As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 2005
Securities Act File No. 333-
Investment Company Act File No. 811-06660
[ ] PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
[ ] POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
AND/OR
[X] REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Copies to:
Andrew J. Donohue, Esq. Frank P. Bruno, Esq.
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P. SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP
P.O. Box 9011 787 Seventh Avenue
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011 New York, New York 10019
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
Title of Securities Amount being Offering Price Per Aggregate Offering Registration
Being Registered Registered Unit (1) Price (1) Fee(2)
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Auction Market Preferred Stock........... 2,000 shares $25,000 $50,000,000 $5,885
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(2) Transmitted prior to the filing date to the designated lockbox of the
Securities and Exchange Commission at Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates
as may become necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment, which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section
8(a), may determine.
Subject to Completion Preliminary Prospectus dated July 21, 2005
$50,000,000 MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS")
2,000 Shares, Series E
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company seeking to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of an aggregate of the Fund's net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock), plus the amounts of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations the interest on which, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund invests in a portfolio of municipal obligations which are rated high grade (A or better) or, if unrated, are considered by the Fund's Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as "private activity bonds," as discussed within, that may subject certain investors in the Fund to an alternative minimum tax. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be realized. (continued on following page)
Investing in the AMPS involves certain risks that are described in the "Risk Factors and Special Considerations" section beginning on page [ ] of this prospectus. The minimum purchase amount for the AMPS is $25,000.
Per Share Total
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Public offering price............................... $25,000 $50,000,000
Underwriting discount............................... $250 $500,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to the Fund(1)........... $24,750 $49,500,000
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(1) The estimated offering expenses payable by the Fund are $[150,000].
The public offering price per share will be increased by the amount of accumulated dividends, if any, from the date the shares are first issued.
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.
One certificate for the AMPS will be ready for delivery to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company on or about [ ], 2005.
The date of this prospectus is [], 2005.
(continued from previous page)
This prospectus contains information you should know before investing,
including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep
it for future reference. The Fund's statement of additional information dated
[ ], 2005 contains further information about the Fund and is incorporated by
reference (legally considered to be part of this prospectus) and the table of
contents of the statement of additional information appears on page [ ] of
this prospectus. A copy of the statement of additional information and copies
of the Fund's semi-annual and annual reports may be obtained without charge by
writing to the Fund at its address at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New
Jersey 08536, or by calling the Fund at (800) 543-6217. In addition, you may
request other information about the Fund or make stockholder inquiries by
calling the Fund toll-free at (800) 543-6217. In addition, the Securities and
Exchange Commission maintains a Web site (http://sec.gov) that contains the
statement of additional information, material incorporated by reference and
other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Fund does not maintain a website.
Certain capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined in this prospectus have the meaning provided in the Glossary at the back of this prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Summary.............................................................5 Risk Factors and Special Considerations.......................................11 Financial Highlights..........................................................15 The Fund......................................................................15 Use of Proceeds...............................................................17 Capitalization................................................................18 Portfolio Composition.........................................................18 Investment Objective and Policies.............................................19 Other Investment Policies.....................................................26 Description of AMPS...........................................................30 The Auction...................................................................35 Rating Agency Guidelines......................................................43 Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements...............................44 Taxes 45 Description of Capital Stock..................................................46 Custodian.....................................................................49 Underwriting..................................................................49 Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar.......................49 Accounting Services Provider..................................................50 Legal Opinions................................................................50 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Experts.....................50 Additional Information........................................................50 |
Table of Contents of Statement of Additional Information......................51
Glossary......................................................................52
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Information about the Fund can be reviewed and copied at the Securities
and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Call
1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the public reference room.
This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's
Internet site at http://www.sec.gov and copies may be obtained upon payment of
a duplicating fee by writing to the Public Reference Section of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We
have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized any other person to provide
you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the
underwriter is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that
the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date
on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed information included in this prospectus and the statement of additional information.
The Fund MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company.
The Offering The Fund is offering a total of 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock,
Series E, at a purchase price of $25,000 per share plus accumulated dividends, if
any, from the date the shares are first issued. The shares of AMPS are being offered
by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), as
underwriter.
The Series E AMPS will be shares of preferred stock of the Fund that entitle their
holders to receive cash dividends at an annual rate that may vary for the successive
dividend periods. In general, except as described below, each dividend period
following the initial dividend period will be seven days. The applicable dividend
for a particular dividend period will be determined by an auction conducted on the
business day next preceding the start of that dividend period.
Investors and potential investors in shares of Series E AMPS may participate in
auctions for the AMPS through their broker-dealers.
Generally, AMPS investors will not receive certificates representing ownership of
their shares. Ownership of AMPS will be maintained in book-entry form by the
securities depository (The Depository Trust Company) or its nominee for the account
of the investor's agent member (generally the investor's broker-dealer). The
investor's agent member, in turn, will maintain records of such investor's
beneficial ownership of AMPS.
Investment Objective The investment objective of the Fund is to provide shareholders with as high a level
and Policies of current income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with its
investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its
investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of its net
assets (including proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock), and the proceeds
of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations
issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States
and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, each of which pays
interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from
gross income for Federal income tax purposes ("Municipal Bonds"). In general, the
Fund does not intend for its investments to earn a large amount of interest income
that is not exempt from Federal income tax, except that the interest may be
includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax.
There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be realized.
Maturity. The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio securities varies from time
to time based upon an assessment of economic and market conditions by Fund Asset
Management, L.P., the Fund's investment adviser (the "Investment Adviser"). The Fund
intends to invest primarily in long term Municipal Bonds (that is, Municipal Bonds
with maturities of more than ten years). However, the Fund also may invest in
intermediate term Municipal Bonds with remaining maturities of between three years
and ten years. The Fund also may invest from time to time in short term Municipal
Bonds with remaining maturities of less than three years.
High Grade Municipal Bonds. The Fund invests in a portfolio of Municipal Bonds that
are rated high grade by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations
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("NRSROs") (A or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard &
Poor's ("S&P") or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch")), or in unrated bonds considered by the
Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. In assessing the quality of
Municipal Bonds, the Investment Adviser takes into account any letters of credit or
similar credit enhancement to which particular Municipal Bonds are entitled and the
creditworthiness of the financial institution that provided such credit enhancement.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in securities
whose potential returns are directly related to changes in an underlying index or
interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will
rise when the underlying index or interest rate rises and fall when the index or
interest rate falls. The Fund may also invest in securities whose return is
inversely related to changes in an interest rate (inverse floaters). In general,
income on inverse floaters will decrease when short term interest rates increase and
increase when short term interest rates decrease. Investments in inverse floaters
may subject the Fund to the risks of reduced or eliminated interest payments and
loss of principal. In addition, certain indexed securities and inverse floaters may
increase or decrease in value at a greater rate than the underlying interest rate,
which effectively leverages the Fund's investment. As a result, the market value of
such securities will generally be more volatile than that of fixed rate, tax exempt
securities. Both indexed securities and inverse floaters are derivative securities
and can be considered speculative.
Hedging Transactions. The Fund may seek to hedge its portfolio against changes in
interest rates using options and financial futures contracts or swap transactions.
The Fund's hedging transactions are designed to reduce volatility, but come at some
cost. For example, the Fund may try to limit its risk of loss from a decline in
price of a portfolio security by purchasing a put option. However, the Fund must pay
for the option, and the price of the security may not in fact drop. In large part,
the success of the Fund's hedging activities depends on its ability to forecast
movements in securities prices and interest rates. The Fund is not required to hedge
its portfolio and may choose not to do so. The Fund cannot guarantee that any
hedging strategies it uses will work.
Swap Agreements. The Fund is authorized to enter into swap agreements, which are
over-the-counter contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based
on the change in the market value of a specific bond, basket of bonds or index in
return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the
change in market value of a different bond, basket of bonds or index. Swap
agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a bond or market without owning or
taking physical custody of securities.
Tax Considerations. While exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income
for Federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to the Federal alternative
minimum tax in certain circumstances. Distributions of any capital gain or other
taxable income will be taxable to stockholders. The Fund may not be a suitable
investment for investors subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax or who would
become subject to such tax by investing in the Fund. See "Taxes."
Risk Factors Set forth below is a summary of the main risks of investing in the Fund's Series E
AMPS. For a more detailed description of the main risks as well as certain other
risks associated with investing in the Fund's Series E AMPS, see "Risk Factors and
Special Considerations."
o The credit ratings of the AMPS could be reduced or terminated while an investor
holds the AMPS, which could affect liquidity.
o Neither broker-dealers nor the Fund are obligated to purchase shares of AMPS in
an
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auction or otherwise, nor is the Fund required to redeem shares of AMPS in the
event of a failed auction.
o If sufficient bids do not exist in an auction, the applicable dividend rate will
be the maximum applicable dividend rate, and in such event, owners of AMPS
wishing to sell will not be able to sell all, and may not be able to sell any,
AMPS in the auction. As a result, investors may not have liquidity of
investment.
o As a result of bidding by broker-dealers in an auction for their own account,
the dividend rate that would apply at the auction may be higher or lower than
the rate that would have prevailed had the broker-dealer not bid.
o A broker-dealer may bid in an auction in order to prevent what would otherwise
be (i) a failed auction, (ii) an "all-hold" auction, or (iii) an applicable
dividend rate that the broker-dealer believes, in its sole discretion, does not
reflect the market for the AMPS at the time of the auction.
o The relative buying and selling interest of market participants in AMPS and in
the auction rate securities market as a whole will vary over time, and such
variations may be affected by, among other things, news relating to the issuer,
the attractiveness of alternative investments, the perceived risk of owning the
security (whether related to credit, liquidity or any other risk), the tax
treatment accorded the instruments, the accounting treatment accorded auction
rate securities, including recent clarifications of U.S. generally accepted
principles relating to the treatment of auction rate securities, reactions to
regulatory actions or press reports, financial reporting cycles and market
sentiment generally. Shifts of demand in response to any one or simultaneous
particular events cannot be predicted and may be short-lived or exist for longer
periods.
o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") has advised
the Fund that it and various other broker-dealers and other firms that
participate in the auction rate securities market received letters from the
staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission last spring. The letters
requested that each of these firms voluntarily conduct an investigation
regarding its respective practices and procedures in that market. Pursuant to
this request, Merrill Lynch conducted its own voluntary review and reported its
findings to the Securities and Exchange Commission staff. At the Securities and
Exchange Commission staff's request, Merrill Lynch, together with certain other
broker-dealers and other firms that participate in the auction rate securities
market, is engaging in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission
staff concerning its inquiry. Neither Merrill Lynch nor the Fund can predict the
ultimate outcome of the inquiry or how that outcome will affect the market for
the AMPS or the auctions.
o Broker-dealers have no obligation to maintain a secondary trading market in the
AMPS outside of auctions and there can be no assurance that a secondary market
for the AMPS will develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide holders
with a liquid trading market. An increase in the level of interest rates likely
will have an adverse effect on the secondary market price of the AMPS, and a
selling stockholder may have to sell AMPS between auctions at a price per share
of less than $25,000.
o The Fund will issue the AMPS only if the AMPS have received a rating of Aaa from
Moody's and AAA from S&P. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may voluntarily
terminate compliance with Moody's or S&P guidelines, or both, in which case the
AMPS may no longer be rated by Moody's or S&P, as applicable, but will
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be rated by at least one rating agency.
o The Fund issues shares of AMPS, which generally pay dividends based on short
term interest rates. The Fund generally will purchase Municipal Bonds that pay
interest at fixed or adjustable rates. If market interest rates rise, this could
negatively impact the value of the Fund's investment portfolio, reducing the
amount of assets serving as asset coverage for the AMPS. If the asset coverage
becomes too low, the Fund may be required to redeem some or all of the shares of
AMPS.
o The Fund is registered as a "non-diversified" investment company, the Fund may
invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified
investment company. Since the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of
its assets in a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more exposed to any
single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more widely
diversified fund.
o The amount of public information available about Municipal Bonds in the Fund's
portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the
investment performance of the Fund may, therefore, be more dependent on the
analytical abilities of the Investment Adviser than the performance of a stock
fund or taxable bond fund.
o The Fund's investments in Municipal Bonds are subject to interest rate and
credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of Municipal Bonds
generally increase when interest rates decline and decrease when interest rates
increase. Prices of the longer term securities in which the Fund primarily
invests generally change more in response to changes in interest rates than
prices of shorter term securities. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will
be unable to pay the interest or principal when due. Changes in an issuer's
credit rating or the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness may
affect the value of the Fund's investment in that issuer.
Investment Adviser The Investment Adviser provides investment advisory and administrative services to
the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee at
the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets (including any
proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock).
Dividends Dividends on the Series E AMPS will be cumulative from the date the shares are first
and Dividend Periods issued and payable at the annualized cash dividend rate for the initial dividend
period on the initial dividend payment date as follows:
Initial Initial Dividend Period Initial Dividend Payment
AMPS Series Dividend Rate Ending Date
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Series E................... [ ]% [ ], 2005 [ ], 2005
After the initial dividend period, each dividend period for the Series E AMPS will
generally consist of seven days; provided however, that before any auction, the Fund
may decide, subject to certain limitations and only if it gives notice to holders,
to declare a special dividend period of up to five years.
After the initial dividend period, in the case of dividend periods that are not
special dividend periods, dividends generally will be payable on each succeeding
Monday.
Dividends for the Series E AMPS will be paid through the securities depository (The
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Depository Trust Company) on each dividend payment date for the AMPS.
For each subsequent dividend period, the auction agent (The Bank of New York) will
hold an auction to determine the cash dividend rate on the shares of the Series E
AMPS.
Determination of Generally, the applicable dividend rate for any dividend period for the Series E
Maximum Dividend AMPS will not be more than the maximum applicable rate attributable to such shares.
Rates The maximum applicable rate for the Series E AMPS will be the higher of (A) the
applicable percentage of the reference rate on the auction date or (B) the
applicable spread plus the reference rate on the auction date. The reference rate is
(A) the higher of the applicable LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Glossary) and the
Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate (as defined in the
Glossary) (for a dividend period or special dividend period of 364 or fewer days),
or (B) the applicable Treasury Index Rate (as defined in the Glossary)(for a special
dividend period of 365 days or more). The maximum applicable rate for the AMPS will
depend on the credit rating assigned to the shares, the length of the dividend
period and whether or not the Fund has given notification prior to the auction for
the dividend period that any taxable income will be included in the dividend on the
AMPS for that dividend period. The applicable percentage and applicable spread are
as follows:
Applicable Applicable Applicable Applicable
Credit Ratings Percentage Percentage Spread Over Spread Over
------------------------------- of Reference of Reference Reference Reference
Rate-No Rate- Rate-No Rate-
Moody's S&P Notification Notification Notification Notification
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Aaa AAA 110% 125% 1.10% 1.25%
Aa3 to Aa1 AA- to AA+ 125% 150% 1.25% 1.50%
A3 to A1 A- to A+ 150% 200% 1.50% 2.00%
Baa3 to Baa1 BBB- to BBB+ 175% 250% 1.75% 2.50%
Below Baa3 Below BBB- 200% 300% 2.00% 3.00%
The applicable percentage and the applicable spread as so determined may be subject
to upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors of
the Fund after consultation with the broker-dealers participating in the auction for
the AMPS.
There is no minimum applicable dividend rate for any dividend period.
Other AMPS The Fund has outstanding 8,000 shares of four other series of Auction Market
Preferred Stock, each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus
accumulated but unpaid dividends, for an aggregate initial liquidation preference of
$200,000,000 (the "Other AMPS"). The Other AMPS are as follows: 2,000 shares of
Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A; 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred
Stock, Series B; 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C; and 2,000
shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D. The Series E AMPS offered hereby
rank on a parity with the Other AMPS with respect to dividends and liquidation
preference.
Asset Maintenance Under the Fund's Articles Supplementary creating the Series E AMPS (the "Articles
Supplementary"), the Fund must maintain:
o asset coverage of the AMPS and Other AMPS as required by the rating agencies
rating the AMPS, and
o asset coverage of the AMPS and Other AMPS of at least 200% as required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act").
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The Fund estimates that, based on the composition of its portfolio at April 30,
2005, asset coverage of the AMPS and Other AMPS as required by the 1940 Act would be
approximately [287]% immediately after the Fund issues the shares of AMPS offered by
this prospectus representing approximately [35]% of the Fund's capital, or
approximately [53]% of the Fund's common stock equity, immediately after the
issuance of such AMPS.
Mandatory Redemption If the required asset coverage is not maintained or, when necessary, restored, the
Fund must redeem shares of the Series E AMPS at the price of $25,000 per share plus
accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared). The
provisions of the 1940 Act may restrict the Fund's ability to make such a mandatory
redemption.
Optional Redemption The Fund may, at its option, choose to redeem all or a portion of the shares of AMPS
on any dividend payment date at the price of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated but
unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) plus any applicable
premium.
Liquidation The liquidation preference (that is, the amount the Fund must pay to holders of
Preference AMPS if the Fund is liquidated) of each share of AMPS will be $25,000, plus an
amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared).
Ratings The AMPS will be issued with a rating of Aaa from Moody's and AAA from S&P.
Voting Rights The 1940 Act requires that the holders of AMPS and any other preferred stock,
including the Other AMPS, 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
dividends on the AMPS or any other preferred stock, including the Other AMPS, are
unpaid for two full years. The Fund's Charter, the 1940 Act and the General
Corporation Laws of the State of Maryland require holders of AMPS and any other
preferred stock, including the Other AMPS, to vote as a separate class on certain
other matters.
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RISK FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
An investment in the Fund's AMPS should not constitute a complete investment program.
Set forth below are the main risks of investing in the Fund's AMPS.
Investment Considerations. Investors in AMPS should consider the following factors:
o The credit ratings of the AMPS could be reduced or terminated while an investor holds the AMPS, which could affect liquidity.
o Neither broker-dealers nor the Fund are obligated to purchase shares of AMPS in an auction or otherwise, nor is the Fund required to redeem shares of AMPS in the event of a failed auction.
o If sufficient bids do not exist in an auction, the applicable dividend rate will be the maximum applicable dividend rate, and in such event, owners of AMPS wishing to sell will not be able to sell all, and may not be able to sell any, AMPS in the auction. As a result, investors may not have liquidity of investment.
o Broker-dealers may submit orders in auctions for the AMPS for their own account. If a broker-dealer submits an order for its own account in any auction, it may have knowledge of orders placed through it in that auction and therefore have an advantage over other bidders, but such broker-dealer would not have knowledge of orders submitted by other broker-dealers in that auction. As a result of bidding by a broker-dealer in an auction, the dividend rate that would apply at the auction may be higher or lower than the rate that would have prevailed had the broker-dealer not bid.
o A broker-dealer may bid in an auction in order to prevent what would otherwise be (i) a failed auction, (ii) an "all-hold" auction, or (iii) an applicable dividend rate that the broker-dealer believes, in its sole discretion, does not reflect the market for the AMPS at the time of the auction. A broker-dealer may, but is not obligated to, advise owners of AMPS that the dividend rate that would apply in an "all-hold" auction may be lower than would apply if owners submit bids and such advice, if given, may facilitate the submission of bids by owners that would avoid the occurrence of an "all-hold" auction.
o The relative buying and selling interest of market participants in AMPS and in the auction rate securities market as a whole will vary over time, and such variations may be affected by, among other things, news relating to the issuer, the attractiveness of alternative investments, the perceived risk of owning the security (whether related to credit, liquidity or any other risk), the tax treatment accorded the instruments, the accounting treatment accorded auction rate securities, including recent clarifications of U.S. generally accepted principles relating to the treatment of auction rate securities, reactions to regulatory actions or press reports, financial reporting cycles and market sentiment generally. Shifts of demand in response to any one or simultaneous particular events cannot be predicted and may be short-lived or exist for longer periods.
o Merrill Lynch has advised the Fund that it and various other broker-dealers and other firms that participate in the auction rate securities market received letters from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission last spring. The letters requested that each of these firms voluntarily conduct an investigation regarding its respective practices and procedures in that market. Pursuant to this request, Merrill Lynch conducted its own voluntary review and reported its findings to the Securities and Exchange Commission staff. At the Securities and Exchange Commission staff's request, Merrill Lynch, together with certain other broker-dealers and other firms that participate in the auction rate securities market, is engaging in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Commission staff concerning its inquiry. Neither Merrill Lynch nor the Fund can predict the ultimate outcome of the inquiry or how that outcome will affect the market for the AMPS or the auctions.
Secondary Market. Broker-dealers have no obligation to maintain a secondary trading market in the AMPS outside of auctions and there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the AMPS will develop or, if it does develop, that it will provide holders with a liquid trading market. The AMPS will not be registered on any stock exchange or on any automated quotation system. An increase in the level of interest rates likely will have an adverse effect on the secondary market price of the AMPS, and a selling stockholder may have to sell AMPS between auctions at a price per share of less than $25,000.
Rating Agencies. The Fund will issue the AMPS only if the AMPS have received a rating of Aaa from Moody's and AAA from S&P. As a result of such ratings the Fund will be subject to guidelines of Moody's, S&P or another substitute NRSRO that may issue ratings for its preferred stock. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act and may prohibit or limit the use by the Fund of certain portfolio management techniques or investments. The Fund does not expect these guidelines to prevent the Investment Adviser from managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies. Also, under certain circumstances, the Fund may voluntarily terminate compliance with Moody's or S&P's guidelines, or both, in which case the AMPS may no longer be rated by Moody's or S&P, as applicable, but will be rated by at least one rating agency.
Non-Diversification. The Fund is registered as a "non-diversified" investment company. This means that the Fund may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified investment company. Since the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, the Fund may be more exposed to any single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more widely diversified fund. Even as a non-diversified fund, the Fund must still meet the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the Federal income tax laws.
Interest Rate Risk and AMPS. The Fund issues shares of AMPS, which generally pay dividends based on short-term interest rates. The Fund generally will purchase Municipal Bonds that pay interest at fixed or adjustable rates. If short-term interest rates rise, dividend rates on the shares of AMPS may rise so that the amount of dividends paid to the holders of shares of AMPS exceeds the income from the Fund's portfolio securities. Because income from the Fund's entire investment portfolio (not just the portion of the portfolio purchased with the proceeds of the AMPS offering) is available to pay dividends on the shares of AMPS, dividend rates on the shares of AMPS would need to greatly exceed the Fund's net portfolio income before the Fund's ability to pay dividends on the shares of AMPS would be jeopardized. If market interest rates rise, this could negatively impact the value of the Fund's investment portfolio, reducing the amount of assets serving as asset coverage for the AMPS. If the asset coverage becomes too low, the Fund may be required to redeem some or all of the shares of AMPS.
Market Risk and Selection Risk. Market risk is the risk that the bond market will go down in value, including the possibility that the market will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities that Fund management selects will underperform the bond market, the market relevant indices, or other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
Tax Exempt Securities Market Risk. The amount of public information available about Municipal Bonds in the Fund's portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Investment Adviser than that of a stock fund or taxable bond fund.
Interest Rate and Credit Risk. The Fund invests in Municipal Bonds, which are subject to interest rate and credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of Municipal Bonds generally increase when interest rates decline and decrease when interest rates increase. Prices of longer term securities generally change more in response to interest rate changes than prices of shorter term securities. The Fund's use of leverage by the issuance of preferred stock and its investment in inverse floating obligations, as discussed below, may increase interest rate risk. Because market interest rates are currently near their lowest levels in many years, there is a greater risk that the Fund's portfolio will decline in value if interest rates increase in the future. Changes in an issuer's credit rating or the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund's investment in that issuer. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will be unable to pay the interest or principal when due. The degree of credit
risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
Set forth below are certain other risks associated with investing in the Fund's AMPS.
Call and Redemption Risk. A Municipal Bond's issuer may call the bond for redemption before it matures. If this happens to a Municipal Bond that the Fund holds, the Fund may lose income and may have to invest the proceeds in Municipal Bonds with lower yields.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund's Municipal Bond portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the portfolio's current earnings rate. A decline in income could negatively affect the Fund's yield, return or the market price of the common stock.
Private Activity Bonds. The Fund may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as "private activity bonds." These bonds may subject certain investors in the Fund to the Federal alternative minimum tax.
Liquidity of Investments. Certain Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests may lack an established secondary trading market or are otherwise considered illiquid. Liquidity of a security relates to the ability to easily dispose of the security and the price to be obtained and does not generally relate to the credit risk or likelihood of receipt of cash at maturity. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments.
Portfolio Strategies. The Fund may engage in various portfolio strategies both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to seek to hedge its portfolio against adverse effects from movements in interest rates and in the securities markets. These portfolio strategies include the use of derivatives, such as indexed securities, inverse securities, options, futures, options on futures, interest rate swap transactions and credit default swaps. Such strategies subject the Fund to the risk that, if the Investment Adviser incorrectly forecasts market values, interest rates or other applicable factors, the Fund's performance could suffer. Certain of these strategies such as investments in inverse securities and credit default swaps may provide investment leverage to the Fund's portfolio. The Fund is not required to use derivatives or other portfolio strategies to seek to increase return or to seek to hedge its portfolio and may choose not to do so. There can be no assurance that the Fund's portfolio strategies will be effective. Some of the derivative strategies that the Fund may use to seek to increase its return are riskier than its hedging transactions and have speculative characteristics. Such strategies do not attempt to limit the Fund's risk of loss.
General Risks Related to Derivatives. Derivatives are financial contracts or instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index (or relationship between two indices). The Fund may invest in a variety of derivative instruments for investment purposes, hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return, such as options, futures contracts and swap agreements. The Fund may use derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in an underlying security or other asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. The Fund also may use derivatives to add leverage to the portfolio and/or to hedge against increases in the Fund's costs associated with the dividend payments on the preferred stock, including the AMPS. The Fund also may invest in certain derivative products that pay tax exempt income interest via a trust or partnership through which the Fund holds interests in one or more underlying long term municipal securities. The Fund's use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, leverage risk and management risk. They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and correlation risk (i.e., the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index). If the Fund invests in a derivative instrument it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Moreover, derivatives raise certain tax, legal, regulatory and accounting issues that may not be presented by investments in Municipal Bonds, and there is some risk that certain issues could be resolved in a manner that could adversely impact the performance of the Fund and/or the tax exempt nature of the dividends paid by the Fund.
Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial.
Swaps. Swap agreements are types of derivatives. In order to seek to hedge the value of the Fund's portfolio, to hedge against increases in the Fund's cost associated with the dividend payments on preferred stock, including the AMPS, or to seek to increase the Fund's return, the Fund may enter into interest rate or credit default swap transactions. In interest rate swap transactions, there is a risk that yields will move in the direction opposite of the direction anticipated by the Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect Fund performance. In addition to the risks applicable to swaps generally, credit default swap transactions involve special risks because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty). The Fund is not required to enter into interest rate or credit default swap transactions for hedging purposes or to enhance its return and may choose not to do so.
Taxability Risk. The Fund intends to minimize the payment of taxable income to stockholders by investing in Municipal Bonds and other tax exempt securities in reliance on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes. Such securities, however, may be determined for Federal income tax purposes to pay, or to have paid, taxable income subsequent to the Fund's acquisition of the securities. In that event, the Internal Revenue Service may demand that the Fund pay taxes on the affected interest income, and, if the Fund agrees to do so, the Fund's yield on its common stock could be adversely affected. A determination that interest on a security held by the Fund is includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes retroactively to its date of issue may, likewise, cause a portion of prior distributions received by stockholders, including holders of AMPS, to be taxable to those stockholders in the year of receipt. The Fund will not pay an Additional Dividend (as defined herein) to a holder of AMPS under these circumstances.
Antitakeover Provisions. The Fund's Charter, By-laws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to change the composition of its Board of Directors. Such provisions could limit the ability of stockholders to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. See "Description of Capital Stock--Certain Provisions of the Charter and By-laws."
Market Disruption. The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 had a disruptive effect on the securities markets, some of which were closed for a four-day period. The continued threat of similar attacks and related events, including U.S. military actions in Iraq and continued unrest in the Middle East, have led to increased short term market volatility and may have long term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets. Similar disruptions of the financial markets could adversely affect the market prices of the Fund's portfolio securities, interest rates, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to the Fund's AMPS.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the periods shown. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of common stock or preferred stock of the Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in shares of common stock of the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends). The information with respect to the fiscal years October 31, 1995 to October 31, 2004 has been audited by ______________, whose report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, along with the financial statements of the Fund, is included in the Fund's 2004 Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein. The information with respect to the six months ended April 30, 2005 is unaudited and is included in the Fund's 2005 Semi-Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein. You may obtain a copy of the Fund's 2004 Annual Report and the 2005 Semi-Annual Report at no cost by calling (800) 543-6217 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on any business day.
The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements.
For the
Six Months
Ended
April 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005
(unaudited) 2004 2003 2002 2001## 2000## 1999## 1998## 1997 1996 1995
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of
period $15.54 $15.36 $15.19 $15.27 $14.18 $13.54 $15.58 $15.17 $14.57 $14.58 $13.16
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income -- net .50+ 1.03+ 1.07+ 1.06 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15
Realized and unrealized gain
(loss) -- net (.08) .19 .13 (.13) 1.08 .66 (2.04) .40 .59 (.01) 1.43
Less dividends and
distributions to Preferred
Stock shareholders:
Investment income -- net (.06) (.07) (.07) (.09) (.21) (.27) (.21) (.23) -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized Gain -- -- -- --++ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Total from investment
operations .36 1.15 1.13 .84 1.93 1.46 (1.18) 1.29 1.72 1.15 2.58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less dividends and
distributions to Common
Stock shareholders:
Investment income -- net (.49) (.97) (.96) (.91) (.84) (.82) (.86) (.88) (.89) (.90) (.89)
Realized gain -- net -- -- -- (.01) -- -- -- -- -- -- (.02)
In excess of realized gain on
investments -- net -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --++
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total dividends and
distributions to
Common Stock shareholders (.49) (.97) (.96) (.92) (.84) (.82) (.86) (.88) (.89) (.90) (.91)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of Preferred Stock
activity:
Dividends and distributions
to Preferred Stock
shareholders:
Investment income -- net -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.23) (.24) (.25)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Realized gain -- net -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --+ --++
In excess of realized gain --
net -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --++
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Effect of Preferred
Stock activity -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (.23) (.24) (.25)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of
period $15.41 $15.54 $15.36 $15.19 $15.27 $14.18 $13.54 $15.58 $15.17 $14.57 $14.58
==================================================================================================
Market price per share, end
of period $14.54 $14.83 $14.35 $13.74 $14.24 $12.0625 $12.0625 $15.5625 $14.4375 $12.875 $12.625
==================================================================================================
Total Investment Return**
Based on net asset value per
share 2.50% 8.26% 8.13% 6.12% 14.46% 12.09% (7.62%) 8.93% 11.03% 6.93% 19.34%
==================================================================================================
Based on market price per
share 1.34% 10.58% 11.68% 2.94% 25.47% 7.037% (17.61%) 14.33% 19.58% 9.12% 23.63%
==================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Average Net
Assets of Common Stock
Total expenses, net of
reimbursement*** .94%* .94% .94% .96% .98% .99% .95% .91% .94% .96% .97%
==================================================================================================
Total expenses*** .94%* .95% .95% .96% .98% .99% .95% .91% .94% .96% .97%
==================================================================================================
Total investment income --
net*** 6.55%* 6.74% 6.89% 7.03% 7.18% 7.74% 7.17% 7.30% 7.69% 7.79% 8.28%
==================================================================================================
Amount of dividends to
Preferred Stock
shareholders .77%* .45% .42% .61% 1.45% 1.94% 1.41% 1.50% 1.56% 1.64% 1.78%
==================================================================================================
Investment income -- net, to
Common Stock shareholders 5.78%* 6.29% 6.47% 6.42% 5.73% 5.81% 5.76% 5.80% 6.13% 6.15% 6.50%
==================================================================================================
|
(continued from prior page)
For the
Six Months
Ended
April 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005
(unaudited) 2004 2003 2002 2001## 2000## 1999## 1998## 1997 1996 1995
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==================================================================================================
Ratios Based on Average Net
Assets of Preferred Stock
Dividends to Preferred Stock
shareholders 1.81%* 1.04% .99% 1.40% 3.27% 4.03% 3.21% 3.51% 3.51% 3.61% 3.78%
==================================================================================================
Supplemental Data
Net assets applicable to
Common Stock, end of period
(in thousands) $468,970 $472,848 $467,370 $462,156 $464,522 $431,471 $411,883 $473,898 $461,647 $443,154 $443,718
==================================================================================================
Preferred Stock outstanding,
end of period (in
thousands) $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 $200,000
==================================================================================================
Portfolio turnover 14.76% 32.87% 33.92% 46.29% 89.58% 51.19% 91.78% 42.95% 36.87% 68.22% 57.56%
==================================================================================================
Leverage:
==================================================================================================
Asset coverage per $1,000 $3,345 $3,364 $3,337 $3,311 $3,323 $3,157 $3,059 $3,369 $3,308 $3,216 $3,219
==================================================================================================
Liquidation preference per share $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
==================================================================================================
Average market value per share# $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
==================================================================================================
Dividends Per Share on Preferred
Stock Outstanding
Series A - Investment income --
net $213 $271 $273 $370 $852 $1,024 $824 $961 $864 $953 $961
==================================================================================================
Series B - Investment income --
net $225 $255 $238 $337 $792 $1,015 $779 $879 $892 $880 $917
==================================================================================================
Series C - Investment income --
net $243 $261 $253 $349 $832 $999 $809 $815 $884 $888 $977
==================================================================================================
Series D - Investment income --
net $224 $251 $228 $339 $791 $1,002 $787 $856 $873 $885 $921
==================================================================================================
|
* Annualized.
** Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly
greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially
different returns. Total investment returns exclude the effects of sales
charges.
*** Do not reflect the effect of dividends to Preferred Stock shareholders.
+ Based on average shares outstanding.
++ Amount is less than $(.01) per shares.
++ Aggregate total investment return.
# Based on monthly market value per share
## Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current
year presentation.
THE FUND
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a non-diversified, closed-end fund. The Fund was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on May 5, 1992, and has registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"). The Fund's principal executive office is located at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, and its telephone number is (609) 282-2800.
The Board of Directors of the Fund may at any time consider a merger, consolidation or other form of reorganization of the Fund with one or more other investment companies advised by Fund Asset Management, L.P. (the "Investment Adviser") that have similar investment objectives and policies as the Fund. Any such merger, consolidation or other form of reorganization would require the prior approval of the Board of Directors and, if the Fund is the acquired fund, the stockholders of the Fund. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Certain Provisions of the Charter and By-laws."
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $[49,350,000] after payment of offering expenses (estimated to be approximately $[150,000]) and the deduction of the underwriting discount.
The net proceeds of the offering will be invested in accordance with the Fund's investment objective and policies within approximately three months after completion of this offering, depending on market conditions and the availability of appropriate securities. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in short term, tax exempt securities. See "Investment Objective and Policies."
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Fund as of April 30, 2005 and as adjusted to give effect to the issuance of the shares of AMPS offered hereby.
Actual As Adjusted
------------------ ------------------
Preferred Stock, par value $.05 per share (8,000 shares of Other AMPS
authorized, issued and outstanding at $25,000 per share liquidation
preference, plus accumulated but unpaid dividends; 10,000 shares of AMPS
and Other AMPS authorized, issued and outstanding, as adjusted, at $25,000
per share liquidation preference, plus accumulated but unpaid
dividends)............................................................. $200,024,220 $250,024,220
================== ==================
Common stock, par value $.10 per share (199,992,000 shares authorized,
30,425,258 shares issued and outstanding; 199,990,000 shares authorized,
30,425,258 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted)................. $ 3,042,526 $ 3,042,526
Paid-in capital in excess of par value................................. 423,867,385 423,217,385
Undistributed investment income--net.................................... 5,870,848 5,870,848
Accumulated realized capital losses--net................................ (8,409,058) (8,409,058)
Unrealized appreciation--net............................................ 44,598,613 44,598,613
------------------ ------------------
Net assets applicable to outstanding common stock......................... $468,970,314 $468,320,314
================== ==================
|
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION
As of April 30, 2005, approximately [99.15]% of the market value of the Fund's portfolio was invested in long term and intermediate term municipal obligations and approximately [0.85]% of the market value of the Fund's portfolio was invested in short term tax exempt securities. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the composition of the Fund's long term and intermediate term municipal obligations investment portfolio as of April 30, 2005.
Value (in
Moody's* S&P* Number of Issues thousands) Percent
--------------------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------ -----------------
Aaa AAA 127 $534,519 87.95%
Aa AA 9 26,051 3.92
A A 13 44,791 6.74
Baa BBB 2 2,422 0.36
NR** NR** 1 6,821 1.03
------------------ ------------------ -----------------
Total................................................... 152 $664,604 100.00%
================== ================== =================
|
* Ratings: Using the higher of Moody's or S&P ratings on the Fund's investments. Moody's rating categories may be modified further by a 1, 2 or 3 in Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B and Caa ratings. S&P rating categories may be modified further by a plus (+) or minus (-) in AA, A, BBB, BB, B and CCC ratings. ** Not Rated.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
The Fund's investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of an aggregate of the Fund's net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock), and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, each of which pays interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax) ("Municipal Bonds"). The Fund invests in Municipal Bonds which are rated high grade (A or better) or, if unrated, are considered by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund's investment objective and its policy of investing at least 80% of an aggregate of the Fund's net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock), and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in Municipal Bonds are fundamental policies that may not be changed without a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be realized.
The Fund may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as "private activity bonds" (or industrial development bonds, under pre-1986 law) ("PABs") (in general, bonds that benefit non-governmental entities) that may subject certain investors in the Fund to an alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes." The percentage of the Fund's total assets invested in PABs will vary from time to time. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value) in Municipal Bonds whose issuers are located in the same state.
The high grade Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests are those
Municipal Bonds rated at the date of purchase in the three highest quality
ratings as determined by either Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")
(currently Aaa, Aa and A), Standard & Poor's ("S&P") (currently AAA, AA and A)
or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") (currently AAA, AA and A). In the case of short
term notes, the high grade rating categories are SP-1+ through SP-2 for S&P,
MIG-1 through MIG-3 for Moody's and F-1+ through F-2 for Fitch. In the case of
tax exempt commercial paper, the high grade rating categories are A-1+ through
A-2 for S&P, Prime-1 through Prime-2 for Moody's and F-1+ through F-2 for
Fitch. There may be sub-categories or gradations indicating relative standing
within the rating categories set forth above. In assessing the quality of
Municipal Bonds with respect to the foregoing requirements, the Investment
Adviser takes into account the nature of any letters of credit or similar
credit enhancement to which particular Municipal Bonds are entitled and the
creditworthiness of the financial institution that provided such credit
enhancement. See Appendix A -- "Description of Municipal Bond Ratings" to the
statement of additional information. If unrated, such securities will possess
creditworthiness comparable, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, to
other obligations in which the Fund may invest.
All percentage and ratings limitations on securities in which the Fund may invest apply at the time of making an investment and shall not be considered violated if an investment rating is subsequently downgraded to a rating that would have precluded the Fund's initial investment in such security. In the event that the Fund disposes of a portfolio security subsequent to its being downgraded, the Fund may experience a greater risk of loss than if such security had been sold prior to such downgrade.
The net asset value of the shares of common stock of a closed-end investment company, such as the Fund, which invests primarily in fixed income securities, changes as the general levels of interest rates fluctuate. When interest rates decline, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a fixed income portfolio can be expected to decline. Prices of longer term securities in which the Fund primarily invests generally fluctuate more in response to interest rate changes than do shorter term securities. These changes in net asset value are likely to be greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure, such as the Fund.
The Fund intends to invest primarily in long term Municipal Bonds with maturities of more than ten years. However, the Fund also may invest in intermediate term Municipal Bonds with maturities of between three years and ten years. The Fund also may invest from time to time in short term Municipal Bonds with maturities of less than three years. The average maturity of the Fund's portfolio securities will vary based upon the Investment
Adviser's assessment of economic and market conditions. As of May 31, 2005, the weighted average maturity of the Fund's portfolio was approximately 19.97 years.
For temporary periods or to provide liquidity, the Fund has the authority to invest as much as 20% of its total assets in tax exempt and taxable money market obligations with a maturity of one year or less (such short term obligations being referred to herein as "Temporary Investments"). In addition, the Fund reserves the right as a defensive measure to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments, when, in the opinion of the Investment Adviser, prevailing market or financial conditions warrant. Taxable money market obligations will yield taxable income. The Fund also may invest in variable rate demand obligations ("VRDOs") and VRDOs in the form of participation interests ("Participating VRDOs") in variable rate tax exempt obligations held by a financial institution. See "Other Investment Policies--Temporary Investments." The Fund's hedging strategies, which are described in more detail under "Hedging Transactions--Financial Futures Transactions and Options," are not fundamental policies and may be modified by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of the Fund's stockholders. The Fund is also authorized to invest in indexed and inverse floating rate obligations for hedging purposes and to seek to enhance return.
The Fund may invest in securities not issued by or on behalf of a state or territory or by an agency or instrumentality thereof, if the Fund receives an opinion of counsel to the issuer that such securities pay interest that is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes ("Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities"). Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities could include trust certificates, partnership interests or other instruments evidencing interest in one or more long term municipal securities. Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities also may include securities issued by other investment companies that invest in Municipal Bonds, to the extent such investments are permitted by the Fund's investment restrictions and applicable law. Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities are subject to the same risks associated with an investment in Municipal Bonds as well as many of the risks associated with investments in derivatives. While the Fund receives opinions of legal counsel to the effect that the income from the Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities in which the Fund invests is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes to the same extent as the underlying municipal securities, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has not issued a ruling on this subject. Were the IRS to issue an adverse ruling or take an adverse position with respect to the taxation of these types of securities, there is a risk that the interest paid on such securities would be deemed taxable at the Federal level.
The Fund ordinarily does not intend to realize significant investment income not exempt from Federal income tax. From time to time, the Fund may realize taxable capital gains.
Federal tax legislation has limited the types and volume of bonds the interest on which qualifies for a Federal income tax exemption. As a result, this legislation and legislation that may be enacted in the future may affect the availability of Municipal Bonds for investment by the Fund.
Risk Factors and Special Considerations Relating to Municipal Bonds
The risks and special considerations involved in investment in Municipal Bonds vary with the types of instruments being acquired. Investments in Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities may present similar risks, depending on the particular product. Certain instruments in which the Fund may invest may be characterized as derivative instruments. See "-- Description of Municipal Bonds" and "-- Hedging Transactions -- Financial Futures Transactions and Options."
The value of Municipal Bonds generally may be affected by uncertainties in the municipal markets as a result of legislation or litigation, including legislation or litigation that changes the taxation of Municipal Bonds or the rights of Municipal Bond holders in the event of a bankruptcy. Municipal bankruptcies are rare, and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such bankruptcies are unclear. Further, the application of state law to Municipal Bond issuers could produce varying results among the states or among Municipal Bond issuers within a state. These uncertainties could have a significant impact on the prices of the Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests.
Description of Municipal Bonds
Set forth below is a detailed description of the Municipal Bonds and Temporary Investments in which the Fund may invest. Information with respect to ratings assigned to tax exempt obligations that the Fund may purchase is set forth in Appendix A -- "Description of Municipal Bond Ratings" to the statement of additional information. Obligations are included within the term Municipal Bonds if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for Federal income tax purposes in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer.
Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations and obtaining funds for general operating expenses and loans to other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately owned or operated facilities, including certain facilities for the local furnishing of electric energy or gas, sewage facilities, solid waste disposal facilities and other specialized facilities. Other types of industrial development bonds or private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute Municipal Bonds, although the current Federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. The interest on Municipal Bonds may bear a fixed rate or be payable at a variable or floating rate. The two principal classifications of Municipal Bonds are "general obligation" and "revenue" bonds, which latter category includes PABs.
The Fund has not established any limit on the percentage of its portfolio that may be invested in IDBs or PABs. The Fund may not be a suitable investment for investors who are already subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax or who would become subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax as a result of an investment in the Fund's common stock. See "Taxes."
General Obligation Bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited, however, by provisions of its state constitution or laws, and an entity's creditworthiness will depend on many factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population declines, natural disasters, declines in the state's industrial base or inability to attract new industries, economic limits on the ability to tax without eroding the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad valorem real property taxes and the extent to which the entity relies on Federal or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the state's or entity's control. Accordingly, the capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when due is affected by the issuer's maintenance of its tax base.
Revenue Bonds. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources such as payments from the user of the facility being financed. Accordingly, the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special obligation bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such revenue source.
PABs. The Fund may purchase PABs. PABs are, in most cases, tax exempt securities issued by states, municipalities or public authorities to provide funds, usually through a loan or lease arrangement, to a private entity for the purpose of financing construction or improvement of a facility to be used by the entity. Such bonds are secured primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments due from the entity which may or may not be guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise secured. PABs generally are not secured by a pledge of the taxing power of the issuer of such bonds. Therefore, an investor should be aware that repayment of such bonds generally depends on the revenues of a private entity and be aware of the risks that such an investment may entail. Continued ability of an entity to generate sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds will be affected by many factors including the size of the entity, capital structure, demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions, government regulation and the entity's dependence on revenues for the operation of the particular facility being financed.
Moral Obligation Bonds. The Fund also may invest in "moral obligation" bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If an issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its obligations, the
repayment of such bonds becomes a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality in question.
Municipal Lease Obligations. Also included within the general category of Municipal Bonds are certificates of participation ("COPs") issued by government authorities or entities to finance the acquisition or construction of equipment, land and/or facilities. COPs represent participations in a lease, an installment purchase contract or a conditional sales contract (hereinafter collectively called "lease obligations") relating to such equipment, land or facilities. Although lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuer for which the issuer's unlimited taxing power is pledged, a lease obligation is frequently backed by the issuer's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the issuer has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. Although "non-appropriation" lease obligations are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult and the value of the property may be insufficient to issue lease obligations. Certain investments in lease obligations may be illiquid.
Indexed and Inverse Floating Rate Securities. The Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds (and Non- Municipal Tax Exempt Securities) that yield a return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. For example, the Fund may invest in Municipal Bonds that pay interest based on an index of Municipal Bond interest rates. The principal amount payable upon maturity of certain Municipal Bonds also may be based on the value of the index. To the extent the Fund invests in these types of Municipal Bonds, the Fund's return on such Municipal Bonds will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. Interest and principal payable on the Municipal Bonds may also be based on relative changes among particular indices. Also, the Fund may invest in so-called "inverse floating obligations" or "residual interest bonds" on which the interest rates vary inversely with a short term floating rate (which may be reset periodically by a dutch auction, a remarketing agent, or by reference to a short term tax exempt interest rate index). The Fund may purchase synthetically created inverse floating rate bonds evidenced by custodial or trust receipts. Generally, income on inverse floating rate bonds will decrease when short term interest rates increase, and will increase when short term interest rates decrease. Such securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage, since they may increase or decrease in value in response to changes, as an illustration, in market interest rates at a rate which is a multiple (typically two) of the rate at which fixed rate long term tax exempt securities increase or decrease in response to such changes. As a result, the market values of such securities will generally be more volatile than the market values of fixed rate tax exempt securities. To seek to limit the volatility of these securities, the Fund may purchase inverse floating obligations with shorter-term maturities or which contain limitations on the extent to which the interest rate may vary. Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid.
When Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities that it is entitled to receive on a when issued basis. The Fund may also purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery basis. The Fund may also purchase or sell securities through a forward commitment. These transactions involve the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The purchase will be recorded on the date the Fund enters into the commitment and the value of the securities will thereafter be reflected in the Fund's net asset value. The Fund enters into these transactions to obtain what is considered an advantageous price to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. The Fund has not established any limit on the percentage of its assets that may be committed in connection with these transactions. When the Fund purchases securities in these transactions, the Fund segregates liquid securities in an amount equal to the amount of its purchase commitments.
There can be no assurance that a security purchased on a when issued basis will be issued or that a security purchased or sold through a forward commitment will be delivered. A default by a counterparty may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of obtaining a price considered to be advantageous. The value of securities in these transactions on the delivery date may be more or less than the Fund's purchase price. The Fund may bear the risk of a decline in the value of the security in these transactions and may not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period.
Call Rights. The Fund may purchase a Municipal Bond issuer's right to call all or a portion of such Municipal Bond for mandatory tender for purchase (a "Call Right"). A holder of a Call Right may exercise such
right to require a mandatory tender for the purchase of related Municipal Bonds, subject to certain conditions. A Call Right that is not exercised prior to maturity of the related Municipal Bond will expire without value. The economic effect of holding both the Call Right and the related Municipal Bond is identical to holding a Municipal Bond as a non-callable security. Certain investments in such obligations may be illiquid.
Yields. Yields on Municipal Bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general condition of the money market and of the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the financial condition of the issuer, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective is also dependent on the continuing ability of the issuers of the securities in which the Fund invests to meet their obligations for the payment of interest and principal when due. There are variations in the risks involved in holding Municipal Bonds, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors. Furthermore, the rights of owners of Municipal Bonds and the obligations of the issuer of such Municipal Bonds may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws and court decisions affecting the rights of creditors generally and to general equitable principles, which may limit the enforcement of certain remedies.
