As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2005
1933 Act File No. 333-[ ]
1940 Act File No. 811-04915
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | |X| |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | | | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. | | | |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | |X| |
Amendment No. 48 | |X| |
DNP SELECT INCOME FUND INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
55 East Monroe Street, Suite
3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(312) 368-5510
(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area
Code)
Nathan I. Partain, CFA
DNP Select Income Fund Inc.
55 East Monroe
Street, Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
John R. Sagan, Esq. | Kevin J. Carr, Esq. |
Lawrence R. Hamilton, Esq. | Phoenix Life Insurance Company |
Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP | One American Row |
71 South Wacker Drive | Hartford, Connecticut 06102 |
Chicago, Illinois 60606 | (860) 403-5000 |
(312) 782-0600 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box | |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box): | |||
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when declared effective pursuant to Section 8(c). | ||
If appropriate, check the following box: | |||
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This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed registration statement. | ||
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This Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities | ||
Act and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the | |||
same offering is | . |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | |||||||
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Auction Preferred Stock, |
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$0.001 par value per share |
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed.A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission.We may not sell these securities until the registration statement is effective.This Prospectus is not an offerto sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
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Subject to completion |
, 2005
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DNP Select Income Fund Inc. | |
Shares |
Auction Preferred Stock (APS)
Liquidation Preference $25,000 Per
Share
Investment Objectives. DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Funds primary investment objectives are current income and long-term growth of income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Investment Adviser. Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. (the Adviser) has acted as the Funds investment adviser since the Funds inception in 1987. As of October 31, 2005, the Adviser managed approximately $6.0 billion in assets, including approximately $2.6 billion in securities of public utility companies. The Advisers address is 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603.
Portfolio Contents. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities of companies in the public utilities industry. Under normal conditions, more than 65% of the Funds total assets will be invested in securities of public utility companies engaged in the production, transmission or distribution of electric energy, gas or telephone services.
(continued on following page)
Before buying any APS, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in the Fund in the Risks section beginning on page __ of this Prospectus. Certain of these risks are summarized in Prospectus summary-Risks beginning on page __.
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.
Price to public | Sales load |
Proceeds to Fund(1)
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Per share | $25,000 | $ | $ |
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Total | $300,000,000 | $ | $ |
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(1) | Plus accumulated dividends, if any, from the date the APS are issued, but before offering expenses payable by the Fund estimated to be approximately $[ ]. The Fund and the Adviser have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See Underwriting. |
The Underwriters are offering the APS subject to various conditions. The Underwriters expect to deliver the APS in book-entry form, through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company to purchasers on or about [ ], 2006.
(continued from previous page)
The APS is being offered by the underwriters subject to the condition that the shares of APS be rated Aaa by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) and AAA by Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P), as of the time of delivery of the APS to the underwriters, and subject to certain other conditions.
The APS will pay adjustable rate dividends based on shorter-term interest rates, which will be re-determined periodically by an auction process, conducted in accordance with the procedures described in this Prospectus and, in further detail, in the Statement of Additional Information. The adjustment period for APS dividends could be as short as seven days or as long as a year or more.
The APS, which has no history of public trading, will not be listed on an exchange or automated quotation system. Broker-dealers may maintain a secondary trading market in the APS outside of auctions; however, they have no obligation to do so, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the APS will develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide holders with a liquid trading market (i.e., trading will depend on the presence of willing buyers and sellers and the trading price will be subject to variables to be determined at the time of the trade by such broker-dealers). A general increase in the level of interest rates may have an adverse effect on the secondary market price of the APS, and a selling shareholder that sells APS between auctions may receive a price per share of less than $25,000. The Fund may redeem APS as described under Description of APSRedemption.
When issued and outstanding, the APS will add further leverage to an investment in the Funds common stock. The APS will be senior in liquidation and distribution rights to the Funds outstanding common stock and equal in liquidation and distribution rights to the Funds outstanding remarketed preferred stock (RPS), Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E. The Funds common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DNP.
You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest in the APS, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated , 2005, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus, which means it is part of the Prospectus for legal purposes. You may request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the table of contents of which is on page [ ] of this Prospectus), the Funds annual and semi-annual reports and other information about the Fund, or make other inquiries by calling the Funds administrator at (888) 878-7845, by writing to the Fund at 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603, or by visiting the web site of either the Fund (http://www.dnpselectincome.com) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (http://www.sec.gov).
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The Fund has not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus. The Funds business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.
The Funds APS does not represent a deposit or obligation of, and is not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and is not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus summary | 1 | Certain provisions in the charter | ||||
Financial highlights | 10 | and bylaws | 46 | |||
The Fund | 13 | Repurchase of common stock | 47 | |||
Use of proceeds | 13 | U.S. federal income tax matters | 48 | |||
Capitalization (unaudited) | 14 | Underwriting | 53 | |||
Portfolio composition | 14 | Custodian, transfer agent and | ||||
The Funds investments | 15 | auction agent | 53 | |||
Risks | 22 | Legal opinions | 54 | |||
Management of the Fund | 28 | Available information | 54 | |||
Description of APS | 31 | Privacy principles of the Fund | 54 | |||
The auction | 40 | Table of contents for the Statement of | ||||
Description of capital structure | 44 | Additional Information | 55 | |||
Dividend reinvestment plan | 46 |
Prospectus summary
This is only a summary. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our APS. You should read the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the Articles Supplementary attached as Appendix A to the Statement of Additional Information. Unless otherwise noted, any reference in this Prospectus to preferred stock is a reference to both our RPS and APS. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Prospectus shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Articles Supplementary.
THE FUND
DNP Select Income Fund Inc. is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that first offered its common stock to the public in January 1987. See The Fund.
THE OFFERING
The Fund is offering an aggregate of [ ] shares of Series [ ] APS, each at a purchase price of $25,000 per share. The APS is being offered by a group of underwriters led by [ ] (collectively, the Underwriters). See Underwriting.
In addition to the APS offered by this prospectus, the Fund currently intends to issue an aggregate of [ ] additional shares of Series [ ] APS (collectively, the Additional APS). The sale of the APS offered by this prospectus is not contingent upon the sale of the Additional APS, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will issue all or any of the Additional APS. With respect to liquidation and distribution rights, any Additional APS that is issued will rank on a parity with the APS offered by this prospectus and with the RPS.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The Funds primary investment objectives are current income and long-term growth of income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities of companies in the public utilities industry. Under normal conditions, more than 65% of the Funds total assets will be invested in securities of public utility companies engaged in the production, transmission or distribution of electric energy, gas or telephone services. See The Funds investmentsInvestment Objectives and Policies.
The Funds investment policies have been developed to take advantage of the characteristics and historical performances of securities of companies in the public utilities industry. The investments of the Fund in securities of public utility companies are diversified not only in terms of issuers but also in terms of types of securities, since the Fund may invest in fixed income securities, such as bonds and preferred stocks, as well as common stocks. The Fund may vary the percentage of assets invested in any one type of security based upon the Advisers evaluation as to the appropriate portfolio structure for achieving the Funds investment objectives under prevailing market, economic and financial conditions. See The Funds investmentsInvestment Objectives and Policies.
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The Fund may from time to time employ a variety of investment techniques, including those described below under the heading The Funds investmentsInvestment Techniques, to hedge against fluctuations in the price of portfolio securities, to enhance total return or to provide a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities. Some of these techniques, such as purchases of put and call options, options on stock indices and stock index futures and entry into certain credit derivative transactions, are hedges against or substitutes for investments in equity investments. Other techniques, such as the purchase of interest rate futures and entry into transactions involving interest rate swaps, options on interest rate swaps and certain credit derivatives, are hedges against or substitutes for investments in debt securities. The Funds ability to utilize any of the techniques described below may be limited by restrictions imposed on its operations in connection with obtaining and maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) and by rating agencies rating the preferred stocks.
USE OF LEVERAGE
The Fund uses various forms of financial leverage, currently including: (1) five series of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and (2) the ability to issue up to $200 million of commercial paper notes (CP Notes). At June 30, 2005, $200 million of CP Notes were outstanding with an amortized cost of $197,972,806. In addition, the Fund has a $100 million backup credit facility (under which it had no Borrowings as of June 30, 2005). Throughout this Prospectus, debt securities of the Fund, such as the CP Notes, and debt for borrowed money are sometimes collectively referred to as Borrowings. All Borrowings will have seniority over the APS and payments to holders of APS in liquidation or otherwise will be subject to the prior payment of any Borrowings. The Fund intends to utilize a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to pay in full all amounts outstanding under the CP Notes, after which the Fund intends to discontinue its CP Note program and terminate the related backup credit facility. See The Funds investmentsUse of Leverage and Description of capital structureDescription of Borrowings.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the Funds use of leverage through its preferred stock and CP Notes, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions. Interest rate swaps involve the Funds agreement with the swap counterparty to pay a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty paying the Fund a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Funds variable rate payment obligation on its preferred stock or variable rate borrowing. The payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap. The Funds payment obligations under the swap are general unsecured obligations of the Fund and are ranked senior to distributions under the common stock and preferred stock. 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 from the counterparty payment 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. See The Funds investmentsInterest Rate Transactions.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND ADMINISTRATOR
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. is the Funds investment adviser. The Adviser is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act). The Adviser (together with its predecessor) has been in the investment advisory business for more than 70 years and has acted as the Funds investment adviser since the Funds inception in 1987. As of October 31, 2005, the Adviser managed approximately $6.0 billion in assets, including approximately $2.6 billion in securities of public utility companies. The Adviser acts as investment adviser to two other closed-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act) and three open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act.
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc. (the Administrator) is the Funds administrator. The Administrator is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. The Administrator provides administrative services required in connection with the operation of the Fund.
The Fund pays a quarterly fee to the Adviser for investment advisory services at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Funds average weekly net assets up to $1.5 billion and 0.50% of average weekly net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. The Fund pays a quarterly fee to the Administrator for administrative services at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Funds average weekly net assets up to $100 million, 0.20% of the average weekly net assets from $100 million to $1.0 billion and 0.10% of the average weekly net assets over $1.0 billion.
The following describes various principal risks of investing in the APS and the Fund. A more detailed description of these and other risks of investing in the APS and the Fund are described under Risks in this Prospectus.
Risks of investing in the APSAuction risk. The dividend rate for the APS normally is set through an auction process. In the auction, holders of APS may indicate the dividend rate at which they would be willing to hold or sell their APS or purchase additional APS. The auction also provides liquidity for the sale of APS. An auction fails if there are more shares of APS offered for sale than there are buyers for shares of APS. You may not be able to sell your APS at an auction if the auction fails. Finally, if you buy APS or elect to retain APS without specifying a dividend rate below which you would not wish to buy or continue to hold those APS, you could receive a lower rate of return on your APS than the market rate. See RisksAuction Risk.
Secondary market risk. If you try to sell shares of your APS between auctions you may not be able to sell any or all of your APS or you may not be able to sell them for $25,000 per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend period, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the APS are not required to maintain this market, and the Fund is not required to redeem shares either if an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The APS are not listed on a stock exchange or traded on the NAS-DAQ stock market. If you sell your APS to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially if market interest rates have risen since the last auction. See RisksSecondary Market Risk.
Ratings and asset coverage risk. While it is expected that Moodys will assign a rating of Aaa and S&P will assign a rating of AAA to the APS, such ratings do not eliminate or necessarily mitigate the risks of investing in the APS. Moodys or S&P could withdraw or downgrade the APS, which may make your shares less liquid at an auction or in the secondary market. If Moodys or S&P withdraws its rating or downgrades the APS, the Fund may alter its portfolio or redeem shares of APS in an effort to reinstate or improve, as the case may be, the rating, although there is no assurance that it will be able to do so to the extent necessary to restore the prior rating. The Fund also may voluntarily redeem APS under certain circumstances. See RisksRatings and Asset Coverage Risk.
Subordination risk. While holders of APS will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to the holders of RPS, they will be subordinated to the rights of both the holders of the CP Notes and the lenders under the Funds credit facility. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of APS in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due to the holders of CP Notes and the lenders under the Funds credit facility. In the event of a default on the Funds CP Notes or under the credit facility, the Fund would not be permitted to declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of the APS, or call for redemption or redeem any shares of APS.
Restrictions on dividends and other distributions. Restrictions imposed on the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of the Funds common stock or preferred stock, both by the Investment Company Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Funds ability to comply with minimum distribution requirements that it must satisfy to maintain its favorable tax treatment as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Interest rate risk. The APS pays dividends based on short-term interest rates. If short-term interest rates rise, dividend rates on the APS will also rise. A sharp increase in short-term interest rates could cause a negative arbitrage situation, where the dividend rate on the APS would exceed the yield on the Funds portfolio securities. In addition, rising market interest rates could negatively impact the value of the Funds investment portfolio, reducing the amount of assets serving as asset coverage for the APS.
Investment and market risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount invested. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are generally traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Income risk. The income that holders of preferred stock and common stock receive from the Fund is based primarily on the dividends and interest the Fund earns from its investments, which can vary widely over the short and long term. If prevailing market interest rates drop, distribution rates of the Funds preferred stock holdings and any bond holdings and preferred and common shareholders income from the Fund could drop as well. The Funds income also would likely be affected adversely when prevailing short-term interest rates increase and the Fund is utilizing leverage.
Management risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Adviser and the individual portfolio managers 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.
Utilities industry risk. The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers in the public utilities industry. This may make the Fund more susceptible to adverse economic, political or regulatory occurrences affecting this sector. As concentration in a sector increases, so does the potential for fluctuation in the net asset value of the Funds assets.
Certain segments of the public utilities industry and individual companies within such segments may not perform as well as the sector as a whole. The public utilities industry historically has been subject to risks of increases in fuel, purchased power and other operating costs, high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital improvement programs and costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other governmental regulations. Telecommunications companies in particular have been subject to risks associated with increasing levels of competition, technology substitution (i.e. wireless, broadband and voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP), industry overcapacity, consolidation and regulatory uncertainty.
Investments in securities of foreign issuers. While the Fund is prohibited from investing 15% or more of its assets in securities of foreign issuers, the Fund may be exposed to certain risks as a result of foreign investments. When the Fund invests in securities of foreign issuers, it is subject to risks not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies. These risks can include currency devaluations and other fluctuations in foreign currencies, foreign currency exchange controls, greater price volatility, substantially less liquidity and significantly smaller market capitalization of securities markets, more substantial government involvement in the economy, higher rates of inflation, differences in securities regulation and trading, political uncertainty and other risks.
In addition, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in foreign countries are different from U.S. standards. As a result, certain material disclosures may not be made and less information may be available to the Fund and other investors than would be the case if the Funds investments were restricted to securities of U.S. issuers. Moreover, it may be more difficult to obtain a judgment in a court outside the United States. Interest and dividends paid on securities held by the Fund and gains from the disposition of such securities may be subject to withholding taxes imposed by foreign countries.
Common stock risk. The Fund has substantial exposure to common stocks. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by the Fund. Also, the price of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has expo-
sure. Common stock prices fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuer occur. In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.
Small and mid cap stock risk. The Fund may invest its portfolio of equity securities in companies of any market capitalization. The Funds investments in small and medium-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic movements in price than its investments in larger, more established companies because the securities of such companies are less well-known, held primarily by insiders or institutional investors or may trade less frequently and in lower volume. Furthermore, small and medium-sized companies are more likely to experience greater or more unexpected changes in their earnings and growth prospects. Such companies often have limited financial resources or may depend on a few key employees, and the products or technologies of such companies may be at a relatively early stage of development or not fully tested.
Preferred stock risk. The Fund has exposure to preferred stocks. Preferred stocks involve credit risk, which is the risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, or fail to pay dividends when expected, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. In addition to credit risk, investment in preferred stocks involves certain other risks. Certain preferred stocks contain provisions that allow an issuer under certain conditions to skip distributions (in the case of non-cumulative preferred stocks) or defer distributions (in the case of cumulative preferred stocks). If the Fund owns a preferred stock that is deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes while it is not receiving income on this position. Preferred stocks often contain provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuers call. In the event of redemption, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Preferred stocks typically do not provide any voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond a certain time period, which varies by issue. Preferred stocks are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a companys capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore are subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. Preferred stocks may be significantly less liquid than many other securities, such as U.S. government securities, corporate debt or common stock.
Issuer risk. The value of common and preferred stocks may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods and services.
Debt securities risk. In addition to credit risk, investment in debt securities carries certain risks, including:
Credit risk. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer of a preferred or debt security will become unable to meet its obligation to make dividend, interest and principal payments. In general, lower rated preferred or debt securities carry a greater degree of credit risk. If rating agencies lower their ratings of preferred or debt securities in the Funds portfolio, the value of those obligations could decline, which could jeopardize the rating agencies ratings of the preferred stock issued by the Fund. In addition, the underlying revenue source for a preferred or debt security may be insufficient to pay dividends, interest or principal in a timely manner. Because a primary source of income for the Fund is
the dividend, interest and principal payments on the preferred or debt securities in which it invests, any default by an issuer of a preferred or debt security could have a negative impact on the Funds ability to pay dividends to its investors. Even if the issuer does not actually default, adverse changes in the issuers financial condition may negatively affect its credit rating or presumed creditworthiness. These developments would adversely affect the market value of the issuers obligations or the value of credit derivatives if the Fund has sold credit protection.
Hedging strategy risk. Certain of the investment techniques that the Fund may employ for hedging or, under certain circumstances, to increase income or total return, will expose the Fund to risks. Such investment techniques may include entering into interest rate and stock index futures contracts and options on interest rate and stock index futures contracts, purchasing and selling put and call options on securities and stock indices, purchasing and selling securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis and lending portfolio securities. The Fund intends to comply with regulations of the SEC involving covering or segregating assets in connection with the Funds use of options and futures contracts.
There are economic costs of hedging reflected in the pricing of futures, swaps, options and contracts related to options on positions in interest rate swaps which can be significant, particularly when long-term interest rates are substantially above short-term interest rates. There may be an imperfect correlation between changes in the value of the Funds portfolio holdings and hedging positions entered into by the Fund, which may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, the Funds success in using hedge instruments is subject to the Advisers ability to predict correctly changes in the relationships of such hedge instruments to the Funds portfolio holdings, and there can be no assurance that the Advisers judgment in this respect will be accurate. Consequently, the use of hedging transactions might result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund, whether or not adjusted for risk, than if the Fund had not hedged its portfolio holdings.
Derivatives risk. To the extent the Fund enters into derivatives transactions (such as futures contracts and options thereon, options and swaps), the Fund will be subject to increased risk of principal loss due to imperfect correlation or unexpected price or interest rate movements. The Fund also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. As a general matter, dividends received on hedged stock positions are characterized as ordinary income and are not eligible for favorable tax treatment. In addition, use of derivatives may give rise to short-term capital gains and other income that would not qualify for payments by the Fund of qualified dividends, as described under U.S. federal income tax mattersTaxation of Shareholders.
Dividend capture risk. The Fund may seek to increase its dividend income using a strategy called dividend capture. In a dividend capture trade, the Fund sells a stock that it held past its ex-dividend date to purchase another stock paying a dividend before the next dividend of the stock being sold. The use of dividend capture strategies exposes the Fund to increased trading costs and the potential for capital loss. In 2003, dividend captures accounted for approximately 37% of the Funds net investment income and had a impact on the Funds net asset value (including both transaction costs and capital losses) of -0.49% . In 2004, the Fund substantially reduced its use of dividend captures, with the result that in 2004 dividend captures accounted for approximately 5.41% of the Funds net investment income and had an impact on the Funds net asset value (including both transaction costs and capital losses) of -0.02% . The Fund does not currently make significant use of dividend captures but may decide to do so in the future.
Portfolio turnover risk. The techniques and strategies contemplated by the Fund might result in a high degree of portfolio turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its securities portfolio turnover rate, but anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will not exceed 100% (excluding turnover
of securities having a maturity of one year or less) under normal market conditions, although it could be materially higher under certain conditions. A high turnover rate (100% or more) necessarily involves greater expenses to the Fund and may result in realization of net short-term capital gains.
Inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the purchasing power of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Funds preferred stock and common stock, and distributions thereon, can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, dividend rates of preferred stock issued by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to the Funds common shareholders.
Tax risk. The Funds investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) interpretations of the Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations, including changes as a result of the sunset provisions that currently apply to the favorable tax treatment of qualified dividends. There can be no assurance that any portion of the Funds income distributions will not be fully taxable as ordinary income. In order for the Fund to avoid corporate-level income tax, the Fund must qualify each year as a regulated investment company under the Code and distribute all of its net income.
Market disruption risk. The war with Iraq and the continuing occupation of that country by coalition forces have had a substantial impact on the U.S. and world economies and securities markets. The duration and nature of the war and occupation and the potential costs of rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure and political systems cannot be predicted with any certainty. The war and occupation, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Those events could also have an acute effect on individual issuers or related groups of issuers. These risks could also adversely affect securities markets, interest rates, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, deflation and other factors relating to the APS.
Anti-takeover provisions. Certain provisions of the Funds charter and bylaws may be regarded as anti-takeover provisions because they could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund. See Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws.
TRADING MARKETThe shares of APS will not be listed on an exchange. Instead, you may buy or sell shares of APS at an auction that normally is held weekly, by submitting orders to a broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the auction agent and the Fund (a Broker-Dealer), or to a broker-dealer that has entered into a separate agreement with a Broker-Dealer. In addition to the auctions, Broker-Dealers and other broker-dealers may maintain a secondary trading market in APS outside of auctions, but may discontinue this activity at any time. There is no assurance that a secondary market will provide shareholders with liquidity. You may transfer shares outside of auctions only to or through a Broker-Dealer or a broker-dealer that has entered into a separate agreement with a Broker-Dealer.
The table below shows the first auction date for the APS and the day on which each subsequent auction will normally be held for the APS. The first auction date for the APS will be the business day before the dividend payment date for the initial dividend period for the APS. The start date for subsequent dividend periods will normally be the business day following the auction dates unless the then-current dividend period is a special dividend period or the first day of the subsequent dividend period is not a business day.
Initial auction | Subsequent | |
Series
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date | auction day |
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The table below shows the dividend rate for the initial dividend period on the APS. For subsequent dividend periods, the APS will pay dividends based on a rate set at auctions, normally held weekly. In most instances, dividends are paid weekly, on the day following the end of the dividend period. The rate set at auction will not exceed the maximum applicable rate. See Description of APSDividends and Dividend Periods.
In addition, the table below also shows the date from which dividends on the APS will accumulate at the initial rate, the dividend payment date for the initial dividend period and the day on which dividends will normally be paid. If the day on which dividends otherwise would be paid is not a business day, then your dividends will be paid on the first business day that falls after that day.
Finally, the table below shows the number of days of the initial dividend period for the APS.
Subsequent dividend periods generally will be seven days. The dividend payment date for special dividend periods of more than seven days will be set out in the notice designating a special dividend period. See Description of APSDividends and Dividend PeriodsDeclaration of Special Dividend Periods.
Number of | ||||
Days of | ||||
Initial | Date of | Dividend Rate | Subsequent | Initial |
Dividend | Accumulation | for Dividend | Dividend | Dividend |
Rate | at Initial Rate | Period | Payment Date | Period |
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REDEMPTION
The Fund may be required to redeem all or a portion of the APS if, for example, the Fund does not meet an asset coverage ratio required by law or to correct a failure to meet a rating agency guideline in a timely manner. The Fund voluntarily may redeem shares of APS under certain conditions. See Description of APSRedemption and Description of APSRating Agency Guidelines and Asset Coverage.
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCEThe liquidation preference of the APS will be $25,000 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends. See Description of APSLiquidation.
RATINGSThe APS is expected to be issued with a rating of Aaa from Moodys and AAA from S&P. In order to maintain these ratings, the Fund must own portfolio securities of a sufficient value and with adequate credit quality and diversification to meet the rating agencies guidelines. See Description of APSRating Agency Guidelines and Asset Coverage.
VOTING RIGHTSThe Investment Company Act requires that the holders of the Funds preferred stock, voting as a separate class, have the right to elect at least two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors at any time when two years dividends on the preferred stock are unpaid. In each case, the remaining directors are elected by holders of the Funds common stock, voting as a separate class. The holders of preferred stock vote as a separate class or classes on certain other matters as required under the Funds charter, the Investment Company Act and Maryland law. See Description of APSVoting Rights and Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws.
The Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally is not required to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders as dividends. To maintain its regulated investment company status, the Fund must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of its ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. See U.S. federal income tax matters.
Financial highlights
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS
The selected financial data below sets forth per share operating performance data, total investment return, ratios and supplemental data for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and for each year in the ten-year period ended December 31, 2004. The financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Fund incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information. For the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the financial information set forth below was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. For prior years, the financial information set forth below was audited by other independent accountants, whose reports expressed an unqualified opinion on such financial information.
Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ended June | |
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30, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Net asset value: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning of period | $ | 8.75 | $ | 7.94 | $ | 7.37 | $ | 9.18 | $ | 10.51 | $ | 8.77 | $ | 10.36 | $ | 9.90 | $ | 8.44 | $ | 8.85 | $ | 7.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Net investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
income(1)(2) | 0.22 | 0.54 | 0.75 | 0.79 | 0.77 | 0.88 | 0.89 | 0.88 | 0.85 | 0.84 | 0.85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
unrealized gain (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
on investments | 0.52 | 1.06 | 0.62 | (1.78 | ) | (1.23 | ) | 1.76 | (1.59 | ) | 0.46 | 1.46 | (0.41 | ) | 1.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
stock from net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment income(1) | | | | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.12 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total from investment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
operations applicable to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common shares | 0.74 | 1.60 | 1.37 | (1.03 | ) | (0.54 | ) | 2.53 | (0.80 | ) | 1.24 | 2.21 | 0.33 | 2.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends on common stock
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from and in excess of net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment income | (0.39 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.80 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.75 | ) | (0.74 | ) | (0.73 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Net asset value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of period | $ | 9.10 | $ | 8.75 | $ | 7.94 | $ | 7.37 | $ | 9.18 | $ | 10.51 | $ | 8.77 | $ | 10.36 | $ | 9.90 | $ | 8.44 | $ | 8.85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Per share market value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of period | $ | 11.56 | $ | 11.92 | $ | 10.96 | $ | 9.90 | $ | 11.06 | $ | 10.50 | $ | 8.31 | $ | 11.25 | $ | 10.13 | $ | 8.63 | $ | 9.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average
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net assets applicable to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common stock(1) | 2.12 | %* | 1.86 | % | 1.89 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.79 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.46 | % | 1.45 | % | 1.53 | % | 1.62 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment
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income to average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
net assets applicable to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common stock(1)(2) | 4.87 | %* | 5.63 | % | 9.88 | % | 9.63 | % | 8.63 | % | 9.73 | % | 9.40 | % | 8.85 | % | 9.87 | % | 7.79 | % | 8.13 | % |
Six Months | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | Year | ||||||||||||
Ended June | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | Ended | ||||||||||||
30, 2005 | December | December | December | December | December | December | December | December | December | December | ||||||||||||
(unaudited) | 31, 2004 | 31, 2003 | 31, 2002 | 31, 2001 | 31, 2000 | 31, 1999 | 31, 1998 | 31, 1997 | 31, 1996 | 31, 1995 | ||||||||||||
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Total investment return on | ||||||||||||||||||||||
market value | 0.52 | % | 17.35 | % | 19.82 | % | (3.04 | %) | 13.67 | % | 37.37 | % | (19.85 | )% | 19.95 | % | 27.69 | % | 4.68 | % | 24.77 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate (2) | 16.69 | % | 43.71 | % | 242.69 | % | 197.27 | % | 213.48 | % | 229.70 | % | 223.78 | % | 251.19 | % | 213.57 | % | 226.21 | % | 188.28 | % |
Net assets applicable to | ||||||||||||||||||||||
common stock, end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(000s omitted) | $2,024,916 | $1,935,437 | $1,738,286 | $1,592,970 | $1,959,697 | $2,216,014 | $1,828,128 | $2,131,692 | $2,010,035 | $1,686,443 | $1,739,331 |
(1) | Upon the adoption of FAS 150 in 2003, dividends on preferred stock are included in interest expense and are part of net investment income. Absent this change in accounting, per share net investment income and dividends on preferred stock would have been $0.25 and $0.03, respectively for the six months ended June 30, 2005, $0.58 and $0.03, respectively in 2004 and $0.78 and $0.03, respectively in 2003. |
(2) | Beginning in 2004, the Fund reduced its use of short-term trading strategies designed to capture dividend income and made increased use of realized gains to supplement its investment income. Until the Fund utilizes all of its tax loss carryforwards, distributions to shareholders are expected to be treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. In addition, the reduced use of short-term trading strategies reduced the Funds portfolio turnover rate during the six months ended June 30, 2005 and the year ended December 31, 2004. |
INFORMATION REGARDING SENIOR SECURITIES
The following table provides information about the Funds CP Notes and RPS as of the dates indicated. Except as noted in the table, for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, the information was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. For prior years, except as noted in the table, the financial information set forth below was audited by other independent accountants, whose reports expressed an unqualified opinion on such financial information.
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Average Market | Asset Coverage |
Liquidation
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Value | per $1,000 of |
Preference
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Aggregate | per $ 100,000 of | Principal | Aggregate |
and Average
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Asset Coverage | |||||||
Amount | Principal | Amount (2) | Amount |
Market Value
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per Share (4) | |||||||
Outstanding | Amount (1) | (unaudited) | Outstanding |
per Share (3)
|
(unaudited) | |||||||
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June 30, 2005 | ||||||||||||
(unaudited) | $197,972,806 | $100,000 | $13,754 | $500,000,000 |
$100,000
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$504,983 | ||||||
December 31, 2004 | 198,361,375 | 100,000 | 13,278 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
487,087 | ||||||
December 31, 2003 | 198,974,940 | 100,000 | 12,249 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
447,657 | ||||||
December 31, 2002 | 197,955,439 | 100,000 | 11,573 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
418,594 | ||||||
December 31, 2001 | 196,827,285 | 100,000 | 13,497 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
491,939 | ||||||
December 31, 2000 | 193,187,392 | 100,000 | 15,059 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
543,203 | ||||||
December 31, 1999 | 193,842,781 | 100,000 | 13,010 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
465,626 | ||||||
December 31, 1998 | 171,002,097 | 100,000 | 16,390 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
526,338 | ||||||
December 31, 1997 | 98,441,884 | 100,000 | 26,498 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
|
502,007 | ||||||
December 31, 1996 | 98,360,808 | 100,000 | 23,229 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
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437,289 | ||||||
December 31, 1995 | 113,310,612 | 100,000 | 20,763 | 500,000,000 |
100,000
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447,866 |
(1) | Average market value is calculated as the face value of the CP Notes. |
(2) | Asset coverage is calculated by subtracting the Funds total liabilities (not including the CP Notes or the RPS) from the Funds total assets and dividing that amount by the total number of units of CP Notes, where one unit equals $1,000 of CP Notes. |
(3) | Liquidation preference per share of RPS refers to the amount that holders of RPS are entitled to receive per share before any distributions are made to the holders of the common stock, in the event the Fund is ever liquidated. The average mar- ket value per share is the price at which shares of RPS are remarketed, which is equal to the liquidation preference per share. |
(4) | Asset coverage is calculated by subtracting the Funds total liabilities (not including the RPS) from the Funds total assets and dividing that amount by the number of RPS outstanding. |
The Fund is a closed-end, diversified management investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act. The Fund was incorporated in the State of Maryland on November 26, 1986 and first offered its common stock to the public on January 21, 1987. The Funds common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DNP. In 1988, the Fund issued 5,000 shares of RPS in five series of 1,000 shares each. The Funds principal office is located at 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603, and its telephone number is (312) 368-5510.
The Funds board of directors has authorized the Fund to issue up to $200,000,000 of CP Notes in minimum denominations of $100,000 with maturities up to 270 days. The CP Notes are generally sold on a discount basis, but may be sold on an interest-bearing basis. During 2004, interest rates on the CP Notes ranged from 1.21% to 2.71% . At June 30, 2005, $200 million of CP Notes were outstanding with an amortized cost of $197,972,806. The Fund intends to utilize a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to pay in full all amounts outstanding under the CP Notes, after which the Fund intends to discontinue its CP Note program and terminate the related backup credit facility.
The following table provides information about the Funds outstanding stock as of September 30, 2005:
Number of Shares | |||
Number of Shares | Held by the Fund | Number of Shares | |
Title of Class | Authorized | or for its Account | Outstanding |
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Common Stock
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250,000,000 | 0 | 223,181,435 |
Preferred Stock
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100,000,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
RPS, Series A
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1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
RPS, Series B
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1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
RPS, Series C
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1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
RPS, Series D
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1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
RPS, Series E
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1,000 | 0 | 1,000 |
The net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $ [ ] after payment of the sales loads and estimated offering expenses. The Fund will utilize a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to pay in full all amounts outstanding under the CP Notes, and the remaining net proceeds will be invested in accordance with the Funds investment objectives and policies as stated below. We currently anticipate that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering in securities that meet the Funds investment objectives and policies within three months after the completion of this offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in short-term securities.
The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Fund as of June 30, 2005, and as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the APS offered hereby (including estimated offering expenses and sales loads of $[ ]):
Actual | As adjusted | |||||||
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Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares | ||||||||
authorized, 5,000 shares issued and outstanding | ||||||||
APS offered hereby, $25,000 stated value per share, | ||||||||
at liquidation value, 12,000 shares issued and | ||||||||
outstanding, as adjusted | $ | 0 |
$
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300,000,000 | ||||
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RPS, $100,000 stated value per share, | ||||||||
at liquidation value, 5,000 shares issued and | ||||||||
outstanding | 500,000,000 | 500,000,000 | ||||||
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Shareholders equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares | ||||||||
authorized, 222,577,846 shares issued and outstanding(1)
|
222,578 | 222,578 | ||||||
Paid-in surplus | 1,848,934,081 | 1,848,934,081 | ||||||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | (194,291,400 | ) | (194,291,400 | ) | ||||
Distributions in excess of book net investment income | (31,652,817 | ) | (31,652,817 | ) | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on | ||||||||
investments and foreign currency translation | 401,703,758 | 401,703,758 | ||||||
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Net assets applicable to common stock | 2,024,916,200 | 2,024,916,200 | ||||||
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Portfolio composition
As of September 30, 2005, approximately 78% of the market value of the Funds portfolio, exclusive of short-term instruments, was invested in equity securities and approximately 22% was invested in other securities. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the composition as of September 30, 2005 of the fixed income portion of the Funds investment portfolio, exclusive of short-term instruments, based on the highest rating assigned to each investment.
Number of
|
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S&P(1) | Moodys(1) |
Issues
|
Value | Percentage
|
||||||
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AAA | Aaa |
0
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$
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0 | 0.0 | % | ||||
AA | Aa |
1
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22,025,000 | 3.7 | % | |||||
A | A |
25
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314,214,717 | 53.0 | % | |||||
BBB | Baa |
17
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234,446,342 | 39.5 | % | |||||
BB | Ba |
1
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22,693,535 | 3.8 | % | |||||
Unrated | Unrated | 0 |
0 | 0.0 | % | |||||
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Total: |
44
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593,379,594 | 100.0 | % | ||||||
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(1) | S&P rating categories may be modified further by a plus (+) or minus (-) in the case of AA, A, BBB and BB ratings. Moodys rating categories may be modified further by a 1, 2 or 3 in the case of Aa, A, Baa and Ba ratings. |
The following section describes the Funds investment objectives and policies, fundamental investment restrictions, portfolio contents and investment techniques. More complete information describing the Funds investments can be found in the Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIESThe Funds primary investment objectives are current income and long-term growth of income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities of companies in the public utilities industry. Under normal conditions, more than 65% of the Funds total assets will be invested in securities of public utility companies engaged in the production, transmission or distribution of electric energy, gas or telephone services. The Funds investment objectives stated in the preceding paragraph and its policy of concentrating its investments in the public utilities industry are fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding shares of the Funds common stock and preferred stock voting together as a single class, which means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares.
The Funds investment policies have been developed to take advantage of the characteristics and historical performances of securities of companies in the public utilities industry. Many of these companies have established a reputation for paying regular dividends and for increasing their common stock dividends over time. Investment decisions are made by the Advisers experienced team of portfolio managers and research analysts primarily on the basis of fundamental research. In evaluating particular issuers, the Adviser considers a number of factors, including historical growth rates and rates of return on capital, financial condition and resources, management skills and strategies and factors specific to the public utilities industry, such as regulatory environment, energy sources and environmental compliance measures. With respect to investments in equity securities, the Adviser seeks stocks that are attractively valued and produce an attractive level of dividend income. The Adviser also considers the prospective growth in earnings and dividends in relation to price/earnings ratios, yield and risk. The Adviser believes that above-average dividend returns and below-average price/earnings ratios are factors that not only provide current income but also generally tend to moderate risk and to afford opportunity for appreciation of securities owned by the Fund. In keeping with its value approach, the Adviser selects securities selling at what it believes are discounts to their underlying values and then may hold such securities until the market values reflect their intrinsic values or longer.
The investments of the Fund in securities of public utility companies are diversified not only in terms of issuers but also in terms of types of securities since the Fund may invest in fixed income securities, such as bonds and preferred stocks, as well as common stocks. The Fund may vary the percentage of assets invested in any one type of security based upon the Advisers evaluation as to the appropriate portfolio structure for achieving the Funds investment objectives under prevailing market, economic and financial conditions. Certain securities (such as fixed income securities) are selected on the basis of their current yield, while other securities are purchased for their income growth potential.
See Investment Policies, Techniques and RestrictionsFundamental Investment Restrictions in the Statement of Additional Information for a complete list of the fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund.
The Funds portfolio is composed principally of the following types of equity and fixed-income securities.
Common stocks
Common
stock represents an equity ownership interest in an issuer. The Fund has substantial
exposure to common stocks. Although common stocks have historically generated
higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term, common
stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. An adverse
event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular
common stock held by the Fund. Also, the price of common stocks are sensitive
to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress
the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices
fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors perceptions
of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant
stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur.
In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as
the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.
Preferred stocks
Preferred stock, like common stock, represents an equity ownership in an issuer. Generally, preferred stock has a priority of claim over common stock in dividend payments and upon liquidation of the issuer. Unlike common
stock, preferred stock does not usually have voting rights. Preferred stock in some instances is convertible into common stock.
Although they are equity securities, preferred stocks have certain characteristics of both debt and common stock. They are debt-like in that their promised income is usually 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 issuers 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 issuers board of directors or trustees. 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 trustees 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. The Fund may invest in non-cumulative preferred stock, although the Adviser would consider, among other factors, their non-cumulative nature in making any decision to purchase or sell such securities.
Shares of preferred stock have a liquidation value that generally equals the original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market values of preferred stock may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting the issuers industries or sectors. They may also be affected by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in the tax status of the security and by actual and anticipated changes or ambiguities in tax laws, such as changes in corporate and individual income tax rates and in the dividends received deduction or the characterization of dividends as qualified dividends as described below under U.S. federal income tax mattersTaxation of Shareholders.
Because the claim on an issuers earnings represented by preferred stock may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on the stock or for other reasons, the issuer may redeem preferred stock, generally after an initial period of call protection in which the stock is not redeemable. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Funds holdings of higher dividend-
paying preferred stocks may be reduced and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.
Corporate bonds and other debt securities
The
Fund also invests in corporate bonds, debentures and other debt securities of
companies in the public utilities industry or other industries and sectors. Debt
securities in which the Fund invests may pay fixed or variable rates of interest.
Bonds and other debt securities generally are issued by corporations and other
issuers to borrow money from investors. The issuer pays the investor a fixed
or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or
before maturity. Certain debt securities are perpetual in that they
have no maturity date.
Convertible securities and bonds with warrants attached
The Fund may invest in preferred stocks and fixed-income obligations that are convertible into common stocks of domestic and foreign issuers, and bonds issued as a unit with warrants to purchase equity or fixed-income
securities. Convertible securities in which the Fund may invest, comprised of both convertible debt and convertible preferred stock, may be converted at either a stated price or at a stated rate into underlying shares of common stock. Because of
this feature, convertible securities generally enable an investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. Convertible securities often provide higher yields than the underlying equity securities, but generally
offer lower yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. The value of convertible securities fluctuates in relation to changes in interest rates like bonds, and, in addition, fluctuates in relation to the market price of the underlying
common stock.
Bonds with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock. Bonds may also be issued with warrants attached to purchase additional fixed-income securities at the same coupon rate. A decline in interest rates would permit the Fund to buy additional bonds at a favorable rate or to sell the warrants at a profit. If interest rates rise, the warrants would generally expire with no value.
Real estate investment trusts
The
Fund may invest in companies that are treated as real estate investment trusts
for federal income tax purposes (REITs). REITs are financial vehicles that pool investors capital
to acquire, develop and/or finance real estate and provide services to their
tenants. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas
or in specific property types, e.g., regional malls, shopping centers, office
buildings, apartment buildings and industrial warehouses. The market value of
REIT shares and the ability of REITs to distribute income may be adversely affected
by numerous factors, including rising interest rates, changes in the national,
state and local economic climate and real estate conditions, perceptions of prospective
tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of the properties, the
ability of the owners to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance,
the cost of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, increasing competition
and compliance with environmental laws, changes in real estate taxes and other
operating expenses, adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies,
adverse changes in zoning laws, and other factors beyond the control of the issuers.
In addition, distributions received by the Fund from REITs may consist of dividends,
capital gains and/or return of capital. REIT income distributions received by
the Fund generally will not be treated as qualified dividends.
The Fund may from time to time employ a variety of investment techniques, including those described below, to hedge against fluctuations in the price of portfolio securities, to enhance total return or to provide a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities. Some of these techniques, such as purchases of put and call options, options on stock indices and stock index futures and entry into certain credit derivative transactions, are hedges against or substitutes for investments in equity investments. Other techniques, such as the purchase of interest rate futures and entry into transactions involving interest rate swaps, options on interest rate swaps and certain credit derivatives, are hedges against or substitutes for investments in debt securities. The Funds ability to utilize any of the techniques described below may be limited by restrictions imposed on its operations in connection with obtaining and maintaining its qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code.
Lending of portfolio securities
In order to generate additional income, the Fund from time to time lends securities from its portfolio, with an aggregate value not in excess of 33 1 / 3 % of its total assets, to brokers, dealers and financial
institutions such as banks and trust companies. At June 30, 2005, the Fund had
loaned portfolio securities with a market value of $509,720,050 to a broker-dealer and
received $526,878,180 of cash collateral. In connection with all loans of securities, the Fund receives collateral in cash, U.S. government securities, irrevocable letters of credit or various other specified types of investment-grade
securities. The collateral is required to be maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. The Fund receives a portion of the income earned on the securities held as collateral and continues to
earn income on the loaned securities. Loans of the Funds securities are
terminable at any time. The Fund has the right to regain record ownership of
loaned securities to exercise beneficial rights such as voting rights and rights
to interest or other distributions. The Fund may pay reasonable fees to persons
unaffiliated with the Fund for services in arranging such loans. With respect
to lending of portfolio securities, there is the risk of failure by the borrower
to return the securities involved in such transactions, in which event the Fund
may incur a loss.
Dividend capture trading
The Fund may seek to enhance the level of dividend income it receives by engaging in dividend capture trading. In a dividend capture trade, the Fund sells a stock that it held past its ex-dividend date to purchase another
stock paying a dividend before the next dividend of the stock being sold. By entering into such trades, the Fund could augment the amount of dividend income it receives over the course of a year. The use of dividend capture strategies exposes the
Fund to increased trading costs and the potential for capital loss.
When-issued and delayed delivery transactions
New
issues of preferred and debt securities may be offered on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis, which means that delivery and payment for the securities normally
take place within 45 days after the date of the commitment to purchase. The payment
obligation and the dividends that will be received on the securities are fixed
at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. The Fund will make commitments
to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis only with the
intention of acquiring the securities, but may sell these securities before the
settlement date if the Adviser deems it advisable. No additional when-issued
or delayed delivery commitments will be made if more than 20% of the Funds total assets would be so committed. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis may be subject to changes in value based upon the publics
perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or anticipated,
in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued
or delayed delivery basis may expose the Fund to risk because they may experience
these fluctuations prior to their actual delivery. The Fund will not accrue income
with respect to a debt security it has purchased on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis prior to its stated delivery date but will accrue income on a
delayed delivery security it has sold.
Temporary investments
During
unusual market circumstances, the Fund may invest temporarily in cash, money
market securities, money market mutual funds or cash equivalents, which may be
inconsistent with the Funds investment objectives.
Cash equivalents are highly liquid, short-term securities such as commercial
paper, time deposits, certificates of deposit, short-term notes and short-term
U.S. government obligations. To the extent that the Fund engages in such defensive
investments, it may not achieve its investment objectives.
Portfolio turnover
The Fund may sell securities to realize capital losses that can be used to offset capital gains (but not dividends or other ordinary income) or in connection with dividend capture strategies. Use of these strategies will
increase portfolio turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its securities portfolio turnover rate, but anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will not exceed 100% (excluding turnover of securities having a maturity of one year or
less) under normal market conditions, although it could be materially higher under certain conditions. A high turnover rate (100% or more) necessarily involves greater expenses to the Fund and may result in realization of net short-term capital
gains.
The Fund uses various forms of financial leverage, currently including: (1) five series of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and (2) the ability to issue up to $200 million of CP Notes. At June 30, 2005, $200 million of CP Notes were outstanding with an amortized cost of $197,972,806. In addition, the Fund has a $100 million backup credit facility (under which it had no Borrowings as of June 30, 2005). The Funds fundamental investment restrictions limit the Funds Borrowings to an aggregate amount not exceeding 15% of the value of the Funds total assets at the time of any such Borrowing (exclusive of all obligations on amounts held as collateral for securities loaned to other persons to the extent that such obligations are secured by assets of at least equivalent value). However, for so long as the Funds preferred stock is rated by S&P, the Fund will limit the aggregate amount of its Borrowings to 10% of the value of its total assets and will not incur any Borrowings, unless advised by S&P that such Borrowings would not adversely affect S&Ps then-current rating of the preferred stock.
The Funds use of leverage is premised upon the expectation that the Funds preferred stock dividends and borrowing cost on the CP Notes will be lower than the return the Fund achieves on its investments with the proceeds of the issuance of preferred stock and CP Notes. Such difference in return may result from the Funds higher credit rating or the short-term nature of its borrowing compared to the long-term nature of its investments. Since the total assets of the Fund (including the assets obtained from leverage) will be invested in the potentially higher yielding portfolio investments or portfolio investments with the potential for capital appreciation, the holders of common stock should be the beneficiaries of the incremental return. Should the differential between the underlying assets
To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with funds received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Funds return to common shareholders will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or capital appreciation from the securities purchased with such funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage or if the Fund incurs capital losses, the return of the Fund to common shareholders will be less than if leverage had not been used. Capital raised through the issuance of preferred stock and CP Notes is subject to dividend payments and interest costs that may or may not exceed the income and appreciation on the assets purchased. In addition, the Fund is also required to pay a fee to maintain its credit facility, which increases the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate of the CP Notes.
Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred stock unless immediately after such issuance the net asset value of the Funds portfolio is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the value of the Funds total assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its common stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the Funds portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution) is at least 200% of such liquidation value. So long as the Fund has preferred stock outstanding, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem shares of preferred stock from time to time to maintain coverage of any outstanding shares of preferred stock of at least 200%.
Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing the Fund has an asset coverage of at least 300% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of indebtedness (i.e., such indebtedness may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Funds total assets). Additionally, under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may not declare any dividend or other distribution upon any class of its stock, or purchase any such stock, unless the aggregate indebtedness of the Fund has, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution or at the time of any such purchase, an asset coverage of at least 300% after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution, or purchase price, as the case may be.
The CP Notes and the credit facility contain customary restrictive financial covenants. Among other things, the Fund is required to maintain eligible portfolio property having a discounted value of at least 4.05 times the Funds liabilities. The Fund is also required to maintain total assets equal to at least four times its liabilities, and net assets (defined as total assets less liabilities other than senior securities representing indebtedness) equal to at least four times the value of its senior securities representing indebtedness. In addition, the Fund may not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of its common or preferred stock, or call for redemption or redeem any of its common or preferred stock, when loans are outstanding under the credit facility, or when an event of default exists or would result under the credit facility. The Adviser does not anticipate that these covenants or restrictions will adversely affect its ability to manage the Funds portfolio in accordance with the Funds investment objectives and strategies. However, due to these covenants or restrictions, the Fund could be forced to liquidate investments at times and at prices that are not favorable to the Fund, or to forgo investments that the Adviser otherwise views as favorable.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONSIn connection with the Funds use of leverage through its preferred stock and CP Notes, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions. Interest rate swaps involve the Funds agree-
The Fund may use an interest rate cap, which would require it to pay a premium to the cap counter-party and would entitle it, to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, to receive from the counterparty payment 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 receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the Funds net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to pledge the assets in such segregated account to the counterparty. Any such pledge will result in the counterparty having a lien on the assets in the segregated account and the Funds ability to make use of those assets will be limited.
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 Funds use of interest rate swaps or caps could enhance or harm the overall performance on the common stock. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the net asset value of the common stock. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than the Funds fixed rate of payment on the interest rate swap, the swap will reduce common stock net earnings. 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 stock net earnings. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the common stock by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net earnings of the common stock in the event that the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount the Fund would have been required to pay had it not entered into the cap agreement. The Fund has no current intention of selling an interest rate swap or cap. The Fund will not enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions in an aggregate notional amount that exceeds the outstanding amount of the Funds leverage.
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 dividend payments on its preferred stock or interest payments on its Borrowings. 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 stock.
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 Adviser believes does not have the financial resources to honor its obligation under the interest rate swap or cap transaction. Further, the Adviser will continually monitor the financial stability of a counterparty to an interest rate swap or cap transaction in an effort to proactively protect the Funds investments.
The Fund may choose or be required to redeem some or all of its preferred stock or prepay any of its Borrowings. This redemption would likely result in the Fund 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. A termination payment by the Fund would result in a reduction in common share net earnings. An early termination of a cap could result in a termination payment to the Fund.
RisksRisk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or that you may lose part or all of your investment. Therefore, before investing you should consider carefully the following risks that you assume when you invest in the APS.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE APS
Auction Risk
The
dividend rate for the APS normally is set through an auction process. In the
auction, holders of APS may indicate the dividend rate at which they would be
willing to hold or sell their APS or purchase additional APS. The auction also
provides liquidity for the sale of APS. An auction fails if there are more shares
of APS offered for sale than there are buyers for shares of APS. You may not
be able to sell your APS at an auction if the auction fails. Finally, if you
buy APS or elect to retain APS without specifying a dividend rate below which
you would not wish to buy or continue to hold such APS, you could receive a lower
rate of return on your APS than the market rate. See Description of APS
and The auctionAuction Procedures.
Secondary market risk
If
you try to sell shares of your APS between auctions you may not be able to sell
any or all of your shares of APS or you may not be able to sell them for $25,000
per share plus accumulated dividends. If the Fund has designated a special dividend
period, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if
you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-Dealers that maintain a
secondary trading market for the APS are not required to maintain this market,
and the Fund is not required to redeem shares either if an auction or an attempted
secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The APS is not listed
on a stock exchange or traded on the NASDAQ stock market. If you sell your APS
to a Broker-Dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you
paid for them, especially if market interest rates have risen since the last
auction.
