UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSRS
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number: 811-22005
Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
C. David Messman
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC
525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: 800-222-8222
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2013
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS |
Wells Fargo Advantage
Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
Semi-Annual Report
April 30, 2013
This closed-end fund is no longer offered as an initial public offering and is only offered through broker/dealers on the secondary market. A closed-end fund is not required to buy its shares back from investors upon request.
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Financial statements |
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The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of April 30, 2013, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.
NOT FDIC INSURED ¡ NO BANK GUARANTEE ¡ MAY LOSE VALUE
2 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Letter to shareholders (unaudited) |
Letter to shareholders (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 3 |
1. | The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market-value-weighted index with each stocks weight in the index proportionate to its market value. You cannot invest directly in an index. |
2. | Diversification does not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. |
4 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Performance highlights (unaudited) |
Derivatives involve risks, including interest-rate risk, credit risk, the risk of improper valuation, and the risk of non-correlation to the relevant instruments they are designed to hedge or closely track. There are numerous risks associated with transactions in options on securities and/or indexes. As a writer of an index call option, the Fund forgoes the opportunity to profit from increases in the values of securities held by the Fund. However, the Fund has retained the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the Funds portfolio securities decline. Similar risks are involved with writing call options or secured put options on individual securities and/or indexes held in the Funds portfolio. This combination of potentially limited appreciation and potentially unlimited depreciation over time may lead to a decline in the net asset value of the Fund. The Funds dividend capture strategy may lead to a similar result. Dividend capture strategies involve the Fund purchasing a stock before an ex-dividend date so it becomes entitled to the dividend and then typically selling the stock on or after the stocks ex-dividend date. Any decline in the value of the stock reflecting the dividend payment may over time lead to a decline in the net asset value of the Fund. Dividend capture also increases the portfolio turnover rate and related transaction costs of the Fund. Foreign investments may contain more risk due to the inherent risks associated with changing political climates, foreign market instability, and foreign currency fluctuations. Risks of foreign investing are magnified in emerging or developing markets. Small- and mid-cap securities may be subject to special risks associated with narrower product lines and limited financial resources compared with their large-cap counterparts, and, as a result, small- and mid-cap securities may decline significantly in market downturns and may be more volatile than those of larger companies due to their higher risk of failure. High-yield, lower-rated bonds may contain more risk due to the increased possibility of default. Illiquid securities may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. The Fund may be subject to significant delays in disposing of illiquid securities. Accordingly, the Fund may be forced to sell these securities at less than fair market value or may not be able to sell them when the adviser or subadviser believes that it is desirable to do so.
1. | Total returns based on market value are calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the first day and sale on the last day of the period reported. Total returns based on NAV are calculated based on the NAV at the beginning of the period and end of period. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for the purposes of these calculations to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Funds Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total returns do not reflect brokerage commissions. If these brokerage commissions were included, the returns would be lower. |
2. | This chart does not reflect any brokerage commissions. Dividends and distributions have the effect of reducing the Funds NAV. |
Performance highlights (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 5 |
MANAGERS DISCUSSION
The Funds return was 6.88% during the 12 months ended April 30, 2013, based on market value. During the same period, the Funds return based on NAV was 10.62%.
Overview
Within the equity portfolio, the Fund was positioned somewhat defensively for the six-month period ended April 30, 2013, with a slightly higher-than-normal cash allocation and a noticeably increased weighting in preferred stocks for part of the period. The Fund also invested more in domestic than in foreign shares throughout most of the reporting period. Although U.S. economic growth remained anemic despite heroic levels of fiscal and monetary stimulus, much of Europe remained mired in a recession. Equity markets in both the U.S. and Europe generally rallied for the period, buoyed by central bank quantitative easing and more recently by the return of the yen/dollar carry trade (in which investors borrow inexpensively in yen for the purpose of investing in higher yielding non-Japanese securities). The expectation that Japans new government would take actions to reduce the yens value in order to stimulate export growth, combined with expectations that the U.S. dollar would strengthen relative to the yen, led to renewed interest in this yen/dollar trade. As global interest rates remained low, investors continued to favor dividend-yielding stocks, to the point where we have found it a challenge to find attractive dividend-paying stocks.
3. | The ten largest holdings are calculated based on the value of the securities divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified. |
4. | Percentages are subject to change and are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. |
6 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Performance highlights (unaudited) |
Detractors from performance
The Fund owned select European utility and telecommunications securities in anticipation of a nascent recovery in Europea recovery that appeared to be losing momentum at the end of the reporting period. The Funds
telecommunications securities, Telecom Italia SpA and France Telecom SA, detracted from performance. Among U.S. holdings, Duke Energy Corporation also detracted, in part, because of continuing fallout from its merger with fellow utility Progress Energy.
The option overlay portfolio struggled in the rising stock market environment and produced negative returns for the six-month period. Most of the losses for the period can be explained by a sharp Japanese rally in December 2012. The newly elected government began instituting aggressive new policies in an effort to stimulate the Japanese economy. As a result, the Nikkei surged 10% in December 2012 alone, resulting in a significant loss on the Funds position.
Management outlook
Looking ahead, we are now seeing what appears to be a modest economic recovery in the U.S., which we hope will sustain itself. While stronger economic growth should be positive both for the economy and for stock investors, stronger economic growth will also eventually result in rising interest rates as monetary stimulus is withdrawn, which would most likely be a headwind for preferred and high-yielding common stocks. The Fund, therefore, remains somewhat defensively positioned, though not extremely so.
Looking at the option overlay portfolio, we believe global markets will downshift to a more sustainable trajectory. We do not believe that most markets can continue to rise at the pace witnessed in the past six months. As a result, we do not anticipate the Fund maintaining as conservative of a stance as it has in the past six months. The Fund will likely focus more of its attention on those markets that have produced outsized gains, hoping to capture attractive premiums as those markets stabilize and perhaps experience consolidation and profit taking.