Hedging Transactions
The Fund may hedge all or a portion of its portfolio investments against fluctuations in interest rates through the use of options and certain financial futures contracts and options thereon. While the Fund's use of hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of the Fund's shares of common stock, the net asset value of the Fund's shares of common stock will fluctuate. No assurance can be given that the Fund's hedging transactions will be effective. The Fund only may engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not necessarily be engaging in hedging activities when movements in interest rates occur. The Fund has no obligation to enter into hedging transactions and may choose not to do so. Furthermore, for so long as the AMPS are rated by Moody's and S&P, the Fund's use of options and certain financial futures and options thereon will be subject to the limitations described under "Rating Agency Guidelines."
Financial Futures Transactions and Options. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell certain exchange traded financial futures contracts ("financial futures contracts") in order to hedge its investments in Municipal Bonds against declines in value, and to hedge against increases in the cost of securities it intends to purchase or to seek to enhance the Fund's return. However, any transactions involving financial futures or options (including puts and calls associated therewith) will be in accordance with the Fund's investment policies and limitations. A financial futures contract obligates the seller of a contract to deliver and the purchaser of a contract to take delivery of the type of financial instrument covered by the contract, or in the case of index-based futures contracts to make and accept a cash settlement, at a specific future time for a specified price. To hedge its portfolio, the Fund may take an investment position in a futures contract which will move in the opposite direction from the portfolio position being hedged. A sale of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against a decline in the value of portfolio securities because such depreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the financial futures contracts. A purchase of financial futures contracts may provide a hedge against an increase in the cost of securities intended to be purchased because such appreciation may be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the position in the futures contracts.
Distributions, if any, of net long term capital gains from certain transactions in futures or options are taxable at long term capital gains rates for Federal income tax purposes. See "Taxes."
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security or, in the case of an index-based futures contract, to make and accept a cash settlement for a set price on a future date. A majority of transactions in futures contracts, however, do not result in the actual delivery of the underlying instrument or cash settlement, but are settled through liquidation, i.e., by entering into an offsetting transaction. Futures contracts have been designed by boards of trade which have been designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").
The purchase or sale of a futures contract differs from the purchase or sale of a security in that no price or premium is paid or received. Instead, an amount of cash or securities acceptable to the broker and the relevant contract market, which varies, but is generally about 5% of the contract amount, must be deposited with the broker.
This amount is known as "initial margin" and represents a "good faith" deposit assuring the performance of both the purchaser and seller under the futures contract. Subsequent payments to and from the broker, called "variation margin," are required to be made on a daily basis as the price of the futures contract fluctuates making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to the market." At any time prior to the settlement date of the futures contract, the position may be closed out by taking an opposite position that will operate to terminate the position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid to or released by the broker and the purchaser realizes a loss or gain. In addition, a nominal commission is paid on each completed sale transaction.
The Fund deals in financial futures contracts based on a long term municipal bond index developed by the Chicago Board of Trade ("CBT") and The Bond Buyer (the "Municipal Bond Index"). The Municipal Bond Index is comprised of 40 tax exempt municipal revenue and general obligation bonds. Each bond included in the Municipal Bond Index must be rated A or higher by Moody's or S&P and must have a remaining maturity of 19 years or more. Twice a month new issues satisfying the eligibility requirements are added to, and an equal number of old issues are deleted from, the Municipal Bond Index. The value of the Municipal Bond Index is computed daily according to a formula based on the price of each bond in the Municipal Bond Index, as evaluated by six dealer-to-dealer brokers.
The Municipal Bond Index futures contract is traded only on the CBT. Like other contract markets, the CBT assures performance under futures contracts through a clearing corporation, a nonprofit organization managed by the exchange membership which is also responsible for handling daily accounting of deposits or withdrawals of margin.
The Fund may also purchase and sell financial futures contracts on U.S. Government securities as a hedge against adverse changes in interest rates as described below. With respect to U.S. Government securities, currently there are financial futures contracts based on long term U.S. Treasury bonds, U.S. Treasury notes, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") Certificates and three-month U.S. Treasury bills. The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and purchase and sell Municipal Bond Index futures contracts in connection with its hedging strategies.
The Fund also may engage in other futures contracts transactions such as futures contracts on other municipal bond indices that may become available if the Investment Adviser should determine that there is normally a sufficient correlation between the prices of such futures contracts and the Municipal Bonds in which the Fund invests to make such hedging appropriate.
Futures Strategies. The Fund may sell a financial futures contract (i.e., assume a short position) in anticipation of a decline in the value of its investments in Municipal Bonds resulting from an increase in interest rates or otherwise. The risk of decline could be reduced without employing futures as a hedge by selling such Municipal Bonds and either reinvesting the proceeds in securities with shorter maturities or by holding assets in cash. This strategy, however, entails increased transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and typically would reduce the average yield of the Fund's portfolio securities as a result of the shortening of maturities. The sale of futures contracts provides an alternative means of hedging against declines in the value of its investments in Municipal Bonds. As such values decline, the value of the Fund's positions in the futures contracts will tend to increase, thus offsetting all or a portion of the depreciation in the market value of the Fund's Municipal Bond investments that are being hedged. While the Fund will incur commission expenses in selling and closing out futures positions, commissions on futures transactions are lower than transaction costs incurred in the purchase and sale of Municipal Bonds. In addition, the ability of the Fund to trade in the standardized contracts available in the futures markets may offer a more effective defensive position than a program to reduce the average maturity of the portfolio securities due to the unique and varied credit and technical characteristics of the municipal debt instruments available to the Fund. Employing futures as a hedge also may permit the Fund to assume a defensive posture without reducing the yield on its investments beyond any amounts required to engage in futures trading.
When the Fund intends to purchase Municipal Bonds, the Fund may purchase futures contracts as a hedge against any increase in the cost of such Municipal Bonds resulting from a decrease in interest rates or otherwise, that may occur before such purchases can be effected. Subject to the degree of correlation between the Municipal Bonds and the futures contracts, subsequent increases in the cost of Municipal Bonds should be reflected in the value of the futures held by the Fund. As such purchases are made, an equivalent amount of futures contracts will be closed out.
Due to changing market conditions and interest rate forecasts, however, a futures position may be terminated without a corresponding purchase of portfolio securities.
Call Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may also purchase and sell exchange traded call and put options on financial futures contracts. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a call option on an individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option compared to either the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures contract or underlying debt securities. Like the purchase of a futures contract, the Fund will purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a market advance when the Fund is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund's portfolio holdings.
Put Options on Futures Contracts. The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a protective put option on portfolio securities. The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to hedge the Fund's portfolio against the risk of rising interest rates.
The writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the futures price at expiration is higher than the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any increase in the price of Municipal Bonds which the Fund intends to purchase.
The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option will be included in initial margin. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those relating to futures contracts.
Under regulations of the CFTC, the futures trading activity described herein will not result in the Fund being deemed a "commodity pool" and the Fund need not be operated by a person registered with the CFTC as a "commodity pool operator."
When the Fund purchases a futures contract, or writes a put option or purchases a call option thereon, an amount of cash, cash equivalents (e.g., high grade commercial paper and daily tender adjustable notes) or liquid securities will be segregated, so that the amount so segregated plus the amount of initial and variation margin held in the account of its broker equals the market value of the futures contracts, thereby ensuring that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged. It is not anticipated that transactions in futures contracts will have the effect of increasing portfolio turnover.
Risk Factors in Futures Transactions and Options. Investment in futures contracts involves the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contract and the price of the security being hedged. The hedge will not be fully effective when there is imperfect correlation between the movements in the prices of two financial instruments. For example, if the price of the futures contract moves more or less than the price of the hedged security, the Fund will experience either a loss or gain on the futures contract which is not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. To compensate for imperfect correlations, the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities if the volatility of the hedged securities is historically greater than the volatility of the futures contracts. Conversely, the Fund may purchase or sell fewer futures contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged securities is historically less than that of the futures contracts.
The particular municipal bonds comprising the index underlying the Municipal Bond Index financial futures contract may vary from the bonds held by the Fund. As a result, the Fund's ability to hedge effectively all or a portion of the value of its Municipal Bonds through the use of such financial futures contracts will depend in part on the degree to which price movements in the index underlying the financial futures contract correlate with the price movements of the Municipal Bonds held by the Fund. The correlation may be affected by disparities in the average maturity, ratings, geographical mix or structure of the Fund's investments as compared to those comprising the Municipal Bond Index and general economic or political factors. In addition, the correlation between movements in the value of the Municipal Bond Index may be subject to change over time as additions to and deletions from the Municipal Bond Index alter its structure. The correlation between futures contracts on U.S. Government securities and the Municipal Bonds held by the Fund may be adversely affected by similar factors and the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of such futures contracts and the prices of Municipal Bonds held by the Fund may be greater. Municipal Bond Index futures contracts were approved for trading in 1986. Trading in such futures contracts may tend to be less liquid than trading in other futures contracts. The trading of futures contracts also is subject to certain market risks, such as inadequate trading activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions.
The Fund expects to liquidate a majority of the futures contracts it enters into through offsetting transactions on the applicable contract market. There can be no assurance, however, that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close out a futures position. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may be required to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to hedge effectively its investments in Municipal Bonds. The liquidity of a secondary market in a futures contract may be adversely affected by "daily price fluctuation limits" established by commodity exchanges which limit the amount of fluctuation in a futures contract price during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in the contract, no trades may be entered into at a price beyond the limit, thus preventing the liquidation of open futures positions. Prices have in the past moved beyond the daily limit on a number of consecutive trading days. The Fund will enter into a futures position only if, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, there appears to be an actively traded secondary market for such futures contracts.
The successful use of transactions in futures and related options also depends on the ability of the Investment Adviser to forecast correctly the direction and extent of interest rate movements within a given time frame. To the extent interest rates remain stable during the period in which a futures contract or option is held by the Fund or such rates move in a direction opposite to that anticipated, the Fund may realize a loss on the hedging transaction which is not fully or partially offset by an increase in the value of portfolio securities. As a result, the Fund's total return for such period may be less than if it had not engaged in the hedging transaction.
Because of low initial margin deposits made upon the opening of a futures position, futures transactions involve substantial leverage. As a result, relatively small movements in the price of the futures contracts can result in substantial unrealized gains or losses. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in a financial futures contract. Because the Fund will engage in the purchase and sale of futures contracts for hedging purposes or to seek to enhance the Fund's return, any losses incurred in connection therewith should, if the hedging strategy is successful, be offset in whole or in part by increases in the value of securities held by the Fund or decreases in the price of securities the Fund intends to acquire.
The amount of risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. In addition to the correlation risks discussed above, the purchase of an option on a futures contract also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased.
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES
The Fund has adopted certain other policies as set forth below.
Temporary Investments
The Fund may invest in short term tax exempt and taxable securities subject to the limitations set forth above. The tax exempt money market securities may include municipal notes, municipal commercial paper, municipal bonds with a remaining maturity of less than one year, variable rate demand notes and participations therein. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and grant anticipation notes. Anticipation notes are sold as interim financing in anticipation of tax collection, bond sales, government grants or revenue receipts. Municipal commercial paper refers to short term unsecured promissory notes generally issued to finance short term credit needs. The taxable money market securities in which the Fund may invest as Temporary Investments consist of U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, domestic bank or savings institution certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances, short term corporate debt securities such as commercial paper and repurchase agreements. These Temporary Investments must have a stated maturity not in excess of one year from the date of purchase. The Fund may not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank or a savings institution unless the bank or institution is organized and operating in the United States, has total assets of at least one billion dollars and is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), except that up to 10% of total assets may be invested in certificates of deposit of smaller institutions if such certificates are fully insured by the FDIC.
Interest Rate Swap Transactions
In order to seek to hedge the value of the Fund against interest rate fluctuations, to hedge against increases in the Fund's costs associated with the dividend payments on any preferred stock, including the AMPS, or to seek to increase the Fund's return, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap transactions such as Municipal Market Data AAA Cash Curve swaps ("MMD Swaps") or Bond Market Association Municipal Swap Index swaps ("BMA Swaps"). To the extent that the Fund enters into these transactions, the Fund expects to do so primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund may enter into these transactions primarily as a hedge or for duration or risk management rather than as a speculative investment. However, the Fund also may invest in MMD Swaps and BMA Swaps to seek to enhance return or gain or to increase the Fund's yield, for example, during periods of steep interest rate yield curves (i.e., wide differences between short term and long term interest rates).
The Fund may purchase and sell BMA Swaps in the BMA swap market. In a BMA Swap, the Fund exchanges with another party their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments linked to the Bond Market Association Municipal Swap Index). Because the underlying index is a tax exempt index, BMA Swaps may reduce cross-market risks incurred by the Fund and increase the Fund's ability to hedge effectively. BMA Swaps are typically quoted for the entire yield curve, beginning with a seven day floating rate index out to 30 years. The duration of a BMA Swap is approximately equal to the duration of a fixed rate Municipal Bond with the same attributes as the swap (e.g., coupon, maturity, call feature).
The Fund also may purchase and sell MMD Swaps, also known as MMD rate locks. An MMD Swap permits the Fund to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. By using an MMD Swap, the Fund can create a synthetic long or short position, allowing the Fund to select the most attractive part of the yield curve. An MMD Swap is a contract between the Fund and an MMD Swap provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Fund buys an MMD Swap and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Fund equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract.
In connection with investments in BMA and MMD Swaps, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the opposite direction than anticipated by the Fund, which would cause the Fund to make payments to its counterparty in the transaction that could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
The Fund has no obligation to enter into BMA or MMD Swaps and may not do so. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and the Fund will segregate liquid securities having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess.
Credit Default Swap Agreements
The Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements for hedging purposes or to seek to increase its return. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection "buyer" in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection "seller" an upfront or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the "par value" (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risks. The Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties who are rated investment grade quality by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is believed by the Investment Adviser to be equivalent to such rating. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. The Fund's obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). The Fund will at all times segregate with its custodian in connection with each such transaction liquid securities or cash with a value at least equal to the Fund's exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission). Such segregation will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund's portfolio. Such segregation will not limit the Fund's exposure to loss.
VRDOs and Participating VRDOs
VRDOs are tax exempt obligations that contain a floating or variable interest rate adjustment formula and right of demand on the part of the holder thereof to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest upon a short notice period not to exceed seven days. There is, however, the possibility that because of default or insolvency the demand feature of VRDOs and Participating VRDOs may not be honored. The interest rates are adjustable at intervals (ranging from daily to up to one year) to some prevailing market rate for similar investments, such adjustment formula being calculated to maintain the market value of the VRDOs, at approximately the par value of the VRDOs on the adjustment date. The adjustments typically are based upon the Public Securities Association Index or some other appropriate interest rate adjustment index. The Fund may invest
in all types of tax exempt instruments currently outstanding or to be issued in the future which satisfy its short term maturity and quality standards.
Participating VRDOs provide the Fund with a specified undivided interest (up to 100%) of the underlying obligation and the right to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on the Participating VRDOs from the financial institution upon a specified number of days' notice, not to exceed seven days. In addition, the Participating VRDO is backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guaranty of the financial institution. The Fund would have an undivided interest in the underlying obligation and thus participate on the same basis as the financial institution in such obligation except that the financial institution typically retains fees out of the interest paid on the obligation for servicing the obligation, providing the letter of credit and issuing the repurchase commitment. The Fund has been advised by its counsel that the Fund should be entitled to treat the income received on Participating VRDOs as interest from tax exempt obligations as long as the Fund does not invest more than 20% of its total assets in such investments and certain other conditions are met. It is contemplated that the Fund will not invest more than 20% of its assets in Participating VRDOs.
VRDOs that contain an unconditional right of demand to receive payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest on a notice period exceeding seven days may be deemed to be illiquid securities. The Directors may adopt guidelines and delegate to the Investment Adviser the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of such VRDOs. The Directors, however, will retain sufficient oversight and will be ultimately responsible for such determinations.
The Temporary Investments, VRDOs and Participating VRDOs in which the Fund may invest will be in the following rating categories at the time of purchase: MIG-1/VMIG-1 through MIG-3/VMIG-3 for notes and VRDOs and Prime-1 through Prime-3 for commercial paper (as determined by Moody's), SP-1 through SP-2 for notes and A-1 through A-3 for VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by S&P), or F-1 through F-3 for notes, VRDOs and commercial paper (as determined by Fitch). Temporary Investments, if not rated, must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Investment Adviser. In addition, the Fund reserves the right to invest temporarily a greater portion of its assets in Temporary Investments for defensive purposes, when, in the judgment of the Investment Adviser, market conditions warrant.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in securities pursuant to repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements may be entered into only with a member bank of the Federal Reserve System or a primary dealer or an affiliate thereof, in U.S. Government securities. Under such agreements, the bank or primary dealer or an affiliate thereof agrees, upon entering into the contract, to repurchase the security at a mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market fluctuations during such period. In repurchase agreements, the prices at which the trades are conducted do not reflect accrued interest on the underlying obligations. Such agreements usually cover short periods, such as under one week. Repurchase agreements may be construed to be collateralized loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities transferred to the purchaser. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund will require the seller to provide additional collateral if the market value of the securities falls below the repurchase price at any time during the term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of default by the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying securities are not owned by the Fund but only constitute collateral for the seller's obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore, the Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection with the disposition of the collateral. In the event of a default under such a repurchase agreement, instead of the contractual fixed rate of return, the rate of return to the Fund shall be dependent upon intervening fluctuations of the market value of such security and the accrued interest on the security. In such event, the Fund would have rights against the seller for breach of contract with respect to any losses arising from market fluctuations following the failure of the seller to perform.
In general, for Federal income tax purposes, repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized loans secured by the securities "sold." Therefore, amounts earned under such agreements will not be considered tax exempt interest. The treatment of purchase and sales contracts is less certain.
Borrowings
The Fund is authorized to borrow money in amounts of up to 5% of the
value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings; provided, however,
that the Fund is authorized to borrow moneys in amounts of up to 33 ?% of the
value of its total assets at the time of such borrowings to finance the
repurchase of its own common stock pursuant to tender offers or otherwise to
redeem or repurchase shares of preferred stock. Borrowings by the Fund
(commonly known, as with the issuance of preferred stock, as "leveraging")
create an opportunity for greater total return since, for example, the Fund
will not be required to sell portfolio securities to repurchase or redeem
shares but, at the same time, increase exposure to capital risk. In addition,
borrowed funds are subject to interest costs that may offset or exceed the
return earned on the borrowed funds.
DESCRIPTION OF AMPS
Certain of the capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined in this prospectus have the meaning provided in the Glossary at the back of this prospectus.
General
The Series E AMPS will be shares of preferred stock that entitle their holders to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, at a rate per annum that may vary for the successive Dividend Periods. After the Initial Dividend Period, each Subsequent Dividend Period for the Series E AMPS generally will be a 7-Day Dividend Period; provided however, that prior to any Auction, the Fund may elect, subject to certain limitations described herein, upon giving notice to holders thereof, a special dividend period of up to five years (a "Special Dividend Period"). The Applicable Rate for a particular Dividend Period will be determined by an Auction conducted on the Business Day before the start of such Dividend Period. Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners of shares of AMPS may participate in Auctions therefor, although, except in the case of a Special Dividend Period of more than 28 days, Beneficial Owners desiring to continue to hold all of their shares of AMPS regardless of the Applicable Rate resulting from Auctions need not participate. For an explanation of Auctions and the method of determining the Applicable Rate, see "The Auction" herein and in the statement of additional information.
The Fund has outstanding 8,000 shares of four other series of Auction Market Preferred Stock, each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, for an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $200,000,000 (the "Other AMPS"). The Other AMPS are as follows: 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A; 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B; 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C; and 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D. The Series E AMPS offered hereby rank on a parity with the Other AMPS with respect to dividends and liquidation preference. The terms of the shares of Other AMPS are substantially the same as the terms of the shares of AMPS described below.
The following is a brief description of the terms of the shares of the Series E AMPS. This description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Fund's Charter and Articles Supplementary, including the provisions thereof establishing the Series E AMPS. The Fund's Charter and the form of Articles Supplementary establishing the terms of the Series E AMPS have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Dividends
General. The holders of shares of AMPS will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Fund, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends on their shares, at the Applicable Rate determined as set forth below under "Determination of Dividend Rate," payable on the respective dates set forth below. Dividends on the shares of AMPS so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and in priority over any dividends so declared and payable on the Fund's common stock, and (ii) to the extent permitted under the Code, and to the extent available, out of net tax exempt income earned on the Fund's investments. Generally, dividends on shares of AMPS, to the extent that they are derived from interest paid on
Municipal Bonds, will be exempt from Federal income taxes, subject to possible application of the alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes."
Dividends on the shares of AMPS will accumulate from the date on which the Fund originally issues the shares of AMPS (the "Date of Original Issue") and will be payable on the dates described below. Dividends on shares of AMPS with respect to the Initial Dividend Period shall be payable on the Initial Dividend Payment Date. Following the Initial Dividend Payment Date for AMPS, dividends on AMPS will be payable, at the option of the Fund, either (i) with respect to any 7-Day Dividend Period and any Short Term Dividend Period of 35 or fewer days, on the day next succeeding the last day thereof or (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period of more than 35 days and with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, monthly on the first Business Day of each calendar month during such Short Term Dividend Period or Long Term Dividend Period and on the day next succeeding the last day thereof (each such date referred to in clause (i) or (ii) being referred to herein as a "Normal Dividend Payment Date"), except that if such Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next succeeding such Normal Dividend Payment Date. Thus, following the Initial Dividend Payment Date for AMPS, dividends generally will be payable (in the case of Dividend Periods which are not Special Dividend Periods) on each succeeding Monday in the case of the Series E AMPS. Although any particular Dividend Payment Date may not occur on the originally scheduled date because of the exceptions discussed above, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to such exceptions, will occur on the next following originally scheduled date. If for any reason a Dividend Payment Date cannot be fixed as described above, then the Board of Directors shall fix the Dividend Payment Date. The Board of Directors by resolution prior to authorization of a dividend by the Board of Directors may change a Dividend Payment Date if such change does not adversely affect the contract rights of the holders of shares of AMPS set forth in the Charter. The Initial Dividend Period, 7-Day Dividend Periods and Special Dividend Periods are hereinafter sometimes referred to as "Dividend Periods." Each dividend payment date determined as provided above is hereinafter referred to as a "Dividend Payment Date."
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 Fund does not intend to establish any reserves for the payment of dividends.
Each dividend will be paid to the record holder of the AMPS, which holder is expected to be the nominee of the Securities Depository. See "The Auction -- Securities Depository." The Securities Depository will credit the accounts of the Agent Members of the Existing Holders in accordance with the Securities Depository's normal procedures which provide for payment in same-day funds. The Agent Member of an Existing Holder will be responsible for holding or disbursing such payments on the applicable Dividend Payment Date to such Existing Holder in accordance with the instructions of such Existing Holder. 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 nominee of the Securities Depository. Any dividend payment made on shares of AMPS first shall be credited against the earliest declared but unpaid dividends accumulated with respect to such shares.
Holders of shares of AMPS will not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends except as described below under "-- Additional Dividends" in this prospectus and under "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Non-Payment Period; Late Charge" in the statement of additional information. No interest will be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the shares of AMPS that may be in arrears.
The amount of cash dividends per share of the AMPS payable (if declared) on the Initial Dividend Payment Date, and on each Dividend Payment Date of each 7-Day Dividend Period and each Short Term Dividend Period shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of days in such Dividend Period or part thereof that such share was outstanding and for which dividends are payable on such Dividend Payment Date and the denominator of which will be 365, multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent. During any Long Term Dividend Period, the amount of cash dividends per share of AMPS payable (if declared) on any Dividend Payment Date shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which will be such number of days in such part of such Dividend Period that such share was outstanding and for
which dividends are payable on such Dividend Payment Date and the denominator of which will be 360, multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent.
Notification of Dividend Period. With respect to each Dividend Period that is a Special Dividend Period, the Fund, at its sole option and to the extent permitted by law, by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, may request that the next succeeding Dividend Period for the AMPS will be a number of days (other than seven), evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer than seven nor more than 364 in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period or one whole year or more but not greater than five years in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, specified in such notice, provided that the Fund may not give a Request for Special Dividend Period (and any such request shall be null and void) unless, for any Auction occurring after the initial Auction, Sufficient Clearing Bids were made in the last occurring Auction and unless full cumulative dividends and any amounts due with respect to redemptions, and any Additional Dividends payable prior to such date have been paid in full. Such Request for Special Dividend Period, in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the second Business Day but not more than seven Business Days prior to an Auction Date for the AMPS and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the second Business Day but not more than 28 days prior to an Auction Date for the AMPS. Upon receiving such Request for Special Dividend Period, the Broker-Dealers jointly shall determine whether, given the factors set forth below, it is advisable that the Fund issue a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS as contemplated by such Request for Special Dividend Period and the Optional Redemption Price of the AMPS during such Special Dividend Period and the Specific Redemption Provisions and shall give the Fund written notice (a "Response") of such determination by no later than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date. In the event the Response indicates that it is advisable that the Fund give a notice of a Special Dividend Period for the AMPS, the Fund, by no later than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date may give a notice (a "Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the Securities Depository and each Broker-Dealer. See "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Notification of Dividend Period" in the statement of additional information for a detailed description of these procedures.
Determination of Dividend Rate. The dividend rate on shares of the AMPS during the period from and including the Date of Original Issue for the AMPS to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date (the "Initial Dividend Period") with respect to the AMPS will be the rate per annum set forth above under "Prospectus Summary -- Dividends and Dividend Periods." Commencing on the Initial Dividend Payment Date for the AMPS, the Applicable Rate on the AMPS for each Subsequent Dividend Period, which Subsequent Dividend Period shall be a period commencing on and including a Dividend Payment Date and ending on and including the calendar day prior to the next Dividend Payment Date (or calendar day prior to the last Dividend Payment Date in a Dividend Period if there is more than one Dividend Payment Date), shall be equal to the rate per annum that results from the Auction with respect to such Subsequent Dividend Period. The Initial Dividend Period and Subsequent Dividend Period for AMPS is referred to herein as a "Dividend Period." Cash dividends shall be calculated as set forth above under "Dividends -- General."
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of common stock or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, as applicable (and after giving effect thereto), asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to the outstanding shares of AMPS (and Other AMPS) would be less than 200% (or such other percentage as in the future may be required by law). The Fund estimates that, based on the composition of its portfolio at April 30, 2005, asset coverage with respect to shares of AMPS would be approximately [287]% representing approximately [35]% of the Fund's capital and [53]% of the Fund's common stock equity immediately after the issuance of the shares of AMPS offered hereby. Under the Code, the Fund, among other things, must distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income each year in order to maintain its qualification for tax treatment as a regulated investment company. The foregoing limitations on dividends, distributions and purchases under certain circumstances may impair the Fund's ability to maintain such qualification. See "Taxes" in the statement of additional information.
Upon any failure to pay dividends on shares of AMPS for two years or more, the holders of the shares of AMPS will acquire certain additional voting rights. See "Voting Rights" below. Such rights shall be the exclusive remedy of the holders of shares of AMPS upon any failure to pay dividends on shares of the Fund.
Additional Dividends. If the Fund retroactively allocates any net capital gain or other income subject to regular Federal income taxes to shares of AMPS without having given advance notice thereof to the Auction Agent as described under "The Auction -- Auction Procedures -- Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends" below, which may only happen when such allocation is made as a result of the redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of AMPS or the liquidation of the Fund (the amount of such allocation referred to herein as a "Retroactive Taxable Allocation"), the Fund, within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the end of the Fund's fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made, will provide notice thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of shares (initially Cede as nominee of the Securities Depository) during such fiscal year at such holder's address as the same appears or last appeared on the stock books of the Fund. The Fund, within 30 days after such notice is given to the Auction Agent, will pay to the Auction Agent (who then will distribute to such holders of shares of AMPS), out of funds legally available therefor, an amount equal to the aggregate Additional Dividend (as defined below) with respect to all Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holders during the fiscal year in question.
An "Additional Dividend" means payment to a present or former holder of shares of AMPS of an amount which, when taken together with the aggregate amount of Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holder with respect to the fiscal year in question, would cause such holder's dividends in dollars (after Federal income tax consequences) from the aggregate of both the Retroactive Taxable Allocations and the Additional Dividend to be equal to the dollar amount of the dividends which would have been received by such holder if the amount of the aggregate Retroactive Taxable Allocations had been excludable from the gross income of such holder. Such Additional Dividend shall be calculated (i) without consideration being given to the time value of money; (ii) assuming that no holder of shares of AMPS is subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax with respect to dividends received from the Fund; and (iii) assuming that each Retroactive Taxable Allocation would be taxable in the hands of each holder of shares of AMPS at the greater of: (a) the maximum marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or capital gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution (including any surtax); or (b) the maximum marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or capital gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution (disregarding in both (a) and (b) the effect of any state or local taxes and the phase out of, or provision limiting, personal exemptions, itemized deductions, or the benefit of lower tax brackets). Although the Fund generally intends to designate any Additional Dividend as an exempt-interest dividend to the extent permitted by applicable law, it is possible that all or a portion of any Additional Dividend will be taxable to the recipient thereof. See "Taxes" in the statement of additional information. The Fund will not pay a further Additional Dividend with respect to any taxable portion of an Additional Dividend.
If the Fund does not give advance notice of the amount of taxable income to be included in a dividend on shares of AMPS in the related Auction, the Fund may include such taxable income in a dividend on shares of AMPS if it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income were a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount were an Additional Dividend and notifies the Auction Agent of such inclusion at least five Business Days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. See "The Auction -- Auction Procedures -- Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends" below.
Asset Maintenance
The Fund will be required to satisfy two separate asset maintenance requirements under the terms of the Articles Supplementary. These requirements are summarized below.
1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage. The Fund will be required under the Articles Supplementary to maintain, with respect to shares of AMPS, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any shares of AMPS are outstanding, asset coverage of at least 200% with respect to senior securities that are stock, including the shares of AMPS and Other AMPS (or such other asset coverage as in the future may be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities that are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of paying dividends on its common stock) ("1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage"). If the Fund fails to maintain 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage and such failure is not cured as of the last Business Day of the following month (the "1940 Act Cure Date"), the Fund will be required under certain circumstances to redeem certain of the shares of AMPS. See "Redemption" below.
Based upon the composition of the Fund's portfolio on April 30, 2005, the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage immediately following the issuance of AMPS offered hereby (after giving effect to the deduction of the underwriting discount and offering expenses for the shares of AMPS) will be computed as follows:
Value of Fund assets less
liabilities not constituting
senior securities = $[ ] = [ ]%
--------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Senior securities representing $[ ]
indebtedness plus liquidation
value of the shares of AMPS
|
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. So long as shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Fund will be required under the Articles Supplementary to maintain as of the last Business Day of each week (a "Valuation Date") Moody's Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets each having in the aggregate a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. The AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount includes the sum of (i) the aggregate liquidation value of AMPS and Other AMPS then outstanding and (ii) certain accrued and projected payment obligations of the Fund. See "Description of AMPS -- Asset Maintenance -- AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount" in the statement of additional information. If the Fund fails to meet such requirement as of any Valuation Date and such failure is not cured on or before the sixth Business Day after such Valuation Date (the "AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date"), the Fund will be required under certain circumstances to redeem certain of the shares of AMPS. Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Fund will use its best efforts to alter the composition of its portfolio to reattain a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date. See "Redemption" herein and in the statement of additional information.
Redemption
Optional Redemption. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and under Maryland law, upon giving a Notice of Redemption, as provided in the statement of additional information, the Fund, at its option, may redeem shares of AMPS, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefor, at the Optional Redemption Price per share on any Dividend Payment Date; provided that no share of AMPS may be redeemed at the option of the Fund during (a) the Initial Dividend Period with respect to such share or (b) a Non-Call Period to which such share is subject. "Optional Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share of AMPS plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption plus any applicable redemption premium, if any, attributable to the designation of a Premium Call Period. In addition, holders of AMPS may be entitled to receive Additional Dividends in the event of redemption of such AMPS to the extent provided herein. See "Dividends -- Additional Dividends." The Fund has the authority to redeem the AMPS for any reason and may redeem all or part of the outstanding shares of AMPS if it anticipates that the Fund's leveraged capital structure will result in a lower rate of return to holders of common stock for any significant period of time than that obtainable if the common stock were unleveraged.
Mandatory Redemption. The Fund will be required to redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, at the Mandatory Redemption Price per share, shares of AMPS to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, on a date fixed by the Board of Directors, if the Fund fails to maintain Moody's Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or to satisfy the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage and such failure is not cured on or before the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the 1940 Act Cure Date (herein collectively referred to as a "Cure Date"), as the case may be. "Mandatory Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share of AMPS plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption. In addition, holders of AMPS may be entitled to receive Additional Dividends in the event of redemption of such AMPS to the extent provided herein. See "Dividends -- Additional Dividends."
For a discussion of the allocation procedures to be used if fewer than all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are to be redeemed and for a discussion of other redemption procedures, see "Description of AMPS -- Redemption" in the statement of additional information.
Liquidation Rights
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of AMPS will be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution or payment is made upon any shares of common stock or any other capital stock of the Fund ranking junior in right of payment upon liquidation of AMPS, $25,000 per share together with the amount of any dividends accumulated but unpaid (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to the date of distribution, and after such payment the holders of AMPS will be entitled to no other payments except for Additional Dividends. If such assets of the Fund shall be insufficient to make the full liquidation payment on the outstanding shares of AMPS and liquidation payments on any other outstanding class or series of preferred stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with the AMPS as to payment upon liquidation, including the Other AMPS, then such assets will be distributed among the holders of such shares of AMPS and the holders of shares of such other class or series, including the Other AMPS, ratably in proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of liquidation distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of AMPS will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation, merger or share exchange of the Fund with or into any other entity or entities or a sale, whether for cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, of all or substantially all or any part of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed or construed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.
Voting Rights
Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus and the statement of additional information and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of shares of AMPS will be entitled to one vote per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Fund and will vote together with holders of shares of common stock as a single class.
The 1940 Act and the Articles Supplementary require that the holders of preferred stock, including the AMPS and Other AMPS, voting as a separate class, have the rights to elect two of the Fund's Directors at all times and to elect a majority of the Directors at any time that two full years' dividends on the AMPS (and Other AMPS) are unpaid. The holders of AMPS (and Other AMPS) will vote as a separate class or classes on certain other matters as required under the Articles Supplementary, the 1940 Act and Maryland law. In addition, the Series E AMPS (and Other AMPS) may vote as a separate series under certain circumstances. See "Description of AMPS -- Voting Rights" in the statement of additional information.
THE AUCTION
Certain of the capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined in this prospectus have the meaning provided in the Glossary at the back of this prospectus.
General
Holders of the shares of the Series E AMPS will be entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends on their shares when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Fund, out of funds legally available therefor, on the Initial Dividend Payment Date with respect to the Initial Dividend Period and, thereafter, on each Dividend Payment Date with respect to a Subsequent Dividend Period (generally a period of seven days, subject to certain exceptions set forth under "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- General") at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate for each such Dividend Period.
The provisions of the Articles Supplementary establishing the terms of the shares of the Series E AMPS offered hereby will provide that the Applicable Rate for the shares of AMPS for each Dividend Period after the Initial Dividend Period therefor will be equal to the rate per annum that the Auction Agent advises has resulted on
the Business Day preceding the first day of such Dividend Period due to implementation of the auction procedures set forth in the Articles Supplementary (the "Auction Procedures") in which persons determine to hold or offer to purchase or sell shares of AMPS. The Auction Procedures are attached as Appendix C to the statement of additional information.
Each periodic operation of such procedures with respect to the shares of AMPS is referred to hereinafter as an "Auction." If, however, the Fund should fail to pay or duly provide for the full amount of any dividend on shares of AMPS or the redemption price of shares of AMPS called for redemption, the Applicable Rate for shares of AMPS will be determined as set forth under "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Non-Payment Period; Late Charge" in the statement of additional information.
Auction Agent Agreement. The Fund has entered into an agreement with The Bank of New York (together with any successor bank or trust company or other entity entering into a similar agreement with this Fund, the "Auction Agent") (the "Auction Agent Agreement"), which provides, among other things, that the Auction Agent will follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate for the AMPS. The Fund will pay the Auction Agent compensation for its services under the Auction Agent Agreement.
Broker-Dealer Agreements. The Auction Agent has entered into agreements with Merrill Lynch and more than 20 other broker-dealers and may enter into similar agreements (collectively, the "Broker-Dealer Agreements") with one or more other broker-dealers (collectively, the "Broker-Dealers") selected by the Fund, which provide for the participation of such Broker-Dealers in Auctions. Merrill Lynch is an affiliate of the Investment Adviser in that they share a common parent, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Securities Depository. The Depository Trust Company initially will act as the Securities Depository for the Agent Members with respect to the shares of Series E AMPS. One or more registered certificates for all of the shares of the Series E AMPS initially will be registered in the name of Cede, as nominee of the Securities Depository. The certificate will bear a legend to the effect that such certificate is issued subject to the provisions restricting transfers of shares of AMPS to which it relates contained in the Articles Supplementary. Cede initially will be the holder of record of all shares of AMPS, and Beneficial Owners will not be entitled to receive certificates representing their ownership interest in such shares. The Securities Depository will maintain lists of its participants and will maintain the positions (ownership interests) of shares of AMPS held by each Agent Member, whether as the Beneficial Owner thereof for its own account or as nominee for the Beneficial Owner thereof. Payments made by the Fund to holders of AMPS will be duly made by making payments to the nominee of the Securities Depository.
Auction Procedures
The following is a brief discussion of the procedures to be used in conducting Auctions. This summary is qualified by reference to the Auction Procedures set forth in Appendix C to the statement of additional information. The Settlement Procedures to be used with respect to Auctions are set forth in Appendix B to the statement of additional information.
Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends. An Auction to determine the Applicable Rate for the shares of the Series E AMPS offered hereby for each Dividend Period (other than the Initial Dividend Period therefor) will be held on the first Business Day (as hereinafter defined) preceding the first day of such Dividend Period, which first day is also a Dividend Payment Date for the preceding Dividend Period (the date of each Auction being referred to herein as an "Auction Date"). "Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in the City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close. Auctions for shares of the Series E AMPS for Dividend Periods after the Initial Dividend Period normally will be held every Friday after the preceding Dividend Payment Date, and each subsequent Dividend Period normally will begin on the following Monday (also a Dividend Payment Date). The Auction Date and the first day of the related Dividend Period for the Series E AMPS (both of which must be Business Days) need not be consecutive calendar days. For example, in most cases, if the Friday that normally would be an Auction Date for Series E AMPS is not a Business Day, then such Auction Date will be the preceding Thursday and the first day of the related Dividend Period will continue to be the following Monday. See "Description of AMPS -- Dividends" for information concerning the
circumstances under which a Dividend Payment Date may fall on a date other than the days specified above, which may affect the Auction Date.
Except as noted below, whenever the Fund intends to include any net capital gain or other income subject to regular Federal income taxes in any dividend on shares of AMPS, the Fund will notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at least five Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable Rate for such dividend is to be established. Whenever the Auction Agent receives such notice from the Fund, in turn it will notify each Broker-Dealer, who, on or prior to such Auction Date, in accordance with its Broker-Dealer Agreement, will notify its customers who are Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners believed to be interested in submitting an Order in the Auction to be held on such Auction Date. The Fund also may include such income in a dividend on shares of AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income were a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount were an Additional Dividend; provided that the Fund will notify the Auction Agent of the additional amounts to be included in such dividend at least five Business Days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. See "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Additional Dividends" above.
Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners, Existing Holders and Potential Holders. On or prior to each Auction Date:
(a) each Beneficial Owner may submit to its Broker-Dealer by telephone a:
(i) Hold Order -- indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS that such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares;
(ii) Bid -- indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS that such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares is not less than the rate per annum then specified by such Beneficial Owner; and/or
(iii) Sell Order -- indicating the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS that such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares; and
(b) Broker-Dealers will contact customers who are Potential Beneficial Owners of shares of AMPS to determine whether such Potential Beneficial Owners desire to submit Bids indicating the number of shares of AMPS which they offer to purchase provided that the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for such shares is not less than the rates per annum specified in such Bids.
The communication by a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner to a Broker-Dealer and the communication by a Broker-Dealer, whether or not acting for its own account, to the Auction Agent of the foregoing information is hereinafter referred to as an "Order" and collectively as "Orders." A Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order, including a Broker-Dealer acting in such capacity for its own account, is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder" and collectively as "Bidders." 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.
In an Auction, a Beneficial Owner may submit different types of Orders with respect to shares of AMPS then held by such Beneficial Owner, as well as Bids for additional shares of AMPS. For information concerning the priority given to different types of Orders placed by Beneficial Owners, see "Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent" below.
The Maximum Applicable Rate for shares of AMPS will be the higher of (A) the Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate or (B) the Applicable Spread plus the Reference Rate. The Auction Agent will round each applicable Maximum Applicable Rate to the nearest one-thousandth (0.001) of one percent per annum, with any
such number ending in five ten-thousandths of one percent being rounded upwards to the nearest one-thousandth (0.001) of one percent. The Auction Agent will not round the applicable Reference Rate as part of its calculation of the Maximum Applicable Rate.
The Maximum Applicable Rate for shares of AMPS will depend on the credit rating or ratings assigned to such shares. The Applicable Percentage and the Applicable Spread will be determined based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or ratings assigned on such date to such shares by Moody's and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both shall not make such rating available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings by a Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in the event that only one such rating shall be available, such rating) and (ii) whether the Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gain or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS as follows:
Applicable
Credit Ratings Percentage of Applicable Applicable Applicable
---------------------------------------- Reference Percentage of Spread Over Spread Over
Rate--No Reference Reference Rate Reference Rate
Moody's S&P Notification Rate--Notification --No Notification --Notification
--------------------- ----------------- --------------- --------------------- ----------------- -----------------
Aaa AAA 110% 125% 1.10% 1.25%
Aa3 to Aa1 AA- to AA+ 125% 150% 1.25% 1.50%
A3 to A1 A- to A+ 150% 200% 1.50% 2.00%
Baa3 to Baa1 BBB- to BBB+ 175% 250% 1.75% 2.50%
Below Baa3 Below BBB- 200% 300% 2.00% 3.00%
|
There is no minimum Applicable Rate in respect of any Dividend Period.
The Applicable Percentage and the Applicable Spread as so determined may be further subject to upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Fund after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, provided that immediately following any such increase, the Fund would be in compliance with the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. The Fund will take all reasonable action necessary to enable either S&P or Moody's, or both to provide a rating for the AMPS, subject to the Fund's ability to terminate compliance with the rating agency guidelines as discussed under "Rating Agency Guidelines." If either S&P or Moody's, or both, shall not make such a rating available, and subject to the Fund's ability to terminate compliance with the rating agency guidelines discussed under "Rating Agency Guidelines," Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and successors, after obtaining the Fund's approval, will select another NRSRO (a "Substitute Rating Agency") or two other NRSROs ("Substitute Rating Agencies") to act as a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.
Any Bid by a Beneficial Owner specifying a rate per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate will be treated as a Sell Order, and any Bid by a Potential Beneficial Owner specifying a rate per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate will not be considered. 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."
Neither the Fund nor the Auction Agent will be responsible for a Broker-Dealer's failure to comply with the foregoing.
A Broker-Dealer also may hold AMPS in its own account as a Beneficial Owner. A Broker-Dealer thus may submit Orders to the Auction Agent as a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner and therefore participate in an Auction as an Existing Holder or Potential Holder on behalf of both itself and its customers. Any Order placed with the Auction Agent by a Broker-Dealer as or on behalf of a Beneficial Owner or a Potential
Beneficial Owner will be treated in the same manner as an Order placed with a Broker-Dealer by a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. Similarly, any failure by a Broker-Dealer to submit to the Auction Agent an Order in respect of any AMPS held by it or its customers who are Beneficial Owners will be treated in the same manner as a Beneficial Owner's failure to submit to its Broker-Dealer an Order in respect of AMPS held by it, as described in the next paragraph. Inasmuch as a Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder only to represent the interests of a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner, whether it be its customers or itself, all discussion herein relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing Holders and Potential Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial ownership interests represented thereby. 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." Each purchase or sale in an Auction will be settled on the Business Day next succeeding the Auction Date at a price per share equal to $25,000. See "Notification of Results; Settlement" below.
If one or more Orders covering in the aggregate all of the outstanding shares of AMPS held by a Beneficial Owner are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline, either because a Broker-Dealer failed to contact such Beneficial Owner or otherwise, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not a Special Dividend Period of more than 28 days) and a Sell Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period of more than 28 days) to have been submitted on behalf of such Beneficial Owner covering the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
If all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders, the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction automatically shall be the same length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period, and the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for all shares of AMPS will be 60% of the Reference Rate on the date of the applicable Auction (or 90% of such rate if the Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gain or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS).
For the purposes of an Auction, shares of AMPS for which the Fund shall have given notice of redemption and deposited moneys therefor with the Auction Agent in trust or segregated in an account at the Fund's custodian bank for the benefit of holders of AMPS to be redeemed and for payment to the Auction Agent, as set forth under "Description of AMPS -- Redemption" in the statement of additional information, will not be considered as outstanding and will not be included in such Auction. Pursuant to the Articles Supplementary of the Fund, the Fund will be prohibited from reissuing and its affiliates (other than Merrill Lynch) will be prohibited from transferring (other than to the Fund) any shares of AMPS they may acquire. Neither the Fund nor any affiliate of the Fund may submit an Order in any Auction, except that an affiliate of the Fund that is a Broker-Dealer (i.e., Merrill Lynch) may submit an Order.
Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent. Prior to 1:00
p.m., Eastern time, on each Auction Date, or such other time on the Auction
Date as may be specified by the Auction Agent (the "Submission Deadline"),
each Broker-Dealer will submit to the Auction Agent in writing or through a
mutually acceptable electronic means 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 in respect
of the shares of AMPS 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 the rate per annum specified in any Bid contains more than three figures to the right of the decimal point, the Auction Agent will round such rate per annum up to the next highest one-thousandth (.001) of 1%.
If one or more Orders of an Existing Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent and such Orders cover in the aggregate more than the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, such Orders will be considered valid in the following order of priority:
(a) any Hold Order will be considered valid up to and including the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, provided that if more than one Hold Order is submitted by such Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number
of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Hold Orders will be reduced pro rata so that such Hold Orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder;
(b) any Bids will be considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per annum if more than one Bid is submitted by such Existing Holder, up to and including the excess of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to any Hold Order referred to in clause (a) above (and if more than one Bid submitted by such Existing Holder specifies the same rate per annum and together they cover more than the remaining number of shares that can be the subject of valid Bids after application of clause (a) above and of the foregoing portion of this clause (b) to any Bid or Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum, the number of shares subject to each of such Bids will be reduced pro rata so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining number of outstanding shares); and the number of outstanding shares, if any, subject to Bids not valid under this clause (b) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a Potential Holder; and
(c) any Sell Order will be considered valid up to and including
the excess of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such
Existing Holder over the sum of the number of shares of AMPS subject to
Hold Orders referred to in clause (a) above and the number of shares of
AMPS subject to valid Bids by such Existing Holder referred to in clause
(b) above; provided that, if more than one Sell Order is submitted by
any Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such
Sell Orders is greater than such excess, the number of shares of AMPS
subject to each of such Sell Orders will be reduced pro rata so that
such Sell Orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the number of
shares of AMPS equal to such excess.
If more than one Bid of any Potential Holder is submitted in any Auction, each Bid submitted in such Auction will be considered a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number of shares of AMPS therein specified.
Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate. Not earlier than the Submission Deadline for each Auction, the Auction Agent will assemble all 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 hereinafter being 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 will determine the excess of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS over the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Hold Orders (such excess being referred to as the "Available AMPS") and whether Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in such Auction. Sufficient Clearing Bids will have been made if the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids of Potential Holders with rates per annum not higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate equals or exceeds the number of outstanding shares that are the subject of Submitted Sell Orders (including the number of shares subject to Bids of Existing Holders specifying rates per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate).
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, the Auction Agent will determine the lowest rate per annum specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") which would result in the number of shares subject to Submitted Bids specifying such rate per annum or a lower rate per annum being at least equal to the Available AMPS. If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, the Winning Bid Rate will be the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for all shares of AMPS then outstanding.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), the Dividend Period next following the Auction automatically will be a 7-Day Dividend Period in the case of the Series E AMPS, and the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period will be equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made, Beneficial Owners that have Submitted Sell Orders will not be able to sell in the Auction all, and may not be able to sell any, shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Sell Orders. See "Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares." Thus, under some circumstances, Beneficial Owners may not have liquidity of investment.
Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares. Based on the determinations described under "Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate" and subject to the discretion of the Auction Agent to round 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 AMPS will sell, continue to hold and/or purchase shares of AMPS as set forth below. Existing Holders that submit or are deemed to have submitted Hold Orders will continue to hold the shares of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made:
(a) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum higher than the Winning Bid Rate or a Submitted Sell Order will sell the outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order;
(b) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum lower than the Winning Bid Rate will continue to hold the outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid;
(c) each Potential Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum lower than the Winning Bid Rate will purchase the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid;
(d) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate will continue to hold the outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids, unless the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids of Existing Holders is greater than the excess of the Available AMPS over the number of shares of AMPS accounted for in clauses (b) and (c) above, in which event each Existing Holder with such a Submitted Bid will sell a number of outstanding shares of AMPS determined on a pro rata basis based on the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids of such Existing Holders; and
(e) each Potential Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate will purchase any Available AMPS not accounted for in clause (b), (c) or (d) above on a pro rata basis based on the shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids of Potential Holders.
