Filed under Rule 497 File No. 333-133715 |
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PROSPECTUS
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July 13, 2006 |
$200,000,000
DNP Select Income Fund Inc.
4,000 Shares Series T
4,000 Shares Series TH
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 March 31, 2006, the Adviser managed approximately $6.6 billion in assets, including approximately $2.7 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 inside cover)
Before buying any APS, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in the Fund in the Risks section beginning on page 21 of this Prospectus. Certain of these risks are summarized in Prospectus summaryRisks of investing in the Fund beginning on page 4.
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 | $250 | $24,750 | |||||||||
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Total | $200,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $198,000,000 | |||||||||
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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 $152,400. The Fund and the Adviser have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See Underwriting. |
The underwriter is offering the APS subject to various conditions. The underwriter expects to deliver the APS in book-entry form, through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company, to purchasers on or about July 18, 2006.
UBS Investment Bank
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The APS is being offered by the underwriter 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 underwriter, 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 Fund currently has outstanding 4,000 shares of auction preferred stock, Series M (the Series M APS), 4,000 shares of auction preferred stock, Series W (the Series W APS), 4,000 shares of auction preferred stock, Series F (the Series F APS and collectively with the Series M APS and the Series W APS, the Existing APS), 1,000 shares of remarketed preferred stock, Series A (the Series A RPS), 1,000 shares of remarketed preferred stock, Series B (the Series B RPS), 1,000 shares of remarketed preferred stock, Series C (the Series C RPS), 1,000 shares of remarketed preferred stock, Series D (the Series D RPS), and 1,000 shares of remarketed preferred stock, Series E (the Series E RPS and collectively with the Series A RPS, the Series B RPS, the Series C RPS and the Series D RPS, the RPS). 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 Existing APS and the RPS. 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 July 13, 2006, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (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 60 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 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 underwriter has 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 underwriter is 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.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS | |||||
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Prospectus summary | 1 | Certain provisions in the charter and | |||
Financial highlights | 10 |
bylaws and certain provisions of
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The Fund | 12 | Maryland law | 49 | ||
Use of proceeds | 12 | Repurchase of common stock | 53 | ||
Capitalization (unaudited) | 13 | U.S. federal income tax matters | 53 | ||
Portfolio composition | 13 | Underwriting | 58 | ||
The Funds investments | 14 | Custodian, transfer agent and | |||
Risks | 21 | auction agent | 58 | ||
Management of the Fund | 28 | Legal opinions | 58 | ||
Description of APS | 32 | Available information | 59 | ||
The auction | 41 | Privacy principles of the Fund | 59 | ||
Description of capital structure | 48 | Table of contents for the Statement of | |||
Additional Information | 60 |
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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 refers to all preferred stock of the Fund, including the APS, the Existing APS and the RPS. 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 8,000 shares of APS, of which 4,000 shares will be designated Series T (the Series T APS) and 4,000 shares will be designated Series TH (the Series TH APS), each at a purchase price of $25,000 per share. The APS is being offered by UBS Securities LLC (the Underwriter). See Underwriting.
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 of securities of companies in the public utilities industry. Historically, securities of companies in the public utilities industry have tended to produce current income and long-term growth of income for their holders. They are thus well suited to the Funds primary investment objectives. 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, convertible securities and securities of real estate investment trusts. The Fund may invest in the securities of domestic and foreign issuers as well as in securities of companies of any market capitalization, including small and mid cap 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. Generally, the Fund purchases a fixed income security only if, at the time of purchase, it is rated investment grade, although the Fund is not required to divest itself of a security that falls below investment grade. The Fund does not have a specific maturity policy but generally does not purchase fixed income securities with maturities longer than 30 years. 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
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for investments in debt securities. The Funds ability to utilize any of the techniques described in this Prospectus 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 Funds preferred stock. Though it does not currently make significant use of dividend capture trading, the Fund may seek to enhance the level of dividend income it receives by engaging in such trading in the future. In a dividend capture trade, the Fund purchases stock of a particular issuer on or prior to the ex-dividend date for that stock. Because the Fund is the holder of the stock on the ex-dividend date, it is entitled to receive the dividend on the stock. After the ex-dividend date, the Fund seeks an opportunity to sell the stock and reinvest the proceeds in the stock of a different issuer on or prior to that stocks ex-dividend date. The use of captures may enable the Fund to collect more dividends per quarter than it would have collected if it held the same stock throughout the entire quarter.
USE OF LEVERAGE |
The Funds leverage consists of five series of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and three series of Existing APS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $300 million. The issuance of $200 million of APS in this offering will increase the Funds total leverage to $1 billion. This increase in the Funds leverage could have the effect of increasing the volatility of both the Funds net asset value and the market value of its common stock. This means that if there is a net decrease in the value of the Funds investment portfolio, the use of leverage will likely cause a greater decrease in the net asset value per common share and the market value per common share than if the Fund were not leveraged.
In addition to issuing the APS, the Fund may borrow money or issue debt securities such as commercial paper or notes (collectively, Borrowings). As of June 1, 2006, the Fund retired all of its commercial paper notes (CP Notes) and terminated its CP Note program and the related backup credit facility. As a result, the Fund currently has no Borrowings, although it could enter into Borrowings in the future. Any future Borrowings would have seniority over the APS and any other outstanding shares of preferred stock, and payments to holders of the APS and any other outstanding shares of preferred stock in liquidation or otherwise would be subject to the prior payment of any Borrowings. Because the fee paid to the Adviser is calculated on the basis of the Funds managed assets (which equals the aggregate net asset value of the common stock plus the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred stock and the aggregate principal amount of any Borrowings), the advisory fee will be higher when leverage is utilized, giving the Adviser an incentive to utilize leverage.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS |
In connection with the Funds use of leverage through its preferred stock, 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 effect 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
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inception in 1987. As of March 31, 2006, the Adviser managed approximately $6.6 billion in assets, including approximately $2.7 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.
RISKS |
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 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 elect to retain your APS in connection with an auction, and all other holders also elect to retain their APS in connection with that auction, then the applicable dividend rate for the next dividend period will be the all-hold rate, which may be less 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 is 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 the Fund will be able to do so to the extent necessary to restore the prior rating. The Funds ability to meet the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act may be impaired by decreases in the market value of the Funds total assets, including those assets attributable to the Funds preferred stock and Borrowings. The Fund also may voluntarily redeem APS under certain circumstances. See RisksRatings and asset coverage risk.
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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 five series of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and three series of Existing APS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $300 million. Holders of APS will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to the holders of the Existing APS and the RPS. As of June 1, 2006, the Fund retired all of its CP Notes and terminated its CP Note program and the related backup credit facility. As a result, the Fund currently has no Borrowings, although it could enter into Borrowings in the future. In connection with the Funds use of leverage through its preferred stock and any Borrowings, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions. If the Fund enters into Borrowings or interest rate swaps or caps, the rights of lenders and counter-parties in those transactions would be senior to the rights of holders of the Funds preferred stock, including the APS. Dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of APS in liquidation or otherwise would be subject to prior payment of the Funds obligations to the lenders and counter-parties with respect to any Borrowings or interest rate swaps or caps. If the Fund were in default on any such obligations, it 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.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND |
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.
Leverage risk. The Funds leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of higher volatility of the Funds net asset value and the asset coverage of the Funds preferred stock. This means that if there is a net decrease in the value of the Funds investment portfolio, the use of
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leverage will likely cause a greater decrease in the net asset value per common share and the market value per common share than if the Fund were not leveraged.
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 industry. As concentration in an industry 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 industry 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. Although the Fund is prohibited from investing 20% 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 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 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 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 may invest in, and thus may have exposure to, preferred stocks. Preferred stocks involve credit risk, which is the risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, or
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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
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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 purchases stock of a particular issuer on or prior to the ex-dividend date for that stock. Because the Fund is the holder of the stock on the ex-dividend date, it is entitled to receive the dividend on the stock. After the ex-dividend date, the Fund seeks an opportunity to sell the stock and reinvest the proceeds in the stock of a different issuer on or prior to that stocks ex-dividend date. The use of dividend capture strategies exposes the Fund to increased trading costs and the potential for capital loss. Since 2004, the Fund has not made 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 cor-
7
porate-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 presence in that country of 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 and certain provisions of Maryland law.
TRADING MARKET |
The APS will not be listed on an exchange. Instead, you may buy or sell shares of APS at an auction, which 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 | date | auction day | |||
|
|||||
Series T | July 25, 2006 | Tuesday | |||
Series TH | July 27, 2006 | Thursday | |||
DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND PERIODS
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 dividend rate. See Description of APSDividends and dividend periods.
In addition, the table below 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 subsequent dividends will normally be paid. If the day on which dividends normally 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 any special dividend period of more than seven days will be set out in the notice designating such special dividend period. See Description of APSDividends and dividend periodsDeclaration of special dividend periods.
8
Number of | ||||||||||
days of | ||||||||||
Initial | Date of | Dividend payment | Subsequent | initial | ||||||
dividend | accumulation | date for initial | dividend | dividend | ||||||
rate | at initial rate | dividend period | payment day | period | ||||||
|
||||||||||
Series T | 5.05% | July 18, 2006 | July 26, 2006 | Wednesday | 8 | |||||
Series TH | 5.05% | July 18, 2006 | July 28, 2006 | Friday | 10 |
TAXATION
Dividends paid with respect to APS should constitute dividends for federal income tax purposes to the extent attributable to the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits. For a further discussion of the tax treatment of dividends paid by the Fund, see U.S. federal income tax mattersTaxation of shareholders. Distributions of net capital gain, to the extent so designated, will be treated as long-term capital gains.
REDEMPTION |
The Fund may be required to redeem all or a portion of the APS if, for example, the Fund does not maintain the minimum asset coverage ratio it is required to maintain as a condition of declaring dividends on its common stock or the minimum discounted value of eligible portfolio securities specified by the rating agencies. 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 PREFERENCE |
The liquidation preference of the APS will be $25,000 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends. See Description of APSLiquidation.
RATINGS |
The 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 RIGHTS |
The 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 and certain provisions of Maryland law.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS OF THE FUND
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.
9
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 each year in the ten-year period ended December 31, 2005. 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, 2004 and 2005, 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.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning of year | $ | 8.75 | $ | 7.94 | $ | 7.37 | $ | 9.18 | 10.51 | $ | 8.77 | $ | 10.36 | $ | 9.90 | $ | 8.44 | $ | 8.85 | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(1)(2) | 0.41 | 0.54 | 0.75 | 0.79 | 0.77 | 0.88 | 0.89 | 0.88 | 0.85 | 0.84 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gain (loss) on investments | 0.14 | 1.06 | 0.62 | (1.78 | ) | (1.23 | ) | 1.76 | (1.59 | ) | 0.46 | 1.46 | (0.41 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends on preferred stock from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
net investment income(1) | | | | (0.04 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.10 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
applicable to common stock
|
0.55 | 1.60 | 1.37 | (1.03 | ) | (0.54 | ) | 2.53 | (0.80 | ) | 1.24 | 2.21 | 0.33 | |||||||||||||||||
Dividends on common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
from and in excess of net
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
investment income | (0.75 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.80 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.75 | ) | (0.74 | ) | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Return of capital | (0.04 | ) | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Total distributions | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.80 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.79 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.75 | ) | (0.74 | ) | ||||||||||
Net asset value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of year | $ | 8.51 | $ | 8.75 | $ | 7.94 | $ | 7.37 | 9.18 | $ | 10.51 | $ | 8.77 | $ | 10.36 | $ | 9.90 | $ | 8.44 | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Per share market value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of year | $ | 10.39 | $ | 11.92 | $ | 10.96 | $ | 9.90 | 11.06 | $ | 10.50 | $ | 8.31 | $ | 11.25 | $ | 10.13 | $ | 8.63 | |||||||||||
Ratio of expenses to average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
net assets applicable to
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common stock(1) | 2.24 | % | 1.86 | % | 1.89 | % | 1.44 | % | 1.57 | % | 1.79 | % | 1.66 | % | 1.46 | % | 1.45 | % | 1.53 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
average net assets applicable
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
to common stock(1)(2)
|
4.51 | % | 5.63 | % | 9.88 | % | 9.63 | % | 8.63 | % | 9.73 | % | 9.40 | % | 8.85 | % | 9.87 | % | 7.79 | % | ||||||||||
Total investment return on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
market value | (6.16 | )% | 17.35 | % | 19.82 | % | (3.04 | )% | 13.67 | % | 37.37 | % | (19.85 | )% | 19.95 | % | 27.69 | % | 4.68 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (2) | 21.99 | % | 43.71 | % | 242.69 | % | 197.27 | % | 213.48 | % | 229.70 | % | 223.78 | % | 251.19 | % | 213.57 | % | 226.21 | % | ||||||||||
Net assets applicable to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
common stock, end of year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(000s omitted) | $1,904,206 | $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) | 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 $0.47 and $0.06, respectively in 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 2004 and 2005. |
10
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, 2004 and 2005, 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. As of June 1, 2006, the Fund retired all of its CP Notes and terminated its CP Note program and the related backup credit facility. Consequently, no CP Notes are currently outstanding.
CP Notes | RPS | |||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
Average Market | Asset Coverage | Liquidation | ||||||||||
Value | per $1,000 of | Preference | Asset
|
|||||||||
Aggregate | per $100,000 of | Principal | Aggregate | and Average | Coverage | |||||||
Amount | Principal | Amount (2) | Amount | Market Value | per Share (4) | |||||||
Outstanding | Amount (1) | (unaudited) | Outstanding | per Share (3) | (unaudited) | |||||||
|
||||||||||||
December 31, 2005 | $197,255,382 | $100,000 | $13,188 | $500,000,000 | $100,000 | $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 | 437,289 |
(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 market 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. |
11
The Fund |
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. 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 following table provides information about the Funds outstanding stock as of May 31, 2006.
Number of shares | ||||||
Number of shares | held by the Fund | Number of shares | ||||
Title of class | authorized | or for its account | outstanding | |||
|
||||||
Common Stock
|
250,000,000 | 0 | 224,965,223 | |||
Preferred Stock
|
100,000,000 | 0 | 5,000 | |||
Series A RPS
|
1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | |||
Series B RPS
|
1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | |||
Series C RPS
|
1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | |||
Series D RPS
|
1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | |||
Series E RPS
|
1,000 | 0 | 1,000 | |||
Series M APS
|
4,000 | 0 | 4,000 | |||
Series W APS
|
4,000 | 0 | 4,000 | |||
Series F APS
|
4,000 | 0 | 4,000 |
Use of proceeds |
The net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $197,847,600 after payment of the sales loads and estimated offering expenses. The Fund will invest the proceeds of this offering 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.
12
Capitalization (unaudited) |
The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Fund as of March 31, 2006, and as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the APS offered hereby (including estimated offering expenses and sales loads of $2,152,400):
Actual | As adjusted | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares
|
||||||||||
authorized
|
||||||||||
Auction preferred stock, $25,000 stated value per share,
|
||||||||||
at liquidation value, 12,000 shares issued and
|
||||||||||
outstanding, and 20,000 shares issued and outstanding,
|
||||||||||
as adjusted |
$
|
300,000,000 | $ | 500,000,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||||
Remarketed preferred stock, $100,000 stated value per share,
|
||||||||||
at liquidation value, 5,000 shares issued and | ||||||||||
outstanding |
$
|
500,000,000 | $ | 500,000,000 | ||||||
|
||||||||||
Shareholders equity: | ||||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares | ||||||||||
authorized, 224,505,404 shares issued and outstanding(1)
|
$
|
224,505 | $ | 224,505 | ||||||
Paid-in surplus | 1,897,384,642 | 1,895,232,242 | ||||||||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments | (173,617,078 | ) | (173,617,078 | ) | ||||||
Distributions in excess of book net investment income | (55,232,685 | ) | (55,232,685 | ) | ||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on | ||||||||||
investments and foreign currency translation | 248,517,165 | 248,517,165 | ||||||||
|
||||||||||
Net assets applicable to common stock |
$
|
1,917,276,549 | $ | 1,915,124,149 | ||||||
|
||||||||||
(1) None of these outstanding shares are held by or for the account of the Fund. |
Portfolio composition |
As of May 31, 2006, approximately 76% of the market value of the Funds portfolio, exclusive of short-term instruments, was invested in equity securities and approximately 24% was invested in other securities. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the composition as of May 31, 2006 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 |
|||||||||||
S&P(1) | Moodys(1) |
issues
|
Value | Percentage | |||||||
|
|||||||||||
AAA | Aaa | 2 | $
|
50,008,025 | 7.6 | % | |||||
AA | Aa | | | 0.0 | % | ||||||
A | A | 19 | 259,949,731 | 39.4 | % | ||||||
BBB | Baa | 23 | 329,475,656 | 49.9 | % | ||||||
BB | Ba | 1 | 21,160,344 | 3.2 | % | ||||||
Unrated | Unrated | | | 0.0 | % | ||||||
|
|||||||||||
45 | 660,593,756 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
|
(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. |
13
The Funds investments |
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 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. 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 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.
14
The Funds investments |
PORTFOLIO CONTENTS |
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-
15
The Funds investments |
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. Generally, the Fund purchases a fixed income security only if, at the time of purchase, it is rated investment grade, although the Fund is not required to divest itself of a security that falls below investment grade. The Fund does not have a specific maturity policy but generally does not purchase fixed income securities with maturities longer than 30 years.
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.
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The Funds investments |
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES |
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 March 31, 2006, the Fund had loaned portfolio securities with a market value of $748,244,064 to a broker-dealer and received $779,364,980 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. In addition, securities lending transactions may reduce the amount of distributions that are treated as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced federal income tax rate.
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 purchases stock of a particular issuer on or prior to the ex-dividend date for that stock. Because the Fund is the holder of the stock on the ex-dividend date, it is entitled to receive the dividend on the stock. After the ex-dividend date, the Fund seeks an opportunity to sell the stock and reinvest the proceeds in the stock of a different issuer on or prior to that stocks ex-dividend date. The use of captures may enable the Fund to collect more dividends per quarter than it would have collected if it held the same stock throughout the entire quarter. 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
17
The Funds investments |
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. Purchasing or selling securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis can involve the additional risk that the yield available in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that obtained in the transaction itself. The Fund will establish and maintain with its custodian a segregated account consisting of liquid securities equal at all times to the amount of the Funds when-issued and delayed delivery purchase commitments. Placing securities rather than cash in the segregated account may have a leveraging effect on the Funds net asset value per share; that is, to the extent that the Fund remains substantially fully invested in securities at the same time that it has committed to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, greater fluctuations in its net asset value per share may occur than if it had set aside cash to satisfy its purchase commitments.