Portfolio of investmentsApril 30, 2013 (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 7 |
Security name | Shares | Value | ||||||||||
Common Stocks: 67.15% |
||||||||||||
Belgium: 1.33% | ||||||||||||
Belgacom SA (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services) |
238,906 | $ | 5,505,979 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Brazil: 0.25% | ||||||||||||
Telefonica Brasil ADR (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services) |
38,750 | 1,029,975 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
France: 11.86% | ||||||||||||
GDF Suez SA (Utilities, Gas Utilities) |
381,000 | 8,178,658 | ||||||||||
Lagardere SCA (Consumer Discretionary, Media) |
44,261 | 1,644,312 | ||||||||||
Natixis (Financials, Capital Markets) |
3,424,360 | 15,017,343 | ||||||||||
Suez Environnement Company SA (Industrials, Commercial Services & Supplies) |
230,000 | 3,303,109 | ||||||||||
Veolia Environnement SA (Utilities, Water Utilities) |
200,000 | 2,756,377 | ||||||||||
Vivendi SA (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services) |
804,000 | 18,211,845 | ||||||||||
49,111,644 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Germany: 4.20% | ||||||||||||
Deutsche Post AG (Industrials, Air Freight & Logistics) |
480,000 | 11,391,095 | ||||||||||
E.ON AG (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
330,836 | 5,995,158 | ||||||||||
17,386,253 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Italy: 13.62% | ||||||||||||
Enel SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
3,300,000 | 12,759,670 | ||||||||||
ENI SpA (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) |
600,000 | 14,349,492 | ||||||||||
Hera SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
9,080,402 | 18,475,789 | ||||||||||
Telecom Italia SpA (Telecommunication Services, Diversified Telecommunication Services) |
849,427 | 590,649 | ||||||||||
Terna SpA (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
2,175,000 | 10,179,961 | ||||||||||
56,355,561 | ||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||
Netherlands: 0.26% | ||||||||||||
VimpelCom Limited ADR (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services) |
100,000 | 1,095,000 | ||||||||||
|
|
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Norway: 0.93% | ||||||||||||
Seadrill Limited (Energy, Energy Equipment & Services) |
100,000 | 3,849,000 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Spain: 2.83% | ||||||||||||
Red Electrica de Espana SA (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
220,000 | 11,702,158 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Sweden: 1.97% | ||||||||||||
Tele2 AB Series B (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services) |
476,200 | 8,163,156 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Turkey: 0.78% | ||||||||||||
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS ADR (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services) |
206,300 | 3,222,406 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
United Kingdom: 8.39% | ||||||||||||
Knot Offshore Partners LP (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) |
20,000 | 448,000 | ||||||||||
National Grid plc (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
250,000 | 3,182,425 | ||||||||||
Severn Trent plc (Utilities, Water Utilities) |
400,000 | 11,314,600 | ||||||||||
United Utilities Group plc (Utilities, Water Utilities) |
390,223 | 4,488,562 | ||||||||||
Vodafone Group plc ADR (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services) |
500,000 | 15,295,000 | ||||||||||
34,728,587 | ||||||||||||
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
8 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Portfolio of investmentsApril 30, 2013 (unaudited) |
Security name | Shares | Value | ||||||||||||
United States: 20.73% | ||||||||||||||
AG Mortgage Investment Trust Incorporated (Financials, REITs) |
20,000 | $ | 517,400 | |||||||||||
Ameresco Incorporated Class A (Industrials, Construction & Engineering) |
131,000 | 965,470 | ||||||||||||
AOL Incorporated (Information Technology, Internet Software & Services) |
65,800 | 2,542,512 | ||||||||||||
Boise Incorporated (Materials, Containers & Packaging) |
534 | 4,267 | ||||||||||||
Chatham Lodging Trust (Financials, REITs) |
600,000 | 10,986,000 | ||||||||||||
Convergys Corporation (Information Technology, IT Services) |
25,000 | 425,500 | ||||||||||||
CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust (Financials, Capital Markets) |
50,000 | 382,500 | ||||||||||||
DISH Network Corporation (Consumer Discretionary, Media) |
400,000 | 15,676,000 | ||||||||||||
Excel Trust Incorporated (Financials, REITs) |
1,035,000 | 15,763,050 | ||||||||||||
Kite Realty Group Trust Series A (Financials, REITs) |
25,000 | 677,000 | ||||||||||||
NorthStar Realty Finance Corporation (Financials, REITs) |
50,000 | 498,500 | ||||||||||||
PG&E Corporation (Utilities, Multi-Utilities) |
55,000 | 2,664,200 | ||||||||||||
Preferred Apartment Communities Incorporated (Financials, REITs) |
405,000 | 3,689,550 | ||||||||||||
Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (Utilities, Multi-Utilities) |
100,000 | 3,661,000 | ||||||||||||
Ryman Hospitality Properties Incorporated (Financials, REITs) |
13,170 | 585,538 | ||||||||||||
SAIC Incorporated (Information Technology, IT Services) |
1,000,000 | 14,940,000 | ||||||||||||
SCANA Corporation (Utilities, Multi-Utilities) |
50,000 | 2,710,000 | ||||||||||||
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Telecommunication Services, Wireless Telecommunication Services) |
249,999 | 4,097,483 | ||||||||||||
Strategic Hotel & Resorts Incorporated (Financials, REITs) |
500,000 | 4,035,000 | ||||||||||||
Whitestone REIT (Financials, REITs) |
60,000 | 990,000 | ||||||||||||
85,810,970 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Common Stocks (Cost $258,866,373) |
277,960,689 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Investment Companies: 0.69% |
||||||||||||||
Tortoise MLP Fund Incorporated |
100,000 | 2,860,000 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Investment Companies (Cost $2,500,000) |
2,860,000 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Dividend yield | ||||||||||||||
Preferred Stocks: 20.00% |
||||||||||||||
Bermuda: 0.16% | ||||||||||||||
Maiden Holding Limited Series A (Financials, Insurance) |
8.25 | % | 25,000 | 665,000 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Netherlands: 0.38% | ||||||||||||||
Aegon NV (Financials, Insurance) |
5.25 | 55,000 | 1,570,250 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
United States: 19.46% | ||||||||||||||
AG Mortgage Investment Trust Incorporated Series A (Financials, REITs) |
8.25 | 52,000 | 1,342,640 | |||||||||||
AG Mortgage Investment Trust Incorporated Series B (Financials, REITs) |
8.00 | 125,000 | 3,168,750 | |||||||||||
Ares Capital Corporation (Financials, Capital Markets) |
5.88 | 45,000 | 1,157,400 | |||||||||||