If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders):
(a) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate will continue to hold the outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid;
(b) each Potential Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate will purchase the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid; and
(c) each Existing Holder that placed a Submitted Bid specifying a rate per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate or a Submitted Sell Order will sell a number of outstanding shares of AMPS determined on a pro rata basis based on the outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders.
If as a result of the Auction Procedures described above 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 AMPS, the Auction Agent, in such manner as, in its sole discretion, it shall determine, will round up or down the number of shares of AMPS being sold or purchased on such Auction Date so that each share sold or purchased by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder will be a whole share of AMPS. If any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase less than a whole share of AMPS, the Auction Agent, in such manner as, in its sole discretion, it shall determine, will allocate shares of AMPS for purchase among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of AMPS
are purchased by any such Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any shares of AMPS.
Notification of Results; Settlement. The Auction Agent will advise each Broker-Dealer who submitted a Bid or Sell Order in an Auction whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected in whole or in part and of the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for the related shares of AMPS by telephone at approximately 3:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Auction Date for such Auction. Each such Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order for the account of a customer then will advise such customer whether such Bid or Sell Order was accepted or rejected, will confirm purchases and sales with each customer purchasing or selling shares of AMPS as a result of the Auction and will advise each customer purchasing or selling shares of AMPS to give instructions to its Agent Member of the Securities Depository to pay the purchase price against delivery of such shares or to deliver such shares against payment therefor as appropriate. If a customer selling shares of AMPS as a result of an Auction shall fail to instruct its Agent Member to deliver such shares, the Broker-Dealer that submitted such customer's Bid or Sell Order will instruct such Agent Member to deliver such shares against payment therefor. Each Broker-Dealer that submitted a Hold Order in an Auction on behalf of a customer also will advise such customer of the Applicable Rate for the next Dividend Period for the AMPS. The Auction Agent will record each transfer of shares of AMPS on the record book of Existing Holders to be maintained by the Auction Agent. In accordance with the Securities Depository's normal procedures, on the day after each 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 as necessary to effect the purchases and sales of shares of AMPS as determined in such 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 now provide for payment in same-day funds. If the procedures of the Securities Depository applicable to AMPS shall be changed to provide for payment in next-day funds, then purchasers may be required to make payment in next day funds. If any Existing Holder selling shares of AMPS in an Auction fails to deliver such shares, the Broker-Dealer of any person that was to have purchased shares of AMPS in such Auction may deliver to such person a number of whole shares of AMPS that is less than the number of shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such person. In such event, the number of shares of AMPS to be so delivered will be determined by such Broker- Dealer. Delivery of such lesser number of shares will constitute good delivery. Each Broker-Dealer Agreement also will provide that neither the Fund nor the Auction Agent will have responsibility or liability with respect to the failure of a Potential Beneficial Owner, Beneficial Owner or their respective Agent Members to deliver shares of AMPS or to pay for shares of AMPS purchased or sold pursuant to an Auction or otherwise.
Broker-Dealers
General. The Broker-Dealer Agreements provide that a Broker-Dealer may submit Orders in Auctions for its own account, unless the Fund notifies all Broker-Dealers that they no longer may do so; provided that Broker-Dealers may continue to submit Hold Orders and Sell Orders. If a Broker-Dealer submits an Order for its own account in any Auction of the AMPS, it may have knowledge of Orders placed through it in that Auction and therefore have an advantage over other Bidders, but such Broker-Dealer would not have knowledge of Orders submitted by other Broker-Dealers in that Auction. As a result of bidding by a Broker-Dealer in an Auction, the Applicable Rate may be higher or lower than the rate that would have prevailed had the Broker-Dealer not Bid.
A Broker-Dealer may also Bid in an Auction in order to prevent what would otherwise be (i) a failed Auction, (ii) an "all-hold" Auction, or (iii) an Applicable Rate that the Broker-Dealer believes, in its sole discretion, does not reflect the market for the AMPS at the time of the Auction. A Broker-Dealer may, but is not obligated to, advise Beneficial Owners of AMPS that the Applicable Rate that would apply in an "all-hold" Auction (i.e., all of the outstanding AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders) may be lower than would apply if Beneficial Owners submit Bids and such advice, if given, may facilitate the submission of Bids by Beneficial Owners that would avoid the occurrence of an "all-hold" Auction.
Commission Inquiries. Merrill Lynch has advised the Fund that it and various other broker-dealers and other firms that participate in the auction rate securities market received letters from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission last spring. The letters requested that each of these firms voluntarily conduct an investigation regarding its respective practices and procedures in that market. Pursuant to this request, Merrill
Lynch conducted its own voluntary review and reported its findings to the Commission staff. At the Commission staff's request, Merrill Lynch, together with certain other broker-dealers and other firms that participate in the auction rate securities market, is engaging in discussions with the Commission staff concerning its inquiry. Neither Merrill Lynch nor the Fund can predict the ultimate outcome of the inquiry or how that outcome will affect the market for the AMPS or the auctions.
Fees. The Auction Agent after each Auction will pay a service charge from funds provided by the Fund to each Broker-Dealer on the basis of the purchase price of shares of AMPS placed by such Broker-Dealer at such Auction. The service charge (i) for any 7-Day Dividend Period shall be payable at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the shares of AMPS placed by such Broker-Dealer in any such Auction and (ii) for any Special Dividend Period shall be determined by mutual consent of the Fund and any such Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers and shall be based upon a selling concession that would be applicable to an underwriting of fixed or variable rate preferred shares with a similar final maturity or variable rate dividend period, respectively, at the commencement of the Dividend Period with respect to such Auction. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, shares of AMPS will be placed by a Broker-Dealer if such shares were (i) the subject of Hold Orders deemed to have been made by Beneficial Owners that were acquired by such Beneficial Owners through such Broker-Dealer or (ii) the subject of the following Orders submitted by such Broker-Dealer: (A) a Submitted Bid of a Beneficial Owner that resulted in such Beneficial Owner continuing to hold such shares as a result of the Auction, (B) a Submitted Bid of a Potential Beneficial Owner that resulted in such Potential Beneficial Owner purchasing such shares as a result of the Auction or (C) a Submitted Hold Order. A Broker-Dealer may share a portion of any such fees with non-participating broker-dealers that submit Orders to the Broker-Dealer for an Auction that are placed by that Broker-Dealer in such Auction.
Secondary Trading Market. Broker-Dealers have no obligation to maintain a secondary trading market in the AMPS outside of Auctions and there can be no assurance that a secondary market for the AMPS 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 is subject to variables to be determined at the time of the trade by the Broker-Dealers). The AMPS will not be registered on any stock exchange or on any automated quotation system. An increase in the level of interest rates, particularly during any Long-Term Dividend Period, likely will have an adverse effect on the secondary market price of the AMPS, and a selling stockholder may sell AMPS between Auctions at a price per share of less than $25,000.
RATING AGENCY GUIDELINES
Certain of the capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined in this prospectus have the meaning provided in the Glossary at the back of this prospectus.
The Fund currently intends that, so long as shares of AMPS are outstanding and the AMPS are rated by Moody's and S&P, the composition of its portfolio will reflect guidelines established by Moody's and S&P in connection with the Fund's receipt of a rating for such shares on or prior to their Date of Original Issue of at least Aaa from Moody's and AAA from S&P. Moody's and S&P, which are NRSROs, issue ratings for various securities reflecting the perceived creditworthiness of such securities. The Board of Directors of the Fund, however, may determine that it is not in the best interest of the Fund to continue to comply with the guidelines of Moody's or S&P (described below). If the Fund voluntarily terminates compliance with Moody's or S&P guidelines, the Fund will no longer be required to maintain a Moody's Discounted Value or a S&P Discounted Value, as applicable, at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. If the Fund voluntarily terminates compliance with Moody's or S&P guidelines, or both, at the time of termination, it must continue to be rated by at least one NRSRO.
The guidelines described below have been developed by Moody's and S&P in connection with issuances of asset-backed and similar securities, including debt obligations and variable rate preferred stock, generally on a case-by-case basis through discussions with the issuers of these securities. The guidelines are designed to ensure that assets underlying outstanding debt or preferred stock will be varied sufficiently and will be of sufficient quality and amount to justify investment-grade ratings. The guidelines do not have the force of law but have been adopted by the Fund in order to satisfy current requirements necessary for Moody's and S&P to issue the above-described ratings for shares of AMPS, which ratings generally are relied upon by institutional investors in purchasing such securities. The guidelines provide a set of tests for portfolio composition and asset coverage that supplement (and in
some cases are more restrictive than) the applicable requirements under the 1940 Act. See "Description of AMPS -- Asset Maintenance" herein and in the statement of additional information.
The Fund intends to maintain a Discounted Value for its portfolio at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Moody's and S&P each has established separate guidelines for determining Discounted Value. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable rating agency's guidelines, all or a portion of such holding's value will not be included in the calculation of Discounted Value (as defined by such rating agency). The Moody's and S&P guidelines do not impose any limitations on the percentage of Fund assets that may be invested in holdings not eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio.
Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Fund will seek to alter the composition of its portfolio to reattain a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, thereby incurring additional transaction costs and possible losses and/or gains on dispositions of portfolio securities. To the extent any such failure is not cured in a timely manner, shares of AMPS will be subject to redemption. See "Description of AMPS -- Asset Maintenance" and "Description of AMPS -- Redemption" herein and in the statement of additional information.
The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to these guidelines that hereafter may be established by Moody's 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 shares of AMPS, at any time, may change or withdraw any such rating. As set forth in the Articles Supplementary, the Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, may modify certain definitions or restrictions that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the rating agency guidelines, provided the Board of Directors has obtained written confirmation from Moody's and S&P that any such change would not impair the ratings then assigned by Moody's and S&P to the AMPS.
As described by Moody's and S&P, a preferred stock rating is an assessment of the capacity and willingness of an issuer to pay preferred stock obligations. The ratings on the AMPS are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell shares of AMPS, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor, nor do the rating agency guidelines described above address the likelihood that a holder of shares of AMPS will be able to sell such shares in an Auction. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Moody's and S&P by the Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from other sources. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such information. The common stock has not been rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
For additional information concerning the Moody's and S&P ratings guidelines, see "Rating Agency Guidelines" in the statement of additional information.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Investment Adviser, which is owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. ("ML & Co."), a financial services holding company and the parent of Merrill Lynch, provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. The Investment Adviser acts as the investment adviser to more than 50 registered investment companies and offers investment advisory services to individuals and institutional accounts. As of [ ] 2005, the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. ("MLIM"), had a total of approximately $[ ] billion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management, including approximately $[ ] billion in fixed income assets. This amount includes assets managed by certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser is a limited partnership, the partners of which are ML & Co. and Princeton Services. The principal business address of the Investment Adviser is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, subject to the direction of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the actual management of the Fund's portfolio. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Investment Adviser, subject to review by the Board of Directors.
The portfolio manager primarily responsible for the Fund's day-to-day management is Michael A. Kalinoski. Mr. Kalinoski has been a Vice President and portfolio manager of MLIM since 1999 and has 12 years of experience investing in Municipal Bonds. The Fund's portfolio manager will consider analyses from various sources, make the necessary investment decisions, and place orders for transactions accordingly. The statement of additional information provides additional information about the Fund's portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager's ownership of securities of the Fund.
For its services, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets ("average weekly net assets" means the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, including the amount obtained from leverage and any proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, minus the sum of (i) accrued liabilities of the Fund, (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on outstanding borrowings and (iii) accumulated dividends on shares of preferred stock). For purposes of this calculation, average weekly net assets is determined at the end of each month on the basis of the average net assets of the Fund for each week during the month. The assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at the last business day of a week with the net assets at the last business day of the prior week. The liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock (other than accumulated dividends) is not considered a liability in determining the Fund's average weekly net assets.
The Investment Advisory Agreement obligates the Investment Adviser to provide investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and furnish office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, as well as the compensation of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, among other things, expenses for legal and auditing services, taxes, costs of preparing, printing and mailing proxies, listing fees, stock certificates and stockholder reports, charges of the custodian and the transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar, Securities and Exchange Commission fees, fees and expenses of non-interested Directors, accounting and pricing costs, insurance, interest, brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, mailing and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. Certain accounting services are provided to the Fund by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") pursuant to an agreement between State Street and the Fund. The Fund will pay the costs of these services. In addition, the Fund will reimburse the Investment Adviser for certain additional accounting services.
TAXES
To the extent derived from Municipal Bond interest income, dividends on the AMPS will be excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes in the hands of holders of such AMPS, subject to the possible application of the Federal alternative minimum tax and any state or local income taxes. Interest income from other investments may produce taxable dividends. The Fund is required to allocate net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, proportionately among the common stock and the AMPS and Other AMPS in accordance with the current position of the IRS described under the heading "Taxes" in the statement of additional information. The Fund may notify the Auction Agent of the amount of any net capital gain or other anticipated taxable income to be included in any dividend on the AMPS prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Dividend Rate for such dividend. The Auction Agent will in turn notify holders of the AMPS and prospective purchasers. The Fund also may include such income in a dividend on shares of AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income were a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount were an Additional Dividend. See "The Auction -- Auction Procedures --Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends." The amount of taxable income allocable to the AMPS will depend upon the amount of such income realized by the Fund and cannot be determined with certainty prior to the end of the Fund's fiscal year, but it is not generally expected to be significant.
If the Fund makes a Retroactive Taxable Allocation, it will pay Additional Dividends to holders of AMPS who are subject to the Retroactive Taxable Allocation. See "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Additional Dividends." The Federal income tax consequences of Additional Dividends under existing law are uncertain. The Fund intends to treat a holder as receiving a dividend distribution in the amount of any Additional Dividend only as and when such Additional Dividend is paid. An Additional Dividend generally will be designated by the Fund as an
exempt-interest dividend except as otherwise required by applicable law. However, the IRS may assert that all or part of an Additional Dividend is a taxable dividend either in the taxable year for which the Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made or in the taxable year in which the Additional Dividend is paid.
Generally within 60 days after the end of the Fund's taxable year, the Fund will tell you the amount of exempt-interest dividends and capital gain dividends you received during that year. Capital gain dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains to you regardless of how long you have held your shares.
The Fund will only purchase a Municipal Bond or Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Security if it is accompanied by an opinion of counsel to the issuer, which is delivered on the date of issuance of the security, that the interest paid on such security is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (i.e., "tax exempt"). To the extent that the dividends distributed by the Fund are from interest income that is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes, they are exempt from Federal income tax. There is a possibility that events occurring after the date of issuance of a security, or after a Fund's acquisition of a security, may result in a determination that the interest on that security is, in fact, includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes retroactively to its date of issue. Such a determination may cause a portion of prior distributions received by stockholders, including holders of AMPS, to be taxable to those stockholders in the year of receipt. The Fund will not pay an Additional Dividend to a holder of AMPS under these circumstances.
Because the Fund may from time to time invest a substantial portion of its portfolio in Municipal Bonds bearing income that could increase an AMPS holder's tax liability under the Federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund would not ordinarily be a suitable investment for investors who are subject to the alternative minimum tax.
If at any time when AMPS are outstanding the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to holders of common stock until the asset coverage is restored. See "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments" herein and in the statement of additional information. This may prevent the Fund from meeting certain distribution requirements for qualification as a RIC. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may, and under certain circumstances will be required to, redeem AMPS in order to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its stockholders of failing to qualify as a RIC. See "Description of AMPS -- Redemption" herein and in the statement of additional information. There can be no assurance, however, that any such action would achieve such objectives.
By law, your dividends and redemption proceeds will be subject to a withholding tax if you have not provided a tax identification number or social security number or if the number you have provided is incorrect.
This section summarizes some of the consequences of an investment in the Fund under current Federal income tax laws. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the applicability of any state or local taxes and with specific questions regarding Federal taxes.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The Fund is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $.10 per share, all of which shares initially were classified as common stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, however, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock into one or more additional or other classes or series as may be established from time to time by setting or changing in any one or more respects the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares of stock and pursuant to such classification or reclassification to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any existing class or series. In this regard, the Board of Directors previously reclassified 8,000 shares of unissued common stock as Other AMPS and reclassified 2,000 shares of unissued common stock as AMPS, which are being offered hereby. See "Description of AMPS" herein and in the statement of additional information.
The following table shows the amount of (i) capital stock authorized,
(ii) capital stock held by the Fund for its own account and (iii) capital
stock outstanding for each class of authorized securities of the Fund as of
April 30, 2005.
Amount
Outstanding
(Exclusive Of
Amount Held Amount Held
By Fund For By Fund For
Amount Its Own Its Own
Title of Class Authorized Account) Account)
----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ --------------- -----------------
Common Stock............................................ 199,992,000 - 0 - 30,425,258
Auction Market Preferred Stock
Series A............................................. 2,000 - 0 - - 2,000 -
Series B............................................. 2,000 - 0 - - 2,000 -
Series C............................................. 2,000 - 0 - - 2,000 -
Series D............................................. 2,000 - 0 - - 2,000 -
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The Fund will send unaudited reports at least semi-annually and audited annual financial statements to all of its stockholders.
Common Stock
Holders of common stock are entitled to share equally in dividends declared by the Board of Directors payable to holders of common stock and in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to holders of common stock after payment of the preferential amounts payable to holders of any outstanding preferred stock. Neither holders of common stock nor holders of preferred stock have pre-emptive or conversion rights and shares of common stock are not redeemable. The outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held and will vote with the holders of any outstanding shares of AMPS or other preferred stock, including the Other AMPS on each matter submitted to a vote of holders of common stock, except as described under "Description of AMPS -- Voting Rights" herein and in the statement of additional information.
Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share held. The shares of common stock, AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares of common stock, AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock voting for the election of Directors can elect all of the Directors standing for election by such holders, and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares of common stock, AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock will not be able to elect any of such Directors.
So long as any shares of the Fund's preferred stock are outstanding, including the AMPS and Other AMPS, holders of common stock will not be entitled to receive any net income of or other distributions from the Fund unless all accumulated dividends on preferred stock have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to preferred stock would be at least 200% after giving effect to such distributions. See "Description of AMPS -- Dividends -- Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments" herein and in the statement of additional information.
Preferred Stock
The Fund has issued an aggregate of 8,000 shares of Other AMPS. Under the Articles Supplementary for the AMPS, the Fund is authorized to issue an aggregate of 2,000 shares of Series E AMPS. The terms of the shares of the Other AMPS are substantially the same as the terms of the shares of the AMPS. See "Description of AMPS." Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is permitted to have outstanding more than one series of preferred stock as long as no single series has priority over another series as to the distribution of assets of the Fund or the payment of dividends. Neither holders of common stock nor holders of preferred stock have pre-emptive rights to purchase any shares of
AMPS, Other AMPS or any other preferred stock that might be issued. It is anticipated that the net asset value per share of the AMPS will equal its original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends per share.
Certain Provisions of the Charter and By-laws
The Fund's 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. A Director may be removed from office with or without cause but only by vote of the holders of at least 66 ?% of the shares entitled to vote in an election to fill that directorship. A director elected by all of the holders of capital stock may be removed only by action of such holders, and a director elected by the holders of AMPS and any other preferred stock may be removed only by action of the holders of AMPS and any other preferred stock.
In addition, the Charter requires the favorable vote of the holders of at least 66 ?% of the Fund's shares to approve, adopt or authorize the following:
o a merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with any other corporation;
o a sale of all or substantially all of the Fund's assets (other than in the regular course of the Fund's investment activities); or
o a liquidation or dissolution of the Fund;
unless such action has been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of Directors fixed in accordance with the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of a majority of the Fund's shares of capital stock is required. The approval, adoption or authorization of the foregoing also requires the favorable vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares (as defined in the 1940 Act) of preferred stock, including the AMPS and the Other AMPS, then entitled to be voted, voting as a separate class.
In addition, conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company would require an amendment to the Fund's Charter. The amendment would have to be declared advisable by the Board of Directors prior to its submission to stockholders. Such an amendment would require the favorable vote of the holders of at least 66 ?% of the Fund's outstanding shares of capital stock (including the AMPS, the Other AMPS and any other preferred stock) entitled to be voted on the matter, voting as a single class (or a majority of such shares if the amendment was previously approved, adopted or authorized by at least two-thirds of the total number of Directors fixed in accordance with the By-laws), and the affirmative vote of a majority of outstanding shares (as defined in the 1940 Act) of preferred stock of the Fund (including the AMPS and the Other AMPS), voting as a separate class. Such a vote also would satisfy a separate requirement in the 1940 Act that the change be approved by the stockholders. Stockholders 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 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of a redemption. If the Fund is converted to an open-end investment company, it could be required to liquidate portfolio securities to meet requests for redemption, and the common stock would no longer be listed on a stock exchange. Conversion to an open-end investment company would also require redemption of all outstanding shares of preferred stock (including the AMPS and the Other AMPS) and would require changes in certain of the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, such as those relating to the issuance of senior securities, the borrowing of money and the purchase of illiquid securities.
The Charter and By-laws provide that the Board of Directors has the
power to make, amend, alter or repeal any of the By-laws (except for any
By-law specified not to be altered or repealed by the Board), subject to the
requirements of the 1940 Act. Neither this provision of the Charter, nor any
of the foregoing provisions of the Charter requiring the affirmative vote of
66 ?% of shares of capital stock of the Fund, can be amended or repealed
except by the vote of such required number of shares.
The Board of Directors has determined that the 66 ?% voting requirements described above, which are greater than the minimum requirements under Maryland law or the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of stockholders generally. Reference should be made to the Charter on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the full text of these provisions.
CUSTODIAN
The Fund's securities and cash are held under a custodian agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
UNDERWRITING
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter") has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions contained in a purchase agreement with the Fund and the Investment Adviser, to purchase from the Fund all of the shares of AMPS offered hereby. The Underwriter has agreed to purchase all such shares if any are purchased.
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments the Underwriter may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The Underwriter is offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by its counsel, including the validity of the shares, and other conditions contained in the purchase agreement, such as the receipt by the Underwriter of officer's certificates and legal opinions. The Underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.
Commissions and Discounts
The Underwriter has advised the Fund that it proposes initially to offer the shares of AMPS to the public at the initial public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $137.50 per share. There is a sales charge or underwriting discount of $250 per share, which is equal to 1% of the initial public offering price per share. After the initial public offering, the public offering price and concession may be changed. Investors must pay for any AMPS purchased in the offering on or before [ ], 2005.
The expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discount, are estimated at $[150,000] and are payable by the Fund.
Other Relationships
Merrill Lynch acts in Auctions as a Broker-Dealer as set forth under "The Auction -- General -- Broker-Dealer Agreements" and will be entitled to fees for services as a Broker-Dealer as set forth under "The Auction -- Broker-Dealers." Merrill Lynch also may provide information to be used in ascertaining the Reference Rate.
The Fund also anticipates that Merrill Lynch may from time to time act as a broker in connection with the execution of its portfolio transactions. Merrill Lynch is an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. See "Investment Restrictions" and "Portfolio Transactions" in the statement of additional information.
The address of the Underwriter is 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080.
TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the Fund's shares of AMPS and Other AMPS is The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286. The transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent and registrar for the Fund's shares of common stock is EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021
ACCOUNTING SERVICES PROVIDER
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 500 College Road East, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, provides certain accounting services for the Fund.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the AMPS offered hereby are passed on for the Fund and the Underwriter by Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM AND EXPERTS
__________ is the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. The audited financial statements of the Fund and certain of the information appearing under the caption "Financial Highlights" included in this prospectus have been audited by _______, for the periods indicated in its report with respect thereto, and are included in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. _______ has an office at ____________.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act and in accordance therewith is required to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such reports and other information, including the Fund's Code of Ethics, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of such public reference facilities may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-942-8090. Copies of such materials can be obtained from the public reference section of the Commission by writing to 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates, or by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov. The Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing reports and information statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file electronically with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Fund can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
Additional information regarding the Fund is contained in the Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto, relating to such shares filed by the Fund with the Commission in Washington, D.C. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any amendments, 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 this prospectus 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 Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the Commission.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Page
Investment Objective and Policies............................................3
Investment Restrictions......................................................3
Description of AMPS..........................................................5
The Auction.................................................................12
Rating Agency Guidelines....................................................13
Directors and Officers......................................................21
Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements.............................28
Portfolio Transactions......................................................36
Taxes.......................................................................38
Conflicts of Interest.......................................................43
Net Asset Value.............................................................45
Financial Statements........................................................45
APPENDIX A Ratings of Municipal Bonds.....................................A-1
APPENDIX B Settlement Procedures..........................................B-1
APPENDIX C Auction Procedures.............................................C-1
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GLOSSARY
"Additional Dividend" has the meaning set forth on page [36] of this prospectus.
"Agent Member" means the member of the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a Beneficial Owner of one or more shares of AMPS or on behalf of a Potential Beneficial Owner.
"AMPS" means the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E with a par value of $.10 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) of the Fund.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount" has the meaning set forth on page [37] of this prospectus.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date" has the meaning set forth on page
[37] of this prospectus.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Report" has the meaning set forth on page [9] of the statement of additional information.
"Anticipation Notes" shall mean the following Municipal Bonds: revenue anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, grant anticipation notes and bond anticipation notes.
"Applicable Percentage" has the meaning set forth on page [41] of this prospectus.
"Applicable Rate" means the rate per annum at which cash dividends are payable on shares of AMPS for any Dividend Period.
"Applicable Spread" has the meaning set forth on page [41] of this prospectus.
"Articles Supplementary" means the Articles Supplementary of the Fund specifying the powers, preferences and rights of the shares of the AMPS.
"Auction" means a periodic operation of the Auction Procedures.
"Auction Agent" means The Bank of New York unless and until another commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Fund or a duly authorized committee thereof enters into an agreement with the Fund to follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate and to act as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the AMPS.
"Auction Agent Agreement" means the agreement entered into between the Fund and the Auction Agent which provides, among other things, that the Auction Agent will follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate.
"Auction Date" has the meaning set forth on page [40] of this prospectus.
"Auction Procedures" means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth in Appendix C to the statement of additional information.
"Available AMPS" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Beneficial Owner" 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 AMPS or a Broker-Dealer that holds AMPS for its own account.
"Bid" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Bidder" has the meaning set forth on page [41] of this prospectus.
"Board of Directors" or "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Fund.
"Broker-Dealer" means any broker-dealer, or other entity permitted by law to perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer in the Auction Procedures, that has been selected by the Fund and has entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent that remains effective.
"Broker-Dealer Agreement" means an agreement entered into between the Auction Agent and a Broker- Dealer, including Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, pursuant to which such Broker-Dealer agrees to follow the Auction Procedures.
"Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
"Cede" means Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and in whose name the shares of AMPS initially will be registered.
"Charter" means the Articles of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented (including the Articles Supplementary and the Other AMPS Articles Supplementary), of the Fund.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Common stock" means the common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Fund.
"Date of Original Issue" means, with respect to each share of AMPS, the date on which such share first is issued by the Fund.
"Deposit Securities" means cash and Municipal Bonds rated at least A2 (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), P-1, VMIG-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's or A (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P or A (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less) or F-1+ by Fitch.
"Discount Factor" means a Moody's Discount Factor or an S&P Discount Factor, as the case may be.
"Discounted Value" means (i) with respect to an S&P Eligible Asset, the quotient of the fair market value thereof divided by the applicable S&P Discount Factor and (ii) with respect to a Moody's Eligible Asset, the lower of par and the quotient of the fair market value thereof divided by the applicable Moody's Discount Factor.
"Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth on page [34] of this prospectus.
"Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page [35] of this prospectus.
"DTC" means The Depository Trust Company.
"Eligible Assets" means Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as the case may be.
"Existing Holder" means a Broker-Dealer or any such other person as may be permitted by the Fund that is listed as the holder of record of shares of AMPS in the records of the Auction Agent.
"Fitch" means Fitch Ratings or its successors.
"Forward Commitment" has the meaning set forth on page [20] of the statement of additional information.
"Fund" means MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation that is the issuer of the AMPS.
"High Yield Municipal Bonds" means (a) with respect to Moody's (1) Municipal Bonds rated Ba1 to B3 by Moody's, (2) Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's, but rated BB+ to B- by S&P or Fitch, and (3) Municipal Bonds not explicitly rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, but rated at least the equivalent of B3 internally by the Investment Adviser, provided that Moody's reviews and achieves sufficient comfort with the Investment Adviser's internal credit rating processes, and (b) with respect to S&P (1) Municipal Bonds not rated by S&P but rated equivalent to BBB+ or lower by another NRSRO and (2) Municipal Bonds rated BB+ or lower by S&P.
"Hold Order" has the meaning set forth on page [40] of this prospectus.
"Initial Dividend Payment Date" means the first Dividend Payment Date for the Series E AMPS.
"Initial Dividend Period" means the period from and including the Date of Original Issue to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date for the Series E AMPS.
"Initial Margin" means the amount of cash or securities deposited with a broker as a margin payment at the time of purchase or sale of a financial futures contract.
"Inverse Floaters" means trust certificates or other instruments evidencing interests in one or more Municipal Bonds that qualify as (i) S&P Eligible Assets the interest rates on which are adjusted at short term intervals on a basis that is inverse to the simultaneous readjustment of the interest rates on corresponding floating rate trust certificates or other instruments issued by the same issuer, provided that the ratio of the aggregate dollar amount of floating rate instruments to inverse floating rate instruments issued by the same issuer does not exceed one to one at their time of original issuance unless the floating rate instrument has only one reset remaining until maturity or (ii) Moody's Eligible Assets the interest rates on which are adjusted at short term intervals on a basis that is inverse to the simultaneous readjustment of the interest rates on corresponding floating rate trust certificates or other instruments issued by the same issuer, provided that (a) such Inverse Floaters are rated by Moody's with the Investment Adviser having the capability to collapse (or relink) within seven days as a liquidity enhancement measure, and (b) the issuer of such Inverse Floaters employs a leverage factor (i.e., the ratio of underlying capital appreciation bonds or other instruments to residual long-term derivative instruments) of not more than 2:1.
"Investment Adviser" means Fund Asset Management, L.P.
"IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"LIBOR Dealer" means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and such other dealer or dealers as the Fund from time to time may appoint or, in lieu thereof, their respective affiliates and successors.
"LIBOR Rate," on any Auction Date, means (i) the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period, which appears on display page 3750 of Moneyline's 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 day 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 of 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 Fund's 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 Fund's approval) that is representative of a 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, the LIBOR Rate shall be the
LIBOR Rate as determined on the previous Auction Date. If the number of
Dividend Period days shall be (i) 7 or more but fewer than 21 days, such rate
shall be the seven-day LIBOR rate; (ii) 21 or more but fewer than 49 days,
such rate shall be the one-month LIBOR rate; (iii) 49 or more but fewer than
77 days, such rate shall be the two-month LIBOR rate; (iv) 77 or more but
fewer than 112 days, such rate shall be the three-month LIBOR rate; (v) 112 or
more but fewer than 140 days, such rate shall be the four-month LIBOR rate;
(vi) 140 or more but fewer than 168 days, such rate shall be the five-month
LIBOR rate; (vii) 168 or more but fewer than 189 days, such rate shall be the
six-month LIBOR rate; (viii) 189 or more but fewer than 217 days, such rate
shall be the seven-month LIBOR rate; (ix) 217 or more but fewer than 252 days,
such rate shall be the eight-month LIBOR rate; (x) 252 or more but fewer than
287 days, such rate shall be the nine-month LIBOR rate; (xi) 287 or more but
fewer than 315 days, such rate shall be the ten-month LIBOR rate; (xii) 315 or
more but fewer than 343 days, such rate shall be the eleven-month LIBOR rate;
and (xiii) 343 or more but fewer than 365 days, such rate shall be the
twelve-month LIBOR rate.
"London Business Day" means any day on which commercial banks are generally open for business in London.
"Long Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than five years.
"Mandatory Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth on page [38] of this prospectus.
"Marginal Tax Rate" means the maximum marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or the maximum marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate, whichever is greater.
"Maximum Applicable Rate" has the meaning set forth on page [41] of this prospectus.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successors.
"Moody's Discount Factor" has the meaning set forth on pages [16 to 17] of the statement of additional information.
"Moody's Eligible Assets" has the meaning set forth on pages [17 to 18] of the statement of additional information.
"Moody's Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth on page [18] of the statement of additional information.
"Moody's Volatility Factor" means 272% as long as there has been no increase enacted to the Marginal Tax Rate. If such an increase is enacted but not yet implemented, the Moody's Volatility Factor shall be as follows:
% Change in Moody's Volatility Marginal Tax Rate Factor --------------------------------------------- ------------------ <5%....................................... 292% >5% but = 10%............................. 313% >10% but = 15%............................ 338% >15% but = 20%............................ 364% >20% but = 25%............................ 396% >25% but = 30%............................ 432% >30% but = 35%............................ 472% >35% but = 40%............................ 520% |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Moody's Volatility Factor may mean such other potential dividend rate increase factor as Moody's advises the Fund in writing is applicable.
"Municipal Bonds" has the meaning set forth on page [19] of this prospectus.
"Municipal Index" has the meaning set forth on page [15] of the statement of additional information.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
"1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage" has the meaning set forth on page [37] of this prospectus.
"1940 Act Cure Date" has the meaning set forth on page [37] of this prospectus.
"Non-Call Period" has the meaning set forth under "Specific Redemption Provisions" below.
"Non-Payment Period" has the meaning set forth on page [7] of the statement of additional information.
"Non-Payment Period Rate" has the meaning set forth on page [7] of the statement of additional information.
"Normal Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth on page [34] of this prospectus.
"Notice of Revocation" has the meaning set forth on page [6] of the statement of additional information.
"Notice of Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page
[35] of this prospectus.
"NRSRO" means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as that term is used in Rule 15a3-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions.
"Optional Redemption Price" has the meaning set forth on page [37] of this prospectus.
"Order" has the meaning set forth on page [41] of this prospectus.
"Other AMPS" means the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A; the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B; the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C; and the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D, each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) of the Fund.
"Other AMPS Articles Supplementary" means the Articles Supplementary, as amended and supplemented, of the Fund specifying the powers, preferences and rights of the shares of the Other AMPS.
"Potential Beneficial Owner" means a customer of a Broker-Dealer or a Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of shares of AMPS but that wishes to purchase such shares, or that is a Beneficial Owner that wishes to purchase additional shares of AMPS.
"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 shares of AMPS (or, in the case of an Existing Holder, additional shares of AMPS).
"Preferred stock" means preferred stock of the Fund and includes the
AMPS.
"Premium Call Period" has the meaning set forth under "Specific Redemption Provisions" below.
"Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold" for Moody's has the meaning set forth under the definition of Moody's Discount Factor, and for S&P has the meaning set forth under the definition of S&P Discount Factor.
"Reference Banks" means four major banks in the London interbank market selected by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates or successors or such other party as the Fund may from time to time appoint.
"Reference Rate" means: (i) with respect to a Dividend Period having 364 or fewer days, the higher of the applicable LIBOR Rate and the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate, or (ii) with respect to any Dividend Period having 365 or more days, the applicable Treasury Index Rate.
"Request for Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page
[35] of this prospectus.
"Response" has the meaning set forth on page [35] of this prospectus.
"Retroactive Taxable Allocation" has the meaning set forth on page [36] of this prospectus.
"Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds" means investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that comply with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 thereunder.
"Series E AMPS" means the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E, with a par value of $.05 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared), of the Fund.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's or its successors.
"S&P Discount Factor" has the meaning set forth on pages [13 to 14] of the statement of additional information.
"S&P Eligible Assets" has the meaning set forth on pages [14 to 15] of the statement of additional information.
"S&P Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth on page [15] of the statement of additional information.
"S&P Volatility Factor" means 277% or such other potential dividend rate increase factor as S&P advises the Fund in writing is applicable.
"Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company and its successors and assigns or any successor securities depository selected by the Fund that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository in connection with shares of AMPS.
"Sell Order" has the meaning specified in Subsection 10(b)(i) of the Auction Procedures.
"7-Day Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of seven days.
"Short Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a specified number of days (other than seven) evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer than seven days nor more than 364 days.
"Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth on page [33] of this prospectus.
"Specific Redemption Provisions" means, with respect to a Special Dividend Period, either, or any combination of, (i) a period (a "Non-Call Period") determined by the Board of Directors of the Fund, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall not be subject to redemption at the option of the Fund and (ii) a period (a "Premium Call Period"), consisting of a number of whole years and determined by the Board of Directors of the Fund, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during each year of which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall be redeemable at the Fund's option at a price per share equal to $25,000 plus
accumulated but unpaid dividends plus a premium expressed as a percentage of $25,000, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Fund after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers.
"Submission Deadline" has the meaning set forth on page [42] of this prospectus.
"Submitted Bid" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Submitted Hold Order" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Submitted Order" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Submitted Sell Order" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Subsequent Dividend Period" means each Dividend Period after the Initial Dividend Period.
"Substitute Rating Agency" and "Substitute Rating Agencies" shall mean a NRSRO or two NRSROs, respectively, selected by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or its respective affiliates and successors, after obtaining the Fund's approval, to act as a substitute rating agency or substitute rating agencies, as the case may be, to determine the credit ratings of the AMPS.
"Sufficient Clearing Bids" has the meaning set forth on page [43] of this prospectus.
"Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate" on any date means 90% of the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the Kenny S&P 30-day High Grade Index (the "Kenny Index") or any successor index, made available for the Business Day immediately preceding such date but in any event not later than 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor thereto, based upon 30-day yield evaluations at par of bonds the interest on which is excludable for regular Federal income tax purposes under the Code of "high grade" component issuers selected by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any such successor from time to time in its discretion, which component issuers shall include, without limitation, issuers of general obligation bonds but shall exclude any bonds the interest on which constitutes an item of tax preference under Section 57(a)(5) of the Code, or successor provisions, for purposes of the "alternative minimum tax," divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal); provided, however, that if the Kenny Index is not made so available by 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor, the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate shall mean the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the most recent Kenny Index so made available for any preceding Business Day, divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal). The Fund may not utilize a successor index to the Kenny Index unless Moody's and S&P provide the Fund with written confirmation that the use of such successor index will not adversely affect the then-current respective Moody's and S&P ratings of the AMPS.
"Treasury Bonds" means U.S. Treasury Bonds or Notes.
"Treasury Index Rate" means the average yield to maturity for actively traded marketable fixed interest rate U.S. Treasury Securities having the same number of 30-day periods to maturity as the length of the applicable Dividend Period, determined, to the extent necessary, by linear interpolation based upon the yield for such securities having the next shorter and next longer number of 30-day periods to maturity treating all Dividend Periods with a length greater than the longest maturity for such securities as having a length equal to such longest maturity, in all cases based upon data set forth in the most recent weekly statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (currently in H.15(519)); provided, however, if the most recent such statistical release shall not have been published during the 15 days preceding the date of computation, the foregoing computations shall be based upon the average of comparable data as quoted to the Fund by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. Government Securities selected by the Fund.
"U.S. Treasury Securities" means direct obligations of the United States Treasury that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States government.
"Valuation Date" has the meaning set forth on page [37] of this prospectus.
"Variation Margin" means, in connection with an outstanding futures contract owned or sold by the Fund, the amount of cash or securities paid to or received from a broker (subsequent to the Initial Margin payment) from time to time as the price of such futures contract fluctuates.
"Winning Bid Rate" has the meaning set forth on page [44] of this prospectus.
$50,000,000
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.
Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS")
2,000 Shares, Series E
Liquidation Preference $25,000 Per Share
Merrill Lynch & Co.
[ ], 2005
CODE #[ ]
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion Preliminary Statement of Additional Information dated July 21, 2005
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
$50,000,000
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.
Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS")
2,000 Shares, Series E
Liquidation Preference $25,000 per Share
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company seeking to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of an aggregate of the Fund's net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock), plus the amounts of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations the interest on which, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax). The Fund invests in a portfolio of municipal obligations which are rated high grade (A or better) or, if unrated, are considered by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as "private activity bonds," as discussed within, that may subject certain investors in the Fund to an alternative minimum tax. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be realized.
Certain capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this statement of additional information have the meaning provided in the Glossary included as part of the prospectus.
This statement of additional information is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Fund, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and can be obtained, without charge, by calling (800) 543-6217. The prospectus is incorporated by reference into this statement of additional information, and this statement of additional information is incorporated by reference into the prospectus.
Merrill Lynch & Co.
The date of this statement of additional information is [ ], 2005.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Investment Objective and Policies.............................................3 Investment Restrictions.......................................................3 Description of AMPS...........................................................5 The Auction..................................................................12 Rating Agency Guidelines.....................................................13 Directors and Officers.......................................................21 Investment Advisory and Management Arrangements..............................28 Portfolio Transactions.......................................................36 Taxes........................................................................38 Conflicts of Interest........................................................43 Net Asset Value..............................................................45 Financial Statements.........................................................45 APPENDIX A Ratings Of Municipal Bonds .....................................A-1 APPENDIX B Settlement Procedures ..........................................B-1 APPENDIX C Auction Procedures .............................................C-1 |
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company seeking to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from Federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, as a fundamental policy, at least 80% of an aggregate of the Fund's net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock), and the proceeds of any borrowings for investment purposes, in a portfolio of municipal obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, each of which pays interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (except that the interest may be includable in taxable income for purposes of the Federal alternative minimum tax) ("Municipal Bonds"). The Fund invests in Municipal Bonds which are rated high grade (A or better) or, if unrated, are considered by the Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest in certain tax exempt securities classified as "private activity bonds," as discussed within, that may subject certain investors in the Fund to an alternative minimum tax. There can be no assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be realized.
Reference is made to "Investment Objective and Policies" and "Other Investment Policies" in the prospectus for information regarding other types of securities that the Fund may invest in to achieve its objective.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following are fundamental investment restrictions of the Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares of common stock and outstanding shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting as a separate class (which for this purpose and under the 1940 Act means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of each class of capital stock represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of each class of capital stock). The Fund may not:
1. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.
2. Purchase securities of other investment companies, except (i) in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization, (ii) by purchase of shares of tax-exempt money market funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates (as defined in the 1940 Act) to the extent permitted by an exemptive order issued to the Fund by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or (iii) by purchase in the open market of securities of closed-end investment companies and only if immediately thereafter no more than 10% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in such securities.
3. Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnerships, commodities or commodity contracts; provided that the Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein, and the Fund may purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon.
4. Issue senior securities other than preferred stock or borrow amounts in excess of 5% of its total assets taken at market value; provided, however, that the Fund is authorized to borrow money in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets for the purpose of repurchasing shares of common stock or redeeming shares of preferred stock.
5. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in selling portfolio securities.
6. Make loans to other persons, except that the Fund may purchase Municipal Bonds and other debt securities in accordance with its investment objective, policies and limitations.
7. Purchase any securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities (the deposit or payment by the Fund of initial or variation margin in connection with financial futures contracts and options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin).
8. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position or invest in put, call, straddle or spread options, except that the Fund may write, purchase and sell options and futures on Municipal Bonds, U.S. Government obligations and related indices or otherwise in connection with bona fide hedging activities.
9. Invest more than 25% of its total assets (taken at market value at the time of each investment) in the securities of issuers in a single industry; provided that, for purposes of this restriction, states, municipalities and their political subdivisions are not considered to be part of any industry.
For purposes of investment restriction (4) above, the Fund may borrow
moneys in excess of 5% of the value of its total assets to the extent
permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or otherwise as permitted by
applicable law for the purpose of repurchasing shares of common stock or
redeeming shares of preferred stock. For purposes of investment restriction
(9) above, the exception for states, municipalities and their political
subdivisions applies only to tax exempt securities issued by such entities.
An additional investment restriction adopted by the Fund, which may be changed by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval, provides that the Fund may not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any securities owned or held by the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings mentioned in investment restriction (4) above or except as may be necessary in connection with transactions in financial futures contracts and options thereon.
If a percentage restriction on investment policies or the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.
The Fund is classified as non-diversified within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that the Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of its assets that it may invest in securities of a single issuer. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund's investments are limited, however, in order to allow the Fund to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). See "Taxes." To qualify, the Fund complies with certain requirements, including limiting its investments so that at the close of each quarter of the taxable year (i) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer or in qualified publicly traded partnerships as defined in the Code and (ii) with respect to 50% of the market value of its total assets, not more than 5% of the market value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and the Fund will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. For purposes of this restriction, the Fund will regard each state and each political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of such state and each multi-state agency of which such state is a member and each public authority which issues securities on behalf of a private entity as a separate issuer, except that if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of a non-government entity then the entity with the ultimate responsibility for the payment of interest and principal may be regarded as the sole issuer. These tax-related limitations may be changed by the Board of Directors of the Fund to the extent necessary to comply with changes in the Federal tax requirements. A fund that elects to be classified as "diversified" under the 1940 Act must satisfy the foregoing 5% and 10% requirements with respect to 75% of its total assets.
The Investment Adviser of the Fund and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch") are owned and controlled by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co."). Because of the affiliation of Merrill Lynch with the Investment Adviser, the Fund is prohibited from engaging in certain transactions involving Merrill Lynch except pursuant to an exemptive order or otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Included among such restricted transactions will be purchases from or sales to Merrill Lynch of securities in transactions in which it acts as principal. See "Portfolio Transactions" in this statement of additional information.
DESCRIPTION OF AMPS
Certain of the capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined in this statement of additional information have the meaning provided in the Glossary at the back of the prospectus.
The Series E AMPS will be shares of preferred stock that entitle their holders to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, at a rate per annum that may vary for the successive Dividend Periods. After the Initial Dividend Period, each Subsequent Dividend Period for the Series E AMPS generally will be a 7-Day Dividend Period; provided however, that prior to any Auction, the Fund may elect, subject to certain limitations described herein, upon giving notice to holders thereof, a Special Dividend Period. The Applicable Rate for a particular Dividend Period will be determined by an Auction conducted on the Business Day before the start of such Dividend Period. Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners of shares of AMPS may participate in Auctions therefor, although, except in the case of a Special Dividend Period of more than 28 days, Beneficial Owners desiring to continue to hold all of their shares of AMPS regardless of the Applicable Rate resulting from Auctions need not participate. For an explanation of Auctions and the method of determining the Applicable Rate, see Appendix C "Auction Procedures."
Except as otherwise required by law or unless there is no Securities Depository, all outstanding shares of the AMPS will be represented by one or more certificates registered in the name of the nominee of the Securities Depository (initially expected to be Cede), and no person acquiring shares of AMPS will be entitled to receive a certificate representing such shares. See Appendix C "Auction Procedures." As a result, the nominee of the Securities Depository is expected to be the sole holder of record of the shares of AMPS. Accordingly, each purchaser of AMPS must rely on (i) the procedures of the Securities Depository and, if such purchaser is not a member of the Securities Depository, such purchaser's Agent Member, to receive dividends, distributions and notices and to exercise voting rights (if and when applicable) and (ii) the records of the Securities Depository and, if such purchaser is not a member of the Securities Depository, such purchaser's Agent Member, to evidence its beneficial ownership of shares of AMPS.
When issued and sold, the shares of AMPS will have a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) and will be fully paid and non-assessable. See "Description of AMPS -- Liquidation Rights" in the prospectus. The shares of AMPS will not be convertible into shares of common stock or other capital stock of the Fund, and the holders thereof will have no preemptive rights. The AMPS will not be subject to any sinking fund but will be subject to redemption at the option of the Fund at the Optional Redemption Price on any Dividend Payment Date (except during the Initial Dividend Period and during a Non-Call Period) and, under certain circumstances, will be subject to mandatory redemption by the Fund at the Mandatory Redemption Price stated in the prospectus. See "Description of AMPS -- Redemption" in the prospectus.
The Fund also has outstanding four series of shares of Other AMPS with terms that are substantially the same as the terms of the shares of AMPS described herein and in the prospectus. Cede, the nominee of the Securities Depository, 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041-0099, is the sole holder of record of the shares of Other AMPS. The Series E AMPS offered hereby rank on a parity with the Other AMPS with respect to dividends and liquidation preference.
In addition to serving as the Auction Agent in connection with the Auction Procedures described in the prospectus, The Bank of New York will be the transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the shares of AMPS. The Auction Agent, however, will serve merely as the agent of the Fund, acting in accordance with the Fund's instructions, and will not be responsible for any evaluation or verification of any matters certified to it.
Except in an Auction, the Fund will have the right (to the extent permitted by applicable law) to purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of AMPS so long as the Fund is current in the payment of dividends on AMPS and on any other capital stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with the AMPS, including the Other AMPS, with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation. Any shares of AMPS redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund may not be reissued.
The following supplements the description of the terms of the shares of AMPS set forth in the prospectus. This description does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Fund's Charter and Articles Supplementary, including the provisions thereof establishing the AMPS. The Fund's Charter and the form of Articles Supplementary establishing the terms of the AMPS have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this statement of additional information is a part.
Dividends
General. The holders of shares of the Series E AMPS will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Fund, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends on their shares, at the Applicable Rate. Dividends on the shares of AMPS so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and in priority over any dividends so declared and payable on the common stock, and (ii) to the extent permitted under the Code and to the extent available, out of net tax-exempt income earned on the Fund's investments. Generally, dividends on shares of AMPS, to the extent that they are derived from interest paid on Municipal Bonds, will be exempt from Federal income taxes, subject to possible application of the alternative minimum tax. See "Taxes."
