each year setting forth the
amount and tax status of any distributions paid to you by the Fund.
Ordinary
income dividends and capital gain dividends also may be subject to state and
local taxes. Common Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers
regarding specific questions about U.S. federal (including the application of
the alternative minimum tax rules), state, local or foreign tax consequences to
them of investing in the Fund.
The
sale or other disposition of Common Shares will generally result in capital gain
or loss to you and will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held such
Common Shares for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale
or other disposition of Common Shares held for six months or less will be
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends
received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend)
by you with respect to such Common Shares. Any loss you recognize on a sale or
other disposition of Common Shares will be disallowed if you acquire other
Common Shares (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or
otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days
after your sale or exchange of the Common Shares. In such case, your tax basis
in the Common Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
Current
U.S. federal income tax law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of
corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate
taxpayers, short-term capital gain is currently taxed at rates
applicable
to ordinary income (currently at a maximum of 35%) while long-term capital gain
generally is taxed at a maximum rate of 15% with respect to taxable years
beginning on or before December 31, 2010 (20% thereafter).
A
Common Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign
corporation (a “foreign investor”) generally will be subject to U.S. federal
withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or possibly a lower rate provided by an
applicable tax treaty) on ordinary income dividends (except as discussed below).
Different tax consequences may result if the foreign investor is engaged in a
trade or business in the United States or, in the case of an individual, is
present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year and
certain other conditions are met. Foreign investors should consult their tax
advisers regarding the tax consequences of investing in the Fund’s Common
Shares.
In
general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income
realized by a foreign investor in respect of any distributions of net capital
gain or upon the sale or other disposition of Common Shares of the
Fund.
For
taxable years beginning before January 1, 2008, properly-designated dividends
are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid
in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the Fund’s
U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest
from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a
10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii)
are paid in respect of the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains”
(generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gain over the Fund’s
long-term capital loss for such taxable year). Depending on its circumstances,
however, the Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible
dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term
capital gains, and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible
for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from
withholding, a foreign investor will need to comply with applicable
certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in
general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of
Common Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even
if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified
short-term capital gain. Foreign investors should contact their intermediaries
with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts. There can be
no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions will qualify for
favorable treatment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term
capital gains.
The
Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal backup withholding tax
purposes, a portion of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds
payable to non-corporate Common Shareholders who fail to provide the Fund (or
its agent) with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of
individuals, generally, their social security number) or to make required
certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be refunded or
credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that
you furnish the required information to the IRS.
The
foregoing is a general summary of the provisions of the Code and the Treasury
regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its
Common Shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative or
administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Ordinary income
and capital gain dividends may also be subject to state and local taxes. Common
Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific
questions as to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income or other
taxes.
Book-Entry-Only
Issuance
The
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will act as securities depository for the
Common Shares offered pursuant to the prospectus. The information in this
section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system is based upon information
obtained from DTC. The securities offered hereby initially will be issued only
as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (as
nominee for DTC). One or more fully-registered global security certificates
initially will be issued, representing in the aggregate the total number of
securities, and deposited with DTC.
DTC
is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
“banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member
of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of
the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant
to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also
facilities the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as
transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized
book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to
others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant,
either directly or indirectly through other entities.
Purchases
of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct
participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records.
The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of a security, a beneficial
owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct or indirect participants’
records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of
their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written
confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through
which the beneficial owners purchased securities. Transfers of ownership
interests in securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of
participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not
receive certificates representing their ownership interests in securities,
except as provided herein.
DTC
has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities being offered
pursuant to the prospectus; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the
direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or
may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for
keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance
of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct
participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect
participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them,
subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from
time to time.
Payments
on the securities will be made to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct
participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their
respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that
it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by participants to
beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC or
the Fund, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time. Payment of dividends to DTC is the responsibility of
the Fund, disbursement of such payments to direct participants is the
responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial
owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants. Furthermore
each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights
under the securities.
DTC
may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to
the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund. Under such
circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not
obtained, certificates representing the securities will be printed and
delivered.
Proxy
Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record
The
Fund has delegated the voting of proxies relating to its portfolio securities to
the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy is included as Appendix B
to this Statement of Additional Information.
Information
on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most
recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon
request, by calling (800) 851-0264. The information is also available on the
SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
Legal
Counsel
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, Illinois, is special counsel to
the Fund in connection with the issuance of the Common Shares.
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm
[
], [ ], is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund and is
expected to render an opinion annually on the financial statements of the
Fund.