Ratings and asset coverage risk
While
it is expected that Moodys will assign a rating of Aaa and S&P will assign a rating of AAA to the APS, such ratings will not eliminate or necessarily mitigate the risks of investing
in the APS. Moodys or S&P could withdraw or downgrade the ratings it assigns to the APS, which may make your APS less liquid at an auction or in the secondary market. If Moodys or S&P withdraws its rating or downgrades the APS,
the Fund may alter its portfolio or redeem shares of APS in an effort to reinstate or improve, as the case may be, the rating, although there is no assurance that it will be able to do so to the extent necessary to restore the prior rating. The Fund
also may voluntarily redeem shares of APS under certain circumstances. See Description of APSRating Agency Guidelines and Asset Coverage for
a description of the asset maintenance tests the Fund must meet.
Subordination risk
As
permitted by its fundamental investment policies, the Fund uses various forms
of financial leverage. The issuance of the APS is only one component of the Funds use of leverage, which also includes: (1) five series
of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and (2) the ability to issue up to $200 million of CP Notes. At June 30, 2005, $200 million of CP Notes were outstanding with an amortized cost of
$197,972,806. In addition, the Fund has a $100 million backup credit facility (under which it had no Borrowings as of June 30, 2005). While holders of APS will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to the holders of RPS, they will
be subordinated to the rights of both the holders of the CP Notes and the lenders under the Funds credit facility. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of APS in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior
payments due to the holders of CP Notes and the lenders under the Funds credit facility. In the event of a default on the Funds
CP Notes or under the credit facility, the Fund would not be permitted to declare,
pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of
the APS, or call for redemption or redeem any shares of APS.
Restrictions on dividends and other distributions
Restrictions
imposed on the declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to
the holders of the Funds common stock and preferred stock, both by the Investment Company Act and by requirements imposed by
Moodys, S&P or a substitute rating agency, might impair the Funds ability to satisfy minimum distribution requirements that it must satisfy to receive favorable treatment as a regulated investment company for federal income tax
purposes. While the Fund has the ability to redeem shares of APS to enable the Fund to distribute its income to the extent required to maintain its favorable tax treatment as a regulated investment company under the Code, there can be no assurance
that such redemptions can be effected in time to meet the requirements of the Code. See U.S.
federal income tax matters.
Interest rate risk
The
APS pays dividends based on short-term interest rates. If short-term interest
rates rise, dividend rates on the APS will also rise. A sharp increase in short-term
interest rates could cause a negative
arbitrage situation, where the dividend rate on the APS would exceed the yield on the Funds portfolio securities. In addition, rising market interest rates could negatively impact the value of the Funds investment portfolio,
reducing the amount of assets serving as asset coverage for the APS. See The Funds investmentsUse
of Leverage.
Investment and market risk
An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount invested. An investment in the Fund represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund, which are
generally traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. The value of these securities, like other market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably.
Income risk
The
income that holders of preferred stock and common stock receive from the Fund
is based primarily on the dividends and interest the Fund earns from its investments,
which can vary widely over the short and long term. If prevailing market interest
rates drop, distribution rates of the Funds preferred stock holdings and any bond holdings and preferred and common shareholders income from the Fund could drop as well. The Funds
income also would likely be affected adversely when prevailing short-term interest
rates increase and the Fund is utilizing leverage.
Management risk
The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The Adviser and the individual portfolio managers 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.
Utilities industry risk
The
Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers in
the public utilities industry. This may make the Fund more susceptible to adverse
economic, political or regulatory occurrences affecting this sector. As concentration
in a sector increases, so does the potential for fluctuation in the value of
the Funds assets.
Certain segments of the industry and individual companies within such segments may not perform as well as the industry as a whole. Many public utility companies historically have been subject to risks of increases in fuel and other operating costs, high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital improvement programs and costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other governmental regulations. Telecommunications companies in particular have been subject to risks associated with increasing levels of competition, technology substitution (i.e. wireless, broadband and voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP), industry overcapacity, consolidation and regulatory uncertainty. Regulatory changes with respect to nuclear and conventionally fueled power generating and transmission facilities could increase costs or impair the ability of public utility companies to operate and utilize such facilities, thus reducing public utility companies earnings or resulting in losses.
Rates of return on investment of certain public utility companies are subject to review by government regulators. There can be no assurance that changes in regulatory policies or accounting standards will not negatively affect public utility companies earnings or dividends. Costs incurred by public utility companies, such as fuel and purchased power costs, often are subject to immediate market action resulting from such things as political or military forces operating in geographic regions where oil production is concentrated or global or regional weather conditions, such as droughts. Rates of return of public utility companies generally are subject to review and limitation by state public utility commissions, which ordinarily results in a lag or an absence of correlation between costs and return. It is also possible that costs may not be offset by return.
Public utility companies have, in recent years, been affected by increased competition, which could adversely affect the profitability or viability of such companies. Electric public utility companies may also be subject to increasing economic pressures due to deregulation of generation, transmission and other aspects of their business.
Investments in securities of foreign issuers
While
the Fund is prohibited from investing 15% or more of its assets in securities
of foreign issuers, the Fund may be exposed to certain risks as a result of foreign
investments. Investing in securities of foreign issuers involves certain considerations
not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies, including
(a) controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested
capital and on the Funds ability to exchange
local currencies for U.S. dollars, (b) greater price volatility, substantially
less liquidity and significantly smaller market capitalization of securities
markets, (c) currency devaluations and other currency exchange rate fluctuations,
(d) more substantial government involvement in the economy, (e) higher rates
of inflation, (f) less government supervision and regulation of the securities
markets and participants in those markets and (g) political uncertainty and other
considerations. The Fund will treat investments in countries with repatriation
restrictions as illiquid for purposes of any applicable limitations under the
Investment Company Act; however, as a closed-end fund, the Fund is not currently
limited under the Investment Company Act in the amount of illiquid securities
it may acquire. Because of the limited forward market for the purchase of U.S.
dollars in most foreign countries and the limited circumstances in which the
Fund expects to hedge against declines in the value of foreign country currencies
generally, the Fund will be
adversely affected by devaluations of foreign country
currencies against the U.S. dollar to the extent the Fund is invested in securities
denominated in currencies experiencing a devaluation. The Funds fundamental
investment policies permit the Fund to enter into currency hedging transactions.
In addition, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in foreign countries are different from U.S. standards. As a result, certain material disclosures may not be made and less information may be available to the Fund and other investors than would be the case if the Funds investments were restricted to securities of U.S. issuers. Moreover, it may be more difficult to obtain a judgment in a court outside the United States. Interest and dividends paid on securities held by the Fund and gains from the disposition of such securities may be subject to withholding taxes imposed by foreign countries.
Common stock risk
The
Fund has exposure to common stocks. Although common stocks have historically
generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term,
common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns.
An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value
of a particular common stock held by the Fund. Also, the price of common stocks
are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock
market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure.
Common stock prices fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors perceptions
of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant
stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur.
In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates, as
the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.
Small and mid cap stock risk
The
Fund may invest its portfolio of equity securities in companies of any market
capitalization. The Funds investments in small and medium-sized companies
may be subject to more abrupt or erratic movements in price than its investments
in larger, more established companies because the securities of such companies
are less well-known, held primarily by insiders or institutional investors or
may trade less frequently and in lower volume. Furthermore, small and medium-sized
companies are more likely to experience greater or more unexpected changes in
their earnings and growth prospects. Such companies often have limited financial
resources or may depend on a few key employees, and the products or technologies
of such companies may be at a relatively early stage of development or not fully
tested.
Preferred stock risk
The
Fund has exposure to preferred stocks. Preferred stocks involve credit risk,
which is the risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, or fail to pay
dividends when expected, because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial
status. In addition to credit risk, investment in preferred stocks involves certain
other risks. Certain preferred stocks contain provisions that allow an issuer
under certain conditions to skip distributions (in the case of non-cumulative preferred stocks) or defer distributions (in the case of cumulative preferred stocks). If the Fund owns a preferred stock that is deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax
purposes while it is not receiving income on this position. Preferred stocks often contain provisions that allow for redemption in the event of certain tax or legal changes or at the issuers call. In the event of redemption, the Fund may not
be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable rates of return. Preferred stocks typically do not provide any voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond a certain time period, which varies by issue. Preferred stocks are
subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a companys capital
structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments,
and therefore are subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments.
Preferred stocks may be significantly less liquid than many other securities,
such as U.S. government securities, corporate debt or common stock.
Issuer risk
The
value of common and preferred stocks may decline for a number of reasons which
directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, leverage and reduced
demand for the issuers goods and
services.
Debt securities risk
In addition to credit risk, investment in debt securities carries certain risks, including:
Credit risk
Credit
risk is the risk that an issuer of a preferred or debt security will become unable
to meet its obligation to make dividend, interest and principal payments. In
general, lower rated preferred or debt securities carry a greater degree of credit
risk. If rating agencies lower their ratings of preferred or debt securities
in the Funds portfolio, the value of those obligations could decline, which could jeopardize the rating agencies ratings of the
preferred stock issued by the Fund. In addition, the underlying revenue source for a preferred or debt security may be insufficient to pay dividends, interest or principal in a timely manner. Because the primary source of income for the Fund is the
dividend, interest and principal payments on the preferred or debt securities in which it invests, any default by an issuer of a preferred or debt security could have a negative impact on the Funds ability to pay dividends to its investors.
Even if the issuer does not actually default, adverse changes in the issuers financial condition may negatively affect its credit rating or presumed creditworthiness. These developments would adversely affect the market value of the
issuers obligations or the value of credit derivatives if the Fund has
sold credit protection.
Hedging strategy risk
Certain
of the investment techniques that the Fund may employ for hedging or, under certain
circumstances, to increase income or total return will expose the Fund to risks.
In addition to the hedging techniques described elsewhere (i.e., positions in
Treasury Bond or Treasury Note futures contracts, use of options on these positions,
positions in interest rate swaps, options thereon (swaptions) and credit derivatives), such investment techniques may
include entering into interest rate and stock index futures contracts and options on interest rate and stock index futures contracts, purchasing and selling put and call options on securities and stock indices, purchasing and selling securities on a
when-issued or delayed delivery basis and lending portfolio securities. The Fund intends to comply with regulations of the SEC involving covering or segregating assets in connection with the Funds
use of options and futures contracts.
There are economic costs of hedging reflected in the pricing of futures, swaps, options and swaption contracts which can be significant, particularly when long-term interest rates are substantially above short-term interest rates. The desirability of moderating these hedging costs will be a factor in the Advisers choice of hedging strategies, although costs will not be the exclusive consideration in selecting hedge instruments. In addition, the Fund may select individual investments based upon their potential for appreciation without regard to the effect on current income in an attempt to mitigate the impact on the Funds assets of the expected normal cost of hedging.
Derivatives risk
To the extent the Fund enters into derivative transactions (such as futures contracts and options thereon, options and swaps), the Fund will be subject to increased risk of principal loss due to imperfect correlation or
unexpected price or interest rate movements. The Fund also will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its
obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a
limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. As a general matter, dividends received on hedged stock positions are characterized as ordinary income and are not eligible for favorable tax treatment. In addition, use of
derivatives may give rise to short-term capital gains and other income that would not qualify for payments by the Fund of qualified dividends.
Dividend capture risk
The
Fund may seek to increase its dividend income using a strategy called dividend capture. In a dividend capture trade, the Fund sells a stock that it held past its ex-dividend date to purchase another stock
paying a dividend before the next dividend of the stock being sold. The use of dividend capture strategies exposes the Fund to increased trading costs and the potential for capital loss. In 2003, dividend captures accounted for approximately 37% of
the Funds net investment income and had a impact on the Funds net asset value (including both transaction costs and capital losses) of -0.49% . In 2004, the Fund substantially reduced its use of dividend captures, with the result that in
2004 dividend captures accounted for approximately 5.41% of the Funds net investment income and had a impact on the Funds
net asset value (including both transaction costs and capital losses) of -0.02%
. The Fund does not currently make significant use of dividend captures but may
decide to do so in the future.
Portfolio turnover risk
The techniques and strategies contemplated by the Fund might result in a high degree of portfolio turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its securities portfolio turnover rate, but anticipates that its annual
portfolio turnover rate will not exceed 100% (excluding turnover of securities having a maturity of one year or less) under normal market conditions, although it could be materially higher under certain conditions. A high turnover rate (100% or
more) necessarily involves greater expenses to the Fund and may result in realization of net short-term capital gains.
Inflation risk
Inflation
risk is the risk that the purchasing power 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 Funds
preferred stock and common stock, and distributions thereon, can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, the interest rate payable on any debt owed by the Fund would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns
to the Funds common shareholders.
Tax risk
The
Funds investment program and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by IRS interpretations of the Code and future changes in tax laws and regulations, including changes as a result of the
sunset provisions that currently apply to the favorable tax treatment of qualified dividends. There can be no assurance that any portion of the Funds
income distributions will not be fully taxable as ordinary income. In order for
the Fund to avoid corporate-level income tax, the Fund must qualify each year
as a regulated investment company under the Code and distribute all of its net
income.
Market disruption risk
The war with Iraq and the continuing occupation of that country by coalition forces have had a substantial impact on the U.S. and world economies and securities markets. The duration and nature of the war and occupation and
the potential costs of rebuilding the Iraqi infrastructure and political systems cannot be predicted with any certainty. The war and occupation, terrorism and related geopolitical risks have led, and may in the future lead, to increased short-term
market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Those events could also have an acute effect on individual issuers or related groups of issuers. These risks could also adversely affect
securities markets, interest rates, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation, deflation and other factors relating to the APS.
Anti-takeover provisions
Certain
provisions of the Funds charter and bylaws may be regarded as anti-takeover provisions because they could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of
the Fund. See Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws.
Management of the Fund
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the board of directors. For information concerning the Funds officers and directors, see Management of the Fund in the Statement of Additional Information.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Funds investment adviser is Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603. The Adviser (together with its predecessor) has been in the investment advisory business for more than 70 years and, excluding the Fund, currently has more than $3.3 billion in client accounts under discretionary management. The Adviser acts as adviser to two other closed-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act and as adviser to three open-end investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act. The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. (Phoenix Investment Partners), which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (PNX). Phoenix Investment Partners and its subsidiaries provide investment management services to institutional and private clients and to the life insurance subsidiaries of PNX.
The Adviser is responsible for the management of the Funds investment portfolio, subject to the overall control of the board of directors of the Fund.
Under the terms of an investment advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser (the Advisory Agreement), the Adviser receives from the Fund a quarterly fee at an annual rate of 0.60% of the average weekly net assets of the Fund up to $1.5 billion and 0.50% of average weekly net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. The net assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at the end of a week with the net assets at the end of the prior week. For purposes of the foregoing calculation, net assets are defined as the sum of (i) the aggregate net asset value of
Under the terms of a service agreement among the Adviser, Phoenix Investment Partners, and the Fund (the Service Agreement), Phoenix Investment Partners makes available to the Adviser the services, on a part-time basis, of its employees and various facilities to enable the Adviser to perform certain of its obligations to the Fund. However, the obligation of performance under the Advisory Agreement is solely that of the Adviser, for which Phoenix Investment Partners assumes no responsibility, except as described in the preceding sentence. The Adviser reimburses Phoenix Investment Partners for any costs, direct or indirect, fairly attributable to the services performed and the facilities provided by Phoenix Investment Partners under the Service Agreement. The Fund does not pay any fees pursuant to the Service Agreement.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENTA team of investment professionals employed by the Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio. The members of that investment team and their respective areas of responsibility and expertise are as follows:
Nathan I. Partain, CFA, has led the Funds portfolio management team since 1998 and has served on the Funds portfolio management team since 1996. He has been President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Fund since February 2001 (Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer from 1998 to 2001). Mr. Partain has been President of the Adviser since April 2005 (Executive Vice President from 1997 to 2005), President and Chief Executive Officer of DTF Tax-Free Income Inc. and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc., two other closed-end utilities oriented funds, since February 2004, and lead portfolio manager of Phoenix Global Utilities Fund, an open-end utilities oriented fund, since October 2004. He joined the Duff & Phelps organization in 1987 and has served since then in positions of increasing responsibility. He is also a director of Otter Tail Corporation (since 1993).
T. Brooks Beittel, CFA, has served on the Funds portfolio management team and has been Secretary and a Senior Vice President of the Fund since January 1995 (Treasurer from January 1995 to September 2002). He is also a member of the portfolio management teams of Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. and Phoenix Global Utilities Fund. Mr. Beittel concentrates his research on fixed-income securities. He joined the Duff & Phelps organization in 1987 and has served since then in positions of increasing responsibility.
Michael Schatt has served on the Funds portfolio management team since 1996 and has been a Senior Vice President of the Fund since April 1998 (Vice President from January 1997 to April 1998). Mr. Schatt has been a Senior Vice President of the Adviser since January 1997 and was a Managing Director of Phoenix Investment Partners from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Schatt concentrates his research on REIT securities and is the senior portfolio manager for all REIT products managed by the Adviser. These products include the Phoenix Real Estate Securities Fund, the Phoenix Real Estate Securities Series sub-account of the Phoenix Edge Series annuity products, and various separate accounts. Before joining the Duff & Phelps organization in 1994, Mr. Schatt spent four years as a director of the Real Estate Advisory Practice for Coopers & Lybrand, LLC, advising foreign pension funds on the acquisition and disposition of U.S. real estate assets and assisting clients in evaluating public real estate investments as an alternative to private real estate investments. Prior to joining Coopers & Lybrand, he had 10 years experience in real estate finance.
Connie M. Luecke, CFA, has served on the Funds portfolio management team since 1996 and has been a Senior Vice President of the Adviser since January 1998 (Managing Director from 1996 to 1998). She is also a member of the portfolio management team of Phoenix Global Utilities Fund. Ms. Luecke concentrates her research on the global telecommunications industries. She joined the Duff & Phelps organization in 1992 and has served since then in positions of increasing responsibility.
Daniel J. Petrisko, CFA, has served on the Funds portfolio management team since 2004 and has been a Senior Vice President of the Adviser since 1997 (Vice President from 1995 to 1997). He has been Chief Investment Officer of Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc., another closed-end utilities oriented fund, since February 2004 (Portfolio Manager from 2002 to 2004, Vice President since 2000). He joined the Duff & Phelps organization in 1995 and has served since then in positions of increasing responsibility.
Randle L. Smith, CFA, has served on the Funds portfolio management team since 1996 and has been a Senior Vice President of the Adviser since January 1998 (Managing Director from 1996 to 1998). He is also a member of the portfolio management team of Phoenix Global Utilities Fund. Mr. Smith concentrates his research on the global electric and natural gas industries. He joined the Duff & Phelps organization in 1990 and has served since then in positions of increasing responsibility.
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for additional information about the Funds portfolio managers, including the structure of and method of computing compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of securities of the Fund.
ADMINISTRATORThe Funds administrator is J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc., Hilliard Lyons Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40202. The Administrator is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Under the terms of an administration agreement (the Administration Agreement), the Administrator provides all management and administrative services required in connection with the operation of the Fund not required to be provided by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, as well as the necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel to perform such services. For its services, the Administrator receives from the Fund a quarterly fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Funds average weekly net assets up to $100 million, 0.20% of the Funds average weekly net assets from $100 million to $1.0 billion and 0.10% of average weekly net assets over $1.0 billion. The net assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at the end of a week with the net assets at the end of the prior week. For purposes of the foregoing calculation, net assets are defined as the sum of (i) the aggregate net asset value of the Funds common stock, (ii) the aggregate liquidation preference of the Funds preferred stock and (iii) the aggregate proceeds to the Fund of commercial paper issued by the Fund.
EXPENSESThe Fund is responsible for all expenses not paid by the Adviser or the Administrator, including brokerage fees.
The Fund does not consider that any person controls the Fund. No person is known by the Fund to own of record or beneficially five percent or more of any class of the Funds outstanding equity securities. For purposes of the preceding, control means (1) the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25 percent of the voting securities of a company; (2) the acknowledgement or assertion by either the controlled or controlling party of the existence of control; or (3) a final adjudication under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act that control exists.
Description of APSThe following is a brief description of the terms of the APS. For the complete terms of the APS, including the meanings of the defined terms used in this Prospectus but not otherwise defined, please refer to the detailed description of the APS in the Articles Supplementary attached as Appendix A to the Statement of Additional Information.
GENERALThe APS will rank on a parity with the shares of any other series of preferred stock of the Fund as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. All shares of APS carry one vote on matters on which APS can be voted. The shares of APS, when issued, will be fully paid and non-assessable and will have no preemptive, conversion or cumulative voting rights. The shares of APS will not be convertible into common stock, RPS or other capital stock of the Fund.
A preferred stock credit rating is a rating agencys assessment of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock obligations. The ratings on the APS are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell APS, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines described below also do not address the likelihood that an owner of APS will be able to sell shares of APS in an auction or otherwise.
In addition to the APS offered by this prospectus, the Fund currently intends to issue Additional APS, consisting of an aggregate of [ ] additional shares of Series [ ] APS. The sale of the APS offered by this prospectus is not contingent upon the sale of the Additional APS, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will issue all or any of the Additional APS. With respect to liquidation and distribution rights, any Additional APS that is issued will rank on a parity with the APS offered by this prospectus and with the RPS.
DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND PERIODSThe following is a general description of dividends and dividend periods. The Initial Dividend Period for each series of APS is as set forth below:
Series
|
Initial Dividend Period
|
|
|
Any subsequent dividend periods will generally be seven days. The Fund, subject to certain conditions, may change the length of subsequent dividend periods by designating them as special dividend periods. See Declaration of special dividend periods below.
Dividend payment dates. Dividends on the APS will be payable when, as and if declared by the board of directors, out of legally available funds in accordance with the charter, the Articles
Supplementary and applicable law. Dividends are scheduled to be paid for each series of APS as follows:
Subsequent Dividend | ||
Series
|
Initial Dividend Payment Date | Payment Date |
|
|
|
If dividends are payable on a day that is not a business day, then dividends will be payable on the next business day. In addition, the Fund may specify different dividend payment dates for any special dividend period of more than 28 dividend period days.
Dividends will be paid through The Depository Trust Company (the Securities Depository) on each Dividend Payment Date. The Securities Depository, in accordance with its current procedures, is expected to distribute dividends received from the Fund in next-day funds on each Dividend Payment Date to Agent Members. These Agent Members are in turn expected to distribute such dividends to the persons for whom they are acting as agents. However, each of the current Broker-Dealers has indicated to the Fund that dividend payments will be available in same-day funds on each Dividend Payment Date to customers that use such Broker-Dealer or that Broker-Dealers designee as Agent Member.
Calculation of dividend payment. The Fund computes the dividends per share payable on shares of each series of APS by multiplying the applicable rate for shares of such series in effect by a fraction. The numerator of this fraction will normally be seven (i.e., the number of days in the Dividend Period) and the denominator will normally be 360. In either case, this rate is then multiplied by $25,000 to arrive at dividends per share.
Dividends on shares of each series of APS will accumulate from the date of their original issue. For each dividend payment period after the initial dividend period, the dividend rate will be the dividend rate determined at auction once each of the requirements of the Articles Supplementary are satisfied.
Prior to each auction, Broker-Dealers will notify holders of the term of the next succeeding dividend period as soon as practicable after the Broker-Dealers have been so advised by the Fund. After each auction, on the auction date, Broker-Dealers will notify holders of the applicable rate for the next succeeding dividend period and of the auction date of the next succeeding auction.
The dividend rate that results from an auction for each series of APS will not be greater than the maximum applicable rate. The maximum applicable rate for any regular dividend period will be the higher of the applicable percentage of the reference rate or the applicable spread plus the reference rate. The reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate (as defined below) (for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days) or the applicable Treasury Index Rate (as defined below) (for a dividend period of 365 days or more). The applicable percentage of the reference rate and the applicable spread plus the reference rate for any regular dividend period will generally be determined based on the credit ratings assigned to the APS by Moodys and S&P on the auction date for such period (as set forth in the table below). If Moodys and S&P do not make such rating available, the rate shall be determined by reference to equivalent ratings issued by a substitute rating agency. In the case of a special dividend period, (1) the maximum applicable rate will be specified by the Fund in the notice of special dividend period for such dividend period, (2) the applicable percentage of the reference rate
and the applicable spread plus the reference rate will be determined on the date two business days before the first day of such special dividend period and (3) the reference rate will be the applicable LIBOR Rate (for a dividend period of fewer than 365 days) or the Treasury Index Rate (for a dividend period of 365 days or more).
Applicable Percentage | ||||||
MOODYS | S&P | of the Reference Rate | Applicable Spread | |||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Aaa | AAA | 125 | % | 125 bps | ||
|
|
150 | % | 150 bps | ||
|
|
200 | % | 200 bps | ||
|
|
250 | % | 250 bps | ||
|
|
300 | % | 300 bps |
Assuming the Fund maintains an AAA/Aaa rating on the APS, the practical effect of the different methods used to calculate the maximum applicable rate is shown in the table below:
Maximum Applicable | ||||||
|
Maximum Applicable Rate | Method Used to | ||||
Applicable Percentage | Using the Applicable Spread | Determine the | ||||
Reference Rate | of the Reference Rate | Over the Reference Rate | Maximum Applicable Rate | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 | % | 1.25 | % | 2.25 | % | Spread |
2 | % | 2.50 | % | 3.25 | % | Spread |
3 | % | 3.75 | % | 4.25 | % | Spread |
4 | % | 5.00 | % | 5.25 | % | Spread |
5 | % | 6.25 | % | 6.25 | % | Either |
6 | % | 7.50 | % | 7.25 | % | Percentage |
Prior to each dividend payment date, the Fund is required to deposit with the auction agent sufficient funds for the payment of declared dividends. The failure to make such deposit will not result in the cancellation of any auction. The Fund does not intend to establish any reserves for the payment of dividends.
The Fund will take all reasonable action necessary to enable Moodys and S&P to provide ratings for each series of APS. If such ratings are not made available by Moodys or S&P, the underwriters or their affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Fund, will select one or more other rating agencies to act as substitute rating agencies.