Notification of Dividend Period. In determining whether the Fund should
issue a Notice of Special Dividend for the AMPS, the Broker-Dealers will
consider (i) existing short-term and long-term market rates and indices of
such short-term and long-term rates, (ii) existing market supply and demand
for short-term and long-term securities, (iii) existing yield curves for
short-term and long-term securities comparable to the AMPS, (iv) industry and
financial conditions that may affect the AMPS, (v) the investment objective of
the Fund, and (vi) the Dividend Periods and dividend rates at which current
and potential beneficial holders of the AMPS would remain or become beneficial
holders. If the Broker-Dealers shall not give the Fund a Response by such
second Business Day or if the Response states that given the factors set forth
above it is not advisable that the Fund give a Notice of Special Dividend
Period for the AMPS, the Fund may not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period
in respect of such Request for Special Dividend Period. In the event the
Response indicates that it is advisable that the Fund give a Notice of Special
Dividend Period for the AMPS, the Fund, by no later than the second Business
Day prior to such Auction Date, may give a notice (a "Notice of Special
Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the Securities Depository and each
Broker-Dealer, which notice will specify (i) the duration of the Special
Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption Price as specified in the
related Response and (iii) the Specific Redemption Provisions, if any, as
specified in the related Response. The Fund also shall provide a copy of such
Notice of Special Dividend Period to Moody's and S&P. The Fund shall not give
a Notice of Special Dividend Period, and, if such Notice of Special Dividend
Period shall have been given already, shall give telephonic and written notice
of its revocation (a "Notice of Revocation") to the Auction Agent, each
Broker-Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or prior to the Business Day
prior to the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the 1940 Act AMPS Asset
Coverage is not satisfied or the Fund shall fail to maintain S&P Eligible
Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value at
least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, in each case on the
Valuation Date immediately preceding the Business Day prior to the relevant
Auction Date on an actual basis and on a pro forma basis giving effect to the
proposed Special Dividend Period (using as a pro forma dividend rate with
respect to such Special Dividend Period the dividend rate which the
Broker-Dealers shall advise the Fund is an approximately equal rate for
securities similar to the AMPS with an equal dividend period), (y) sufficient
funds for the payment of dividends payable on the immediately succeeding
Dividend Payment Date have not been segregated in an account at the Fund's
custodian bank or on the books of the Fund by the close of business on the
third Business Day preceding the related Auction Date or (z) the
Broker-Dealers jointly advise the Fund that, after consideration of the
factors listed above, they have concluded that it is advisable to give a
Notice of Revocation. The Fund also shall provide a copy of such Notice of
Revocation to Moody's and S&P. If the Fund is prohibited from giving a Notice
of Special Dividend Period as a result of the factors enumerated in clause
(x), (y) or (z) above or if the Fund gives a Notice of Revocation with respect
to a Notice of Special Dividend Period, the next succeeding Dividend Period
will be a 7-Day Dividend Period. In addition, in the event Sufficient Clearing
Bids are not made in any Auction or an Auction is not held for any reason, the
next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 7-Day Dividend Period, and the Fund
may not again give a Notice of Special Dividend Period (and any such attempted
notice shall be null and void) until Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made
in an Auction with respect to a 7-Day Dividend Period.
Non-Payment Period; Late Charge. A Non-Payment Period will commence if the Fund fails to (i) declare, prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding any Dividend Payment Date, for payment on or
(to the extent permitted as described below) within three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date to the persons who held such shares as of 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the full amount of any dividend on shares of AMPS payable on such Dividend Payment Date or (ii) deposit, irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Auction Agent by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, (A) on such Dividend Payment Date the full amount of any cash dividend on such shares (if declared) payable on such Dividend Payment Date or (B) on any redemption date for shares of AMPS called for redemption, the Mandatory Redemption Price per share of such AMPS or, in the case of an optional redemption, the Optional Redemption Price per share. Such Non-Payment Period will consist of the period commencing on and including the aforementioned Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case may be, and ending on and including the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, all unpaid cash dividends and unpaid redemption prices shall have been so deposited or otherwise shall have been made available to the applicable holders in same-day funds, provided that a Non-Payment Period for AMPS will not end unless the Fund shall have given at least five days' but no more than 30 days' written notice of such deposit or availability to the Auction Agent, the Securities Depository and all holders of shares of AMPS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by the Fund to deposit funds as provided for by clause (ii) (A) or (ii) (B) above within three Business Days after any Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case may be, in each case to the extent contemplated below, shall not constitute a "Non-Payment Period."
The Applicable Rate for each Dividend Period for shares of AMPS, commencing during a Non-Payment Period, will be equal to the Non-Payment Period Rate; and each Dividend Period commencing after the first day of, and during, a Non-Payment Period shall be a 7-Day Dividend Period. Any dividend on shares of AMPS due on any Dividend Payment Date for such shares (if, prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the Fund has declared such dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the persons who held such shares as of 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date) or redemption price with respect to such shares not paid to such persons when due may be paid to such persons in the same form of funds by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on any of the first three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date or due date, as the case may be, provided that such amount is accompanied by a late charge calculated for such period of non-payment at the Non-Payment Period Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on the actual number of days comprising such period divided by 365. In the case of a willful failure of the Fund to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem any shares of AMPS on the date set for such redemption, the preceding sentence shall not apply and the Applicable Rate for the Dividend Period commencing during the Non-Payment Period resulting from such failure shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate. For the purposes of the foregoing, payment to a person in same-day funds on any Business Day at any time will be considered equivalent to payment to that person in New York Clearing House (next-day) funds at the same time on the preceding Business Day, and any payment made after 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on any Business Day shall be considered to have been made instead in the same form of funds and to the same person before 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the next Business Day.
The Non-Payment Period Rate initially will be 200% of the applicable Reference Rate (or 300% of such rate if the Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gain or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS), provided that the Board of Directors of the Fund shall have the authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time by resolution or otherwise the initial Non-Payment Period Rate if the Board of Directors of the Fund determines and Moody's and S&P (and any Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be, in lieu of Moody's or S&P, or both, in the event either or both of such parties shall not rate the AMPS) advise the Fund in writing that such adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect their then current ratings on the AMPS.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments. For so long as any shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Fund will not declare, pay or set apart for payment 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 shares of AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation) in respect of common stock or any other stock of the Fund ranking junior to or on a parity with shares of AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation, or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of common stock or any other such junior stock (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Fund ranking junior to AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation) or any such parity stock (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Fund ranking junior to or on a parity with AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after
such transaction, the Fund would have S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage (see "Asset Maintenance" and "Redemption" below) would be satisfied, (B) full cumulative dividends on shares of AMPS and shares of the Other AMPS 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 Auction Agent, (C) any Additional Dividend required to be paid on or before the date of such declaration or payment has been paid, and (D) the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of AMPS required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption contained in the Articles Supplementary.
Asset Maintenance
1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage. The Fund will be required under the Articles Supplementary to maintain, with respect to shares of AMPS, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any shares of AMPS are outstanding, asset coverage of at least 200% with respect to senior securities that are stock, including the shares of AMPS and Other AMPS (or such other asset coverage as in the future may be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities that are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of paying dividends on its common stock) ("1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage"). If the Fund fails to maintain 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage and such failure is not cured as of the last Business Day of the following month (the "1940 Act Cure Date"), the Fund will be required under certain circumstances to redeem certain of the shares of AMPS. See "Description of AMPS -- Redemption" in the prospectus and "--Redemption" below.
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. So long as shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Fund will be required under the Articles Supplementary as of the last Business Day of each week (a "Valuation Date") to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each having in the aggregate a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. If the Fund fails to meet such requirement as of any Valuation Date and such failure is not cured on or before the sixth Business Day after such Valuation Date (the "AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date"), the Fund will be required under certain circumstances to redeem certain of the shares of AMPS. See "Description of AMPS-- Redemption" in the prospectus and "--Redemption" below. Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Fund will use its best efforts to alter the composition of its portfolio to reattain a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date.
The AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of any Valuation Date, means the
dollar amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the product of the number of shares
of AMPS and Other AMPS outstanding on such Valuation Date multiplied by the
sum of $25,000 and any applicable redemption premium attributable to the
designation of a Premium Call Period; (B) the aggregate amount of cash
dividends (whether or not earned or declared) that will have accumulated for
the AMPS and Other AMPS outstanding to (but not including) the end of the
current Dividend Period for the AMPS that follows such Valuation Date in the
event the then current Dividend Period will end within 49 calendar days of
such Valuation Date or through the 49th day after such Valuation Date in the
event the then current Dividend Period will not end within 49 calendar days of
such Valuation Date; (C) in the event the then current Dividend Period will
end within 49 calendar days of such Valuation Date, the aggregate amount of
cash dividends that would accumulate at the Maximum Applicable Rate applicable
to a Dividend Period of 28 or fewer days on any shares of AMPS and Other AMPS
outstanding from the end of such Dividend Period through the 49th day after
such Valuation Date, multiplied by the larger of the Moody's Volatility Factor
and the S&P Volatility Factor, determined from time to time by Moody's and
S&P, respectively (except that if such Valuation Date occurs during a
Non-Payment Period, the cash dividend for purposes of calculation would
accumulate at the then current Non-Payment Period Rate); (D) the amount of
anticipated expenses of the Fund for the 90 days subsequent to such Valuation
Date; (E) the amount of current outstanding balances of any indebtedness that
is senior to the AMPS plus interest actually accrued together with 30 days
additional interest on the current outstanding balances calculated at the
current rate; (F) the amount of the Fund's maximum potential Additional
Dividend liability as of such Valuation Date; and (G) any current liabilities
as of such Valuation Date to the extent not reflected in any of (i)(A) through
(i)(F) (including, without limitation, and immediately upon determination, any
amounts due and payable by the Fund for portfolio securities purchased as of
such Valuation Date and any liabilities incurred for the purpose of clearing
securities transactions) less (ii) either (A) the Discounted Value of any of
the Fund's assets, or (B) the face value of any of the Fund's assets if such
assets mature prior to or on the date of redemption of AMPS or payment of a
liability and are either securities issued or guaranteed by the United States
Government or Deposit Securities, in
both cases irrevocably deposited by the Fund for the payment of the amount
needed to redeem shares of AMPS subject to redemption or to satisfy any of
(i)(B) through (i)(G).
The Discount Factors and guidelines for determining the market value of the Fund's portfolio holdings have been based on criteria established in connection with rating the AMPS. These factors include, but are not limited to, the sensitivity of the market value of the relevant asset to changes in interest rates, the liquidity and depth of the market for the relevant asset, the credit quality of the relevant asset (for example, the lower the rating of a debt obligation, the higher the related discount factor) and the frequency with which the relevant asset is marked to market. In no event shall the Discounted Value of any asset of the Fund exceed its unpaid principal balance or face amount as of the date of calculation. The Discount Factor relating to any asset of the Fund and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the assets eligible for inclusion in the calculation of the Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio and certain definitions and methods of calculation relating thereto may be changed from time to time by the Fund, without stockholder approval, but only in the event the Fund receives written confirmation from S&P, Moody's and any Substitute Rating Agency that any such changes would not impair the rating then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P or Moody's or any Substitute Rating Agency.
On or before the seventh Business Day in the case of Moody's and the next Business Day in the case of S&P after a Valuation Date on which the Fund fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Fund is required to (i) deliver to Moody's a report with respect to the calculation of the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the value of its portfolio holdings and the net asset value and market price of the Fund's common stock as of the date of such failure (an "AMPS Basic Maintenance Report") and (ii) send S&P an electronic notification of such failure. The Fund also will deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the 21st day of each month (or if such day is not a Business Day, as of the next succeeding Business Day) or as of the last Business Day of the month in which the Fund's fiscal year ends on or before the seventh Business Day after such day. Within ten Business Days after delivery of such report relating to the month in which the Fund's fiscal year ends, the Fund will deliver a letter prepared by the Fund's independent accountants regarding the accuracy of the calculations made by the Fund in such AMPS Basic Maintenance Report. If any such letter prepared by the Fund's independent accountants shows that an error was made in the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report, the calculation or determination made by the Fund's independent accountants will be conclusive and binding on the Fund. The Fund will also (i) provide Moody's with an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report and (ii) send S&P an electronic notification, as of each Valuation Date on or before the seventh Business Day in the case of Moody's and the next Business Day in the case of S&P after such date when the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as the case may be, fails to exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by 10% or more. Also, on or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the first Business Day after shares of common stock are repurchased by the Fund, the Fund will complete and deliver to Moody's an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such date that common stock is repurchased.
Redemption
Mandatory Redemption. The number of shares of AMPS to be redeemed will be equal to the lesser of (a) the minimum number of shares of AMPS the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Cure Date, together with all other shares of the preferred stock subject to redemption or retirement, would result in the Fund having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, on such Cure Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum number of shares the redemption of which would have such result, all shares of AMPS then outstanding will be redeemed), and (b) the maximum number of shares of AMPS, 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 on such redemption date. In determining the number of shares of AMPS required to be redeemed in accordance with the foregoing, the Fund shall allocate the number required to be redeemed which would result in the Fund having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, pro rata among shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and other preferred stock subject to redemption pursuant to provisions similar to those set forth below; provided that, shares of AMPS which may not be redeemed at the option of the Fund due to the designation of a Non-Call Period applicable to such shares (A) will be subject to mandatory
redemption only to the extent that other shares are not available to satisfy the number of shares required to be redeemed and (B) will be selected for redemption in an ascending order of outstanding number of days in the Non-Call Period (with shares with the lowest number of days to be redeemed first) and by lot in the event of shares having an equal number of days in such Non-Call Period. The Fund is required to effect such a mandatory redemption on a Business Day which is not later than 30 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 AMPS and shares of other preferred stock which are subject to mandatory redemption or the Fund otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on a Business Day which is on or prior to 30 days after such Cure Date, the Fund will redeem those shares of AMPS that it was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption out of funds legally available therefor.
Notice of Redemption. If shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, a notice of redemption will be mailed to each record holder of such shares of AMPS (initially Cede as nominee of the Securities Depository) and to the Auction Agent not less than 17 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the redemption thereof. Each notice of redemption will include a statement setting forth: (i) the redemption date, (ii) the redemption price, (iii) the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be redeemed, (iv) the place or places where shares of AMPS are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price, (v) a statement that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accumulate on such redemption date (except that holders may be entitled to Additional Dividends) and (vi) the provision of the Articles Supplementary pursuant to which such shares are being redeemed. The notice also will be published in the eastern and national editions of The Wall Street Journal. No defect in the notice of redemption or in the mailing or publication thereof will affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
In the event that less than all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or such other method as the Fund shall deem fair and equitable, and the results thereof will be communicated to the Auction Agent. The Auction Agent will give notice to the Securities Depository, whose nominee will be the record holder of all shares of AMPS, and the Securities Depository will determine the number of shares to be redeemed from the account of the Agent Member of each Existing Holder. Each Agent Member will determine the number of shares to be redeemed from the account of each Existing Holder for which it acts as agent. An Agent Member may select for redemption shares from the accounts of some Existing Holders without selecting for redemption any shares from the accounts of other Existing Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if neither the Securities Depository nor its nominee is the record holder of all of the shares of AMPS, the particular shares to be redeemed shall be selected by the Fund by lot or by such other method as the Fund shall deem fair and equitable.
If the Fund gives notice of redemption, and concurrently or thereafter deposits in trust with the Auction Agent, or segregates in an account at the Fund's custodian bank for the benefit of the holders of the AMPS to be redeemed and for payment to the Auction Agent, Deposit Securities (with a right of substitution) having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to the redemption payment for the shares of AMPS as to which notice of redemption has been given, with irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the record holders thereof, then upon the date of such deposit or, if no such deposit is made, upon such date fixed for redemption (unless the Fund shall default in making payment of the redemption price), all rights of the holders of such shares called for redemption will cease and terminate, except the right of such holders to receive the redemption price in respect thereof and any Additional Dividends, but without interest, and such shares no longer will be deemed to be outstanding. The Fund will be entitled to receive, from time to time, the interest, if any, earned on such Deposit Securities deposited with the Auction Agent, and the holders of any shares so redeemed will have no claim to any such interest. Any funds so deposited which are unclaimed at the end of one year from such redemption date will be repaid, upon demand, to the Fund, after which the holders of the shares of AMPS so called for redemption may look only to the Fund for payment thereof.
So long as any shares of AMPS are held of record by the nominee of the Securities Depository (initially Cede), the redemption price for such shares will be paid on the redemption date to the nominee of the Securities Depository. The Securities Depository's normal procedures now provide for it to distribute the amount of the redemption price to Agent Members who, in turn, are expected to distribute such funds to the persons for whom they are acting as agent. Notwithstanding the provisions for redemption described above, no shares of AMPS shall be subject to optional redemption (i) unless all dividends in arrears on the outstanding shares of AMPS, and all capital
stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with the AMPS with respect to the
payment of dividends or upon liquidation, including the Other AMPS, have been
or are being contemporaneously paid or declared and set aside for payment and
(ii) if redemption thereof would result in the Fund's failure to maintain
Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted
Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
Voting Rights
In connection with the election of the Fund's directors, holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting separately as a single class, shall be entitled at all times to elect two of the Fund's directors, and the remaining directors will be elected by holders of shares of common stock and shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time dividends on outstanding shares of AMPS shall be unpaid in an amount equal to at least two full years' dividends thereon or if at any time holders of any shares of preferred stock, including Other AMPS, are entitled, together with the holders of AMPS, to elect a majority of the directors of the Fund under the 1940 Act, then the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors automatically shall be increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two directors elected exclusively by the holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock as described above, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by such smallest number, and at a special meeting of stockholders which will be called and held as soon as practicable, and at all subsequent meetings at which directors are to be elected, the holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect the smallest number of additional directors that, together with the two directors that such holders in any event will be entitled to elect, constitutes a majority of the total number of directors of the Fund as so increased. 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 shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock, including Other AMPS, for all past Dividend Periods, the additional voting rights of the holders of shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock, including Other AMPS, as described above shall cease, and the terms of office of all of the additional directors elected by the holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock (but not of the directors with respect to whose election the holders of common stock were entitled to vote or the two directors the holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock have the right to elect in any event) will terminate automatically.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of AMPS and any other preferred stock, including Other AMPS, voting as a separate class, will be required to (i) authorize, create or issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to the AMPS or any other series of preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on dissolution, liquidation or winding up the affairs of the Fund, or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of holders of shares of AMPS or any other preferred stock. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of preferred stock are outstanding, the Fund shall not approve any of the actions set forth in clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of a holder of shares of AMPS differently than those of a holder of shares of any other series of preferred stock without the affirmative vote of at least a majority of votes entitled to be cast by holders of the shares of AMPS adversely affected and outstanding at such time (voting separately as a class). The Board of Directors, however, without stockholder approval, may amend, alter or repeal any or all of the various rating agency guidelines described herein in the event the Fund receives confirmation from the rating agencies that any such amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the ratings then assigned to shares of AMPS. Furthermore, the Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, may terminate compliance with the Moody's or S&P guidelines as discussed under "Rating Agency Guidelines" in the prospectus. Unless a higher percentage is provided for under "Description of Capital Stock -- Certain Provisions of the Charter and By-laws" in the prospectus, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as defined under "Investment Restrictions"), including AMPS and Other AMPS, entitled to be cast, voting as a separate class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization (including bankruptcy proceedings) adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in the Fund's investment objective or changes in the investment policies and restrictions described as fundamental policies in the prospectus and under "Investment Restrictions." So long as any shares of AMPS are outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as defined under "Investment Restrictions"), including AMPS and Other AMPS, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any voluntary application by the Fund for relief
under Federal bankruptcy law or any similar application under state law for so long as the Fund is solvent and does not foresee becoming insolvent. The class vote of holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock described above in each case will be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of shares of common stock and shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and any other preferred stock, voting together as a single class, necessary to authorize the action in question. An increase in the number of authorized shares of preferred stock pursuant to the Charter or the issuance of additional shares of any series of preferred stock (including AMPS and Other AMPS) pursuant to the Charter shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely affect the contract rights of the holders of the AMPS.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, (i) holders of outstanding shares of the AMPS will be entitled as a series, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities, including other preferred stock, common stock and other classes of capital stock of the Fund, to vote on matters affecting the AMPS that do not materially adversely affect any of the contract rights of holders of such other securities, including other preferred stock, common stock and other classes of capital stock, as expressly set forth in the Charter, and (ii) holders of outstanding shares of AMPS will not be entitled to vote on matters affecting any other preferred stock that do not materially adversely affect any of the contract rights of holders of the AMPS, as expressly set forth in the Charter.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any shares of AMPS if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required shall be effected, such shares shall have been (i) redeemed or (ii) called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
THE AUCTION
Auction Agent Agreement
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 Agent Agreement, and will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless the Auction Agent shall have been negligent in ascertaining, or failing to ascertain, the pertinent facts. Pursuant to the Auction Agent Agreement, the Fund is required to indemnify the Auction Agent for certain losses and liabilities incurred by the Auction Agent without negligence or bad faith on its part in connection with the performance of its duties under such agreement.
The Auction Agent may terminate the Auction Agent Agreement upon notice to the Fund, which termination may be no earlier than 60 days following delivery of such notice. If the Auction Agent resigns, 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 Agent Agreement. The Fund may terminate the Auction Agent Agreement at any time, provided that prior to such termination the Fund shall have entered into such an agreement with respect thereto with a successor Auction Agent.
Broker-Dealer Agreements
The Auctions require the participation of one or more broker-dealers. A Broker-Dealer Agreement may be terminated by the Auction Agent or a Broker-Dealer on five days' notice to the other party, provided that the Broker-Dealer Agreement with Merrill Lynch may not be terminated without the prior written consent of the Fund, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
For the six months ended April 30, 2005 and the fiscal years ended October 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, Merrill Lynch, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, earned $[112,045], $[233,047], $[190,653] and $[246,754], respectively, pursuant to its Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Fund.
Auction Procedures
The Auction Procedures are set forth in Appendix C to this statement of additional information. The Settlement Procedures to be used with respect to Auctions are set forth in Appendix B to this statement of additional information.
RATING AGENCY GUIDELINES
S&P AAA Rating Guidelines
The Discounted Value of the Fund's S&P Eligible Assets is calculated on each Valuation Date. See "Description of AMPS--Asset Maintenance--AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount." S&P Eligible Assets include cash, Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold (as defined below), Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds and Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration under S&P's current guidelines. For purposes of calculating the Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio under current S&P guidelines, the fair market value of Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration under such guidelines must be discounted by the applicable S&P Discount Factor set forth in the table below. The Discounted Value of a Municipal Bond eligible for consideration under S&P guidelines is the fair market value thereof divided by the S&P Discount Factor. The S&P Discount Factor used to discount a particular Municipal Bond will be determined by reference to the rating by S&P, Moody's or Fitch on such Municipal Bond; provided, however, for purposes of determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to Municipal Bonds not rated by S&P, the Municipal Bonds will carry an S&P rating one full rating category lower than the S&P rating category that is the equivalent of the rating category in which such Municipal Bond is placed by a NRSRO, in accordance with the table set forth below:
S&P's Rating Category (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA*(2) AA* A* BBB* BB* B* CCC* NR**
-------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
144.75% 147.75% 150.75% 153.75% 175.11% 195.11% 215.11% 220.00%
------------
|
* S&P rating.
** Not rated.
(1) For Municipal Bonds of any one issuer rated at least BBB- by S&P, or if not rated by S&P, rated at least A- by another NRSRO, 2% is added to the applicable S&P Discount Factor for every 1% by which the fair market value of such Municipal Bonds exceeds 5% of the aggregate fair market value of the S&P Eligible Assets, but in no event greater than 10%; or for any percentage over 5% add 10 percentage points to the applicable S&P Discount Factor.
(2) For zero coupon Municipal Bonds, the S&P Discount Factor is 441.80%.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the S&P Discount Factor for short-term Municipal Bonds will be 115%, so long as such Municipal Bonds are rated A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P and mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less, or 120% so long as such Municipal Bonds are rated A-1 or SP-1 by S&P and mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less, or 125% if such Municipal Bonds are not rated by S&P but are rated VMIG-1, P-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's or F-1+ by Fitch; provided, however, such short-term Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's or Fitch but not rated by S&P having a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less must be backed by a letter of credit, liquidity facility or guarantee from a bank or other financial institution having a short-term rating of at least A-1+ from S&P; and further provided that such short-term Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's or Fitch but not rated by S&P may comprise no more than 50% of short-term Municipal Bonds that qualify as S&P Eligible Assets, (ii) the S&P Discount Factor for Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds will be 110%, (iii) the S&P Discount Factor for Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold that are due in more than five Business Days from such Valuation Date will be the S&P Discount Factor applicable to the Municipal Bonds sold and (iv) no S&P Discount Factor will
be applied to cash or to Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold if such receivables are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date. "Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating S&P Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date. For purposes of the foregoing, Anticipation Notes rated SP-1 or, if not rated by S&P, rated VMIG-1 by Moody's or F-1+ by Fitch, which do not mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days and which do not have a long-term rating, shall be considered to be short-term Municipal Bonds.
The S&P guidelines require certain minimum issue size and impose other requirements for purposes of determining S&P Eligible Assets. In order to be considered S&P Eligible Assets, Municipal Bonds must:
(i) be issued by any of the 50 states of the United States, its territories and their subdivisions, counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts, agencies, such as authorities and special districts created by the states, and certain federally sponsored agencies such as local housing authorities (payments made on these bonds are exempt from regular Federal income taxes and are generally exempt from state and local taxes in the state of issuance);
(ii) except for zero coupon Municipal Bonds rated AAA by S&P that mature in 30 years or less, be interest bearing and pay interest at least semi-annually;
(iii) be payable with respect to principal and interest in U.S. dollars;
(iv) not be subject to a covered call or covered put option written by the Fund;
(v) except for Inverse Floaters, not be part of a private placement; and
(vi) except for Inverse Floaters and legally defeased bonds that are secured by securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, be part of an issue with an original issue size of at least $10 million or, if of an issue with an original issue size below $10 million, is rated at least AA or higher by S&P.
Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(i) Municipal Bonds issued by issuers in any one state or territory will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the fair market value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 25% of the aggregate fair market value of S&P Eligible Assets;
(ii) Municipal Bonds which are escrow bonds or defeased bonds may compose up to 100% of the aggregate fair market value of S&P Eligible Assets if such Bonds initially are assigned a rating by S&P in accordance with S&P's legal defeasance criteria or rerated by S&P as economic defeased escrow bonds and assigned an AAA rating. Municipal Bonds may be rated as escrow bonds by another NRSRO or rerated as an escrow bond and assigned the equivalent of an S&P AAA rating, provided that such equivalent rated Bonds are limited to 50% of the aggregate fair market value of S&P Eligible Assets and are deemed to have an AA S&P rating for purposes of determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to such Municipal Bonds. The limitations on Municipal Bonds in clause (i) above and clauses (iii) and (iv) below are not applicable to escrow bonds;
(iii) Municipal Bonds which are not rated by any NRSRO may comprise no more than 10% of S&P Eligible Assets;
(iv) Municipal Bonds rated at least BBB- by S&P, or if not rated by S&P, rated at least A- by another NRSRO, of any one issuer or guarantor (excluding bond insurers) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the fair market value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 10% of the aggregate fair market value of the S&P Eligible Assets, High Yield Municipal Bonds of any issuer may comprise no more than 5% of S&P Eligible Assets, and Municipal Bonds of any one issuer which are not rated by any NRSRO will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the fair market value of
such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 5% of the aggregate fair market value of the S&P Eligible Assets. In the aggregate, the maximum issuer exposure is limited to 10% of the S&P Eligible Assets; and
(v) Municipal Bonds not rated by S&P but rated by another NRSRO will be included in S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the fair market value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 50% of the aggregate fair market value of the S&P Eligible Assets.
As discussed in the prospectus, the Fund may engage in options or futures transactions. For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Fund will not purchase or sell financial futures contracts, write, purchase or sell options on financial futures contracts or write put options (except covered put options) or call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from S&P that engaging in such transactions will not impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P, except that the Fund may purchase or sell financial futures contracts based on the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index (the "Municipal Index") or Treasury Bonds and write, purchase or sell put and call options on such contracts (collectively, "S&P Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Fund will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than transactions that terminate a financial futures contract or option held by the Fund by the Fund's taking an opposite position thereto ("Closing Transactions")), that would cause the Fund at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the least of (A) more than 1,000 outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index, (B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the fair market value of the Fund's total assets divided by $1,000 or (C) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(ii) the Fund will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the Fund at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the lesser of (A) outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 50% of the quotient of the fair market value of the Fund's total assets divided by $100,000 ($200,000 in the case of the two-year United States Treasury Note) or (B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(iii) the Fund will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding financial futures contract that the Fund owns or has sold or any outstanding option thereon owned by the Fund in the event (A) the Fund does not have S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive Valuation Dates and (B) the Fund is required to pay Variation Margin on the second such Valuation Date;
(iv) the Fund will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding financial futures contract or option thereon in the month prior to the delivery month under the terms of such financial futures contract or option thereon unless the Fund holds the securities deliverable under such terms; and
(v) when the Fund writes a financial futures contract or an option thereon, it will either maintain an amount of cash, cash equivalents or liquid assets in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian, so that the amount so segregated plus the amount of Initial Margin and Variation Margin held in the account of or on behalf of the Fund's broker with respect to such financial futures contract or option equals the fair market value of the financial futures contract or option, or, in the event the Fund writes a financial futures contract or option thereon that requires delivery of an underlying security, it shall hold such underlying security in its portfolio.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has S&P Eligible Assets with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of cash or securities held for the payment of Initial Margin or Variation Margin shall be zero and the aggregate Discounted Value of S&P Eligible
Assets shall be reduced by an amount equal to (i) 30% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index that are owned by the Fund plus (ii) 25% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds which contracts are owned by the Fund.
Moody's Aaa Rating Guidelines
The Discounted Value of the Fund's Moody's Eligible Assets is calculated on each Valuation Date. See "Description of AMPS--Asset Maintenance--AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount." Moody's Eligible Assets include cash, Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold (as defined below), Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds and Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration under Moody's guidelines. For purposes of calculating the Discounted Value of the Fund's portfolio under current Moody's guidelines, the fair market value of Municipal Bonds eligible for consideration under such guidelines must be discounted by the applicable Moody's Discount Factor set forth in the table below. The Discounted Value of a Municipal Bond eligible for consideration under Moody's guidelines is the lower of par and the quotient of the fair market value thereof divided by the Moody's Discount Factor. The Moody's Discount Factor used to discount a particular Municipal Bond will be determined by reference to the rating by Moody's, S&P or Fitch on such Municipal Bond, in accordance with the tables set forth below:
Moody's Rating Category (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aaa Aa A Baa Other (2)
---------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ -----------------
151% 159% 160% 173% 225%
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(1) Ratings assigned by S&P or Fitch are generally accepted by Moody's at face value. However, adjustments to face value may be made to particular categories of credits for which the S&P and/or Fitch rating does not seem to approximate a Moody's rating equivalent. Split rated securities assigned by S&P and Fitch will be accepted at the lower of the two ratings.
(2) Municipal Bonds rated Ba1 to B3 by Moody's or, if not rated by Moody's, rated BB+ to B- by S&P or Fitch. In addition, Municipal Bonds not explicitly rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, but rated at least the equivalent of B3 internally by the Investment Adviser, provided that Moody's reviews and achieves sufficient comfort with the Investment Adviser's internal credit rating processes, will be included under "Other" in the table. Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates of both the probability and severity of default for the Fund's assets can be derived from other sources as well as combined with a number of sources as presented by the Fund to Moody's, unrated Municipal Bonds which are rated at least the equivalent of B3 by the Investment Adviser internally are limited to 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets.
Moody's Rating Category
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIG-1, VMIG-1, P-1 (1) MIG-1, VMIG-1, P-1 (2)
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------
100% 136%
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(1) Moody's rated Municipal Bonds that have a maturity less than or equal to 49 days and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated the equivalent to MIG-1, VMIG-1, or P-1 by S&P or Fitch that have a maturity less than or equal to 49 days.
(2) Moody's rated Municipal Bonds that have a maturity greater than 49 days and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated the equivalent to MIG-1, VMIG-1, or P-1 by S&P or Fitch that have a maturity greater than 49 days.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Moody's Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold that are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date. The Moody's Discount Factor for Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold that are due within six and 30 Business Days of such Valuation Date will be the Moody's Discount Factor applicable to the Municipal Bonds sold. "Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating Moody's Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within 30 Business Days of such Valuation Date.
The Moody's Discount Factor for Inverse Floaters shall be the product of
(x) the percentage determined by reference to the rating on the security
underlying such Inverse Floaters multiplied by (y) 1.25.
The Moody's Discount Factor for Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds shall be 110%.
The Moody's guidelines impose certain requirements as to minimum issue size, issuer diversification and geographical concentration, as well as other requirements for purposes of determining whether Municipal Bonds constitute Moody's Eligible Assets, as set forth in the table on the following page:
Minimum Issue Size Maximum Underlying Maximum State
Rating ($ Millions) Obligor(%)(1) Allowed(%)(1)(3)
----------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Aaa * 100 100
Aa 10 20 60
A 10 10 40
Baa 10 6 20
Ba 10 4 12
B 10 3 12
Other (2) 10 2 12
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* Not applicable.
(1) The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals for the related rating category and each lower rating category.
(2) Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, but rated at least the equivalent of B3 internally by the Investment Adviser.
(3) Territorial bonds (other than those issued by Puerto Rico and counted collectively) are each limited to 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets. For diversification purposes, Puerto Rico will be treated as a state.
For purposes of the maximum underlying obligor requirement described above, any Municipal Bond backed by the guaranty, letter of credit or insurance issued by a third party will be deemed to be issued by such third party if the issuance of such third party credit is the sole determinant of the rating on such Bond.
Current Moody's guidelines also require that Municipal Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets pay interest in cash, are publicly rated B3 or higher by Moody's or, if not rated by Moody's, but rated by S&P or Fitch, are publicly rated at least B- by S&P or Fitch, or if not explicitly rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, be rated at least the equivalent of B3 internally by the Investment Adviser, provided that Moody's reviews and achieves sufficient comfort with the Investment Adviser's internal credit rating processes, not have suspended ratings by Moody's, if an Inverse Floater, be explicitly rated by Moody's, and be part of an issue of Municipal Bonds of at least $10,000,000 (except for issues rated Aaa by Moody's, as provided in the chart above).
When the Fund sells a Municipal Bond and agrees to repurchase it at a future date, the Discounted Value of such Municipal Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset and the amount the Fund is required to pay upon
repurchase of such Bond will count as a liability for purposes of calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. For so long as the AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not enter into any such reverse repurchase agreements unless it has received written confirmation from Moody's that such transactions would not impair the rating then assigned the AMPS by Moody's. When the Fund purchases a Municipal Bond and agrees to sell it at a future date to another party, cash receivable by the Fund thereby will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset if the long-term debt of such other party is rated at least A2 by Moody's and such agreement has a term of 30 days or less; otherwise the Discounted Value of such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset.
High Yield Municipal Bonds may comprise no more than 20% of Moody's Eligible Assets. Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates of both the probability and severity of default for the Fund's assets can be derived from other sources as well as combined with a number of sources as presented by the Fund to Moody's, unrated High Yield Municipal Bonds which are rated at least the equivalent of B3 by the Investment Adviser internally are limited to 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets.
Inverse Floaters, including primary market and secondary market residual interest bonds, may constitute no more than 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered a Moody's Eligible Asset if it is (i) held in a margin account, (ii) subject to any material lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest or security agreement of any kind, (iii) held for the purchase of a security pursuant to a Forward Commitment or (iv) irrevocably deposited by the Fund for the payment of dividends or redemption.
For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, in managing the Fund's portfolio, the Investment Adviser will not alter the composition of the Fund's portfolio if, in the reasonable belief of the Investment Adviser, the effect of any such alteration would be to cause the Fund to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value, as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date, less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of such Valuation Date; provided, however, that in the event that, as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets exceeded the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by 5% or less, the Investment Adviser will not alter the composition of the Fund's portfolio in a manner reasonably expected to reduce the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets unless the Fund shall have confirmed that, after giving effect to such alteration, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets would exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not engage in Bond Market Association Municipal Swap Index swap transactions ("BMA swap transactions"), buy or sell financial futures contracts, write, purchase or sell call options on financial futures contracts or purchase put options on financial futures contracts or write call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such transactions would not impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by Moody's, except that the Fund may engage in BMA swap transactions, purchase or sell exchange-traded financial futures contracts based on any index approved by Moody's or Treasury Bonds, and purchase, write or sell exchange-traded put options on such financial futures contracts, and purchase, write or sell exchange-traded call options on such financial futures contracts (collectively, "Moody's Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Fund will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the Fund at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal or (B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on the Municipal Index having a fair market value exceeding 50% of the fair market value of all Municipal Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Fund (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction);
(ii) the Fund will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the Fund at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate fair market
value exceeding 40% of the aggregate fair market value of Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Fund and rated Aa by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated AAA by S&P) or (B) outstanding financial futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate fair market value exceeding 80% of the aggregate fair market value of all Municipal Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Fund (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction) and rated Baa or A by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated A or AA by S&P) (for purposes of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Fund shall be deemed to own the number of financial futures contracts that underlie any outstanding options written by the Fund);
(iii) the Fund will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding financial futures contract based on the Municipal Index if the amount of open interest in the Municipal Index as reported by The Wall Street Journal is less than 5,000;
(iv) the Fund will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding financial futures contract by no later than the fifth Business Day of the month in which such contract expires and will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding option on a financial futures contract by no later than the first Business Day of the month in which such option expires;
(v) the Fund will engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions only with respect to financial futures contracts or options thereon having the next settlement date or the settlement date immediately thereafter;
(vi) the Fund (A) will not engage in options and futures transactions for leveraging or speculative purposes, except that the Fund may engage in an option or futures transaction so long as the combination of the Fund's non-derivative positions, together with the relevant option or futures transaction, produces a synthetic investment position, or the same economic result, that could be achieved by an investment, consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies, in a security that is not an option or futures transaction, subject to the Investment Adviser periodically demonstrating to Moody's that said economic results are achieved, and (B) will not write any call options or sell any financial futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the anticipated purchase of an asset prior to completion of such purchase;
(vii) the Fund will not enter into an option or futures transaction unless, after giving effect thereto, the Fund would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount; and
(viii) the Fund will not engage in BMA swap transactions with respect to more than 20% of the Fund's net assets; provided that the Fund's use of futures will proportionately decrease as the Fund's use of BMA swap transactions increases, and vice-versa.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets that the Fund is obligated to deliver or receive pursuant to an outstanding futures contract or option shall be as follows: (i) assets subject to call options written by the Fund that are either exchange-traded and "readily reversible" or that expire within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made shall be valued at the lesser of (A) Discounted Value and (B) the exercise price of the call option written by the Fund; (ii) assets subject to call options written by the Fund not meeting the requirements of clause (i) of this sentence shall have no value; (iii) assets subject to put options written by the Fund shall be valued at the lesser of (A) the exercise price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security; (iv) futures contracts shall be valued at the lesser of (A) settlement price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security, provided that, if a contract matures within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made, where the Fund is the seller the contract may be valued at the settlement price and where the Fund is the buyer the contract may be valued at the Discounted Value of the subject securities; and (v) where delivery may be made to the Fund with any security of a class of securities, the Fund shall assume that it will take delivery of the security with the lowest Discounted Value.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the following amounts shall be subtracted from
the aggregate Discounted Value of the Moody's Eligible Assets held by the Fund: (i) 10% of the exercise price of a written call option; (ii) the exercise price of any written put option; (iii) where the Fund is the seller under a financial futures contract, 10% of the settlement price of the financial futures contract; (iv) where the Fund is the purchaser under a financial futures contract, the settlement price of assets purchased under such financial futures contract; (v) the settlement price of the underlying financial futures contract if the Fund writes put options on a financial futures contract; and (vi) 105% of the fair market value of the underlying financial futures contracts if the Fund writes call options on a financial futures contract and does not own the underlying contract.
For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Fund will not enter into any contract to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (other than such contracts that constitute Moody's Hedging Transactions), except that the Fund may enter into such contracts to purchase newly-issued securities on the date such securities are issued ("Forward Commitments"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Fund will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash, cash equivalents or short-term, fixed-income securities rated P-1, MIG-1 or VMIG-1 by Moody's and maturing prior to the date of the Forward Commitment with a fair market value that equals or exceeds the amount of the Fund's obligations under any Forward Commitments to which it is from time to time a party or long-term, fixed income securities with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the amount of the Fund's obligations under any Forward Commitment to which it is from time to time a party, and
(ii) the Fund will not enter into a Forward Commitment unless, after giving effect thereto, the Fund would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of all Forward Commitments to which the Fund is a party and of all securities deliverable to the Fund pursuant to such Forward Commitments shall be zero.
For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by S&P or Moody's, the Fund, unless it has received written confirmation from S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, that such action would not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, will not (i) borrow money except for the purpose of clearing transactions in portfolio securities (which borrowings under any circumstances shall be limited to the lesser of $10 million and an amount equal to 5% of the fair market value of the Fund's assets at the time of such borrowings and which borrowings shall be repaid within 60 days and not be extended or renewed and shall not cause the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets to be less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount), (ii) engage in short sales of securities, (iii) lend any securities, (iv) issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the AMPS with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Fund, (v) reissue any AMPS previously purchased or redeemed by the Fund, (vi) merge or consolidate into or with any other corporation or entity, (vii) change the Fund's pricing service or (viii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements.
For as long as the AMPS are rated by S&P, the Fund will not, unless it has received written confirmation from S&P that such action would not impair the rating then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P, engage in interest rate swaps, caps and floors, except that the Fund may, without obtaining the written consent described above, engage in swaps, caps and floors if: (i) the counterparty to the swap transaction has a short-term rating of A-1 or, if the counterparty does not have a short-term rating, the counterparty's senior unsecured long-term debt rating is A- or higher, (ii) the original aggregate notional amount of the interest rate swap transaction or transactions is not to be greater than the liquidation preference of the AMPS, (iii) the interest rate swap transaction will be marked-to-market weekly by the swap counterparty, (iv) if the Fund fails to maintain an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive Valuation Dates then the agreement shall terminate immediately, (v) for the purpose of calculating the Discounted Value of S&P Eligible Assets, 90% of any positive mark-to-market valuation of the Fund's rights will be S&P Eligible Assets, 100% of any negative mark-to-
market valuation of the Fund's rights will be included in the calculation of the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and (vi) the Fund must maintain liquid assets with a value at least equal to the net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over its entitlement with respect to each swap. For caps/floors, the Fund must maintain liquid assets with a value at least equal to the Fund's obligations with respect to such caps or floors.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Directors of the Fund consist of eight individuals, seven of whom are not "interested persons" of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (the "non-interested Directors" or "independent Directors"). The Directors are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act.
Each non-interested Director is a member of the Fund's Audit Committee (the "Audit Committee"). The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, including the resolution of disagreements regarding financial reporting between Fund management and such independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include, without limitation, to (i) review with the independent registered public accounting firm the arrangements for and scope of annual and special audits and any other services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Fund; (ii) review with the independent registered public accounting firm any audit problems or difficulties encountered during or relating to the conduct of the audit; (iii) ensure that the independent registered public accounting firm submits on a periodic basis a formal written statement with respect to their independence, discuss with the independent registered public accounting firm any relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm; and (iv) consider information and comments of the independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Fund's accounting and financial reporting policies, procedures and internal control over financial reporting and Fund management's responses thereto. The Board of Directors of the Fund has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has retained independent legal counsel to assist it in connection with these duties. The Audit Committee met four times during the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 2004.
Ms Ramo and Messrs. London and Salomon are the members of the Fund's Nominating Committee (the "Nominating Committee"). The principal responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are to identify individuals qualified to serve as non-interested Directors of the Fund and to recommend its nominees for consideration by the full Board. While the Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of the Fund's non-interested Directors, the Nominating Committee may consider nominations for the office of the Director made by Fund stockholders in such manner as it deems appropriate. Fund stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations to the Secretary of the Fund that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee. The Nominating Committee did not meet during the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 2004.
Biographical Information
Certain biographical and other information relating to the non-interested Directors of the Fund is set forth below, including their ages, their principal occupations for at least the last five years, the length of time served, the total number of portfolios overseen in the complex of funds advised by the Investment Adviser, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. ("MLIM") or their affiliates ("MLIM/FAM-advised funds") and other public directorships.
Number of
Term of MLIM/FAM-Advised
Name, Address* Position(s) Office** and Funds and
and Age of Held with Length of Principal Occupation(s) During Portfolios Public
Director the Fund Time Served the Past Five Years Overseen Directorships
----------------- ------------ --------------- -------------------------------- ------------------ ---------------
James H. Director Director Director, The China Business 38 registered None
Bodurtha since 1995 Group, Inc. since 1996 and investment
(61) *** and Executive Vice President companies
Co-
21
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Number of
Term of MLIM/FAM-Advised
Name, Address* Position(s) Office** and Funds and
and Age of Held with Length of Principal Occupation(s) During Portfolios Public
Director the Fund Time Served the Past Five Years Overseen Directorships
----------------- ------------ --------------- -------------------------------- ------------------ ---------------
Chairman thereof from 1996 to 2003; consisting of
of the Board Chairman of the Board, 55 portfolios
since 2005 Berkshire Holding Corporation
since 1980; Partner, Squire,
Sanders & Dempsey from 1980 to
1993.
Kenneth A. Froot Director Director Professor, Harvard University, 38 registered [None]
(48) since 2005 since 1992. investment
companies
consisting of
55 portfolios
Joe Grills Director Director Member of the Committee of 38 registered Kimco Realty
(70) *** since 2002 Investment of Employee Benefit investment Corporation
and Assets of the Association of companies
Co-Chairman Financial Professionals consisting of
of the Board ("CIEBA") since 1986; Member 55 portfolios
since 2005 of CIEBA's Executive Committee
since 1988 and its Chairman
from 1991 to 1992; Assistant
Treasurer of International
Business Machines Corporation
("IBM") and Chief Investment
Officer of IBM Retirement
Funds from 1986 to 1993;
Member of the Investment
Advisory Committee of the
State of New York Common
Retirement Fund since 1989;
Member of the Investment
Advisory Committee of the
Howard Hughes Medical
Institute from 1997 to 2000;
Director, Duke University
Management Company from 1992
to 2004, Vice Chairman thereof
from 1998 to 2004, and
Director Emeritus thereof
since 2004; Director, LaSalle
Street Fund from 1995 to 2001;
Director, Kimco Realty
Corporation since 1997;
Member of the Investment
Advisory Committee of the
Virginia Retirement System
since 1998, Vice Chairman
thereof from 2002 to 2005, and
Chairman thereof since
22
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Number of
Term of MLIM/FAM-Advised
Name, Address* Position(s) Office** and Funds and
and Age of Held with Length of Principal Occupation(s) During Portfolios Public
Director the Fund Time Served the Past Five Years Overseen Directorships
----------------- ------------ --------------- -------------------------------- ------------------ ---------------
2005; Director, Montpelier
Foundation since 1998 and its
Vice Chairman since 2000;
Member of the Investment
Committee of the Woodberry
Forest School since 2000;
Member of the Investment
Committee of the National
Trust for Historic
Preservation since 2000.
Herbert I. London Director Director John M. Olin professor of 38 registered None
(66) since 1992 Humanities, New York investment
University since 1993 and companies
Professor thereof since 1980; consisting of
President, Hudson Institute 55 portfolios
since 1997 and Trustee thereof
since 1980; Dean, Gallatin
Division of New York
University from 1976 to 1993;
Distinguished Fellow, Herman
Kahn Chair, Hudson Institute
from 1984 to 1985; Director,
Damon Corp. from 1991 to 1995;
Overseer, Center for Naval
Analyses from 1983 to 1993;
Limited Partner, Hypertech LP
since 1996.
Roberta Cooper Director Director Shareholder, Modrall, 38 registered None
Ramo (62) **** since 1999 Sperling, Roehl, Harris & investment
Sisk, P.A. since 1993; companies
President, American Bar consisting of
Association from 1995 to 1996 55 portfolios
and Member of the Board of
Governors thereof from 1994 to
1997; Shareholder, Poole,
Kelly & Ramo, Attorneys at
Law, P.C. from 1977 to 1993;
Director, Coopers, Inc. since
1999; Director of ECMC Group
(service provider to students,
schools and lenders) since
2001; Director, United New
Mexico Bank (now Wells Fargo)
from 1983 to 1988; Director,
First National Bank of New
Mexico (now Wells Fargo) from
1975 to 1976.
23
|
Number of
Term of MLIM/FAM-Advised
Name, Address* Position(s) Office** and Funds and
and Age of Held with Length of Principal Occupation(s) During Portfolios Public
Director the Fund Time Served the Past Five Years Overseen Directorships
----------------- ------------ --------------- -------------------------------- ------------------ ---------------
Robert S. Director Director Principal of STI Management 38 registered None
Salomon, Jr. (68) since 2002 (investment adviser) since investment
1994; Chairman and CEO of companies
Salomon Brothers Asset consisting of
Management from 1992 until 55 portfolios
1995; Chairman of Salomon
Brothers equity mutual funds
from 1992 until 1995; regular
columnist with Forbes Magazine
from 1992 to 2002; Director of
Stock Research and U.S. Equity
Strategist at Salomon Brothers
from 1975 until 1991; Trustee,
Commonfund from 1980 to 2001.