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.
USE OF LEVERAGE |
As of June 1, 2006, the Funds leverage consists of five series of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and three series of Existing APS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $300 million. The issuance of $200 million of APS in this offering will increase the Funds total leverage to $1 billion. As of June 1, 2006, the Fund retired all of its CP Notes and terminated its CP Note program and the related backup credit facility. As a result, the Fund currently has no Borrowings, although it could enter into Borrowings in the future. 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 interest on any Borrowings will be lower than the return the Fund achieves on its investments with the proceeds of the issuance of preferred stock and any Borrowings. 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
18
The Funds investments |
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 any incremental return. Should the differential between the underlying assets and cost of leverage narrow, any incremental return to common shareholders will be reduced. Furthermore, if long-term rates rise or the Fund otherwise incurs losses on its investments, the Funds net asset value attributable to its common stock will reflect the decline in the value of portfolio holdings resulting therefrom.
Any future Borrowings will have seniority over the APS, the Existing APS and the RPS and payments to holders of APS and RPS in liquidation or otherwise will be subject to the prior payment of any Borrowings. By the same token, the Funds preferred stock, including the APS, the Existing APS and the RPS, will have seniority over the Funds common stock. Consequently, changes in the value of the Funds portfolio will be borne initially by holders of the Funds common stock. If there is a net decrease in the value of the Funds investment portfolio, the use of leverage will likely cause a greater decrease in the net asset value per common share than if the Fund were not leveraged.
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 any Borrowings is subject to dividend payments and interest costs that may or may not exceed the income and appreciation on the assets purchased.
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.
INTEREST RATE TRANSACTIONS |
In connection with the Funds use of leverage through its preferred stock and any Borrowings, 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 any variable rate Borrowings. The payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap. The Funds payment obligations under the swap are general unse-
19
The Funds investments |
cured 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 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 any 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.
In addition, at the time the interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the performance of the common stock.
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The Funds investments |
The Fund may choose or be required to redeem some or all of its preferred stock or prepay any of its future 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.
Risks |
Risk is inherent in all investing. Investing in any investment company security involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment or 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 involving one or more Broker-Dealers. 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. Additionally, if you elect to retain your APS in connection with an auction, and all other holders also elect to retain their APS in connection with that auction, then the applicable dividend rate for the next dividend period will be the all-hold rate, which may be less than the market rate. Finally, because a Broker-Dealer is permitted to submit orders in an auction for its own account, a Broker-Dealer may have an advantage over other bidders in the auction because of its knowledge of the other orders placed through it. This knowledge may allow the Broker-Dealer to structure its bid in a manner that increases the likelihood that its bid will be accepted at auction. Bids by a Broker-Dealer may also adversely affect the applicable dividend rate and the allocation of shares at an auction. See Description of APS, The AuctionAuction procedures and The Auction-Broker-Dealer Agreements.
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 the Fund will be able to do so to the extent necessary to restore the prior rating. The Funds ability to meet the asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act may be impaired by decreases
21
Risks
in the market value of the Funds total assets, including those assets attributable to the Funds preferred stock and Borrowings. 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 five series of outstanding RPS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $500 million and three series of Existing APS with an aggregate liquidation preference of $300 million. Holders of APS will have equal liquidation and distribution rights to the holders of the Existing APS and the RPS. As of June 1, 2006, the Fund retired all of its CP Notes and terminated its CP Note program and the related backup credit facility. As a result, the Fund currently has no Borrowings, although it could enter into Borrowings in the future. In connection with the Funds use of leverage through its preferred stock and any Borrowings, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions. If the Fund enters into Borrowings or interest rate swaps or caps, the rights of lenders and counter-parties in those transactions will be senior to the rights of holders of the Funds preferred stock, including the APS. Dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of APS in liquidation or otherwise would be subject to prior payment of the Funds obligations to the lenders and counter-parties with respect to any Borrowings or interest rate swaps or caps. If the Fund were in default on any such obligations, it 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.
RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND |
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
22
Risks |
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.
Leverage risk
The Fund uses financial leverage on an ongoing basis for investment purposes. Leverage risk includes the risk associated with the issuance of preferred stock and any future Borrowings to leverage the Funds common stock. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock or the interest rate on any future Borrowings exceeds the net rate of return on the Funds portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower net asset value than if the Fund were not leveraged, and the Funds ability to pay dividends and meet its asset coverage requirements on its preferred stock, including the APS, would be reduced. Similarly, any decline in the net asset value of the Funds investments could result in the Fund being in danger of failing to meet its asset coverage requirements or of losing its Aaa and AAA ratings on its preferred stock or, in an extreme case, the Funds current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on its preferred stock. To counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of its preferred stock.
It is currently anticipated that, taking into account the APS being offered by this Prospectus, the amount of leverage will represent up to 35% of the Funds total assets.
The Funds leveraged capital structure creates special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar investment objectives and policies. These include the possibility of higher volatility of the Funds net asset value and the asset coverage of the Funds preferred stock. This means that if there is a net decrease in the value of the Funds investment portfolio, the use of leverage will likely cause a greater decrease in the net asset value per common share and the market value per common share than if the Fund were not leveraged.
While the Fund may from time to time consider reducing leverage in response to actual or anticipated changes in interest rates in an effort to mitigate the increased volatility of current income and net asset value associated with leverage, we cannot assure you that the Fund will actually reduce leverage in the future or that any reduction, if undertaken, will be effective. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately. If the Fund were to reduce leverage based on a prediction about future changes to interest rates and that prediction turned out to be incorrect, the reduction in leverage would likely cause a decrease in the Funds net asset value relative to what it would have been if the Fund had not reduced leverage. The Fund may decide that this risk outweighs the likelihood of achieving the desired reduction in volatility of income and net asset value if the prediction were to turn out to be correct, and determine not to reduce leverage as described above.
Because the fee paid to the Adviser is calculated on the basis of the Funds managed assets (which equals the aggregate net asset value of the common stock plus the aggregate liquidation preference of the preferred stock and the aggregate principal amount of any Borrowings), the advisory fee will be higher when leverage is utilized, giving the Adviser an incentive to utilize leverage.
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.
23
Risks |
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.
Regulatory changes in certain states have led to greater competition in the indutsry and the emergence of non-regulated providers as a significant part of the industry. While regulated providers tend to have regulated returns, non-regulated providers returns are not regulated and generally are more volatile. These developments have reduced stability of cash flows in those states with non-regulated providers and could impact the short-term earnings potential of some in the industry.
Investments in securities of foreign issuers
While the Fund is prohibited from investing 20% 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.
24
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 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 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.
25
Risks
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.
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
26
Risks |
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 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 purchases stock of a particular issuer on or prior to the ex-dividend date for that stock. Because the Fund is the holder of the stock on the ex-dividend date, it is entitled to receive the dividend on the stock. After the ex-dividend date, the Fund seeks an opportunity to sell the stock and reinvest the proceeds in the stock of a different issuer on or prior to that stocks ex-dividend date. The use of dividend capture strategies exposes the Fund to increased trading costs and the potential for capital loss. Since 2004, the Fund has not made 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.
27
Risks
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 and certain provisions of Maryland law.
Management of the Fund BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS |
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Funds 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 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. The investment advisory fees paid by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement totaled $14,771,365 in 2005, $13,869,531 in 2004 and $13,069,523 in 2003. A discussion regarding the basis for the directors approving the
28
Management of the Fund |
Advisory Agreement is available in 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). 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 MANAGEMENT |
A 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, as of April 1, 2006, 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 and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser since April 2005 (Executive Vice President from 1997 to 2005), President and Chief Executive Officer of DTF Tax-Free Income Inc. (DTF) and Duff & Phelps Utility and Corporate Bond Trust Inc. (DUC), two other closed-end utilities oriented funds, since February 2004, and lead portfolio manager of Phoenix Global Utilities Fund (PGU), an open-end utilities oriented fund, since October 2004. Mr. Partain has final investment authority with respect to the Funds entire investment portfolio. 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 has been Senior Vice President of the Adviser since 1993 (Vice President 1987-1993) and Secretary of DTF and DUC since May 2005. He is also a member of the portfolio management teams of DUC and PGU. Mr. Beittel concentrates his research on fixed-income securities and has investment authority with respect to the Funds fixed-income portfolio. 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 has investment authority with respect to the Funds REIT portfolio. He is also 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, Duff & Phelps Real Estate Securities Trust 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.
29
Management of the Fund |
Deborah A. Jansen, CFA, has served on the Funds portfolio management team and has been a Senior Vice President of the Adviser since January 2001. She is also a member of the portfolio management team of PGU. Ms. Jansen concentrates her research on the global electric and natural gas industries and makes recommendations to Mr. Partain with regard to equity investments in those industries. Prior to joining the Adviser in 2001, Ms. Jansen was a Senior Vice President, Principal and Equity Portfolio Manager at Stein Roe and Farnham, Inc. from 1996 to 2000.
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 PGU. Ms. Luecke concentrates her research on the global telecommunications industries and makes recommendations to Mr. Partain with regard to equity investments in those 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 DUC, another closed-end utilities oriented fund, since February 2004 (Portfolio Manager from 2002 to 2004, Vice President since 2000). Mr. Petrisko assists Mr. Beittel with respect to the management of the Funds fixed-income portfolio. 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 PGU. Mr. Smith concentrates his research on the global electric and natural gas industries and makes recommendations to Mr. Partain with regard to equity investments in those 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.
ADMINISTRATOR |
The 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.
EXPENSES |
The Fund is responsible for all expenses not paid by the Adviser or the Administrator, including brokerage fees.
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Management of the Fund
CONTROL PERSONS |
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 APS |
The 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.
GENERAL |
The 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 1 / 4 vote per share 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.
The APS offered by this Prospectus will rank on a parity with the Existing APS and the RPS.
DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND PERIODS |
The 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 | |
Series T | July 18, 2006 July 25, 2006 | |
Series TH | July 18, 2006 July 27, 2006 |
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.
31
Description of APS
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:
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 its members or participants (Agent Members) who are acting as agents for beneficial owners. 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. The Fund computes the dividends per share payable on shares of each series of APS by multiplying the applicable dividend rate in effect 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 dividend 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 dividend rate. The maximum dividend rate for any regular dividend period will be the higher of (i) the applicable percentage of the reference rate and (ii) 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 U.S. Treasury Note 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 will be determined by reference to equivalent ratings issued by a substitute rat
ing agency. In the case of a special dividend period, (1) the maximum dividend 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 32
LIBOR Rate (for a dividend
period of fewer than 365 days) or the U.S. Treasury Note Rate (for a dividend period of 365 days or more).
Assuming the Fund maintains an AAA/Aaa rating on the APS, the practical effect of the different methods used to calculate the maximum dividend rate is shown in the table below:
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 underwriter or its
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 U.S. Treasury Note 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 dividend
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 the dividend rate for the APS for each sub- 33 sequent dividend period will be the maximum dividend rate with the prevailing rating for the series of APS being deemed Baa1/BBB.
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 any Borrowings of the
Fund 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;
(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: 34
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. 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 35
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.
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. 36
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of preferred stock, including both APS and RPS, 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. After payment of the
full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.
For purpose of the foregoing paragraph, a voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the Fund does not include:
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, the Existing APS and the 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 March 31, 2006, the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage with respect to all of the Funds preferred stock, and after giving pro forma effect to the
retirement on that date of all of the CP Notes and the issuance on that date of all shares of APS offered hereby and to the deduction of related sales load and related offering costs estimated at $2,152,400 in the aggregate, would have been
computed as follows:
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 37 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 directors may, without shareholder approval, amend,
alter or repeal any or all of the definitions and related provisions which have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines in the event the Fund receives written confirmation from Moodys or S&P, as the case may be,
that any such amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the rating then assigned to the APS.
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.
Except as otherwise provided in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information or as otherwise required by law, holders of APS will be entitled to 1 / 4
vote per share of APS and will vote together with holders of common stock and other preferred stock as a single class. Since each share of APS represents a liquidation preference of $25,000, whereas each
share of RPS (which has one vote per share) represents a liquidation preference of $100,000, the allocation of 1 / 4 vote per share to the APS will give
all holders of preferred stock equal voting power per dollar of liquidation preference. 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): 38
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:
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: 39 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 Articles Supplementary provide that, except as otherwise described in this Prospectus, the applicable dividend 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.
The Fund has entered into an agency agreement (the Auction Agency Agreement) with the auction agent (currently, The Bank of New York) which provides, among other things, that the auction agent will follow the
auction procedures to determine the applicable dividend rate for each series of APS, so long as the applicable dividend rate for such series of APS is to be based on the results of an auction.
Each auction requires the participation of one or more Broker-Dealers. The auction agent will enter into agreements with several Broker-Dealers (Broker-Dealer Agreements) selected by the Fund, which provide for
the participation of those Broker-Dealers in auctions for APS.
Each Broker-Dealer is appointed on behalf of the Fund to serve as a dealer in the APS and is authorized in a Broker-Dealer Agreement to solicit bids for the APS from existing holders and potential holders. 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. A Broker-Dealer may share a portion of such fees with other Broker-Dealers that submit, through such Broker-Dealer, orders that are filled in 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.
Each Broker-Dealer is permitted, but not obligated, to submit orders in auctions for its own account, either as a bidder or a seller, in its sole discretion. If a Broker-Dealer submits an order for its own account, it would
have an advantage over other bidders because such Broker-Dealer would have
40
knowledge of some or all of the other orders placed through such Broker-Dealer in that auction. Therefore, a Broker-Dealer could determine the rate and size of its order to increase the likelihood that its order will be accepted in the auction or that the auction will clear at a particular rate. For this reason, and because each Broker-Dealer is appointed and paid by the Fund to serve as a Broker-Dealer in the auction, a Broker-Dealers interests in conducting an auction may differ from those of existing holders and potential holders who participate in auctions. A Broker-Dealer would not have knowledge of orders submitted to the auction agent by any other firm that is, or may in the future be, appointed to accept orders pursuant to a Broker-Dealer Agreement. Each Broker-Dealer may routinely place one or more bids in an auction for its own account to acquire APS for its inventory, to seek to prevent an auction failure event (i.e., an event where there
are insufficient clearing bids, which would result in the applicable dividend rate being set at the maximum dividend rate) or to seek to prevent an auction from clearing at a rate that such Broker-Dealer believes does not
reflect the market for the APS. Each Broker-Dealer may place such bids even after obtaining knowledge of some or all of the other orders submitted through it. When bidding for its own account, each Broker-Dealer may bid inside the range of rates
that it posts in its price talk or outside that range if such Broker-Dealer believes that the fair market value of the APS is outside the range of rates that it posts in its price talk. See Price talk
below.
Bids by any Broker-Dealer are likely to affect (i) the applicable dividend rate, including preventing the applicable dividend rate from being set at the maximum dividend rate or otherwise causing bidders to receive a higher
or lower dividend rate than they might have received had such Broker-Dealer not bid, and (ii) the allocation of shares of APS being auctioned, including displacing some bidders who may have their bids rejected or who may receive fewer shares of APS
than they would have received if such Broker-Dealer had not bid. Because of these practices, the fact that an auction clears successfully does not mean that an investment in the APS involves no significant liquidity risk. No Broker-Dealer is
obligated to continue to place such bids in any particular auction to prevent an auction from failing or clearing at a dividend rate such Broker-Dealer believes does not reflect the market for the APS. Investors should not assume that any
Broker-Dealer will do so or that auction failure events will not occur.
In any particular auction, if all outstanding shares of APS are the subject of hold orders, the applicable dividend rate for the next succeeding distribution period will be the all-hold rate (such a situation is
called an all-hold auction). When an all-hold auction appears likely, a Broker-Dealer may, but is not obligated to, advise existing holders of that fact, which might facilitate the submission of bids by existing holders that would avoid
the occurrence of an all-hold auction. If a Broker-Dealer holds any shares of APS for its own account on an auction date, such Broker-Dealer will submit a sell order into the auction with respect to such shares. If such a Broker-Dealer (or any other
existing holder) submits a sell order into the auction, such auction will not be an all-hold auction. Such Broker-Dealer may, but is not obligated to, submit bids in that same auction, as set forth above.
Before the start of an auction, each Broker-Dealer may, in its discretion, make available to existing holders and potential holders such Broker-Dealers good faith judgment of the range of likely clearing dividend
rates for the auction based on market and other information. This is known as price talk. Price talk is not a guarantee that the applicable dividend rate established through the auction will be an applicable dividend rate within the
price talk, and existing holders and potential holders are free to use it or ignore it. A Broker-Dealer may occasionally update and change the price talk based on changes in issuer credit quality or macroeconomic factors that are likely to result in
a change in dividend rate levels, such as an announcement by the Federal Reserve Board of a change in the Federal Funds rate or an announcement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of unemployment numbers. 41 None of the Broker-Dealers accepts all-or-nothing bids (i.e., bids whereby the bidder proposes to reject an allocation smaller than the entire quantity bid) or any other type of bid that allows the bidder to avoid auction procedures that require the pro rata allocation of shares of APS when there are not sufficient sell orders to fill all bids at the clearing dividend rate. None of the Broker-Dealers provides any assurance as to the outcome of any auction. Nor does any Broker-Dealer provide any assurance that any bid will be accepted or that the auction will clear at a dividend rate that a bidder considers acceptable. Bids may be rejected or may be only partially filled, and the dividend rate on any shares of APS purchased or retained may be lower than the bidder expected.
Each particular auction has a formal time deadline by which all bids must be submitted by each Broker-Dealer to the auction agent. This deadline is called the auction submission deadline. To provide sufficient
time to process and submit customer bids to the auction agent before the auction submission deadline, each Broker-Dealer imposes an earlier deadline called the internal submission deadline by which bidders must submit bids
to such Broker-Dealer. The internal submission deadline is subject to change by such Broker-Dealer. A Broker-Dealer may allow correction of clerical errors after the internal submission deadline and prior to the auction submission deadline. A
Broker-Dealer may submit bids for its own account at any time until the auction submission deadline. The auction agent may allow for the correction of clerical errors for a specified period of time after the auction submission deadline.