Argo Group US Incorporated (Financials, Insurance) |
6.50 | 29,000 | 740,080 | |||||||||||
Arlington Asset Investment (Financials, Capital Markets) %%(a) |
6.63 | 110,000 | 2,750,000 | |||||||||||
Astoria Financial Corporation Series C (Financials, Thrifts & Mortgage Finance) |
6.50 | 125,000 | 3,168,750 | |||||||||||
Bank of America Corporation Series 5 (Financials, Commercial Banks) ± |
4.00 | 40,000 | 948,400 | |||||||||||
Citigroup Capital X (Financials, Commercial Banks) |
6.10 | 469 | 11,889 | |||||||||||
Commonwealth REIT (Financials, REITs) |
5.75 | 50,000 | 1,246,500 | |||||||||||
DDR Corporation Series J (Financials, REITs) |
6.50 | 49,000 | 1,262,730 | |||||||||||
Deutsche Bank Contingent Capital Trust V (Financials, Commercial Banks) |
8.05 | 95,220 | 2,787,089 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Portfolio of investmentsApril 30, 2013 (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 9 |
Security name | Dividend yield | Shares | Value | |||||||||||
United States (continued) | ||||||||||||||
Discover Financial Services Series B (Financials, Consumer Finance) |
6.50 | % | 69,000 | $ | 1,831,260 | |||||||||
DTE Energy Company Series Q (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
5.25 | 74,300 | 1,916,940 | |||||||||||
DTE Energy Company Series Z (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
6.50 | 26,900 | 748,089 | |||||||||||
Dynex Capital Incorporated Series A (Financials, REITs) |
8.50 | 75,000 | 1,982,250 | |||||||||||
Entergy Arkansas Incorporated (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
4.90 | 100,000 | 2,558,000 | |||||||||||
EPR Properties Series F (Financials, REITs) |
6.63 | 75,000 | 1,904,250 | |||||||||||
First Republic Bank Series B (Financials, Commercial Banks) |
6.20 | 51,892 | 1,388,630 | |||||||||||
First Republic Bank Series C (Financials, Commercial Banks) |
5.63 | 249,000 | 6,282,270 | |||||||||||
Hanover Insurance Group (Financials, Insurance) |
6.35 | 37,100 | 940,485 | |||||||||||
Hercules Technology Grow Capital Incorporated (Financials, Capital Markets) |
7.00 | 45,000 | 1,179,900 | |||||||||||
KKR Financial Holdings LLC (Financials, Capital Markets) |
7.50 | 37,500 | 1,033,500 | |||||||||||
Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (Energy, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels) |
8.00 | 75,000 | 1,537,500 | |||||||||||
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings Incorporated Series I (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
5.13 | 243,000 | 6,147,900 | |||||||||||
NextEra Energy Capital Holdings Incorporated Series J (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
5.00 | 213,000 | 5,280,270 | |||||||||||
Northstar Realty Finance Corporation Series C (Financials, REITs) |
8.88 | 55,000 | 1,421,200 | |||||||||||
Oxford Lane Capital Corporation (Financials, Capital Markets) |
8.50 | 17,400 | 455,184 | |||||||||||
PG&E Corporation Series D (Utilities, Multi-Utilities) |
5.00 | 186,000 | 4,720,680 | |||||||||||
Prudential Financial Incorporated (Financials, Diversified Financial Services) |
9.00 | 50,000 | 1,277,000 | |||||||||||
Red Lion Hotels Capital Trust (Consumer Discretionary, Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure) |
9.50 | 80,000 | 2,106,400 | |||||||||||
Resource Capital Corporation Series A (Financials, REITs) |
8.50 | 30,000 | 776,400 | |||||||||||
Resource Capital Corporation Series B (Financials, REITs) |
8.25 | 25,000 | 622,250 | |||||||||||
SCE Trust I (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
5.63 | 60,000 | 1,605,000 | |||||||||||
SCE Trust II (Utilities, Electric Utilities) |
5.10 | 250,000 | 6,300,000 | |||||||||||
Selective Insurance Group (Financials, Insurance) |
5.88 | 150,000 | 3,822,000 | |||||||||||
TCF Financial Corporation Series B (Financials, Commercial Banks) |
6.45 | 35,000 | 903,350 | |||||||||||
Triangle Capital Corporation (Financials, Capital Markets) |
6.38 | 55,000 | 1,413,500 | |||||||||||
Winthrop Realty Trust Series D (Financials, REITs) |
9.25 | 65,000 | 1,814,150 | |||||||||||
80,552,586 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $79,775,716) |
82,787,836 | |||||||||||||
|
|
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Yield | ||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: 3.51% | ||||||||||||||
Investment Companies: 3.51% | ||||||||||||||
Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)## |
0.13 | 14,501,790 | 14,501,790 | |||||||||||
|
|
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Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $14,501,790) |
14,501,790 | |||||||||||||
|
|
Total investments in securities | ||||||||
(Cost $355,643,879) * | 91.35 | % | 378,110,315 | |||||
Other assets and liabilities, net |
8.65 | 35,811,201 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total net assets | 100.00 | % | $ | 413,921,516 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
10 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Portfolio of investmentsApril 30, 2013 (unaudited) |
| Non-income-earning security |
%% | Security issued on a when-issued basis. |
(a) | Security is fair valued by the Management Valuation Team, and in certain instances by the Board of Trustees, in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. |
± | Variable rate investment. The rate shown is the rate in effect at period end. |
(l) | Investment in an affiliate |
(u) | Rate shown is the 7-day annualized yield at period end. |
## | All or a portion of this security has been segregated for when-issued securities. |
* | Cost for federal income tax purposes is $356,338,396 and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) consists of: |
Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ | 36,603,775 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(14,831,856 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 21,771,919 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of assets and liabilitiesApril 30, 2013 (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 11 |
Assets |
||||
Investments |
||||
In unaffiliated securities, at value (see cost below) |
$ | 363,608,525 | ||
In affiliated securities, at value (see cost below) |
14,501,790 | |||
|
|
|||
Total investments, at value (see cost below) |
378,110,315 | |||
Segregated cash |
603,637 | |||
Foreign currency, at value (see cost below) |
20,631,987 | |||
Receivable for investments sold |
30,638,257 | |||
Receivable for dividends |
2,985,182 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
30,734 | |||
|
|
|||
Total assets |
433,000,112 | |||
|
|
|||
Liabilities |
||||
Payable for investments purchased |
16,600,488 | |||
Written options, at value |
2,081,984 | |||
Advisory fee payable |
313,843 | |||
Due to other related parties |
16,518 | |||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
65,763 | |||
|
|
|||
Total liabilities |
19,078,596 | |||
|
|
|||
Total net assets |
$ | 413,921,516 | ||
|
|
|||
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF |
||||
Paid-in capital |
$ | 856,322,837 | ||
Overdistributed net investment income |
(10,989,232 | ) | ||
Accumulated net realized losses on investments |
(452,342,257 | ) | ||
Net unrealized gains on investments |
20,930,168 | |||
|
|
|||
Total net assets |
$ | 413,921,516 | ||
|
|
|||
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE |
||||
Based on $413,921,516 divided by 49,160,825 shares issued and outstanding (unlimited shares authorized) |
$8.42 | |||
|
|
|||
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at cost |
$ | 341,142,089 | ||
|
|
|||
Investments in affiliated securities, at cost |
$ | 14,501,790 | ||
|
|
|||
Total investments, at cost |
$ | 355,643,879 | ||
|
|
|||
Foreign currency, at cost |
$ | 20,485,223 | ||
|
|
|||
Premiums received on written options |
$ | 525,886 | ||
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
12 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Statement of operationssix months ended April 30, 2013 (unaudited) |
Investment income |
||||
Dividends* |
$ | 11,793,702 | ||
Income from affiliated securities |
7,018 | |||
|
|
|||
Total investment income |
11,800,720 | |||
|
|
|||
Expenses |
||||
Advisory fee |
1,890,207 | |||
Administration fee |
99,485 | |||
Custody and accounting fees |
29,568 | |||
Professional fees |
26,081 | |||
Shareholder report expenses |
25,237 | |||
Trustees fees and expenses |
6,451 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
13,428 | |||
Other fees and expenses |
25,704 | |||
|
|
|||
Total expenses |
2,116,161 | |||
|
|
|||
Net investment income |
9,684,559 | |||
|
|
|||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS |
||||
Net realized losses on: |
||||
Unaffiliated securities |
(21,772,660 | ) | ||
Written options |
(2,038,458 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net realized losses on investments |
(23,811,118 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on: |
||||
Unaffiliated securities |
45,143,414 | |||
Written options |
(1,904,367 | ) | ||
|
|
|||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments |
43,239,047 | |||
|
|
|||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments |
19,427,929 | |||
|
|
|||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 29,112,488 | ||
|
|
|||
* Net of foreign dividend withholding taxes in the amount of |
$376,664 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of changes in net assets | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 13 |
Six months ended April 30, 2013 (unaudited) |
Year ended October 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Operations |
||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 9,684,559 | $ | 44,900,103 | ||||
Net realized losses on investments |
(23,811,118 | ) | (46,140,138 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments |
43,239,047 | 23,400,073 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
29,112,488 | 22,160,038 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Distributions to shareholders from |
||||||||
Net investment income |
(20,647,547 | ) | (42,140,874 | ) | ||||
Tax basis return of capital |
0 | (12,886,750 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total distributions to shareholders |
(20,647,547 | ) | (55,027,624 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Capital share transactions |
||||||||
Net asset value of shares issued under the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
0 | 240,276 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets |
8,464,941 | (32,627,310 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net assets |
||||||||
Beginning of period |
405,456,575 | 438,083,885 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
End of period |
$ | 413,921,516 | $ | 405,456,575 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Overdistributed net investment income |
$ | (10,989,232 | ) | $ | (26,244 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
14 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Financial highlights |
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
Six months ended April 30, 2013 (unaudited) |
Year ended October 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$8.25 | $8.92 | $10.36 | $10.38 | $11.75 | $19.83 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.20 | 0.91 | 1.00 | 0.99 | 0.88 | 1.88 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments |
0.39 | (0.46 | ) | (1.32 | ) | 0.11 | (0.47 | ) | (7.96 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total from investment operations |
0.59 | 0.45 | (0.32 | ) | 1.10 | 0.41 | (6.08 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Distributions to shareholders from |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.42 | ) | (0.86 | ) | (1.12 | ) | (0.98 | )1 | (0.78 | ) | (2.00 | ) | ||||||||||||
Tax basis return of capital |
0.00 | (0.26 | ) | 0.00 | (0.14 | )1 | (1.00 | ) | 0.00 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total distributions to shareholders |
(0.42 | ) | (1.12 | ) | (1.12 | ) | (1.12 | ) | (1.78 | ) | (2.00 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$8.42 | $8.25 | $8.92 | $10.36 | $10.38 | $11.75 | ||||||||||||||||||
Market value, end of period |
$7.87 | $7.98 | $8.32 | $10.39 | $9.89 | $10.99 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total return based on market value2 |
4.01 | % | 9.79 | % | (9.76 | )% | 17.35 | % | 8.36 | % | (27.19 | )% | ||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets (annualized) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
1.06 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.05 | % | 1.14 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.13 | % | ||||||||||||
Net expenses |
1.06 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.05 | % | 1.14 | % | 1.11 | % | 1.13 | % | ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
4.87 | % | 10.82 | % | 10.16 | % | 9.73 | % | 8.48 | % | 11.07 | % | ||||||||||||
Supplemental data |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
63 | % | 93 | % | 129 | % | 90 | % | 160 | % | 218 | % | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) |
$ | 413,922 | $ | 405,457 | $ | 438,084 | $ | 507,765 | $ | 507,097 | $ | 574,157 |
1. | Calculated based upon average shares outstanding |
2. | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock on the first day and sale on the last day of the period reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of these calculations to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Funds Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 15 |
1. ORGANIZATION
Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund) was organized as a statutory trust under the laws of the state of Delaware on December 21, 2006 and is registered as a diversified closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Fund, are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Securities valuation
All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).