The LIBOR Rate is the applicable London Inter-Bank Offered Rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the period most closely approximating the applicable dividend period for a series of APS. For a more detailed description, please see the Articles Supplementary.
The Treasury Index Rate is the average yield to maturity for certain U.S. Treasury securities having substantially the same length to maturity as the applicable dividend period for a series of APS. For a more detailed description, please see the Articles Supplementary.
Effect of failure to pay dividends in a timely manner. If the Fund fails to pay the auction agent the full amount of any dividend for any shares of APS in a timely manner, but the Fund cures such failure and pays any late charge before 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the third business day following the date the failure occurred, no auction will be held for the APS for the first subsequent dividend period thereafter, and the dividend rate for the APS for that subsequent dividend period will be the maximum rate. However, if the Fund does not effect a timely cure, no auction will be held for the APS for the first subsequent dividend period thereafter (and for any dividend period thereafter, up to and including the dividend period during which the failure is cured and the late charge is paid), and
Restrictions on dividends and other distributions. Under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may not (i) declare any dividend with respect to the APS if, at the time of such declaration (and after giving effect thereto), asset coverage with respect to the Funds borrowings that are senior securities representing indebtedness (as defined in the Investment Company Act) would be less than 200% (or such other percentage as may in the future be specified in or under the Investment Company Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities representing indebtedness of a closed-end investment company as a condition of declaring dividends on its preferred stock) or (ii) declare any other distribution on the APS or purchase or redeem shares of APS if at the time of the declaration (and after giving effect thereto), asset coverage with respect to the Funds senior securities representing indebtedness would be less than 300% (or such other percentage as may in the future be specified in or under the Investment Company Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities representing indebtedness of a closed-end investment company as a condition of declaring distributions on or effecting purchases or redemptions of any class of its capital stock). Senior securities representing indebtedness generally means any bond, debenture, note or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security (other than shares of beneficial interest) and evidencing indebtedness and could include the Funds obligations under any borrowings. For purposes of determining asset coverage for senior securities representing indebtedness in connection with the payment of dividends or other distributions on or purchases or redemptions of stock, the term senior security does not include any promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in consideration of any loan, extension or renewal thereof, made by a bank or other person and privately arranged, and not intended to be publicly distributed. The term senior security also does not include any such promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness in any case where such a loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the time the loan is made; a loan is presumed under the Investment Company Act to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed; otherwise it is presumed not to be for temporary purposes. For purposes of determining whether the 200% and 300% asset coverage requirements described above apply in connection with dividends or distributions on or purchases or redemptions of shares of APS, such asset coverages may be calculated on the basis of values calculated as of a time within 48 hours (not including Sundays or holidays) next preceding the time of the applicable determination.
In addition, a declaration of a dividend or other distribution on or purchase or redemption of shares of APS may be prohibited (i) at any time when an event of default under any borrowings has occurred and is continuing; or (ii) after giving effect to such declaration, the Fund would not have eligible portfolio holdings with an aggregated discounted value at least equal to any asset coverage requirements associated with such borrowings; or (iii) the Fund has not redeemed the full amount of borrowings, if any, required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption. While any shares of APS are outstanding, the Fund generally may not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of its common stock. In addition, the Fund may not call for redemption or redeem any of its common stock. However, the Fund is not confined by the above restrictions if:
The Fund generally will not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend on any class or series of shares of capital stock of the Fund ranking, as to the payment of dividends, on a parity with the APS unless the Fund has declared and paid or contemporaneously declares and pays full cumulative dividends on each series of APS through its most recent dividend payment date. However, when the Fund has not paid dividends in full upon the shares of each series of APS through the most recent dividend payment date or upon any other class or series of shares of the Fund ranking, as to the payment of dividends, on a parity with the APS through their most recent respective dividend payment dates, the amount of dividends declared per share on the APS and such other class or series of shares will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on the APS and such other class or series of shares bear to each other.
Declaration of special dividend periods. The Fund may, under certain circumstances, declare a special dividend period for a particular series of APS. Upon declaring a special dividend period, the Fund will give notice to the auction agent and each Broker-Dealer. The notice will request that the next succeeding Dividend Period for the series of APS be a number of days (greater than 7) evenly divisible by seven as specified in such notice and not more than 1,820 days long; provided, however, that a special dividend period may be a number of days not evenly divisible by seven if all shares of the series of APS are to be redeemed at the end of such special dividend period. The Fund may not request a special dividend period unless sufficient clearing bids for shares of such series were made in the most recent auction (that is, in general, the number of shares subject to buy orders by potential holders is at least equal to the number of shares subject to sell orders by existing holders). In addition, full cumulative dividends, any amounts due with respect to mandatory redemptions and any additional dividends payable prior to such date must be paid in full or deposited with the auction agent. Prior to declaring a special dividend period, the Fund will confirm that, as of the auction date next preceding the first day of such special dividend period, it has eligible assets with an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount (as defined below). The Fund also intends to consult with the Broker-Dealers and provide notice to each rating agency which is then rating the APS and so requires. A notice of special dividend period also will specify whether the APS will be subject to optional redemption during such special dividend period and, if so, the redemption premium, if any, required to be paid by the Fund in connection with such optional redemption. If the Fund proposes to designate any special dividend period, not fewer than 20 (or such lesser number of days as may be agreed from time to time by the auction agent and each Broker-Dealer) nor more than 30 business days prior to the first day of such Special Dividend Period, notice shall be mailed to Holders of such series of APS. Each such notice shall state (A) that the Fund proposes to exercise its option to designate a succeeding special dividend period, specifying the special dividend periods first day and (B) that the Fund will by 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day next preceding the first day of such special dividend period, notify the auction agent, who will promptly notify the Broker-Dealers, of either (x) its determination, subject to certain conditions, to proceed with such special dividend period, subject to the terms of any specific redemption provisions, or (y) its determination not to proceed with such special dividend period, in which latter event the succeeding Dividend Period shall be a minimum dividend period. No later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day next preceding the first day of any proposed special dividend period, the Fund shall deliver to the auction agent, who will promptly deliver to the Broker-Dealers, either: (i) A notice stating (A) that the Fund has determined to designate the next succeeding Dividend Period as a special dividend period, specifying the first and last days thereof and (B) the terms of any specific redemption provisions; or (ii) a notice stating that the Fund has determined not to exercise its option to designate a special dividend period. If the Fund fails to deliver either such notice with respect to any designation of any proposed special dividend period to the auction agent by 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second business day next preceding the first
day of such proposed special dividend period, the Fund shall be deemed to have delivered a notice to the auction agent with respect to such Dividend Period to the effect set forth in clause (ii) above, thereby resulting in a minimum dividend period. The Fund must also have received confirmation from Moodys and S&P or any substitute rating agency that the proposed special dividend period will not adversely affect such rating agencys then-current rating on the APS, and the lead Broker-Dealer designated by the Fund, initially [ ], must not have objected to the declaration of a special dividend period.
REDEMPTION
Mandatory redemption. The Fund is required to maintain (a) a Discounted Value of eligible portfolio securities equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount and (b) the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage. Eligible portfolio securities for purposes of (a) above will be determined from time to time by the rating agencies then rating the APS. If the Fund fails to maintain such asset coverage amounts and does not timely cure such failure in accordance with the requirements of the rating agency that rates the APS, the Fund must redeem all or a portion of the APS. This mandatory redemption will take place on a date that the board of directors specifies out of legally available funds in accordance with the charter, the Articles Supplementary and applicable law, at the redemption price of $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption. The number of shares of APS that must be redeemed in order to cure such failure will be allocated pro rata among the outstanding shares of preferred stock of the Fund. The mandatory redemption will be limited to the number of shares of APS necessary to restore the required Discounted Value or the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage, as the case may be.
Optional redemption. The Fund, at its option, may redeem the APS, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefor. Any optional redemption will occur on any dividend payment date at the optional redemption price per share of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption plus the premium, if any, specified in a special redemption provision. No shares of APS may be redeemed if the redemption would cause the Fund to violate the Investment Company Act or applicable law. Shares of APS may not be redeemed in part if fewer than [ ] shares of APS would remain outstanding after the redemption. The Fund has the authority to redeem shares of APS for any reason.
The redemption price for a series of APS may include the payment of redemption premiums to the extent required under any applicable specific redemption provisions. The Fund will not make any optional redemption unless, after giving effect thereto, (i) the Fund has available certain deposit securities with maturities or tender dates not later than the day preceding the applicable redemption date and having a value not less than the amount (including any applicable premium) due to holders of the series of APS by reason of the redemption of the series of APS on such date fixed for the redemption and (ii) the Fund has eligible assets with an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a series of APS may not be redeemed at the option of the Fund unless all dividends in arrears on all outstanding series of APS, and any other outstanding preferred stock of the Fund, have been or are being contemporaneously paid or set aside for payment. This would not prevent the lawful purchase or exchange offer for a series of APS made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of the Fund.
LIQUIDATIONIn the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per share of preferred stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock.
RATING AGENCY GUIDELINES AND ASSET COVERAGE
The Fund is required under guidelines of Moodys and S&P to maintain assets having in the aggregate a Discounted Value at least equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount. Moodys and S&P have each established separate guidelines for calculating Discounted Value. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy a rating agencys guidelines, all or a portion of the holdings value will not be included in the rating agencys calculation of Discounted Value. The Moodys and S&P guidelines do not impose any limitations on the percentage of the Funds assets that may be invested in holdings not eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Discounted Value of the Funds portfolio. The amount of ineligible assets included in the Funds portfolio at any time may vary depending upon the rating, diversification and other characteristics of the eligible assets included in the portfolio. The Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount includes the sum of (a) the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred stock then outstanding and (b) certain accrued and projected payment obligations of the Fund.
The Fund is also required under the Investment Company Act to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% with respect to senior securities which are stock, including the APS and RPS (Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage). The Funds Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage is tested as of the last business day of each month in which any senior equity securities are outstanding. Based on the composition of the portfolio of the Fund and market conditions as of November 30, 2005, the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage with respect to all of the Funds preferred stock, assuming (1) the issuance on that date of all shares of APS offered hereby giving effect to the deduction of related sales load and related offering costs estimated at $[ ] and (2) that all amounts outstanding under the CP Notes had been repaid in full as of such date, would have been computed as follows:
Value of Fund assets less liabilities | ||||
not constituting senior securities | $ | |||
|
|
_______% | ||
Senior securities representing indebtedness | $ | |||
plus liquidation value of preferred stock |
In the event the Fund does not timely cure a failure to maintain (a) a Discounted Value of its portfolio equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount or (b) the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage, in accordance with the requirements of the rating agency or agencies then rating the APS or the Investment Company Act, as the case may be, the Fund will be required to redeem shares of APS as described under RedemptionMandatory Redemption above.
The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to the guidelines that may be established by Moodys or S&P. Failure to adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in the ratings described above or a withdrawal of ratings altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating for the APS may, at any time, change, suspend or withdraw any such rating. The board of
As described by Moodys and S&P, a preferred stock rating is an assessment of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock obligations. The rating on the APS is not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell shares of APS, inasmuch as the rating does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating agency guidelines referred to above also do not address the likelihood that an owner of shares of APS will be able to sell such shares in an auction or otherwise. The rating is based on current information furnished to Moodys and S&P by the Fund and the Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The rating may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information.
The rating agencys guidelines will apply to the APS only so long as the rating agency is rating the APS. The Fund will pay certain fees to Moodys and S&P for rating the APS.
VOTING RIGHTSExcept as otherwise provided in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information or as otherwise required by law, holders of APS will have equal voting rights with holders of common stock and any other series of preferred stock (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of common stock and preferred stock as a single class.
Holders of outstanding preferred stock, voting separately as one class, are entitled to elect two of the Funds directors. The remaining directors are elected by holders of the Funds common stock. In addition, if at any time dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on outstanding preferred stock are due and unpaid in an amount equal to two full years of dividends, and sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited with the auction agent for the payment of such dividends, then, the sole remedy of holders of outstanding preferred stock is that the number of directors constituting the board of directors will be automatically increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two directors elected exclusively by the holders of preferred stock as described above, would constitute a majority of the board of directors. The holders of preferred stock will be entitled to elect that smallest number of additional directors at a special meeting of shareholders held as soon as possible and at all subsequent meetings at which directors are to be elected. The terms of office of the persons who are directors at the time of that election will continue. If the Fund thereafter shall pay, or declare and set apart for payment, in full, all dividends payable on all outstanding preferred stock, the special voting rights stated above will cease, and the terms of office of the additional directors elected by the holders of preferred stock will automatically terminate.
As long as any shares of APS are outstanding, the Fund will not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two thirds of the shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time (voting separately as one class):
(a) | authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or issued number of, any class or series of shares ranking prior to the APS with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribu- tion of assets on liquidation; or | |
(b) | amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the charter, including the Articles Supplementary, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege or voting power of the APS or the holders of APS; provided that any increase in the amount of the authorized preferred stock or the creation and issuance of other series of preferred stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of such series or of any other series of preferred stock, in each case ranking on a parity with or | |
junior to the APS, will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers unless such issuance would cause the Fund not to satisfy the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage requirements or the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount requirements, in which case the vote or consent of the holders of the preferred stock is not required.
Unless a higher percentage is provided for under the charter, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock, including APS, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. The class vote of holders of shares of preferred stock, including APS, described above will in each case be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of shares of common stock and shares of preferred stock, including APS, necessary to authorize the action in question.
As defined in the 1940 Act, a reorganization includes:
(a) | a reorganization under the supervision of a court of competent jurisdiction; | |
(b) | a merger or consolidation; | |
(c) | a sale of 75% or more in value of the assets of the Fund; | |
(d) | a restatement of the capital of the Fund, or an exchange of securities issued by the Fund for any of its own outstanding securities; | |
(e) | a voluntary dissolution or liquidation of the Fund; | |
(f) | a recapitalization or other procedure or transaction which has for its purpose the alteration, modification, or elimination of any of the rights, preferences, or privileges of any class of securities issued by the Fund, as provided in its charter or other instrument creating or defining such rights, preferences, and privileges; | |
(g) | an exchange of securities issued by the Fund for outstanding securities issued by another company or companies, preliminary to and for the purpose of effecting or consummating any of the foregoing; or | |
(h) | any exchange of securities by a company which is not an investment company for securities issued by the Fund. | |
Under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, the vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities is required to authorize the Fund to:
(a) | convert from a closed-end to an open-end investment company; | |
(b) | borrow money, issue senior securities, underwrite securities issued by other persons, pur- chase or sell real estate or commodities or make loans to other persons, except in each case in accordance with the recitals of policy contained in the Funds registration statement with respect thereto; | |
(c) | deviate from its policy in respect of concentration of investments in the public utilities industry as recited in its registration statement, deviate from any investment policy which is changeable only if authorized by shareholder vote, or deviate from any other policy identi- fied as fundamental in its registration statement; or | |
(d) | change the nature of its business so as to cease to be an investment company. | |
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply with respect to the APS if, at or prior to the time when a vote is required, all shares of APS have been (i) redeemed or (ii) called for redemption and sufficient funds have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
The Auction
GENERAL
The Articles Supplementary provide that, except as otherwise described in this Prospectus, the applicable rate for each series of APS for each dividend period after the initial dividend period will be the rate that results from an auction conducted as set forth in the Articles Supplementary and summarized below. In such an auction, persons determine to hold or offer to sell or, based on dividend rates bid by them, offer to purchase or sell shares of APS. See the Articles Supplementary included in the Statement of Additional Information for a more complete description of the auction process.
Auction agency agreement. The Fund will enter into an auction agency agreement with the auction agent (currently, [ ]) which provides, among other things, that the auction agent will follow the auction procedures to determine the applicable rate for each series of APS, so long as the applicable rate for such series of APS is to be based on the results of an auction.
The auction agent may terminate the auction agency agreement upon 45 days notice to the Fund. If the auction agent should resign, the Fund will use its best efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor auction agent containing substantially the same terms and conditions as the auction agency agreement. The Fund may remove the auction agent provided that, prior to removal, the Fund has entered into a replacement agreement with a successor auction agent.
Broker-Dealer agreements. Each auction requires the participation of one or more Broker-Dealers. The auction agent will enter into agreements with several Broker-Dealers selected by the Fund, which provide for the participation of those Broker-Dealers in auctions for APS.
The auction agent will pay to each Broker-Dealer after each auction, from funds provided by the Fund, a service charge at the annual rate of 1 / 4 of 1% in the case of any auction before a dividend period of 364 days or less, or a percentage agreed to by the Fund and the Broker-Dealers, in the case of any auction before a dividend period of 365 days or longer, of the purchase price of APS placed by a Broker-Dealer at the auction.
The Fund may request the auction agent to terminate one or more Broker-Dealer Agreements at any time upon five days notice, provided that at least one Broker-Dealer Agreement is in effect after termination of the agreements.
The Broker-Dealer Agreements provide that a Broker-Dealer may submit orders in auctions for its own account, unless the Fund notifies all Broker-Dealers that they no longer may do so; provided that Broker-Dealers may continue to submit hold orders and sell orders. Any Broker-Dealer submitting an order for its own account in any auction could have an advantage over other potential holders in that it would have knowledge of other orders placed through it in that auction. A Broker-Dealer would not, however, have knowledge of orders submitted by other Broker-Dealers, if any. As a result of bidding by the Broker-Dealer in an auction, the applicable rate may be higher or lower than the rate that would have prevailed had the Broker-Dealer not bid. A Broker-Dealer may also bid in an auction in order to prevent what would otherwise be (1) a failed auction, (2) an all-hold auction, or (3) the implementation of an applicable rate that the Broker-Dealer believes, in its sole judgment, does not reflect the market for such securities at the time of the auction. Broker-Dealers may, but are not obligated to, advise owners of APS that the rate that will apply in an all-hold auction is often a lower rate than would apply if owners submit bids, and such advice if given, may facilitate the submission of bids by existing owners that would avoid the occurrence of an all-hold auction. In the Broker-Dealer Agreements, the Broker-Dealers agree to handle customers orders in accordance with their respective duties under applicable securities laws and rules.
The information in this paragraph has been furnished by the Underwriters for inclusion in this Prospectus. According to published news reports, the SEC has requested information from a number
of broker-dealers regarding certain of their practices in connection with auction rate securities, such as the practices described in the preceding paragraph. Such published news reports also indicate that the SEC has
requested that each broker-dealer receiving the request for information voluntarily conduct an investigation regarding its practices and procedures in auction rate securities markets. The Underwriters have advised the Fund that they and certain
other participants in the auction rate securities markets, including both taxable and tax-exempt markets, have received the request for information from the SEC described above. The Underwriters are cooperating with the SEC in providing the
requested information. No assurance can be given as to whether the results of this process will affect the market for the APS or the auctions therefor.
AUCTION PROCEDURES
The following is a brief summary of the auction procedures for the APS. They are described in the Statement of Additional Information in more detail.
Prior to the submission deadline on each auction date for shares of APS, each customer of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer (or, if applicable, the auction agent) as a beneficial owner of APS may submit the following types of orders with respect to shares of APS to that Broker-Dealer.
1. | Hold order-indicating its desire to hold shares of APS without regard to the applicable rate for the next dividend period. | |
2. | Bid order-indicating its desire to sell shares of APS at $25,000 per share if the applicable rate for the APS for the next dividend period is less than the rate or spread specified in the bid. | |
3. | Sell order-indicating its desire to sell shares of APS at $25,000 per share without regard to the applicable rate for the APS for the next dividend period. | |
A beneficial owner may submit different types of orders to its Broker-Dealer with respect to the shares of APS then held by the beneficial owner. A beneficial owner of shares of such series that submits its bid with respect to the APS to its Broker-Dealer having a rate higher than the maximum applicable rate for the APS on the auction date will be treated as having submitted a sell order to its Broker-Dealer. A beneficial owner of APS that fails to submit an order to its Broker-Dealer with respect to the APS will ordinarily be deemed to have submitted a hold order with respect to the APS to its Broker-Dealer. However, if a beneficial owner of APS fails to submit an order with respect to such shares of such series to its Broker-Dealer for an auction relating to a dividend period of more than 28 days, such beneficial owner will be deemed to have submitted a sell order to its Broker-Dealer. A sell order constitutes an irrevocable offer to sell the shares of APS subject to the sell order. A beneficial owner that offers to become the beneficial owner of additional shares of APS is, for purposes of such offer, a potential holder as discussed below.
A potential holder is either a customer of a Broker-Dealer that is not a beneficial owner of a series of APS but that wishes to purchase shares of APS of such series or that is a beneficial owner of shares of APS of such series that wishes to purchase additional shares of APS of such series. A potential holder may submit bids to its Broker-Dealer in which it offers to purchase shares of such series at $25,000 per share if the applicable rate for shares of such series for the next dividend period is not less than the specified rate in such bid. A bid placed by a potential holder of shares of such series specifying a rate higher than the maximum applicable rate for shares of such series on the auction date will not be accepted.
The Broker-Dealers in turn will submit the orders of their respective customers who are beneficial owners and potential holders to the auction agent. They will designate themselves (unless otherwise permitted by the Fund) as existing holders of shares subject to orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by beneficial owners. They will designate themselves as potential holders of shares subject to
orders submitted to them by potential holders. However, neither the Fund nor the auction agent will be responsible for a Broker-Dealers failure to comply with these procedures. Any order placed with the auction agent by a Broker-Dealer as or on behalf of an existing holder or a potential holder will be treated the same way as an order placed with a Broker-Dealer by a beneficial owner or potential holder. Similarly, any failure by a Broker-Dealer to submit to the auction agent an order for any shares of APS held by it or customers who are beneficial owners will be treated as a beneficial owners failure to submit to its Broker-Dealer an order in respect of shares of APS held by it. A Broker-Dealer may also submit orders to the auction agent for its own account as an existing holder or potential holder, provided it is not an affiliate of the Fund.
There are sufficient clearing bids for APS in an auction if the number of shares of APS subject to bids submitted or deemed submitted to the auction agent by Broker-Dealers for potential holders with rates or spreads equal to or lower than the maximum applicable rate for the APS is at least equal to or exceeds the sum of the number of shares of APS subject to sell orders and the number of shares of APS subject to bids specifying rates or spreads higher than the maximum applicable rate for APS submitted or deemed submitted to the auction agent by Broker-Dealers for existing holders of APS. If there are sufficient clearing bids for APS, the applicable rate for APS for the next succeeding dividend period thereof will be the lowest rate specified in the submitted bids which, taking into account such rate and all lower rates bid by Broker-Dealers as or on behalf of existing holders and potential holders, would result in existing holders and potential holders owning the shares of APS available for purchase in the auction.
If there are not sufficient clearing bids for APS, the applicable rate for the next dividend period will be the maximum applicable rate for APS on the auction date. If this happens, beneficial owners of APS that have submitted or are deemed to have submitted sell orders may not be able to sell in the auction all shares of APS subject to such sell orders. If all of the outstanding shares of APS are the subject of submitted hold orders, the applicable rate for the next dividend period will then be 80% of the Reference Rate.
The auction procedure includes a pro rata allocation of shares for purchase and sale, which may result in an existing holder continuing to hold or selling, or a potential holder purchasing, a number of shares of APS that is different than the number of shares specified in its order. To the extent the allocation procedures have that result, Broker-Dealers that have designated themselves as existing holders or potential holders in respect of customer orders will be required to make appropriate pro rata allocations among their respective customers.
Settlement of purchases and sales will be made on the next business day (which is also a dividend payment date) after the auction date through DTC. Purchasers will make payment through their Agent Members in same-day funds to DTC against delivery to their respective Agent Members. DTC will make payment to the sellers Agent Members in accordance with DTCs normal procedures, which now provide for payment against delivery by their Agent Members in same-day funds.
The auctions for APS, Series [ ] will normally be held every , and each subsequent dividend period will normally begin on the following [ ], the auctions for APS, Series [ ] will normally be held every [ ], and each subsequent dividend period will normally begin on the following [ ], and the auctions for APS, Series[ ] will normally be held every [ ], and each subsequent dividend period will normally begin on the following [ ].
The following is a simplified example of how a typical auction works. Assume that the Fund has 1,000 outstanding shares of APS and three existing holders. The three existing holders and three potential holders submit orders through Broker-Dealers at the auction:
Existing Holder A
|
Owns 500 shares, wants to sell all | Places bid order of 2.10% rate for all | ||
500 shares if applicable rate is less | 500 shares | |||
than 2.10% |
Existing Holder B
|
Owns 300 shares, wants to hold | Places hold order will take the | ||
Applicable Rate | ||||
Existing Holder C
|
Owns 200 shares, wants to sell all |
Places bid order of 1.90% rate for all
|
||
200 shares if applicable rate is less | 200 shares | |||
than 1.90% | ||||
Potential Holder D
|
Wants to buy 200 shares | Places order to buy at or above | ||
2.00%
|
||||
Potential Holder E
|
Wants to buy 300 shares |
Places order to buy at or above
|
||
1.90%
|
||||
Potential Holder F
|
Wants to buy 200 shares |
Places order to buy at or above
|
||
2.10%
|
The lowest dividend rate that will result in all 1,000 shares of APS continuing to be held is 2.00% (the offer by D). Therefore, the applicable rate will be 2.00% . Existing holders B and C will continue to own their shares. Existing holder A will sell its shares because As dividend rate bid was higher than the applicable rate. Potential holder D will buy 200 shares and potential holder E will buy 300 shares because their bid rates were at or below the applicable rate. Potential holder F will not buy shares because its bid rate was above the applicable rate.
If an auction date is not a business day because the New York Stock Exchange is closed for business due to an act of God, natural disaster, act of war, civil or military disturbance, act of terrorism, sabotage, riots or a loss or malfunction of utilities or communications services, or the auction agent is not able to conduct an auction in accordance with the auction procedures for any such reason, then the applicable rate for the next dividend period will be the applicable rate determined on the previous auction date.