Existing holders ability to resell auction preferred securities may be limited
Existing holders will be able to sell their shares of APS in an auction only if there are sufficient bidders willing to purchase all the shares of APS offered for sale in the auction. If sufficient clearing bids have not
been made, existing holders that have submitted sell orders will not be able to sell in the auction all, and may not be able to sell any, of the shares of APS subject to such submitted sell orders. As discussed above (see Bidding by
Broker-Dealers), a Broker-Dealer may submit a bid in an auction to seek to keep it from failing, but it is not obligated to do so. There may not always be enough bidders to prevent an auction from failing in the absence of a Broker-Dealer
bidding in the auction for its own account. Therefore, auction failure events are possible, especially if the credit quality of the APS were to deteriorate, if a market disruption were to occur or if, for any reason, each Broker-Dealer
were unable or unwilling to bid.
Between auctions, there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the APS will develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide existing holders the ability to resell shares of APS in the secondary market on the
terms or at the times desired by an existing holder. Each Broker-Dealer may, in its own discretion, decide to buy or sell shares of APS in the secondary market for its own account to or from investors at any time and at any price, including at
prices equivalent to, below, or above the par value of the APS. However, no Broker-Dealer is obligated to conduct such between-auction trading in the APS, and any Broker-Dealer may discontinue trading in the APS without notice for any reason at any
time. Existing holders who resell between auctions may receive less than par value, depending on market conditions.
The ability to resell the APS (whether during or between auctions) will depend on various factors affecting the market for the APS, including news relating to the Fund or the Adviser, the attractiveness of alternative
investments, the perceived risk of owning the APS (whether related to credit, liq- 42 uidity or any other risk), the tax or accounting treatment accorded the APS, reactions of market participants to regulatory actions (such as those described in SEC inquiries below) or press reports, financial reporting cycles and market conditions generally. Demand for the APS may change without warning, and declines in demand may be short-lived or continue for longer periods. Resignation of the auction agent under the Auction Agency Agreement or of any Broker-Dealer under the Broker-Dealer Agreement could affect the ability to hold auctions The Auction Agency Agreement provides that the auction agent may resign from its duties as auction agent by giving at least 60 days notice to the Fund. The auction agent may also terminate the Auction Agency Agreement if, after notifying the Fund that it has not received payment of any auction agent fee due it in accordance with the terms of such Agreement, the auction agent does not receive such
payment within 30 days. Each Broker-Dealer Agreement provides that the Broker-Dealer thereunder may resign upon 5 days notice and does not require, as a condition to the effectiveness of such resignation, that a replacement Broker-Dealer be in place. For any auction period during which there is no duly appointed auction agent, or during which there is no duly appointed Broker-Dealer, it will not be possible to hold auctions, with the result that the dividend rate on the APS will be the maximum dividend rate.
UBS Securities LLC, as the Underwriter of the APS, has advised the Fund that it and various other firms that participate in the auction rate securities market, which includes the market for APS, received letters from the
SEC staff in May 2004 requesting information about their respective practices and procedures in the auction rate securities market. Pursuant to these requests, the Underwriter and other firms provided information to the SEC staff. On May 31, 2006,
the SEC announced that a number of firms who were active participants in the auction rate securities market settled allegations against them by agreeing to be censured, to pay in the aggregate approximately $13 million in penalties and to agree
to certain undertakings. No action was taken by the SEC against the Underwriter, and the Underwriter is not aware of any ongoing inquiries on this matter related to it.
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.
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 dividend 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- 43
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 dividend 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 dividend 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 dividend 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 dividend 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 dividend 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 dividend rate for the next dividend period will be the maximum applicable dividend 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 hold orders, the
applicable dividend rate for the next dividend period will then be 80% of the reference rate (i.e., the all-hold 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 44
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 Series T APS will normally be held every Tuesday, and each subsequent dividend period will normally begin on the following Wednesday; the auctions for Series TH APS will normally be held every Thursday, and each subsequent dividend period will normally begin on the following Friday.
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: The lowest dividend rate that will result in all 1,000 shares of APS continuing to be held is 2.00% (the offer by Potential Holder D). Therefore, the applicable dividend 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 dividend 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 dividend rate. Potential Holder F will not buy shares because its bid rate was above the applicable dividend 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 dividend rate for the next dividend period will be
the applicable dividend 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: 45 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 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 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.
A beneficial owner or an existing holder may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of APS only in whole shares and only: Description of capital structure The Funds authorized capital stock consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which 224,965,223 were outstanding at May 31, 2006, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which 17,000 were outstanding at May 31, 2006.
Holders 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 and other matters submitted to the shareholders (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.
Under 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. 46
The 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 three 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 and the Existing 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 1 / 4 vote per $25,000 of liquidation preference. 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, changes in the Funds sub-classification as a closed-end investment company, changes in its investment objectives or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions.
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 and the Existing 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. The 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. As of June 1, 2006, the Fund retired all of its CP Notes and terminated its CP Note program and the related backup credit facility. As a result, the Fund currently has no Borrowings, although it could enter into Borrowings in the future. 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, should the Fund incur any future Borrowings in the form of CP Notes, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or 47
more rating agencies which may issue ratings for any such 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.
Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws and certain
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 with or without cause 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: 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, voting together as a single class, unless such amendment 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, would be required. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares of common stock at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the Investment Company Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might
be in effect at the time of a redemption. In addition, conversion to an open-end investment company would require redemption of all outstanding shares of the preferred stock. 48 Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws and certain provisions of Maryland law 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 the
Fund. 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.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF MARYLAND LAW
Maryland Business Combination Act
Under Maryland law, business combinations between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on
which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of
equity Securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:
A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a
transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.
After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the
affirmative vote of at least: 49
Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws and certain provisions of Maryland law
The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.
Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act The provisions of the Maryland control share acquisition statute described below do not apply to a closed-end investment company, such as the Fund, unless it has affirmatively elected to be subject to the statute by a resolution of its board of directors. To date, the Fund has not made such an election but may make such an election under Maryland law at any time. Any such election, however, would be subject to the 1940 Act limitations discussed below.
The Maryland control share acquisition statute provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if
aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise
voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power: Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions. A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting. If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the
highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition. Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act provides that every share of stock . . . issued by a registered management company . . . shall be a voting stock and have equal voting rights with every other outstanding voting stock Therefore, the Fund is prevented by the 1940 Act from issuing a class of shares with voting rights that vary within that class. There are currently different views on whether or not the Maryland control share acquisition statute conflicts with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. One view is that implementation of the Maryland statute would conflict with the 1940 Act because it would 50
Certain provisions in the charter and bylaws and certain provisions of Maryland law deprive certain shares of their voting rights. Another view is that implementation of the Maryland statute
would not conflict with the 1940 Act because it would limit the voting rights of stockholders who choose to acquire shares of stock that put them within the specified percentages of ownership rather than limiting the voting rights of the shares
themselves. Because of this uncertainty, the Fund will not elect to be subject to the Maryland control share acquisition statute in the absence of a judgment of a federal court of competent jurisdiction or the issuance of a rule or regulation of the
SEC or a published interpretation by the SEC or its staff that the provisions of the Maryland statute are not inconsistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act, or a change to the provisions of the 1940 Act having the same effect.
Additionally, if the Fund elected to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act, it would not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the Fund is a party to the transaction
or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the Fund.
Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors to elect to be
subject, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter of bylaws, to any or all of five provisions: A corporation may also adopt a charter provision or resolution of the Board of Directors that prohibits the corporation from electing to be subject to any or all of the provisions of the subtitle. At this time, we have elected to be subject to the provisions regarding filling of vacancies, but have not elected to be subject to any other of these provisions. However, because our charter does not include a provision prohibiting us from electing to be subject to any of these provisions, our Board of Directors may make such an election at any time. Through provisions in our charter unrelated to Subtitle 8, we already have a classified board and require more than a two-thirds vote for the removal of directors. Shares 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 51 Repurchase of ccommon stock 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 Exchange Act), 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.
The 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. Distributions 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 that are designated as capital gain dividends, 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. 52
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 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 dividends paid by the Fund as eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction 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 regulated investment company. A corporation that owns common stock or preferred stock of the Fund generally will be entitled to a
Dividends Received Deduction with respect to a designated portion of the dividends it receives from the Fund.
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, the
Existing 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 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 dividends are paid by the Fund during the following January. Accordingly, those dividends 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,
the Existing APS 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, the Existing APS and the APS will be designated as income eligible for the Dividends Received Deduction on a pro rata basis between 53 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, the Existing APS 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 holders of common stock until
the asset coverage is restored. See Description of APSDividends and dividend periodsRestrictions 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.
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, 2011. 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 fewer 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 54 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.
Dividends and interest received, and gains realized, by the Fund on foreign securities may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions (collectively foreign
taxes) that would reduce the return on its securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States, however, may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains in respect
of investments by foreign investors. Since less than 50% of the value of the Funds total assets at the close of its taxable year will consist of securities of foreign corporations, no foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign taxes paid
by the Fund will pass through to its shareholders.
The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year.
The 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 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 dividends 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. The Fund is required to withhold a percentage of all ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends 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 ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends 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 55 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 special 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. UBS Securities LLC, has 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. The Underwriter is committed to purchase and pay for all of the Funds APS if any are purchased.
The Underwriter has advised the Fund that it proposes 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 $137.50 per share. The sales load the
Fund will pay of $250 per share of APS is equal to 1% of the initial
offering price. The Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a
discount not in excess of $100 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 July 18,
2006.
The Underwriter will act in auctions as a Broker-Dealer as set forth under The auction and will be entitled to fees for services as a Broker-Dealer as set forth therein. The Underwriter also may provide
information to be used in ascertaining the reference rate.
The Fund anticipates that the Underwriter may from time to time act as a broker and dealer in connection with the execution of the Funds portfolio transactions after it has ceased to be the principal underwriter of
the Fund under the Investment Company Act and, subject to certain conditions, may act as a broker while it is principal underwriter.
In connection with this offering, the Underwriter or selected dealers may distribute prospectuses electronically.
The Fund and the Adviser have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter 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 The Bank of New York, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 11258, New York, New York 10286. 56
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 Underwriter by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
Chicago, Illinois. DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP, Baltimore, Maryland, will opine on certain matters pertaining to Maryland law. Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may rely as to certain matters of
Maryland law on the opinion of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP. The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act 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
Exchange Act.
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its shareholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund
collects, how the Fund protects that information and why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with select other parties.
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal information relating to its shareholders, although certain non-public personal information of its shareholders may become available to the Fund. The Fund does not
disclose any non-public personal information about its shareholders or former shareholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary in order to service shareholder accounts (for example, to a transfer agent or third party
administrator).
The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information about its shareholders to employees of the 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. 57 58 Filed under Rule 497 July 13,
2006 STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DNP Select Income Fund Inc. 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., dated July 13, 2006 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
Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the meanings given them in the Funds prospectus.
1
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. 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 and its policy of investing, under normal market conditions, more than 65% of
the Funds total assets in securities of public utility companies are fundamental policies that may be changed only with 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.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The 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:
2
For purposes of the twelfth investment restriction, no amendment to the Funds charter that would alter or amend the Funds authority to issue senior securities will be effective
unless such amendment is approved by 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.
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 Policies
The 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 hedg-
3
ing 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.
Foreign securities. The
Fund may not invest in securities issued by public utilities located outside
the United States if, as a result of such investment, 20% or more of the Funds
total assets would be invested in such securities.
Percentage Restrictions
The Funds investment policies, techniques and restrictions that are set forth in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information may contain percentage restrictions with
respect to the amount of the Funds 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.
4
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Directors and Officers
5
6
7
Member of the audit committee of the board of directors, which makes recommendations regarding the selection of the Funds independent public accountants and meets with representatives of th accountants to determine the scope of and review the results of each audit. The audit committee met twice during 2005.
8
9
10
The following table provides certain information relating to the equity securities beneficially owned, as of December 31, 2005, 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.
As of December 31, 2005, 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, 2005, the officers and directors of the Fund owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the Funds outstanding common stock and none of the Funds outstanding preferred
stock.
The following table shows the compensation paid by the Fund to the Funds current directors during 2005:
11
Portfolio Managers
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, 2005 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, 2005, 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.
The following is a description of the compensation structure, as of December 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. The performance component is based in part on achieving and/or exceeding income targets underlying the Funds ability to pay common stock dividends, and in part on performance
relative to a composite of the S&P Utilities Index and the Lehman Brothers Utility Bond Index, reflecting the stock and bond ratio of the Fund. 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, 2005, by each of the portfolio managers identified in the Funds
prospectus.
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 Ethics
Each 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
Funds 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 $799,719, $1,667,497 and $8,550,524 during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, not including the gross underwriting
spread on securities purchased in underwritten public offerings. The Fund did not pay any brokerage commissions during 2005, 2004 or 2003 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 2005, 2004 or 2003, but has done so in the past and may do so again in the
future.
15
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE AUCTIONS FOR APS
General Securities Depository
The 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 Cede & Co., 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
APSVoting Rights in the Prospectus, Cede & Co. 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.
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 Agent
The 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 AuctionSecondary 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-Dealers
The 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 1 / 4 of 1% 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.
16
Orders by Existing Holders and Potential Holders
On or prior to the submission deadline on each auction date for shares of a series of APS:
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 28 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.
17
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 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 1:00 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:
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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 Dividend 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
Dividend 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 Dividend 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 Dividend 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 Dividend Rate for the
next Dividend Period for all shares of such series will be equal to the Maximum Dividend 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
19
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 Dividend 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 Dividend 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 submitted 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 not been made (unless this results because all Outstanding shares of such series are subject to Submitted Hold Orders):
20
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.
Notification of Results; Settlement
The Auction Agent will be required to advise each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order of the Applicable Dividend 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 3:30 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 Dividend 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.
REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK
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.
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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, 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.
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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
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.
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.
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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 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 of New York 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.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
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 Fund
The 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
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forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and income from interests 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 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 was 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 dividend 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 dividends paid during January of the following year will be deemed to be received on December 31 of the year the dividends are declared,
rather than when the dividends 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 APSDividends and Dividend PeriodsRestrictions 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.
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The Funds Investments
The 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 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) 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 min-imis 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 and (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to certain tax exempt investors. 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
26
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 Shareholders
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.
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 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, the Existing 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.
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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.
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, the Existing APS 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, 2011. 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 fewer 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. 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
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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.
The sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, 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, 2010 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 dividends 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 but not distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when the Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.
Certain dividends 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
ordinary income 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 num-
29
ber. 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.
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, the Existing APS 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, the Existing APS 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, the Existing APS 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.
EXPERTS
The statement of assets and liabilities of the Fund as of December 31, 2005 including the schedule of investments as of December 31, 2005 and the related statements of operations and cash flows
for the year then ended and the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the four 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 are 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.
30
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements listed below are incorporated herein by reference from the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the SEC
on Form N-CSR on March 2, 2006 (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
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
DNP SELECT INCOME FUND INC.
Form of Articles Supplementary Creating Series T and Series TH of
Auction Preferred Stock
DNP SELECT INCOME FUND INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal Maryland office in the City of Baltimore (the Fund), certifies to the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Fund by Article FIFTH of its charter (which as hereafter amended, restated and supplemented from time to time is
referred to herein, together with these Articles Supplementary, as the Charter), the Board of Directors has classified out of the Funds authorized and unissued preferred stock and has authorized the creation and issuance of two
series of 4,000 shares each of Auction Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share, designated respectively: Auction Preferred Stock, Series T; and Auction Preferred Stock, Series TH (each such series
being referred to herein as a series of APS, and all such series, together with the previously issued Auction Preferred Stock, Series M, Auction Preferred Stock, Series W and Auction Preferred Stock, Series F, and any additional series of Auction
Preferred Stock that may be classified and designated by the Board of Directors of the Fund as provided herein, being referred to collectively as APS).
DESIGNATION
AUCTION PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES T: A series of 4,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid
dividends, if any, thereon (whether or not earned or declared), is hereby designated Auction Preferred Stock, Series T. Each share of Auction Preferred Stock, Series T shall be issued on a Date of Original Issue (as herein defined) to be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Fund or a duly authorized committee thereof; have an Initial Dividend Rate, Initial Dividend Payment Date and Subsequent Dividend Payment Day (each as herein defined) to be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Fund or a duly authorized committee thereof; and have such other preferences, limitations and relative voting rights, in addition to those required by applicable law or set forth in the Charter applicable to preferred stock of the
Fund, as are set forth in Part I and Part II of these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Preferred Stock, Series T shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Fund, and each share of Auction Preferred Stock, Series T shall be
identical.
AUCTION PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES TH: A series of 4,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid
dividends, if any, thereon (whether or not earned or declared), is hereby designated Auction Preferred Stock, Series TH. Each share of Auction Preferred Stock, Series TH shall be issued on a Date of Original Issue (as herein defined) to
be determined by the Board of Directors of the Fund or a duly authorized committee thereof; have an Initial Dividend Rate, Initial Dividend Payment Date and Subsequent Dividend Payment Day (each as herein defined) to be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Fund or a duly authorized committee thereof; and have such other preferences, limitations and relative voting rights, in addition to those required by applicable law or set forth in the Charter applicable to preferred stock of the
Fund, as are set forth in Part I and Part II of these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Preferred Stock, Series TH shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Fund, and each share of Auction Preferred Stock, Series TH shall be
identical.
The Board of Directors of the Fund may, in the future, by resolution duly adopted, without shareholder approval (except as otherwise provided by these Articles Supplementary or required by
applicable law), classify additional shares out of the Funds authorized and unissued preferred stock as one or more additional series of Auction Preferred Stock, with the same preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to
dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption and other terms herein described, except that the Date of Original Issue, Initial Dividend Rate and Initial Dividend Payment Date of shares of each such additional series, and any
other changes in the terms herein set forth, shall be as set forth in the Articles Supplementary with respect to such additional series.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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DEFINITIONS
As used in Parts I and II of these Articles Supplementary, the following terms shall have the following meanings (with terms defined in the singular having comparable meanings when used in the
plural and vice versa), unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) ACCOUNTANTS CONFIRMATION shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (c) of Section 6 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(2) AFFILIATE means, for purposes of the definition of Outstanding, any Person known to the Auction Agent to be controlled by, in control of or under common control with
the Fund; provided, however, that no Broker-Dealer controlled by, in control of or under common control with the Fund shall be deemed to be an Affiliate nor shall any
corporation or any Person controlled by, in control of or under common control with such corporation, one of the trustees, directors or executive officers of which is a director of the Fund, be deemed to be an Affiliate solely because such trustee,
director or executive officer is also a director of the Fund.
(3) AGENT MEMBER means a member of or participant in the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a Bidder.
(4) ALL HOLD RATE means 80% of the Reference Rate.