Stephen B. Director Director Chairman of Fernwood 39 registered None
Swensrud (71) since 2002 Associates (investment investment
adviser) since 1996; companies
Principal, Fernwood Associates consisting of
(financial consultants) since 56 portfolios
1975; Chairman of R.P.P.
Corporation (manufacturing
company) since 1978; Director
of International Mobile
Communications, Incorporated
(telecommunications company),
since 1998.
|
Certain biographical and other information relating to the Director who is an "interested person" of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (the "interested Director") and the other officers of the Fund is set forth below, including their ages, their principal occupations for at least the last five years, the length of time served, the total number of portfolios overseen in MLIM/FAM-advised funds and public directorships held.
Number of
Term of MLIM/FAM-Advised
Position(s) Office** and Funds and
Name, Address* Held with Length of Time Principal Occupation(s) During the Portfolios Public
and Age the Fund Served Past Five Years Overseen Directorships
--------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------- -------------
Robert C. Doll, President President and President of MLIM/FAM advised 125 registered None
Jr. (50)*** and Director Director**** funds since 2005; President of investment
since 2005 MLIM and FAM since 2001; Co-Head companies
(Americas Region) FAM and MLIM consisting of
from 2000 to 2001 and Senior Vice 164 portfolio
President thereof from 1999 to
2001; Director of Princeton
Services, Inc. ("Princeton
Services") since 2001; President
of Princeton Administrators, L.P.
since 2001; Chief Investment
Officer of OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
in 1999 and Executive Vice
President thereof from 1991 to
1999.
Kenneth A. Senior Vice Senior Vice Managing Director of MLIM since 38 registered None
Jacob (53) President President since 2000; First Vice President of MLIM investment
2002 from 1997 to 2000; Vice President companies
of MLIM from 1984 to 1997. consisting of
50 portfolios
John M. Senior Vice Senior Vice Managing Director of MLIM since 39 registered None
Loffredo (41) President President since 2000; First Vice President of MLIM investment
2001 from 1997 to 2000; Vice President companies
of MLIM from 1991 to 1997; consisting of
Portfolio Manager with MLIM and 51 portfolios
FAM since 1997.
Michael Vice Vice President Vice President of MLIM since 1999 4 registered None
Kalinoski (34) President since 2000 investment
companies
consisting of
4 portfolios
Donald C. Burke Vice Vice President First Vice President of FAM and 127 registered None
(45) President since 1994 and MLIM since 1997 and Treasurer investment
and Treasurer Treasurer since thereof since 1999; Senior Vice companies
1999 President and Treasurer of consisting of
Princeton Services since 1999 and 166 portfolios
Director since 2004; Vice
President of FAM Distributors,
Inc. ("FAMD") since 1999; Vice
President of MLIM and FAM from
1990 to 1997; Director of Taxation
of MLIM from 1990 to 2001.
25
|
Number of
Term of MLIM/FAM-Advised
Position(s) Office** and Funds and
Name, Address* Held with Length of Time Principal Occupation(s) During the Portfolios Public
and Age the Fund Served Past Five Years Overseen Directorships
--------------- ------------ --------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------- -------------
Jeffrey Hiller Chief Chief Chief Compliance Officer of the 128 registered None
(53) Compliance Compliance MLIM/FAM-advised funds since 2004; investment
Officer Officer since First Vice President and Chief companies
2004 Compliance Officer of MLIM since consisting of
2004; Chief Compliance Officer of 167 portfolios
the IQ Funds since 2004; Global
Director of Compliance at Morgan
Stanley Investment Management from
2002 to 2004; Managing Director
and Global Director of Compliance
at Citigroup Asset Management from
2000 to 2002; Chief Compliance
Officer at Soros Fund Management
in 2000; and Chief Compliance
Officer at Prudential Financial
from 1995 to 2000; Senior Counsel
in the Securities and Exchange
Commission's Division of
Enforcement in Washington, D.C.
from 1990 to 1995.
Alice A. Secretary Secretary since Director (Legal Advisory) of MLIM 125 registered None
Pellegrino (45) 2004 since 2002; Vice President of MLIM investment
from 1999 to 2002; Attorney companies
associated with MLIM since consisting of
1997; Secretary of FAM, MLIM, 164 portfolios
FAMD and Princeton Services since
2004.
|
* The address of Mr. Doll and each officer listed is P.O. Box 9011,
Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011.
** Elected by and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the
Fund.
*** Mr. Doll is an "interested person," as defined in the 1940 Act, of the
Fund based on his positions with MLIM, FAM, Princeton Services, and
Princeton Administrators, L.P.
**** As a Director, Mr. Doll serves until his successor is elected and
qualified or until December 31 of the year in which he turns 72, or until
his death, resignation, or removal as provided in the Fund's By-Laws or
Charter.
In connection with the election of the Fund's Directors, holders of shares of AMPS, Other AMPS and other preferred stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two of the Fund's Directors, and the remaining Directors are elected by all holders of capital stock, voting as a single class. Mr. Bodurtha and Mr. London are the Directors elected by holders of preferred stock. See "Description of AMPS--Voting Rights."
Share Ownership
Information relating to each Director's share ownership in the Fund and in all registered funds in the Merrill Lynch family of funds that are overseen by the respective Director ("Supervised Merrill Lynch Funds") as of December 31, 2004 is set forth in the chart below.
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity in Aggregate Dollar Range of Securities
Name the Fund in Supervised Merrill Lynch Funds
--------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Interested Director:
Robert C. Doll, Jr. None Over $100,000
Non-interested Directors:
James H. Bodurtha None Over $100,000
Kenneth A. Froot** None None
Joe Grills None Over $100,000
Herbert I. London None Over $100,000
Roberta Cooper Ramo None Over $100,000
Robert S. Salomon, Jr. None Over $100,000
Stephen B. Swensrud None $50,001-$100,000
|
* For the number of MLIM/FAM-advised funds from which each Director receives compensation, see the table above under "Directors and Officers -- Biographical Information."
** Mr. Froot was not a Director of the Fund at December 31, 2004.
As of the date of this statement of additional information none of the Directors and officers of the Fund owned any outstanding shares of common stock or Other AMPS of the Fund. As of the date of this statement of additional information, none of the non-interested Directors of the Fund or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in ML & Co.
Compensation of Directors
Pursuant to its investment advisory agreement with the Fund (the "Investment Advisory Agreement"), the Investment Adviser pays all compensation of officers and employees of the Fund as well as the fees of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of ML & Co. or its subsidiaries as well as such Directors' actual out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.
The Fund pays fees to each non-interested Director for service to the Fund. Each non-interested Director receives an aggregate annual retainer of $125,000 for his or her services to MLIM/FAM-advised funds, including the Fund. The portion of the annual retainer allocated to each MLIM/FAM-advised fund is determined quarterly based on the relative net assets of each fund. In addition, each non-interested Director receives a fee per in-person Board meeting attended and per in-person Audit Committee meeting attended. The annual per meeting fees paid to each non-interested Director aggregate $100,000 for all MLIM/FAM-advised funds for which that Director serves and are allocated equally among those funds. Each Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer in the amount of $50,000, which is paid quarterly and allocated to each MLIM/FAM-advised fund for which such Co-Chairman provides services based on the relative net assets of each such fund.
The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Fund to the non-interested Directors for the Fund's fiscal year ended October 31, 2004, and the aggregate compensation paid to them from all registered MLIM/FAM-advised funds for the calendar year ended December 31, 2004.
Aggregate
Pension or Compensation From
Retirement Benefits Fund and other
Compensation From Accrued as Part of MLIM/FAM- Advised
Name of Director Fund Fund Expense Funds***
-------------------------------------------- -------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
James H. Bodurtha* $3,650 None $250,000
Kenneth A. Froot** -0- None -0-
Joe Grills* $3,650 None $250,000
Herbert I. London $3,337 None $225,000
27
|
Roberta Cooper Ramo $3,337 None $225,000 Robert S. Salomon, Jr. $3,337 None $225,000 Stephen B. Swensrud $3,337 None $231,000 |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The Investment Adviser, which is owned and controlled by ML & Co., a financial services holding company and the parent of Merrill Lynch, provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. The Investment Adviser acts as the investment adviser to more than 50 registered investment companies and offers investment advisory services to individuals and institutional accounts. As of [ ], the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including MLIM, had a total of approximately $[ ] billion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management, including approximately $[ ] billion in fixed income assets. This amount includes assets managed by certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser is a limited partnership, the partners of which are ML & Co. and Princeton Services. The principal business address of the Investment Adviser is 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, subject to the oversight of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Investment Adviser is responsible for the actual management of the Fund's portfolio. The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Investment Adviser, subject to oversight by the Board of Directors.
The portfolio manager primarily responsible for the Fund's day-to-day management is Michael A. Kalinoski. Mr. Kalinoski has been a portfolio manager and Vice President of MLIM since 1999 and has 12 years of experience investing in Municipal Bonds. The Fund's portfolio manager will consider analyses from various sources, make the necessary investment decisions, and place orders for transactions accordingly.
For its services, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the Fund's average weekly net assets ("average weekly net assets" means the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, including the amount obtained from leverage and any proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, minus the sum of (i) accrued liabilities of the Fund, (ii) any accrued and unpaid interest on outstanding borrowings and (iii) accumulated dividends on shares of preferred stock). For purposes of this calculation, average weekly net assets is determined at the end of each month on the basis of the average net assets of the Fund for each week during the month. The assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at the last business day of a week with the net assets at the last business day of the prior week. It is understood that the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock (other than accumulated dividends) is not considered a liability in determining the Fund's average weekly net assets.
For the six months ended April 30, 2005 and the fiscal years ended October 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, the fees paid by the Fund to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement were $1,667,534, $[3,325,764], $[3,361,696] and $[3,286,243], respectively.
For the six months ended April 30, 2005 and the fiscal years ended October 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Investment Adviser reimbursed the Fund $3,488, $[17,365], $[11,698] and $[3,065], respectively.
The Investment Advisory Agreement obligates the Investment Adviser to provide investment advisory services and to pay all compensation of and furnish office space for officers and employees of the Fund connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, as well as the compensation of all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser or any of its affiliates. The Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, including, among other things,
expenses for legal and auditing services, taxes, costs of preparing, printing and mailing proxies, listing fees, stock certificates and stockholder reports, charges of the custodian and the transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar, Commission fees, fees and expenses of non-interested Directors, accounting and pricing costs, insurance, interest, brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, mailing and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. Certain accounting services are provided to the Fund by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") pursuant to an agreement between State Street and the Fund. The Fund will pay the costs of these services. In addition, the Fund will reimburse the Investment Adviser for certain additional accounting services.
The table below shows the amounts paid by the Fund to State Street and to the Investment Adviser for accounting services for the periods indicated:
Paid by the Fund to
Paid by the Fund to the Investment
Period: State Street Adviser
------- -------------------- --------------------
Six months ended April 30, 2005 $99,921 $6,997
Fiscal year ended October 31, 2004 $195,747 $13,351
Fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 $194,303 $15,771
Fiscal year ended October 31, 2002 $193,134 $23,178
|
Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect from year to year if approved annually (a) by the Board of Directors of the Fund or by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (b) by a majority of the Directors who are not parties to such contract or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. Such contract is not assignable and may be terminated without penalty on 60 days' written notice at the option of either party thereto or by the vote of the stockholders of the Fund. The Board of Directors most recently approved the Investment Advisory Agreement at its meeting on August 12, 2004.
Activities of and Composition of the Board of Directors
All but one member of the Board of Directors is an independent Director whose only affiliation with the Investment Adviser or other Merrill Lynch affiliates is as a Director of the Fund and certain other funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. The Co-Chairmen of the Board are also independent Directors. New Director nominees are chosen as nominees by a Nominating Committee of independent Directors. All independent Directors also are members of the Board's Audit Committee and the independent Directors meet in executive session at each in-person Board meeting. The Board and the Audit Committee meet in person for at least two days each quarter and conduct other in-person and telephone meetings throughout the year, some of which are formal Board meetings, and some of which are informational meetings. The independent counsel to the independent Directors attend all in-person Board and Audit Committee meetings and other meetings at the independent Directors' request.
Investment Advisory Agreement - Matters Considered by the Board
Every year, the Board of Directors considers approval of the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement and throughout each year, reviews and evaluates the performance of and services provided by the Investment Adviser. The Board assesses the nature, scope and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the personnel of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, including administrative services, shareholder services, oversight of fund accounting, marketing services and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements. The Board also receives and assesses information regarding the services provided to the Fund by certain unaffiliated service providers.
At various times throughout the year, the Board also considers a range
of information in connection with its oversight of the services provided by
the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. Among the matters considered are:
(a) fees (in addition to management fees) paid to the Investment Adviser and
its affiliates by the Fund, including fees associated with the Fund's auction
market preferred stock; (b) Fund operating expenses paid to third parties; (c)
the resources devoted to and compliance reports relating to the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions, and its compliance with its Code of Ethics and the Investment Adviser's compliance policies and procedures; and (d) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates.
The Board believes that the Investment Adviser is one of the most experienced global asset management firms and considers the overall quality of services provided by the Investment Adviser to be generally of high quality. The Board also believes that the Investment Adviser is financially sound and well managed, and notes that the Investment Adviser is affiliated with one of America's largest financial firms. The Board believes that, for many of the Fund's shareholders, the investment involved the selection of the Investment Adviser as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Board works closely with the Investment Adviser in overseeing the Investment Adviser's efforts to achieve good performance. As part of this effort, the Board discusses portfolio manager effectiveness and, when performance is not satisfactory, discusses with the Investment Adviser taking steps such as changing investment personnel.
Annual Consideration of Approval by the Board of Directors
In the period prior to the Board meeting to consider renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board requests and receives materials specifically relating to the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement. These materials include (a) information compiled by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") on the fees and expenses and the investment performance of the Fund as compared to a comparable group of funds as classified by Lipper; (b) information comparing the Fund's market price with its net asset value per share; (c) a discussion by the Fund's portfolio management team of investment strategies used by the Fund during its most recent fiscal year; and (d) information on the profitability to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates of the Investment Advisory Agreement and other relationships with the Fund. The Board also considers other matters it deems important to the approval process such as services related to the valuation and pricing of Fund portfolio holdings, information relating to the status of the Fund's managed dividend program, the Fund's portfolio turnover statistics, and direct and indirect benefits to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund.
Certain Specific Renewal Data
In connection with the most recent renewal of the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement, the independent Directors' and Board's review included the following:
The Investment Adviser's Services and Fund Performance. The Board reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Investment Adviser, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of the Fund. The Board focused primarily on the Investment Adviser's investment advisory services and the Fund's investment performance, having concluded that the other services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser were satisfactory. The Board compared Fund performance - both including and excluding the effects of the Fund's fees and expenses - to the performance of a comparable group of funds, and the performance of a relevant index or combination of indexes. While the Board reviews performance data at least quarterly, consistent with the Investment Adviser's investment goals, the Board attaches primary importance to performance over relatively long periods of time, typically three to five years. The Board noted that the Fund's performance within the group after fees and expenses ranked in the first quartile for the one year period and the second quartile for the three and five year periods ended October 31, 2003. The Board concluded that the Fund's performance supported the continuation of the management fee rate at the present level and the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement.
The Investment Adviser's Personnel and Investment Process. The Board reviews at least annually the Fund's investment objectives and strategies. The Board discusses with senior management of the Investment Adviser responsible for investment operations and the senior management of the Investment Adviser's tax-exempt fixed income investing group the strategies being used to achieve the stated objectives. Among other things, the Board considers the size, background and experience of the Investment Adviser's investment staff, its use of technology, and the Investment Adviser's approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board also reviews the Investment Adviser's compensation policies and practices with respect to the Fund's portfolio manager. The Board also considered the experience of the Fund's portfolio manager and noted that Mr. Kalinoski, the Fund's portfolio manager, has 12 years' experience investing in
Municipal Bonds. The Board concluded that the Investment Adviser and its investment staff and the Fund's portfolio manager have extensive experience in analyzing and managing the types of investments used by the Fund and that the Fund benefits from that expertise.
Management Fees and Other Expenses. The Board reviews the Fund's
contractual management fee rate and actual management fee rate (including
applicable fee waivers) as a percentage of total assets at common asset levels
- the actual rate includes advisory and administrative service fees and the
effects of any fee waivers - compared to the other funds in its Lipper
category. The Board considers information regarding fee waivers provided by such
other funds. It also compares the Fund's total expenses to those of other,
comparable funds. The Board did not consider the services provided to and the
fees charged by the Investment Adviser to other types of clients with similar
investment mandates, because the Investment Adviser advised the Board that it
had no comparable investment mandates from its institutional clients. The
Board noted that the Fund's contractual management fee rate was below, and the
Fund's actual management fee rate and its overall operating expenses were
slightly above the median of its comparable funds classified by Lipper. The
Board has concluded that the Fund's management fee and fee rate and overall
expense ratio are reasonable compared to those of other, comparable funds.
Profitability. The Board of Directors considers the cost of the services provided to the Fund by the Investment Adviser and the Investment Adviser's and its affiliates' profits relating to the management of the Fund and the MLIM/FAM-advised funds. As part of its analysis, the Board reviewed the Investment Adviser's methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund and concluded that there was a reasonable basis for the allocation. The Board believes the Investment Adviser's profits are reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of services provided.
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there have been economies of scale in respect of the management of the MLIM/FAM-advised funds, whether the MLIM/FAM-advised funds (including the Fund) have appropriately benefited from any economies of scale, and whether there is potential for realization of any further economies of scale. The Board considered economies of scale to the extent applicable to the Fund's closed end structure and determined that no changes were currently necessary.
Conclusion
After the independent Directors deliberated in executive session, the entire Board including all of the independent Directors, approved the renewal of the existing Investment Advisory Agreement, concluding that the advisory fee rate was reasonable in relation to the services provided and that a contract renewal was in the best interests of the shareholders.
Portfolio Manager Information
The Fund is managed by Michael A. Kalinoski.
Other Funds and Accounts Managed by Portfolio Manager as of October 31, 2004
Number of Other Accounts Managed Number of Accounts and Assets for Which
and Assets by Account Type Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Other Other
Registered Pooled Registered Pooled
Name of Investment Adviser and Investment Investment Other Investment Investment Other
Portfolio Manager Companies Vehicles accounts Companies Vehicles accounts
------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -----------
Fund Asset Management L.P.
--------------------------
Michael A. Kalinoski
|
Fund Ownership
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities of the Fund beneficially owned by the portfolio manager(s) as of the date of this prospectus.
Portfolio Manager Dollar Range
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Michael A. Kalinoski
Portfolio Manager Compensation
|
Portfolio Manager Compensation
The Portfolio Manager Compensation Program of MLIM and its affiliates, including the Investment Adviser, is critical to MLIM's ability to attract and retain the most talented asset management professionals. This program ensures that compensation is aligned with maximizing investment returns and it provides a competitive pay opportunity for competitive performance.
Compensation Program
The elements of total compensation for MLIM and its affiliates portfolio managers are base salary, annual performance-based cash and stock compensation (cash and stock bonus) and other benefits. MLIM has balanced these components of pay to provide portfolio managers with a powerful incentive to achieve consistently superior investment performance. By design, portfolio manager compensation levels fluctuate -- both up and down -- with the relative investment performance of the portfolios that they manage.
Base Salary
Under the MLIM approach, like that of many asset management firms, base salaries represent a relatively small portion of a portfolio manager's total compensation. This approach serves to enhance the motivational value of the performance-based (and therefore variable) compensation elements of the compensation program.
Performance-Based Compensation
MLIM believes that the best interests of investors are served by recruiting and retaining exceptional asset management talent and managing their compensation within a consistent and disciplined framework that emphasizes pay for performance in the context of an intensely competitive market for talent. To that end, MLIM and its affiliates portfolio manager incentive compensation is based on a formulaic compensation program. MLIM's formulaic portfolio manager compensation program includes: investment performance relative to a subset of general closed-end, leveraged, municipal debt funds over 1-, 3- and 5-year performance periods and a measure of operational efficiency. If a portfolio manager's tenure is less than 5 years, performance periods will reflect time in position. Portfolio managers are compensated based on products they manage. A discretionary element of portfolio manager compensation may include consideration of: financial results, expense control, profit margins, strategic planning and implementation, quality of client service, market share, corporate reputation, capital allocation, compliance and risk control, leadership, workforce diversity, supervision, technology and innovation. MLIM and its affiliates also consider the extent to which individuals exemplify and foster ML & Co.'s principles of client focus, respect for the individual, teamwork, responsible citizenship and integrity. All factors are considered collectively by MLIM management.
Cash Bonus
Performance-based compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash and stock. Typically, the cash bonus, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for portfolio managers.
Stock Bonus
A portion of the dollar value of the total annual performance-based bonus is paid in restricted shares of ML & Co. stock. Paying a portion of annual bonuses in stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year "at risk" based on the company's ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. The ultimate value of stock bonuses is dependent on future ML & Co. stock price performance. As such, the stock bonus aligns each portfolio manager's financial interests with those of the ML & Co. shareholders and encourages a balance between short-term goals and long-term strategic objectives. Management strongly believes that providing a significant portion of competitive performance-based compensation in stock is in the best interests of investors and shareholders. This approach ensures that portfolio managers participate as shareholders in both the "downside risk" and "upside opportunity" of the company's performance. Portfolio managers therefore have a direct incentive to protect ML & Co.'s reputation for integrity.
Portfolio managers who meet relative investment performance and financial management objectives during a performance year are eligible to participate in a deferred cash program. Awards under this program are in the form of deferred cash that may be benchmarked to a menu of MLIM mutual funds (including their own fund) during a five-year vesting period. The deferred cash program aligns the interests of participating portfolio managers with the investment results of MLIM products and promotes continuity of successful portfolio management teams.
Other Benefits
Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to employees of ML & Co. and its affiliates, including broad-based retirement, 401(k), health, and other employee benefit plans.
Potential Material Conflicts of Interest
Real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or account, including the following:
Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other clients advised by the Investment. Adviser and its affiliates, including other client accounts managed by the Fund's portfolio management team. Investment decisions for the Fund and other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. Frequently, a particular security may be bought or sold for only one client or in different amounts and at different times for more than one but less than all clients. Likewise, because clients of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates may have differing investment strategies, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more other clients are selling the security. The investment results for the Fund may differ from the results achieved by other clients of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and results among clients may differ. In addition, purchases or sales of the same security may be made for two or more clients on the same day. In such event, such transactions will be allocated among the clients in a manner believed by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates to be equitable to each. The Investment Adviser will not determine allocations based on whether it receives a performance based fee from the client. In some cases, the allocation procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or amount of the securities purchased or sold by the Fund. Purchase and sale orders for the Fund may be combined with those of other clients of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates in the interest of achieving the most favorable net results to the Fund.
To the extent that the Fund's portfolio management team has responsibilities for managing accounts in addition to the Fund, a portfolio manager will need to divide his time and attention among relevant accounts.
In some cases, a real, potential or apparent conflict may also arise where (i) the Investment Adviser may have an incentive, such as a performance based fee, in managing one account and not with respect to other accounts it manages or (ii) where a member of the Fund's portfolio management team owns an interest in one fund or account he or she manages and not another.
Code of Ethics
The Fund's Board of Directors approved a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act that covers the Fund and the Investment Adviser. The Code of Ethics establishes procedures for personal investing and restricts certain transactions. Employees subject to the Code of Ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Fund's Board of Directors has delegated to the Investment Adviser authority to vote all proxies relating to the Fund's portfolio securities. The Investment Adviser has adopted policies and procedures ("Proxy Voting Procedures") with respect to the voting of proxies related to the portfolio securities held in the account of one or more of its clients, including the Fund. Pursuant to these Proxy Voting Procedures, the Investment Adviser's primary objective when voting proxies is to make proxy voting decisions solely in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders, and to act in a manner that the Investment Adviser believes is most likely to enhance the economic value of the securities held by the Fund. The Proxy Voting Procedures are designed to ensure that the Investment Adviser considers the interests of its clients, including the Fund, and not the interests of the Investment Adviser, when voting proxies and that real (or perceived) material conflicts that may arise between the Investment Adviser's interest and those of the Investment Adviser's clients are properly addressed and resolved.
In order to implement the Proxy Voting Procedures, the Investment Adviser has formed a Proxy Voting Committee (the "Proxy Committee"). The Proxy Committee is comprised of the Investment Adviser's Chief Investment Officer (the "CIO"), one or more other senior investment professionals appointed by the CIO, portfolio managers and investment analysts appointed by the CIO and any other personnel the CIO deems appropriate. The Proxy Committee will also include two non-voting representatives from the Investment Adviser's Legal department appointed by the Investment Adviser's General Counsel. The Proxy Committee's membership shall be limited to full-time employees of the Investment Adviser. No person with any investment banking, trading, retail brokerage or research responsibilities for the Investment Adviser's affiliates may serve as a member of the Proxy Committee or participate in its decision making (except to the extent such person is asked by the Proxy Committee to present information to the Proxy Committee, on the same basis as other interested knowledgeable parties not affiliated with the Investment Adviser might be asked to do so). The Proxy Committee determines how to vote the proxies of all clients, including the Fund, that have delegated proxy voting authority to the Investment Adviser and seeks to ensure that all votes are consistent with the best interests of those clients and are free from unwarranted and inappropriate influences. The Proxy Committee establishes general proxy voting policies for the Investment Adviser and is responsible for determining how those policies are applied to specific proxy votes, in light of each issuer's unique structure, management, strategic options and, in certain circumstances, probable economic and other anticipated consequences of alternate actions. In so doing, the Proxy Committee may determine to vote a particular proxy in a manner contrary to its generally stated policies. In addition, the Proxy Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all reporting and recordkeeping requirements related to proxy voting are fulfilled.
The Proxy Committee may determine that the subject matter of a recurring proxy issue is not suitable for general voting policies and requires a case-by-case determination. In such cases, the Proxy Committee may elect not to adopt a specific voting policy applicable to that issue. The Investment Adviser believes that certain proxy voting issues require investment analysis - such as approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions - akin to investment decisions, and are, therefore, not suitable for general guidelines. The Proxy Committee may elect to adopt a common position for the Investment Adviser on certain proxy votes that are akin to investment decisions, or determine to permit the portfolio manager to make individual decisions on how best to maximize economic value for the Fund (similar to normal buy/sell investment decisions made by such portfolio managers). While it is expected that the Investment Adviser will generally seek to vote proxies over which the Investment Adviser exercises voting authority in a uniform manner for all the Investment Adviser's clients, the Proxy Committee, in conjunction with the Fund's portfolio manager, may determine that the Fund's specific circumstances require that its proxies be voted differently.
To assist the Investment Adviser in voting proxies, the Proxy Committee has retained Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS"). ISS is an independent adviser that specializes in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other
institutional investors. The services provided to the Investment Adviser by ISS include in-depth research, voting recommendations (although the Investment Adviser is not obligated to follow such recommendations), vote execution, and recordkeeping. ISS will also assist the Fund in fulfilling its reporting and recordkeeping obligations under the 1940 Act.
The Investment Adviser's Proxy Voting Procedures also address special circumstances that can arise in connection with proxy voting. For instance, under the Proxy Voting Procedures, the Investment Adviser generally will not seek to vote proxies related to portfolio securities that are on loan, although it may do so under certain circumstances. In addition, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to securities of foreign issuers only on a best efforts basis and may elect not to vote at all in certain countries where the Proxy Committee determines that the costs associated with voting generally outweigh the benefits. The Proxy Committee may at any time override these general policies if it determines that such action is in the best interests of the Fund.
From time to time, the Investment Adviser may be required to vote proxies in respect of an issuer where an affiliate of the Investment Adviser (each, an "Affiliate"), or a money management or other client of the Investment Adviser, including investment companies for which the Investment Adviser provides investment advisory, administrative and/or other services (each, a "Client") is involved. The Proxy Voting Procedures and the Investment Adviser's adherence to those procedures are designed to address such conflicts of interest. The Proxy Committee intends to strictly adhere to the Proxy Voting Procedures in all proxy matters, including matters involving Affiliates and Clients. If, however, an issue representing a non-routine matter that is material to an Affiliate or a widely known Client is involved such that the Proxy Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed by the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Proxy Committee may, in its discretion for the purposes of ensuring that an independent determination is reached, retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Proxy Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Adviser's clients.
In the event that the Proxy Committee determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or it does not follow the advice of such an independent fiduciary, the Proxy Committee may pass the voting power to a subcommittee appointed by the CIO (with advice from the Secretary of the Proxy Committee), consisting solely of Proxy Committee members selected by the CIO. The CIO shall appoint to the subcommittee, where appropriate, only persons whose job responsibilities do not include contact with the Client and whose job evaluations would not be affected by the Investment Adviser's relationship with the Client (or failure to retain such relationship). The subcommittee shall determine whether and how to vote all proxies on behalf of the Investment Adviser's clients or, if the proxy matter is, in their judgment, akin to an investment decision, to defer to the applicable portfolio managers, provided that, if the subcommittee determines to alter the Investment Adviser's normal voting guidelines or, on matters where the Investment Adviser's policy is case-by-case, does not follow the voting recommendation of any proxy voting service or other independent fiduciary that may be retained to provide research or advice to the Investment Adviser on that matter, no proxies relating to the Client may be voted unless the Secretary, or in the Secretary's absence, the Assistant Secretary of the Proxy Committee concurs that the subcommittee's determination is consistent with the Investment Adviser's fiduciary duties.
In addition to the general principles outlined above, the Investment Adviser has adopted voting guidelines with respect to certain recurring proxy issues that are not expected to involve unusual circumstances. These policies are guidelines only, and the Investment Adviser may elect to vote differently from the recommendation set forth in a voting guideline if the Proxy Committee determines that it is in the Fund's best interest to do so. In addition, the guidelines may be reviewed at any time upon the request of a Proxy Committee member and may be amended or deleted upon the vote of a majority of Proxy Committee members present at a Proxy Committee meeting at which there is a quorum.
The Investment Adviser has adopted specific voting guidelines with respect to the following proxy issues:
o Proposals related to the composition of the board of directors of issuers other than investment companies. As a general matter, the Proxy Committee believes that a company's board of directors (rather than stockholders) is most likely to have access to important, nonpublic information regarding a company's business and prospects, and is therefore best-positioned to set corporate policy and oversee management. The Proxy Committee, therefore, believes that the foundation of good corporate governance is the election of qualified, independent corporate directors who are likely to diligently
represent the interests of stockholders and oversee management of the corporation in a manner that will seek to maximize stockholder value over time. In individual cases, the Proxy Committee may look at a nominee's number of other directorships, history of representing stockholder interests as a director of other companies or other factors, to the extent the Proxy Committee deems relevant.
o Proposals related to the selection of an issuer's independent auditors. As a general matter, the Proxy Committee believes that corporate auditors have a responsibility to represent the interests of stockholders and provide an independent view on the propriety of financial reporting decisions of corporate management. While the Proxy Committee will generally defer to a corporation's choice of auditor, in individual cases, the Proxy Committee may look at an auditors' history of representing stockholder interests as auditor of other companies, to the extent the Proxy Committee deems relevant.
o Proposals related to management compensation and employee benefits. As a general matter, the Proxy Committee favors disclosure of an issuer's compensation and benefit policies and opposes excessive compensation, but believes that compensation matters are normally best determined by an issuer's board of directors, rather than stockholders. Proposals to "micro-manage" an issuer's compensation practices or to set arbitrary restrictions on compensation or benefits will, therefore, generally not be supported.
o Proposals related to requests, principally from management, for approval of amendments that would alter an issuer's capital structure. As a general matter, the Proxy Committee will support requests that enhance the rights of common stockholders and oppose requests that appear to be unreasonably dilutive.
o Proposals related to requests for approval of amendments to an issuer's charter or by-laws. As a general matter, the Proxy Committee opposes poison pill provisions.
o Routine proposals related to requests regarding the formalities of corporate meetings.
o Proposals related to proxy issues associated solely with holdings of investment company shares. As with other types of companies, the Proxy Committee believes that a fund's board of directors (rather than its stockholders) is best-positioned to set fund policy and oversee management. However, the Proxy Committee opposes granting boards of directors authority over certain matters, such as changes to a fund's investment objective, that the Investment Company Act envisions will be approved directly by stockholders.
o Proposals related to limiting corporate conduct in some manner that relates to the stockholder's environmental or social concerns. The Proxy Committee generally believes that annual stockholder meetings are inappropriate forums for discussion of larger social issues, and opposes stockholder resolutions "micro-managing" corporate conduct or requesting release of information that would not help a stockholder evaluate an investment in the corporation as an economic matter. While the Proxy Committee is generally supportive of proposals to require corporate disclosure of matters that seem relevant and material to the economic interests of stockholders, the Proxy Committee is generally not supportive of proposals to require disclosure of corporate matters for other purposes.
Information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held by the Fund's portfolio during the most recent 12 month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) at www.mutualfunds.ml.com, and (ii) the Commission's website at www.sec.gov.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors, the Investment Adviser is primarily responsible for the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage. The Fund has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities of the Fund. Where possible, the Fund deals directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved except in those
circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. It is the policy of the Fund to obtain the best results in conducting portfolio transactions for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable dealer spread or commission), the size, type and difficulty of the transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operations facilities and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. The cost of portfolio securities transactions of the Fund primarily consists of dealer or underwriter spreads and brokerage commissions. While reasonable competitive spreads or commissions are sought, the Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available on any particular transaction.
Subject to obtaining the best net results, dealers who provide supplemental investment research (such as quantitative and modeling information assessments and statistical data and provide other similar services) to the Investment Adviser may receive orders for transactions by the Fund. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Investment Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the expense of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Supplemental investment research obtained from such dealers might be used by the Investment Adviser in servicing all of its accounts and such research might not be used by the Investment Adviser in connection with the Fund.
The Fund invests in securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, and the Fund intends to deal directly with dealers who make markets in the securities involved, except in those circumstances where better execution is available elsewhere. Under the 1940 Act, except as permitted by exemptive order, persons affiliated with the Fund, including Merrill Lynch, are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities. Since transactions in the over-the-counter market usually involve transactions with dealers acting as principals for their own accounts, the Fund does not deal with Merrill Lynch and its affiliates in connection with such principal transactions except that, pursuant to exemptive orders obtained by the Investment Adviser, the Fund may engage in principal transactions with Merrill Lynch in high quality, short term, tax exempt securities. See "Investment Restrictions." However, affiliated persons of the Fund, including Merrill Lynch, may serve as its brokers in certain over-the-counter transactions conducted on an agency basis. In addition, the Fund has received an exemptive order, under which it may purchase investment grade Municipal Bonds through group orders from an underwriting syndicate of which Merrill Lynch is a member subject to conditions set forth in such order (the "Group Order Exemptive Order"). A group order is an order for securities held in an underwriting syndicate for the account of all members of the syndicate, and in proportion to their respective participation in the syndicate.
The Fund also may purchase tax exempt debt instruments in individually negotiated transactions with the issuers. Because an active trading market may not exist for such securities, the prices that the Fund may pay for these securities or receive on their resale may be lower than that for similar securities with a more liquid market.
Certain court decisions have raised questions as to the extent to which investment companies should seek exemptions under the 1940 Act in order to seek to recapture underwriting and dealer spreads from affiliated entities. The Fund's Board of Directors has considered all factors deemed relevant and has made a determination not to seek such recapture at this time. The Fund's Board of Directors will reconsider this matter from time to time.
Securities held by the Fund may also be held by, or be appropriate investments for, other funds or investment advisory clients for which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates act as an adviser. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be bought for an advisory client when other clients are selling the same security. If purchases or sales of securities by the Investment Adviser for the Fund or other funds for which it acts as investment adviser or for other advisory clients arise for consideration at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all. Transactions effected by the Investment Adviser (or its affiliates) on behalf of more than one of its clients during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, causing an adverse effect on price.
Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 generally prohibits members of the U.S. national securities exchanges from executing exchange transactions for their affiliates and institutional accounts that they manage unless the member (i) has obtained prior express authorization from the account to effect such transactions, (ii) at least annually furnishes the account with a statement setting forth the aggregate compensation received by the member in effecting such transactions, and (iii) complies with any rules the Commission has prescribed with respect
to the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii). To the extent Section 11(a) would apply to Merrill Lynch acting as a broker for the Fund in any of its portfolio transactions executed on any such securities exchange of which it is a member, appropriate consents have been obtained from the Fund and annual statements as to aggregate compensation will be provided to the Fund.
Portfolio Turnover
Generally, the Fund does not purchase securities for short term trading profits. However, the Fund may dispose of securities without regard to the time they have been held when such actions, for defensive or other reasons, appear advisable to the Investment Adviser. While it is not possible to predict turnover rates with any certainty, at present it is anticipated that the Fund's annual portfolio turnover rate, under normal circumstances, should be less than 100%. (The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the particular fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the particular fiscal year. For purposes of determining this rate, all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one year or less are excluded.) A high portfolio turnover rate results in greater transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund and may have certain tax consequences for stockholders.
For the six months ended April 30, 2005 and the fiscal years ended October 31, 2004 and 2003, the Fund's portfolio turnover rates were 14.76%, 32.87% and 33.92%, respectively.
TAXES
The Fund has elected to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies ("RICs") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). As long as it so qualifies, in any taxable year in which it distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income and 90% of its tax exempt net income (see below), the Fund (but not its stockholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its net investment income and net realized capital gains. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income. If, in any taxable year, the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC under the Code, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and all distributions from earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. Federal income tax principles) to its stockholders would be taxable as ordinary dividend income eligible for the maximum 15% tax rate for non-corporate shareholders and the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. However, the Fund's distributions derived from income on tax exempt obligations, as defined herein, would no longer qualify for treatment as exempt interest.
The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gains, determined, in general, on an October 31 year-end, plus certain undistributed amounts from previous years. The required distributions, however, are based only on the taxable income of a RIC. The excise tax, therefore, generally will not apply to the tax exempt income of a RIC, such as the Fund, that pays exempt-interest dividends.
The Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), in a revenue ruling, held that certain auction rate preferred stock would be treated as stock for Federal income tax purposes. The terms of the AMPS are substantially similar, but not identical, to the auction rate preferred stock discussed in the revenue ruling, and in the opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to the Fund, the shares of AMPS will constitute stock of the Fund and distributions with respect to shares of AMPS (other than distributions in redemption of shares of AMPS subject to Section 302(b) of the Code) will constitute dividends to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits as calculated for Federal income tax purposes. Nevertheless, it is possible that the IRS might take a contrary position, asserting, for example, that the shares of AMPS constitute debt of the Fund. If this position were upheld, the discussion of the treatment of distributions below would not apply. Instead, distributions by the Fund to holders of shares of AMPS would constitute taxable interest income, 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. Counsel believes that such a position, if asserted by the IRS, would be unlikely to prevail.
The Fund will only purchase a Municipal Bond or Non-Municipal Tax-Exempt Security if it is accompanied by an opinion of counsel to the issuer, which is delivered on the date of issuance of the security, that the interest paid on such security is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (i.e., "tax-
exempt"). The Fund intends to qualify to pay "exempt-interest dividends" as
defined in Section 852(b)(5) of the Code. Under such section if, at the close
of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total
assets consists of obligations that pay interest which is excludable from
gross income for Federal income tax purposes ("tax exempt obligations") under
Section 103(a) of the Code (relating generally to obligations of a state or
local governmental unit), the Fund shall be qualified to pay exempt-interest
dividends to its stockholders. Exempt-interest dividends are dividends or any
part thereof paid by the Fund that are attributable to interest on tax exempt
obligations and designated by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends in a
written notice mailed to the Fund's stockholders within 60 days after the
close of its taxable year. To the extent that the dividends distributed to the
Fund's stockholders are derived from interest income exempt from tax under
Code Section 103(a) and are properly designated as exempt-interest dividends,
they will be excludable from a stockholder's gross income for Federal tax
purposes. Exempt-interest dividends are included, however, in determining the
portion, if any, of a person's social security and railroad retirement
benefits subject to Federal income taxes. Each stockholder is advised to
consult a tax adviser with respect to whether exempt-interest dividends retain
the exclusion under Code Section 103(a) if such stockholder would be treated
as a "substantial user" or "related person" under Code Section 147(a) with
respect to property financed with the proceeds of an issue of PABs, if any,
held by the Fund.
To the extent that the Fund's distributions are derived from interest on its taxable investments or from an excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses ("ordinary income dividends"), such distributions generally are considered ordinary income for Federal income tax purposes. Distributions by the Fund, whether from exempt-interest income, ordinary income or capital gains, are not eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code or the reduced tax rates available to non-corporate shareholders. Distributions, if any, from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses derived from the sale of securities or from certain transactions in futures, or options and swaps ("capital gain dividends") are taxable as long-term capital gains for Federal income tax purposes, regardless of the length of time the stockholder has owned Fund shares. Generally not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide its stockholders with a written notice designating the amounts of any exempt-interest dividends and capital gain dividends. If the Fund pays a dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or December to stockholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by its stockholders on December 31 of the year in which such dividend was declared.
All or a portion of the Fund's gain from the sale or redemption of tax exempt obligations purchased at a market discount will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as ordinary income rather than capital gain. This rule may increase the amount of ordinary income dividends received by stockholders. Distributions in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The sale or exchange of AMPS could result in capital gain or loss to holders of AMPS who hold their shares as capital assets. Generally, a stockholder's gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the stockholder. In addition, any such loss that is not disallowed under the rule stated above will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the stockholder.
If you borrow money to buy the Fund's AMPS, you may not be permitted to deduct the interest on that loan. Under Federal income tax rules, the Fund's AMPS may be treated as having been bought with borrowed money even if the purchase cannot be traced directly to borrowed money. Stockholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the impact of an investment in AMPS upon the deductibility of interest payable by the stockholder.
The IRS has taken the position in a revenue ruling that if a RIC has two or more classes of shares, it may designate distributions made to each class in any year as consisting of no more than such class's proportionate share of particular types of income, including exempt-interest income and net long-term capital gains. A class's proportionate share of a particular type of income is determined according to the percentage of total dividends paid by the RIC during such year that was paid to such class. Thus, the Fund is required to allocate a portion of its net capital gain and other taxable income to the shares of AMPS and Other AMPS of each series. Accordingly, the Fund intends to designate dividends paid to the Series E AMPS and Other AMPS as tax exempt interest, capital
gains or other taxable income, as applicable, in proportion to each series' share of total dividends paid during the year. The Fund may notify the Auction Agent of the amount of any net capital gain and other taxable income to be included in any dividend on shares of AMPS prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for such dividend. The Fund also may include such income in a dividend on shares of AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income were a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount were an Additional Dividend, provided that the Fund will notify the Auction Agent of the additional amounts to be included in such dividend prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date. See "The Auction--Auction Procedures--Auction Date; Advance Notice of Allocation of Taxable Income; Inclusion of Taxable Income in Dividends" in the prospectus. Except for the portion of any dividend that it informs the Auction Agent will be treated as capital gains or other taxable income, the Fund anticipates that the dividends paid on the shares of AMPS will constitute exempt-interest dividends. The amount of net capital gain and ordinary income allocable to shares of AMPS (the "taxable distribution") will depend upon the amount of such gains and income realized by the Fund and the total dividends paid by the Fund on shares of common stock and shares of the series of AMPS during a taxable year, but the taxable distribution generally is not expected to be significant.
If the Fund makes a Retroactive Taxable Allocation, it will pay Additional Dividends to holders of AMPS who are subject to the Retroactive Taxable Allocation. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends-- Additional Dividends" in the prospectus. The Federal income tax consequences of Additional Dividends under existing law are uncertain. The Fund intends to treat a holder as receiving a dividend distribution in the amount of any Additional Dividend only as and when such Additional Dividend is paid. An Additional Dividend generally will be designated by the Fund as an exempt-interest dividend except as otherwise required by applicable law. However, the IRS may assert that all or part of an Additional Dividend is a taxable dividend either in the taxable year for which the Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made or in the taxable year in which the Additional Dividend is paid.
In the opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to the Fund, under current law the manner in which the Fund intends to allocate items of tax exempt income, net capital gain and other taxable income among shares of common stock and shares of AMPS will be respected for Federal income tax purposes. However, the tax treatment of Additional Dividends may affect the Fund's calculation of each class's allocable share of capital gains and other taxable income. In addition, there is currently no direct guidance from the IRS or other sources specifically addressing whether the Fund's method for allocating tax exempt income, net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, among shares of common stock and shares of the AMPS will be respected for Federal income tax purposes, and it is possible that the IRS could disagree with counsel's opinion and attempt to reallocate the Fund's net capital gain or other taxable income. In the event of a reallocation, some of the dividends identified by the Fund as exempt-interest dividends to holders of shares of AMPS may be recharacterized as additional capital gains or other taxable income. In the event of such recharacterization, the Fund would not be required to make payments to such stockholders to offset the tax effect of such reallocation. In addition, a reallocation may cause the Fund to be liable for income tax and excise tax on any reallocated taxable income. Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP has advised the Fund that, in its opinion, if the IRS were to challenge in court the Fund's allocations of income and gain, the IRS would be unlikely to prevail. A holder should be aware, however, that the opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP represents only its best legal judgment and is not binding on the IRS or the courts.
The Code subjects interest received on certain otherwise tax exempt securities to a Federal alternative minimum tax. The Federal alternative minimum tax applies to interest received on PABs issued after August 7, 1986. PABs are bonds that, although tax exempt, are used for purposes other than those performed by governmental units and that benefit non-governmental entities (e.g., bonds used for industrial development or housing purposes). Income received on such bonds is classified as an item of "tax preference," which could subject certain investors in such bonds, including stockholders of the Fund, to an increased Federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund intends to purchase such PABs and will report to stockholders at the close of the calendar year-end the portion of its dividends declared during the year which constitutes an item of tax preference for Federal alternative minimum tax purposes. The Code further provides that corporations are subject to a Federal alternative minimum tax based, in part, on certain differences between taxable income as adjusted for other tax preferences and the corporation's "adjusted current earnings," which more closely reflect a corporation's economic income. Because an exempt-interest dividend paid by the Fund will be included in adjusted current earnings, a corporate stockholder may be required to pay a Federal alternative minimum tax on exempt-interest dividends paid by the Fund.
The Fund may invest in instruments the return on which includes nontraditional features such as indexed principal or interest payments ("nontraditional instruments"). These instruments may be subject to special tax rules under which the Fund may be required to accrue and distribute income before amounts due under the obligations are paid. In addition, it is possible that all or a portion of the interest payments on such nontraditional instruments could be recharacterized as taxable ordinary income.
The Fund may engage in interest rate and credit default swaps. The Federal income tax rules governing the taxation of swaps are not entirely clear and may require the Fund to treat payments received under such arrangements as ordinary income and to amortize payments under certain circumstances. Because payments received by the Fund in connection with swap transactions will be taxable rather than tax exempt, they may result in increased taxable distributions to stockholders.
Certain transactions entered into by the Fund are subject to complex Federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (a) affect the character of gains and losses realized, (b) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, and (c) accelerate the recognition of income. Operation of these tax rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of distributions and result in increased taxable distributions to stockholders. Special tax rules also will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as sold on the last day of the taxable year), and may result in the recognition of income without a corresponding receipt of cash. The Fund intends to monitor its transactions, make appropriate tax elections and make appropriate entries in its books and records to lessen the effect of these tax rules and avoid any possible disqualification for the special treatment afforded RICs under the Code.
The Fund's ability to distribute dividends exempt from Federal income tax depends on the exclusion from gross income of the interest income that it receives on the securities in which it invests. The Fund will only purchase Municipal Bonds and Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities if they are accompanied by an opinion of counsel to the issuer, which is delivered on the date of issuance of that security, that interest on such securities is excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (the "tax exemption opinion").
Events occurring after the date of issuance of the Municipal Bonds and Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities in which the Fund invests, however, may cause the interest on such securities to be includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes. For example, the Code establishes certain requirements, such as restrictions as to the investment of the proceeds of the issue, limitations as to the use of proceeds of such issue and the property financed by such proceeds, and the payment of certain excess earnings to the Federal government, that must be met after the issuance of securities for interest on such securities to remain excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes. The issuers and the conduit borrowers of the Municipal Bonds or Non-Municipal Tax Exempt Securities generally covenant to comply with such requirements, and the tax exemption opinion generally assumes continuing compliance with such requirements. Failure to comply with these continuing requirements, however, may cause the interest on such securities to be includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes retroactive to their date of issue.
In addition, the IRS has an ongoing enforcement program that involves the audit of tax exempt bonds to determine whether an issue of bonds satisfies all of the requirements that must be met for interest on such bonds to be excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes. From time to time, some of the securities held by the Fund may be the subject of such an audit by the IRS, and the IRS may determine that the interest on such securities is includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes, either because the IRS has taken a legal position adverse to the conclusion reached by counsel to the issuer in the tax exemption opinion or as a result of an action taken or not taken after the date of issue of such obligation. If a Municipal Bond or Non- Municipal Tax Exempt Security in which the Fund invests is determined to pay taxable interest subsequent to the Fund's acquisition of such security, the IRS may demand that the Fund pay taxes on the affected interest income. If the Fund agrees to do so, the Fund's yield on its common stock could be adversely affected. A determination that interest on a security held by the Fund is includable in gross income for Federal income tax purposes retroactively to its date of issue may, likewise, cause a portion of prior distributions received by stockholders, including holders of AMPS, to be taxable to those stockholders in the year of receipt. The Fund will not pay an Additional Dividend to a holder of AMPS under these circumstances.