Codes
of Ethics
The
Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser each have adopted a code of
ethics. The codes of ethics set forth restrictions on the trading activities of
trustees/directors, officers and employees of the Fund, the Investment Adviser,
the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates, as applicable. The codes of ethics of the
Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Sub-Adviser are on file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and
Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.. Information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the
Securities and Exchange Commission at (202) 551-8090. The codes of ethics are
also available on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of the codes of ethics may be
obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following
email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
The
Fund’s (i) audited financial statements appearing in the Fund’s annual report to
shareholders for the period ended [ ], including accompanying notes thereto and
the report of [ ] thereon, are incorporated by reference in this Statement of
Additional Information. Shareholder reports are available upon request and
without charge by calling (800) 345-7999 or by writing the Fund at 2455
Corporate West Drive, Lisle, Illinois 60532. All other portions of the Fund’s
annual report to shareholders are not incorporated herein by reference and are
not part of the Fund’s registration statement, this SAI, the Prospectus or any
prospectus supplement.
This page
intentionally left blank.
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS
STANDARD
& POOR’S
A brief
description of the applicable Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) rating symbols
and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:
A S&P
issue credit rating is a current opinion of 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 evaluates 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. The issue credit rating is not a statement of fact or
recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation or make any
investment decisions. Nor is it a comment regarding an issue's market price or
suitability for a particular investor.
Issue
credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligors or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable.
S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any credit rating and may,
on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. Credit ratings may be
changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability
of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
Issue
credit ratings can be either long term or short term. Short-term ratings are
generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant
market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original
maturity of no more than 365 days—including commercial paper. Short-term ratings
are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put
features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the
short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term
rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Long-Term
Issue Credit Ratings
Issue
credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:
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•
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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;
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•
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Nature
of and provisions of the obligation;
|
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•
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Protection
afforded by, and relative position of, the 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.)
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AAA
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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.
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AA
|
An
obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a
small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is very strong.
|
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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 commitment on the obligation is still strong.
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BBB
|
An
obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to
lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
|
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.
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BB
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An
obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or
exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which
could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
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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.
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CCC
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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 commitment 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.
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CC
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An
obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to
nonpayment.
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C
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A
'C' rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable
to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the
terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of
a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a
payment default. Among others, the 'C' rating may be assigned to
subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash
payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument's terms or
when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer,
whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of
cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less
than par.
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D
|
An
obligation rated 'D' is in payment default. The 'D' rating category is
used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if
the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also
will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An
obligation's rating is lowered to 'D' upon completion of a distressed
exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for
an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value
that is less than par.
|
MOODY’S
INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
A brief
description of the applicable Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating
symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody’s) follows:
Long-Term
Obligation Ratings
Moody’s
long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of
fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They
address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as
promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial
loss suffered in the event of default.
Moody’s
Long-Term Rating Definitions
Aaa
|
Obligations
rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality with minimal credit
risk.
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Aa
|
Obligations
rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low
credit risk.
|
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A
|
Obligations
rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit
risk.
|
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Baa
|
Obligations
rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered
medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative
characteristics.
|
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Ba
|
Obligations
rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to
substantial credit risk.
|
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B
|
Obligations
rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit
risk.
|
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Caa
|
Obligations
rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high
credit risk.
|
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Ca
|
Obligations
rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default,
with some prospect of recovery of principal and
interest.
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C
|
Obligations
rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default,
with little prospect for recovery of principal or
interest.
|
Note: Moody’s appends
numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in 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.
Medium-Term
Note Ratings
Moody’s
assigns long-term ratings to individual debt securities issued from medium-term
note (“MTN”) programs, in addition to indicating ratings to MTN programs
themselves. Notes issued under MTN programs with such indicated ratings are
rated at issuance at the rating applicable to all pari passu notes issued under
the same program, at the program’s relevant indicated rating, provided such
notes do not exhibit any of the characteristics listed below:
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•
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Notes
containing features that link interest or principal to the credit
performance of any third party or parties (i.e., credit-linked
notes);
|
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•
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Notes
allowing for negative coupons, or negative principal;
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•
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Notes
containing any provision that could obligate the investor to make any
additional payments;
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•
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Notes
containing provisions that subordinate the
claim.
|
For notes
with any of these characteristics, the rating of the individual note may differ
from the indicated rating of the program.
For
credit-linked securities, Moody’s policy is to “look through” to the credit risk
of the underlying obligor. Moody’s policy with respect to non-credit linked
obligations is to rate the issuer’s ability to meet the contract as stated,
regardless of potential losses to investors as a result of non-credit
developments. In other words, as long as the obligation has debt standing in the
event of bankruptcy, we will assign the appropriate debt class level rating to
the instrument.