(5) ANNUAL VALUATION DATE means, for so long as any shares of APS are outstanding, December 31 of each year, or, if such day is not a Valuation Date, the next preceding Valuation
Date.
(6) APPLICABLE DIVIDEND RATE shall have the meaning specified in subparagraph (d)(i)(D) of Section 2 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(7) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE means the percentage determined based on the credit rating assigned to the series of APS on such date by Moodys (if Moodys is then rating the
APS) and S&P (if S&P is then rating the APS) as follows:
For purposes of this definition, the prevailing rating of shares of a series of preferred stock shall be (i) If not Aaa/AAA, then Aa3/AA- or higher if such shares have a rating of
Aa3 or better by Moodys and AA- or better by S&P or the equivalent of such ratings by such agencies or a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies selected as provided below, (ii) if not Aa3/AA- or higher, then A3/A- if such
shares have a rating of A3 or better by Moodys and A- or better by S&P or the equivalent of such ratings by such agencies or a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies selected as provided below, (iii) if not A3/A- or higher,
then Baa3/BBB- if such shares have a rating of Baa3 or better by Moodys and BBB- or better by S&P or the equivalent of such ratings by such agencies or a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies selected as provided
below.
The Applicable Percentage as so determined shall be further subject to upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers,
provided that immediately following any such increase the Fund would be in compliance with the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount. The Fund shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable either Moodys or S&P to provide a rating
for each series of APS. If neither Moodys nor S&P shall make such a rating available, the Fund shall select one or more Substitute Rating Agencies.
A-3 (8) APPLICABLE SPREAD means:
(9) APPLICABLE SPREAD OVER THE REFERENCE RATE means the rate equaling the sum of the Applicable Spread plus the Reference Rate.
(10) APS shall have the meaning set forth on the first page of these Articles Supplementary.
(11) AUCTION means each periodic implementation of the Auction Procedures.
(12) AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT means the agreement between the Fund and the Auction Agent which provides, among other things, that the Auction Agent will follow the Auction
Procedures for purposes of determining the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of a series of APS so long as the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series is to be based on the results of an Auction.
(13) AUCTION AGENT means the entity appointed as such by a resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 5 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(14) AUCTION DATE, with respect to any Subsequent Dividend Period, means the Business Day next preceding the first day of such Subsequent Dividend Period.
(15) AUCTION PROCEDURES means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth in Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(16) AVAILABLE APS shall have the meaning specified in subparagraph (a)(i) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(17) BENEFICIAL OWNER, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means a customer of a Broker-Dealer who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer (or, if applicable, the
Auction Agent) as a holder of shares of such series.
(18) BID and BIDS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(19) BIDDER and BIDDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary; provided, however, that
neither the Fund nor any affiliate thereof shall be permitted to be a Bidder in an Auction, except that any Broker-Dealer that is an affiliate of the Fund may be a Bidder in an Auction, but only if the Orders placed by such Broker-Dealer are not for
its own account.
(20) BOARD OF DIRECTORS means the Board of Directors of the Fund or any duly authorized committee thereof.
(21) BROKER-DEALER means any broker-dealer, commercial bank or other entity permitted by law to perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer in Part II of these Articles
Supplementary, that is a member of, or a participant in, the Securities Depository or is an affiliate of such member or participant, has been selected by the Fund (with the consent of UBS Securities LLC, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed) and has entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement that remains effective.
(22) BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT means an agreement between the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer pursuant to which such Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the procedures specified
in Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
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(23) BUSINESS DAY means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and which is neither a Saturday, Sunday nor any other day on which banks in The City of New
York, New York, are authorized by law to close.
(24) CODE means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(25) COMMON STOCK means the common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Fund.
(26) CURE DATE means the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the Investment Company Act Cure Date, as the case may be.
(27) DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUE, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means the date on which the Fund initially issued such shares.
(28) DISCOUNT FACTOR means a Moodys Discount Factor (if Moodys is then rating the APS), an S&P Discount Factor (if S&P is then rating the APS) or a Substitute
Rating Agency Discount Factor (if a Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS), as the case may be.
(29) DISCOUNTED VALUE, with respect to any asset held by the Fund as of any date, means the Moodys Discounted Value of such asset (if Moodys is then rating the APS), the
S&P Discounted Value of such asset (if S&P is then rating the APS) or a Substitute Rating Agency Discounted Value of such asset (if a Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS), as the case may be.
(30) DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means any date on which dividends are payable on shares of such series pursuant to the provisions of paragraph
(c) of Section 2 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(31) DIVIDEND PERIOD, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means the period from and including the Date of Original Issue of shares of such series to, but excluding, the
initial Dividend Payment Date for shares of such series and any period thereafter from, and including, one Dividend Payment Date for shares of such series to, but excluding, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date for shares of such
series.
(32) ELIGIBLE ASSET means a Moodys Eligible Asset (if Moodys is then rating the APS), an S&P Eligible Asset (if S&P is then rating the APS) or a Substitute
Rating Agency Eligible Asset (if a Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS), as the case may be.
(33) EXISTING HOLDER, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means a Broker-Dealer (or any such other Person as may be permitted by the Fund) that is listed on the records of
the Auction Agent as a holder of shares of such series.
(34) FAILURE TO DEPOSIT, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means a failure by the Fund to pay to the Auction Agent, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, (A) on
any Dividend Payment Date for shares of such series, in funds available on such Dividend Payment Date in The City of New York, New York, the full amount of any dividend (whether or not earned or declared) to be paid on such Dividend Payment Date on
any share of such series or (B) on the Business Day next preceding any redemption date in funds available on such redemption date for shares of such series in The City of New York, New York, the Redemption Price to be paid on such redemption date
for any share of such series after notice of redemption is mailed pursuant to paragraph (c) of Section 8 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary; provided, however, that the foregoing clause (B) shall not apply to the Funds failure to pay
the Redemption Price in respect of shares of a series of APS when the related Notice of Redemption provides that redemption of such shares is subject to one or more conditions precedent until any such condition precedent shall not have been
satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption.
(35) FITCH means Fitch, Inc. and its successors at law.
(36) FUND means the entity named on the first page of these Articles Supplementary, which is the issuer
of the APS.
(37) HOLDER, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means the registered holder of such shares as the same appears on the record books of the Fund.
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(38) HOLD ORDER and HOLD ORDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(39) INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT means a nationally recognized registered public accounting firm that is independent with respect to the Fund under the auditor independence rules
promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(40) INITIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE, with respect to shares of a series of APS, shall be a date determined by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof in
connection with the initial issuance of shares of such series.
(41) INITIAL DIVIDEND PERIOD, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means the period from and including the Date of Original Issue thereof to, but excluding, the Initial
Dividend Payment Date for shares of such series.
(42) INITIAL DIVIDEND RATE, with respect to shares of a series of APS, shall be a rate determined by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof in connection with
the initial issuance of shares of such series.
(43) INITIAL PREFERRED DIRECTORS means the two directors of the Fund designated by the Board of Directors, in connection with the first issuance of Preferred Stock by the Fund, to
represent the holders of Preferred Stock.
(44) INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
(45) INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT CURE DATE, with respect to the failure by the Fund to maintain the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage (as required by Section 5 of
Part I of these Articles Supplementary) as of the last Business Day of each month, means the last Business Day of the following month.
(46) INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT PREFERRED STOCK ASSET COVERAGE means asset coverage, as defined in Section 18(h) of the Investment Company Act, of at least 200% with respect to all
outstanding senior securities of the Fund which are stock, including all outstanding shares of any series of APS (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the Investment Company Act as the minimum asset coverage for
senior securities which are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of declaring dividends on its common stock).
(47) LATE CHARGE shall have the meaning specified in subparagraph (d)(i)(B) of Section 2 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(48) LIBOR means the London Interbank Offered Rate.
(49) LIBOR DEALERS means UBS Securities LLC and such other dealer or dealers as the Fund may from time to time appoint, or, in lieu of any thereof, their respective affiliates or
successors.
(50) LIBOR RATE means on any Auction Date (i) the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period, which appears on display page 3750 of Moneylines
Telerate Service (Telerate Page 3750) (or such other page as may replace that page on that service, or such other service as may be selected by the LIBOR Dealer or its successors that are LIBOR Dealers) as of 11:00 a.m., London Time, on
the date that is the London Business Day preceding the Auction Date (the LIBOR Determination Date), or (ii) if such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750 or such other page as may replace such Telerate Page 3750, (A) the LIBOR
Dealer shall determine the arithmetic mean for the offered quotations of the Reference Banks to leading banks in the London interbank market for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period in an amount determined by such LIBOR dealer
by reference to requests for quotations as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date made by such LIBOR Dealer to the Reference Banks, (B) if at least two of the Reference Banks provide such quotations, LIBOR Rate shall equal such
arithmetic mean of such quotations, (C) if only one or none of the Reference Banks provide such quotations, LIBOR rate shall be deemed to be the arithmetic mean of the offered quotations that leading banks in The City of New York selected by the
LIBOR Dealer (after obtaining the Funds approval) are quoting on the relevant LIBOR Determination Date for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period in an amount determined by the LIBOR Dealer (after obtaining the Funds
approval) that is representative of a
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single transaction in such market at such time by reference to the principal London offices of leading banks in the London interbank market; provided, however, that if one of the LIBOR Dealers does not quote a rate required to determine the LIBOR Rate, the LIBOR Rate will be determined on the basis of the quotation or quotations furnished by any Substitute LIBOR Dealer or Substitute LIBOR
Dealers selected by the Fund to provide such rate or rates not being supplied by the LIBOR Dealer; provided, further, that if the LIBOR Dealer and Substitute LIBOR Dealers are
required but unable to determine a rate in accordance with at least one of the procedures provided above, LIBOR Rate shall be LIBOR Rate as determined on the previous Auction Date. If the number of Dividend Period days shall be (i) 7 days or more,
but fewer than 21 days, such rate shall be the seven-day LIBOR rate; (ii) 21 days or more, but fewer than 49 days, such rate shall be the one-month LIBOR rate; (iii) 49 days or more but fewer than 77 days, such rate shall be the two-month LIBOR
rate; (iv) 77 days or more, but fewer than 112 days, such rate shall be the three-month LIBOR rate; (v) 112 days or more, but fewer than 140 days, such rate shall be the four-month LIBOR rate; (vi) 140 days or more, but fewer than 168 days, such
rate shall be the five-month LIBOR rate; (vii) 168 days or more, but fewer than 189 days, such rate shall be the six-month LIBOR rate; (viii) 189 days or more, but fewer than 217 days, such rate shall be the seven-month LIBOR rate; (ix) 217 days or
more, but fewer than 252 days, such rate shall be the eight-month LIBOR rate; (x) 252 days or more, but fewer than 287 days, such rate shall be the nine-month LIBOR rate; (xi) 287 days or more, but fewer than 315 days, such rate shall be the
ten-month LIBOR rate; (xii) 315 days or more, but fewer than 343 days, such rate shall be the eleven-month LIBOR rate; and (xiii) 343 days or more, but fewer than 365 days, such rate shall be the twelve-month LIBOR rate.
(51) LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE, with respect to a given number of shares of a series of APS, means $25,000 times that number.
(52) LONDON BUSINESS DAY means any day on which commercial banks are generally open for business in London.
(53) MARKET VALUE means the Moodys Market Value (if Moodys is then rating the APS), the S&P Market Value (if S&P is then rating the APS) or a Substitute Rating
Agency Market Value (if a Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS), as the case may be.
(54) MAXIMUM DIVIDEND RATE, for any Dividend Period will be the higher of the Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate or the Applicable Spread Over the Reference Rate. The
Applicable Percentage will be determined based on the credit rating assigned on such date to such shares by S&P and Moodys (or if S&P or Moodys shall not make such rating available, the equivalent of such rating by a Substitute
Rating Agency) as follows:
Assuming the Fund maintains an AAA/Aaa rating on the APS, the practical effect of the different methods used to calculate the Maximum Dividend Rate is shown in the table below:
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The Fund shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable S&P and Moodys to provide a rating for each series of APS. If S&P or Moodys shall not make such a rating
available, DNP Select Income Fund Inc. or its affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Fund and the Broker-Dealers, shall select a nationally recognized statistical rating organization to act as a Substitute Rating Agency.
(55) MOODYS means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.
(56) MOODYS DISCOUNTED VALUE, with respect to any asset held by the Fund as of any date, means, except as may be otherwise provided in the definition of Discounted
Value set forth in the Moodys Guidelines, the quotient of the Market Value of such asset divided by the applicable Moodys Discount Factor; provided, however, that any asset as to which there is no Moodys Discount Factor shall have a Moodys Discounted Value of zero.
(57) MOODYS DISCOUNT FACTORS means the discount factors set forth in the Moodys Guidelines for use in calculating the Moodys Discounted Value of the Funds
assets in connection with Moodys rating of the APS.
(58) MOODYS ELIGIBLE ASSETS means assets of the Fund set forth in the Moodys Guidelines as Eligible Assets for purposes of determining maintenance of the
Moodys Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount in connection with Moodys rating of the APS.
(59) MOODYS GUIDELINES means that certain document entitled Moodys Preferred Stock
Guidelines and adopted by the Board of Directors as of the date hereof; provided, however, that any of the provisions of said document may from
time to time be amended, altered or repealed by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, without any vote or consent of shareholders of the Fund, based on a determination by the Board of Directors that such action is necessary or appropriate
in connection with obtaining or maintaining the rating assigned by Moodys to the APS or revising the Funds investment restrictions or policies consistent with guidelines adopted by Moodys, and any such amendment, alteration or
repeal will not be deemed to affect the preferences, rights or powers of the APS or the Holders thereof, provided that the Board of Directors receives written confirmation from Moodys that any such amendment, alteration or repeal would not
adversely affect the rating then assigned by Moodys to the APS.
(60) MOODYS MARKET VALUE, with respect to any asset of the Fund, means the amount set forth in the Moodys Guidelines as the Market Value of such
asset.
(61) MOODYS PREFERRED STOCK BASIC MAINTENANCE AMOUNT means the amount set forth in the Moodys Guidelines as the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance
Amount.
(62) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION means any notice with respect to the redemption of shares of a series of APS pursuant to paragraph (c) of Section 8 of Part I of these Articles
Supplementary.
(63) NOTICE OF SPECIAL DIVIDEND PERIOD means any notice with respect to a Special Dividend Period of shares of a series of APS pursuant to subparagraph (d)(i) of Section 3 of Part I
of these Articles Supplementary.
(64) ORDER and ORDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(65) OUTSTANDING means, as of any Auction Date with respect to shares of a series of APS, the number of shares of such series theretofore issued by the Fund except, without
duplication, (i) any shares of such series theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Auction Agent for cancellation or redeemed by the Fund, (ii) any shares of such series as to which the Fund or any Affiliate thereof shall be an Existing Holder and
(iii) any shares of such series represented by any certificate in lieu of which a new certificate has been executed and delivered by the Fund.
(66) PAYING AGENT means The Bank of New York, unless and until another entity appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors enters into an agreement with the Fund to serve as
paying agent with respect to the APS, which Paying Agent may be the same as the Auction Agent.
A-8
(67) PERSON means and includes an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
(68) POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL OWNER, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means a customer of a Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of shares of such series but that
wishes to purchase shares of such series, or that is a Beneficial Owner of shares of such series that wishes to purchase additional shares of such series.
(69) POTENTIAL HOLDER means any Broker-Dealer or any such other Person as may be permitted by the Fund, including any Existing Holder, who may be interested in acquiring APS (or, in
the case of an Existing Holder, additional APS).
(70) PREFERRED DIRECTOR means the Initial Preferred Directors and the Subsequent Preferred Directors.
(71) PREFERRED STOCK means the preferred stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Fund.
(72) PREFERRED STOCK BASIC MAINTENANCE AMOUNT means the Moodys Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount (if Moodys is then rating the APS), the S&P Preferred Stock
Basic Maintenance Amount (if S&P is then rating the APS) or a Substitute Rating Agency Basic Maintenance Amount (if a Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS), as the case may be.
(73) PREFERRED STOCK BASIC MAINTENANCE CURE DATE, with respect to the failure by the Fund to satisfy any Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount (as required by Section 6 of Part I
of these Articles Supplementary) as of a given Valuation Date, means the eighth Business Day following such Valuation Date.
(74) PREFERRED STOCK BASIC MAINTENANCE REPORT means a report signed by the President, Treasurer or any Senior Vice President or Vice President of the Fund which sets forth, as of
any Valuation Date, the assets of the Fund, the Market Value and the Discounted Value thereof (seriatim and in aggregate) and each Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount.
(75) RATING AGENCIES means S&P and Moodys for so long as S&P and Moodys issue ratings for the APS, and, at such time as S&P and/or Moodys no longer
issues a rating for the APS, the Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.
(76) REDEMPTION PRICE means the applicable redemption price specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 8 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(77) REFERENCE BANKS means four major banks in the London interbank market selected by UBS Securities LLC or its affiliates or successors or such other party as the Fund may from
time to tome appoint.
(78) REFERENCE RATE means (i) with respect to a Standard Dividend Period or a Special Dividend Period having 364 or fewer days, the applicable LIBOR Rate and (ii) with respect to a
Special Dividend Period having 365 or more days, the applicable U.S. Treasury Note Rate.
(79) S&P means Standard & Poors, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.
(80) S&P DISCOUNTED VALUE, with respect to any asset held by the Fund as of any date, means, except as may be otherwise provided in the definition of Discounted
Value set forth in the S&P Guidelines, the quotient of the Market Value of such asset divided by the applicable S&P Discount Factor; provided, however, that any asset as to which there is no S&P Discount Factor shall have an
S&P Discounted Value of zero.
(81) S&P DISCOUNT FACTORS means the discount factors set forth in the S&P Guidelines for use in calculating the S&P Discounted Value of the Funds assets in
connection with S&Ps rating of the APS.
(82) S&P ELIGIBLE ASSETS means assets of the Fund set forth in the S&P Guidelines as Eligible Assets for purposes of determining maintenance of the S&P
Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount in connection with S&Ps rating of the APS.
(83) S&P GUIDELINES means that certain document entitled Standard & Poors Preferred Stock Guidelines and adopted by the Board of Directors as of the date
hereof; provided, however, that any of the
A-9
provisions of said document may from time to time be amended, altered or repealed by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, without any vote or consent of shareholders of the Fund, based on a determination by the
Board of Directors that such action is necessary or appropriate in connection with obtaining or maintaining the rating assigned by S&P to the APS or revising the Funds investment restrictions or policies consistent with guidelines adopted
by S&P, and any such amendment, alteration or repeal will not be deemed to affect the preferences, rights or powers of the APS or the Holders thereof, provided that the Board of Directors receives written confirmation from S&P that any such
amendment, alteration or repeal would not adversely affect the rating then assigned by S&P to the APS.