Equity securities that are listed on a foreign or domestic exchange, except for The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (Nasdaq), are valued at the official closing price or, if none, the last sales price. Securities listed on Nasdaq are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (NOCP). If no NOCP is available, securities are valued at the last sales price. If no sales price is shown on the Nasdaq, the bid price will be used. If no sale occurs on the primary exchange or market for the security that day or if no sale occurs and no bid price is shown on Nasdaq, the prior days price will be deemed stale and fair values will be determined in accordance with the Funds Valuation Procedures.
Securities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the rates of exchange in effect on the day of valuation at a time specified by the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Funds Management).
Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange and therefore may not fully reflect trading or events that occur after the close of the principal exchange in which the foreign securities are traded, but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. If such trading or events are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, then fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board of Trustees are applied. These procedures take into account multiple factors including movements in U.S. securities markets after foreign exchanges close. Foreign securities that are fair valued under these procedures are categorized as Level 2 and the application of these procedures may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Depending on market activity, such fair valuations may be frequent. Such fair value pricing may result in NAVs that are higher or lower than NAVs based on the last reported sales price or latest quoted bid price. On April 30, 2013, fair value pricing was not used in pricing foreign securities.
Fixed income securities acquired with maturities exceeding 60 days are valued based on evaluated bid prices received from an independent pricing service which may utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data. If valuations are not available from the independent pricing service or values received are deemed not representative of market value, values will be obtained from a broker-dealer or otherwise determined based on the Funds Valuation Procedures.
Short-term securities with maturities of 60 days or less generally are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value. The amortized cost method involves valuing a security at its cost, plus accretion of discount or minus amortization of premium over the period until maturity.
Investments in registered open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.
Investments which are not valued using any of the methods discussed above are valued at their fair value, as determined by procedures established in good faith and approved by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established a Valuation Committee comprised of the Trustees and has delegated to it the authority to take any actions regarding the valuation of portfolio securities that the Valuation Committee deems necessary or appropriate, including determining the fair value of portfolio securities, unless the determination has been delegated to the Management Valuation Team. The Board of Trustees retains the authority to make or ratify any valuation decisions or approve any changes to the Valuation Procedures as it deems appropriate. On a quarterly basis, the Board of Trustees receives reports on any valuation actions taken by the Valuation Committee or the Management Valuation Team which may include items for ratification.
16 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market information to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodology used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the input factors considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on the exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or broker quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the adviser and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.
Foreign currency translation
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Assets, including investment securities, and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange at a time specified by the Management Valuation Team on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are converted at the rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually paid or received. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities resulting in changes in exchange rates.
The changes in net assets arising from changes in exchange rates and the changes in net assets resulting from changes in market prices of securities are not separately presented. Such changes are recorded with net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments. Gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
When-issued transactions
The Fund may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis. The Fund records a when-issued transaction on the trade date and will segregate assets in an amount at least equal in value to the Funds commitment to purchase when-issued securities. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and the Fund begins earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
Options
The Fund may be subject to equity price risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund may write covered call options or secured put options on individual securities and/or indexes. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the written option. Premiums received from written options that expire unexercised are recognized as realized gains from investments on the expiration date. The difference between the premium received and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is treated as a realized gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security in calculating the realized gain or loss on the sale. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost of the security purchased. The Fund, as a writer of an option, bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security and/or index underlying the written option.
The Fund may also purchase call or put options. The premium is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment, the value of which is subsequently adjusted based on to the current market value of the option. Premiums paid for purchased options that expire are recognized as realized losses from investments on the expiration date. Premiums paid for purchased options that are exercised or closed are added to the amount paid or offset against the proceeds received for the underlying security to determine the realized gain or loss. The risk of loss associated with purchased options is limited to the premium paid.
Options traded on an exchange are regulated and terms of the options are standardized. Options traded over the counter expose the Fund to counterparty risk in the event the counterparty does not perform. This risk is mitigated by having a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty and by having the counterparty post collateral to cover the Funds exposure to the counterparty.
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 17 |
Security transactions and income recognition
Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains or losses are recorded on the basis of identified cost.
Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date, except for certain dividends from foreign securities, which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Dividend income from foreign securities is recorded net of foreign taxes withheld where recovery of such taxes is not assured.