If at any time when shares of AMPS are outstanding the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund will be required to suspend distributions to holders of common stock until the asset coverage is restored. See "Description of AMPS--Dividends--Restrictions on Dividends and Other Payments" and in the prospectus. This may prevent the Fund from distributing at least 90% of its net income, and may, therefore, jeopardize the Fund's qualification for taxation as a RIC. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC, some or all of the distributions paid by the Fund would be fully taxable for Federal income tax purposes. Upon any failure to meet the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, in its sole discretion, may, and under certain circumstances will be required to, redeem shares of AMPS in order to maintain or restore the requisite asset coverage and avoid the adverse consequences to the Fund and its stockholders of failing to qualify as a RIC. See "Description of AMPS--Redemption" herein and in the prospectus. There can be no assurance, however, that any such action would achieve such objectives.
As noted above, the Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of its net taxable and tax exempt interest income. A distribution will only be counted for this purpose if it qualifies for the dividends paid deduction under the Code. Additional preferred stock that the Fund has authority to issue may raise an issue as to whether distributions on such preferred stock are "preferential" under the Code and therefore not eligible for the dividends paid deduction. The Fund intends to issue preferred stock that counsel advises will not result in the payment of a preferential dividend. If the Fund ultimately relies on a legal opinion with regard to such preferred stock, there is no assurance that the IRS would agree that dividends on the preferred stock are not preferential. If the IRS successfully disallowed the dividends paid deduction for dividends on the preferred stock, the Fund could lose the benefit of the special treatment afforded RICs under the Code. In this case, dividends paid by the Fund would not be exempt from Federal income taxes. Additionally, the Fund would be subject to Federal income tax, including the alternative minimum tax.
Under certain Code provisions, some stockholders may be subject to a withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and redemption payments ("backup withholding"). Backup withholding may also be required on distributions paid by the Fund, unless it reasonably estimates that at least 95% of its distributions during the taxable year are comprised of exempt-interest dividends. Generally, stockholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund's knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld generally may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a stockholder's Federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely forwarded to the IRS.
The Fund is generally not an appropriate investment for retirement plans, other entities that are not subject to tax and foreign stockholders.
State and Local Taxes
The exemption from Federal income tax for exempt-interest dividends does not necessarily result in an exemption for such dividends under the income or other tax laws of any state or local taxing authority. Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers concerning state and local matters.
In some states, the portion of any exempt-interest dividend that is derived from interest received by a RIC on its holdings of that state's securities and its political subdivisions and instrumentalities is exempt from that state's income tax. Therefore, the Fund will report annually to its stockholders the percentage of interest income earned by the Fund during the preceding year on tax exempt obligations indicating, on a state-by-state basis, the source of such income.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations presently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The Code and the Treasury Regulations are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action either prospectively or retroactively.
Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to Federal, state, local or foreign taxes.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The investment activities of the Investment Adviser, Merrill Lynch and other affiliates of Merrill Lynch for their own accounts and other accounts they manage may give rise to conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Fund and its stockholders. The Investment Adviser has adopted written policies and procedures that, collectively, address investment activities of, and other arrangements involving, the Investment Adviser that may give rise to such conflicts of interest.
Merrill Lynch, as a diversified global financial services firm, is involved with a broad spectrum of financial services and asset management activities. Certain of Merrill Lynch's affiliates that are not service providers to the Fund engage in a broad range of activities over which the Investment Adviser has no control or ability to exercise oversight. Although there are no formal written policies and procedures that cover all potential or actual conflicts of interest, Merrill Lynch has established a number of committees and related policies and procedures that are designed to identify, analyze and/or resolve such conflicts of interest. No assurance can be given that Merrill Lynch will be able to identify each conflict of interest or that each identified conflict of interest will be resolved in favor of the Fund.
Merrill Lynch and its affiliates, including, without limitation, the Investment Adviser and its advisory affiliates may have proprietary interests in, and may manage or advise with respect to, accounts or funds (including separate accounts and other funds and collective investment vehicles) that have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund and/or that engage in transactions in the same types of securities and instruments as the Fund. Merrill Lynch and its affiliates are also major participants in, among others, the options, swaps, and equities markets, in each case both on a proprietary basis and for the accounts of customers. As such, Merrill Lynch and its affiliates are actively engaged in transactions in the same securities and instruments in which the Fund invests. Such activities could affect the prices and availability of the securities and instruments in which the Fund invests, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund's performance. Such transactions, particularly in respect of most proprietary accounts or customer accounts, will be executed independently of the Fund's transactions and thus at prices or rates that may be more or less favorable than those obtained by the Fund.
The results of the Fund's investment activities may differ significantly from the results achieved by the Investment Adviser and its affiliates for its proprietary accounts or other accounts (including investment companies or collective investment vehicles) managed or advised by the Investment Adviser. It is possible that the Investment Adviser and its affiliates and such other accounts will achieve investment results that are substantially more or less favorable than the results achieved by the Fund. Moreover, it is possible that the Fund will sustain losses during periods in which the Investment Adviser and its affiliates achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. The opposite result is also possible.
From time to time, the Fund's activities may also be restricted because of regulatory restrictions applicable to Merrill Lynch and its affiliates, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a result, there may be periods, for example, when the Investment Adviser, and/or its affiliates, will not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions in certain securities or instruments with respect to which the Investment Adviser and/or its affiliates are performing services or when position limits have been reached.
In connection with its management of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by Merrill Lynch. The Investment Adviser will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of the Fund in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, neither Merrill Lynch nor any of its affiliates will have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of the Fund and it is not anticipated that the Investment Adviser will have access to such information for the purpose of managing the Fund. The proprietary activities or portfolio strategies of Merrill Lynch and its affiliates or the activities or strategies used for accounts managed by them or other customer accounts could conflict with the transactions and strategies employed by the Investment Adviser in managing the Fund.
In addition, certain principals and certain employees of the Investment Adviser are also principals or employees of Merrill Lynch or its affiliated entities. As a result, the performance by these principals and employees of their obligations to such other entities may be a consideration of which investors in the Fund should be aware.
The Investment Adviser may enter into transactions and invest in securities and instruments on behalf of the Fund in which customers of Merrill Lynch (or, to the extent permitted by the SEC, Merrill Lynch) serve as the counterparty, principal or issuer. In such cases, such party's interests in the transaction will be adverse to the interests of the Fund, and such party may have no incentive to assure that the Fund obtains the best possible prices or terms in connection with the transactions. In addition, the purchase, holding and sale of such investments by the Fund may enhance the profitability of Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch and its affiliates may also create, write or issue derivative instruments for customers of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates, the underlying securities or instruments of which may be those in which the Fund invests or which may be based on the performance of the Fund. The Fund may, subject to applicable law, purchase investments that are the subject of an underwriting or other distribution by Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and may also enter into transactions with other clients of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates where such other clients have interests adverse to those of the Fund. At times, these activities may cause departments of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates to give advice to clients that may cause these clients to take actions adverse to the interests of the Fund. To the extent affiliated transactions are permitted, the Fund will deal with Merrill Lynch and its affiliates on an arms-length basis.
The Fund will be required to establish business relationships with its counterparties based on the Fund's own credit standing. Neither Merrill Lynch nor its affiliates will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with the Fund's establishment of its business relationships, nor is it expected that the Fund's counterparties will rely on the credit of Merrill Lynch or any of its affiliates in evaluating the Fund's creditworthiness.
It is also possible that, from time to time, Merrill Lynch or any of its affiliates, may, although they are not required to, purchase, hold or sell shares of the Fund.
It is possible that the Fund may invest in securities of companies with which Merrill Lynch has or is trying to develop investment banking relationships as well as securities of entities in which Merrill Lynch makes a market. The Fund also may invest in securities of companies that Merrill Lynch provides or may someday provide research coverage. Such investments could cause conflicts between the interests of the Fund and the interests of other Merrill Lynch clients. In providing services to the Fund, the Investment Adviser is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or affiliate of Merrill Lynch in the course of these activities. In addition, from time to time, Merrill Lynch's activities may limit the Fund's flexibility in purchases and sales of securities. When Merrill Lynch is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of an entity, the Investment Adviser may be prohibited from purchasing or recommending the purchase of certain securities of that entity for the Fund.
The Investment Adviser, its affiliates, and its directors, officers and employees, may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts, and may have conflicts of interest with respect to investments made on behalf of the Fund. As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, officers and employees and affiliates of the Investment Adviser that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Fund. To lessen the possibility that the Fund will be adversely affected by this personal trading, each of the Fund and the Investment Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics in compliance with Section 17(j) of the 1940 Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Fund's portfolio transactions.
The Investment Adviser and its affiliates will not purchase securities or other property from, or sell securities or other property to, the Fund, except that the Fund may, in accordance with rules adopted under the 1940 Act, engage in transactions with accounts that are affiliated with the Fund as a result of common officers, directors, or investment advisers. These transactions would be effected in circumstances in which the Investment Adviser determined that it would be appropriate for the Fund to purchase and another client to sell, or the Fund to sell and another client to purchase, the same security or instrument on the same day.
Present and future activities of Merrill Lynch and its affiliates, including of the Investment Adviser, in addition to those described in this section, may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.
NET ASSET VALUE
Net asset value per share of common stock is determined Monday through Friday as of the close of business on the NYSE (generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each business day during which the NYSE is open for trading. For purposes of determining the net asset value of a share of common stock, the value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) and the aggregate liquidation value of any outstanding shares of preferred stock is divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding at such time. Expenses, including the fees payable to the Investment Adviser, are accrued daily.
The Municipal Bonds and other portfolio securities in which the Fund invests are traded primarily in over-the-counter ("OTC") municipal bond and money markets and are valued at the last available bid price for long positions and at the last available ask price for short positions in the OTC market or on the basis of yield equivalents as obtained from one or more dealers or pricing services approved by the Directors. One bond is the "yield equivalent" of another bond when, taking into account market price, maturity, coupon rate, credit rating and ultimate return of principal, both bonds will theoretically produce an equivalent return to the bondholder. Financial futures contracts and options thereon, which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their settlement prices as of the close of such exchanges. Short-term investments with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued on an amortized cost basis, which approximates market value, unless the Investment Adviser believes that this method no longer produces fair valuations. Repurchase agreements will be valued at cost plus accrued interest. The value of swaps, including interest rate swaps, caps and floors, will be determined by obtaining dealer quotations. Repurchase agreements will be valued at cost plus accrued interest. Securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Directors, including valuations furnished by a pricing service retained by the Fund, which may use a matrix system for valuations. The procedures of the pricing service and its valuations are reviewed by the officers of the Fund under the general supervision of the Directors.
The Fund makes available for publication the net asset value of its shares of common stock determined as of the last business day each week. Currently, the net asset values of shares of publicly traded closed-end investment companies investing in debt securities are published in Barron's, the Monday edition of The Wall Street Journal and the Monday and Saturday editions of The New York Times.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2004, together with the report of _________ thereon, are
incorporated in this statement of additional information by reference to its
2004 Annual Report. The Fund's unaudited financial statements for the six
months ended April 30, 2005 are incorporated in this statement of additional
information by reference to its 2005 Semi-Annual Report. You may request a
copy of the Annual Report and the Semi-Annual Report at no charge by calling
(800) 543-6217 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on any business
day.
APPENDIX A
RATINGS OF MUNICIPAL BONDS
DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
Description of Moody's Municipal Bond Ratings
Aaa Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
Aa Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
A Issuers or issues rated A present above-average
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
Baa Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness
relative to other US municipal or tax- exempt issuers or
issues.
Ba Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
B Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness
relative to other US municipal or tax- exempt issuers or
issues.
Caa Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
Ca Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
C Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest
creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt
issuers or issues.
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Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Description of Moody's Municipal Short-Term Debt Ratings
MIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent
protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly
reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access
to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of
protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding
group.
MIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity
and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt
instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of
protection.
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Description of Moody's U.S. Municipal Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody's evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand ("demand feature"), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue's specific structural or credit features.
VMIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent
protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit
strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price
upon demand.
VMIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection
is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the
liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that
ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate
protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit
strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal
protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price
upon demand.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality.
Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a
liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade
short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal
protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase
price upon demand.
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Description of Moody's Short-Term Ratings
Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations not having an original maturity in excess of thirteen months. Moody's employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:
P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a
superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a
strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an
acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not
fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
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Description of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("Standard & Poor's"), Debt Ratings
A Standard & Poor's issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations or a specific program. It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation.
The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.
The issue credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligors or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources Standard & Poor's considers reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
The issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
I. Likelihood of payment--capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
III. Protection afforded to, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
Long Term Issue Credit Ratings
AAA An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's. Capacity to meet its financial commitment on
the obligation is extremely strong.
AA An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest rated issues
only in small degree. The Obligor's capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than debt in higher-rated categories. However, the
obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is still strong.
BBB An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection
parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of
the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB An obligation rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC" and "C" are regarded
B as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates
CCC the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest degree of
CC speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and
C protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
D An obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on
the date due even if the applicable grace period has not
expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will
be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking
of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
c The `c' subscript is used to provide additional information to
investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to
purchase tendered bonds if the long term credit rating of the
issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer's
bonds are deemed taxable.
p The letter `p' indicates that the rating is provisional. A
provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the
project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that
payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely
dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the
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project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality
subsequent to the completion of the project, makes no comment
on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of
such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment
with respect to such likelihood and risk.
* Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's
receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing
documentation confirming investments and cash flows.
r This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with
significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal
or volatility of expected returns which are not addressed in
the credit rating.
N.R. This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is
insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that
Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a
matter of policy.
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Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Description of Standard & Poor's Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A Standard & Poor's short-term issue credit rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than three years. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the highest-quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as follows:
A-1 A short-term obligation rated "A-1" is rated in the highest
category by Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within
this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus
sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet
its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely
strong.
A-2 A short-term obligation rated "A-2" is somewhat more
susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating
categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3 A short-term obligation rated "A-3" exhibits adequate
protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or
changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened
capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation.
B A short-term obligation rated "B" is regarded as having
significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently
has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which
could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
C A short-term obligation rated "C" is currently vulnerable to
nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial
and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation.
D A short-term obligation rated "D" is in payment default. The
"D" rating category is used when interest payments or principal
payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable
grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period. The
"D" rating will also be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy
petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an
obligation are jeopardized.
c The "c" subscript is used to provide additional information to
investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to
purchase tendered bonds if the long term credit rating of the
issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer's
bonds are deemed taxable.
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p The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A
provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the
project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that
payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely
dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the
project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality
subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on
the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such
completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
* Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's
receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing.
r The "r" highlights derivative, hybrid, and certain other
obligations that Standard & Poor's believes may experience high
volatility or high variability in expected returns as a result
of noncredit risks. Examples of such obligations are securities
with principal or interest return indexed to equities,
commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options, and
interest-only and principal-only mortgage securities. The
absence of an "r" symbol should not be taken as an indication
that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in
total return.
A short-term issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase or
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sell a security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard & Poor's by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information.
A Standard & Poor's note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment.
--Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
--Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue
determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt
service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some
vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over
the term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
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Description of Fitch Ratings' ("Fitch") Investment Grade Bond Ratings
Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The rating represents Fitch's assessment of the issuer's ability to meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.
The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength and credit quality.
Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by insurance policies or financial guarantees unless otherwise indicated.
Bonds carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differences in the degrees of credit risk.
Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax exempt nature or taxability of payments made in respect of any security.
Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.
AAA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest
credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability
to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be
affected by reasonably foreseeable events.
AA Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay
principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds
rated "AAA." Because bonds rated in the "AAA" and "AA"
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable
future developments, short term debt of these issuers is
generally rated "F-1+."
A Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay
principal is considered to be strong, but may be more
vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
BBB Bonds considered to be investment grade and of
satisfactory-credit quality. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate.
Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances,
however, are more likely to have adverse impact on these bonds,
and therefore impair timely payment. The likelihood that the
ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is
higher than for bonds with higher ratings.
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Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "AAA" category.
Description of Fitch's Speculative Grade Bond Ratings
Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The ratings ("BB" to "C") represent Fitch's assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating ("DDD" to "D") is an assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation. The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer's future financial strength.
Bonds that have the rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in degrees of credit risk.
BB Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor's ability to pay
interest and repay principal may be affected over time by
adverse economic changes. However, business and financial
alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor
in satisfying its debt service requirements.
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B Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this
class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the
probability of continued timely payment of principal and
interest reflects the obligor's limited margin of safety and
the need for reasonable business and economic activity
throughout the life of the issue.
CCC Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not
remedied, may lead to default. The ability to meet obligations
requires an advantageous business and economic environment.
CC Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest
and/or principal seems probable over time.
C Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or
principal.
D Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments.
DD Such bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on
DDD the basis of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or
reorganization of the obligor. "DDD" represents the highest
potential for recovery on these bonds, and "D" represents the
lowest potential for recovery.
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Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the "DDD," "DD," or "D" categories.
Description of Fitch's Short Term Ratings
Fitch's short term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and investment notes.
The short term rating places greater emphasis than a long term rating on the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer's obligations in a timely manner.
Fitch short term ratings are as follows:
F-1+ Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this
rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance
for timely payment.
F-1 Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect
an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree
than issues rated "F-1+."
F-2 Good Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have a
satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the
margin of safety is not as great as for issues assigned "F-1+"
and "F-1" ratings.
F-3 Fair Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have
characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for
timely payment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes
could cause these securities to be rated below investment
grade.
F-S Weak Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating have
characteristics suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for
timely payment and are vulnerable to near-term adverse changes
in financial and economic conditions.
D Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual or imminent
payment default.
LOC The symbol "LOC" indicates that the rating is based on a letter
of credit issued by a commercial bank.
NR Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.
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Conditional A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a project or the occurrence of a specific event.
Suspended A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of
information available from the issuer to be inadequate for
rating purposes.
Withdrawn A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called
or refinanced and, at Fitch's discretion, when an issuer fails
to furnish proper and timely information.
FitchAlert Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an
occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the
likely direction of such change. These are designated as
"Positive," indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative," for
potential downgrade, or "Evolving," where ratings may be raised
or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short term, and should be
resolved within 12 months.
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Ratings Outlook: An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as "Positive" or "Negative." The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.
APPENDIX B
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
The following summary of Settlement Procedures sets forth the procedures expected to be followed in connection with the settlement of each Auction and will be incorporated by reference in the Auction Agent Agreement and each Broker-Dealer Agreement. Nothing contained in this Appendix B constitutes a representation by the Fund that in each Auction each party referred to herein actually will perform the procedures described herein to be performed by such party. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings specified in the Glossary in the prospectus or this Appendix B hereto, as the case may be.
(a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify by telephone or through the Auction Agent's Processing System the Broker-Dealers that participated in the Auction held on such Auction Date and submitted an Order on behalf of any Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner of:
(i) the Applicable Rate fixed for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(ii) whether Sufficient Clearing Bids existed for the determination of the Applicable Rate;
(iii) if such Broker-Dealer (a "Seller's Broker-Dealer") submitted a Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of a Beneficial Owner, the number of shares, if any, of AMPS to be sold by such Beneficial Owner;
(iv) if such Broker-Dealer (a "Buyer's Broker-Dealer") submitted a Bid on behalf of a Potential Beneficial Owner, the number of shares, if any, of AMPS to be purchased by such Potential Beneficial Owner;
(v) if the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be sold by all Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a Sell Order exceeds the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be purchased by all Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid, the name or names of one or more Buyer's Broker-Dealers (and the name of the Agent Member, if any, of each such Buyer's Broker-Dealer) acting for one or more purchasers of such excess number of shares of AMPS and the number of such shares to be purchased from one or more Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer acted by one or more Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf each of such Buyer's Broker-Dealers acted;
(vi) if the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be purchased by all Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid exceeds the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be sold by all Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid or a Sell Order, the name or names of one or more Seller's Broker-Dealers (and the name of the Agent Member, if any, of each such Seller's Broker-Dealer) acting for one or more sellers of such excess number of shares of AMPS and the number of such shares to be sold to one or more Potential Beneficial Owners on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer acted by one or more Beneficial Owners on whose behalf each of such Seller's Broker-Dealers acted; and
(vii) the Auction Date of the next succeeding Auction with respect to the AMPS.
(b) On each Auction Date, each Broker-Dealer that submitted an Order on behalf of any Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner shall:
(i) in the case of a Broker-Dealer that is a Buyer's Broker-Dealer, instruct each Potential Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such Potential Beneficial Owner's Agent Member to pay to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the Securities Depository the amount necessary to purchase the number of shares
of AMPS to be purchased pursuant to such Bid against receipt of such shares and advise such Potential Beneficial Owner of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(ii) in the case of a Broker-Dealer that is a Seller's Broker-Dealer, instruct each Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Sell Order that was accepted, in whole or in part, or a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, to instruct such Beneficial Owner's Agent Member to deliver to such Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) through the Securities Depository the number of shares of AMPS to be sold pursuant to such Order against payment therefor and advise any such Beneficial Owner that will continue to hold shares of AMPS of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(iii) advise each Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Hold Order of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(iv) advise each Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted an Order of the Auction Date for the next succeeding Auction; and
(v) advise each Potential Beneficial Owner on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid that was accepted, in whole or in part, of the Auction Date for the next succeeding Auction.
(c) On the basis of the information provided to it pursuant to (a) above, each Broker-Dealer that submitted a Bid or a Sell Order on behalf of a Potential Beneficial Owner or a Beneficial Owner shall, in such manner and at such time or times as in its sole discretion it may determine, allocate any funds received by it pursuant to (b)(i) above and any shares of AMPS received by it pursuant to (b)(ii) above among the Potential Beneficial Owners, if any, on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids, the Beneficial Owners, if any, on whose behalf such Broker-Dealer submitted Bids that were accepted or Sell Orders, and any Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers identified to it by the Auction Agent pursuant to (a)(v) or (a)(vi) above.
(d) On each Auction Date:
(i) each Potential Beneficial Owner and Beneficial Owner shall instruct its Agent Member as provided in (b)(i) or (ii) above, as the case may be;
(ii) each Seller's Broker-Dealer which is not an Agent Member of the Securities Depository shall instruct its Agent Member to (A) pay through the Securities Depository to the Agent Member of the Beneficial Owner delivering shares to such Broker-Dealer pursuant to (b)(ii) above the amount necessary to purchase such shares against receipt of such shares, and (B) deliver such shares through the Securities Depository to a Buyer's Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) identified to such Seller's Broker-Dealer pursuant to (a)(v) above against payment therefor; and
(iii) each Buyer's Broker-Dealer which is not an Agent Member of the Securities Depository shall instruct its Agent Member to (A) pay through the Securities Depository to a Seller's Broker-Dealer (or its Agent Member) identified pursuant to (a)(vi) above the amount necessary to purchase the shares to be purchased pursuant to (b)(i) above against receipt of such shares, and (B) deliver such shares through the Securities Depository to the Agent Member of the purchaser thereof against payment therefor.
(e) On the day after the Auction Date:
(i) each Bidder's Agent Member referred to in (d)(i) above shall instruct the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (b)(i) or (ii) above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions;
(ii) each Seller's Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member shall instruct the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (d)(ii) above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions; and
(iii) each Buyer's Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member shall instruct the Securities Depository to execute the transactions described in (d)(iii) above, and the Securities Depository shall execute such transactions.
(f) If a Beneficial Owner selling shares of AMPS in an Auction fails to deliver such shares (by authorized book-entry), a Broker-Dealer may deliver to the Potential Beneficial Owner on behalf of which it submitted a Bid that was accepted a number of whole shares of AMPS that is less than the number of shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such Potential Beneficial Owner. In such event, the number of shares of AMPS to be so delivered shall be determined solely by such Broker-Dealer. Delivery of such lesser number of shares shall constitute good delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of this paragraph (f), any delivery or non-delivery of shares which shall represent any departure from the results of an Auction, as determined by the Auction Agent, shall be of no effect unless and until the Auction Agent shall have been notified of such delivery or non-delivery in accordance with the provisions of the Auction Agent Agreement and the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
APPENDIX C
AUCTION PROCEDURES
The following procedures will be set forth in provisions of the Articles Supplementary relating to the AMPS, and will be incorporated by reference in the Auction Agent Agreement and each Broker-Dealer Agreement. The terms not defined below are defined in the prospectus or in the Glossary in the prospectus. Nothing contained in this Appendix C constitutes a representation by the Fund that in each Auction each party referred to herein actually will perform the procedures described herein to be performed by such party.
Paragraph 10(a) Certain Definitions.
As used in this Paragraph 10, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) "AMPS" shall mean the shares of AMPS being auctioned pursuant to this Paragraph 10.
(ii) "Auction Date" shall mean the first Business Day preceding the first day of a Dividend Period.
(iii) "Available AMPS" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(iv) "Bid" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(v) "Bidder" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(vi) "Hold Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(vii) "Maximum Applicable Rate" for any Dividend Period will be
the higher of the Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate or the
Applicable Spread plus the Reference Rate. The Applicable Percentage and
the Applicable Spread will be determined based on (i) the lower of the
credit rating or ratings assigned on such date to such shares by Moody's
and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both shall not make such rating
available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings by a
Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in the
event that only one such rating shall be available, such rating) and
(ii) whether the Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent
prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend
that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such
dividend on shares of AMPS as follows:
Credit Ratings
-------------------------------------
Applicable Applicable Applicable Spread Applicable
Percentage of Percentage of Over Reference Spread Over
Reference Rate - Reference Rate - Rate - No Reference Rate
Moody's S&P Notification Notification Notification - Notification
--------------------- --------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Aaa AAA 110% 125% 1.10% 1.25%
Aa3 to Aa1 AA- to AA+ 125% 150% 1.25% 1.50%
A3 to A1 A- to A+ 150% 200% 1.50% 2.00%
Baa3 to Baa1 BBB- to BBB+ 175% 250% 1.75% 2.50%
Below Baa3 Below BBB- 200% 300% 2.00% 3.00%
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The Applicable Percentage and the Applicable Spread as so determined may be further subject to upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Fund after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, provided that immediately following any such increase the Fund would be in compliance with the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 12 of the Articles Supplementary entitled "Termination of Rating Agency Provisions," the Fund shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable S&P and Moody's to provide a rating for the AMPS. If either S&P or Moody's shall not make such a rating available or if neither S&P nor Moody's shall make such a rating available, subject to the provisions of paragraph 12 of the Articles Supplementary entitled "Termination of Rating Agency Provisions," Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates and successors, after obtaining the Fund's approval, shall select a NRSRO or two NRSROs to act as a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.
(viii) "Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(ix) "Sell Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(x) "Submission Deadline" shall mean 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on any Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date as may be specified by the Auction Agent from time to time as the time by which each Broker-Dealer must submit to the Auction Agent in writing all Orders obtained by it for the Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date.
(xi) "Submitted Bid" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xii) "Submitted Hold Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xiii) "Submitted Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xiv) "Submitted Sell Order" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xv) "Sufficient Clearing Bids" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xvi) "Winning Bid Rate" shall have the meaning specified in Paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
Paragraph 10(b) Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners, Existing Holders And Potential Holders.
(i) Unless otherwise permitted by the Fund, Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners may only participate in Auctions through their Broker-Dealers. Broker-Dealers will submit the Orders of their respective customers who are Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners to the Auction Agent, designating themselves as Existing Holders in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by Beneficial Owners and as Potential Holders in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted to them by Potential Beneficial Owners. A Broker-Dealer may also hold shares of AMPS in its own account as a Beneficial Owner. A Broker-Dealer may thus submit Orders to the Auction Agent as a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner and therefore participate in an Auction as an Existing Holder or Potential Holder on behalf of both itself and its customers. On or prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date:
(A) each Beneficial Owner may submit to its Broker-Dealer information as to:
(1) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(2) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold, provided that the Applicable
Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Beneficial Owner; and/or
(3) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period; and
(B) each Broker-Dealer, using a list of Potential Beneficial Owners that shall be maintained in good faith for the purpose of conducting a competitive Auction, shall contact Potential Beneficial Owners, including Persons that are not Beneficial Owners, on such list to determine the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS which each such Potential Beneficial Owner offers to purchase, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period 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 the communication by a Broker-Dealer acting for its own account to the Auction Agent, of information referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as an "Order" and each Beneficial Owner and each Potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order, including a Broker-Dealer acting in such capacity for its own account, is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(1) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Hold Order"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(2) or (B) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Bid"; and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(3) of this Paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Sell Order." Inasmuch as a Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder only to represent the interests of a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner, whether it be its customers or itself, all discussion herein relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing Holders and Potential Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial ownership interests represented.
(ii) (A) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(D) if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein; or
(3) a lesser number of outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(C) if such specified rate per annum shall be higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(B) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Sell Order, or
(2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(C) A Bid by a Potential Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to purchase:
(1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be higher than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(E) if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein.
Paragraph 10(c) Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
(i) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing or through a mutually acceptable electronic means to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date all Orders 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 specifying with respect to each Order:
(A) the name of the Bidder placing such Order (which shall be the Broker-Dealer unless otherwise permitted by the Fund);
(B) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Order;
(C) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder
(1) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Hold Order placed by such Existing Holder;
(2) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Bid placed by such Existing Holder and the rate per annum specified in such Bid; and
(3) the number of outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Sell Order placed by such Existing Holder; and
(D) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder, the rate per annum specified in such Potential Holder's Bid.
(ii) If any rate per annum 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%.
(iii) If an Order or Orders covering all of the outstanding shares of AMPS held by an Existing Holder are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not a Special Dividend Period of more than 28 days) and a Sell Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period of more than 28 days) to have been submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder covering the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
(iv) If one or more Orders on behalf of an Existing Holder covering in the aggregate more than the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent, such Orders shall be considered valid as follows and in the following order of priority:
(A) any Hold Order submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be considered valid up to and including the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder; provided that if more than one Hold Order is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Hold Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Hold Orders, in the aggregate, cover exactly the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder;
(B) any Bids submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per annum if more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of such
Existing Holder, up to and including the excess of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to any Hold Order referred to in Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) above (and if more than one Bid submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder specifies the same rate per annum and together they cover more than the remaining number of shares that can be the subject of valid Bids after application of Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) above and of the foregoing portion of this Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B) to any Bid or Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum, the number of shares subject to each of such Bids shall be reduced pro rata so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining number of shares); and the number of shares, if any, subject to Bids not valid under this Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a Potential Holder; and
(C) any Sell Order shall be considered valid up to and including
the excess of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such
Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to Hold Orders
referred to in Paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) and Bids referred to in Paragraph
10(c)(iv)(B); provided that if more than one Sell Order is submitted on
behalf of any Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject
to such Sell Orders is greater than such excess, the number of shares of
AMPS subject to each of such Sell Orders shall be reduced pro rata so
that such Sell Orders, in the aggregate, cover exactly the number of
shares of AMPS equal to such excess.
(v) If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder, each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number of shares of AMPS therein specified.
(vi) 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.
Paragraph 10(d) Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate.
(i) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by the Broker-Dealers (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 shall determine:
(A) the excess of the total number of outstanding shares of AMPS over the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders (such excess being hereinafter referred to as the "Available AMPS");
(B) from the Submitted Orders whether the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Potential Holders specifying one or more rates per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate exceeds or is equal to the sum of:
(1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying one or more rates per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate, and
(2) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are subject to Submitted Sell Orders (if such excess or such equality exists (other than because the number of outstanding shares of AMPS in clauses (1) and (2) above are each zero because all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids by Potential Holders hereinafter being referred to collectively as "Sufficient Clearing Bids"); and
(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the lowest rate per annum specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") that if:
(1) each Submitted Bid from Existing Holders specifying the Winning Bid Rate and all other submitted Bids from Existing Holders specifying lower rates per annum were rejected,
thus entitling such Existing Holders to continue to hold the shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids, and
(2) each Submitted Bid from Potential Holders specifying the Winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Potential Holders specifying lower rates per annum were accepted, thus entitling the Potential Holders to purchase the shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids, would result in the number of shares subject to all Submitted Bids specifying the Winning Bid Rate or a lower rate per annum being at least equal to the Available AMPS.
(ii) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i), the Auction Agent shall advise the Fund of the Maximum Applicable Rate and, based on such determinations, the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period as follows:
(A) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate;
(B) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than because all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate; or
(C) if all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders, the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction automatically shall be the same length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period and the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to 60% of the Reference Rate (or 90% of such rate if the Fund has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend that net capital gain or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS) on the date of the Auction.
Paragraph 10(e) Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares.
Based on the determinations made pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i), the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected and the Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:
(i) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 10(e)(iii) and Paragraph 10(e)(iv), Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected in the following order of priority and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Sell Orders of Existing Holders shall be accepted and the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that is higher than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to sell the outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(C) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying any rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;
(D) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying a rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid, unless the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids shall be greater than the number of outstanding shares of AMPS ("Remaining Shares") equal to the excess of the Available AMPS over the
number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(B) and Paragraph 10(e)(i)(C), in which event the Submitted Bids of each such Existing Holder shall be accepted, and each such Existing Holder shall be required to sell outstanding shares of AMPS, but only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and (2) the number of shares of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Remaining Shares by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of the numbers of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders that specified a rate per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate; and
(E) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying a rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted but only in an amount equal to the number of outstanding shares of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in Paragraph 10(e)(i)(B), Paragraph 10(e)(i)(C) and Paragraph 10(e)(i)(D) by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Potential Holders that specified rates per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate.
(ii) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), subject to the provisions of Paragraph 10(e)(iii), Submitted Orders shall be accepted or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holder to continue to hold the outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate per annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring such Potential Holder to purchase the outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and
(C) the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum that is higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted and the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, in both cases only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and (2) the number of shares of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(A) and Paragraph 10(e)(ii)(B) by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the number of outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders.
(iii) If, as a result of the procedures described in Paragraph 10(e)(i) or Paragraph 10(e)(ii), 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 AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall determine, round up or down the number of shares of AMPS to be purchased or sold by any Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date so that each outstanding share of AMPS purchased or sold by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be a whole share of AMPS.
(iv) If, as a result of the procedures described in Paragraph 10(e)(i), any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase less than a whole share of AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall determine, shall allocate shares of AMPS for purchase among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of AMPS are purchased on such Auction Date by any Potential Holder, even if
such allocation results in one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any shares of AMPS on such Auction Date.
(v) Based on the results of each Auction, the Auction Agent shall determine, with respect to each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or Sell Orders on behalf of Existing Holders or Potential Holders, the aggregate number of the outstanding shares of AMPS to be purchased and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of AMPS to be sold by such Potential Holders and Existing Holders and, to the extent that such aggregate number of outstanding shares to be purchased and such aggregate number of outstanding shares to be sold differ, the Auction Agent shall determine to which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more purchasers such Broker-Dealer shall deliver, or from which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more sellers such Broker-Dealer shall receive, as the case may be, outstanding shares of AMPS.
Paragraph 10(f) Miscellaneous.
The Fund may interpret the provisions of this Paragraph 10 to resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity, remedy any formal defect or make any other change or modification that does not substantially adversely affect the rights of Beneficial Owners of AMPS. A Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder (A) may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order in accordance with the procedures described in this Paragraph 10 or to or through a Broker-Dealer, provided that in the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions such Beneficial Owner or Existing Holder, its Broker-Dealer, if applicable, or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer and (B) except as otherwise required by law, shall have the ownership of the shares of AMPS held by it maintained in book entry form by the Securities Depository in the account of its Agent Member, which in turn will maintain records of such Beneficial Owner's beneficial ownership. Neither the Fund nor any affiliate (other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated) shall submit an Order in any Auction. Any Beneficial Owner that is an affiliate (other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated) shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS to any person other than the Fund. All of the outstanding shares of AMPS of a series shall be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the nominee of the Securities Depository unless otherwise required by law or unless there is no Securities Depository. If there is no Securities Depository, at the Fund's option and upon its receipt of such documents as it deems appropriate, any shares of AMPS may be registered in the Stock Register in the name of the Beneficial Owner thereof and such Beneficial Owner thereupon will be entitled to receive certificates therefor and required to deliver certificates thereof or upon transfer or exchange thereof.
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 25. Financial Statements And Exhibits.
(1) Financial Statements
Part A: Financial Highlights for each of the fiscal years in the
ten-year period ended October 31, 2004 and the six months ended
April 30, 2005.
Part B: Schedule of Investments of the Fund as of October 31, 2004.*
Statement of Net Assets of the Fund as of October 31, 2004.*
Statement of Operations of the Fund for the fiscal year ended
October 31, 2004.*
Statements of Changes in Net Assets of the Fund for the fiscal
years ended October 31, 2003 and October 31, 2004.*
Financial Highlights for each of the fiscal years in the five-year
period ended October 31, 2004.*
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.*
Statement of Investments of the Fund as of April 30, 2005**
Statement of Net Assets of the Fund as of April 30, 2005**
Statement of Operations of the Fund for the six months ended
April 30, 2005**
Statement of Changes in Net Assets of the Fund for the six months
ended April 30, 2005**
Financial Highlights of the Fund for the six months ended April
30, 2005 and each of the fiscal years in the five-year period
ended October 31, 2005**
----------
|
* Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") on December 28, 2004 pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act"). ** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders for the six month period ended April 30, 2005 filed with the Commission on June 30, 2005 pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the 1940 Act.
Exhibits Description
-------- -----------
(a)(1) Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
(a)(2) Articles Supplementary creating Series A, Series B, Series C and
Series D Auction Market Preferred Stock (the "Other AMPS").
(a)(3) Articles Supplementary creating additional shares of the Other
AMPS.
(a)(4) Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary creating the
Other AMPS.
(a)(5) Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary creating the
Other AMPS.
(a)(6) Form of Articles Supplementary creating Series E Auction Market
Preferred Stock (the "AMPS").
(b) By-laws of the Registrant.
(c) Not applicable.
(d)(1) Portions of the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws and Articles
Supplementary of the Registrant
|
Item 26. Marketing Arrangements.
See Exhibits (h)(1) and (2).
Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:
Registration fees $5,885
Printing (other than stock certificates) *17,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses 13,390
Legal fees and expenses *85,000
Rating Agency Fees *25,000
Miscellaneous *3,725
-------------------
Total $*150,000
===================
------------------
|
* To be provided by amendment.
Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.
The Registrant is not controlled by, or under common control with, any person.
Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities.
Number of
Record Holders
At
Title of Class , 2005
------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Common Stock, $.10 par value
Preferred Stock 1
|
Item 30. Indemnification.
Reference is made to Section 2-418 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland, Article V of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation, Article VI of the Registrant's By-laws and Section 6 of the Purchase Agreement, which provide for indemnification.
Article VI of the By-laws provides that each officer and director of the Registrant shall be indemnified by the Registrant to the full extent permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, except that such indemnity shall not protect any such person against any liability to the Registrant or any stockholder thereof to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. Absent a court determination that an officer or director seeking indemnification was not liable on the merits or guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, the decision by the Registrant to indemnify such person must be based upon the reasonable determination of independent legal counsel or the vote of a majority of a quorum of non-party independent directors, after review of the facts, that such officer or director is not guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
Each officer and director of the Registrant claiming indemnification within the scope of Article VI of the By-laws shall be entitled to advances from the Registrant for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by him or her in connection with proceedings to which he or she is a party in the manner and to the full extent permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law; provided, however, that the person seeking indemnification shall provide to the Registrant a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Registrant has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance, if it ultimately
should be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met, and
provided further that at least one of the following additional conditions is
met: (i) the person seeking indemnification shall provide a security in form
and amount acceptable to the Registrant for his or her undertaking; (ii) the
Registrant is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance; or
(iii) a majority of a quorum of non-party independent directors, or
independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based on a
review of facts readily available to the Registrant at the time the advance is
proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that the person seeking
indemnification will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification.
The Registrant may purchase insurance on behalf of an officer or director protecting such person to the full extent permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law from liability arising from his or her activities as officer or director of the Registrant. The Registrant, however, may not purchase insurance on behalf of any officer or director of the Registrant that protects or purports to protect such person from liability to the Registrant or to its stockholders to which such officer or director would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
In Section 7 of the Purchase Agreement relating to the securities being offered hereby, the Registrant agrees to indemnify Merrill Lynch and each person, if any, who controls Merrill Lynch within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") against certain types of civil liabilities arising in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be provided to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant and Merrill Lynch, pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with any successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31. Business And Other Connections Of The Investment Adviser.
FAM (the "Investment Adviser"), acts as the investment adviser for a number of affiliated open-end and closed-end registered investment companies.
Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. ("MLIM"), acts as the investment adviser for a number of affiliated open-end and closed-end registered investment companies, and also acts as sub-adviser to certain other portfolios.
The address of each of these registered investment companies is P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011, except that the address of Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series is One Financial Center, 23rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2665.
The address of the Investment Adviser, MLIM, Princeton Services, Inc. ("Princeton Services") and Princeton Administrators, L.P. ("Princeton Administrators") is also P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011. The address of FAM Distributors, Inc. ("FAMD") is P.O. Box 9081, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9081. The address of Merrill Lynch and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") is World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10080.
Set forth below is a list of each executive officer and partner of the Investment Adviser indicating each business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each such person or entity has been engaged for the past two years for his, her or its own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or Director. Mr. Burke is Vice President and Treasurer of all or substantially all of the investment companies advised by FAM or its affiliates, and Mr. Doll is an officer of one or more of such companies.
Position(s) with Other Substantial Business,
Name Investment Adviser Profession, Vocation Or Employment
----------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------
ML & Co. Limited Partner Financial Services Holding Company; Limited Partner
of MLIM
Princeton Services General Partner General Partner of MLIM
Robert C. Doll, Jr. President President of MLIM; Co-Head (Americas Region) of
MLIM from 2000 to 2004; Senior Vice President of
MLIM from 1999 to 2000; Director of Princeton
Services; Chief Investment Officer of
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. in 1999 and Executive Vice
President thereof from 1991 to 1999
Donald C. Burke First Vice President and First Vice President and Treasurer of MLIM; Senior
Treasurer Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Princeton
Services; Vice President of FAMD
Chief Compliance Officer of the MLIM/FAM-advised
Andrew J. Donohue General Counsel First Vice President and General Counsel of MLIM;
Senior Vice President and Director of Princeton
Services; President and Director of FAMD
Alice A. Pellegrino Secretary Secretary of MLIM, Princeton Services and FAMD
|
Item 32. Location of Account and Records.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, and the Rules promulgated thereunder are
maintained at the offices of the Registrant (800 Scudders Mill Road,
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536), its Investment Adviser (800 Scudders Mill Road,
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536), its custodian, The Bank of New York (100 Church
Street, New York, New York 10286), and its transfer agent, The Bank of New
York (101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286).
Item 33. Management Services.
Not applicable.
Item 34. Undertakings.
(1) The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of the shares of preferred stock covered hereby until it amends its prospectus contained herein if (1) subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, its net asset value per share of preferred stock declines more than 10% from its net asset value per share of preferred stock as of the effective date of this Registration Statement, or (2) its net asset value per share of preferred stock increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus contained herein.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Not applicable
(5) The Registrant undertakes that:
(a) For purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the 1933 Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(6) The Registrant undertakes to send by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any statement of additional information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, State of New Jersey, on the 20th day of July, 2005.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Donald C. Burke
------------------------------
Donald C. Burke
Vice President and Treasurer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures Title Date
----------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------
ROBERT C. DOLL, JR.* President (Principal Executive Officer) and
-------------------- Director
(Robert C. Doll, Jr.)
DONALD C. BURKE* Vice President and Treasurer (Principal
---------------- Financial and Accounting Officer)
(Donald C. Burke)
JAMES H. BODURTHA* Director
------------------
(James H. Bodurtha)
_______________________ Director
(Kenneth A. Froot)
JOE GRILLS* Director
-----------
(Joe Grills)
HERBERT I. LONDON* Director
------------------
(Herbert I. London)
ROBERTA COOPER RAMO* Director
--------------------
(Roberta Cooper Ramo)
STEPHEN B. SWENSRUD* Director
--------------------
(Stephen B. Swensrud)
ROBERT S. SALOMON, JR.* Director
-----------------------
(Robert S. Salomon, Jr.)
*By /s/ Donald C. Burke July 20, 2005
--------------------
(Donald C. Burke, Attorney-in-Fact)
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned, Robert C. Doll, Jr., Donald C. Burke, James H. Bodurtha, Joe Grills, Herbert I. London, Roberta Cooper Ramo, Robert S. Salomon, Jr. and Stephen B. Swensrud, the Directors/Trustees and/or the Officers of each of the registered investment companies listed below, hereby authorize Robert C. Doll, Jr., Andrew J. Donohue, Donald C. Burke, Michael G. Clark and Alice A. Pellegrino or any of them, as attorney-in-fact, to sign on his or her behalf in the capacities indicated any Registration Statement or amendment thereto (including post-effective amendments) for or on behalf of each of the following registered investment companies and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission: Apex Municipal Fund, Inc.; Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.; Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.; Corporate High Yield Fund V, Inc.; Corporate High Yield Fund VI, Inc.; Fund Asset Management Master Trust; Master Focus Twenty Trust; Master Large Cap Series Trust; Mercury Funds II; Merrill Lynch California Municipal Series Trust; Merrill Lynch Focus Value Fund, Inc.; Merrill Lynch Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.; Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Funds, Inc.; Merrill Lynch Large Cap Series Funds, Inc.; Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust; Merrill Lynch Retirement Reserves Money Fund of Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust; Merrill Lynch Short Term U.S. Government Fund, Inc.; Merrill Lynch U.S. Government Mortgage Fund; Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds, Inc.; Merrill Lynch World Income Fund, Inc.; MuniAssets Fund, Inc.; MuniHoldings California Insured Fund, Inc.; MuniHoldings Insured Fund II, Inc.; MuniInsured Fund, Inc.; MuniYield Arizona Fund, Inc.; MuniYield California Fund, Inc.; MuniYield California Insured Fund, Inc.; MuniYield Florida Fund; MuniYield Fund, Inc.; MuniYield Insured Fund, Inc.; MuniYield Michigan Insured Fund II, Inc.; MuniYield New Jersey Fund, Inc.; MuniYield New York Insured Fund, Inc.; MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.; MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc.; Summit Cash Reserves Fund of Financial Institutions Series Trust; and The Asset Program, Inc.
Dated: February 23, 2005
/s/ Robert C. Doll, Jr. /s/ Donald C. Burke
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Robert C. Doll, Jr. Donald C. Burke
(President/Principal Executive (Vice President/Treasurer/Principal
Officer/Director/Trustee) Financial and Account Officer)
/s/ James H. Bodurtha /s/ Joe Grills
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
James H. Bodurtha Joe Grills
(Director/Trustee) (Director/Trustee)
/s/ Herbert I. London /s/ Robert Cooper Ramo
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Herbert I. London Robert Cooper Ramo
(Director/Trustee) (Director/Trustee)
/s/ Robert S. Salomon, Jr. /s/ Stephen B. Swensrud
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Robert S. Salomon, Jr. Stephen B. Swensrud
(Director/Trustee) (Director/Trustee)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibits Description
-------- -----------
(a)(1) Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
(a)(2) Articles Supplementary creating Series A, Series B, Series C and
Series D Auction Market Preferred Stock (the "Other AMPS").
(a)(3) Articles Supplementary creating additional shares of the Other
AMPS.
(a)(4) Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary creating the
Other AMPS.
(a)(5) Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary creating the
Other AMPS.
(a)(6) Form of Articles Supplementary creating Series E Auction Market
Preferred Stock (the "AMPS").
(b) By-laws of the Registrant.
(d)(2) Form of specimen certificate for the AMPS of the Registrant.
(e) Form of Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
(g)(1) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM" or the "Investment Adviser").
(h)(1) Form of Purchase Agreement between the Registrant and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch")
relating to the AMPS.
(k)(3) Form of Auction Agent Agreement between the Registrant and The
Bank of New York.
(k)(4) Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement.
(k)(5) Form of Letter of Representations.
|
Exhibit (a)(1)
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
ARTICLE I
THE UNDERSIGNED, LAURIN BLUMENTHAL KLEIMAN, whose post-office address is One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0557, being at least eighteen (18) years of age, does hereby act as an incorporator, under and by virtue of the General Laws of the State of Maryland authorizing the formation of corporations and with the intention of forming a corporation.
ARTICLE II
The name of the corporation is MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. (the "Corporation").
ARTICLE III
The purpose or purposes for which the Corporation is formed is to act as a closed-end, management investment company under the federal Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to exercise and enjoy all of the powers, rights and privileges granted to, or conferred upon, corporations by the General Laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force.
ARTICLE IV
The post-office address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 32 South Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202. The
name of the resident agent of the Corporation in this State is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, a corporation of this State, and the post-office address of the resident agent is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 32 South Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
ARTICLE V
(1) The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is Two Hundred Million (200,000,000) shares, all of one class called Common Stock, of the par value of Ten Cents ($0.10) per share and of the aggregate par value of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000).
(2) The Board of Directors may classify and reclassify any unissued shares of capital stock into one or more additional or other classes or series as may be established from time to time by setting or changing in any one or more respects the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of such shares of stock and pursuant to such classification or reclassification to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of any existing class or series.
(3) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the Corporation, including any Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of capital stock, the holders of each class or series of capital stock shall be entitled to dividends and distributions in such amounts and at such times as may be determined by the Board of Directors, and the dividends and distributions paid with respect to the various classes or series of capital stock may vary among such classes and series.