(84) S&P MARKET VALUE, with respect to any asset of the Fund, means the amount set forth in the S&P Guidelines as the Market Value of such asset.
(85) S&P PREFERRED STOCK BASIC MAINTENANCE AMOUNT means the amount set forth in the S&P Guidelines as the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount.
(86) SECURITIES ACT means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
(87) SECURITIES DEPOSITORY means The Depository Fund Company and its successors and assigns or any other securities depository selected by the Fund which agrees to follow the
procedures required to be followed by such securities depository in connection with the APS.
(88) SELL ORDER and SELL ORDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 1 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(89) SETTLEMENT DATE means any date on which (i) a new Subsequent Dividend Period begins, and (ii) shares of APS which have been tendered and sold in an Auction are delivered
through the Securities Depository.
(90) SPECIAL DIVIDEND PERIOD, with respect to shares of a series of APS, shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part I of these Articles
Supplementary.
(91) SPECIAL REDEMPTION PROVISIONS shall have the meaning specified in subparagraph (a)(i) of Section 8 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(92) STANDARD DIVIDEND PERIOD, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means the Initial Dividend Period for shares of such series or any Subsequent Dividend Period consisting of
seven days.
(93) SUBMISSION DEADLINE means 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date by which Broker-Dealers are required to submit Orders to the
Auction Agent as specified by the Auction Agent from time to time.
(94) SUBMITTED BID and SUBMITTED BIDS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
(95) SUBMITTED HOLD ORDER and SUBMITTED HOLD ORDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles
Supplementary.
(96) SUBMITTED ORDER and SUBMITTED ORDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles
Supplementary.
(97) SUBMITTED SELL ORDER and SUBMITTED SELL ORDERS shall have the respective meanings specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles
Supplementary.
(98) SUBSEQUENT DIVIDEND PAYMENT DAY, with respect to shares of a series of APS shall be a day of the week determined by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee
thereof in connection with the initial issuance of shares of such series.
(99) SUBSEQUENT DIVIDEND PERIOD, with respect to shares of a series of APS, means the period from and including the first day following the Initial Dividend Period of shares of such
series to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date for shares of such series and any period thereafter from and including one Dividend Payment Date for shares of such series to but excluding the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date for shares
of such series; provided, however, that if any Subsequent Dividend Period is also a Special Dividend Period, such
A-10
term means the period commencing on the first day of such Special Dividend Period and ending on the last day of the last Dividend Period thereof.
(100) SUBSEQUENT PREFERRED DIRECTOR means any director elected from time to time to succeed either (i) an Initial Preferred Director or (ii) another Subsequent Preferred
Director.
(101) SUBSTITUTE LIBOR DEALER means any dealer selected by the Fund; provided, however, that none of such entities shall be a LIBOR Dealer.
(102) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization selected by the Fund, in accordance with the provisions hereof, to act as a substitute
rating agency to determine the credit rating of the shares of APS.
(103) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY DISCOUNTED VALUE, with respect to any Substitute Rating Agency and any asset held by the Fund as of any date, means, except as may be otherwise
provided in the definition of Discounted Value set forth in the Substitute Rating Agency Guidelines applicable to such Substitute Rating Agency, the quotient of the Market Value of such asset divided by the Substitute Rating Agency
Discount Factor applicable to such Substitute Rating Agency and such asset; provided, however, that any asset as to which there is no Substitute Rating Agency Discount Factor
applicable to such Substitute Rating Agency and such asset shall have a Substitute Rating Agency Discounted Value of zero.
(104) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY DISCOUNT FACTORS means the discount factors set forth in the Substitute Rating Agency Guidelines applicable to a Substitute Rating Agency for use in
calculating the Substitute Rating Agency Discounted Value of the Funds assets in connection with such Substitute Rating Agencys rating of the RP.
(105) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY ELIGIBLE ASSETS, with respect to any Substitute Rating Agency, means assets of the Fund set forth in the Substitute Rating Agency Guidelines
applicable to such Substitute Rating Agency as Eligible Assets for purposes of determining maintenance of the Substitute Rating Agency Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount in connection with such Substitute Rating Agencys
rating of the APS.
(106) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY GUIDELINES means any document adopted by the Board of Directors, in connection with the selection of a Substitute Rating Agency, setting forth the
guidelines supplied by such Substitute Rating Agency in connection with its assignment of a rating to the APS; provided, however, that any of the provisions of said document
may from time to time be amended, altered or repealed by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, without any vote or consent of shareholders of the Fund, based on a determination by the Board of Directors that such action is necessary or
appropriate in connection with obtaining or maintaining the rating assigned by such Substitute Rating Agency to the APS or revising the Funds investment restrictions or policies consistent with guidelines adopted by such Substitute Rating
Agency, and any such amendment, alteration or repeal will not be deemed to affect the preferences, rights or powers of the APS or the Holders thereof, provided that the Board of Directors receives written confirmation from such Substitute Rating
Agency that any such amendment, alteration or repeal would not adversely affect the rating then assigned by such Substitute Rating Agency to the APS.
(107) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY MARKET VALUE, with respect to any Substitute Rating Agency and any asset of the Fund, means the amount set forth as the Market Value of
such asset in the Substitute Rating Agency Guidelines applicable to such Substitute Rating Agency.
(108) SUBSTITUTE RATING AGENCY PREFERRED STOCK BASIC MAINTENANCE AMOUNT, with respect to any Substitute Rating Agency, means the amount set forth as the Preferred Stock Basic
Maintenance Amount in the Substitute Rating Agency Guidelines applicable to such Substitute Rating Agency.
(109) SUBSTITUTE U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES DEALER any U.S. Government securities dealer selected by the Fund as to which Moodys, S&P, or any Substitute Rating Agency then
rating the APS shall not have objected; provided, however, that none of such entities shall be a U.S. Government Securities Dealer.
(110) SUFFICIENT CLEARING BIDS shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
A-11
(111) TREASURY NOTE means a direct obligation of the U.S. Government having a maturity at the time of issuance of five years or less but more than 364 days.
(112) U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES DEALER means Lehman Government Securities
Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Salomon Brothers Inc., Morgan Guaranty Fund Company of New York and any other U.S. Government securities dealer selected by the Fund as to which Moodys (if Moodys is then
rating the APS) and S&P (if S&P is then rating the APS) shall not have objected or their respective affiliates or successors, if such entity is a U.S. Government securities dealer.
(113) U.S. TREASURY NOTE RATE on any date means (i) the yield as calculated by reference to the bid price quotation of the actively traded, current coupon Treasury Note with a
maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as such bid price quotation is published on the Business Day immediately preceding such date by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations
for U.S. Government Securities report for such Business Day, or (ii) if such yield as calculated is not available, the Alternate Treasury Note Rate on such date. Alternate Treasury Note Rate on any date means the yield as calculated by
reference to the arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the actively traded, current coupon Treasury Note with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as determined by the bid price quotations as of
any time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date, obtained from at least three U.S. Government Securities Dealers.
(114) VALUATION DATE means the last Business Day of each week, or such other date as the Fund and the Rating Agencies may agree upon for purposes of determining the Preferred Stock
Basic Maintenance Amount.
(115) VOTING PERIOD shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (b) of Section 4 of Part I of these Articles Supplementary.
(116) WINNING BID RATE shall have the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 3 of Part II of these Articles Supplementary.
A-12 PART I. A-13 A-14 A-15 A-16 A-17 Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in this subparagraph (b)(i) shall cease, subject always, however, to the reverting of such voting rights in the holders of shares of Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this subparagraph (b)(i). A-18 (d) Voting
Rights Set Forth Herein Are Sole Voting Rights. Unless
otherwise required by law, the Holders of shares of any series of
APS shall not have any relative rights or preferences or other special
rights other than those specifically set forth herein. A-19 A-20 A-21 A-22 A-23 A-24 A-25
PART II.
A-26
A-27
A-28 A-29 A-30 A-31 A-32
Subsequent dividend
Series
Initial dividend payment date
payment day
Series T
July 26, 2006
Wednesday
Series TH
July 28, 2006
Friday
Calculation of dividend payment
Description of APS
Moodys
S&P
Applicable percentage
of the reference rate
Applicable
spread
Aaa
AAA
125
150
200
250
300
rate using the
applicable percentage
of the reference rate
Method used to
determine the
maximum dividend rate
Reference 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
Description of APS
Description of APS
Declaration of special dividend periods
Description of APS
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 UBS Securities LLC, must not have objected to the declaration of a special dividend period.
REDEMPTION
Description of APS
LIQUIDATION
Value of Fund assets less liabilities
not constituting senior securities
$
2,915,124,149
=
=
292
%
Senior securities representing indebtedness
$
1,000,000,000
plus liquidation value of preferred stock
Description of APS
VOTING RIGHTS
Description of APS
(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 distribution 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.
(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.
(a)
convert from a closed-end to an open-end investment company;
(b)
borrow money, issue senior securities, underwrite securities issued by other persons, purchase 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;
Description of APS
(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 auction
GENERAL
AUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENTS
Bidding by Broker-Dealers
The auction
Price talk
The auction
All-or-nothing bids
No assurances regarding auction outcomes
Deadlines/auction periods
The auction
SEC inquiries
AUCTION PROCEDURES
1.
Hold order: indicating its desire to hold shares of APS without regard to the applicable divi- dend rate for the next dividend period.
2.
Bid: indicating its desire to sell shares of APS at $25,000 per share if the applicable dividend rate for the next dividend period is less than the rate 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 dividend rate for the next dividend period.
The auction
The auction
Existing Holder A
Owns 500 shares, wants to sell all
500 shares if applicable dividend
rate is less than 2.10%
Existing Holder B
Owns 300 shares, wants to hold
Existing Holder C
Owns 200 shares, wants to sell all
200 shares if applicable dividend
rate is less than 1.90%
Potential Holder D
Wants to buy 200 shares
Potential Holder E
Wants to buy 300 shares
Potential Holder F
Wants to buy 200 shares
(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;
The auction
(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.
provided, however, that:
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
Description of capital structure
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF BORROWINGS
Description of capital structure
provisions of Maryland law
(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.
Repurchase of common stock
TAXATION OF THE FUND
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
U.S. federal income tax matters
U.S. federal income tax matters
U.S. federal income tax matters
SALES OF APS
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
U.S. federal income tax matters
Underwriting
Underwriter
UBS Securities LLC
8,000
Legal opinions
Available information
Privacy principles of the Fund
Table of contents for the
Statement of Additional Information
Page
Investment Policies, Techniques and Restrictions
2
Management of the Fund
5
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
14
Additional Information Concerning the Auctions for APS
16
Repurchase of Common Stock
21
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
23
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
24
Experts
30
Additional Information
31
Financial Statements
31
Appendix A: Form of Articles Supplementary Creating Series T and Series TH
of Auction Preferred Stock
A-1
File No. 333-133715
55 East Monroe Street, Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
(312) 368-5510
Page
Investment Policies, Techniques and Restrictions
2
Management of the Fund
5
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage
14
Additional Information Concerning the Auctions for APS
16
Repurchase of Common Stock
21
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
23
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
24
Experts
30
Additional Information
31
Financial Statements
31
Appendix A: Articles Supplementary Creating Series T and Series TH of
Auction Preferred Stock
A-1
1.
The Fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets (valued at the time of investment) in securities 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 aggregate amount not exceeding 20% 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).
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, collateralized
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).
9.
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.
12.
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.
Position(s) Held
Number of
With the Fund,
Portfolios in
Term of
Fund
Office and
Complex
Name, Address
Length of
Principal Occupation(s)
Overseen
Other Directorships
and Age
Time Served
During Past 5 Years
by Director
Independent Directors
1
1
Director, Smurfit-Stone
Container Corporation
(packaging manufacturer)
and Nuveen Investments,
Inc.; Trustee, Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance
Company; Director and
Vice Chairman, Evanston
Northwestern Health Care
Corporation; Member,
Board of Overseers,
Wharton School of the
University of
Pennsylvania
1
Director, Midwest
Banc Holdings Inc.
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Name, Address
Overseen
and Age
by Director
Francis E. Jeffries (1)
54
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
Management Co.
55 East Monroe Street,
Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
.
Age: 75
Nancy Lampton (3)(4)(5)
3
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
Management Co.
55 East Monroe Street,
Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
.
Age: 63
.
.
Position(s) Held
With the Fund,
Term of
Office and
Name, Address
Length of
and Age
Time Served
David J. Vitale (1)(4)
Chief Administrative
c/o Duff & Phelps Investment
3
Management Co.
55 East Monroe Street,
Suite 3600
Chicago, Illinois 60603
.
and Chief Executive
Age: 60
Vice Chairman and
Director, First Chicago
NBD Corporation, and
President, The First
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
2005.
(2)
(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 2005. 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 2005.
(5)
Director elected by holders of preferred stock.
Name, Address
Position(s) Held
and Age
With the Fund
Officers of the Fund
Nathan I. Partain
President and Chief
President and Chief
55 East Monroe Street
Executive Officer
Executive Officer, the DTF
Chicago, Illinois 60603
and DUC Funds since
Age: 49
February 2004; President
and Chief Investment Officer,
Duff & Phelps Investment
Management Co. since
April 2005 (Executive Vice
President January 1997
April 2005); Director of
Utility Research, Duff &
Phelps Investment Research
Co., 19891996 (Director of
Equity Research, 1993
1996 and Director of Fixed
Income Research, 1993);
Director, Otter Tail
Corporation (1993present)
T. Brooks Beittel
Secretary and Senior
Senior Vice President, Duff
55 East Monroe Street
Vice President
& Phelps Investment
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Management Co. since
Age: 56
1993 (Vice President 1987
1993); Secretary of the
DTF and DUC Funds since
May 2005
Michael Schatt
Senior Vice
Senior Vice President, Duff
55 East Monroe Street
President
& Phelps Investment
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Management Co. since
Age: 59
January 1997; Managing
Director, Phoenix
Investment Partners, Ltd.,
19941996
Joseph C. Curry, Jr.
Treasurer and Senior
Senior Vice President,
Hilliard Lyons Center
Vice President
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons,
Louisville, Kentucky
Inc. since 1994 (Vice
40202
President 19821994); Vice
President, Hilliard Lyons
Trust Company; President,
Hilliard-Lyons Government
Fund, Inc.; Vice President
and Assistant Treasurer,
Senbanc Fund
Name, Address
Position(s) Held
Principal Occupation(s)
and Age
With the Fund
Length of Time Served
During Past 5 Years
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; Senior
Age: 51
Vice President and Chief
Compliance Officer of Duff
& Phelps Investment
Management Co. since 2004;
Vice President and Compli-
ance Officer, Duff & Phelps
Investment Management Co.
20022004; Vice President
and Chief Compliance Officer,
Stein Roe Investment
Counsel LLC January
2001August 2002; Vice
President and Compliance
Officer, Stein Roe &
Farnham Incorporated July
1996December 2000
Dianna P. Wengler
Vice President
Vice President since May 2006
Vice President, J.J.B.
Hilliard Lyons Center
and Assistant
(Assistant Vice President
Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.
Louisville, Kentucky
Secretary
April 2004May 2006); Assistant
since 1990; Vice President,
40202
Secretary since April 1988.
Hilliard-Lyons Government
Age: 45
Fund, Inc.
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Funds Overseen
or to be Overseen by Director or
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
Nominee in Family of Investment
Name of Director
in the Fund
Companies
Independent Directors
Stewart E. Conner
$50,001-$100,000
$50,001-$100,000
Connie K. Duckworth
over $100,000
over $100,000
Robert J. Genetski
over $ 100,000
over $100,000
Francis E. Jeffries
over $100,000
over $100,000
Nancy Lampton
over $100,000
over $100,000
Christian H. Poindexter
over $100,000
over $100,000
Carl F. Pollard
over $100,000
over $100,000
David J. Vitale
$ 10,001-$50,000
$10,001-$50,000
COMPENSATION TABLE (1)(2)
Aggregate
Total
Compensation
Compensation from
from the
the Fund and the
Name of Director
Fund
Fund Complex (2)
Independent Directors
Stewart E. Conner
$42,000
42,000
Connie K. Duckworth
45,000
Robert J. Genetski
42,000
Francis E. Jeffries
78,393
Nancy Lampton
50,000
Christian H. Poindexter
45,000
Carl F. Pollard
47,000
David J. Vitale
47,000
(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. The chairman of the board of directors receives an additional fee of $50,000
annually. 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 reimbursed 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)
The Fund Complex includes all funds that are advised
by the Adviser or other affiliates of Phoenix Investment
Partners, Ltd. Mr. Jeffries serves as a director or trustee of 53 other funds
in the Fund Complex, and each of Ms. Lampton and Mr. Vitale serves as a director
of two other funds in the Fund Complex.
Vehicles (2)
Name of
Number of
Number of
Total Assets
Number of
Total Assets
Portfolio Manager
Accounts
Accounts
(in millions)
Accounts
(in millions)
Nathan I. Partain
14,7
0
T. Brooks Beittel
495.6
0
Michael Schatt
1,012.6
$24.7
10
$234.3
Deborah A. Jansen
14.7
0
Connie M. Luecke
14.7
0
Daniel J. Petrisko
480.9
8
$1,460.5
Randle L. Smith
14.7
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 closedend
investment companies.
(2)
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles include, but are not limited to, securities of issuers exempt from registration 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.
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
(a)
each beneficial owner of shares of such series may submit to its Broker-Dealer by telephone or otherwise a:
(i)
Hold Order: indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of such series that such beneficial 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
(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.
(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;
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
(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 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 subject to all such Submitted Bids.
(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 Dividend 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 Dividend Rate for shares of such series will purchase the number 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 Dividend 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.
Schedule of Investments at December 31, 2005
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at December 31, 2005
Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2005
Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2005
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights - Selected Per Share Data and Ratios
Page
DEFINITIONS
A-4
A-14
1
.
Ranking
A-14
2
.
Dividends
A-14
3
.
Designation of Special Dividend Periods
A-17
4
.
Voting Rights
A-18
5
.
Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage
A-20
6
.
Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Coverage
A-21
7
.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions
A-22
8
.
Redemption
A-22
9
.
Liquidation Rights
A-25
10
.
Certain Rating Agency Requirements and Restrictions
A-26
11
.