Distributions to shareholders
Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Federal and other taxes
The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income and any net realized capital gains (after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes was required.
The Funds income and federal excise tax returns and all financial records supporting those returns for the prior three fiscal years are subject to examination by the federal and Delaware revenue authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on federal, state, and foreign tax returns for all open tax years and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.
At October 31, 2012, net capital loss carryforwards, which are available to offset future net realized capital gains, were as follows:
Pre-enactment capital loss expiration* |
Post-enactment capital losses** | |||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Short-term | Long-term | ||||
$164,388,931 | $193,644,982 | $17,121,810 | $25,487,164 | $23,615,522 |
* | Losses incurred in taxable years beginning before December 22, 2010. |
** | Losses incurred in taxable years which began after December 22, 2010 are carried forward for an unlimited period. |
3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS
Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Funds investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Funds investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:
n | Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical securities |
n | Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, use of amortized cost, etc.) |
n | Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing investments in securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
18 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
As of April 30, 2013, the inputs used in valuing investments in securities were as follows:
Investments in securities | Quoted prices (Level 1) |
Significant other (Level 2) |
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Equity securities |
||||||||||||||||
Common stocks |
$ | 277,960,689 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 277,960,689 | ||||||||
Investment companies |
2,860,000 | 0 | 0 | 2,860,000 | ||||||||||||
Preferred stocks |
80,037,836 | 2,750,000 | 0 | 82,787,836 | ||||||||||||
Short-term investments |
||||||||||||||||
Investment companies |
14,501,790 | 0 | 0 | 14,501,790 | ||||||||||||
$ | 375,360,315 | $ | 2,750,000 | $ | 0 | $ | 378,110,315 |
As of April 30, 2013, the inputs used in valuing the Funds other financial instruments were as follows:
Other financial instruments | Quoted prices (Level 1) |
Significant other (Level 2) |
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Written options |
$ | 0 | $ | (2,081,984 | ) | $ | 0 | $ | (2,081,984 | ) |
Transfers in and transfers out are recognized at the end of the reporting period. For the six months ended April 30, 2013, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1 or Level 2.
4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES
Advisory fee
Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo), is the adviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee at an annual rate of 0.95% of the Funds average daily total assets. Total assets consist of the net assets of the Fund plus borrowings or other leverage for investment purposes to the extent excluded in calculating net assets.
Funds Management has retained the services of certain subadvisers to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fees for subadvisory services are borne by Funds Management. Wells Capital Management Incorporated, an affiliate of Funds Management, is a subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.10% of the Funds average daily total assets. Crow Point Partners, LLC is also a subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate of 0.20% of the Funds average daily total assets.
Administration fee
Funds Management also serves as the administrator to the Fund providing the Fund with facilities, equipment and personnel. Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual administration fee from the Fund equal to 0.05% of the Funds average daily total assets.
5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
The Fund has authorized an unlimited number of shares with no par value. For the six months ended April 30, 2013 and the year ended October 31, 2012, the Fund issued 0 and 29,018 shares, respectively.
6. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the six months ended April 30, 2013 were $244,771,835 and $300,630,781, respectively.
7. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS
During the six months ended April 30, 2013, the Fund entered into written options for economic hedging purposes.
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 19 |
During the six months ended April 30, 2013, the Fund had written option activities as follows:
Call options | ||||||||
Number of contracts |
Premiums received |
|||||||
Options outstanding at October 31, 2012 |
8,810 | $ | 443,253 | |||||
Options written |
42,702 | 2,140,378 | ||||||
Options expired |
(33,310 | ) | (1,198,914 | ) | ||||
Options terminated in closing purchase transactions |
(8,814 | ) | (719,314 | ) | ||||
Options exercised |
(175 | ) | (139,517 | ) | ||||
Options outstanding at April 30, 2013 |
9,213 | $ | 525,886 |
Open call options written at April 30, 2013 were as follows for the Fund:
Expiration date | Number of contracts |
Strike price |
Value | |||||||||||
5/17/2013 |
DAX Index | 467 | 7,833 EUR | $ | (471,687 | ) | ||||||||
5/17/2013 |
EEM EQUITY Index | 5,555 | 44 USD | (119,154 | ) | |||||||||
5/17/2013 |
FTSE MIB Index | 451 | 16,649 EUR | (654,567 | ) | |||||||||
5/17/2013 |
IBEX Index | 2,236 | 8,429 EUR | (423,215 | ) | |||||||||
5/17/2013 |
NDX Index | 83 | 2,924 USD | (123,331 | ) | |||||||||
5/17/2013 |
NKY Index | 169 | 14,244 JPY | (180,136 | ) | |||||||||
5/17/2013 |
RTY Index | 252 | 966 USD | (109,894 | ) |
The Fund had outstanding written options with total premiums received that averaged $248,326 during the six months ended April 30, 2013. As of April 30, 2013, the Fund had segregated $603,637 as cash collateral for written options.
The fair value, realized gains or losses and change in unrealized gains or losses, if any, on derivative instruments are reflected in the appropriate financial statements.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
Under the Funds organizational documents, the officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.
9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2011-11, which amends FASB ASC Topic 210, Balance Sheet, creates new disclosure requirements which require entities to disclose both gross and net information for derivatives and other financial instruments that are either offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The disclosure requirements are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Management is currently assessing the potential impact, in addition to expanded financial statement disclosure, that may result from adopting this ASU.
10. SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBUTION
On May 22, 2013, the Fund declared distributions of $0.21 per share payable on July 1, 2013 to shareholders of record on June 17, 2013. This distribution is not reflected in the accompanying financial statements.
20 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Other information (unaudited) |
PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-222-8222, visiting our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge on the Funds website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com or by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
On February 11, 2013, an Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the Fund was held to consider the following proposal. The results of the proposal are indicated below.