If a Dividend Payment Date is not a business day because the New York Stock Exchange is closed for business due to an act of God, natural disaster, act of war, civil or military disturbance, act of terrorism, sabotage, riots or a loss or malfunction of utilities or communications services, or the dividend payable on such date can not be paid for any such reason, then:
(i) | The Dividend Payment Date for the affected Dividend Period will be the next business day on which the Fund and its paying agent, if any, can pay the dividend; | |
(ii) | The affected Dividend Period will end on the day it otherwise would have ended; and | |
(iii) | The next Dividend Period will begin and end on the dates on which it otherwise would have begun and ended. | |
SECONDARY MARKET TRADING AND TRANSFERS OF APS
The Broker-Dealers are expected to maintain a secondary trading market in the APS outside of auctions, but are not obligated to do so, and may discontinue such activity at any time. There can be no assurance that any secondary trading market in the APS will provide owners with liquidity of investment. The shares of APS will not be listed on any stock exchange or traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Investors who purchase shares in an auction for a special dividend period in which the Bid Requirements, if any, do not require a bid to specify a spread should note that because the dividend rate on such shares will be fixed for the length of such dividend period, the value of the shares may fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates and may be more or less than their original cost if sold on the open market in advance of the next auction. Investors who purchase shares in an auction for a special dividend period in which the Bid Requirements require a bid to specify a spread should be aware that the value of their shares may also fluctuate and may be more or less than their original cost if sold in the open market in advance of the next auction, particularly if market spreads narrow or widen in a manner unfavorable to such purchasers position.
Description of capital structure
The Funds authorized capital stock consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of which 223,181,435 were outstanding at September 30, 2005, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share, of which 5,000 were outstanding at September 30, 2005.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCKHolders of common stock are entitled to dividends when and as declared by the board of directors, to one vote per share in the election of directors (with no right of cumulation), and to equal rights per share in the event of liquidation. They have no preemptive rights. There are no redemption, conversion or sinking fund provisions. The shares are not liable to further calls or to assessment by the Fund.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCKThe Funds charter expressly grants authority to the board of directors to authorize the issue of one or more series of preferred stock, and to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of each such series the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemptions, of such series. To date, five series of RPS have been issued and [ ] series of APS have been authorized for issuance.
Holders of preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends before the holders of the common stock and are entitled to receive the liquidation value of their shares ($100,000 per share with respect to the RPS and $25,000 per share with respect to the APS, in each case plus accumulated but unpaid dividends) before any distributions are made to the holders of the common stock, in the event the Fund is ever liquidated. Each share of preferred stock is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of the preferred stock have the right to elect two directors of the Fund at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if at any time dividends on the preferred stock are unpaid for two years. In addition to any approval by the holders of the shares of the Fund that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the preferred stock, voting separately as a class, will be required under the Investment Company Act to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the holders of preferred stock and to approve, among other things,
Subject to certain restrictions, the Fund may, and under certain circumstances is required to, redeem all or a portion of the RPS at a price of $100,000 per share and all or a portion of the APS at a price of $25,000 per share, in each case plus accumulated but unpaid dividends. The shares of preferred stock are not liable to further calls or to assessment by the Fund. There are no preemptive rights or sinking fund or conversion provisions.
DESCRIPTION OF BORROWINGSThe Fund is authorized to borrow money on a secured or unsecured basis for any purpose of the Fund in an aggregate amount not exceeding 15% of the value of the Funds total assets at the time of any such borrowing (exclusive of all obligations on amounts held as collateral for securities loaned to other persons to the extent that such obligations are secured by assets of at least equivalent value). However, for so long as the Funds preferred stock is rated by S&P, the Fund will limit the aggregate amount of its Borrowings to 10% of the value of its total assets and will not incur any Borrowings, unless advised by S&P that such Borrowings would not adversely affect S&Ps then-current rating of the preferred stock.
The Funds board of directors has authorized the Fund to issue up to $200,000,000 of CP Notes in minimum denominations of $100,000 with maturities up to 270 days. The CP Notes are generally sold on a discount basis, but may be sold on an interest-bearing basis. During 2004, interest rates on the CP Notes ranged from 1.21% to 2.71% . The CP Notes are not redeemable by the Fund nor are they subject to voluntary prepayment prior to maturity. The aggregate amount of CP Notes outstanding changes from time to time. At June 30, 2005, $200 million of CP Notes were outstanding with an amortized cost of $197,972,806. The CP Notes are unsecured, general obligations of the Fund. The CP Notes currently hold the highest short-term debt rating from Moodys and S&P.
To provide liquidity for the CP Note program, the Fund maintains an unsecured backup credit facility, which expires on December 11, 2006. The Fund is able to request loans under the credit facility of up to $100,000,000 at any one time, subject to certain restrictions. To date, the Fund has not made any borrowings under the credit facility.
The rights of lenders to the Fund to receive interest on and repayment of principal of any such Borrowings are senior to those of the Funds shareholders, including the holders of APS In addition, the CP Notes and the credit facility contain customary restrictive financial covenants. Among other things, the Fund is required to maintain eligible portfolio property having a discounted value of at least 4.05 times the Funds liabilities. The Fund is also required to maintain total assets equal to at least four times its liabilities, and net assets (defined as total assets less liabilities other than senior securities representing indebtedness) equal to at least four times the value of its senior securities representing indebtedness. In addition, the Fund may not declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend or other distribution in respect of its common or preferred stock, or call for redemption or redeem any of its common or preferred stock, when loans are outstanding under the credit facility, or when an event of default exists or would result under the credit facility.
Under the requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Fund, immediately after issuing any Borrowings that are senior securities representing indebtedness (as defined in the Investment Company Act), must have an asset coverage of at least 300%. With respect to any Borrowings, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of any such Borrowings that are senior securities representing indebtedness, issued by the Fund. Certain types of Borrowings may also result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverages or portfolio composition or otherwise. In addition, the Fund is subject to certain restrictions imposed
by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for CP Notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the Investment Company Act.
The Investment Company 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.
The Fund will utilize a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to pay in full all amounts outstanding under the CP Notes, after which the Fund intends to discontinue its CP Note program and terminate the related backup credit facility.
Dividend reinvestment planUnder the Funds dividend reinvestment plan common shareholders may elect to have all dividends and capital gains distributions paid on their common stock automatically reinvested by The Bank of New York, as agent for shareholders, in additional shares of common stock of the Fund. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan in the Statement of Additional Information for a description of the dividend reinvestment plan of the Fund.
Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE CHARTER
The Funds charter includes provisions that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of its board of directors and could have the effect of depriving common stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. The board of directors is divided into three classes, each having a term of three years. At each annual meeting of shareholders, the term of one class will expire. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the board of directors. A director may be removed from office only by vote of the holders of at least 75% of the shares of preferred stock or of common stock, as the case may be, entitled to be voted on the matter.
The Funds charter requires the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of the shares of preferred stock and common stock of the Fund entitled to be voted on the matter, voting together as a single class, to approve, adopt or authorize the following:
(i) | a merger or consolidation of the Fund with another corporation, | |
(ii) | a sale of all or substantially all of the Funds assets (other than in the regular course of the Funds investment activities), or | |
(iii) | a liquidation or dissolution of the Fund, unless such action has been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of directors fixed in accordance with the bylaws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock and common stock entitled to be voted on the matter, voting together as a single class, is required. | |
In addition, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the preferred stock, voting separately as a class, would be required under the Investment Company Act to adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the holders of the preferred stock.
Finally, conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company would require an amendment to the charter. Such an amendment would require the favorable vote of the holders of a at least 75% of the shares of preferred stock and common stock of the Fund entitled to be voted on the matter, vot-
The board of directors has determined that the 75% voting requirements described above, which are greater than the minimum requirements under Maryland law or the Investment Company Act, are in the best interests of shareholders generally. Reference should be made to the charter on file with the SEC for the full text of these provisions.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS IN THE BYLAWS
The Funds bylaws establish advance notice procedures for shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders, and for proposed nominations of candidates for election to the board of directors at an annual or special meeting of shareholders. Generally, such notices must be received by the Secretary of the Fund, in the case of an annual meeting, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public announcement of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Reference should be made to the bylaws on file with the SEC for the detailed requirements of these advance notice procedures.
Repurchase of common stockShares of closed-end investment companies often trade at a discount to their net asset values, and the Funds common stock may also trade at a discount to its net asset value, although it is possible that it may trade at a premium above net asset value. The market price of the Funds common stock is determined by such factors as relative demand for and supply of such common stock in the market, the Funds net asset value, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund. Although the Funds common shareholders do not have the right to redeem their common stock, the Fund may take action to repurchase common stock in the open market or make tender offers for its common stock. This may have the effect of reducing any market discount from net asset value.
There is no assurance that, if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares of common stock, such action will result in the common stock trading at a price which approximates net asset value. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price of the Funds common stock, you should be aware that the acquisition of shares of common stock by the Fund will decrease the total net assets of the Fund and, therefore, may have the effect of increasing the Funds expense ratio and decreasing the asset coverage with respect to any APS outstanding. Any share repurchases or tender offers will be made in accordance with requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act and the principal stock exchange on which the common stock is traded.
U.S. federal income tax matters
The following is a summary discussion of certain federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a U.S. shareholder that acquires, holds and/or disposes of shares of APS. It reflects provisions of the Code, existing Treasury regulations, rulings published by the IRS, and other applicable authority, in each case as of the date of this Prospectus. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Fund and does not constitute tax advice. For more detailed information regarding tax considerations, see the Statement of Additional Information. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular investors. In addition, income earned through an investment in the Fund may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes.
TAXATION OF THE FUNDThe Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies under the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code. As long as the Fund so qualifies, in any taxable year in which it distributes at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (consisting generally of taxable net investment income, net short-term capital gain and net realized gains from certain hedging transactions) and certain other income, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income and gain each year.
The Fund intends to take the position that under present law the APS will constitute stock of the Fund, and distributions by the Fund with respect to its APS (other than distributions in redemption of APS that are treated as exchanges of stock under Section 302(b) of the Code) will constitute dividends to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for federal income tax purposes. It is possible, however, that the IRS might take a contrary position, asserting, for example, that the APS constitutes debt of the Fund. If this position were upheld, distributions by the Fund to holders of APS would constitute interest, whether or not they exceeded the earnings and profits of the Fund, would be included in full in the income of the recipient and would be taxed as ordinary income. The following discussion assumes that shares of APS are treated as stock.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERSDistributions of any net investment income and net short-term capital gain will be taxable as ordinary income (except to the extent that a reduced capital gains tax rate applies to qualified dividend income). Distributions of the Funds net capital gain, if any, will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time they held their shares. So long as the Fund has capital loss carryforwards, distributions derived from capital gains in the Funds portfolio may constitute ordinary income, rather than capital gains, to shareholders.
Distributions, if any, in excess of the Funds earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holders shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder (assuming the shares are held as capital assets). For purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, the Funds earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Funds preferred stock and then to the Funds common stock.
Subject to certain conditions and limitations, including certain holding period requirements for the Fund and the shareholders under applicable federal income tax provisions, a corporation receiving
To the extent that the source of dividends or distributions with respect to the APS is dividends received by the Fund that would be eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction, a corporate holder of APS will be allowed a deduction equal to 70% of the dividends paid to it by the Fund that are designated by the Fund as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction. The aggregate amount of Dividends Received Deductions that may be taken by a corporation is limited to 70% of its taxable income, computed without regard to any net operating loss deduction. The portion of a dividend on the APS that can be designated as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction will be limited by the fact that dividend income received by the Fund is allocated to the RPS first, before being allocated to any other class or series of the Funds stock. Dividends on the APS and the Funds common stock will be designated as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction only to the extent that any qualifying income remains after dividends are paid on the RPS.
Dividends and other distributions declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a date in any of those months will be deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by the shareholders on December 31 of that year if the distributions are paid by the Fund during the following January. Accordingly, those distributions will be taxed to shareholders for the year in which that December 31 falls.
The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year. The IRS has taken the position that if a regulated investment company has more than one class of stock, it may designate distributions made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than that classs proportionate share of particular types of income for that year, including ordinary income and net capital gain. A classs proportionate share of a particular type of income for a year is determined according to the percentage of total dividends paid by the regulated investment company during that year to the class. The IRS, however, will not render such designations ineffective for federal income tax purposes even if it is a disproportionate designation as long as such designation is made pursuant to a rule described in a registration statement that was filed with the SEC before June 13, 1989.
The Fund has received a private letter ruling from the IRS that states that the IRS will respect the Funds proposed method of designating income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to the RPS, common stock and the APS. More specifically, the IRS will respect the Funds designation of income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to the RPS pro rata between dividend income that is eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction (and that constitutes qualified dividend income) and dividend income that is eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction (but does not constitute qualified dividend income). To the extent any qualifying income remains after dividends are paid on the RPS, distributions on the common stock and the APS will be designated as income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction on a pro rata basis between these classes. Dividend income constitutes qualified dividend income (but is not eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction) and net capital gain will be designated to the common stock and the APS (and to the RPS to the extent the Funds qualified income is less than the distribution to the RPS) on a pro rata basis among these classes.
If at any time when any shares of APS are outstanding the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to
Under current law, the U.S. federal income tax rate on long-term capital gains recognized by individuals is 15% (or 5% for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets) and by corporations is 35%. Qualified dividend income received by individuals from certain domestic and foreign corporations also is taxed at this reduced capital gains tax rate (not eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction). Qualified dividend income received by corporations is taxed at ordinary income tax rates. The reduced long-term capital gains tax rate will apply to capital gains realized by shareholders who sell shares of APS that they have held for more than one year. The reduced rates, which do not apply to short-term capital gains, generally apply to long-term capital gains from sales or exchanges (and to Fund distributions of such gain) for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009. Fund distributions designated as capital gain dividends should be eligible for the reduced rate applicable to long-term capital gains for individuals. Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund will be eligible to be treated by individual Fund shareholders as qualified dividend income taxed at the reduced capital gains rate to the extent that some portion of the Funds dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund and to the extent that the Fund designates such portion as qualified dividend income. The reduced rates apply only if certain holding period requirements are satisfied by the shareholder. For this purpose, qualified dividend income means dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations and qualifying foreign corporations, provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations. As is the case with the Dividends Received Deduction, to the extent the Fund is required to allocate income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to the RPS, the allocation to the RPS generally will reduce the dividends on the common stock and the APS that are eligible for the special qualified dividend rate.
In the case of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not treated as qualified dividend income. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs are treated as qualified dividend income eligible for this lower tax rate only in limited circumstances.
These special rules relating to the taxation of the Funds ordinary income dividends as qualified dividend income generally apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009. Thereafter, the Funds dividends, other than capital gain dividends, will be fully taxable at ordinary income tax rates unless further legislative action is taken.
A dividend paid by the Fund to a shareholder will not be treated as qualified dividend income of the 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 (or more than 90 days during the associated 181-day period, in the case of dividends attributable to periods in excess of 366 days paid with respect to preferred stock), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, or (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest.
The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
SALES OF APSThe sale of APS (including transfers in connection with a redemption or repurchase of APS treated as a sale or exchange) will be a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes. A selling shareholder generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash (plus the fair market value of any property received) and the holders adjusted tax basis in the APS. If the shares of APS are held as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be long-term if the shares of APS have been held for more than one year. The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers is (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less, or (ii) 15% for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year (as well as certain capital gain dividends) (5% for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets). The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by a corporate taxpayer is 35%. Any loss realized on a disposition of shares of APS held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term, rather than a short-term, capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received with respect to those shares of APS. A shareholders holding period for APS is suspended for any periods during which the shareholders risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more other positions in substantially similar or related property, or through certain options, sales contracts or short sales. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of APS will be disallowed to the extent those shares of APS are replaced by other substantially identical shares within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date of disposition of the original shares of APS. In that event, the basis of the replacement shares of APS will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
An investor should also be aware that the benefits of the reduced tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual shareholders.
BACKUP WITHHOLDINGThe Fund is required to withhold a percentage of all taxable dividends, capital gain distributions and repurchase proceeds payable to any individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders who do not provide the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number. Such withholding from taxable dividends and capital gain distributions is also required for such shareholders who fail to provide certain certifications or otherwise are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
The foregoing briefly summarizes some of the important federal income tax consequences of investing in the APS, reflects the federal tax law as of the date of this Prospectus, and does not address spe-
cial tax rules applicable to certain types of investors, such as foreign investors. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding other federal, state or local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances, as well as any proposed tax law changes. A more complete discussion of the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders can be found in the Statement of Additional Information, which is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
The underwriters named below (the Underwriters), acting through [ ] as lead manager and [ ] as their representatives (together with the lead manager, the Representatives), have severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement with the Fund and the Adviser, to purchase from the Fund the number of APS set forth below their respective names. The Underwriters are committed to purchase and pay for all of the Funds APS if any are purchased.
Underwriters
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Number of shares of APS
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The Underwriters have advised the Fund that they propose initially to offer the APS of the Fund to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $[ ] per share. The sales load the Fund will pay of $[ ] per share of APS is equal to [ ]% of the initial offering price. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of $[ ] per share to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed. Investors must pay for any APS purchased on or before [ ], 2006.
The Underwriters will act in auctions as Broker-Dealers as set forth under The Auctions and will be entitled to fees for services as Broker-Dealers as set forth therein. The Underwriters also may provide information to be used in ascertaining the reference rate.
The Fund anticipates that the Representatives and certain other Underwriters may from time to time act as brokers and dealers in connection with the execution of the Funds portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be principal underwriters of the Fund under the Investment Company Act and, subject to certain conditions, may act as such brokers while they are principal underwriters.
In connection with this offering, certain of the Underwriters or selected dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.
The Fund and the Adviser have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Custodian, transfer agent and auction agent
The Funds custodian is The Bank of New York, Church Street Station, Post Office Box 11258, New York, New York 10286. The transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Funds common and preferred stock is The Bank of New York, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 11258, New York, New York 10286. The Funds auction agent is [ ].
Certain legal matters in connection with the shares of APS offered hereby will be passed upon by Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP, Chicago, Illinois, and for the Underwriters by [ ].
Available informationThe Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act and is required to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These documents can be inspected and copied for a fee at the SECs public reference room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SECs Northeast Regional Office, 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279. Reports, proxy statements, and other information about the Fund can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
This Prospectus does not contain all of the information in the Funds registration statement, including amendments, exhibits, and schedules. Statements in this Prospectus about the contents of any contact or other document are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contact or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by this reference.
Additional information about the Fund and the APS can be found in the Funds registration statement (including amendments, exhibits, and schedules) on Form N-2 filed with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains the Funds registration statement, other documents incorporated by reference, and other information the Fund has filed electronically with the SEC, including proxy statements and reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Privacy principles of the FundThe 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 Funds investment adviser and its 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.
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Investment Objectives, Policies and Techniques | 2 | |
Management of the Fund | 4 | |
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage | 14 | |
Additional Information Concerning the Auctions for APS | 15 | |
Repurchase of Common Stock | 21 | |
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters | 24 | |
Experts | 30 | |
Additional Information | 30 | |
APPENDIX A: Articles Supplementary creating [ ] series of Auction Preferred Stock | 32 |
[Duff & Phelps Logo TK]
The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus.
Subject to Completion, dated ___________ __, 2005
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
, 2005
DNP Select Income Fund Inc.
55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 368-5510
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the prospectus of DNP Select Income Fund Inc., subject to completion, dated __, 2005 as supplemented from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. This SAI should be read in conjunction with such prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained without charge by contacting your financial intermediary or calling the Fund at (888) 878-7845.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Investment Policies, Techniques and Restrictions | 2 |
Management of the Fund | 4 |
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage | 14 |
Additional Information Concerning the Auctions for APS | 15 |
Repurchase of Common Stock | 21 |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan | 22 |
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters | 24 |
Experts | 30 |
Additional Information | 30 |
APPENDIX A: Articles Supplementary creating [ ] series of Auction Preferred Stock | 32 |
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INVESTMENT POLICIES, TECHNIQUES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Funds primary investment objectives are current income and long-term growth of income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity and fixed income securities of companies in the public utilities industry.
Fundamental Investment RestrictionsThe following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund that may be changed only with approval of the holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the outstanding shares of the Funds common stock and preferred stock voting together as a single class:
1. | The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets (valued at the time of investment) in securi- ties of companies engaged principally in any one industry other than the public utilities industry, which includes companies engaged in the production, transmission or distribution of electric energy or gas or in telephone services, except that this restriction does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. | ||
2. | The Fund may not: | ||
(a) | invest more than 5% of its total assets (valued at the time of the investment) in the securities of any one issuer, except that this restriction does not apply to U.S. government securities; or | ||
(b) | acquire more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer (at the time of acquisition); | ||
except that up to 25% of the Funds total assets (at the time of investment) may be invested without regard to the limitations set forth in this restriction. | |||
3. | The Fund may borrow money on a secured or unsecured basis for any purpose of the Fund in an aggre- gate amount not exceeding 15% of the value of the Funds total assets at the time of any such borrow- ing (exclusive of all obligations on amounts held as collateral for securities loaned to other persons to the extent that such obligations are secured by assets of at least equivalent value). | ||
4. | The Fund may not pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to secure indebtedness permitted by restriction 3 above. (The deposit in escrow of securities in connection with the writing of put and call options, collateralized loans of securities and collateral arrangements with respect to margin requirements for futures transactions and with respect to segregation of securities in connection with forward contracts are not deemed to be pledges or hypothecations for this purpose.) | ||
5. | The Fund may make loans of securities to other persons to the extent of not more than 33 1/3% of its total assets (valued at the time of the making of loans), and may invest without limitation in short-term obligations and publicly distributed obligations. | ||
6. | The Fund may not underwrite the distribution of securities of other issuers, although it may acquire securities that, in the event of a resale, might be required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 because the Fund could be regarded as an underwriter as defined in that act with respect to the resale. | ||
7. | The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate or any interest therein, except that the Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein, such as mortgage pass-throughs, pay-throughs, col- lateralized mortgage obligations, and securities issued by companies (including partnerships and real estate investment trusts) that invest in real estate or interests therein. | ||
8. | The Fund may acquire securities of other investment companies to the extent (at the acquisition) of (i) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) not more than 5% of the assets of the Fund in any one investment company and (iii) not more than 10% of the assets of the Fund in all investment companies (exclusive in each case of securities received as a dividend or as a result of a merger, consolidation or other plan of reorganization). | ||
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The Fund may not invest for the purpose of exercising control over or management of any company. | |
10. |
The Fund may not purchase securities on margin, or make short sales of securities, except the use of short-term credit necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, futures and options on futures. | |
11. |
The Fund may not purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except that it may enter into (i) stock index futures transactions, interest rate futures transactions and options on such future transactions and (ii) forward contracts on foreign currencies to the extent permitted by applicable law. | |
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The Fund may not issue any security senior to its common stock, except that the Fund may borrow money subject to investment restriction 3 and except as permitted by the Funds charter. | |
Additional Nonfundamental Restrictions.
The Fund may not (i) invest in securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, if, as a result of such investment, more than 10% of the Funds total assets would be invested in such securities, or (ii) acquire 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of a public utility company.
Other Significant Investment PoliciesThe following are other significant investment policies and restrictions of the Fund, which may be changed by the board of directors without the approval of the Funds shareholders.
Fixed Income Securities. The Fund purchases a fixed income security only if, at the time of purchase, it is (i) rated investment grade by at least two of the following three nationally recognized statistical rating organizations: Moodys, S&P and Fitch, Inc. or (ii) determined by the Funds investment adviser to be of investment grade and not rated below investment grade by any of the aforementioned rating services. A fixed income security rated investment grade has a rating of BBB- or better by Fitch, Baa3 or better by Moodys, or BBB- or better by S&P. In making its determination that a fixed income security is investment grade, the Funds investment adviser will use the standards used by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
Rating Agency Guidelines. The Funds preferred stock is currently rated by Moodys and S&P, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, which issue ratings for various securities reflecting the perceived cred-itworthiness of those securities. The Fund intends that, so long as shares of its preferred stock are outstanding, the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by the foregoing rating organizations in connection with the Funds receipt of the highest rating for its preferred stock from at least two of such rating organizations.
Options and Futures Transactions. The Fund may seek to increase its current return by writing covered options. In addition, through the writing and purchase of options and the purchase and sale of futures contracts and related options, the Fund may at times seek to hedge against a decline in the value of securities owned by it or an increase in the price of securities which it plans to purchase. However, for so long as shares of the Funds preferred stock are rated either by Moodys or S&P, the Fund will not purchase or sell futures contracts or related options or engage in other hedging transactions unless Moodys or S&P, as the case may be, advises the Fund that such action or actions will not adversely affect its then-current rating of the Funds preferred stock.
Swap and Swaption Transactions. The Fund may utilize interest rate and credit swaps and swaptions, subject to the following restrictions: (i) swaps and swaptions must be U.S. dollar denominated and used for hedging purposes only; (ii) no more than 5% of the Funds total assets, at the time of purchase, may be invested in time premiums paid for swaptions; (iii) the terms of all swaps and swaptions must conform to the standards of the ISDA Master Agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.; and (iv) the counterparty must be a bank or broker-dealer firm regulated under the laws of the United States that is (A) on a list approved by the board of directors, (B) with capital of at least $100 million and (C) rated investment grade by both S&P and Moodys.
Credit Derivatives. The market value of the Funds investments in credit derivatives and/or premiums paid therefor as a buyer of credit protection will not exceed 10% of the Funds total assets and the notional value of the credit exposure to which the Fund is subject when it sells credit derivatives will not exceed 33 1/3% of the Funds total assets.
Percentage Restrictions
The Fund's investment policies, techniques and restrictioins that are set forth in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information may contain percentage restrictions with respect to the amount of the Fund's assets that may be invested in a given manner. If any such percentage restriction is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentages resulting from changes in value or in the number of outstanding securities of an issuer will not be considered a violation.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Advisory Agreement
Each year, the board of directors of the Fund, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund or the Adviser voting separately as a class, is required to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreement. The contracts committee of the board of directors, which is comprised solely of independent directors, requests and evaluates, and the Adviser furnishes, such information as the committee determines to be reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement. The contracts committee also retains an independent consultant on an annual basis to provide detailed comparative data regarding the Advisers fees and expense ratios and the Funds investment performance. The contracts committee then presents a recommendation to the board of directors regarding renewal of the Advisory Agreement.