Short-Term
Ratings
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.
Moody’s
employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of
rated issuers:
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P-1
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Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to
repay short-term debt obligations.
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P-2
|
Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
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P-3
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Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to
repay short-term debt obligations.
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NP
|
Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the
Prime rating categories.
|
Note: Canadian issuers rated
P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term
rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.
GUGGENHEIM
PARTNERS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
PROXY
VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
I.
Introduction/Purpose
Guggenheim
Partners Asset Management, LLC (“GPAM”) has adopted these Proxy Voting Policies
and Procedures (“Proxy Policies”) to guide how GPAM votes proxies with respect
to equity securities held in accounts of its clients. (Note, references herein
to “client” shall refer to the various pooled investment vehicles as well as
separate accounts for which GPAM acts as manager.)
II.
Proxy Voting Responsibilities
The
portfolio managers, in conjunction with the Director of Operations (or his
designee, shall be responsible for evaluating and voting proxies in accordance
with the guidelines hereunder. The portfolio manager, in consultation
with the Director of Operations, shall be responsible for identifying any
material conflicts of interest on the part of GPAM or its personnel that may
affect particular proxy votes and resolving any material conflicts
identified. The Director of Operations is responsible for
administering, overseeing and recommending updates to these Proxy Policies as
may be appropriate from time to time.
In
addition, the Director of Operations (in consultation with senior management of
GPAM, as may be necessary) shall be responsible for: assisting portfolio
managers in analyzing and evaluating particular proposals presented for vote;
facilitating when proxies should be voted other than in accordance with the
general rules and criteria set forth below; implementing procedures reasonably
designed to ensure that proxies are received and voted in a timely manner; and
making and keeping all required records with respect to proxies voted by
GPAM.
III.
Proxy Guidelines
Generally,
GPAM will vote proxies in accordance with the following guidelines. These are
only guidelines, are not exhaustive and therefore do not cover all potential
voting issues. They may be changed or supplemented from time to time. Voting
decisions not covered by these guidelines will be made in accordance with other
provisions of these Proxy Policies or as may be deemed reasonably appropriate by
senior management of GPAM. In addition, because individual matters to be voted
and the circumstances of issuers of the securities being voted vary, there may
be instances when GPAM will not strictly adhere to these guidelines in making
its voting decision. At any time, GPAM may seek voting instructions from its
clients.
In
reviewing proxy issues, GPAM will apply the following general
policies:
A.
Corporate Governance
GPAM will
vote for proposals providing for equal access to the proxy materials so that
shareholders can express their views on various proxy issues. We also support
the appointment of a majority of independent directors on key committees and
separating the positions of chairman and chief executive officer.
B.
Elections of Directors
Unless
there is a proxy fight for seats on the Board or we determine that there are
other compelling reasons for withholding votes for directors, we will vote in
favor of the management-proposed slate of directors. That being said, we may
withhold votes for directors who fail to act on key issues such as failure to
implement proposals to declassify boards, failure to implement a majority vote
requirement, failure to submit a rights plan to a shareholder vote or failure to
act on tender offers where a majority of shareholders have tendered their
shares.
C.
Appointment of Auditors
GPAM will
generally support management’s recommendation.
D.
Changes in Legal and Capital Structure
Absent a
compelling reason to the contrary, GPAM will cast its votes in accordance with
the company’s management on such proposals.
E.
Corporate Restructurings, Mergers and Acquisitions
GPAM will
analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis, weighing heavily the views of
the research analysts who cover the company and the investment professionals
managing the portfolios in which the stock is held.
F.
Proposals Affecting Shareholder Rights
GPAM will
generally vote in favor of proposals that give shareholders a greater voice in
the affairs of the company and oppose any measure that seeks to limit those
rights. However, when analyzing such proposals we will weigh the financial
impact of the proposal against the impairment of shareholder
rights.
G.
Anti-Takeover Measures
GPAM will
generally oppose proposals, regardless of whether they are advanced by
management or shareholders, the purpose or effect of which is to entrench
management or dilute shareholder ownership. We will evaluate, on a case-by-case
basis, proposals to completely redeem or eliminate such plans. Furthermore, we
will generally oppose proposals put forward by management (including blank check
preferred stock, classified boards and supermajority vote requirements) that
appear to be intended as management entrenchment mechanisms.
H.