Proposal 1 Election of Trustees:
Net shares voted For | Peter G. Gordon | 43,540,711 | ||||
Net shares voted Withhold | 1,148,713 | |||||
Net shares voted For | Timothy J. Penny. | 43,538,030 | ||||
Net shares voted Withhold | 1,151,394 | |||||
Net shares voted For | Michael S. Scofield | 43,549,618 | ||||
Net shares voted Withhold | 1,139,806 |
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available on the Funds website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com) on a monthly, 30-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available without charge by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Funds Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Other information (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 21 |
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The following table provides basic information about the Board of Trustees (the Trustees) and Officers of the Fund. Each of the Trustees and Officers listed below acts in identical capacities for the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 131 funds1 comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust, and four closed-end funds, including the Fund (collectively the Fund Complex). All of the Trustees are also Members of the Audit and Governance Committees of each Trust in the Fund Complex. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. The Board of Trustees is classified into three classes of which one is elected annually. Each Trustee serves a three-year term concurrent with the class from which the Trustee is elected. Each Officer serves an indefinite term.
Independent Trustees
Name and year of birth |
Position held and length of service* |
Principal occupations during past five years | Other directorships during past five years | |||
Peter G. Gordon (Born 1942) |
Trustee, since 2010; Chairman, since 2010 | Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College. | Asset Allocation Trust | |||
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952) |
Trustee, since 2010 | Retired. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Coast Academy (charter school). Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant. | CIGNA Corporation; Deluxe Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust | |||
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949) |
Trustee, since 2010; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2010 |
Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant. | Asset Allocation Trust | |||
Leroy Keith, Jr. (Born 1939) |
Trustee, since 2007 | Chairman, Bloc Global Services (development and construction). Trustee of the Evergreen Funds from 1983 to 2010. Former Managing Director, Almanac Capital Management (commodities firm), former Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc. (private equity fund), former Director, Obagi Medical Products Co. and former Director, Lincoln Educational Services. | Trustee, Virtus Fund Complex (consisting of 48 portfolios as of 1/31/2013); Asset Allocation Trust | |||
David F. Larcker (Born 1950) |
Trustee, since 2010 | James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005. | Asset Allocation Trust | |||
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953) |
Trustee, since 2010 | International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Whartons Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993. | Asset Allocation Trust | |||
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951) |
Trustee, since 2010 | President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007. | Asset Allocation Trust |
22 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Other information (unaudited) |
Name and year of birth |
Position held and length of service* |
Principal occupations during past five years | Other directorships during past five years | |||
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943) |
Trustee, since 2007 | Served on the Investment Company Institutes Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield. | Asset Allocation Trust | |||
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940) |
Trustee, since 2010 | Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation). | Asset Allocation Trust |
* | Length of service dates reflect the Trustees commencement of service with the Trusts predecessor entities, where applicable. |
Officers
Name and year of birth |
Position held and length of service |
Principal occupations during past five years | ||||
Karla M. Rabusch (Born 1959) |
President, since 2010 | Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003. | ||||
Nancy Wiser1 (Born 1967) |
Treasurer, since 2012 | Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2011. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at LightBox Capital Management LLC, from 2008 to 2011. Owned and operated a consulting business providing services to various hedge funds including acting as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for a hedge fund from 2007 to 2008. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of GMN Capital LLC from 2006 to 2007. | ||||
C. David Messman (Born 1960) |
Secretary, since 2010; Chief Legal Officer, since 2010 | Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 1996. | ||||
Debra Ann Early (Born 1964) |
Chief Compliance Officer, since 2010 | Chief Compliance Officer of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007. | ||||
David Berardi (Born 1975) |
Assistant Treasurer, since 2009 | Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010. | ||||
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974) |
Assistant Treasurer, since 2007 | Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010. |
1. | Nancy Wiser acts as Treasurer of 73 funds in the Fund Complex. Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 58 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 73 funds in the Fund Complex. |
Other information (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 23 |
BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND SUBADVISORY AGREEMENTS:
Under Section 15 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act), the Board of Trustees (the Board) of Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund (the Fund), all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees), must determine whether to approve the continuation of the Funds investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on March 28-29, 2013 (the Meeting), the Board reviewed: (i) an investment advisory agreement with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (Funds Management) for the Fund, (ii) an investment sub-advisory agreement with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (WellsCap), an affiliate of Funds Management, for the Fund, and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement with Crow Point Partners, LLC (Crow Point) for the Fund. The investment advisory agreement with Funds Management and the investment sub-advisory agreements with WellsCap and Crow Point (the Sub-Advisers) are collectively referred to as the Advisory Agreements.
At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers and the continuation of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. The Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.
In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Boards annual contract renewal process earlier in 2013. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.
After its deliberations, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Advisory Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, and that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers is reasonable. The Board considered the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of the continuation of advisory agreements for funds across the complex, but each decision was made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in reaching its determination.
Nature, extent and quality of services
The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund.
The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers, based on attributes such as their financial condition, resources and reputation, to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers. In addition, the Board took into account the administrative and other services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates and Funds Managements oversight of the Funds various service providers.
Fund performance and expenses
The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended December 31, 2012. The Board also considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (Lipper) to be similar to the Fund (the Universe), and in comparison to the Funds benchmark index and to
24 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Other information (unaudited) |
other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the funds in the performance Universe. The Board also considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a custom peer group that was determined by Funds Management to be similar to the Fund (the Custom Peer Group). The Board noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than the median performance of the Universe, the Funds benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index (Net), and the Custom Peer Group for all periods under review.