Miscellaneous
A-26
A-27
1
.
Orders
A-27
2
.
Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent
A-28
3
.
Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bids Rate and Applicable Dividend Rate
.
A-29
4
.
Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and
Allocation of Shares
A-31
5
.
Auction Agent
A-32
6
.
Transfer of APS
A-33
7
.
Global Certificate
A-33
8
.
Force Majeure
A-33
Moodys
Percentage
Aaa
AAA
Aa3 to Aa1
AA- to AA+
A3 to A1
A- to A+
Baa3 to Baa1
BBB- to BBB+
Ba1 and lower
BB+ and lower
Moodys
Spread
Aaa
AAA
Aa3 to Aa1
AA- to AA+
A3 to A1
A- to A+
Baa3 to Baa1
BBB- to BBB+
Ba1 and lower
BB+ and lower
Applicable
Percentage
Moodys
Reference Rate
Spread
Aaa
AAA
Aa3 to Aa1
AA- to AA+
A3 to A1
A- to A+
Baa3 to Baa1
BBB- to BBB+
Ba1 and lower
BB+ and lower
Maximum
Maximum
Dividend
Dividend Rate
Rate Using
Using the
Method Used
the Applicable
Applicable
to Determine
Reference
Percentage of the
Spread Over the
the Maximum
Rate
Reference Rate
Reference Rate
Dividend Rate
Spread
Spread
Spread
Spread
Either
Percentage
1
.
2
.
if the day on which dividends would otherwise be payable on shares of such series is not a
than as described below and in Section 8 of Part II, the dividend rate on shares of such series for
such Subsequent Dividend Period will be the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of such series on
any Initial Dividend Period or Subsequent Dividend Period thereof (other than any Special
Dividend Period consisting of more than 364 days or any Subsequent Dividend Period succeeding
any Special Dividend Period consisting of more than 364 days during which a Failure to Deposit
occurred that has not been cured), but, prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the third
Business Day next succeeding the date on which such Failure to Deposit occurred, such Failure to
Deposit shall have been cured in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section 2 and the Fund
shall have paid to the Auction Agent a late charge (Late Charge) equal to the sum of (1) if such
Failure to Deposit consisted of the failure timely to pay to the Auction Agent the full amount of
dividends with respect to any Dividend Period of the shares of such series, an amount computed
by multiplying (x) 200% of the Reference Rate for the Initial Dividend Period or Subsequent
Dividend Period during which such Failure to Deposit occurs on the Dividend Payment Date for
such Dividend Period by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of days for
which such Failure to Deposit has not been cured in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section
2 (including the day such Failure to Deposit occurs and excluding the day such Failure to Deposit
is cured) and the denominator of which shall be 360, and applying the rate obtained against the
aggregate Liquidation Preference of the outstanding shares of such series and if such Failure to
Deposit consisted of the failure timely to pay to the Auction Agent the Redemption Price of the
shares, if any, of such series for which Notice of Redemption has been mailed by the Fund pur-
suant to paragraph (c) of Section 8 of this Part I, an amount computed by multiplying (x) 300% of
the Reference Rate for the Initial Dividend Period or Subsequent Dividend Period during which
such Failure to Deposit occurs on the redemption date by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the number of days for which such Failure to Deposit is not cured in accordance with
paragraph (e) of this Section 2 (including the day such Failure to Deposit occurs and excluding the
day such Failure to Deposit is cured) and the denominator of which shall be 360, and applying the
rate obtained against the aggregate Liquidation Preference of the outstanding shares of such series
to be redeemed, no Auction will be held in respect of shares of such series for the Subsequent
Dividend Period thereof and the dividend rate for shares of such series for such Subsequent
Dividend Period will be the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of such series on the Auction
Date for such Subsequent Dividend Period;
any Initial Dividend Period or Subsequent Dividend Period thereof (other than any Special
Dividend Period consisting of more than 364 days or any Subsequent Dividend Period succeeding
any Special Dividend Period consisting of more than 364 days during which a Failure to Deposit
occurred that has not been cured), and, prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the third
Business Day next succeeding the date on which such Failure to Deposit occurred, such Failure to
Deposit shall not have been cured in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section 2 or the Fund
shall not have paid the applicable Late Charge to the Auction Agent, no Auction will be held in
respect of shares of such series for the first Subsequent Dividend Period thereof thereafter (or for
any Subsequent Dividend Period thereof thereafter to and including the Subsequent Dividend
Period during which (1) such Failure to Deposit is cured in accordance with paragraph (e) of this
Section 2 and (2) the Fund pays the applicable Late Charge to the Auction Agent (the condition set
forth in this clause (2) to apply only in the event S&P is rating such shares at the time the Fund
cures such Failure to Deposit), in each case no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the
fourth Business Day prior to the end of such Subsequent Dividend Period), and the dividend rate
for shares of such series for each such Subsequent Dividend Period shall be a rate per annum equal
to the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of such series on the Auction Date for such Subsequent
Dividend Period (but with the prevailing rating for shares of such series, for purposes of determin-
ing such Maximum Dividend Rate, being deemed to be below BBB-); or
Special Dividend Period thereof consisting of more than 364 days, or during any Subsequent
Dividend Period thereof succeeding any Special Dividend Period consisting of more than 364 days
during which a Failure to Deposit occurred that has not been cured, and, prior to 12:00 Noon, New
York City time, on the fourth Business Day preceding the Auction Date for the Subsequent
Dividend Period next succeeding such Subsequent Dividend Period, such Failure to Deposit shall
not have been cured in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section 2 or, in the event S&P is then
rating such shares, the Fund shall not have paid the applicable Late Charge to the Auction Agent
(such Late Charge, for purposes of this subparagraph (D), to be calculated by using, as the
Reference Rate, the Reference Rate applicable to a Special Dividend Period (x) consisting of more
than 182 days but fewer than 365 days and (y) commencing on the date on which the Subsequent
Dividend Period during which Failure to Deposit occurs commenced), no Auction will be held in
respect of shares of such series for such Subsequent Dividend Period (or for any Subsequent
Dividend Period thereof thereafter to and including the Subsequent Dividend Period during which
(1) such Failure to Deposit is cured in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section 2 and (2) the
Fund pays the applicable Late Charge to the Auction Agent (the condition set forth in this clause (2)
to apply only in the event S&P is rating such shares at the time the Fund cures such Failure to
Deposit), in each case no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the fourth Business Day
prior to the end of such Subsequent Dividend Period), and the dividend rate for shares of such series
for each such Subsequent Dividend Period shall be a rate per annum equal to the Maximum
Dividend Rate for shares of such series on the Auction Date for such Subsequent Dividend Period
(but with the prevailing rating for shares of such series, for purposes of determining such Maximum
Dividend Rate, being deemed to be below BBB-) (the rate per annum at which dividends are
payable on shares of a series of APS for any Initial Dividend Period or Subsequent Dividend Period
thereof being herein referred to as the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series).
(ii) Calculation of Dividends. The amount of dividends per share payable on shares of a series of
all other cases, and applying the rate obtained against $25,000.
made on shares of a series of APS
shall first be credited against the earliest accumulated but unpaid dividends
due with respect to such shares. Dividends in arrears for any past Dividend
Period may be declared and paid at any time, without reference to any
regular Dividend Payment Date, to the Holders as their names appear on
the record books of the Fund on such date, not exceeding 15 days preceding
the payment date thereof, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors.
3.
Designation of Special Dividend Periods.
(a) Length
of and Preconditions for Special Dividend Period. The
Fund, at its option, may designate
any succeeding Subsequent Dividend Period of shares of a series of APS as a Special Dividend Period con- sisting of a specified number of days evenly divisible by seven and not more than 1,820 (a Special Dividend Period); provided, however, that such Special Dividend Period may consist of a number of days not evenly divisible by seven if all shares of such series of APS are to be redeemed at the end of such Special Dividend Period. A designation of a Special Dividend Period shall be effective only if (A) notice thereof shall have been given in accordance with paragraph (b) and subparagraph (c)(i) of this Section 3, (B) an Auction for shares of such series shall have been held on the Auction Date immediately preceding the first day of such proposed Special Dividend Period and Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of such series shall have
existed in such Auction, and (C) if any Notice of Redemption shall have been mailed by the Fund pursuant to paragraph (c) of Section 8 of this Part I with respect to any shares of such series, the Fund has available liquid securities equal to the Redemption Price. In the event the Fund wishes to designate any succeeding Subsequent Dividend Period for shares of a series of APS as a Special Dividend Period consisting of more than 28 days, the Fund shall notify Moodys (if Moodys is then rating the APS) and S&P (if S&P is then rating such series) in advance of the commencement of such Subsequent Dividend Period that the Fund wishes to designate such Subsequent Dividend Period as a Special Dividend Period and shall provide Moodys (if Moodys is then rat- ing the APS) and S&P (if S&P is then rating such series) with such documents as it may request.
(b) Notice
of Proposed Special Dividend Period. If
the Fund proposes to designate any succeeding
Subsequent Dividend Period of shares of a series of APS as a Special Dividend Period pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 3, not less than 20 (or such lesser number of days as may be agreed to from time to time by the Auction Agent) nor more than 30 days prior to the date the Fund proposes to designate as the first day of such Special Dividend Period (which shall be such day that would otherwise be the first day of a Standard Dividend Period), notice shall be mailed by the Fund by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders of shares of such series. Each such notice shall state (A) that the Fund may exercise its option to designate a succeeding Subsequent Dividend Period of shares of such series as a Special Dividend Period, specifying the first day thereof and (B) that the Fund will, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day next preceding such date (or by such later time or date, or
both, as may be agreed to by the Auction Agent) notify the Auction Agent of either (x) its determination, subject to certain conditions, to exercise such option, in which case the Fund shall specify the Special Dividend Period designated, or (y) its determination not to exercise such option.
(c) Notice
of Special 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 of shares of a series of APS as to which notice has been given as set forth in paragraph (b) of this Section 3 (or such later time or date, or both, as may be agreed to by the Auction Agent), the Fund shall deliver to the Auction Agent either:
(i) a notice
(Notice of Special Dividend Period) stating (A) that the
Fund has determined to designate the next Subsequent Dividend Period
of shares of such series as a Special Dividend Period, specifying the
same and the first day thereof, (B) the Auction Date immediately prior
to the first day of such Special Dividend Period, (C) that such Special
Dividend Period shall not commence if (1) an Auction for shares of such
series shall not be held on such Auction Date for any reason, (2) an
Auction for shares of such series shall be held on such Auction Date
but Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of such series shall not exist
in such Auction, (3) full cumulative dividends and any amounts due with
respect to redemptions have not been paid in full as of such Auction
Date, or (4) the Fund does not receive confirmation from Moodys
(if Moodys is then rating the APS) or S&P (if S&P is then
rating the APS) that the proposed Special Dividend Period will not affect
such rating agencys then-current
rating on the APS, (D) the scheduled Dividend Payment Dates for shares of such series during such
Special Dividend Period and (E) the Special Redemption Provisions, if any, applicable to shares of such
series in respect of such Special Dividend Period, such notice to be accompanied by a Preferred Stock
Basic Maintenance Report showing that, as of the third Business Day next preceding such proposed
Special Dividend Period, Moodys Eligible Assets (if Moodys is then rating the APS) and S&P Eligible
Assets (if S&P is then rating such series) each have an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the
Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount as of such Business Day (assuming for purposes of the
foregoing calculation that the Maximum Dividend Rate is the Maximum Dividend Rate on such
Business Day as if such Business Day were the Auction Date for the proposed Special Dividend
Period); or (ii) a notice stating that the Fund has determined not to exercise its option to designate a
Special Dividend Period of shares of such series and that the next Subsequent Dividend Period of
shares of such series shall be a Standard Dividend Period.
(d) Failure to Deliver Notice of Special Dividend Period. If the Fund fails to deliver either of the
subparagraph (c)(i) of this Section 3, a Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Report to the effect set forth in
rating the series in question) and S&P (if S&P is then rating the series in question) a copy of such notice.
4
.
Voting Rights.
(ii) Notice of Special Meeting. As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, including shares of each series of APS, to elect additional directors as described in subparagraph (b)(i) of this Section 4, the Fund shall notify the Auction Agent and the Auction Agent shall call a special meeting of such holders, by mailing a notice of such special meeting to such holders, such meeting to be held not less than 10 nor more than 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice. If the Fund fails to send such notice to the Auction Agent or if the Auction Agent does not call such a special meeting, it may be called by any such holder on like notice. The record date for determining the holders entitled to notice of and to vote at such special meeting shall be the close of business on the
fifth Business Day preceding the day on which such notice is mailed. At any such special meeting and at each meeting of holders of shares of Preferred Stock, including shares of each series of APS, held during a Voting Period at which directors are to be elected, such holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of stock of the Fund), shall be entitled to elect the number of directors prescribed in subparagraph (b)(i) of this Section 4 on a one-vote-per-share basis.
(iii) Terms of Office of Existing Directors. The terms of office of all persons who are directors of the Fund at the time of a special meeting of Holders of shares of each series of APS and other holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect directors shall continue, notwithstanding the election at such meeting by the Holders and such other holders of the number of directors that they are entitled to elect, and the persons so elected by the Holders and such other holders, together with the two incumbent directors elected by the Holders and such other holders of Preferred Stock and the remaining incumbent directors elected by the holders of shares of Common Stock, shall constitute the duly elected directors of the Fund.
(iv) Terms of Office of Certain Directors to Terminate Upon Termination of Voting Period. Simultaneously
with the termination of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional
directors elected by the Holders of shares of each series of APS and
other holders of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to subparagraph (b)(i)
of this Section 4 shall terminate, the remaining directors shall constitute
the directors of the Fund and the voting rights of the Holders and such
other holders to elect additional directors pursuant to subparagraph
(b)(i) of this Section 4 shall cease, subject to the provisions of the
last sentence of subparagraph (b)(i) of this Section 4
(c) Holders of APS to Vote on Certain Other Matters.
(i) Capitalization Matters. So long as shares of any series of APS are outstanding, the Fund shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the Holders of at least two thirds of the shares of all series of Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting, voting separately as one class: (a) authorize, create or issue, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series of shares ranking prior to the APS with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation or (b) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter or these Articles Supplementary, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect any right, preference, privilege
or voting power of shares of any series of APS or the Holders thereof; provided, however, that any increase in the amount of the authorized APS 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 or the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount.
(ii) Investment Company Act Matters. Unless a higher percentage is provided for under the Charter, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Preferred Stock at the time, voting separately as one class, shall 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 Investment Company Act. For purposes of the foregoing, majority of the outstanding Preferred Stock shall mean (A) 67% or more of the shares of Preferred Stock present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock are present or represented by proxy or (B) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, whichever is less.
(iii) Separate Class Voting. The class vote of Holders of shares of Preferred Stock, including APS, described in this paragraph (c) shall 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.
(iv) Voting by Series. In addition to any vote of the requisite percentage of shares of Common Stock and shares of Preferred Stock, including APS, otherwise necessary to authorize any proposed action under the Charter or the Investment Company Act, on any matter on which the Preferred Stock has the right to vote as a class, the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock, including any series of APS, voting separately as a series, shall be necessary to approve such proposed action if such series would be affected by the proposed action in a manner materially different from any other series. For purposes of the foregoing, majority of the outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock shall mean (A) 67% or more of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock
present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such series are present or represented by proxy or (B) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such series, whichever is less.
(e) No
Preemptive Rights Or Cumulative Voting. The
Holders of shares of any series of APS shall have no preemptive rights
or rights to cumulative voting.
(f) Voting
For Directors Sole Remedy For Funds Failure To Pay Dividends. In
the event that the Fund fails to pay any dividends on shares of any
series of APS, the exclusive remedy of the Holders shall be the right
to vote for directors pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.
(g) Holders
Entitled To Vote. For purposes
of determining any rights of the Holders to vote on any matter, whether
such right is created by these Articles Supplementary, by the other
provisions of the Charter, by statute or otherwise, no Holder shall
be entitled to vote the shares of any series of APS and no shares of
any series of APS shall be deemed to be outstanding for
the purpose of voting or determining the number of shares required
to constitute a quorum if, prior to or concurrently with the time of
determination of shares entitled to vote or shares deemed outstanding
for quorum purposes, as the case may be, the requisite Notice of Redemption
with respect to such shares shall have been mailed as provided in paragraph
(c) of Section 8 of this Part I and the Redemption Price for the redemption
of such shares shall have been deposited in trust with the Auction
Agent for that purpose. No shares of any series of APS held by the
Fund or any affiliate of the Fund (except for shares held by a Broker-Dealer
that is an affiliate of the Fund for the account of its customers)
shall have any voting rights or be deemed to be outstanding for voting
or other purposes.
5. Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage.
The Fund shall maintain, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any shares of any series of APS are outstanding, the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage.
6.
Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Coverage.
(a) The
Fund shall maintain, on each Valuation Date, (i) if Moodys is then
rating the APS, Moodys Eligible Assets having an aggregate Moodys
Discounted Value at least equal to the Moodys Preferred Stock Basic
Maintenance Amount, (ii) if S&P is then rating the APS, S&P Eligible
Assets having an aggregate S&P Discounted Value at least equal to
the S&P Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount and (iii) if any
Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS, Substitute Rating Agency
Eligible Assets having an aggre- gate Substitute Rating Agency Discounted
Value at least equal to the Substituted Rating Agency Preferred Stock
Basic Maintenance Amount, in each case applicable to each such Substitute
Rating Agency.
(b) On
or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day after
each Valuation Date, the Fund shall complete and deliver to the Auction
Agent and the Paying Agent a Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Report,
which will be deemed to have been delivered to the Auction Agent and
the Paying Agent if the Auction Agent and the Paying Agent receive a
copy or telecopy, telex or other electronic tran- scription thereof and
on the same day the Fund mails to the Auction Agent and the Paying Agent
for delivery on the next Business Day the full Preferred Stock Basic
Maintenance Report. A failure by the Fund to deliver a Preferred Stock
Basic Maintenance Report under this paragraph 6(b) without the prior
consent of the Auction Agent and the Paying Agent shall be deemed to
be delivery of a Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Report indicating
the Discounted Value for all assets of the Fund is less than the Preferred
Stock Basic Maintenance Amount, as of the relevant Valuation Date.