(4) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the Corporation, including any Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of capital stock, on each matter
submitted to a vote of stockholders, each holder of a share of capital stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to one vote for each share standing in such holder's name on the books of the Corporation, irrespective of the class or series thereof, and all shares of all classes and series shall vote together as a single class; provided, however, that as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any class or series is required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in effect from time to time, or any rules, regulations or orders issued thereunder, or by the Maryland General Corporation Law, such requirement as to a separate vote by that class or series shall apply in lieu of a general vote of all classes and series as described above.
(5) Notwithstanding any provision of the Maryland General Corporation law requiring a greater proportion than a majority of the votes of all classes or series of capital stock of the Corporation (or of any class or series entitled to vote thereon as a separate class or series) to take or authorize any action, the Corporation is hereby authorized (subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in effect from time to time, and any rules, regulations and orders issued thereunder) to take such action upon the concurrence of a majority of the aggregate number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon (or a majority of the aggregate number of shares of a class or series entitled to vote thereon as a separate class or series).
(6) Unless otherwise expressly provided in the charter of the Corporation, including any Articles Supplementary creating any class or series of capital stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of all classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation shall be entitled, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, to share ratably in the remaining net assets of the Corporation.
(7) Any fractional shares shall carry proportionately all the rights of a whole share, excepting any right to receive a certificate evidencing such fractional share, but including, without limitation, the right to vote and the right to receive dividends.
(8) All persons who shall acquire stock in the Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of the charter and By-Laws of the Corporation. As used in the charter of the Corporation, the terms "charter" and "Articles of Incorporation" shall mean and include the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation as amended, supplemented and restated from time to time by Articles of Amendment, Articles Supplementary, Articles of Restatement or otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
(1) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be three (3), which number may be changed pursuant to the By-Laws of the Corporation but shall never be less than three (3). The names of the directors who shall act until the first annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:
Jerry Weiss Robert E. Putney, III Susan B. Baker
(2) The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby empowered to authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of capital stock, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable, subject to such limitations as may be set forth in these Articles of Incorporation or in the By-Laws of the Corporation or in the General Laws of the State of Maryland.
(3) Each director and each officer of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation to the full extent permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No amendment of these Articles of Incorporation or repeal of any provision hereof shall limit or eliminate the benefits provided to directors and officers under this provision in connection with any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.
(4) To the fullest extent permitted by the General Laws of the State of Maryland, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, no director or officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its security holders for money damages. No amendment of these Articles of Incorporation or repeal of any provision hereof shall limit or eliminate the benefits provided to directors and officers under this provision in connection with any act or omission that occurred prior to such amendment or repeal.
(5) The Board of Directors of the Corporation may make, alter or repeal from time to time any of the By-Laws of the Corporation except any particular By-Law which is specified as not subject to alteration or repeal by the Board of Directors, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(6) A director elected by the holders of capital stock may be removed (with or without cause), but only by action taken by the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the shares of capital stock then entitled to vote in an election to fill that directorship.
ARTICLE VII
No shareholder of the Corporation shall by reason of his holding shares of capital stock have any preemptive or preferential right to purchase or subscribe to any shares of capital stock
of the Corporation, now or hereafter to be authorized, or any notes, debentures, bonds or other securities convertible into shares of capital stock, now or hereafter to be authorized, whether or not the issuance of any such shares, or notes, debentures, bonds or other securities would adversely affect the dividend or voting rights of such shareholder; and the Board of Directors may issue shares of any class of the Corporation, or any notes, debentures, bonds, other securities convertible into shares of any class, either whole or in part, to the existing shareholders.
ARTICLE VIII
Any determination made in good faith, so far as accounting matters are involved, in accordance with accepted accounting practice by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, as to the amount of assets, obligations or liabilities of the Corporation, as to the amount of net income of the Corporation from dividends and interest for any period or amounts at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, as to the amount of any reserves or charges set up and the propriety thereof, as to the time of or purpose for creating reserves or as to the use, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created, shall have been paid or discharged or shall be then or thereafter required to be paid or discharged), as to the price of any security owned by the Corporation or as to any other matters relating to the issuance, sale, redemption or other acquisition or disposition of securities or shares of capital stock of the Corporation, and any reasonable determination made in good faith by the Board of Directors as to whether any transaction constitutes a purchase of securities on "margin," a sale of securities "short," or an underwriting of the sale of, or a participation in any underwriting or selling group in connection with the public distribution of, any securities, shall be final and conclusive, and
shall be binding upon the Corporation and all holders of its capital stock,
past, present and future, and shares of the capital stock of the Corporation
are issued and sold on the condition and understanding, evidenced by the
purchase of shares of capital stock or acceptance of share certificates, that
any and all such determinations shall be binding as aforesaid. No provision of
these Articles of Incorporation shall be effective to (a) require a waiver of
compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or of any valid rule,
regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder or
(b) protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Corporation
against any liability to the Corporation or its security holders to which he
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his
office.
ARTICLE IX
The duties of the Corporation shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE X
The private property of shareholders shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatsoever.
ARTICLE XI
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation, a favorable vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter shall be required to approve, adopt or authorize an amendment to these Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation that makes the Common Stock a "redeemable security" (as that term is defined in section 2(a)(32) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of directors fixed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Corporation, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required.
ARTICLE XII
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation, a favorable vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter shall be required to approve, adopt or authorize (i) a merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Corporation with any other Corporation, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation (other than in the regular course of its investment activities), or (iii) a liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of directors fixed in accordance with the By-Laws of the Corporation, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required.
ARTICLE XIII
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in these Articles of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, including any amendment which alters the contract rights, as expressly set forth in the
charter, of any outstanding stock and substantially adversely affects the
stockholders' rights and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are
granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
these Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and
notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law,
these Articles of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation) the
amendment or repeal of Section (5) of Article V, Section (1), Section (3),
Section (4), Section (5) and Section (6) of Article VI, Article IX, Article X,
Article XI, Article XII, or this Article XIII, of these Articles of
Incorporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporator of MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. hereby executes the foregoing Articles of Incorporation and acknowledges the same to be her act and further acknowledges that, to the best of her knowledge, the matters and facts set forth therein are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.
Dated the 4th day
of May 1992.
Exhibit (a)(2)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
Articles Supplementary creating four series
Auction Market Preferred Stock(R)
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation having its principal Maryland office in the City of Baltimore (the "Corporation"), 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 Corporation by article fifth of its Charter, the Board of Directors has reclassified 4,000 authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the Corporation as preferred stock of the Corporation and has authorized the issuance of four series of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, to be designated respectively: Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A; Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B; Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C; and Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D.
SECOND: The preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, of the shares of each such series of preferred stock are as follows:
DESIGNATION
SERIES A: A series of 1,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A." Each shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A (sometimes referred to herein as "Series A AMPS") shall be issued on September 16, 1992; have an Initial
Dividend Rate equal to 3.10% per annum; have Initial Dividend Payment Dates as set forth herein; and have such other preferences, voting powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Corporation, and each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A shall be identical.
SERIES B: A series of 1,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B." Each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B (sometimes referred to herein as "Series B AMPS") shall be issued on September 16, 1992; have an Initial Dividend Rate equal to 3.20% per annum; have Initial Dividend Payment Dates as set forth herein; and have such other preferences, voting powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Corporation, and each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B shall be identical.
SERIES C: A series of 1,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C." Each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C (sometimes referred to herein as "Series C AMPS") shall be issued on September 16, 1992; have an Initial Dividend Rate equal to 3.30% per annum; have Initial Dividend Payment Dates as set forth
herein; and have such other preferences, voting powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Corporation, and each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C shall be identical.
SERIES D: A series of 1,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.l0 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D." Each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D (sometimes referred to herein as "Series D AMPS") shall be issued September l6, 1992; have an Initial Dividend Rate equal to 3.40% per annum; have Initial Dividend Payment Dates as set forth herein; and have such other preferences, voting powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Corporation, and each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D shall be identical.
1. Definitions. (a) Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent, in these Articles Supplementary the following terms have the following meanings, whether used in the singular or plural:
"`AA' Composite Commercial Paper Rate," on any date of determination, means (i) the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper placed on behalf of issuers whose corporate bonds are rated "AA" by S&P or "Aa" by Moody's or the equivalent of such rating by another nationally recognized rating agency, as such rate is made available on a discount basis or
otherwise by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the Business Day
immediately preceding such date, or (ii) in the event that the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York does not make available such a rate, then the arithmetic
average of the Interest Equivalent of the rate on commercial paper placed on
behalf of such issuers, as quoted on a discount basis or otherwise by Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its successors that are
Commercial Paper Dealers, to the Auction Agent for the close of business on
the Business Day immediately preceding such date. If one of the Commercial
Paper Dealers does not quote a rate required to determine the "AA" Composite
Commercial Paper Rate, the "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate will be
determined on the basis of the quotation or quotations furnished by any
Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers
selected by the Corporation to provide such rate or rates not being supplied
by the Commercial Paper Dealer. If the number of Dividend Period Days shall be
(i) 7 or more but fewer than 49 days, such rate shall be the Interest
Equivalent of the 30-day rate on such commercial paper; (ii) 49 or more but
fewer than 70 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 60-day
rate on such commercial paper; (iii) 70 or more days but fewer than 85 days,
such rate shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent on the
60-day and 90-day rates on such commercial paper; (iv) 85 or more days but
fewer than 99 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 90-day
rate on such commercial paper; (v) 99 or more days but fewer than 120 days,
such rate shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the
90-day and 120-day rates on such commercial paper; (vi) 120 or more days but
fewer than 141 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 120-day
rate on such commercial paper; (vii) 141 or more days but fewer than 162 days,
such rate shall be the arithmetic average of the Interest Equivalent of the
120-day and
180-day rates on such commercial paper; and (viii) 162 or more days but fewer than 183 days, such rate shall be the Interest Equivalent of the 180-day rate on such commercial paper.
"Accountant's Confirmation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 7(c) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Additional Dividend" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Adviser" means the Corporation's investment adviser which initially shall be Fund Asset Management, Inc.
"Affiliate" means any Person, other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its successors, known to the Auction Agent to be controlled by, in control of, or under common control with, the Corporation.
"Agent Member" means a member of the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of an Existing Holder of one or more shares of AMPS or a Potential Holder that is identified as such in such holder's Purchaser's Letter.
"AMPS" means, as the case may be, the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series A; Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series B; Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series C; or Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series D.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount," as of any Valuation Date, means the dollar amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the product of the number of shares of AMPS of each series and Other AMPS Outstanding on such Valuation Date multiplied by the sum of (a) $50,000 and (b) any applicable redemption premium attributable to the designation of a Premium Call Period; (B) the aggregate amount of cash dividends (whether or not earned or declared) that will have accumulated for each share of AMPS and Other AMPS Outstanding, in each case, to (but not
including) the end of the current Dividend Period for each series of AMPS that follows such Valuation Date; (C) the aggregate amount of cash dividends that would accumulate at the then current Maximum Applicable Rate on any shares of AMPS and Other AMPS Outstanding from the end of such Dividend Period through the 49th day after such Valuation Date, multiplied by the larger of the Moody's Volatility Factor and the S&P Volatility Factor, determined from time to time by Moody's and S&P, respectively (except that if such Valuation Date occurs during a Non-Payment Period, the cash dividend for purposes of calculation would accumulate at the then current Non-Payment Period Rate); (D) the amount of anticipated expenses of the Corporation for the 90 days subsequent to such Valuation Date; (E) the amount of the Corporation's Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability as of such Valuation Date; and (F) any current liabilities as of such Valuation Date to the extent not reflected in any of (i)(A) through (i)(E) (including, without limitation, and immediately upon determination, any amounts due and payable by the Corporation pursuant to repurchase agreements and any payables for Municipal Bonds purchased as of such Valuation Date) less (ii) either (A) the Discounted Value of any of the Corporation's assets, or (B) the face value of any of the Corporation's assets if such assets mature prior to or on the date of redemption of AMPS or payment of a liability and are either securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or have a rating assigned by Moody's of at least Aaa, P-1, VMIG-1 or MIG-1 and, with respect to S&P, at least AAA, SP-1+ or A-1+, in both cases irrevocably deposited by the Corporation for the payment of the amount needed to redeem shares of AMPS subject to redemption or any of (i)(B) through (i)(F).
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the Corporation to satisfy the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (as required by paragraph 7(a) of these Articles
Supplementary) as of a given Valuation Date, means the sixth Business Day following such Valuation Date.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Report" means a report signed by any of the President, Treasurer, any Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the Corporation which sets forth, as of the related Valuation Date, the assets of the Corporation, the Market Value and the Discounted Value thereof (seriatim and in aggregate), and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
"Anticipation Notes" shall mean the following Municipal Bonds:
revenue anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, tax and revenue
anticipation notes, grant anticipation notes and bond anticipation notes.
"Applicable Percentage" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 11(a)(vii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Applicable Rate" means the rate per annum at which cash dividends are payable on the AMPS or Other AMPS, as the case may be, for any Dividend Period.
"Auction" means a periodic operation of the Auction Procedures.
"Auction Agent" means IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company unless and until another commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized committee thereof enters into an agreement with the Corporation to follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate and to act as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the AMPS and Other AMPS.
"Auction Procedures" means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth in paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Broker-Dealer" means any broker-dealer, or other entity permitted by law to perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer in paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary, that has been selected by the Corporation and has entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent that remains effective.
"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 paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
"Charter" means the Articles of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented (including these Articles Supplementary), of the Corporation on file in the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commercial Paper Dealers" means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and such other commercial paper dealer or dealers as the Corporation may from tine to time appoint, or, in lieu of any thereof, their respective affiliates or successors.
"Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Corporation.
"Corporation" means MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
"Date of Original Issue" means, with respect to any share of AMPS or Other AMPS, the date on which the Corporation originally issues such share.
"Deposit Securities" means cash and Municipal Bonds rated at least AAA, A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P.
"Discounted Value" means (i) with respect to an S&P Eligible Asset, the quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the applicable S&P Discount Factor and (ii) with respect to a Moody's Eligible Asset, the lower of par and the quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the applicable Moody's Discount Factor.
"Dividend Coverage Amount," as of any Valuation Date, means (A)(i) the aggregate amount of cash dividends that will accumulate on all shares of Outstanding AMPS and Other AMPS, in each case to (but not including) the next Dividend Payment Date therefor for each series of AMPS that follows such Valuation Date plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all liabilities existing on such Valuation Date which are payable on or prior to such next Dividend Payment Date less (B)(i) the combined Market Value of Deposit Securities irrevocably deposited with the Auction Agent for the payment of cash dividends on all shares of AMPS and Other AMPS, (ii) the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date, if such receivables are due within Five Business Days of such Valuation Date and in any event on or prior to such next Dividend Payment Date, and (iii) interest on Municipal Bonds which is scheduled to be paid on or prior to the next Dividend Payment Date.
"Dividend Coverage Assets," as of any Valuation Date, means, in the case of shares of AMPS and Other AMPS, Deposit Securities with maturity or tender payment dates not later in each case than the Dividend Payment Date therefor that follows such Valuation Date.
"Dividend Payment Date," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Dividend Period" means the Initial Dividend Period, any 7-day Dividend Period, any 28-day Dividend Period and any Special Dividend Period.
"Existing Holder" means a Person who has signed a Purchaser's Letter and is listed as the holder of record of shares of AMPS in the Stock Books.
"First Initial Dividend Payment Date" means October 1, 1992 in the
case of Series A AMPS, October 1, 1992 in the case of Series B AMPS, October
1, 1992 in the case of Series C AMPS and October 1, 1992 in the case of Series
D AMPS.
"Forward Commitment" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(c) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Holder" means a Person identified as a holder of record of shares of AMPS in the Stock Register.
"Independent Accountant" means a nationally recognized accountant, or firm of accountants, that is, with respect to the Corporation, an independent public accountant or firm of independent public accountants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Initial Dividend Payment Date" means, with respect to each series of AMPS, each of the First Initial Dividend Payment Date, the Last Initial Dividend Payment Date and the first day of each calendar month during the Initial Dividend Period.
"Initial Dividend Period," with respect to each series of AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Initial Dividend Rate," with respect to each series of AMPS, means the rate per annum specified herein applicable to the Initial Dividend Period for such series of AMPS and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Initial Margin" means the amount of cash or securities deposited with a broker as a margin payment at the time of purchase or sale of a futures contract.
"Interest Equivalent" means a yield on a 360-day basis of a discount basis security which is equal to the yield on an equivalent interest-bearing security.
"Last Initial Dividend Payment Date" means January 12, 1993 in the
case of Series A AMPS, March 9,1993 in the case of Series B AMPS, June 11,
1993 in the case of Series C AMPS and September 10, 1993 in the case of Series
D AMPS.
"Long Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than five years.
"Mandatory Redemption Price" means $50,000 per share of AMPS plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption and excluding Additional Dividends.
"Marginal Tax Rate" means the maximum marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or the maximum marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate, whichever is greater.
"Market Value" of any asset of the Corporation shall be the market value thereof determined by the Pricing Service. Market Value of any asset shall include any interest accrued thereon. The Pricing Service shall value portfolio securities at the quoted bid prices or the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are not readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available shall be valued at fair value as determined by the Pricing Service using methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of municipal bonds of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The Pricing Service may employ electronic data processing techniques and/or a matrix system to determine valuations. In the event the Pricing Service is unable to value a security, the security shall be valued at the
lower of two dealer bids obtained by the Corporation from dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and who make a market in the security, at least one of which shall be in writing. Futures contracts and options are valued at closing prices for such instruments established by the exchange or board of trade on which they are traded, or if market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value on a consistent basis using methods determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
"Maximum Applicable Rate," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 11(a)(vii) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability," as of any Valuation Date, means the aggregate amount of Additional Dividends that would be due if the Corporation were to make Retroactive Taxable Allocations, with respect to any fiscal year, estimated based upon dividends paid and the amount of undistributed realized net capital gains and other taxable income earned by the Corporation, as of the end of the calendar month immediately preceding such Valuation Date and assuming such Additional Dividends are fully taxable.
"Minimum Liquidity Level" means, as of any Valuation Date, an aggregate Market Value of the Corporation's Dividend Coverage Assets not less than the Dividend Coverage Amount.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successors.
"Moody's Discount Factor" means, for purposes of determining the Discounted Value of any Municipal Bond which constitutes a Moody's Eligible Asset, the percentage determined by reference to (a) the rating by Moody's or S&P on such Bond and (b) the Moody's Exposure Period, in accordance with the table set forth below:
Rating Category
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Exposure Period Aaa* Aa* A* Baa* Other** VMIG-1*** SP-1+***
---------------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------- ------------ ------------
7 weeks or less............. 151% 159% 168% 202% 229% 136% 148%
8 weeks or less but
greater than seven weeks.... 154 164 173 205 235 137 149
9 weeks or less but
greater than eight weeks.... 158 169 179 209 242 138 150
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* Moody's rating.
** Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated BBB-, BBB or BBB+ by S&P.
*** Municipal Bonds rated MIG-1 or VMIG-1 or, if not rated by Moody's, rated SP-1+ by S&P which do not mature or have a demand feature at par exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period and which do not have a long-term rating. For the purposes of the definition of Moody's Eligible Assets, these securities will have an assumed rating of "A" by Moody's.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Moody's Discount Factor will be applied to short-term Municipal Bonds so long as such Municipal Bonds are rated at least MIG-1, VMIG-1 or P-1 by Moody's and mature or have a demand feature at par exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period, and the Moody's Discount Factor for such Bonds will be 125% if such Bonds are not rated by Moody's but are rated A-1+ or SP-1+ or AA by S&P and mature or have a demand feature at par exercisable within the Moody's Exposure Period, and (ii) no Moody's Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold. "Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating Moody's Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means no more than the aggregate of the following: (i) the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date, and if the trades which generated such receivables are (x) settled through clearing house firms with respect to which the Corporation has received prior written authorization from Moody's or (y) with counterparties having a Moody's long-term debt rating of at least Baa3; and (ii) the Moody's Discounted Value of Municipal
Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date which generated receivables, if such receivables are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date but do not comply with either of conditions (x) or (y) of the preceding clause (i).
"Moody's Eligible Asset" means cash, Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold or a Municipal Bond that (i) pays interest in cash, (ii) is publicly rated Baa or higher by Moody's or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, is rated at least BBB- by S&P (provided that, for purposes of determining the Moody's Discount Factor applicable to any such S&P-rated Municipal Bond, such Municipal Bond (excluding any short-term Municipal Bond) will be deemed to have a Moody's rating which is one full rating category lower than its S&P rating), (iii) does not have its Moody's rating suspended by Moody's; and (iv) is part of an issue of Municipal Bonds of at least $10,000,000. In addition, Municipal Bonds in the Corporation's portfolio must be within the following diversification requirements in order to be included within Moody's Eligible Assets:
Minimum Maximum Maximum State
Issue Size Underlying or Territory
Rating ($ Millions) Obligor (%)(1) Concentration (%)(1)
------ ------------ -------------- --------------------
Aaa...................... 10 100 100
Aa....................... 10 20 60
A........................ 10 10 40
Baa...................... 10 6 20
Other(2)................. 10 4 12
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(1) The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals for
the related rating category and each lower rating category.
(2) Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated BBB-, BBB or BBB+ by
S&P.
For purposes of the maximum underlying obligor requirement described above, any Municipal Bond backed by the guaranty, letter of credit or insurance issued by a third party will be deemed
to be issued by such third party if the issuance of such third party credit is the sole determinant of the rating on such Bond.
When the Corporation sells a Municipal Bond and agrees to repurchase it at a future date, the Discounted Value of such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset and the amount the Corporation is required to pay upon repurchase of such Bond will count as a liability for purposes of calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. When the Corporation purchases a Municipal Bond and agrees to sell it at a future date to another party, cash receivable by the Corporation thereby will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset if the long-term debt of such other party is rated at least A2 by Moody's and such agreement has a term of 30 days or less; otherwise the Discounted Value of such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered a Moody's Eligible Asset if it is (i) held in a margin account, (ii) subject to any material lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest or security agreement of any kind, (iii) held for the purchase of a security pursuant to a Forward Commitment or (iv) irrevocably deposited by the Corporation for the payment of dividends or redemption.
"Moody's Exposure Period" means a period that is the same length or longer than the number of days used in calculating the cash dividend component of the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and shall initially be the period commencing on and including a given Valuation Date and ending 48 days thereafter.
"Moody's Hedging Transaction" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(b) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Moody's Volatility Factor" means during the Initial Dividend Period for each series of AMPS until 49 days prior to the last day of such Dividend Period 220% in the case of Series A
AMPS, 203% in the case of Series B AMPS, 203% in the case of Series C AMPS and 177% in the case of Series D AMPS. Thereafter, for each series of AMPS, "Moody's Volatility Factor" means 272% as long as there has been no increase enacted to the Marginal Tax Rate. If such an increase is enacted but not yet implemented, the Moody's Volatility Factor shall be as follows:
% Change in Moody's Volatility
Marginal Tax Rate< Factor
-
---------------------- ---------------------
<5% 292%
-
>5% but <10% 313%
-
>10% but <15% 338%
-
>15% but <20% 364%
-
>20% but <25% 396%
-
>25% but <30% 432%
-
>30% but <35% 472%
-
>35% but <40% 520%
-
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Moody's Volatility Factor may mean such other potential dividend rate increase factor as Moody's advises the Corporation in writing is applicable.
"Municipal Bonds" means "Municipal Bonds" as defined in the Corporation's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 33-50306) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as such Registration Statement may be amended from time to time, as well as short-term municipal obligations.
"Municipal Index" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(a) of these Articles Supplementary.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
"1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage" means asset coverage, as defined in section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Corporation which are stock, including all outstanding shares of AMPS and Other AMPS (or such other asset coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset
coverage for senior securities which are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of paying dividends on its common stock).
"1940 Act Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the Corporation to maintain the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage (as required by paragraph 6 of these Articles Supplementary) as of the last Business Day of each month, means the last Business Day of the following month.
"Non-Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of "Specific Redemption Provisions".
"Non-Payment Period" means, with respect to each series of AMPS, any period commencing on and including the day on which the Corporation shall fail to (i) declare, prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding any Dividend Payment Date, for payment on or (to the extent permitted by paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary) within three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the full amount of any dividend on shares of AMPS payable on such Dividend Payment Date or (ii) deposit, irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Auction Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, (A) on such Dividend Payment Date the full amount of any cash dividend on such shares payable (if declared) on such Dividend Payment Date or (B) on any redemption date for any shares of AMPS called for redemption, the Mandatory Redemption Price per share of such AMPS or, in the case of an Optional redemption, the optional Redemption Price per share, and ending on and including the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, all unpaid cash dividends and unpaid redemption prices shall have been so deposited or shall have otherwise been made available to Holders in same-day funds; provided that, a Non-Payment Period shall not end unless the Corporation shall have given at least five days' but no more than
30 days' written notice of such deposit or availability to the Auction Agent, all Existing Holders (at their addresses appearing in the Stock Books) and the Securities Depository. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by the Corporation to deposit funds as provided for by clauses (ii)(A) or (ii)(B) above within three Business Days after any Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case may be, in each case to the extent contemplated by paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary, shall not constitute a "Non-Payment Period."
"Non-Payment Period Rate" means, initially, 200% of the applicable Reference Rate (or 275% of such rate if the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS), provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time the initial Non-Payment Period Rate if the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines and Moody's and S&P (and any Substitute Rating Agency in lieu of Moody's or S&P in the event either of such parties shall not rate the AMPS) advise the Corporation in writing that such adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect their then-current ratings on the AMPS.
"Normal Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b)(1) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Notice of Redemption" means any notice with respect to the redemption of shares of AMPS pursuant to paragraph 4 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Notice of Revocation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Notice of Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Optional Redemption Price" means $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption and excluding Additional Dividends plus any applicable redemption premium attributable to the designation of a Premium Call Period.
"Other AMPS" means the auction rate preferred stock of the Corporation, other than the AMPS.
"Outstanding" means, as of any date (i) with respect to AMPS, shares of AMPS theretofore issued by the Corporation except, without duplication, (A) any shares of AMPS theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Auction Agent for cancellation, or redeemed by the Corporation, or as to which a Notice of Redemption shall have been given and moneys shall have been deposited in trust by the Corporation pursuant to paragraph 4(c) and (B) any shares of AMPS as to which the Corporation or any Affiliate thereof shall be an Existing Holder, provided that shares of AMPS held by an Affiliate shall be deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii) with respect to shares of other Preferred Stock, has the equivalent meaning.
"Parity Stock" means the AMPS and each other outstanding series of Preferred Stock the holders of which, together with the holders of the AMPS, shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be, in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled, without preference or priority one over the other.
"Person" means and include 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.
"Potential Holder" means any Person including any Existing Holder, (A) who shall have executed a Purchaser's Letter and (B) who may be interested in acquiring shares of AMPS (or, in the case of an Existing Holder, additional shares of AMPS).
"Preferred Stock" means the preferred stock, par value $.l0 per share, of the Corporation, and includes AMPS and Other AMPS.
"Premium Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of "Specific Redemption Provisions".
"Pricing Service" means J.J. Kenny or any pricing service designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation provided the Corporation obtain written assurance from S&P and Moody's that such designation will not impair the rating then assigned by S&P and Moody's to the AMPS.
"Purchaser's Letter" means a letter addressed to the Corporation, the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer in which a Person agrees, among other things, to offer to purchase, purchase, offer to sell and/or sell shares of AMPS as set forth in paragraph 11 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Quarterly Valuation Date" means the twenty-first day of the last month of each fiscal quarter of the Corporation (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) in each fiscal year of the Corporation, commencing October 21, 1992.
"Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold" for Moody's has the meaning set forth under the definition of Moody's Discount Factor, and for S&P has the meaning set forth under the definition of S&P Discount Factor.
"Reference Rate" means: (i) with respect to a Dividend Period or a Short Term Dividend Period having 28 or fewer days, the higher of the applicable "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate and the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate, (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period having more than 28 but fewer than 183 days, the applicable "AA" Composite Commercial Paper Rate, (iii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period having 183 or more but fewer than 364 days, the applicable U.S. Treasury Bill Rate and (iv) with respect to any Long Term Dividend Period, the applicable U.S. Treasury Note Rate.
"Request for Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Response" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Retroactive Taxable Allocation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Right," with respect to each series of AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these Articles Supplementary and, with the respect to other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Corporation or its successors.
"S&P Discount Factor" means, for purposes of determining the Discounted Value of any Municipal Bond which constitutes an S&P Eligible Asset, the percentage determined by
reference to (a) the rating by S&P or Moody's on such Bond and (b) the S&P Exposure Period, in accordance with the tables set forth below:
Rating Cartegory
----------------
S & P Exposure Period Aaa* AA* A* BBB*
----------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------
40 Business Days 190% 195% 210% 250%
22 Business Days 170 175 190 230
10 Business Days 155 160 175 215
7 Business Days 150 155 170 210
3 Business Days 130 135 150 190
----------------
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* S&P rating
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the S&P Discount Factor for short-term Municipal Bonds will be 115%, so long as such Municipal Bonds are rated A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P and mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less, or 125% if such Municipal Bonds are not rated by S&P but are rated VMIG-1, P-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's, provided, however, such short-term Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's but not rated by S&P having a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less must be backed by a letter of credit, liquidity facility or guarantee from a bank or other financial institution having a short-term rating of at least A-l+ from S&P; and further provided that such short-term Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's but not rated by S&P may comprise no more than 50% of short-term Municipal Bonds that qualify as S&P Eligible Assets and (ii) no S&P Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold. "Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating S&P's Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date. For purposes of the foregoing, Anticipation Notes rated SP-1+ or, if not rated by S&P, rated VMIG-1 by Moody's, which need
not mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days and which do not have a long-term rating, shall be considered to be short-term Municipal Bonds.
"S&P Eligible Asset" means cash, Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold or a Municipal Bond that (i) is issued by any of the 50 states, the territories and their subdivisions, counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts, agencies, such as authorities and special districts created by the states, and certain federally sponsored agencies such as local housing authorities (payments made on these bonds are exempt from regular federal income taxes and are generally exempt from state and local taxes in this state of issuance), (ii) is interest bearing and pays interest at least semi-annually; (iii) is payable with respect to principal and interest in United States Dollars; (iv) is publicly rated BBB or higher by S&P or, except in the case of Anticipation Notes that are grant anticipation notes or bond anticipation notes which must be rated by S&P to be included in S&P Eligible Assets, if not rated by S&P but rated by Moody's, is rated at least A by Moody's (provided that such Moody's-rated Municipal Bonds will be included in S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 50% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets; and further provided that, for purposes of determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to any such Moody's-rated Municipal Bond, such Municipal Bond will be deemed to have an S&P rating which is one full rating category lower than its Moody's rating); (v) is not subject to a covered call or covered put option written by the Corporation; (vi) is not part of a private placement of Municipal Bonds; and (vii) is part of an issue of Municipal Bonds with an original issue size of at least $20 million or, if of an issue with an original issue size below $20 million (but in no event below $10 million), is issued by an issuer with a total of at least $50 million of securities outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1) Municipal Bonds of any one issuer or guarantor (excluding bond insurers) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets, provided that 2% is added to the applicable S&P Discount Factor for every 1% by which the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds exceeds 5% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets;
(2) Municipal Bonds guaranteed or insured by any one bond insurer will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 25% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets; and
(3) Municipal Bonds issued by issuers in any one state or territory will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 20% of the aggregate Market Value of S&P Eligible Assets.
"S&P Exposure Period" means the maximum period of time following a Valuation Date, including the Valuation Date and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, that the Corporation has under these Articles Supplementary to cure any failure to maintain, as of such Valuation Date, the Discounted Value for its portfolio at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (as described in paragraph 7(a) of these Articles Supplementary).
"S&P Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(a) of these Articles Supplementary.
"S&P Volatility Factor" means during the Initial Dividend Period for each series of AMPS 222% in the case of Series A AMPS, 217% in the case of Series B AMPS, 217% in the
case of Series C AMPS and 198% in the case of Series D AMPS. Thereafter, for each series of AMPS, "S&P Volatility Factor" means 304% or such other potential dividend rate increase factor as S&P advises the Corporation in writing is applicable.
"Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company or any successor company or other entities elected by the Corporation as securities depository for the shares of AMPS that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository in connection with the shares of AMPS.
"Service" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"7-Day Dividend Period" means, with respect to Series B AMPS and Series D AMPS, a Dividend Period consisting of seven days.
"Short Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a specified number of days (other than 28 in the case of Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS and other than seven in the case of Series A AMPS and Series D AMPS), evenly divisible by seven and not fewer than seven or more than 364.
"Special Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of (i) a specified number of days (other than 28 in the case of Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS and other than seven in the case of series B AMPS and Series D AMPS), evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer than seven nor more than 364 or (ii) a specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than five years (in each case subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph 2(b)(i))
"Specific Redemption Provisions" means, with respect to a Special Dividend Period either, or any combination of, (i) a period (a "Non-Call Period") determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall not be subject to
redemption at the option of the Corporation and (ii) a period (a "Premium Call Period"), consisting of a number of whole years and determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during each year of which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall be redeemable at the Corporation's option at a price per share equal to $50,000 plus accumulated but unpaid dividends plus a premium expressed as a percentage of $50,000, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers.
"Stock Books" means the books maintained by the Auction Agent setting forth at all times a current list, as determined by the Auction Agent, of Existing Holders of the AMPS.
"Stock Register" means the register of Holders maintained on behalf of the Corporation by the Auction Agent in its capacity as transfer agent and registrar for the AMPS.
"Subsequent Dividend Period," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Substitute Commercial Paper Dealers" means such Substitute Commercial Paper Dealer or Dealers as the Corporation may from time to time appoint or, in lieu of any thereof, their respective affiliates or successors.
"Substitute Rating Agency" and "Substitute Rating Agencies" mean a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, respectively, selected by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Corporation, to act as the substitute rating agency or substitute rating agencies, as the case may be, to determine the credit ratings of the shares of AMPs.
"Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate" on any date means 90% of the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the Kenny S&P 30 day High Grade Index" or any successor index (the "Kenny Index"), made available for the Business Day immediately preceding such date but in any event not later than 8:30 A.M., New York City time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor thereto, based upon 30-day yield evaluations at par of bonds the interest on which is excludable for regular Federal income tax purposes under the Code of "high grade" component issuers selected by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any such successor from time to time in its discretion, which component issuers shall include, without limitation, issuers of general obligation bonds but shall exclude any bonds the interest on which constitutes an item of tax preference under section 57(a)(5) of the Code, or successor provisions, for purposes of the "alternative minimum tax," divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax. Rate (expressed as a decimal); provided, however, that if the Kenny Index is not made so available by 8:30 A.M., New York City time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor, the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate shall mean the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the most recent Kenny Index so made available for any preceding Business Day, divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal).
"Treasury Bonds" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 9(a) of these Articles Supplementary.
"28-day Dividend Period" means with respect to Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS a Dividend Period consisting of 28 days.
"U.S. Treasury Bill Rate" on any date means (i) the Interest Equivalent of the rate on the actively traded Treasury Bill with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as such rate is made available on a discount basis or otherwise 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 so calculated is not available, the Alternate Treasury Bill Rate on such date. "Alternate Treasury Bill Rate" on any date means the Interest Equivalent of the yield as calculated by reference to the arithmetic average of the bid price quotations of the actively traded Treasury Bill with a maturity most nearly comparable to the length of the related Dividend Period, as determined by bid price quotations as of any time on the Business Day immediately preceding such date, obtained from at least three recognized primary U.S. Government securities dealers selected by the Auction Agent.
"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 so 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 recognized primary U.S. Government securities dealers selected by the Auction Agent.
"Valuation Date" means, for purposes of determining whether the Corporation is maintaining the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and the Minimum Liquidity Level, each Business Day commencing with the Date of Original Issue.
"Variation Margin" means, in connection with an outstanding futures contract owned or sold by the Corporation, the amount of cash or securities paid to or received from a broker (subsequent to the Initial Margin payment) from time to time as the price of such futures contract fluctuates.
(b) The foregoing definitions of Accountant's Confirmation, AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, Amps Basic Maintenance Report, Deposit Securities, Discounted Value, Dividend Coverage Amount, Dividend Coverage Assets, Independent Accountants, Initial Margin, Market Value, Minimum Liquidity Level, Moody's Discount Factor, Moody's Eligible Asset, Moody's Exposure Period, Moody's Hedging Transactions, Moody's Volatility Factor, S&P Discount Factor, S&P Eligible Asset, S&P Exposure Period, S&P Hedging Transactions, S&P Volatility Factor, Valuation Date and Variation Margin have been determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in order to obtain a "aaa" rating from Moody's and a AAA rating from S&P on the AMPS on their Date of Original Issue; and the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time the foregoing definitions and the restrictions and guidelines set forth thereunder if Moody's and S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency advises the Corporation in writing that such adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect their then-current ratings on the AMPS.
2. Dividends. (a) The Holders shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, out of funds legally available therefore, cumulative
dividends each consisting of (i) cash at the Applicable Rate, (ii) a Right to receive cash as set forth in paragraph 2(a) below, and (iii) any additional amounts as set forth in paragraph 2(f) below, and no more, payable on the respective dates set forth below. Dividends on the shares of AMPS so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and in priority over any dividends declared and payable on the Common Stock, and (ii) to the extent permitted under the Code and to the extent available, out of net tax exempt income earned on this Corporation's investments. To the extent permitted under the Code, dividends on shares of AMPS will be designated as exempt-interest dividends. For the purposes of this section. the term "net tax-exempt income" shall exclude capital gains of the Corporation.
(b) (i) Cash dividends on shares of AMPS shall accumulate from the Date of Original Issue and shall be payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefore, commencing on the First Initial Dividend Payment Date with respect to each series of AMPS. Dividends on the AMPS during the Initial Dividend Period shall be payable on each Initial Dividend Payment Date, except that if any Initial Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next preceding such Initial Dividend Payment Date. If, however, the Securities Depository shall make available to its participants and members in funds immediately available in New York City on Initial Dividend Payment Dates the amount due on dividends an such initial Dividend Payment Dates (and the Securities Depository shall have so advised the Corporation), and if the day that otherwise would be the Initial Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day. Following the Last Initial Dividend Payment Date for each series of AMPS, dividends on such series of AMPS will be payable, at the option of the Corporation, either (i) with respect to any 7-Day Dividend Period, any 28-day
Dividend Period and any Short Term Dividend Period of 35 or fewer days on the day next succeeding the last day thereof, (ii) with respect to any Short Term Dividend Period of more than 35 days and with respect to any Long Tom Dividend Period, monthly on the first day of each calendar month during such Short Term Dividend Period or Long Term Dividend Period and on the day next succeeding the last day thereof (each such date referred to in clause (i) or (ii) being herein referred to as a "Normal Dividend Payment Date"), except that if such Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next preceding such Normal Dividend Payment Date. If, however, the Securities Depository shall make available to its participants and members in funds immediately available in New York City on Dividend Payment Dates the amount due as dividends on such Dividend Payment Dates (and the Securities Depository shall have so advised the Corporation), and if the Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day. Although any particular Dividend Payment Date may not occur on the originally scheduled date because of the exceptions discussed above, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to such exceptions, will occur on the next following originally scheduled date. If for any reason a Dividend Payment Date cannot be fixed as described above, then the Board of Directors shall fix the Dividend Payment Date. The Initial Dividend Period, 7-day Dividend Periods, 28-day Dividend Periods and Special Dividend Periods are hereinafter sometimes referred to as Dividend Periods. Each dividend payment date determined as provided above is hereinafter referred to as a "Dividend Payment Date."
(ii) Each dividend shall be paid to the Holders as they appear in the Stock Register as of 12:00 noon, Now York City time, on the Business Day preceding the Dividend Payment Date. 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 they appear on the Stock Register on a date, not exceeding 15 days prior to the payment date therefore, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(c) (i) During the period from and including the Date of Original Issue to but excluding the Last Initial Dividend Payment Date (the "Initial Dividend Period"), the Applicable Rates shall be the Initial Dividend Rate. Commencing on the Last Initial Dividend Payment Date, the Applicable Rate for each subsequent dividend period (hereinafter referred to as a "Subsequent Dividend Period"), which Subsequent Dividend Period shall commence on and include a Dividend Payment Date and shall end on and include the calendar day prior to the next Dividend Payment Date (or last Dividend Payment Date in a Dividend Period if there is more than one Dividend Payment Date), shall be equal to the rate per annum that results from implementation of the Auction Procedures.
The Applicable Dividend Rate for each Dividend Period commencing during a Non-Payment Period shall be equal to the Non-Payment Period Rate; and each Dividend Period, commencing after the first day of, and during, a Non-Payment Period shall be a 28-day Dividend Period in the case of Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS and a 7-Day Dividend Period in the case of Series B AMPS and Series D AMPS, provided that if the preceding Dividend Period for Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS is a Special Dividend Period of less than 28 days, the Dividend Period commencing during a Non-Payment Period will be the same length as such preceding Dividend Period. Except in the case of the willful failure of the Corporation to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem any shares of AMPS on the date set for such redemption, any amount of any dividend due on any Dividend Payment Date (if, prior to the
close of business on the second Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation has declared such dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of such shares of AMPS as of 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date) or redemption price with respect to any shares of AMPS not paid to such Holders when due may be paid to such Holders in the same form of funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any of the first three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date or due date, as the case may be, provided that, such amount is accompanied by a late charge calculated for such period of non-payment at the Non-Payment Period Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on the actual number of days comprising such period divided by 365. In the case of a willful failure of the Corporation to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem any Shares of AMPS on the date set for such redemption, the preceding sentence shall not apply and the Applicable Dividend Rate for the Dividend Period commencing during the Non-Payment Period resulting from such failure shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate. For the purposes of the foregoing, payment to a person in same-day funds on any Business Day at any time shall be considered equivalent to payment to such person in New York Clearing House (next-day) funds at the same time on the preceding Business Day, and any payment made after 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any Business Day shall be considered to have been made instead in the same form of funds and to the same person before 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the next Business Day.
(ii) The amount of cash dividends per share of AMPS payable (if declared) on each Dividend Payment Date of the Initial Dividend Period, each 7-Day Dividend Period, each 28-day Dividend Period and each Short Term Dividend Period shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of
which will be the number of days in such Dividend Period such share was outstanding and the denominator of which will be 365, multiplying the amount so obtained by $50,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent. During any Long Term Dividend Period, the amount of dividends per share payable on any Dividend Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of a year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
(iii) With respect to each Dividend period that is a Special Dividend Period, the Corporation may, at its sole option and to the extent permitted by law, by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, request that the next succeeding Dividend Period for a series of AMPS be a number of days (other than 28 in the case of Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS and other than seven in the case of Series B AMPS and Series D AMPS), evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer than seven or more than 364 in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period or one whole year or more but not greater than five years in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, specified in such notice, provided that for any Auction occurring after the initial Auction, the Corporation may not give a Request for Special Dividend Period of greater than 28 days (and any such request shall be null and void) unless the Corporation has received written confirmation from Moody's and S&P that such action would not impair the ratings then assigned to the AMPS by Moody's and S&P and unless Sufficient Clearing Bids were made in the last occurring Auction and unless full cumulative dividends, any amounts due with respect to redemptions, and any Additional Dividends payable prior to such date have been paid in full. Such Request for Special Dividend Period, in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on
or prior to the fourth Business Day but not more than seven Business Days prior to an Auction Date for a series of AMPS and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the 14th day but not more than 28 days prior to an Auction Date for the AMPS. Upon receiving such Request for Special Dividend Period, the Broker-Dealer(s) shall jointly determine whether, given the factors set forth below, it is advisable that the Corporation issue a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the series of AMPS as contemplated by such Request for Special Dividend Period and the Optional Redemption Price of the AMPS during such Special Dividend Period and the Specific Redemption Provisions and shall give the Corporation and the Auction Agent written notice (a "Response") of such determination by no later than the third Business Day prior to such Auction Date. In making such determination the Broker-Dealer(s) will consider (1) existing short-term and long-term market rates and indices of such short-term and long-term rates, (2) existing market supply and demand for short-term and long-term securities, (3) existing yield curves for short-term and long-term securities comparable to the AMPS, (4) industry and financial conditions which may affect the AMPS, (5) the investment objective of the Corporation, and (6) the Dividend Periods and dividend rates at which current and potential beneficial holders of the AMPS would remain or become beneficial holders. If the Broker-Dealer(s) shall not give the Corporation and the Auction Agent a Response by such third Business Day or if the Response states that given the factors set forth above it is not advisable that the Corporation give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the series of AMPS, the Corporation may not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period in respect of such Request for Special Dividend Period. In the event the Response indicates that it is advisable that the Corporation give a Notice of
Special Dividend Period for the series of AMPS, the Corporation may by no later than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date give a notice (a "Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the Securities Depository and each Broker-Dealer which notice will specify (i) the duration of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption Price as specified in the related Response and (iii) the Specific Redemption Provisions, if any, as specified in the related Response. The Corporation shall not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period and, if the Corporation has given a Notice of Special Dividend Period, the Corporation is required to give telephonic and written notice of its revocation (a "Notice of Revocation") to the Auction Agent, each Broker-Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or prior to the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage is not satisfied or the Corporation shall fail to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, in each case on each of the two Valuation Dates immediately preceding the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date on an actual basis and on a pro forma basis giving effect to the proposed Special Dividend Period (using as a pro forma dividend rate with respect to such Special Dividend Period the dividend rate which the Broker-Dealers shall advise the Corporation is an approximately equal rate for securities similar to the AMPS with an equal dividend period), provided that, in calculating the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets for this purpose, the Moody's Collateral Period shall be deemed to be one week longer, (y) sufficient funds for the payment of dividends payable on the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date have not been irrevocably deposited with the Auction Agent by the close of business on
the third Business Day preceding the related Auction Date or (z) the Broker-Dealer(s) jointly advise the Corporation that after consideration of the factors listed above they have concluded that it is advisable to give a Notice of Revocation. If the Corporation is prohibited from giving a Notice of Special Dividend Period as a result of any of the factors enumerated in clause (x), (y) or (z) of the prior sentence or if the Corporation gives a Notice of Revocation with respect to a Notice of Special Dividend Period for any series of AMPS, the next succeeding Dividend Period for that series will be a 28-day Dividend Period in the case of Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS and a 7-Day Dividend Period in the case of Series B AMPS and Series D AMPS, provided that if the then-current Dividend Period for Series A AMPS or Series C AMPS is a Special Dividend Period of less than 28 days, the next succeeding Dividend Period for such series of AMPS will be the same length as such current Dividend Period. In addition, in the event Sufficient Clearing Bids are not made in the applicable Auction or such Auction is not held for any reason, such next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 28-day Dividend Period (in the case of Series A AMPS and Series C AMPS) or a 7-Day Dividend Period (in the case of Series B AMPS and Series D AMPS) and the Corporation may not again give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS (and any such attempted notice shall be null and void) until Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in an Auction with respect to a 28-day Dividend Period (in the case of Series A Amps and Series C AMPS) or a 7-Day Dividend Period (in the case of Series B AMPS and Series D AMPS).
(d) (i) Holders shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends and applicable late charge, as herein provided, on the shares of AMPS (except for Additional Dividends as provided in paragraph 2(e)
hereof and additional payments as provided in paragraph 2(f) hereof). Except for the late charge payable pursuant to paragraph 2(c)(i) hereof, no interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the shares of AMPS that may be in arrears.
(ii) For so long as any share of AMPS is Outstanding, the Corporation shall not declare, pay or set apart for payment 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 AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation) in respect of the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of AMPS 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 Corporation ranking junior to the shares of AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation) or any other such Parity Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after such transaction, the Corporation shall have S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and the Corporation shall maintain the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, (a) full cumulative dividends on shares of AMPS and shares of other AMPS 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 Auction Agent, (C) any additional Dividend required to be paid under paragraph 2(e)
below on or before the date of such declaration or payment has been paid and (D) the Corporation has redeemed the full number of shares of AMPS required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption contained herein.
(e) Each dividend shall consist of (i) cash at the Applicable Dividend Rate, (ii) an uncertificated right (a "Right") to receive an Additional Dividend (as defined below), and (iii) any additional amounts as set forth in paragraph 2(f) below.
Each Right shall thereafter be independent of the Share or Shares of AMPS on which the dividend was paid. The Corporation shall cause to be maintained a record of each Right received by the respective Holders. A Right may not be transferred other than by operation of law. If the Corporation retroactively allocates any net capital gains or other taxable income to shares of AMPS without having given advance notice thereof to the Auction Agent as described in paragraph 2(f) hereof solely by reason of the fact that such allocation is made as a result of the redemption of all or a portion of the outstanding shares of AMPS or the liquidation of the Corporation (the amount of such allocation referred to herein as a "Retroactive Taxable Allocation"), the Corporation will, within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the end of the Corporation's fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made, provide notice thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of a Right applicable to such shares of AMPS (initially Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company)'during such fiscal year at such holder's address as the same appears or last appeared on the stock books of the Corporation. The Corporation will, within 30 days after such notice is given to the Auction Agent, pay to the Auction Agent (who will then distribute to such holders of Rights), out of funds legally available therefore, an amount equal to the aggregate Additional Dividend with respect to all Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holders during the fiscal year in question.