Executive Compensation
GPAM will
review proposals relating to executive compensation plans on a case-by-case
basis to ensure that the long-term interests of management and shareholders are
properly aligned. We will generally oppose plans that permit repricing of
underwater stock options without shareholder approval.
I.
Social and Corporate Responsibility
GPAM will
review and analyze on a case-by-case basis proposals relating to social,
political and environmental issues to determine whether they will have a
financial impact on shareholder value. We will vote against proposals that are
unduly burdensome or result in unnecessary and excessive costs to the company.
We may abstain from voting on social proposals that do not have a readily
determinable financial impact on shareholder value.
J.
Matters Not Covered
The
Portfolio Manager and Director of Operations shall consider specific proxy
voting matters as necessary. The Director of Operations and CCO may also
evaluate proxies where we face a potential conflict of interest (as discussed
below). Finally, the CCO monitors adherence to these policies.
IV.
Conflicts of Interest
GPAM
recognizes that there may be a potential conflict of interest when we vote a
proxy. To that end, we have implemented additional procedures to ensure that our
votes are not the product of a material conflict of interests, including: (i) on
an annual basis, the Portfolio Manager, Director of Operations and CCO will take
reasonable steps to evaluate the nature of GPAM’s and our employees’ material
business and personal relationships (and those of our affiliates) with any
company whose equity securities are held in client accounts and any client that
has sponsored or has material interest in a proposal upon which we will be
eligible to vote; (ii) requiring anyone involved in the decision making process
to disclose to the CCO any potential conflict that they are aware of (including
personal
relationships);
(iii) prohibiting employees involved in the decision making process or vote
administration from revealing how we intend to vote on a proposal in order to
reduce any attempted influence from interested parties; and (iv) where a
material conflict of interest exists, reviewing our proposed vote by applying a
series of objective tests and, where necessary, considering the views of a third
party research service to ensure that our voting decision is consistent with our
clients' best interests.
Because
under certain circumstances GPAM considers the recommendation of third party
research services, the Director of Operations will take reasonable steps to
verify that any third party research service is in fact independent, based on
all of the relevant facts and circumstances. This includes among other things,
analyzing whether the third party research service: (i) has the capacity and
competency to adequately analyze proxy issues; and (ii) can make such
recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of our
clients.
V.
When GPAM May Not Vote Proxies
GPAM may
not vote proxies in certain circumstances, including situations where: (a) the
securities being voted are no longer held by the client; (b) the proxy and other
relevant materials are not received in sufficient time to allow adequate
analysis or an informed vote by the voting deadline; or (c) GPAM concludes that
the cost of voting the proxy is likely to exceed the expected benefit to the
client.
VI.
Proxies of Certain Non-U.S. Issuers
Voting
proxies of issuers in non-U.S. markets may give rise to a number of
administrative issues that may prevent GPAM from voting such proxies. For
example, GPAM may receive meeting notices without enough time to fully consider
the proxy or after the cut-off date for voting. Other markets require GPAM to
provide local agents with power of attorney prior to implementing GPAM’s voting
instructions. Although it is GPAM’s policy to seek to vote all proxies for
securities held in client accounts for which we have proxy voting authority, in
the case of non-U.S. issuers, we vote proxies on a best efforts
basis.
VII.
Proxy Voting Records
Clients
may obtain information about how GPAM voted proxies on their behalf by
contacting their GPAM administrative representative. Alternatively, clients may
make a written request for proxy voting information to: Mike Sterling, Director
of Operations Guggenheim Partners Asset Management,
LLC 227 West Monroe Street, 48th Floor, Chicago, IL
60606
VIII.
Maintenance of Proxy Voting Records
As
required by Rule 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, GPAM will
maintain the following records relating to proxy voting for a period of at least
six years:
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(i)
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A
copy of these Proxy Policies, as they may be amended from time to time;
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(ii)
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Copies
of proxy statements received regarding client securities, unless these
materials are available electronically through the SEC’s EDGAR system;
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(iii)
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A
record of each proxy vote cast on behalf of its clients;
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(iv)
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A
copy of internal documents created by GPAM that were material
to making the decision how to vote proxies on behalf of its clients; and
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(v)
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Each
written client request for information on how GPAM voted proxies on behalf
of the client and all written responses by GPAM to oral or written client
requests for such proxy voting
information.
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IX.
Disclosure
GPAM will
provide clients a summary of these Policies, either directly or by delivering to
each client of a copy of its Form ADV, Part II that contains a summary, and also
will provide clients information on how a client may obtain a copy of the full
text of these Proxy Policies and a record of how GPAM has voted the client’s
proxies. A copy of these materials will be provided promptly to clients on
request.