In arriving at their decision to renew the current Advisory Agreement for a term ending on April 30, 2006, the directors reviewed the foregoing information and took into account all factors that they deemed relevant to the best interests of the shareholders of the Fund. Such factors included the following: (i) the nature, quality and extent of the services furnished to the Fund by the Adviser; (ii) fees paid by other mutual funds for similar services; (iii) the profitability to the Adviser of its relationship with the Fund; (iv) the continuation of appropriate incentives to assure that the Adviser will be able to continue to furnish high-quality services to the Fund; (v) the capabilities of the team of investment professionals employed by the Adviser who perform services for the Fund; (vi) the necessity of the Adviser maintaining and enhancing its ability to attract and retain capable personnel to serve the Fund; (vii) the investment performance over time of the Fund compared to various market indices and other mutual funds; (viii) the extent to which the Funds stock trades at a premium or a discount to net asset value; (ix) the benefits of any economies of scale that may be available to the Adviser; and (x) the direct and indirect benefits the Adviser receives from its relationship with the Fund, including brokerage and soft dollar arrangements.
In comparing the Funds expenses and investment performance to those of other mutual funds, the directors took note of the fact that until recently there have been no closed-end income-oriented funds with a utilities and REIT investment focus, an equity and fixed-income asset mix and an asset level and leverage policy comparable to the Fund. While expressly declining to use investment performance as the sole, or even the primary, measure of the quality of the Advisers services, the directors noted that the Funds investment performance during 2004 had enabled the Fund to pay all of its regular monthly dividends in 2004. The directors also viewed the fact that the Funds stock traded at an average premium of 36.3% to net asset value during 2004 as evidence that investors take a favorable view of the extent to which the Fund has been meeting its primary objective of providing current income for shareholders. With respect to investment personnel, the directors considered the fact that the specific individuals who manage the Funds portfolio bring a significant depth of experience to their jobs, have worked together for many years and are well respected in the industry. With respect to expenses, the directors noted that the management fees paid by the Fund were at or below the median levels paid by other leveraged closed-end domestic equity funds. It should be emphasized that, in arriving at their decision, the directors did not single out any one factor or group of factors as being more important than other factors. Rather, the directors considered all factors together in light of the totality of circumstances presently facing the Fund, recognizing that different circumstances might lead them to weigh the various factors differently when considering the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Based on the foregoing considerations, the board of directors of the Fund, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund or the Adviser voting separately as a class, determined that the fees payable to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable to the Fund and that the renewal of the Advisory Agreement for a one-year period ending on April 30, 2006 was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Directors and OfficersSet forth below are the names and certain biographical information about the directors and officers of the Fund. Except as indicated in the table, directors are elected by the holders of the Funds common stock. The officers are elected at the annual meeting of the board of directors of the Fund.
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Name, Address
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Independent Directors
|
|
|||||||
Stewart E. Conner
|
Director
|
Attorney, Wyatt Tarrant &
|
|
None
|
||||
(3)(4)
|
since
|
Combs LLP since 1966
|
|
|||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
April 2004.
|
(Chairman, Executive
|
|
|||||
Management Co.
|
Term
|
Committee 20002004,
|
|
|||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
expires
|
Managing Partner 1988-
|
|
|||||
Suite 3600
|
in 2007
|
2000
|
|
|||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
|
|||||||
Age: 64
|
|
|||||||
Connie K. Duckworth
|
Director
|
Partner, Eight Wings
|
|
Director, Smurfit-Stone
|
||||
(2)(4)
|
since
|
Enterprises (investor in
|
|
Container Corporation
|
||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
April 2002.
|
early-stage businesses)
|
|
(packaging manufacturer);
|
||||
Management Co.
|
Term
|
since December 2001;
|
|
Trustee, Northwestern
|
||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
expires
|
Advisory Director,
|
|
Mutual Life Insurance
|
||||
Suite 3600 |
in 2008 |
Goldman, Sachs & |
|
Company; Director and |
||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
Company, December 2000- |
|
Vice Chairman, Evanston |
|||||
Age: 51
|
December 2001 (Managing |
|
Northwestern Health Care |
|||||
Director, December 1996- |
|
Corporation; Member, |
||||||
December 2000, Partner |
|
Board of Overseers, |
||||||
1990-1996, Chief |
|
Wharton School of the |
||||||
Operating Officer of |
|
University of |
||||||
Firmwide Diversity |
|
Pennsylvania |
||||||
Committee 1990-1995); |
|
|||||||
Founder and President, |
|
|||||||
Arzu, Inc. (nonprofit |
|
|||||||
corporation created to raise |
|
|||||||
awareness of Afghan |
|
|||||||
women through sale of |
|
|||||||
homemade rugs) | ||||||||
Robert J. Genetski
|
Director
|
President, Robert Genetski
|
|
Director, Midwest Bank
|
||||
(2)(5)
|
since
|
& Associates, Inc.
|
|
and Trust Company
|
||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
April 2001.
|
(economic and financial
|
|
|||||
Management Co.
|
Term
|
consulting firm) since
|
|
|||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
expires
|
1991; Senior Managing
|
|
|||||
Suite 3600 |
in 2007 |
Director, Chicago Capital, |
||||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
Inc. (financial services |
|
||||||
Age: 62
|
firm) 1995-2001; former |
|
||||||
Senior Vice President and |
|
|||||||
Chief Economist, Harris |
|
|||||||
Trust & Savings Bank; |
|
|||||||
author of several books; |
|
|||||||
regular contributor to the |
|
|||||||
Nikkei Financial Daily |
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Age
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Francis E. Jeffries (1)
|
Director
|
Chairman of the Board,
|
28 | |||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
since
|
DTF Tax-Free Income Inc.
|
||||||
Management Co. |
January 1987.
|
and Duff & Phelps Utility
|
||||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
Term
|
and Corporate Bond Trust
|
||||||
Suite 3600
|
expires
|
Inc. (the DTF and DUC
|
||||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
in 2007
|
Funds) since September
|
||||||
Age: 75 |
Chairman
|
1991 and November 1992,
|
||||||
since
|
respectively (President,
|
|||||||
May 2005
|
January 2000February
|
|||||||
(Vice
|
2004), Chairman, Phoenix
|
|||||||
Chairman
|
Investment Partners, Ltd.
|
|||||||
April 2004
|
November 1995May
|
|||||||
May 2005).
|
1997; Chairman and Chief
|
|||||||
Executive Officer, Duff &
|
||||||||
Phelps Corporation, June
|
||||||||
1993November 1995
|
||||||||
(President and Chief
|
||||||||
Executive Officer, January
|
||||||||
1992June 1993); |
||||||||
Chairman of the Board,
|
||||||||
Duff & Phelps Investment
|
||||||||
Management Co. 1988
|
||||||||
1993
|
||||||||
Nancy Lampton
|
Director
|
Chairman and Chief
|
3 |
Director, Constellation
|
||||
(3)(4)(5) |
since
|
Executive Officer,
|
Energy Group, Inc.
|
|||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
October 1994.
|
Hardscuffle Inc. (insurance
|
(public utility holding
|
|||||
Management Co. |
Term
|
holding company) since
|
company);Advisory
|
|||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
expires
|
January 2000; Chairman
|
Board Member,
|
|||||
Suite 3600
|
in 2006.
|
and Chief Executive
|
Thorium Power, Inc.
|
|||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
Officer, American Life and
|
(designer of non-
|
||||||
Age: 63 |
Accident Insurance
|
proliferative fuel for
|
||||||
Company of Kentucky
|
nuclear energy needs)
|
|||||||
since 1971 | ||||||||
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Age
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Christian H. Poindexter
|
Director
|
Retired Chairman and
|
1 |
Director, Mercantile
|
||||
(2)(3)
|
since
|
Chief Executive Officer,
|
Bankshares Corporation
|
|||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
May 2003.
|
Constellation Energy
|
(bank holding company);
|
|||||
Management Co.
|
Term
|
Group, Inc. (public utility
|
Director, The Baltimore
|
|||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
expires
|
holding company)
|
Life Insurance Company;
|
|||||
Suite 3600
|
in 2006.
|
(Executive Committee
|
Member, Finance and
|
|||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
Chairman, July 2002
|
Investment Committee,
|
||||||
Age: 67
|
March 2003; Chairman of
|
National Executive Board,
|
||||||
the Board, April 1999July
|
Boy Scouts of America
|
|||||||
2002; Chief Executive
|
||||||||
Officer, April 1999
|
||||||||
October 2001; President,
|
||||||||
April 1999October 2000);
|
||||||||
Chairman, Baltimore Gas
|
||||||||
and Electric Company,
|
||||||||
January 1993July 2002
|
||||||||
(Chief Executive Officer,
|
||||||||
January 1993July 2000;
|
||||||||
President, March 1998
|
||||||||
October 2000; Director,
|
||||||||
19882003)
|
||||||||
Carl F. Pollard (1)(2)
|
Director
|
Owner, Hermitage Farm
|
1 |
Chairman and Director,
|
||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
since
|
L.L.C. (thoroughbred
|
Churchill Downs
|
|||||
Management Co.
|
April 2002.
|
breeding) since January
|
Incorporated
|
|||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
Term
|
1995; Chairman, Columbia
|
||||||
Suite 3600
|
expires
|
Healthcare Corporation
|
||||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
in 2008.
|
1993-1994; Chairman and
|
||||||
Age: 67
|
Chief Executive Officer,
|
|||||||
Galen Health Care, Inc.
|
||||||||
March-August 1993;
|
||||||||
President and Chief
|
||||||||
Operating Officer, Humana
|
||||||||
Inc. 1991-1993 (previously
|
||||||||
Senior Executive Vice
|
||||||||
President, Executive Vice
|
||||||||
President and Chief
|
||||||||
Financial Officer)
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Name, Address
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Age
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
David J. Vitale (1)(4)
|
Director
|
Chief Administrative
|
3 |
Director, ISO New
|
||||
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
|
since
|
Officer, Chicago Public
|
England Inc. (not for
|
|||||
Management Co. |
April 2000.
|
Schools since April 2003;
|
profit independent system
|
|||||
55 East Monroe Street,
|
Term
|
Private investor November
|
operator of New
|
|||||
Suite 3600
|
expires
|
2002April 2003; President |
Englands electricity
|
|||||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
in 2006.
|
. |
and Chief Executive
|
supply), Ariel Capital
|
||||
Age: 59
|
Officer, Board of Trade of
|
Management, Inc., Ark
|
||||||
the City of Chicago, Inc.,
|
Investment Management
|
|||||||
March 2001November
|
and Wheels, Inc.
|
|||||||
2002; Retired executive
|
||||||||
19992001; Vice Chairman
|
||||||||
and Director, Bank One
|
||||||||
Corporation, 19981999;
|
||||||||
Vice Chairman and
|
||||||||
Director, First Chicago
|
||||||||
NBD Corporation, and
|
||||||||
President, The First
|
||||||||
National Bank of Chicago,
|
||||||||
19951998; Vice |
||||||||
Chairman, First Chicago
|
||||||||
Corporation and The First
|
||||||||
National Bank of Chicago,
|
||||||||
19931998 (Director,
|
||||||||
19921998; Executive Vice
|
||||||||
President, 19861993)
|
(1) | Member of the executive committee of the board of directors, which has authority, with certain exceptions, to exercise the powers of the board of directors between board meetings. The executive committee did not meet during 2004. |
(2) | Member of the audit committee of the board of directors, which makes recommendations regarding the selec- tion of the Funds independent public accountants and meets with representatives of the accountants to deter- mine the scope of and review the results of each audit. The audit committee met twice and acted once by written consent during 2004. |
(3) | Member of the nominating and governance committee of the board of directors, which selects nominees for election as directors, recommends individuals to be appointed by the board as Fund officers and members of board committees and makes recommendations regarding other Fund governance and board administration matters. The nominating and governance committee met twice during 2004. The committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Shareholders wishing to recommend candidates to the committee should submit such recommendations to the Secretary of the Fund, 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603. The Secretary of the Fund will forward the recommendations to the nominating and governance committee for consideration. |
(4) | Member of the contracts committee of the board of directors, which makes recommendations regarding the Funds contractual arrangements for investment management and administrative services, including the terms and conditions of such contracts. The contracts committee met twice during 2004. |
(5) | Director elected by holders of preferred stock. |
8
Name, Address
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Age
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Officers of the Fund
|
||||||
Nathan I. Partain
|
President and Chief
|
President and Chief Executive
|
President and Chief
|
|||
55 East Monroe Street
|
Executive Officer
|
Officer since February 2001
|
Executive Officer, the DTF
|
|||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
(Chief Investment Officer since
|
and DUC Funds since
|
||||
Age: 49 |
January 1998, Executive Vice
|
February 2004; President,
|
||||
President April 1998-February
|
Duff & Phelps Investment
|
|||||
2001, Senior Vice President
|
Management Co. since
|
|||||
January 1997-April 1998, Assistant
|
April 2005 (Executive Vice
|
|||||
Secretary January 1997-February
|
President January 1997
|
|||||
2001).
|
April 2005); Director of
|
|||||
Utility Research, Phoenix
|
||||||
Investment Partners, Ltd.,
|
||||||
19891996 (Director of
|
||||||
Equity Research, 1993
|
||||||
1996 and Director of Fixed
|
||||||
Income Research, 1993)
|
||||||
T. Brooks Beittel
|
Secretary and Senior
|
Secretary and Senior Vice
|
Senior Vice President, Duff
|
|||
55 East Monroe Street
|
Vice President
|
President since January 1995
|
& Phelps Investment
|
|||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
(Treasurer January 1995-
|
Management Co. since
|
||||
Age: 55 |
September 2002).
|
1993 (Vice President 1987
|
||||
1993)
|
||||||
Michael Schatt
|
Senior Vice
|
Senior Vice President since April
|
Senior Vice President, Duff
|
|||
55 East Monroe Street
|
President
|
1998 (Vice President January
|
& Phelps Investment
|
|||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
1997-April 1998.
|
Management Co. since
|
||||
Age: 58 |
January 1997; Managing
|
|||||
Director, Phoenix
|
||||||
Investment Partners, Ltd.,
|
||||||
19941996
|
||||||
Joseph C. Curry, Jr.
|
Treasurer and Vice
|
Treasurer since September 2002;
|
Senior Vice President,
|
|||
Hilliard Lyons Center
|
President
|
Vice President since April 1988.
|
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons,
|
|||
Louisville, Kentucky
|
Inc. since 1994 (Vice
|
|||||
40202
|
President 19821994); Vice
|
|||||
Age: 61 |
President, Hilliard Lyons
|
|||||
Trust Company; President,
|
||||||
Hilliard-Lyons Government
|
||||||
Fund, Inc.; Vice President
|
||||||
and Assistant Treasurer,
|
||||||
Senbanc Fund
|
9
Name, Address
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Age
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Joyce B. Riegel
|
Chief Compliance
|
Chief Compliance Officer since
|
Chief Compliance Officer,
|
|||
55 East Monroe Street
|
Officer
|
February 2004.
|
the DTF and DUC Funds
|
|||
Chicago, Illinois 60603
|
since August 2003;
|
|||||
Age: 51 |
Chief Compliance Officer,
|
|||||
Duff & Phelps Investment
|
||||||
Management Co. since
|
||||||
August 2002; Vice
|
||||||
President and Chief
|
||||||
Compliance Officer, Stein
|
||||||
Roe Investment Counsel
|
||||||
LLC January 2001August
|
||||||
2002; Vice President and
|
||||||
Compliance Officer, Stein
|
||||||
Roe & Farnham
|
||||||
Incorporated July 1996
|
||||||
December 2000
|
||||||
Dianna P. Wengler
|
Assistant Vice
|
Assistant Vice President since
|
Vice President, J.J.B.
|
|||
Hilliard Lyons Center
|
President
|
April 2004; Assistant Secretary
|
Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.
|
|||
Louisville, Kentucky
|
and Assistant
|
since April 1988.
|
since 1990; Vice President,
|
|||
40202
|
Secretary
|
Hilliard-Lyons Government
|
||||
Age: 45 |
Fund, Inc.
|
10
The following table provides certain information relating to the equity securities beneficially owned, as of December 31, 2004, by each director (i) in the Fund and (ii) on an aggregate basis, in any registered investment companies overseen by the director within the same family of investment companies as the Fund.
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
Name of Director |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Independent Directors |
|
|
|
|
Stewart E. Conner |
|
|
|
|
Connie K. Duckworth |
|
|
|
|
Robert J. Genetski |
|
|
|
|
Francis E. Jeffries |
|
|
|
|
Nancy Lampton |
|
|
|
|
Christian H. Poindexter |
|
|
|
|
Carl F. Pollard |
|
|
|
|
David J. Vitale |
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2004, none of the foregoing directors, or their immediate family members, owned any securities of the Adviser or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser.
As of December 31, 2004, the officers and directors of the Fund owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding common stock and none of the Fund's outstanding preferred stock
The following table shows the compensation paid by the Fund to the Funds current directors during 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Director |
|
|
|
Independent Directors | |
Stewart E. Conner | 28,250 |
Connie K. Duckworth | 45,000 |
Robert J. Genetski | 42,000 |
Francis E. Jeffries (2) | 42,000 |
Nancy Lampton | 47,227 |
Christian H. Poindexter | 42,000 |
Carl F. Pollard | 44,227 |
David J. Vitale | 46,977 |
(1) | Each director not affiliated with the Adviser receives an annual fee of $25,000 (and an additional $5,000 if the director serves as chairman of a committee of the board of directors) plus an attendance fee of $2,000 for each meeting of the board of directors and $1,500 for each meeting of a committee of the board of directors attended in person or by telephone. Directors and officers affiliated with the Adviser or the Administrator receive no compensation from the Fund for their services as such. In addition to the amounts shown in the table above, all directors and officers who are not affiliated with the Adviser or the Administrator are reim- bursed for the expenses incurred by them in connection with their attendance at a meeting of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. The Fund does not have a pension or retirement plan applicable to directors or officers of the Fund. |
(2) | During 2004, Mr. Jeffries received aggregate compensation of $155,750 for service as a director of the Fund and as a director or trustee of 28 other investment companies in the same fund complex as the Fund. No other director received compensation during 2004 for service as a director of any other investment company in the same fund complex as the Fund. |
11
There may be certain inherent conflicts of interest that arise in connection with the portfolio managers management of the Funds investments and the investments of any other accounts they manage. Such conflicts could include aggregation of orders for all accounts managed by a particular portfolio manager, the allocation of purchases across all such accounts, the allocation of IPOs and any soft dollar arrangements that the Adviser may have in place that could benefit the Fund and/or such other accounts. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to address any such conflicts of interest to ensure that all management time, resources and investment opportunities are allocated equitably. There have been no material compliance issues with respect to any of these policies and procedures during the Funds most recent fiscal year.
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2004 regarding the other accounts besides the Fund that are managed by the portfolio managers of the Fund identified in the Funds prospectus. As noted in the table, portfolio managers of the Fund may also manage or be members of management teams for other mutual funds within the Phoenix fund complex or other similar accounts. As of December 31, 2004, the Funds portfolio managers did not manage any accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, nor do they manage any hedge funds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Companies (1) | |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Name of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Portfolio Manager | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Nathan I. Partain |
|
$ |
6.3 |
|
| 0 | | |||||||||||
T. Brooks Beittel | |
$ | 500.2 |
|
| 0 | | |||||||||||
Michael Schatt | |
$ | 770.3 |
|
$34.3 | 10 | $ | 156.0 | ||||||||||
Deborah A. Jansen | |
$ |
6.3 |
|
| 0 | | |||||||||||
Connie M. Luecke | |
$ |
6.3 |
|
| 0 | | |||||||||||
Daniel J. Petrisko | |
$ | 500.2 |
|
| 8 | $ | 1,224.9 | ||||||||||
Randle L. Smith | |
$ |
6.3 |
|
| 0 | |
(1) | Registered Investment Companies include all open and closed-end mutual funds. For Registered Investment Companies, assets represent net assets of all open-end investment companies and gross assets of all closed- end investment companies. |
(2) | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles include, but are not limited to, securities of issuers exempt from registra- tion under Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act, such as private placements and hedge funds. |
(3) | Other Accounts include, but are not limited to, individual managed accounts, separate accounts, institutional accounts, pension funds and collateralized bond obligations. |
The following is a description of the compensation structure, as of March 31, 2005, of the Funds portfolio managers identified in the Funds prospectus. The Funds portfolio managers receive a competitive base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity and a benefits package.
Each portfolio manager is paid a fixed base salary, which is determined by Phoenix Investment Partners and is designed to be competitive in light of the individuals experience and responsibilities. The management of Phoenix Investment Partners uses compensation survey results of investment industry compensation conducted by an independent third party in evaluating competitive market compensation for its investment management professionals.
The incentive bonus package for portfolio managers is based upon how well the individual manager meets or exceeds assigned goals and a subjective assessment of contribution to the team effort. Their incentive bonus also reflects a performance component for achieving and/or exceeding performance competitive with peers managing similar strategies. The performance component is further adjusted to reward investment personnel for managing within the stated framework and for not taking unnecessary risks. This ensures that investment personnel will remain focused on managing and acquiring securities that correspond to the Funds mandate and risk profile. It also avoids the temptation for portfolio managers to take on more risk and unnecessary exposure to chase performance for personal gain.
12
Incentive bonus compensation of the Funds portfolio managers is currently comprised of two components: 75% of the incentive bonus is based on the pre-tax performance of the Fund, as measured by earnings per share and total return over a one-year period, and 25% of the incentive bonus is based in the overall pre-tax profitability and investment return of PNX, the Advisers parent company, over a one-year period. For the year 2005, the Funds portfolio managers have been guaranteed that they will receive no less than 80% of the incentive bonus available under the above formula. The portfolio managers incentive bonus compensation is not based on the value of assets held in the Funds portfolio, except to the extent that the level of assets in the Funds portfolio affects the advisory fee received by the Adviser, and thus indirectly the profitability of PNX.
Finally, portfolio managers may also receive PNX stock options and/or be granted PNX restricted stock at the direction of the PNX board of directors. To date no portfolio manager of the Fund has received awards under the PNX restricted stock units long-term incentive plan.
Highly compensated individuals are eligible to participate in a long-term incentive plan to defer their compensation and realize tax benefits. Compensation under the long-term incentive plan is payable in restricted stock units of PNX, which vest over three years.
Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to the firms employees, including broad-based retirement, 401(k), health and other employee benefit plans.
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities in the Fund beneficially owned, as of December 31, 2004, by each of the portfolio managers identified the Funds prospectus.
Dollar Range of | ||||
Name of Portfolio Manager | Equity Securities in the Fund | |||
|
||||
T. Brooks Beittel | None | |||
Deborah A. Jansen | None | |||
Connie M. Luecke | $1-$10,000 | |||
Nathan I. Partain | $100,000-$500,000 | |||
Daniel J. Petrisko | None | |||
Michael Schatt | $10,001-$50,000 | |||
Randle L. Smith | None |
Proxy Voting Policies
The Fund has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures. The following is a summary description of those policies and procedures, the full text of which is available at the Funds website at http://www.dnpselectincome.com.
Subject to the right of the board of directors to give the Adviser written instructions as to the voting or non-voting of proxies on any matter presenting an actual or perceived conflict of interest as described below, the Fund has delegated the voting of proxies with respect to securities owned by it to the Adviser. The Adviser may delegate its proxy voting responsibilities to a proxy committee established from time to time by the Adviser and may engage one or more qualified, independent organizations to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund, subject in each case to compliance with these policies and procedures.
It is the intention of the Fund to exercise stock ownership rights in portfolio holdings in a manner that is reasonably anticipated to further the best economic interests of shareholders of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund or its delegate(s) endeavors to analyze and vote all proxies that are considered likely to have financial implications, and, where appropriate, to participate in corporate governance, shareholder proposals, management communications and legal proceedings.
The Adviser will generally vote in favor of management recommendations on routine matters. The Adviser will analyze and vote on non-routine matters, including the adoption of anti-takeover measures, proxy contests for control, contested elections of directors, corporate governance matters and executive compensation matters, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors appropriate to each such matter. The Adviser will generally vote against shareholder proposals on social issues, except where the Adviser determines that a different position would be in the clear economic interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Adviser may abstain from voting
13
when it concludes that the effect on shareholders economic interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant.
In exercising its voting discretion, the Adviser will seek to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest between the interests of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Adviser, on the other hand. The Adviser will notify the board of directors of the Fund promptly after becoming aware that any actual or potential conflict of interest exists, indicating how the Adviser proposes to vote on the matter and its reasons for doing so. The board of directors may decide to (i) vote pursuant to the recommendation of the delegate, (ii) abstain from voting or (iii) rely on the recommendations of an established, independent third party with qualifications to vote proxies, such as Institutional Shareholder Services. The Adviser may not waive any conflict of interest or vote any conflicted proxies without the prior written approval of the board of directors or its duly authorized representative.
Information on how proxies relating to the Funds voting securities were voted (if any) by the Adviser during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 699-1236 and on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Code of EthicsEach of the Fund and the Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. The codes impose significant restrictions on the ability of personnel subject to the codes to engage in personal securities transactions. Among other things, the codes generally prohibit covered personnel from knowingly buying or selling securities (except for mutual funds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments) that are being purchased, sold or considered for purchase or sale by the Fund unless the proposed purchases are approved in advance by the Advisers compliance officer. The codes also contain certain reporting requirements and compliance procedures. The codes can be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. The codes are also available at the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and on the Funds Internet site at http://www.dnpselectincome.com. Copies of the codes may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SECs Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The SEC file number for documents filed by the Fund under the Investment Company Act is 811-4915.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Decisions concerning the execution of portfolio security transactions, including the selection of the market and the executing firm, are made by the Adviser. The Adviser is also responsible for the execution of transactions for all other accounts managed by it. The Adviser places the portfolio security transactions of the Fund and of all other accounts managed by it for execution with many firms. The Adviser uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio security transactions at prices which are advantageous to the Fund and at reasonably competitive spreads or (when a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably competitive commission rates. In seeking such execution, the Adviser will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including without limitation the full range and quality of the executing firms services, the value of the brokerage and research services provided, the responsiveness of the firm to the Adviser, the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security, the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities of the executing firm, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the firm, the value and quality of the services rendered by the firm in this and other transactions, and the reasonableness of the spread or commission, if any.