The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe, the benchmark and the Custom Peer Group for all periods under review. Funds Management advised the Board about the market conditions and investment decisions that it believed contributed to the underperformance during that period. The Board noted that the Funds emphasis on income generation hindered performance relative to the Universe, the benchmark and the Custom Peer Group, and that the Fund was underweight in certain sectors that were strong performers. The Board took note of the small size of the Universe and distinctions between the Funds investment strategy and that of funds in the Universe and the Custom Peer Group, and was satisfied with the explanation it received.
The Board received and considered information regarding the Funds net operating expense ratio and its various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory and administration fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements. The Board also considered this ratio in comparison to the median ratio of funds in an expense group that was determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the Group). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the funds in the expense Group. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratio of the Fund was lower than the median net operating expense ratio of the expense Group.
Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board concluded that the overall performance and expense structure of the Fund supported the re-approval of the Advisory Agreements.
Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rate that is payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the Advisory Agreement Rate), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Funds contractual administration fee rate (the Management Rate). The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to each of the Sub-Advisers for investment sub-advisory services (the Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate).
Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rate of the Fund with that of other funds in the expense Group at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rate of the Fund was in range of the median rate for the Funds expense Group.
The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Advisers for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information concerning the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Advisers, and about Funds Managements on-going oversight services. In recognition of the fact that the Wells Fargo enterprise provides a suite of combined advisory and sub-advisory services to the Fund through affiliated entities, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the total advisory fee between Funds Management and WellsCap. The Board also considered that the sub-advisory fees paid to Crow Point had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arms-length basis.
Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the Advisory Agreement Rate and each Sub-Advisory Agreement Rate were reasonable in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.
Profitability
The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund. The Board did not receive or consider to be necessary separate profitability information with respect to WellsCap, because, as an affiliate of Funds Management, its profitability information was subsumed in the collective Wells Fargo profitability analysis provided by Funds Management.
Funds Management explained the methodologies and estimates that it used in calculating the profitability from the Fund and the fund family as a whole. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund
Other information (unaudited) | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 25 |
basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size and type of fund. Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.
The Board also received separate profitability information with respect to Crow Point, which is not affiliated with Funds Management. The Board did not deem the profits reported by Crow Point to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the sub-advisory agreement with Crow Point.
Economies of scale
The Board considered the extent to which there may be sharing with the Fund of potential economies of scale in the provision of advisory services to the Fund. The Board noted that, as is the case with many other closed-end funds, there are no breakpoints in the Management Rate. The Board further noted that, although the Fund would not share in any potential economies of scale through contractual breakpoints, fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements can also be a means of sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund. The Board noted that it would have opportunities to revisit the Management Rate as part of future contract reviews.
Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Advisers
The Board received and considered information regarding potential fall-out or ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including WellsCap, and Crow Point as a result of their relationship with the Fund. Ancillary benefits could include, among others, benefits directly attributable to other relationships with the Fund and benefits potentially derived from an increase in Funds Managements and the Sub-Advisers business as a result of their relationship with the Fund (such as the ability to market to shareholders other financial products and services offered by Funds Management and its affiliates, including WellsCap, or Crow Point, or to operate other products and services that follow investment strategies similar to those of the Fund).
Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by Funds Management and its affiliates, including WellsCap, or Crow Point were unreasonable.
Conclusion
After considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.
26 | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | Automatic dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) |
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
All common shareholders are eligible to participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan). Pursuant to the Plan, unless a common shareholder is ineligible or elects otherwise, all cash dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for shareholders in administering the Plan (Plan Agent), in additional common shares of the Fund. Whenever the Fund declares an ordinary income dividend or a capital gain dividend (collectively referred to as dividends) payable either in shares or in cash, nonparticipants in the Plan will receive cash, and participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares of common shares. The shares are acquired by the Plan Agent for the participants account, depending upon the circumstances
described below, either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized common shares from the Fund (newly issued common shares) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding common shares on the open-market (open-market purchases) on the NYSE Amex or elsewhere. If, on the payment date for any dividend or distribution, the net asset value per share of the common shares is equal to or less than the market price per common share plus estimated brokerage commissions (market premium), the Plan Agent will invest the amount of such dividend or distribution in newly issued shares on behalf of the participant. The number of newly issued common shares to be credited to the participants account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value per share on the date the shares are issued, provided that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance may not exceed 5%. If on the dividend payment date the net asset value per share is greater than the market value or market premium (market discount), the Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participant in open-market purchases. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in shares or in cash. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agents open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43010, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3010 or by calling 1-800-730-6001.
List of abbreviations | Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | 27 |
The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.
This page is intentionally left blank.
Transfer Agent, Registrar, Shareholder Servicing
Agent & Dividend Disbursing Agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43010
Providence, RI 02940-3010
1-800-730-6001
Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com
Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, is a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company and is an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Companys broker/dealer subsidiaries. This material is being prepared by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
NOT FDIC INSURED ¡ NO BANK GUARANTEE ¡ MAY LOSE VALUE
© 2013 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.
216825 06-13 SGDO/SAR158 4-13 |
ITEM 2. | CODE OF ETHICS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. | INVESTMENTS |
The Portfolio of investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrants board of trustees that have been implemented since the Registrants last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.
ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Advantage Multi-Sector Income Fund (the Fund) disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the Fund is made known to them by the appropriate persons, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.
(b) There were no significant changes in the Funds internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS |
(a)(1) Not applicable.
(a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | ||||
By: | ||||
/s/ Karla M. Rabusch | ||||
Karla M. Rabusch | ||||
President | ||||
Date: | June 24, 2013 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Wells Fargo Advantage Global Dividend Opportunity Fund | ||||
By: | ||||
/s/ Karla M. Rabusch | ||||
Karla M. Rabusch | ||||
President | ||||
Date: | June 24, 2013 | |||
By: | ||||
/s/ Nancy Wiser | ||||
Nancy Wiser | ||||
Treasurer | ||||
Date: | June 24, 2013 |