(c) Within
ten Business Days after the date of delivery to the Auction Agent and
the Paying Agent of a Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Report in accordance
with paragraph 6(b) above relating to a Annual Valuation Date, the Independent
Accountant will confirm in writing to the Auction Agent and the Paying
Agent (i) the mathematical accuracy of the calculations reflected in
such Report, (ii) that, in such Report, the Fund determined in accordance
with these Articles Supplementary the assets of the Fund which constitute
Eligible Assets at such Annual Valuation Date, (iii) that, in such Report,
the Fund determined in accordance with these Articles Supplementary whether
the Fund had, at such Annual Valuation Date, Eligible Assets of an aggregate
Discounted Value at least equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance
Amount, (iv) with respect to the S&P rating on portfolio securities
of the Fund, issuer name, issue size and coupon rate listed in such Report,
that information has been traced and agrees with the information listed
by Bloomberg, L.P. or an alternative reputable source (in the event such
information does not agree or such information is not listed by Bloomberg,
L.P. or an alternative reputable source, the Independent Accountant will
inquire of S&P what such information is, and provide a listing in
their letter of such differences, if any), (v) with respect to the Moodys
ratings on portfolio securities of the Fund, issuer name, issue size
and coupon rate listed in such Report, that information has been traced
and agrees with the information listed by Bloomberg, L.P. or an alternative
reputable source (in the event such information does not agree or such
information is not listed by Bloomberg, L.P. or an alternative reputable
source, the Independent Accountant will inquire of Moodys what
such information is, and provide a listing in their letter of such differences,
if any), (vi) with respect to any Substitute Rating Agencys ratings
on portfolio securities of the Fund, issuer name, issue size and coupon
rate listed in such Report, that information has been traced and agrees
with the info rmation listed by Bloomberg, L.P. or an alternative reputable
source (in the event such information does not agree or such information
is not listed by Bloomberg, L.P. or an alternative reputable source,
the Independent Accountant will inquire of such Substitute Rating Agency
what such information is, and provide a listing in their letter of such
differences, if any) and (vii) with respect to the bid or mean price
(or such alternative permissible factor used in calculating the Market
Value) provided by the custodian of the Funds assets to the Fund
for pur- poses of valuing securities in the Funds portfolio, the
Independent Accountant has traced the price used in such Report to the
bid or mean price listed in the Funds accounting records as of
such date and verified that such information agrees (in the event such
information does not agree, the Independent Accountant will pro- vide
a listing in its letter of such differences) (such confirmation is herein
called the Accountants Co nfirmation). If any Accountants
Confirmation delivered pursuant to this paragraph 6(c) shows that an
error was made in the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Report for a
Annual Valuation Date, or shows that a lower aggregate Discounted Value
for the aggregate of all Eligible Assets of the Fund was determined by
the Independent Accountant, the calculation or determination made by
such Independent Accountant shall be final and conclusive and shall be
binding on the Fund, and the Fund shall accordingly amend the Preferred
Stock Basic Maintenance Report to the Auction Agent and Paying Agent promptly following receipt by the
Auction Agent and the Paying Agent of such Accountants Confirmation.
7
.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Distributions.
ment any dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of, or options,
warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase, Common Stock or other stock, if any, ranking junior to the
shares of APS as to dividends or upon liquidation) in respect of the Common Stock or any other stock of the
Fund ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of APS as to dividends or upon liquidation, or call for
redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of the Common Stock or
any other such junior stock (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Fund ranking junior to
the shares of APS as to dividends and upon liquidation) or any other such parity stock (except by conversion
into or exchange for stock of the Fund ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of APS as to dividends
and upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after such transaction, the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance
Amount and the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage would be achieved, (B) full
cumulative dividends on shares of APS and shares of other Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the APS
with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or wind-
ing up of the affairs of the Fund due on or prior to the date of the transaction have been declared and paid or
shall have been declared and sufficient funds for the payment thereof deposited with the Paying Agent, (C)
the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of APS required to be redeemed by any provision for
mandatory redemption contained herein.
Dividend Payment Date or upon the shares of any other class or series of stock of the Fund ranking on a par-
ity with the APS as to the payment of dividends through their most recent respective dividend payment
dates, all dividends declared upon the shares of each series of APS and the shares of any other such class or
series of stock ranking on a parity with the APS as to the payment of dividends shall be declared pro rata so
that the amount of dividends declared per share on each series of APS and such other class or series of stock
shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated dividends per share on such series of
APS and such other class or series of stock bear to each other (for purposes of this sentence, the amount of
dividends declared per share on each series of APS shall be based on the Applicable Dividend Rate for such
share for the Dividend Periods during which dividends were not paid in full).
8
.
Redemption.
(ii) A Notice of Special Dividend Period relating to shares of a series of APS for a Special Dividend Period thereof may contain Special Redemption Provisions only if the Funds Board of Directors, after consultation with the Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers for such Special Dividend Period of shares of such series, determines that such Special Redemption Provisions are in the best interest of the Fund.
(iii) If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of a series of APS are to be redeemed pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (a), the number of shares of such series to be redeemed shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and such shares shall be redeemed pro rata from the Holders of shares of such series in proportion to the number of shares of such series held by such Holders.
(iv) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v) of this paragraph (a), shares of any series of APS may be redeemed, at the option of the Fund, as a whole but not in part, out of funds legally available therefor, on the first day following any Dividend Period thereof included in a Special Dividend Period consisting of more than 364 days if, on the date of determination of the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series for such Special Dividend Period, such Applicable Dividend Rate equaled or exceeded on such date of determination the Treasury Note Rate for such Special Dividend Period, at a redemption price per share equal to the sum of $25,000 plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to (but not including) the date fixed for redemption.
(v) The Fund may not on any date mail a Notice of Redemption pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 8 in respect of a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to this paragraph (a) unless on such date the Fund has available liquid securities having a value not less than the amount (including any applicable premium) due to Holders of any series of APS by reason of redemption of such shares or such redemption date, and (b) the Discounted Value of Moodys Eligible Assets (if Moodys is then rating the APS) and S&P Eligible Assets (if S&P is then rating the APS) each at least equals the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount, and would at least equal the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount immediately subsequent to such redemption if such redemption were to occur on such date.
(b) Mandatory
Redemption. The Fund shall redeem,
at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share plus accumulated
but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to
(but not including) the date fixed by the Board of Directors for redemption,
certain shares of APS, if the Fund fails to have either Moodys
Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets with a Discounted Value
greater than or equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount
or fails to maintain the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset
Coverage, in accordance with the requirements of the rating agency
or agencies then rating the APS, and such failure is not cured on or
before the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the Investment
Company Act Cure Date, as the case may be. The number of shares of
APS to be redeemed shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum
number of shares of APS, together with all other shares of Preferred
Stock subject to redemption or retirement, the redemption of which,
if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business
on the Cure Date, would have resulted in the Fund s having Moodys
Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets with a Discounted Value
greater than or equal to the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount
or maintaining the Investment Company Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage,
as the case may be, on such Cure Date (provided,
however, that if there is no such
minimum number of shares of APS and other shares of Preferred Stock
the redemption or retirement of which would have had such result, all
shares of APS and other Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be redeemed),
and (ii) the maximum number of shares of APS, together with all other
shares of Preferred Stock subject to redemption or retirement, that
can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor
in accordance with the Charter and applicable law. In determining the
shares of APS required to be redeemed in accordance with the foregoing,
the Fund shall allocate the number required to be redeemed to satisfy
the Preferred Stock Basic Maintenance Amount or the Investment Company
Act Preferred Stock Asset Coverage, as the case may be, pro rata among
shares of APS and other Preferred Stock (and, then, pro rata among
each series of APS) subject to redemption or retirement. The Fund shall
effect such redemption on the date fixed by the Fund therefor, which
date shall not be earlier than 20 days nor later than 22 days after
such Cure Date, except that if the Fund does not have funds legally
available for the redemption of all of the required number of shares
of APS and other Preferred Stock which are subject to redemption or
retirement or the Fund otherwise is unable to effect such redemption
on or prior to 22 days after such Cure Date, the
Fund shall redeem those shares of APS and other Preferred Stock which it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption. If fewer than all of the outstanding shares of a series of APS are to be redeemed pursuant to this paragraph (b), the number of shares of such series to be redeemed shall be redeemed pro rata from the Holders of shares of such series in proportion to the number of shares of such series held by such Holders.
(c) Notice of Redemption. If the Fund shall determine or be required to redeem shares of a series of APS pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8, it shall mail a Notice of Redemption with respect to such redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to (i) each Holder of the shares of such series to be redeemed, at such Holders address as the same appears on the record books of the Fund on the record date established by the Board of Directors (ii) to Moodys, if Moodys is then rating the APS and to S&P, if S&P is then rating the APS. Such Notice of Redemption shall be so mailed not less than 20 nor more than 45 days prior to the date fixed for redemption and (iii) to the Auction Agent. Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (i) the redemption date;
(ii) the number of shares of APS to be redeemed and the series thereof; (iii) the CUSIP number for shares of such series; (iv) the Redemption Price; (v) the place or places where the certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors shall so require and the Notice of Redemption shall so state) are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; (vi) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date; and (vii) that the holders of any shares of a series of APS being so redeemed shall not participate in the Auction, if any, immediately preceding the redemption date; and (viii) the provisions of this Section 8 under which such redemption is made. If fewer than all shares of a series of APS held by any Holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption mailed to such Holder shall also specify the number of shares of such series to
be redeemed from such Holder. The Fund may provide in any Notice of Redemption relating to a redemption contemplated to be effected pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 8 that such redemption is subject to one or more conditions precedent and that the Fund shall not be required to effect such redemption unless each such condition shall have been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified in such Notice of Redemption.
(d) No Redemption Under Certain Circumstances. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 8, if any dividends on shares of a series of APS (whether or not earned or declared) are in arrears, no shares of such series shall be redeemed unless all outstanding shares of such series are simultaneously redeemed, and the Fund shall not purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of such series; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of all outstanding shares of such series pursuant to the successful completion of an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to, and accepted by, Holders of all outstanding shares of such series.
(e) Absence
of Funds Available for Redemption. To
the extent that any redemption for which Notice of Redemption has been
mailed is not made by reason of the absence of legally available funds
therefor in accordance with the Charter and applicable law, such redemption
shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent such funds become
available. Failure to redeem shares of APS shall be deemed to exist
at any time after the date specified for redemption in a Notice of
Redemption when the Fund shall have failed, for any reason whatsoever,
to deposit in trust with the Auction Agent the Redemption Price with
respect to any shares for which such Notice of Redemption has been
mailed; provided, however, that
the foregoing shall not apply in the case of the Funds failure
to deposit in trust with the Auct ion Agent the Redemption Price with
respect to any shares where (1) the Notice of Redemption relating to
such redemption provided that such redemption was subject to one or
more conditions precedent and (2) any such condition precedent shall
not have been satisfied at the time or times and in the manner specified
in such Notice of Redemption. Notwithstanding the fact that the Fund
may not have redeemed shares of APS for which a Notice of Redemption
has been mailed, dividends may be declared and paid on shares of APS
and shall include those shares of APS for which a Notice of Redemption
has been mailed.
(f) Auction Agent as Director of Redemption Payments by Fund. All moneys paid to the Auction Agent for payment of the Redemption Price of shares of APS called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Auction Agent for the benefit of Holders of shares so to be redeemed.
(g) Shares
for Which Notice of Redemption Has Been Given Are no Longer Outstanding. Provided
a Notice of Redemption has been mailed pursuant to paragraph (c) of
this Section 8, upon the deposit with the
Auction Agent (on the Business Day next preceding the date fixed for redemption thereby, in funds available on the next Business Day in The City of New York, New York) of funds sufficient to redeem the shares of APS that are the subject of such notice, dividends on such shares shall cease to accumulate and such shares shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose, and all rights of the Holders of the shares so called for redemption shall cease and terminate, except the right of such Holders to receive the Redemption Price, but without any interest or other additional amount, except as provided in subparagraph (e)(i) of Section 2 of this Part I. Upon surrender in accordance with the Notice of Redemption of the certificates for any shares so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors shall so require and the Notice of Redemption shall so state),
the Redemption Price shall be paid by the Auction Agent to the Holders of shares of APS subject to redemption. In the case that fewer than all of the shares represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued, representing the unredeemed shares, without cost to the Holder thereof. The Fund shall be entitled to receive from the Auction Agent, promptly after the date fixed for redemption, any cash deposited with the Auction Agent in excess of (i) the aggregate Redemption Price of the shares of APS called for redemption on such date and (ii) all other amounts to which Holders of shares of APS called for redemption may be entitled. Any funds so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of 90 days from such redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Fund, after which time the Holders of shares of APS so called for redemption may look only to the Fund for payment of the Redemption Price
and all other amounts to which they may be entitled.
(h)
Compliance with Applicable
Law. In effecting any redemption
pursuant to this Section 8, the Fund shall use its best efforts to
comply with all applicable conditions precedent to effecting such redemption
under the Investment Company Act and any applicable Maryland law, but
shall effect no redemption except in accordance with the Investment
Company Act and any applicable Maryland law.
(i)
Only Whole Shares of APS May Be Redeemed. In
the case of any redemption pursuant to this Section
8, only whole shares of APS shall be redeemed, and in the event that
any provision of the Charter would require redemption of a fractional
share, the Auction Agent shall be authorized to round up so that only
whole shares are redeemed.
(j)
Modification of Redemption Procedures. Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, the Fund may modify
any or all of the requirements relating to the Notice of Redemption provided
that (i) any such modification does not materially and adversely affect
any Holder of shares of the rel evant series of APS, and (ii) the Fund
receives written notice from Moodys (if Moodys is then rating
the APS) and S&P (if S&P is then rating the APS) that such modification
would not impair the ratings assigned by Moodys and S&P to
shares of APS.
9.
Liquidation Rights.
(a)
Distributions Upon Liquidation. Upon
the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund,
whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders of shares of all series
of APS then outstanding shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out
of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to its shareholders,
before any payment or distribution shall be made on the Common Stock
or on any other class of shares of the Fund ranking junior to the APS
upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, an amount equal to the Liquidation
Preference with respect to such shares plus an amount equal to all dividends
thereon (whether or not earned or declared) accumulated but unpaid to
(but not including) the date of final distribution in same day funds
in connection with the liquidation of the Fund. After the payment to
the Holders of shares of all series of APS of the full preferential amounts
provided for in this paragraph (a), the Holders of shares of any series
of APS as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets
of the Fund.
(b)
Pro Rata Distributions. In
the event the assets of the Fund available for distribution to the Holders
of shares of all series of APS upon any dissolution, liquidation, or
winding up of the affairs of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary,
shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such Holders
are entitled pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 9, no such distribution
shall be made on account of any shares of any other class or series of
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the APS with respect to the
distribution of assets upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding
up, unless proportionate distributive amounts shall be paid on account
of the shares of all series of APS, ratably, in proportion to the full
distrib-
utable amounts for which holders of all such parity shares are respectively entitled upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up.
(c)
Rights of Junior Shares. Subject
to the rights of the holders of shares of any series or class or classes
of shares ranking on a parity with the APS with respect to the distribution
of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs
of the Fund, after payment shall have been made in full to the Holders
of shares of all series of APS as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section
9, but not prior thereto, any other series or class or classes of shares
ranking junior to the APS with respect to the distribution of assets
upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund
shall, subject to the respective terms and provisions (if any) applying
thereto, be entitled to receive any and all assets remaining to be paid
or distributed, and the Holders of shares of any series of APS shall
not be entitled to share therein.
(d)
Certain Events Not Constituting Liquidation. Neither
the sale of all or substantially all the property or
business of the Fund, nor the merger or consolidation of the Fund into
or with any business trust or corpo- ration nor the merger or consolidation
of any business trust or corporation into or with the Fund shall be a
dis- solution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary,
for the purposes of this Section 9.
10.
Certain Rating Agency Requirements and Restrictions.
(a)
For so long as any shares of APS are outstanding
and Moodys is then rating the APS, the Fund will perform all actions
required by the Moodys Guidelines and will not engage in any transactions
proscribed by restrictions set forth in the Moodys Guidelines,
unless it has received written confirmation from Moodys that such
noncompliance would not adversely affect the rating then assigned by
Moodys to the APS.
(b)
For so long as any shares of APS are outstanding
and S&P is then rating the APS, the Fund will perform all actions
required by the S&P Guidelines and will not engage in any transactions
proscribed by restrictions set forth in the S&P Guidelines, unless
it has received written confirmation from S&P that such noncompliance
would not adversely affect the rating then assigned by S&P to the
APS.
(c)
For so long as any shares of APS are outstanding
and any Substitute Rating Agency is then rating the APS, the Fund will
perform all actions required by the Substituted Rating Agency Guidelines
relating to such Substitute Rating Agency and will not engage in any
transactions proscribed by restrictions set forth in the Substituted
Rating Agency Guidelines relating to such Substitute Rating Agency, unless
it has received written confirmation from such Substituted Rating Agency
that such noncompliance would not adversely affect the rating then assigned
by such Substituted Rating Agency to the APS.
11.
Miscellaneous.
(a)
No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of APS shall be issued.
(b)
Status of Shares of APS Redeemed, Exchanged
or Otherwise Acquired by the Fund. Shares
of APS which are redeemed, exchanged or otherwise acquired by the Fund
shall return to the status of authorized and unissued shares of Preferred
Stock without designation as to series.
(c)
Board May Resolve Ambiguities. To
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board of Directors may
interpret or adjust the provisions of these Articles Supplementary to
resolve any inconsistency or ambi- guity or to remedy any formal defect,
and may amend these Articles Supplementary with respect to any series
of APS prior to the issuance of shares of such series.
(d)
Headings Not Determinative. The
headings contained in these Articles Supplementary are for convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of these Articles Supplementary.
(e)
Notices. All
notices or communications, unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws of
the Fund or these Articles Supplementary, shall be sufficiently given
if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail,
postage prepaid.
1.
Orders.
(a)
Prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date for shares of a series of APS:
(i) each Beneficial Owner of shares of such series may submit to its Broker-Dealer by telephone or otherwise information as to:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of such series held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold without regard to the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period of such shares;
(B) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of such series held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner offers to sell if the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period of shares of such series shall be less than the rate per annum specified by such Beneficial Owner; and/or
(C) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of such series held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period of shares of such series; and
(ii) one or more Broker-Dealers, using lists of Potential Beneficial Owners, shall in good faith for the purpose of conducting a competitive Auction in a commercially reasonable manner, contact Potential Beneficial Owners (by telephone or otherwise), including Persons that are not Beneficial Owners, on such lists to determine the number of shares, if any, of such series which each such Potential Beneficial Owner offers to purchase if the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period of shares of such series shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Potential Beneficial Owner.