Transactions on stock exchanges and other agency transactions involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different broker-dealer firms, and a particular broker-dealer may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction and the volume of business done with such broker-dealer. Transactions in foreign securities often involve the payment of brokerage commissions, which may be higher than those in the United States. There is generally no stated com-
14
mission in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, but the price paid or received usually includes an undisclosed dealer markup or markdown. In an underwritten offering the price paid often includes a disclosed fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer.
Fixed-income obligations which may be purchased and sold by the Fund are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through broker-dealers or banks acting for their own account rather than as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuers of such obligations. The Fund may also purchase fixed-income and other securities from underwriters, the cost of which may include undisclosed fees and concessions to the underwriters.
Although spreads or commissions paid on portfolio security transactions will, in the judgment of the Adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided, commissions exceeding those which another firm might charge may be paid to broker-dealers who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of the Advisers clients in part for providing brokerage and research services to the Adviser.
In selecting brokers or dealers to execute portfolio transactions and in evaluating the best net price and execution available, the Adviser is authorized to consider brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), statistical quotations, specifically the quotations necessary to determine the Funds net asset value, and other information provided to the Fund and/or to the Adviser (or their affiliates). The Adviser is also authorized to cause the Fund to pay to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction. The Adviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. It is possible that certain of the services received by the Adviser attributable to a particular transaction will benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Adviser.
Neither the Fund nor the Adviser, during the last fiscal year, pursuant to an agreement or understanding with a broker or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, directed the Fund's brokerage transactions to a broker or brokers because of research services.
Securities considered as investments for the Fund may also be appropriate for other investment accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell securities by the Fund and one or more of such other accounts simultaneously, the Adviser will allocate the security transactions (including hot issues) in a manner which it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. As a result of such allocations, there may be instances where the Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts. Additionally, trades executed by different firms, including the Adviser, will not be aggregated and allocated as to price; thus, there may be instances where the Fund does not pay or receive the same price as other investment accounts managed by the Adviser. While these aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of the directors of the Fund that the benefits received from the Advisers organization outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
The Fund paid brokerage commissions in the aggregate amount of $1,667,497, $8,550,524 and $8,486,229 during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, not including the gross underwriting spread on securities purchased in underwritten public offerings. The Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions during 2004, 2003 or 2002 to any broker that (1) is an affiliated person of the Fund, (2) is an affiliated person of an affiliated person of the Fund or (3) has an affiliated person that is an affiliated person of the Fund or the Adviser. The Fund did not pay brokerage commissions to the Administrator during 2004, 2003 or 2002, but has done so in the past and may do so again in the future.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE AUCTIONS FOR APS
General Securities DepositoryThe Depository Trust Company (DTC) will act as the Securities Depository with respect to each series of APS. One certificate for all of the shares of each series will be registered in the name of [ ], as nominee of the Securities Depository. Such certificate will bear a legend to the effect that such certificate is issued subject to the provisions restricting transfers of shares of APS contained in the Articles Supplementary. The Fund will also issue stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for APS. Prior to the commencement of the right of holders of APS to elect a majority of the Funds directors, as described under Description of APS-Voting Rights in the Prospectus, [ ] will be the holder of record of each series of APS and owners of such shares will not be entitled to receive certificates representing their ownership interest in such shares.
15
DTC, a New York chartered limited purpose trust company, performs services for its participants, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. DTC maintains lists of its participants and will maintain the positions (ownership interests) held by each such participant in shares of APS, whether for its own account or as a nominee for another person.
Concerning the Auction AgentThe auction agent will act as agent for the Fund in connection with Auctions. In the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the auction agent will not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties under the auction agency agreement between the Fund and the auction agent and will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless the auction agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
The auction agent may rely upon, as evidence of the identities of the holders of shares of APS, the auction agents registry of holders, the results of auctions and notices from any Broker-Dealer (or other person, if permitted by the Fund) with respect to transfers described under The Auction-Secondary Market Trading and Transfers of APS in the Prospectus and notices from the Fund. The auction agent is not required to accept any such notice for an auction unless it is received by the auction agent by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day preceding such auction.
The auction agent may terminate its auction agency agreement with the Fund upon notice to the Fund on a date no earlier than 45 days after such notice. If the auction agent should resign, the Fund will use its best efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor auction agent containing substantially the same terms and conditions as the auction agency agreement. The Fund may remove the auction agent provided that prior to such removal the Fund shall have entered into such an agreement with a successor auction agent.
Broker-DealersThe auction agent after each auction for the shares of APS will pay to each Broker-Dealer, from funds provided by the Fund, a service charge at the annual rate of [ ]% in the case of any auction immediately preceding a dividend period of less than one year, or a percentage agreed to by the Fund and the Broker-Dealers in the case of any auction immediately preceding a dividend period of one year or longer, of the purchase price of the shares of APS placed by such Broker-Dealer at such auction. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, shares of APS will be placed by a Broker-Dealer if such shares were (a) the subject of hold orders deemed to have been submitted to the auction agent by the Broker-Dealer and were acquired by such Broker-Dealer for its own account or were acquired by such Broker-Dealer for its customers who are beneficial owners or (b) the subject of an order submitted by such Broker-Dealer that is (i) a submitted bid of an existing holder that resulted in the existing holder continuing to hold such shares as a result of the auction or (ii) a submitted bid of a potential holder that resulted in the potential holder purchasing such shares as a result of the auction or (iii) a valid hold order.
The Fund may request the auction agent to terminate one or more Broker-Dealer agreements at any time, provided that at least one Broker-Dealer agreement is in effect after such termination.
Orders by Existing Holders and Potential HoldersOn or prior to the submission deadline on each auction date for shares of a series of APS:
(a) | each beneficial owner of shares of such series may submit to its Broker-Dealer by telephone or other- wise a: | |
(i) | Hold Order-indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of such series that such benefi- cial owner desires to continue to hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for such shares of such series for the next succeeding Dividend Period of such shares; | |
(ii) | Bid-indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of such series that such beneficial owner offers to sell if the Applicable Rate for such shares of such series for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be less than the rate per annum specified by such beneficial owner in such Bid; and/or | |
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(iii) | Sell Order-indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of such that such beneficial owner offers to sell without regard to the Applicable Rate for such shares of such series for the next succeeding Dividend Period; and | |
(b) | Broker-Dealers shall contact customers who are Potential Beneficial Owners by telephone or otherwise to determine whether such customers desire to submit Bids, in which they will indicate the number of shares, if any, of such series that they offer to purchase if the Applicable Rate for shares of such series for the next succeeding Dividend Period is not less than the rate per annum specified in such Bids. | |
The communication to a Broker-Dealer of the foregoing information is herein referred to as an Order and collectively as Orders. A Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order with its Broker-Dealer is herein referred to as a Bidder and collectively as Bidders. The submission by a Broker-Dealer of an Order to the Auction Agent shall likewise be referred to herein as an Order and collectively as Orders, and an Existing Holder or Potential Holder who places an Order with the Auction Agent or on whose behalf an Order is placed with the Auction Agent shall likewise be referred to herein as a Bidder and collectively as Bidders.
A Beneficial Owner may submit different types of Orders to its Broker-Dealer with respect to shares of a series of APS then held by such Beneficial Owner. A Bid placed by a Beneficial Owner specifying a rate higher than the Applicable Rate determined in the Auction shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell the shares subject thereto. A Beneficial Owner that submits a Bid to its Broker-Dealer having a rate higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate on the Auction Date thereof will be treated as having submitted a Sell Order to its Broker-Dealer. A Beneficial Owner that fails to submit to its Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline for shares of such series an Order or Orders covering all the Outstanding shares of such series held by such Beneficial Owner will be deemed to have submitted a Hold Order to its Broker-Dealer covering the number of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Beneficial Owner and not subject to Orders submitted to its Broker-Dealer; provided, however, that if a Beneficial Owner fails to submit to its Broker-Dealer prior to the Submission Deadline for shares of a series of APS an Order or Orders covering all of the Outstanding shares of such series held by such Beneficial Owner for an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period consisting of more than seven Days, such Beneficial Owner will be deemed to have submitted a Sell Order to its Broker-Dealer covering the number of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Beneficial Owner and not subject to Orders submitted to its Broker-Dealer. A Sell Order shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell the shares of such series of APS subject thereto at a price per share equal to $25,000. A Beneficial Owner of shares of a series of APS that offers to become the Beneficial Owner of additional shares of such series of APS is, for purposes of such offer, a Potential Beneficial Owner.
A Potential Beneficial Owner of shares of a series of APS may submit to its Broker-Dealer Bids in which it offers to purchase shares of a series if the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period is not less than the rate specified in such Bid. A Bid placed by a Potential Beneficial Owner specifying a rate not higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall constitute an irrevocable offer to purchase the number of shares of a series of APS specified in such Bid if the rate determined in the Auction is equal to or greater than the rate specified in such Bid.
As described more fully below under -Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent, the Broker-Dealers will submit the Orders of their respective customers who are Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners to the Auction Agent, designating themselves (unless otherwise permitted by the Fund) as Existing Holders in respect of shares of such series of APS subject to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by Beneficial Owners and as Potential Holders in respect of shares of such series subject to Orders submitted to them by Potential Beneficial Owners. However, neither the Fund nor the Auction Agent will be responsible for a Broker-Dealers failure to comply with the foregoing. Any Order placed with the Auction Agent by a Broker-Dealer as or on behalf of an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder will be treated in the same manner as an Order placed with a Broker-Dealer by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner, as described in the preceding paragraph. Similarly, any failure by a Broker-Dealer to submit to the Auction Agent an Order in respect of any shares of a series of APS held by it or its customers who are Beneficial Owners will be treated in the same manner as a Beneficial Owners failure to submit to its Broker-Dealer an Order in respect of shares of a series of APS held by it, as described in the second preceding paragraph. For information concerning the priority given to
17
different types of Orders placed by Existing Holders, see -Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent below.
Neither the Fund nor an affiliate may submit an Order in any Auction, except that any Broker-Dealer that is an affiliate of the Fund may submit Orders in an Auction, but only if such Orders are not for its own account.
The Auction Procedures include a pro rata allocation of shares for purchase and sale, which may result in an Existing Holder continuing to hold or selling, or a Potential Holder purchasing, a number of shares of a series of APS that is fewer than the number of shares of such series specified in its Order. See -Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares below. To the extent the allocation procedures have that result, Broker-Dealers that have designated themselves as Existing Holders or Potential Holders in respect of customer Orders will be required to make appropriate pro rata allocations among their respective customers. Each purchase or sale shall be made for settlement on the Business Day next succeeding the Auction Date at a price per share equal to $25,000. See -Notification of Results; Settlement below.
As described above, any Bid specifying a rate higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate will (i) be treated as a Sell Order if submitted by a Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder and (ii) not be accepted if submitted by a Potential Beneficial Owner or a Potential Holder. Accordingly, the Auction Procedures establish the Maximum Applicable Rate as a maximum rate per annum that can result from an Auction. See -Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate and -Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares below.
Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent
Prior to 1:30 P.M., New York City time, on each Auction Date, or such other time on the Auction Date specified by the Auction Agent (i.e., the Submission Deadline), each Broker-Dealer will submit to the Auction Agent in writing all Orders obtained by it for the Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date, designating itself (unless otherwise permitted by the Fund) as the Existing Holder or Potential Holder, as the case may be, in respect of the shares of a series of APS subject to such Orders. Any Order submitted by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner to its Broker-Dealer, or by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, prior to the Submission Deadline on any Auction Date, shall be irrevocable.
If any rate specified in any Bid contains more than three figures to the right of the decimal point, the Auction Agent will round such rate to the next highest one-thousandth (0.001) of 1%.
If one or more Orders of an Existing Holder is submitted to the Auction Agent covering in the aggregate more than the number of Outstanding APS of a series subject to an Auction held by such Existing Holder, such Orders will be considered valid in the following order of priority:
(a) | all Hold Orders for shares of such series will be considered valid, but only up to and including in the aggregate the number of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Existing Holder, and, if the number of shares of such series subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Existing Holder, the number of shares subject to each such Hold Order shall be reduced pro rata to cover the number of Outstanding shares held by such Existing Holder; | |
(b) | (i) any Bid for shares of such series will be considered valid up to and including the excess of the number of shares of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of such series subject to any Hold Orders referred to in clause (a) above; | |
(ii) | subject to subclause (i), if more than one Bid of an Existing Holder for shares of such series is submitted to the Auction Agent with the same rate and the number of Outstanding shares of such series subject to such Bids is greater than such excess, such Bids will be considered valid up to and including the amount of such excess, and the number of shares of such series subject to each Bid with the same rate will be reduced pro rata to cover the number of shares of such series equal to such excess; | |
(iii) | subject to subclauses (i) and (ii), if more than one Bid of an Existing Holder for shares of such series is submitted to the Auction Agent with different rates, such Bids shall be considered valid in the ascending order of their respective rates up to and including the amount of such excess; and | |
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(iv) | in any such event, the number, if any, of such Outstanding shares of such series subject to any portion of Bids considered not valid in whole or in part under this clause (b) will be treated as the subject of a Bid for shares of such series by or on behalf of a Potential Holder at the rate specified therein; and | |
(c) | all Sell Orders for shares of such series will be considered valid up to and including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Existing Holder over the sum of shares of such series subject to valid Hold Orders referred to in clause (a) above and valid Bids referred to in clause (b) above. |
If more than one Bid of a Potential Holder for shares of a series of APS is submitted to the Auction Agent by or on behalf of any Potential Holder, each such Bid submitted will be a separate Bid with the rate and number of shares of such series therein specified.
Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate
Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date for shares of a series of APS, the Auction Agent will assemble all valid Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by the Broker-Dealers (each such Hold Order, Bid or Sell Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a Broker-Dealer being herein referred to as a Submitted Hold Order, a Submitted Bid or a Submitted Sell Order, as the case may be, or as a Submitted Order and collectively as Submitted Hold Orders, Submitted Bids or Submitted Sell Orders, as the case may be, or as Submitted Orders) and will determine the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of such series over the number of Outstanding shares of such series subject to Submitted Hold Orders (such excess being herein referred to as the Available APS) and whether Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in the Auction. Sufficient Clearing Bids will have been made if the number of Outstanding shares of such series that are the subject of Submitted Bids of Potential Holders specifying rates not higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate for all Dividend Periods equals or exceeds the number of outstanding shares of such series that are the subject of Submitted Sell Orders (including the number of shares of such series subject to Bids of Existing Holders specifying rates higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate).
If Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of a series of APS have been made, the Auction Agent will determine the lowest rate specified in such Submitted Bids (the Winning Bid Rate) for shares of such series which, taking into account the rates in the Submitted Bids of Existing Holders, would result in Existing Holders continuing to hold an aggregate number of Outstanding shares of such series which, when added to the number of outstanding shares of such series to be purchased by Potential Holders, based on the rates in their Submitted Bids, would equal not less than the Available APS. In such event, the Winning Bid Rate will be the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for all shares of such series.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all of the outstanding shares of a series of APS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for all shares of such series will be equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate. If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made, Beneficial Owners that have submitted or that are deemed to have submitted Sell Orders may not be able to sell in the Auction all shares of such series subject to such Sell Orders but will continue to own shares of such series for the next Dividend Period. See -Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares below.
If all of the outstanding shares of a series of APS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders, the Applicable Rate for all shares of such series for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be the All Hold Rate.
Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares
Based on the determinations made under -Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate above and, subject to the discretion of the Auction Agent to round and allocate certain shares as described below, Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders will be accepted or rejected in the order of priority set forth in the Auction Procedures, with the result that Existing Holders and Potential Holders of shares of a series of APS will sell, continue to hold and/or purchase such shares as set forth below. Existing Holders that sub-
19
mitted or were deemed to have submitted Hold Orders (or on whose behalf Hold Orders were submitted or deemed to have been submitted) will continue to hold the shares of such series subject to such Hold Orders.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of a series of APS have been made:
(a) | Each Existing Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid specifying any rate higher than the Winning Bid Rate will sell the outstanding shares of such series subject to such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid; | |
(b) | Each Existing Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate lower than the Winning Bid Rate will continue to hold the Outstanding shares of such series subject to such Submitted Bid; | |
(c) | Each Potential Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate lower than the Winning Bid Rate will purchase the number of outstanding shares of such series subject to such Submitted Bid; | |
(d) | Each Existing Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate will continue to hold the shares of such series subject to such Submitted Bid, unless the number of Outstanding APS of such series subject to all such Submitted Bids is greater than the number of shares of APS (remaining shares) in excess of the Available APS over the number of shares of APS accounted for in clauses (b) and (c) above, in which event each Existing Holder with such a Submitted Bid will continue to hold shares of APS of such series subject to such Submitted Bid determined on a pro rata basis based on the number of Outstanding APS subject to all such Submitted Bids of such Existing Holders; and | |
(e) | Each Potential Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such series will purchase any shares of Available APS not accounted for in clauses (b) through (d) above on a pro rata basis based on the Outstanding APS sub- ject to all such Submitted Bids. | |
If Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of a series of APS have not been made (unless this results because all Outstanding shares of such series are subject to Submitted Hold Orders):
(a) | Each Existing Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate for shares of such series will continue to hold the shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bid; | ||
(b) | Each Potential Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate for shares of such series will purchase the num- ber of shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bid; and | ||
(c) | Each Existing Holder that placed or on whose behalf was placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate for shares of such series or a Submitted Sell Order will sell | ||
a | number of shares of such series subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order determined on | ||
a | pro rata basis based on the number of Outstanding shares of such series subject to all such Submitted | ||
Bids and Submitted Sell Orders. | |||
If, as a result of the pro rata allocation described in clauses (d) or (e) of the second preceding paragraph or clause (c) of the next preceding paragraph, any Existing Holder would be entitled or required to sell, or any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase, a fraction of a share of APS of a series, the Auction Agent will, in such manner as, in its sole discretion, it will determine, round up or down to the nearest whole share the number of shares of APS of such series being sold or purchased on such Auction Date so that the number of shares of such series sold or purchased by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder will be whole shares of such series. If as a result of the pro rata allocation described in clause (e) of the second preceding paragraph, any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase less than a whole share of a series of APS, the Auction Agent will, in such manner as, in its sole discretion, it will determine, allocate shares of such series for purchase among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of such series are purchased by any such Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing shares of such series.
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The Auction Agent will be required to advise each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order of the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period and, if the Order was a Bid or Sell Order, whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected, in whole or in part, by telephone by approximately 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on each Auction Date. Each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order for the account of a customer will then be required to advise such customer of the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period and, if such Order was a Bid or a Sell Order, whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected, in whole or in part, will be required to confirm purchases and sales with each customer purchasing or selling shares of such series as a result of the Auction and will be required to advise each customer purchasing or selling APS as a result of the Auction to give instructions to its Agent Member of the Securities.
The Securities Depository will pay the purchase price against delivery of such shares or will deliver such shares against payment therefor, as appropriate. The Auction Agent will be required to record each transfer of shares of a series of APS on the registry of Existing Holders to be maintained by the Auction Agent.
In accordance with the Securities Depositorys normal procedures, on the Business Day after the Auction Date, the transactions described above will be executed through the Securities Depository and the accounts of the respective Agent Members at the Securities Depository will be debited and credited and shares delivered as necessary to effect the purchases and sales of shares of a series of APS as determined in the Auction. Purchasers will make payment through their Agent Members in same-day funds to the Securities Depository against delivery through their Agent Members; the Securities Depository will make payment in accordance with its normal procedures, which provide for payment against delivery by their Agent Members in same-day funds.
If any Existing Holder selling shares of a series of APS in an Auction fails to deliver such shares, the Broker-Dealer of any person that was to have purchased such shares in such Auction may deliver to such person a number of whole shares of such series that is less than the number of shares of such series that otherwise was to be purchased by such person. In such event, the number of shares of such series to be so delivered shall be determined by such Broker-Dealer. Delivery of such lesser number of shares of such series shall constitute good delivery.
The Fund is a closed-end management investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares of common stock. Instead, the Funds common stock will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), net asset value, call protection, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Because shares of a closed-end investment company may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value, the Funds board of directors may consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of common stock, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The board of directors may decide not to take any of these actions. In addition, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken, will reduce market discount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time when the Funds preferred stock is outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its common stock unless (1) all accrued preferred stock dividends have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the net asset value of the Funds portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the common stock) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred stock (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon). Any service fees incurred in connection with any tender offer made by the Fund will be borne by the Fund and will not reduce the stated consideration to be paid to tendering shareholders.
Subject to its investment restrictions, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Funds net income. Any share repurchase,
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tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Funds board of directors would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Although the decision to take action in response to a discount from net asset value will be made by the board of directors at the time it considers such issue, it is the boards present policy, which may be changed by the board of directors, not to authorize repurchases of common stock or a tender offer for such shares if: (1) such transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the de-listing of the common stock from the New York Stock Exchange, or (b) impair the Funds status as a regulated investment company under the Code (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the Funds income to be taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of shareholders who receive dividends from the Fund), or as a registered closed-end investment company under the Investment Company Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the Funds investment objectives and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3) there is, in the boards judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices for trading securities on the New York Stock Exchange, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment by United States or New York banks, (d) material limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities by Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement of war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its shareholders if shares were repurchased. The board of directors may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.
The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value will result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers at or below net asset value will result in the Funds shares trading at a price equal to their net asset value. Nevertheless, the fact that the Funds shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end investment company, may reduce any spread between market price and net asset value that might otherwise exist.
In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its common stock will decrease the Funds total assets which would likely have the effect of increasing the Funds expense ratio. Any purchase by the Fund of its common stock at a time when preferred stock is outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding common stock then remaining.
Before deciding whether to take any action if the shares of common stock trade below net asset value, the Funds board of directors would likely consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Funds portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Funds shares should trade at a discount, the board of directors may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.
Under the Funds dividend reinvestment plan shareholders may elect to have all dividends and capital gains distributions paid on their common stock automatically reinvested by The Bank of New York, as agent for shareholders, in additional shares of common stock of the Fund. Registered shareholders may participate in the plan. The plan permits a nominee, other than a depository, to participate on behalf of those beneficial owners for whom it is holding shares who elect to participate. However, some nominees may not permit a beneficial owner to participate without transferring the shares into the owners name. Shareholders who do not elect to participate in the plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder (or, if the shareholders shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such shareholders nominee) by The Bank of New York as dividend disbursing agent. Registered shareholders may also elect to have cash dividends deposited directly into their bank accounts.
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When a dividend or distribution is reinvested under the plan, the number of shares of common stock equivalent to the cash dividend or distribution is determined as follows:
(i) If shares of the common stock are trading at net asset value or at a premium above net asset value at the valuation date, the Fund issues new shares of common stock at the greater of net asset value or 95% of the then current market price.
(ii) If shares of the common stock are trading at a discount from net asset value at the valuation date, The Bank of New York receives the dividend or distribution in cash and uses it to purchase shares of common stock in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants accounts. Shares are allocated to participants accounts at the average price per share, plus commissions, paid by The Bank of New York for all shares purchased by it. If, before The Bank of New York has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value of a share, the average purchase price per share paid by The Bank of New York may exceed the net asset value of the Funds shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in shares issued by the Fund.
The valuation date is the business day immediately preceding the date of payment of the dividend or distribution. On that date, the Administrator compares that days net asset value per share and the closing price per share on the New York Stock Exchange and determines which of the two alternative procedures described above will be followed.
The reinvestment shares are credited to the participants plan account in the Funds stock records maintained by The Bank of New York, including a fractional share to four decimal places. The Bank of New York will send participants written confirmation of all transactions in the participants plan account, including information participants will need for tax records. Shares held in the participants plan account have full dividend and voting rights. Dividends and distributions paid on shares held in the participants plan account will also be reinvested.
The cost of administering the plan is borne by the Fund. There is no brokerage commission on shares issued directly by the Fund. However, participants do pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred on any open market purchases of shares by The Bank of New York.
The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions does not relieve participants of any income taxes that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on dividends or distributions.
If the closing market price of shares of the Funds common stock should be equal to or greater than their net asset value on the valuation date, the participants in the plan would receive shares priced at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price. Consequently they would receive more shares at a lower per share price than if they had used the cash distribution to purchase Fund shares on the payment date in the market at the market price plus commission.
If the market price should be less than net asset value on the valuation date, the cash distribution for the plan participants would be used by The Bank of New York to purchase the shares to be received by the participants, which would be at a discount from net asset value unless the market price should rise during the purchase period so that the average price and commission exceeded net asset value as of the payment date. Also, since the Fund does not redeem its common stock, the price on resale may be less or more than the net asset value.
Plan participants may purchase additional shares of common stock through the plan by delivering to The Bank of New York a check for at least $100, but not more than $5,000, in any month. The Bank of New York will use such funds to purchase shares in the open market or in private transactions. The purchase price of such shares may be more than or less than net asset value per share. The Fund will not issue new shares or supply treasury shares for such voluntary additional share investment. Purchases will be made commencing with the time of the first distribution payment following the second business day after receipt of the funds for additional purchases, and may be aggregated with purchases of shares for reinvestment of the distribution. Shares will be allocated to the accounts of participants purchasing additional shares at the average price per share, plus a service charge of $2.50 imposed by The Bank of New York and a pro rata share of any brokerage commission (or equivalent purchase costs) paid by The Bank of New York in connection with such purchases. Funds sent to the bank for voluntary additional share reinvestment may be recalled by the participant by written notice received by The Bank of New York not later than two business days before the next dividend payment date. If for any reason a regular
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monthly dividend is not paid by the Fund, funds for voluntary additional share investment will be returned to the participant, unless the participant specifically directs that such funds continue to be held by The Bank of New York for subsequent investment. Participants will not receive interest on voluntary additional funds held by The Bank of New York pending investment.
A shareholder may leave the plan at any time by written notice to The Bank of New York. To be effective for any given distribution, notice must be received by the Bank at least seven business days before the record date for that distribution. When a shareholder leaves the plan: (i) such shareholder may request that The Bank of New York sell such shareholders shares held in such shareholders plan account and send such shareholder a check for the net proceeds (including payment of the value of a fractional share, valued at the closing price of the Funds common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date discontinuance is effective) after deducting The Bank of New Yorks $5.00 charge and any brokerage commission (or equivalent sale cost) or (ii) if no request is made, such shareholder will receive a certificate for the number of full shares held in such shareholders plan account, along with a check for any fractional share interest, valued at the closing price of the Funds common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date discontinuance is effective. If and when it is determined that the only balance remaining in a shareholders plan account is a fraction of a single share, such shareholders participation will be deemed to have terminated, and The Bank of New York will send to such shareholder a check for the value of such fractional share, valued at the closing price of the Funds common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date discontinuance is effective.
The Fund may change, suspend or terminate the plan at any time upon mailing a notice to participants.
For more information regarding, and an authorization form for, the dividend reinvestment plan, please contact The Bank of New York at 1-877-381-2537 or on the World Wide Web at http://stock.bankofny.com.
The following discussion is a brief summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its U.S. shareholders. 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 shareholders (including shareholders owning a large position in the Fund), and the discussions set forth here and in the Prospectus do not constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with any specific questions relating to federal, state, local and foreign taxes. The discussion reflects applicable tax laws of the United States as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the IRS retroactively or prospectively.
Taxation of the FundThe Fund has elected to be treated, has qualified and intends to continue to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (a RIC) 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 (including tax-exempt interest) from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and income from interest in qualified publicly traded partnerships; (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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships; and (iii) distribute substantially all of its net income and net short-term and long-term capital gains (after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code, so as to maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying any federal income or
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excise tax. To the extent it qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies the above-mentioned distribution requirements, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax, the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gain or loss) for the calendar year, (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income (which is the excess of its realized net long-term capital gain over its realized net short-term capital loss), generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards, plus (iii) 100% of any ordinary income and capital gain net income from the prior year (as previously computed) that were not paid during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and capital gain in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient amounts of the Funds taxable income and capital gain will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
A distribution will be treated as paid during a calendar year if it is paid during that calendar year or declared by the Fund in October, November or December of that year, payable to shareholders of record on a date during such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such distributions paid during January of the following year will be deemed to be received on December 31 of the year the distributions are declared, rather than when the distributions are received.
If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Funds taxable income will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), will be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income. Such distributions generally will be eligible (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and (ii) for treatment as qualified dividends in the case of individual shareholders. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make certain distributions.
If the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowings, it may be restricted by loan covenants with respect to the declaration and payment of dividends in certain circumstances. Additionally, if at any time when the shares of APS are outstanding the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to holders of common stock until the asset coverage is restored. See Description of APS-Dividends and Dividend Periods-Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments. Such a suspension may prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income and certain other income and may, therefore, jeopardize the Funds qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may redeem shares of APS in order to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its shareholders of failing to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company. See Description of APSRedemption. There can be no assurance, however, that any such action would achieve that objective.
The Funds InvestmentsThe Funds investments in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts (to the extent permitted) and certain other transactions will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of securities held by the Fund, convert capital gain into ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The Fund may be required to limit its activities in options and futures contracts in order to enable it to maintain its RIC status.
Some of the debt obligations acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued with original issue discount (OID). Such OID generally will be included in income in the taxable year of accrual and before the Fund receives any corresponding cash payments. Since, in certain circumstances, the Fund may recognize income before receiving cash representing such income, it may have difficulty making distributions in the
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amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining RIC status and for avoiding income and excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy the Funds distribution requirements.
Any recognized gain or income attributable to market discount on long-term debt obligations (i.e., obligations with a term of more than one year except to the extent of a portion of the discount attributable to OID) purchased by the Fund is taxable as ordinary income. A long-term debt obligation generally is treated as acquired at a market discount if purchased after its original issue at a price less than (i) the stated principal amount payable at maturity, in the case of any obligation that does not have OID or (ii) the sum of the issue price and any OID that accrued before the obligation was purchased, subject to a de minimis exclusion, in the case of an obligation that does have OID.
If the Fund invests (directly or indirectly through a REIT) in residual interests in REMICs, a portion of the Funds income will be subject to a U.S. federal income tax in all events. Excess inclusion income of the Fund generated by a residual interest in a REMIC will be allocated to shareholders of the Fund in proportion to the dividends received by the shareholders of the Fund. Excess inclusion income generally (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses, (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to certain tax exempt investors and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding taxes. In addition, if the shareholders of the Fund include a disqualified organization (such as certain governments or governmental agencies) the Fund may be liable for a tax on the excess inclusion income allocable to the disqualified organization.
The Funds transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
Income received by the Fund with respect to foreign securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Generally, shareholders will not be entitled to claim a credit or deductions with respect to foreign taxes.
If the Fund acquires any equity interest in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, certain rents and royalties, or capital gains) or that hold at least 50% of their assets in investments producing such income (Passive Foreign Investment Companies or PFICs), the Fund could be subject to U.S. federal income tax and additional interest charges on excess distributions received from such companies or on gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. An election generally may be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but any such election could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to tax distribution requirements) without the concurrent receipt of cash. These investments could also result in the treatment of associated capital gains as ordinary income. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Jobs Act), among other things, modified the 90% gross income test with respect to income of a RIC to include net income derived from an interest in certain qualified publicly traded partnerships (PTPs) and modified the asset diversification test of a RIC to include a new limitation on the investment by a RIC in certain qualified PTP interests. Under the Jobs Act, a RIC may now invest in a qualified PTP regardless of the types of business the PTP operates. The Jobs Act further provides that passive losses from an investment in a qualified PTP may not be used by a RIC to offset any income other than income from the same PTP and any deductions passed through by the PTP may not be used by a RIC to offset income from other sources.
Taxation of ShareholdersThe Fund intends to take the position that under present law, the APS will constitute stock of the Fund, and distributions by the Fund with respect to its APS (other than distributions in redemption of APS that are treated as exchanges of stock under Section 302(b) of the Code) will constitute dividends to the extent of that Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for federal income tax purposes. It is possible, however,
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that the IRS might take a contrary position, asserting, for example, that the APS constitutes debt of the Fund. If this position were upheld, distributions by the Fund to holders of APS would constitute interest, whether or not they exceeded the earnings and profits of the Fund, would be included in full in the income of the recipient and would be taxed as ordinary income. The following discussion assumes that shares of APS are treated as stock.
Distributions of any taxable net investment income and net short-term capital gain will be taxable as ordinary income (except to the extent that a reduced capital gains tax rate applies to qualified dividend income). Distributions of the Funds net capital gain, if any, will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time they held their shares. So long as the Fund has capital loss carryforwards, distributions derived from capital gains in the Funds portfolio may constitute ordinary income, rather than capital gains, to shareholders. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Funds earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holders shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). For purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, the Funds earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Funds preferred stock and then to the Funds common stock.
Subject to certain conditions and limitations, under applicable federal income tax provisions, a corporation receiving dividends with respect to stock it owns in another corporation is allowed a deduction against a portion of such dividend income received (the Dividends Received Deduction). The Fund expects to receive dividends with respect to some or all of the stocks in other corporations held by the Fund, and the Fund may designate such dividends as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction only to the extent that the Fund receives dividends for which the Fund would be entitled to the Dividends Received Deduction if the Fund were a regular corporation and not a RIC. A corporation that owns common stock or preferred stock generally will be entitled to a Dividends Received Deduction with respect to a designated portion of the dividends it receives from the Fund.
For dividends received by the Fund to be eligible for designation for the Dividends Received Deduction, the dividends must be paid by a domestic corporation that is subject to U.S. income tax and the Fund must hold the stock of such corporation for at least 46 days during the 90-day period beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date for the stock (91 days during the 180-day period for certain preferred stock). The Funds holding period for stock will in general not include any period for which the Fund holds an option to sell or is the writer of an option to buy substantially identical stock, although there exists an exception for certain options written by the Fund, the exercise prices of which are not substantially below the market prices of the underlying securities at the times the options are written. The Dividends Received Deduction is reduced for dividends received from debt-financed portfolio stock by a percentage related to the amount of debt incurred to purchase such stock.
To the extent that the source of dividends or distributions with respect to the APS is dividends received by the Fund that would be eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction, a corporate holder of common stock or preferred stock in the Fund will be allowed a deduction equal to 70% of the dividends paid to it by the Fund and designated by the Fund as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction. The aggregate amount of Dividends Received Deductions that may be taken by a corporation is limited to 70% of its taxable income, computed without regard to any net operating loss deduction. The portion of a dividend on the APS that can be designated as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction will be limited by the fact that dividend income received by the Fund is allocated to the RPS first, before being allocated to any other class or series of the Funds stock. Dividends on the APS and the Funds common stock will be designated as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction only to the extent that any qualifying income remains after dividends are paid on the RPS.
In order for dividends effectively designated by the Fund as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to qualify for the Dividends Received Deduction when received by a particular shareholder, the shareholder must, among other things, be a corporation meeting the 46-day (or 91-day) holding period requirement described above with respect to its Fund shares. The Dividends Received Deduction will be reduced in the case of a shareholder who has incurred indebtedness, or is treated as having incurred indebtedness, that is directly attributable to the acquisition or carrying of the shares. The basis of a shareholders shares may be reduced in the case of certain extraordinary dividends eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction by an amount equal to the non-taxed portion of such dividends, although it is expected that such extraordinary dividends will be paid only in unusual circumstances.
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Under current law, certain income distributions properly designated and paid by the Fund to individual taxpayers are taxed at rates equal to those applicable to net long-term capital gains (15%, or 5% for individuals in the 10% or 15% tax brackets). This tax treatment applies only if certain holding period requirements and other requirements are satisfied by the shareholder and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividends received by the Fund itself. Corporate taxpayers are taxed at ordinary income tax rates on dividends not eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction. For this purpose, qualified dividends means dividends received by the Fund from U.S. corporations and qualifying foreign corporations, provided that the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations. As is the case with the Dividends Received Deduction, to the extent the Fund is required to allocate income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to the RPS, the allocation to the RPS generally will reduce the dividends on the common stock and the APS that are eligible for the special qualified dividend rate.
In the case of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not qualified dividends. Dividends received by the Fund from REITs are qualified dividends eligible for this lower tax rate only in limited circumstances. These special rules relating to the taxation of ordinary income dividends from RICs generally apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2009. Thereafter, the Funds dividends, other than capital gain dividends, will be fully taxable at ordinary income rates unless further legislative action is taken.
A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (whether received by the Fund or paid by the Fund to a 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 (or more than 90 days during the associated 181-day period, in the case of dividends attributable to periods in excess of 266 days paid with respect to preferred stock), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property or (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest. Distributions of income by the Fund other than qualified dividend income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains (on stocks held for one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income, at rates currently up to 35%.
The benefits of the reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual shareholders.
We cannot assure you as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the APS, if any, will consist of qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains, both of which are taxed at lower rates for individuals than are ordinary income and short-term capital gains.
Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holders shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). For non-corporate taxpayers, under current law, investment company taxable income (other than qualified dividend income) currently will be taxed at a maximum rate of 35%, while net capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. For corporate taxpayers, both investment company taxable income and net capital gain are taxed at a maximum rate of 35%. For purposes of determining whether distributions are out of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits, the Funds earnings and profits will be allocated first to the Funds preferred stock and then to the Funds common stock.
The Fund may retain for reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain. If any such gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a tax at a rate of 35% of such amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, each of whom (i) will be required to include in income for 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 shares of the Fund by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gain included in such shareholders gross income.
The price of shares purchased at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing 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.
28
The sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In generally, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals have been reduced, in general, to 15% (or 5% for individuals in the 10% or 15% rate brackets); however, such reduced rates are set to expire with respect to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008 absent further legislative action. The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by a corporate taxpayer is 35%. Any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a holding period of 6 months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of a loss realized on a redemption or other disposition of Fund shares may be disallowed under wash sale rules to the extent the shareholder acquires other substantially identical shares (whether through the reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within the period beginning 30 days before the redemption of the loss shares and ending 30 days after such date. Any disallowed loss will result in an adjustment to the shareholders tax basis in some or all of the other shares acquired.
Sales charges paid upon a purchase of shares cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on a sale of shares before the 91st day after their purchase to the extent a sales charge is reduced or eliminated in a subsequent acquisition of shares of the Fund (or of another fund) pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. Any disregarded amounts will result in an adjustment to the shareholders tax basis in some or all of any other shares acquired.
Shareholders may be entitled to offset their capital gain dividends with capital loss. There are 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, shareholders with capital loss are urged to consult their tax advisors.
Dividends and distributions on the Funds shares generally are subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Funds net asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized by not distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when the Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses. Certain distributions declared in October, November or December and paid in the following January will be taxed to shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year in which they were declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable years of the Fund may be spilled back and treated as paid by the Fund (except for purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such prior taxable year. In such case, however, shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.
Amounts paid by the Fund to individuals and certain other shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) and certain certifications required by the IRS as well as shareholders with respect to whom the Fund has received certain information from the IRS or a broker may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax arising from the Funds taxable dividends and other distributions as well as the gross proceeds of sales of shares, at a rate equal to the fourth highest rate of tax applicable to a single individual (currently 28%). An individuals TIN generally is his or her social security number. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against such shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on a disposition of the Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their particular circumstances.
29
The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year. The IRS has taken the position that if a RIC has more than one class of shares, it may designate distributions made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than that classs proportionate share of a particular type of income for that year, including ordinary income and net capital gain. A classs proportionate share of a particular type of income for a year is determined according to the percentage of total dividends paid by the RIC during that year to the class. The IRS, however, will not render such designations ineffective for federal income tax purposes even if it is a disproportionate designation as long as such designation is made pursuant to a rule described in a registration statement that was filed with the SEC before June 13, 1989.
The Fund has received a private letter ruling from the IRS that states that the IRS will respect the Funds proposed method of designating income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to the RPS, common stock and the APS. More specifically, the IRS will respect the Funds designation of income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction to the RPS pro rata between dividend income that is eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction (and that constitutes qualified dividend income) and dividend income that is eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction (but does not constitute qualified dividend income). To the extent any qualifying income remains after dividends are paid on the RPS, distributions on the common stock and the APS will be designated as income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction on a pro rata basis between these classes. Dividend income that constitutes qualified dividend income (but is not eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction) and net capital gain will be designated to the common stock and the APS (and to the RPS to the extent the Funds qualified income is less than the distribution to the RPS) on a pro rata basis among these classes.
The foregoing discussion does not address the special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, foreign investors, insurance companies and financial institutions. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to special tax rules that may apply in their particular situations, as well as the state, local and, where applicable, foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
The statement of assets and liabilities of the Fund as of December 31, 2004 including the schedule of investments as of December 31, 2004 and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended and the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, incorporated by reference in this Statement of Additional Information, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Ernst & Young LLP, located at 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, provides accounting and auditing services to the Fund.
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC in Washington, D.C. The prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained in the prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SECs principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the first and third quarter of its fiscal year with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Funds Form N-Q will be available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. The Funds Form N-Q, when available, may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The Funds Form N-Q, when available, may also be obtained, upon request, by calling (800) 699-1236.
30
The audited financial statements listed below are incorporated herein by reference from the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2004 as filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR on March 2, 2005 (no. 811-4915). All other portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders on Form N-CSR are not incorporated herein by reference and are not part of this SAI.
Report of independent registered public accountants
Schedule of Investments at December 31, 2004
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2004
Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2004
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2004
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights - Selected Per Share Data and Ratios
The unaudited financial statements listed below are incorporated herein by reference from the Funds Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2005 as filed with the SEC on Form N-CSR on September 2, 2005 (no. 811-4915). All other portions of the Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders on Form N-CSR are not incorporated herein by reference and are not part of this SAI.
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2005
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2005
Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2005
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the six months ended June 30, 2005
Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2005
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights - Selected Per Share Data and Ratios
Copies of the Funds Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders may be obtained without charge by writing to the Fund at its address at 55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603 or by calling (800) 699-1236. The Funds Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders are also available on the Funds website at http://www.dnpselectincome.com.
31
APPENDIX A
Form of Articles Supplementary creating [ ] series of Auction Preferred Stock
[To be filed by amendment]
32
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. |
Financial Statements | ||
In Part A: | |||
Financial Highlights - Selected Per Share Data and Ratios | |||
Financial Highlights - Information Regarding Senior Securities | |||
In Part B: | |||
Report of independent registered public accountants | |||
Schedule of Investments at December 31, 2004 | |||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2004 | |||
Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 | |||
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 | |||
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2004 | |||
Notes to Financial Statements | |||
Financial Highlights - Selected Per Share Data and Ratios | |||
Schedule of Investments at June 30, 2005 | |||
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2005 | |||
Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2005 | |||
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the six months ended June 30, 2005 | |||
Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2005 | |||
Notes to Financial Statements | |||
Financial Highlights - Selected Per Share Data and Ratios | |||
2.
|
Exhibits | ||
a.1 | Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. | ||
46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on | |||
Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.2 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post-effective | ||
amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company | |||
Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) |
33
a.3 | Second Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.4 | Form of Articles Supplementary creating Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series A, B, C, D | ||
and E (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants | |||
registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811- | |||
4915) | |||
a.5 | Form of Articles Supplementary creating Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series I | ||
(Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants | |||
registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811- | |||
4915) | |||
a.6 | Third Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.7 | Fourth Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.8 | Fifth Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.9 | Sixth Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.10 | Seventh Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
a.11* | Form of Articles Supplementary creating [ ] series of Auction Preferred Stock | ||
is incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Statement of Additional Information. | |||
b. | Bylaws (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants | ||
registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811- | |||
4915) | |||
c. | None | ||
d.1 | Specimen common stock certificate (Incorporated by reference from Registrants | ||
registration statement on Form N-2, no. 33-10421) | |||
d.2 | Form of certificate of Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series A (Incorporated by reference | ||
from pre-effective amendment no. 2 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, | |||
no. 33-22933) | |||
d.3 | Form of certificate of Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series B (Incorporated by reference | ||
from pre-effective amendment no. 1 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, | |||
no. 33-24101) | |||
d.4 | Form of certificate of Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series C (Incorporated by reference | ||
from pre-effective amendment no. 1 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, | |||
no. 33-24100) |
34
d.5 | Form of certificate of Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series D (Incorporated by reference | ||
from pre-effective amendment no. 1 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, | |||
no. 33-24102) | |||
d.6 | Form of certificate of Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series E (Incorporated by reference | ||
from pre-effective amendment no. 1 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, | |||
no. 33-24099) | |||
d.7 | Form of certificate of Remarketed Preferred Stock, Series I (Incorporated by reference | ||
from pre-effective amendment no. 2 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, | |||
no. 33-22933) | |||
d.8* | Form of certificate of Auction Preferred Stock, Series [ ] | ||
d.9* | Form of certificate of Auction Preferred Stock, Series [ ] | ||
d.10* | Form of certificate of Auction Preferred Stock, Series [ ] | ||
e. | Document setting forth the terms of Registrants dividend reinvestment plan (Incorporated | ||
by reference from post-effective amendment no. 46 to Registrant's registration statement | |||
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
f. | None | ||
g.1 | Investment Advisory Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective | ||
amendment no. 39 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company | |||
Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
g.2 | Service Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 39 to | ||
Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form | |||
N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
g.3 | Administration Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment | ||
no. 39 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 | |||
on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
h.* | Form of Underwriting Agreement | ||
i. | Not applicable | ||
j.1 | Custody Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 45 to | ||
Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form | |||
N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
j.2 | Foreign Custody Manager Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective | ||
amendment no. 45 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company | |||
Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.1 | Fund Accounting Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment | ||
no. 45 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 | |||
on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.2 | Form of Remarketing Agreement (Incorporated by reference from exhibit k.3 to | ||
pre-effective amendment no. 3 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, no. | |||
33-22933) | |||
* To be filed by amendment |
35
k.3 | Form of Paying Agent Agreement (Incorporated by reference from exhibit k.4 to | ||
pre-effective amendment no. 3 to Registrants registration statement on Form N-2, no. | |||
33-22933) | |||
k.4 | Credit Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 46 to | ||
Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form | |||
N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.5 | Depositary Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment no. 46 | ||
to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 on | |||
Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.6 | Letter Amendment to Depositary Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post- | ||
effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment | |||
Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.7 | Second Letter Amendment to Depositary Agreement (Incorporated by reference from | ||
post-effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the | |||
Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.8 | Placement Agency Agreement (Incorporated by reference from post-effective amendment | ||
no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 | |||
on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.9 | Letter Amendment to Placement Agency Agreement (Incorporated by reference from | ||
post-effective amendment no. 46 to Registrants registration statement under the | |||
Investment Company Act of 1940 on Form N-2, no. 811-4915) | |||
k.10* | Form of Auction Agency Agreement | ||
l.* | Opinion and Consent of Counsel | ||
m. | Not applicable | ||
n. | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | ||
o. | Not applicable | ||
p. | Subscription Agreement for initial capital (Incorporated by reference from Registrants | ||
registration statement on Form N-2, no. 33-10421) | |||
q. | Not applicable | ||
r.1 | Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of Registrant | ||
r.2 | Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. | ||
(investment adviser to Registrant) | |||
s. | Powers of Attorney | ||
* To be filed by amendment |
36
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements
Reference is made to the Form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed by amendment.
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement:
Registration and filing fees
|
$
|
|
|
Rating fees | |
|
|
Printing | |
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses | |
|
|
Legal fees and expenses | |
|
|
Miscellaneous | |
|
|
Total |
$
|
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
The Fund does not consider that it is controlled, directly or indirectly, by any person.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities
Number of | |
Record Holders | |
|
September 30, 2005 |
Common Stock, $.001 par
value
|
23,732 |
Preferred Stock, $.001
par value
|
1 |
Item 30. Indemnification
Maryland law permits a corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages, except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. The Registrants charter contains a provision which eliminates directors' and officers' liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Registrants charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding unless it is established that:
the act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty,
the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or
in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
A court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, even though the prescribed standard of conduct is not met. However, indemnification for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation, or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, is limited to expenses.
In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification and (b) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
The Registrants charter obligates it, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law but subject to the exclusion required by Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, to indemnify (a) any present or former director or officer or (b) any director or officer who, at the Registrants request, serves another enterprise as a director or officer. The Bylaws of the Registrant obligate it to provide advance of expenses to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law, except as limited by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Additionally, the Registrants Bylaws permit it to indemnify any other employees or agents of the Registrant to the extent authorized by the Registrants Board of Directors.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered), the
37
Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant, its directors and officers, the Adviser and persons affiliated with them are insured under a policy of insurance maintained by the Registrant and the Adviser, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policy, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been such directors or officers. The policy expressly excludes coverage for any director or officer whose personal dishonesty, fraudulent breach of trust, lack of good faith, or intention to deceive or defraud has been finally adjudicated or may be established or who willfully fails to act prudently.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
Neither Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co., nor any of its directors or executive officers, has at any time during the past two years been engaged in any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature either for its or his own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, except as indicated in this Registration Statement.
Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder are maintained at the offices of the Fund (55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600, Chicago, Illinois 60603), the Adviser, the Administrator and the Funds custodian and transfer agents. See Management of the Fund-Investment Adviser, Management of the Fund-Administrator and Underwriting-Custodian agent, transfer agent and auction agent for the addresses of the Adviser, the Administrator and the Funds custodian and transfer agents.
Item 33. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings
1. The Registrant hereby undertakes to suspend the offering of its units until it amends its Prospectus if (a) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or (b) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the Prospectus.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of Prospectus filed as part of a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of Prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(b) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of Prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
38
securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
6. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, its Statement of Additional Information.
39
EXHIBIT INDEX
Sequential
|
||
Exhibit No. | Description |
Page No.
|
n | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
r.1 | Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of the Registrant | |
r.2 | Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of | |
Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. | ||
s | Powers of Attorney |
40
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the city of Chicago, and the state of Illinois, on the 21st day of December, 2005.
DNP SELECT INCOME FUND INC. | |
By: /s/ Nathan I. Partain | |
Name: Nathan I. Partain | |
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title |
|
||
/s/ Nathan I. Partain |
Nathan I. Partain | |||
President and | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||||
/s/ Joseph C. Curry, Jr. | Joseph C. Curry, Jr. | |
||
Senior Vice President | ||||
and Treasurer | ||||
(Principal Financial and | ||||
Accounting Officer) | ||||
________________________________ |
Stewart E. Conner | |
||
Director | ||||
________________________________ |
Connie K. Duckworth | |
||
Director | ||||
________________________________ |
Robert J. Genetski | |
||
Director | ||||
* |
Francis E. Jeffries | |
||
Director | ||||
and Chairman of the Board | ||||
________________________________ |
Nancy Lampton | |
||
Director |
41
________________________________ |
Christian H. Poindexter | 12/21/05 | ||
|
Director | |||
|
||||
|
||||
________________________________ |
Carl F. Pollard | 12/21/05 | ||
|
Director | |||
|
||||
|
||||
________________________________ |
David J. Vitale | 12/21/05 | ||
Director | ||||
*By: /s/ Nathan I. Partain | ||||
Nathan I. Partain | ||||
Attorney-in-Fact |
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