For the purposes hereof, the communication by a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner to a Broker-Dealer, or by a Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, of information referred to in clause (i)(A), (i)(B), (i)(C) or (ii) of this paragraph (a) is hereinafter referred to as an Order and collectively as Orders and each Beneficial Owner and each Potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order with a Broker-Dealer, and such Broker-Dealer placing an order with the Auction Agent, is hereinafter referred to as a Bidder and collectively as Bidders; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (i)(A) of this paragraph (a) is hereinafter referred to as a Hold Order and collectively as Hold Orders; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (i)(B) or (ii)
of this paragraph (a) is hereinafter referred to as a Bid and collectively as Bids; and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (i)(C) of this paragraph (a) is hereinafter referred to as a Sell Order and collectively as Sell Orders.
(b) A Bid by a Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder of shares of a series of APS subject to an Auction on any Auction Date shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares of such series specified in such Bid if the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate specified therein;
(B) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of such series to be determined as set forth in clause (iv) of paragraph (a) of this Part II if the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate specified therein; or
(C) the number of Outstanding shares of such series specified in such Bid if the rate specified therein shall be higher than the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of such series, or such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of such series to be determined as set forth in clause (iii) of paragraph (b) of Section 4 of this Part II if the rate specified therein shall be higher than the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of such series and Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of such series do not exist.
(ii) A
Sell Order by a Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder of shares of a
series of APS subject to an Auction on any Auction Date shall constitute
an irrevocable offer to sell:
(A)
the number of Outstanding shares of such series specified in such Sell
Order; or
(B) such number
or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of such series as set forth
in clause (iii) of paragraph (b) of Section 4 of this Part II if Sufficient
Clearing Bids for shares of such series do not exist; provided,
however, that a Broker-Dealer that
is an Existing Holder with respect to shares of a series of APS shall
not be liable to any Person for failing to sell such shares pursuant
to a Sell Order described in the proviso to paragraph (c) of Section
2 of this Part II if (1) such shares were transferred by the Beneficial
Owner thereof without compliance by such Beneficial Owner or its transferee
Broker-Dealer (or other transferee person, if permitted by the Fund)
with the provisions of Section 6 of this Part II or (2) such Broker-Dealer
has informed the Auction Agent pursuant to the terms of its Broker-Dealer
Agreement that, according to such Broker-Dealers records, such
Broker-Dealer believes it is not the Existing Holder of such shares.
(iii) A Bid
by a Potential Beneficial Owner or a Potential Holder of shares of a
series of APS subject to an Auction on any Auction Date shall constitute
an irrevocable offer to purchase:
(A) the number
of Outstanding shares of such series specified in such Bid if the Applicable
Dividend Rate for shares of such series determined on such Auction Date
shall be higher than the rate specified therein; or
(B) such number
or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of such series as set forth
in clause (v) of paragraph (a) of Section 4 of this Part II if the Applicable
Dividend Rate for shares of such series determined on such Auction Date
shall be equal to the rate specified therein.
(c) No Order for any number of shares of APS other
than whole shares shall be valid.
(d) A Bid by a Potential Beneficial Owner or a Potential Holder specifying a rate higher than the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of APS on the Auction Date will not be accepted.
2.
Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers
to Auction Agent.
(a)
Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing to the Auction Agent prior
to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date all Orders for shares
of APS of a series subject to an Auction on such Auction Date obtained
by such Broker-Dealer, designating itself (unless otherwise permitted
by the Fund) as an Existing Holder in respect of shares subject to Orders
submitted or deemed submitted to it by Beneficial Owners and as a Potential
Holder in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted to it by Potential
Beneficial Owners, and shall specify with respect to each Order for such
shares:
(i) the name of the Bidder placing such Order
(which shall be the Broker-Dealer unless otherwise permitted by the Fund);
(ii) the aggregate
number of shares of such series that are the subject of such Order;
(iii) to the
extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder of shares of such series:
(A) the number of shares, if any, of such
series subject to any Hold Order of such Existing Holder;
(B) the number
of shares, if any, of such series subject to any Bid of such Existing
Holder and the rate specified in such Bid; and
(C) the number
of shares, if any, of such series subject to any Sell Order of such Existing
Holder; and
(iv) to the
extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder of shares of such series, the
rate and number of shares of such series specified in such Potential
Holders Bid.
(b) If any rate
specified in any Bid contains more than three figures to the right of
the decimal point, the Auction Agent shall round such rate up to the
next highest one thousandth (.001) of 1%.
(c) If an Order
or Orders covering all of the outstanding shares of a series of APS held
by any Existing Holder is not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to
the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order to
have been submitted by or on behalf of such Existing Holder covering
the number of Outstanding shares of such series held by such Existing
Holder and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent; provided,
however, that if an Order or Orders
covering all of the Outstanding shares of such series held by any Existing
Holder is not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission
Deadline for an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period consisting
of more than 28 days, the Auction Agent shall deem a Sell order to have
been submitted by or on behalf of such Existing Holder covering the number
of outstanding shares of such series held by such Existing Holder and
not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
(d) 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 shares of a series
of APS subject to an Auction held by such Existing Holder, such Orders
shall be considered valid in the following order of priority:
(i) all Hold
Orders for shares of such series shall 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 of such series held by such Existing Holder;
(ii) any Bid
for shares of such series shall 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 number of shares of such series subject
to any Hold Orders referred to in clause (i) above;
(B) subject
to subclause (A), 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 shall 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 shall be reduced pro
rata to cover the number of shares of such series equal to such excess;
(C) subject
to subclauses (A) and (B), 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
(D) 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 (ii) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid for shares
of such series by or on behalf of a Potential Holder at the rate therein
specified; and
(iii) all Sell
Orders for shares of such series shall 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 (i) above and valid Bids referred
to in clause (ii) above.
(e) If more
than one Bid for one or more shares of a series of APS is submitted to
the Auction Agent by or on behalf of any Potential Holder, each such
Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate and number of shares
therein specified.
(f) 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.
3.
Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids,
Winning Bids Rate and Applicable Dividend Rate.
(a) Not earlier
than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date for shares of a series
of APS, the Auction Agent shall assemble all valid Orders submitted or
deemed submitted to it by the Broker-Dealers in
respect of shares of such series (each such
Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a Broker-Dealer being hereinafter
referred to individually 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 shall determine for such series:
(i) 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 hereinafter referred to as the Available APS of
such series);
(ii) from the
Submitted Orders for shares of such series whether:
(A) the number
of Outstanding shares of such series subject to Submitted Bids of Potential
Holders specifying one or more rates equal to or lower than the Maximum
Dividend Rate for shares of such series exceeds or is equal to the sum
of:
(B) the number
of Outstanding shares of such series subject to Submitted Bids of Existing
Holders specifying one or more rates higher than the Maximum Dividend
Rate for shares of such series; and
(C) the number
of Outstanding shares of such series subject to Submitted Sell Orders
in the event such excess or such equality exists (other than because
the number of shares of such series in subclauses (B) and (C) above is
zero because all of the Outstanding shares of such series are subject
to Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids in subclause (A) above
being hereinafter referred to collectively as Sufficient Clearing
Bids for shares of such series); and
(iii) if Sufficient
Clearing Bids for shares of such series exist, the lowest rate specified
in such Submitted Bids (the Winning Bid Rate for shares of
such series) which if:
(A) (I) each
such Submitted Bid of Existing Holders specifying such lowest rate and
(II) all other such Submitted Bids of Existing Holders specifying lower
rates were rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holders to continue
to hold the shares of such series that are subject to such Submitted
Bids; and
(B) (I) each
such Submitted Bid of Potential Holders specifying such lowest rate and
(II) all other such Submitted Bids of Potential Holders specifying lower
rates were accepted;
would result in such Existing Holders described
in subclause (A) above 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 such Potential Holders described
in subclause (B) above, would equal not less than the Available APS of
such series.
(b) Promptly
after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant to paragraph
(a) of this Section 3, the Auction Agent shall advise the Fund of the
Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of the series of APS for which an Auction
is being held on the Auction Date and, based on such determination the
Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series for the next Subsequent
Dividend Period thereof as follows:
(i) if Sufficient
Clearing Bids for shares of such series exist, that the Applicable Dividend
Rate for all shares of such series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period
thereof shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such series
so determined;
(ii)
if sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of such series do not exist (other
than because all of the Outstanding shares of such series are subject
to Submitted Hold Orders), that the Applicable Dividend Rate for all
shares of such series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period thereof
shall be equal to the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of such series;
or
(iii)
if all of the Outstanding shares of such series are subject to Submitted
Hold Orders, that the Applicable Dividend Rate for all shares of such
series for the next Subsequent Dividend Period thereof shall be the All
Hold Rate.
4.
Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted
Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares.
Existing Holders
shall continue to hold the shares of APS that are subject to Submitted
Hold Orders, and, based on the determinations made pursuant to paragraph
(a) of Section 3 of this Part II, the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell
Orders shall be accepted or rejected by the Auction Agent and the Auction
Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:
(a) If Sufficient
Clearing Bids for shares of a series of APS have been made, all Submitted
Sell Orders with respect to shares of such series shall be accepted and,
subject to the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 4,
Submitted Bids with respect to shares of such series shall be accepted
or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all other
Submitted Bids with respect to shares of such series shall be rejected:
(i)
Existing Holders Submitted Bids for shares of such series specifying
any rate that is higher than the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such
series shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to
sell the shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bids;
(ii)
Existing Holders Submitted Bids for shares of such series specifying
any rate that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such series
shall be rejected, thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue
to hold the shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bids;
(iii)
Potential Holders Submitted Bids for shares of such series specifying
any rate that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such series
shall be accepted;
(iv)
each Existing Holders Submitted Bid for shares of such series specifying
a rate that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such series
shall be rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holder to continue to
hold the shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bid, unless the number
of Outstanding shares of APS subject to all such Submitted Bids shall
be greater than the number of shares of APS (remaining shares)
in the excess of the Available APS of such series over the number of
shares of APS subject to Submitted Bids described in clauses (ii) and
(iii) of this paragraph (a), in which event such Submitted Bid of such
Existing Holder shall be rejected in part, and such Existing Holder shall
be entitled to continue to hold shares of APS subject to such Submitted
Bid, but only in an amount equal to the number of shares of APS of such
series obtained by multiplying the number of remaining shares by a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of APS
held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator
of which shall be the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of APS subject
to such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders that specified
a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate for shares of such series; and
(v)
each Potential Holders Submitted Bid for shares of such series
specifying a rate that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate for shares of
such series shall be accepted but only in an amount equal to the number
of shares of such series obtained by multiplying the number of shares
in the excess of the Available APS of such series over the number of
shares of APS subject to Submitted Bids described in clauses (ii) through
(iv) of this paragraph (a) by a fraction, the numerator of which shall
be the number of Outstanding shares of APS subject to such Submitted
Bid and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate number of Outstanding
shares of APS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Potential
Holders that specified a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate for shares
of such series.
(b)
If Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of a series of APS have not been
made (other than because all of the Outstanding shares of such series
are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), subject to the provisions of paragraph
(d) of this Section 4, Submitted Orders for shares of such series shall
be accepted or rejected as follows in the following order of priority
and all other Submitted Bids for shares of such series shall be rejected:
(i)
Existing Holders Submitted Bids for shares of such series specifying
any rate that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Dividend Rate for
shares of such series shall be rejected, thus entitling such Existing
Holders to continue to hold the shares of APS subject to such Submitted
Bids;
(ii)
Potential Holders Submitted Bids for shares of such series specifying
any rate that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Dividend Rate for
shares of such series shall be accepted; and
(iii) Each
Existing Holders Submitted Bid for shares of such series specifying
any rate that is higher than the Maximum Dividend Rate for shares of
such series and the Submitted Sell Orders for shares of such series of
each Existing Holder shall be accepted, thus entitling each Existing
Holder that submitted or on whose behalf was submitted any such Submitted
Bid or Submitted Sell Order to sell the shares of such series subject
to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order, but in both cases only
in an amount equal to the number of shares of such series obtained by
multiplying the number of shares of such series subject to Submitted
Bids described in clause (ii) of this paragraph (b) by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of such
series held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or
Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate
number of Outstanding shares of such series subject to all such Submitted
Bids and Submitted Sell Orders.
(c)
If all of the Outstanding shares of a series of APS are subject to Submitted
Hold Orders, all Submitted Bids for shares of such series shall be rejected.
(d)
If, as a result of the procedures described in clause (iv) or (v) of
paragraph (a) or clause (iii) of paragraph (b) of this Section 4, 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 a series of APS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such
manner as it shall determine in its sole discretion, round up or down
the number of shares of such series of APS to be purchased or sold by
any Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date as a result
of such procedures so that the number of shares so purchased or sold
by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall
be whole shares of APS.
(e)
If, as a result of the procedures described in clause (v) of paragraph
(a) of this Section 4, any Potential Holder would be entitled or required
to purchase less than a whole share of a series of APS on any Auction
Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as it shall determine in
its sole discretion, allocate shares of APS of such series for purchase
among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of APS of such series
are purchased on such Auction Date as a result of such procedures by
any Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or more
Potential Holders not purchasing shares of APS of such series on such
Auction Date.
(f)
Based on the results of each Auction for shares of a series of APS, the
Auction Agent shall determine the aggregate number of shares of such
series to be purchased and the aggregate number of shares of such series
to be sold by Potential Holders and Existing Holders and, with respect
to each Potential Holder and Existing Holder, to the extent that such
aggregate number of shares to be purchased and such aggregate number
of shares to be sold differ, determine to which other Potential Holder(s)
or Existing Holder(s) they shall deliver, or from which other Potential
Holder(s) or Existing Holder(s) they shall receive, as the case may be,
shares of APS of such series. Notwithstanding any provision of the Auction
Procedures to the contrary, in the event an Existing Holder or Beneficial
Owner of a series of APS with respect to whom a Broker-Dealer submitted
a Bid to the Auction Agent for such shares that was accepted in whole
or in part, or submitted or is deemed to have submitted a Sell Order
for such shares that was accepted in whole or in part, fails to instruct
its Agent Member to deliver such shares against payment therefor, partial
deliveries of shares of APS that have been made in respect of Potential
Holders or Potential Beneficial Owners submitted Bids for
shares of such series that have been accepted in whole or in part shall
constitute good delivery to such Potential Holders and Potential Beneficial
Owners.
(g)
Neither the Fund nor the Auction Agent nor any affiliate of either shall
have any responsibility or liability with respect to the failure of an
Existing Holder, a Potential Holder, a Beneficial Owner, a Potential
Beneficial Owner or its respective Agent Member to deliver shares of
any series of APS or to pay for shares of any series of APS sold or purchased
pursuant to the Auction Procedures or otherwise.
5.
Auction Agent.
For
so long as shares of any series of APS are outstanding, the Auction Agent,
duly appointed by the Fund to so act, shall be in each case a commercial
bank, trust company or other financial institution independent of the
Fund and its affiliates (which however may engage or have engaged in
business transactions with the Fund or its affiliates) and at no time
shall the Fund or any of its affiliates act as the Auction Agent in connection
with the Auction Procedures. If the Auction Agent resigns or for any
reason its appointment is terminated during any period that shares of
any series of APS are outstanding, the Board of Directors shall use its
best efforts promptly
thereafter to appoint another qualified
commercial bank, trust company or financial institution to act as the
Auction Agent. The Auction Agents registry of Existing Holders
of a series of APS shall be conclusive and binding on the Broker-Dealers.
A Broker-Dealer may inquire of the Auction Agent between 3:00 p.m. on
the Business Day preceding an Auction for a series of APS and 9:30 a.m.
on the Auction Date for such Auction to ascertain the number of shares
of such series in respect of which the Auction Agent has determined such
Broker-Dealer to be an Existing Holder. If such Broker-Dealer believes
it is the Existing Holder of fewer shares of such series than specified
by the Auction Agent in response to such Broker-Dealers inquiry,
such Broker-Dealer may so inform the Auction Agent of that belief. Such
Broker-Dealer shall not, in its capacity as Existing Holder of shares
of such series, submit Orders in such Auction in respect of shares of
such series covering in the aggregate more than the number of shares
of such series specified by the Auction Agent in response to such Broker-Dealers
inquiry.
6.
Transfer of APS.
Unless
otherwise permitted by the Fund, a Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder
may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of any series of APS
only in whole shares and only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order placed
with the Auction Agent in accordance with the procedures described in
this Part II or to a Broker-Dealer; provided,
however, that (a) a sale, transfer
or other disposition of shares of APS from a customer of a Broker-Dealer
who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer as the holder of such
shares to that Broker-Dealer or another customer of that Broker-Dealer
shall not be deemed to be a sale, transfer or other disposition for purposes
of this Section 6 if such Broker-Dealer remains the Existing Holder of
the shares so sold, transferred or disposed of immediately after such
sale, transfer or disposition and (b) in the case of all transfers other
than pursuant to Auctions, the Broker-Dealer (or other Person, if permitted
by the Fund) to whom such transfer is made shall advise the Auction Agent
of such transfer.
7.
Global Certificate.
Prior
to the commencement of a Voting Period, (i) all of the shares of a series
of APS outstanding from time to time shall be represented by one global
certificate registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its
nominee and (ii) no registration of transfer of shares of a series of
APS shall be made on the books of the Fund to any Person other than the
Securities Depository or its nominee.
8.
Force Majeure.
(a)
Notwithstanding anything else set forth herein,
if an Auction Date for shares of a series of APS is not a Business Day
because the New York Stock Exchange is closed for business due to an act of God, nat- ural 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 Dividend Rate for shares of such series for the next
Subsequent Dividend Period shall be the Applicable Dividend Rate most recently in effect for shares of such series, provided, however, that, if the affected Subsequent Dividend
Period is a Special Dividend Period, the next Subsequent Dividend Period shall be a Standard Dividend Period and the Applicable Dividend Rate for shares of such series during such Standard Dividend Period shall be 80% of the Reference Rate
applicable to such Standard Dividend Period.
(b)
Notwithstanding anything else set forth herein, 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 com-
munications 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 shall be the next Business
Day on which the Fund and the Paying Agent, if any, are able to cause
the dividend to be paid using their reasonable best efforts;
(ii)
the affected Dividend Period shall end on the day it would have ended
had such event not occurred and the Dividend Payment Date had remained
the scheduled date; and
(iii)
the next Dividend Period will begin and end on the dates on which it
would have begun and ended had such event not occurred and the Dividend
Payment Date remained the scheduled date.