An "Additional Dividends" means payment to a present or former holder of shares of AMPS of an amount which, when taken together with the aggregate amount of Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holder with respect to the fiscal year in question, would cause such holder's dividends in dollars from the aggregate of both the Retroactive Taxable Allocations and the Additional Dividend to be equal to the dollar amount of the dividends which would have been received by such holder if the amount of the aggregate Retroactive Taxable Allocations would have been excludable from the gross income of such holder. Such Additional Dividend shall be calculated (i) without consideration being given to the time value of money; (ii) assuming that no holder of shares of AMPS is subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax with respect to dividends received from the corporation; and (iii) assuming that each Retroactive Taxable Allocation would be taxable in the hands of each holder of shares of AMPS at the Marginal Tax Rate in effect during the fiscal year in question.
(f) Except as provided below, whenever the Corporation intends to include any net capital gains or other taxable income in any dividend on shares of AMPS, the Corporation will notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at least five Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable Rate for such dividend is to be established. The Corporation may also include such income in a dividend on shares of a series of AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income was a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount was an Additional Dividend.
(g) No fractional shares of AMPS shall be issued.
3. Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders shall be entitled to receive, out of the
assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution or payment is made upon any Common Stock or any other capital stock ranking junior in right of payment upon liquidation to the AMPS, the sum of $50,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to date of distribution, and after such payment the holders of AMPS will be entitled to no other payments other than Additional Dividends as provided in paragraph 2(e) hereof. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the AMPS and any other Outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the AMPS as to payment upon liquidation are not paid in full, the Holders and the holders of such other class or series will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the Holders will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Corporation except for any Additional Dividends. A consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity or a sale, whether for cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, of all or substantially all or any part of the Assets of the Corporation shall not be detailed or construed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
4. Redemption. (a) Shares of AMPS shall be redeemable by the Corporation as provided below:
(i) To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, upon giving a Notice of Redemption, the Corporation at its option may redeem shares of AMPS, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefore, at the Optional Redemption Price per share, on any Dividend Payment Date; provided that no share of AMPS may be
redeemed at the option of the Corporation during a Non-Call Period to which such share is subject. In addition, holders of AMPS which are redeemed shall be entitled to receive Additional Dividends to the extent provided herein. The Corporation may not give a Notice of Redemption relating to an optional redemption as described in this paragraph 4(a)(i) unless, at the time of giving such Notice of Redemption, the Corporation has available Deposit Securities with maturity or tender dates not later than the day preceding the applicable redemption date and having a value not less than the amount due to Holders by reason of the redemption of their shares of AMPS on such redemption date.
(ii) The Corporation shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefore, at the Mandatory Redemption Price per share, shares of AMPS to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, on a date fixed by the Board of Directors, if the Corporation fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as provided in paragraph 7(a) or to satisfy the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage as provided in paragraph 6 and such failure is not cured on or before the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the 1940 Act Cure Date (herein respectively referred to as a "Cure Date"), as the case may be. In addition, holders of AMPS so redeemed shall be entitled to receive Additional Dividends to the extent provided herein. The number of shares of AMPS to be redeemed shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of AMPS the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Cure Date, together with all shares of other Preferred Stock subject to redemption or retirement, would result in the Corporation having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value
equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, on such Cure Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum number of shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock the redemption of which would have such result, all shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock then Outstanding shall be redeemed), and (ii) the maximum number of shares of AMPS, together with all shares of other Preferred Stock subject to redemption or retirement, that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefore on such redemption date. In determining the number of shares of AMPS required to be redeemed in accordance with the foregoing, the Corporation shall allocate the number required to be redeemed which would result in the corporation having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset coverage, as the case may be, pro rata among shares of AMPS of all series, Other AMPS and other Preferred Stock subject to redemption pursuant to provisions similar to those contained in this paragraph 4(a)(ii); provided that, shares of AMPS which may not be redeemed at the option of the Corporation due to the designation of a Non-Call Period applicable to such shares (A) will be subject to mandatory redemption only to the extent that other shares are not available to satisfy the number of shares required to be redeemed and (B) will be selected for redemption in an ascending order of outstanding number of days in the Non-Call Period (with shares with the lowest number of days to be redeemed first) and by lot in the event of shares having an equal number of days in such Non-Call Period. The Corporation shall effect such redemption on a Business Day which is not later than 35 days after such Cure Date, except that if the Corporation does not have
funds legally available for the redemption of all of the required number of shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock which are subject to mandatory redemption or the Corporation otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to 35 days after such Cure Date, the Corporation shall redeem those shares of AMPS which it is unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption out of funds legally available therefore.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph 4, no shares of AMPS may be redeemed pursuant to paragraph 4(a)(i) of those Articles Supplementary (i) unless all dividends in arrears on all remaining outstanding shares of Parity Stock shall have been or are being contemporaneously paid or declared and set apart for payment and (ii) if redemption thereof would result in the Corporation's failure to maintain Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. In the event that less than all the outstanding shares of a series of AMPS are to be redeemed and there is more than one Holder, the shares of that series of AMPS to be redeemed shall be selected by lot or such other method as the corporation shall deem fair and equitable.
(c) Whenever shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Corporation, not less than 20 nor more than 30-days prior to the date fixed for redemption, shall mail a notice ("Notice of Redemption") by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder of shares of AMPS to be redeemed and to the Auction Agent. The Corporation shall cause the Notice of Redemption to also be published in the eastern and national editions of The Wall Street Journal. The Notice of Redemption shall set forth (i) the redemption date, (ii) the amount of the redemption price, (iii) the aggregate number of shares of AMPS of such series to be redeemed, (iv) the place or places where shares of AMPS of such series are to by surrendered for payment of the redemption price,
(v) a statement that dividends on the shares to the redeemed shall cease to accumulate on such redemption date (except that holders may be entitled to Additional Dividends) and (vi) the provision of these Articles Supplementary pursuant to which such shares are being redeemed. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or in the mailing or publication thereof shall affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
If the Notice of Redemption shall have been given as aforesaid and, concurrently or thereafter, the Corporation shall have deposited in trust with the Auction Agent a cash amount equal to the redemption payment for the shares of AMPS as to which such Notice of Redemption has been given with irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the Holders of such shares, then upon the date of such deposit or, if no such deposit is made, then upon such date fixed for redemption (unless the Corporation shall default in making the redemption payment), all rights of the Holders of such shares as shareholders of the Corporation by reason of the ownership of such shares will cease and terminate (except their right to receive the redemption price in respect thereof and any Additional Dividends, but without interest), and such shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Auction Agent the interest, if any, on such moneys deposited with it and the Holders of any shares so redeemed shall have no claim to any of such interest. In case the Holder of any shares so called for redemption shall not claim the redemption payment for his shares within one year after the date of redemption, the Auction Agent shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation such amount remaining on deposit and the Auction Agent shall thereupon be relieved of all responsibility to the Holder of such shares called for redemption and such Holder thereafter shall look only to the Corporation for the redemption payment.
5. Voting Rights. (a) General. Except as otherwise provided in the charter or By-Laws, each Holder of shares of AMPS shall be entitled to one vote for each share held in each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation, and the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, and of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class; provided that, at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation held for the election of directors, the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation, to elect two directors of the Corporation. Subject to paragraph 5(b) hereof, the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation, including the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, voting as a single class, shall elect the balance of the directors.
(b) Right to elect Majority of Board of Directors. During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a "Voting Period"), the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be automatically increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two directors elected exclusively by the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by such smallest number; and the holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled, voting separately as one class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), to elect such smallest number of additional directors, together with the two directors that such holders are in any event entitled to elect. A Voting Period shall commence:
(i) if at any time accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared, and whether or not funds are then legally available in an amount sufficient therefore) on the
outstanding shares of AMPS equal to at least two full year's dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been deposited with the Auction Agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends;
or
(ii) if at any time holders of any other shares of Preferred Stock are entitled to elect a majority of the directors of the Corporation under the 1940 Act.
Upon the termination of a voting period, the voting rights described in this paragraph 5(b) shall cease, subject always, however, to the reverting of such voting rights in the Holders upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this paragraph 5(b).
(c) Right to Vote with Respect to Certain Other Matters. So long as
any shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock
Outstanding at the time, voting separately as one class: (i) authorize, create
or issue, or increase the authorized or issued amount of, any class or series
of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with any series of Preferred Stock
with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on
liquidation, or increase the authorized amount of AMPS or any other Preferred
Stock, or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, whether
by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect any of the
contract rights expressly set forth in the charter of holders of shares of
AMPS or any other Preferred Stock. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act,
in the event shares of more than one series of AMPS are outstanding, the
Corporation shall not approve any of the actions set forth in clause (i) or
(ii) which adversely affects the contract rights expressly set forth in the
Charter of a Holder of shares of a series of AMPS differently than those of a
Holder of shares of any other series of AMPS without the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least a majority of the shares of AMPS of each series
adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such adversely affected
series voting
separately as a class). The Corporation shall notify Moody's and S&P ten
Business Days prior to any such vote described in clause (i) or (ii). 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 AMPS, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve
any plan of reorganization (including bankruptcy proceedings) 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 AMPS, 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 AMPS, voting together as a
single class necessary to authorize the action in question.
(d) Voting Procedures.
(i) As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors as described in paragraph 5(b) above, the Corporation shall call a special meeting of such holders and instruct the Auction Agent to mail 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 Corporation fails to send such notice to the Auction Agent or if the Corporation 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 held during a Voting Period, such Holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), shall be entitled to elect the
number of directors prescribed in paragraph 5(b) above. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a quorum, a majority of such holders present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting without notice, other than by an announcement at the meeting, to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date.
(ii) For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders to vote on any matter or the number of shares required to constitute a quorum, whether such right is created by these Articles Supplementary, by the other provisions of the Charter, by statute or otherwise, a share of AMPS which is not Outstanding shall not be counted.
(iii) The terms of office of all persons who are directors of the Corporation at the time of a special meeting of Holders and holders of other 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 the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, shall constitute the duly elected directors of the Corporation.
(iv) simultaneously with the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional directors elected by the Holders and holders of other Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall terminate, the remaining directors shall constitute the directors of the corporation and the voting rights of the Holders and such other holders to elect additional directors pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall cease, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of paragraph 5(b)(ii).
(e) Exclusive Remedy. Unless otherwise required by law, the Holders of shares of AMPS shall not have any rights or preferences other than those specifically set forth herein. The Holders of shares of AMPS shall have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting. In the event that the Corporation fails to pay any dividends on the shares of AMPS, the exclusive remedy of the Holders shall be the right to vote for directors pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph 5.
(f) Notification to S&P and Moody's. In the event a vote of Holders of AMPS is required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, the Corporation shall, not later than ten Business Days prior to the date on which such vote is to be taken, notify S&P and Moody's that such vote is to be taken and the nature of the action with respect to which such vote is to be taken and, not later than ten Business Days after the date on which such vote is taken, notify S&P and Moody's of the result of such vote.
6. 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage. The Corporation shall maintain, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any share of AMPS is outstanding, the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage.
7. AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. (a) The Corporation shall maintain, on each Valuation Date, and shall verify to its satisfaction that it is maintaining on such Valuation Date, (i) S&P Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii) Moody's Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Corporation will use its best efforts to alter the composition of its portfolio to retain the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date.
(b) on or before 5:00 p.m., New York city time, on the third Business
Day after a Valuation Date on which the Corporation fails to satisfy the AMPS
Basic Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall complete and deliver to the
Auction Agent, and Moody's and S&P, as the case may be, a complete AMPS Basic
Maintenance Report as of the date of such failure, which will be deemed to
have been delivered to the Auction Agent if the Auction Agent receives a copy
or telecopy, telex or other electronic transcription thereof and on the same
day the Corporation mails to the Auction Agent for delivery on the next
Business Day the complete AMPS Basic Maintenance Report. The Corporation will
deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to the Auction Agent and Moody's and
S&P, as the case may be, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
third Business Day after a Valuation Date on which the Corporation cures its
failure to maintain Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as the
case may be, with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amounts or on which the Corporation fails to maintain
Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as the case may be, with an
aggregate Discounted Value which exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by
5% or more. The Corporation will also deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report
to the Auction Agent, Moody's and S&P as of each Quarterly Valuation Date on
or before the third Business Day after such date. Whenever the Corporation
delivers an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to S&P pursuant to this paragraph
7(b), it shall also deliver a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity to S&P and the
Auction Agent. The Corporation shall also provide Moody's and S&P with an AMPS
Basic Maintenance Report when specifically requested by either Moody's or S&P.
A failure by the Corporation to deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report under
this paragraph 7(b) shall be deemed to be delivery of an AMPS Basic
Maintenance Report indicating the Discounted Value for S&P Eligible Assets and
Moody's
Eligible Assets of the Corporation is less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, as of the relevant Valuation Date.
(c) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery of an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report and a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity in accordance with paragraph 7(b) above relating to a Quarterly Valuation Date, the Independent Accountant will confirm in writing to the Auction Agent, S&P and Moody's (i) the mathematical accuracy of the calculations reflected in such Report (and in any other AMPS Basic Maintenance Report, randomly selected by the Independent Accountant, that was delivered by the Corporation during the quarter ending on such Quarterly Valuation Date) and (with respect to S&P only while S&P is rating the AMPS) Certificate, (ii) that, in such Report (and in such randomly selected Report), the Corporation correctly determined the assets of the Corporation which constitute S&P Eligible Assets or Moody's Eligible Assets, as the case may be, at such Quarterly Valuation Date in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, (iii) that, in such Report (and in such randomly selected Report), the Corporation determined whether the Corporation had, at such Quarterly Valuation Date (and at the Valuation Date addressed in such randomly-selected Report) in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, S&P Eligible Assets of an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance amount and Moody's Eligible Assets of an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, (iv) that (with respect to S&P only) in such Certificate, the Corporation determined the Minimum Liquidity Level and the Corporation's Deposit Securities in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, including maturity or tender date, (v) with respect to the S&P rating on Municipal Bonds, the issuer name, issue size and coupon rate listed in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such Certificate, that the Independent Accountant has requested that S&P verify such information and the
Independent Accountant shall provide a listing in its letter of any differences, (vi) with respect to the Moody's ratings on Municipal Bonds, the issuer name, issue size and coupon rate listed in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such Certificate, that such information has been verified by Moody's (in the event such information is not verified by Moody's the Independent Accountant will inquire of Moody's what such information is, and provide a listing in its letter of any differences), (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 Corporation's assets to the Corporation for purposes of valuing securities in the Corporation's portfolio, the Independent Accountant has traced the price used in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such Certificate to the bid or mean price listed in such Report and (with respect to S&P only) such Certificate as provided to the Corporation and verified that such information agrees (in the event such information does not agree, the Independent Accountant will provide a listing in its letter of such differences) and (viii) with respect to such confirmation to Moody's, that the Corporation has satisfied the requirements of Paragraph 9(b) of these Articles Supplementary (such confirmation is herein called the "Accountant's Confirmation").
(d) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery to the Auction Agent, S&P and Moody's of an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with paragraph 7(b) above relating to any Valuation Date on which the Corporation failed to maintain S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value and Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and relating to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date with respect to such failure, the Independent Accountant will provide to the Auction Agent, S&P and Moody's an Accountant's Confirmation as to such AMPS Basic Maintenance Report.
(e) If any Accountant's Confirmation delivered pursuant to subparagraph (c) or (d) of this paragraph 7 shows that an error was made in the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report for a particular Valuation Date for which such Accountant's Confirmation as required to be delivered, or shows that a lower aggregate Discounted Value for the aggregate of all S&P Eligible Assets or Moody's Eligible Assets, as the case may be, of the Corporation 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 Corporation, and the Corporation shall accordingly amend and deliver the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to the Auction Agent, S&P and Moody's promptly following receipt by the Corporation of such Accountant's Confirmation.
(f) On or before 5:00 p.m., Now York City time, on the first Business Day after the Date of Original Issue of the shares of AMPS, the Corporation will complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such Date of Original Issue. Within five Business Days of such Date of Original Issue, the Independent Accountant will confirm in writing to S&P and Moody's (i) the mathematical accuracy of the calculations reflected in such Report and (ii) that the aggregate Discounted Value of S&P Eligible Assets and the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets reflected thereon equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount reflected thereon. Also, on or before 5:00 p.m., Near York City time, on the first Business Day after shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the Corporation, the Corporation will complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such date that Common Stock is repurchased.
(g) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, in managing the Corporation's portfolio, the adviser will not alter the composition of the Corporation's portfolio if, in the
reasonable belief of the adviser, the effect of any such alteration would be to cause the Corporation to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value, as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date, less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of such Valuation Date; provided, however, that in the event that, as of the immediately Preceding Valuation Date, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets exceeded the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by five percent or less, the adviser will not alter the composition of the Corporation's portfolio in a manner reasonably expected to reduce the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets unless the Corporation shall have confirmed that, after giving effect to such alteration, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets would exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
8. Minimum Liquidity Level. (a) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Corporation shall be required to have, as of each Valuation Date, Dividend Coverage Assets having in the aggregate a Market Value not less than the Dividend Coverage Amount.
(b) As of each Valuation Date as long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Corporation shall determine (i) the Market Value of the Dividend Coverage Assets owned by the Corporation as of that Valuation Date, (ii) the Dividend Coverage Amount on that Valuation Date, and (iii) whether the Minimum Liquidity Level is met as of that Valuation Date. The calculations of the Dividend Coverage Assets, the Dividend Coverage Amount and whether the Minimum Liquidity Level is met shall be set forth in a certificate (a "Certificate of Minimum Liquidity") dated as of the Valuation Date. The AMPS Basic Maintenance Report and the Certificate of Minimum Liquidity may be combined in one certificate. The Corporation shall cause the Certificate of Minimum Liquidity to be delivered to S&P not later than the close of
business on the third Business Day after the Valuation Date applicable to such Certificate pursuant to paragraph 7(b). The Minimum Liquidity Level shall be deemed to be met as of any date of determination if the Corporation has timely delivered a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity relating to such date which states that the same has been met and which is not manifestly inaccurate. In the event that a certificate of Minimum Liquidity is not delivered to S&P when required, the Minimum Liquidity Level shall be deemed met to have been not as of the applicable date.
(c) if the Minimum Liquidity Level is met as of any Valuation Date, then the Corporation shall purchase or otherwise acquire Dividend Coverage Assets to the extent necessary so that the Minimum Liquidity Level is met as of the fifth Business Day following such Valuation Date. The Corporation shall, by such fifth Business Day, provide to S&P a Certificate of Minimum Liquidity setting forth the calculations of the Dividend Coverage Assets and the Dividend Coverage Amount and showing that the Minimum Liquidity Level is met as of such fifth Business Day together with a report of the custodian of the Corporation's assets confirming the amount of the Corporation's Dividend Coverage Assets as of such fifth Business Day.
9. Certain Other Restrictions.
(a) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Corporation will not purchase or sell futures contracts, write, purchase or sell options on futures contracts or write put options (except covered put options) or call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from S&P that engaging in such transactions will not impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P, except that the Corporation may purchase or sell futures contracts based on the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond
Index (the "Municipal Index") or United States Treasury Bonds with remaining maturities of ten years of more ("Treasury Bonds") and write, purchase or sell put and call options on such contracts (collectively, "S&P Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than transactions which terminate a futures contract or option held by the Corporation by the Corporation's taking an opposite position thereto ("Closing Transactions")), which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the least of (A) more than 1,000 outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index, (B) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the Market Value of the Corporation's total assets divided by $100,000 or (C) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(ii) the corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the lesser of (A) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds and on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the Market Value of the Corporation's total assets divided by $100,000 or (B) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(iii) the Corporation will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding futures contract which the Corporation owns or has sold or any outstanding option thereon owned by the Corporation in the event (A) the Corporation does not have S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive Valuation Dates and (B) the Corporation is required to pay Variation Margin on the second such Valuation Date;
(iv) the Corporation will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding futures contract or option thereon in the month prior to the delivery month under the terms of such futures contract or option thereon unless the Corporation holds the securities deliverable under such terms; and
(v) when the corporation writes a futures contract or option thereon, it will either maintain an amount of cash, cash equivalents or short-term, fixed-income securities in a segregated account with the Corporation's custodian, so that the amount so segregated plus the amount of Initial Margin and Variation Margin held in the account of or on behalf of the Corporation's broker with respect to such futures contract or option equals the Market Value of the futures contract or option, or, in the event the Corporation writes a futures contract or option thereon which requires delivery of an underlying security, it shall hold such underlying security in its portfolio.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has S&P Eligible
Assets with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of cash or securities held for the
payment of Initial Margin or Variation Margin shall be zero and the aggregate
Discounted Value of S&P Eligible Assets shall be reduced by an amount equal to
(i) 30% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any
outstanding
futures contracts based on the Municipal Index which are owned by the Corporation plus (ii) 25% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds which contracts are owned by the Corporation.
(b) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation will not buy or sell futures contracts, write, purchase or sell call options on futures contracts or purchase put options on futures contracts or write call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such transactions would not impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by Moody's, except that the Corporation may purchase or sell exchange-traded futures contracts based on the Municipal Index or Treasury Bonds and purchase, write or sell exchange-traded put options on such futures contracts and purchase, write or sell exchange-traded call options on such futures contracts (collectively, "Moody's Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Corporation will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal or (B) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index having a Market Value exceeding the Market Value of all Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction);
(ii) the Corporation will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the Corporation
at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 40% of the aggregate Market Value of Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation and rated Aa by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated AAA by S&P) or (B) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 80% of the aggregate Market Value of all Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation (other than Moody's Eligible assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction) and rated Baa or A by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated A or AA by S&P) (for purposes of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Corporation shall be deemed to own the number of futures contracts that underlie any outstanding options written by the Corporation);
(iii) the Corporation will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding futures contract based on the Municipal Index if the amount of open interest in the Municipal Index as reported by The Wall Street Journal is less than 5,000;
(iv) the Corporation will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding futures contract by no later than the fifth Business Day of the month in which such contract expires and will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding option on a futures contract by no later than the first Business Day of the month in which such option expires;
(v) the Corporation will engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions only with respect to futures contracts or options thereon having the next settlement date or the settlement date immediately thereafter;
(vi) in the event the Corporation writes a futures contract or option' thereon which requires delivery of an underlying security, it shall hold such underlying security in its portfolio;
(vii) the Corporation will not engage in options and futures transactions for leveraging or speculative purposes and will not write any call options or sell any futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the anticipated purchase of an asset prior to completion of such purchase; and
(viii) the Corporation will not enter into an option or futures transaction unless, after giving effect thereto, the Corporation would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets which the Corporation is obligated to deliver or receive pursuant to an outstanding futures contract or option shall be as follows: (i) assets subject to call options written by the Corporation which are either exchange-traded and "readily reversible" or which expire within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made shall be valued at the lesser of (a) Discounted Value and (b) the exercise price of the call option written by the Corporation; (ii) assets subject to call options written by the Corporation not meeting the requirements of clause (i) of this sentence shall have no value; (iii) assets subject to put options written by the Corporation shall be valued at the lesser of (A) the exercise price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security; (iv) futures contracts shall be valued at the lesser of (A) settlement price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security, provided that,
if a contract matures within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made, where the Corporation is the seller the contract may be valued at the settlement price and where the Corporation is the buyer the contract may be valued at the Discounted Value of the subject securities and (v) where delivery may be made to the Corporation with any security of a class of securities, the Corporation shall assume that it will take delivery of the security with the lowest Discounted Value.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the following amounts shall be subtracted from the aggregate Discounted Value of the Moody's Eligible Assets held by the Corporation: (i) 10% of the exercise price of a written call option; (ii) the exercise price of any written put option; (iii) where the Corporation is the seller under a futures contract, 10% of the settlement price of the futures contract; (iv) where the Corporation is the purchaser under a futures contract, the settlement price of assets purchased under such futures contract; (v) the settlement price of the underlying futures contract if the Corporation writes put options on a futures contract; and (vi) 105% of the Market Value of the underlying futures contracts if the Corporation writes call options on a futures contract and does not own the underlying contract.
(c) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation will not enter into any contract to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (other than such contracts that constitute Moody's Hedging Transactions that are permitted under paragraph 9(b) of these Articles Supplementary), except that the Corporation may enter into such contracts to purchase newly issued securities on the date such securities are issued ("Forward Commitments"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Corporation will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash, cash equivalents or short-term, fixed-income securities rated P-1, MIG-1 or VMIG-1 by Moody's and maturing prior to the date of the Forward Commitment with a Market Value that equals or exceeds the amount of the Corporation's obligations under any Forward Commitments to which it is from time to time a party or long-term fixed income securities with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the amount of the Corporation's obligations under any Forward Commitment to which it is from time to time a party; and
(ii) the Corporation will not enter into a Forward Commitment unless, after giving effect thereto the Corporation would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Account.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of all Forward Commitments to which the Corporation is a party and of all securities deliverable to the Corporation pursuant to such Forward Commitments shall be zero.
(d) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by S&P of Moody's, the Corporation will not, unless it has received written confirmation from S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, that such action would not impair the ratings then assigned to shares of AMPS by S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, (i) borrow money except for the purpose of clearing transactions in portfolio securities (which borrowings shall under any circumstances be limited to the lesser of $10 million and an amount equal to 5% of the Market Value of the Corporation's assets at the time of such borrowings and which borrowings shall be repaid within 60 days and not be
extended or renewed), (ii) engage in short sales of securities, (iii) lend any securities, (iv) issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the AMPS with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, (v) reissue any AMPS previously purchased or redeemed by the Corporation, (vi) merge or consolidate into or with any other corporation or entity, (vii) change the Pricing Service or (viii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements.
10. Notice. All notices or communications, unless otherwise specified in the By-Laws of the Corporation or these Articles Supplementary, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notice shall be deemed given on the earlier of the date received or the date seven days after which such notice is mailed.
11. Auction Procedures. (a) Certain definitions. As used in this paragraph 11, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) "AMPS" means the shares of AMPS being auctioned pursuant to this paragraph 11.
(ii) "Auction Date" means the first Business Day preceding the first day of a Dividend Period.
(iii) "Available AMPS" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(iv) "Bid" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)( i) below.
(v) "Bidder" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)( i) below.
(vi) "Hold order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)(i) below.
(vii) "Maximum Applicable Rate" for any Dividend Period will be the Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate. The Applicable Percentage will be determined based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or ratings assigned on such date to
such shares by Moody's and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both shall not make such rating available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings by a substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in the event that only one Such rating shall be available, such rating) and (ii) whether the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS as follows:
Applicable Applicable
Percentage of Percentage of
Credit Ratings Reference Reference
------------------------------------------------------ Rate - Rate -
Moody's S&P No Notification No Notification
----------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------------
"aa3" or higher AA- or higher 110% 150%
"a3" to "a1" A- to A+ 150% 250%
"baa3" to "baa1" BBB- to BBB+ 150% 250%
Below "baa3" Below BBB- 200% 275%
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The Corporation shall take all reasonable action necessary to enable S&P and Moody's to provide a rating for each series of AMPS. If either S&P or Moody's shall not make such a rating available, or neither S&P nor Moody's shall make such a rating available, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates and successors, after consultation with the Corporation, shall select a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to act as a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.
(viii) "Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(b)(i) below.
(ix) "Sell Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph
11(b)(i). below.
(x) "Submission Deadline" means 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on any Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date as may be specified by the Auction
Agent from time to time as the time by which each Broker-Dealer must submit to the Auction Agent in writing all orders obtained by it for the Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date.
(xi) "Submitted Bid" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(xii) "Submitted Hold Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(xiii) "Submitted Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(xiv) "Submitted Sell Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(xv) `"Sufficient Clearing Bids" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(xvi) "Winning Bid Rate" has the meaning specified in paragraph 11(d)(i) below.
(b) Orders by Existing Holders and Potential Holders.
(i) On or prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date:
(A) each Existing Holder may submit to a Broker-Dealer information as to:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Existing Holder which such Existing Holder desires to continue to hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Existing Holder which such Existing Holder desires to continue to hold, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Existing Holder; and/or
(3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Existing Holder which such Existing Holder offers to sell without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period; and
(B) each Broker-Dealer, using a list of Potential Holders that shall be maintained in good faith for the purpose of conducting a competitive Auction, shall contact potential Holders, including persons that are not Existing Holders, on such list to determine the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS which each such Potential Holder offers to purchase, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Potential Holder.
For the purposes hereof, the communication to a Broker-Dealer of information referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this paragraph 11(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as an "order" and each Existing Holder and each Potential Holder placing an order is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A) (1) of this paragraph 11(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Hold Order"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(2) or (B) of this paragraph 11(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Bid"; and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(3) if this paragraph 11(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Sell Order".
(ii) (A) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(i)(D) if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein; or
(3) a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(ii)(C) if such specified rate per annum shall be higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(B) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such sell order; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(e)(ii)(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(C) A Bid by a Potential Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to purchase:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be higher than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 11(a)(i)(E) if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein.
(c) Submission of Order by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
(i) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing or through the Auction Agent's Auction Processing System to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline on
each Auction Date all Orders obtained by such Broker-Dealer and specifying with respect to each order:
(A) the name of the Bidder placing such order;
(B) the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such order;
(C) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Hold Order placed by such Existing Holder;
(2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Bid placed by such Existing Holder and the rate per annum specified in such Bid; and
(3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Sell order placed by such Existing Holder; and
(D) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder, the rate per annum specified in such Potential Holders Bid.
(ii) If any rate per annum 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%.
(iii) If an Order or Orders covering all of the outstanding shares of AMPS held by an Existing Holder are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall clean a Hold Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not a Special Dividend Period) and a Sell Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period) to have been submitted on
behalf of such Existing Holder covering the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
(iv) If one or more Orders on behalf of an Existing Holder covering in the aggregate more than the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent, such Order shall be considered valid as follows and in the following order of priority:
(A) any Hold Order submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be considered valid up to and including the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder; provided that if more than one Hold Order is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Hold Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Hold Orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the number of outstanding shares of AMPS hold by such Existing Holder;
(B) any Bids submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per annum, if more than one aid is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder, up to and including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to any Hold Order referred to in paragraph 11(c)(iv)(A) above (and if more than one Bid submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder specifies the same rate per annum and together they cover more than the remaining number of shares that can be the subject of valid Bids after application of paragraph 11(c)(iv)(A) above and of the foregoing portion of this paragraph 11(c)(iv)(B) to any Bid or Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum, the number of shares subject to each of
such Bids shall be reduced pro rata so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining number of shares); and the number of shares, if any, subject to bids not valid under this paragraph 11(c)(iv)(B) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a Potential Holder; and
(C) any Sell Order shall be considered valid up to and including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to Hold Orders referred to in paragraph 11(e)(iv)(A) and Bids referred to in paragraph 11(c)(iv)(B); provided that if more than one Sell Order is submitted on behalf of any Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Sell Orders is greater than such excess, the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Sell Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Sell Orders, in the aggregate, cover exactly the number of shares of AMPS equal to such excess.
(v) if more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder, each Bid-submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number of shares of AMPS specified.
(d) Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate.
(i) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by the Broker-Dealers (each such Order as submitted or deemed submitted by a Broker-Dealer being hereinafter referred to individually as a "Submitted Hold Order", a "Submitted Deed" or a "Submitted Sell Order", as the case may be, or as a "Submitted Order") and shall determine:
(A) the excess of the total number of outstanding shares of AMPS over the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of submitted Hold Orders (such excess being hereinafter referred to as the "Available AMPS");
(B) from the Submitted Orders whether the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Potential Holders specifying one or more rates per annum, equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate exceeds or is equal to the sum of:
(1) the number of outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying one or more rates per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate, and
(2) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are subject to Submitted Sell Orders (if such excess or such equality exists (other than because the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS in clauses (1) and (2) above are each zero because all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids by Potential Holders being hereinafter referred to collectively as "Sufficient Clearing Bids"); and
(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the lowest rate per annum specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") that if:
(1) each Submitted Bid from Existing Holders specifying the Winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Existing Holders specifying lower rates per annum were accepted, thus entitling such Existing Holders to continue to hold the shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids, and
(2) each Submitted Bid from Potential Holders specifying the winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Potential Holders specifying lower rates per annun were accepted, thus entitling the Potential Holders to purchase the shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids,
would result in the number of shares subject to all Submitted Bids specifying the Winning Bid Rate or a lower rate per annum being at least equal to the Available AMPS.
(ii) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant to paragraph 11(d)(i), the Auction Agent shall advise the Corporation of the Maximum Applicable Rate and, based on such determinations, the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period as follows:
(A) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate;
(B) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than because all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate; or
(C) if all of the outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders, that the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction shall automatically be the sage length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period and the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to 59% of the Reference Rate (or 90% of such rate if the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS) on the date of the Auction.
(e) Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares. Based on the determinations made pursuant to paragraph 11(d)(i), the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected and the Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:
(i) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, subject to the provisions of paragraph 11(e)(iii) and paragraph 11(e)(iv), Submitted Bide and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected in the following order of priority and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Sell Orders of Existing Holders shall be accepted and the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that is higher than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to sell the outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(C) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying any rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;
(D) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying a rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid, unless the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids shall be greater than the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS ("Remaining Shares") equal to the
excess of the Available AMPS over the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS
subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraph 11(e)(i)(B) and paragraph
11(a)(i)(C), in which event the Submitted Bids of each such Existing Holder
shall be accepted, and each such Existing Holder shall be required to sell,
Outstanding shares of AMPS, but only in an amount equal to the difference
between (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such
Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and (2) the number of shares of
AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Remaining Shares by (y) a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of
AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and the
denominator of which shall be the sum of the numbers of Outstanding shares of
AMPS subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders that
specified a rate per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate; and
(E) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying a
rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted but
only in an amount equal to the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS obtained
by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and the number of
Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraph
11(e)(i)(B), paragraph 11(e)(f)(C) and paragraph 11(e)(i)(D) by (y) a fraction
the numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS
subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of
the number of Outstanding shares of AIMS subject to such Submitted Bids made
by all such Potential Holders that specified rates per annum equal to the
Winning Did Rate.
(ii) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), subject to the
provisions of paragraph 11(e)(iii), Submitted Orders shall be accepted or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate per annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring such Potential Holder to purchase the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and
(C) the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum that is higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted and the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, in both cases only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or submitted Sell Order and (2) the number of shares of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraph 11(e)(ii)(A) and paragraph 11(e)(ii)(B) by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Aid or Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders.
(iii) If, as a result of the procedures described in paragraph 11(e)(i) or paragraph 11(e)(ii), 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 AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall determine, round up or down the number of shares of AMPS to be purchased or sold by any Exiting Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date so that each outstanding share of AMPS purchased or sold by each Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be a whole share of AMPS.
(iv) If, as a result of the procedures described in paragraph
11(e)(i), any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to
purchase less than a whole share of AMPS on any Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in its sole discretion it
shall determine, allocate shares of AMPS for purchase among
Potential Holders so that only whole shares of AMPS are purchased on
such Auction Date by any Potential Holder, even if such allocation
results in one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any
shares of AMPS on such Auction Date.
(v) Based on the results of each Auction, the Auction Agent shall determine, with respect to each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or Sell Orders on behalf of Existing Holders or Potential Holders, the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be purchased and the aggregate number of the Outstanding shares of AMPS to be sold by such Potential Holders and Existing Holders and, to the extent that such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to be purchased and such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to be sold differ, the Auction Agent shall determine to which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more purchasers such Broker-Dealer shall deliver, or from which other broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more sellers such Broker-Dealer shall receive, as the case may be, Outstanding shares of AMPS.
(f) Miscellaneous. The Corporation may interpret the provisions of this paragraph 11 to resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity, remedy any formal defect or make any other change or modification that does not substantially adversely affect the rights of Existing Holders of AMPS. An Existing Holder (A) may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order in accordance with the procedures described in this paragraph 11 or to or through a Broker-Dealer or to a Person that has delivered a signed copy of a Purchase's Letter to the Auction Agent, provided that in the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions such Existing-Holder, its Broker-Dealer or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer and (B) except as otherwise required by law, shall have the ownership of the shares of AMPS held by it maintained in book-entry form by the Securities Depository in the account of its Agent Member, which in turn will maintain records of such Existing Holder's beneficial ownership. Neither the Corporation nor any affiliate shall summit an Order in any Auction. Any Existing Holder that is an Affiliate shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS to any Person other than the Corporation. All of the Outstanding shares of AMPS shall be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the nominee of the Securities Depository unless otherwise required by law or unless there is no Securities Depository. If there is no Securities Depository, at the Corporation's option and upon its receipt of such documents as it deems appropriate, any shares of AMPS may be registered in the Stock Register in the name of the Existing Holder thereof and such Existing Holder thereupon will be entitled to receive certificates therefor and required to deliver certificates therefor upon transfer or exchange thereof.
12. Securities Depository; Stock Certificates. (a) If there is a Securities Depository, one certificate for all of the shares of Series A AMPS, one certificate for all of the
shares of Series B AMPS, one certificate for all of the shares of Series C AMPS, one certificate. for all of the shares of Series D AMPS and one certificate for all of the shares of Series E AMPS shall be issued to the Securities Depository and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee. Additional certificates may be issued as necessary to represent shares of AMPS. All such certificates shall bear a legend to the effect that such certificates are issued subject to the provisions restricting the transfer of shares of AMPS contained in these Articles Supplementary and each Purchaser's Letter. Unless the Corporation shall have elected, during a Non-Payment Period, to waive this requirement, the Corporation will also issue stop-transfer instructions to the Auction Agent for the shares of AMPS. Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, the Securities Depository or its nominee will be the Holder, and no Existing Holder shall receive certificates representing its ownership interest in such shares.
(b) if the Applicable Rate applicable to all shares of AMPS of a series shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate or there is no Securities Depository, the Corporation may at its option issue one or more new certificates with respect to such shares (without the legend referred to in paragraph 12(a)) registered in the names of the Existing Holders or their nominees and rescind the stop-transfer instructions referred to in paragraph 12(a) with respect to such shares.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. has caused these presents to be signed in its name an on its behalf by a duly authorised officer, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by its Secretary, and the said officers of the Corporation further acknowledge said instrument to be the corporate act of the Corporation, and state under the penalties of perjury that to the best of their knowledge, information and belief the matters and feats herein set forth with respect to approval are true in all material respects, all on September 11, 1992.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
Attest:
Exhibit (a)(3)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
Articles Supplementary creating four series of
Auction Market Preferred Stock(R)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal Maryland office in the City of Baltimore (the "Corporation"), certifies to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation that:
FIRST: Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation by Article FIFTH of its Charter, the Board of Directors has reclassified 4,000 authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the Corporation as additional preferred stock of the Corporation and has authorized the issuance of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, to be designated Auction Market Preferred Stock.
SECOND: The preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, of the shares of such preferred stock shall be identical to the 4,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock previously reclassified and authorized by the Board of Directors pursuant to Articles Supplementary dated September 11, 1992 and filed on September 15, 1992 with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Accordingly, these Articles Supplementary hereby incorporate by reference such previously filed Articles Supplementary beginning with the section entitled "DESIGNATION" and continuing until the end of the final section entitled "Securities Depository; Stock Certificates," with the following exception:
(R) Registered trademark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
At page 2, in the section entitled "DESIGNATION," strike out the date "September 16, 1992" and insert in lieu thereof the date "December 1, 1994";
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. has caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by a duly authorized officer, and attested by its Secretary, and the said officers of the Corporation further acknowledge said instrument to be the corporate act of the Corporation, and state under the penalties of perjury that to the best of their knowledge, information and belief the matters and facts herein set forth with respect to approval are true in all material respects, all on November 30, 1994.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By ------------------------------------------- Name: Vincent R. Giordano Title: Senior Vice President |
Attest:
Exhibit (a)(4)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary creating four series of Auction Market Preferred Stock*
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal Maryland office in the City of Baltimore (the "Corporation"), certifies to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation that:
FIRST: The Articles Supplementary, filed on September 15, 1992, and the Articles Supplementary, filed on December 1, 1994, each creating 4,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock of the Corporation (collectively, the "Articles Supplementary"), are hereby amended by these Articles of Amendment as follows;
In each instance in which "$.10" appears, delete "$.10" and substitute "$.05" therefor;
In each instance in which "$50,000" appears, delete "$50,000" and substitute "$25,000" therefor;
SECOND: The foregoing amendment to the Articles Supplementary has been effected in the manner and by the vote required by the Corporation's Charter and the laws of Maryland. Pursuant to Section 2-603 of the Code, the amendment of the Articles Supplementary as hereinabove set forth has been duly advised, approved and adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation, there being no stock entitled to be voted on the Charter Amendment outstanding or subscribed for at the time of approval.
THIRD: Except as amended hereby, the Charter shall remain in full force and effect.
FOURTH: The authorized capital stock of the Corporation has not been increased by these Articles of Amendment.
FIFTH: These Articles of Amendment shall be effective contemporaneously with the acceptance for recording or filing by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the Corporation's Articles Supplementary dated November 30, 1994.
The Senior Vice President acknowledges these Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of the Corporation and states that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief the matters and facts set forth in these Articles with respect to the authorization and approval of the amendment of the Corporation's Articles Supplementary are true in all material respects, and that this statement is made under the penalties of perjury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. has caused these Articles to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Senior Vice President, a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, and attested by its Secretary as of November 30, 1994.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By ------------------------------------ Name: Vincent R. Giordano Title: Senior Vice President |
Attest:
EXHIBIT (a)(5)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO THE
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY CREATING FOUR SERIES
OF AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation, having its principal office in Baltimore, Maryland (the "Corporation"), does hereby certify to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: Section 5(c) of the Articles Supplementary of the Corporation
creating four series of Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS") designated as
Series A, Series B, Series C and Series D, filed on September 15, 1992, and
Section 5(c) of the Articles Supplementary, filed on December 1, 1994, each as
amended by the Articles of Amendment to the Articles Supplementary, filed on
December 1, 1994, are hereby amended in their entirety to read as follows:
"Right to Vote with Respect to Certain Other Matters. So long as any shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Preferred Stock Outstanding at the time, voting separately as one class: (i) authorize, create or issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to the AMPS or any other series of Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of holders of shares of AMPS or any other Preferred Stock. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of AMPS are outstanding, the Corporation shall not approve any of the actions set forth in clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of a Holder of shares of a series of AMPS differently than those of a Holder of shares of any other series of AMPS without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of AMPS of each series adversely affected and outstanding at such time (each such adversely affected series voting separately as a class). The Corporation shall notify Moody's and S&P 10 Business Days prior to any such vote described in clause (i) or (ii). 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 AMPS, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization (including bankruptcy proceedings) 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 AMPS, 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 AMPS, voting together as a single class necessary to authorize the action in question."
SECOND: These Articles of Amendment were approved by the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation and by a majority of the outstanding Shares of Common Stock and AMPS, voting together as a single class, and a majority of the outstanding AMPS, voting separately as a class.
THIRD: The authorized capital stock of the Corporation has not been increased by these Articles of Amendment.
FOURTH: No other change is intended or effected.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. has caused these Articles of Amendment to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Vice President and attested by its Assistant Secretary on the 13th day of July, 2005.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By:_________________________________
Donald C. Burke, Vice President
Attest:
THE UNDERSIGNED, Vice President of MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. who executed on behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles of Amendment, of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of said Corporation, the foregoing Articles of Amendment to be the corporate act of said Corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material respects, and that this statement is made under penalties for perjury.
Exhibit (a)(6)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
Articles Supplementary creating one series of
Auction Market Preferred Stock
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation having its principal Maryland office in the City of Baltimore (the "Corporation"), 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 Corporation by article fifth of its Charter, the Board of Directors has reclassified 2,000 authorized and unissued shares of common stock of the Corporation as preferred stock of the Corporation and has authorized the issuance of one series of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, to be designated: Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E.
SECOND: The preferences, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption, of the shares of such series of preferred stock are as follows:
DESIGNATION
Series E: A series of 2,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon, is hereby designated "Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E." Each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E (sometimes referred to herein as "Series E AMPS") shall be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or pursuant to their delegated authority; have an Initial Dividend Rate and an
Initial Dividend Payment Date as shall be determined in advance of the issuance thereof by the Board of Directors of the Corporation or pursuant to their delegated authority; and have such other preferences, voting powers, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption as are set forth in these Articles Supplementary. The Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E shall constitute a separate series of preferred stock of the Corporation, and each share of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E shall be identical.
1. Definitions.
(a) Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent, in these Articles Supplementary the following terms have the following meanings, whether used in the singular or plural:
"Additional Dividend" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Adviser" means the Corporation's investment adviser which initially shall be Fund Asset Management, L.P.
"Affiliate" means any Person, other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its successors, known to the Auction Agent to be controlled by, in control of, or under common control with, the Corporation.
"Agent Member" means a member of the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a Beneficial Owner of one or more shares of AMPS or a Potential Beneficial Owner.
"AMPS" means the Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount," as of any Valuation Date, means the dollar amount equal to (i) the sum of (A) the product of the number of shares of AMPS and Other AMPS Outstanding on such Valuation Date multiplied by the sum of (a) $25,000 and (b) any applicable
redemption premium attributable to the designation of a Premium Call Period;
(B) the aggregate amount of cash dividends (whether or not earned or declared)
that will have accumulated for each share of AMPS and Other AMPS Outstanding,
in each case, to (but not including) the end of the current Dividend Period
that follows such Valuation Date in the event the then current Dividend Period
will end within 49 calendar days of such Valuation Date or through the 49th
day after such Valuation Date in the event the then current Dividend Period
will not end within 49 calendar days of such Valuation Date; (C) in the event
the then current Dividend Period will end within 49 calendar days of such
Valuation Date, the aggregate amount of cash dividends that would accumulate
at the Maximum Applicable Rate applicable to a Dividend Period of 7 or fewer
days on any shares of AMPS and Other AMPS Outstanding from the end of such
Dividend Period through the 49th day after such Valuation Date, multiplied by
the larger of the Moody's Volatility Factor and the S&P Volatility Factor,
determined from time to time by Moody's and S&P, respectively (except that if
such Valuation Date occurs during a Non-Payment Period, the cash dividend for
purposes of calculation would accumulate at the then current Non-Payment
Period Rate); (D) the amount of anticipated expenses of the Corporation for
the 90 days subsequent to such Valuation Date; (E) the amount of current
outstanding balances of any indebtedness which is senior to the AMPS plus
interest actually accrued together with 30 days additional interest on the
current outstanding balances calculated at the current rate; (F) the amount of
the Corporation's Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability as of such
Valuation Date; and (G) any current liabilities as of such Valuation Date to
the extent not reflected in any of (i)(A) through (i)(F) (including, without
limitation, and immediately upon determination, any amounts due and payable by
the Corporation for portfolio securities purchased as of such Valuation Date
and any liabilities incurred for the purpose of clearing
securities transactions) less (ii) either (A) the Discounted Value of any of the Corporation's assets, or (B) the face value of any of the Corporation's assets if such assets mature prior to or on the date of redemption of AMPS or payment of a liability and are either securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or Deposit Securities, in both cases irrevocably deposited by the Corporation for the payment of the amount needed to redeem shares of AMPS subject to redemption or to satisfy any of (i)(B) through (i)(G).
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the Corporation to satisfy the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (as required by paragraph 7(a) of these Articles Supplementary) as of a given Valuation Date, means the sixth Business Day following such Valuation Date.
"AMPS Basic Maintenance Report" means a report signed by any of the President, Treasurer, any Senior Vice President or any Vice President of the Corporation which sets forth, as of the related Valuation Date, the assets of the Corporation, the Market Value and the Discounted Value thereof (seriatim and in aggregate), the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and the net asset value and market trading price per share of Common Stock.
"Anticipation Notes" shall mean the following Municipal Bonds: revenue anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, grant anticipation notes and bond anticipation notes.
"Applicable Percentage" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 10(a)(vii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Applicable Rate" means the rate per annum at which cash dividends are payable on the AMPS or Other AMPS, as the case may be, for any Dividend Period.
"Applicable Spread" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 10(a)(vii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Auction" means a periodic operation of the Auction Procedures.
"Auction Agent" means The Bank of New York unless and until another commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or a duly authorized committee thereof enters into an agreement with the Corporation to follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate and to act as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the AMPS and Other AMPS.
"Auction Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 10(a)(ii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Auction Procedures" means the procedures for conducting Auctions set forth in paragraph 10 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Auditors' Confirmation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 7(c) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Beneficial Owner" 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 AMPS or a Broker-Dealer that holds AMPS for its own account.
"Broker-Dealer" means any broker-dealer, or other entity permitted by law to perform the functions required of a Broker-Dealer in paragraph 10 of these Articles Supplementary, that has been selected by the Corporation and has entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with the Auction Agent that remains effective.
"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 paragraph 10 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Business Day" means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
"Charter" means the Articles of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented (including these Articles Supplementary), of the Corporation on file in the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Corporation.
"Corporation" means MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
"Date of Original Issue" means, with respect to any share of AMPS or Other AMPS, the date on which the Corporation originally issues such share.
"Deposit Securities" means cash and Municipal Bonds rated at least A2 (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), P-1, VMIG-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's or A (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less), A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P or A (having a remaining maturity of 12 months or less) or F-1+ by Fitch.
"Discounted Value" means (i) with respect to an S&P Eligible Asset, the quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the applicable S&P Discount Factor and (ii) with respect to a Moody's Eligible Asset, the lower of par and the quotient of the Market Value thereof divided by the applicable Moody's Discount Factor.
"Dividend Payment Date," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Dividend Period" means the Initial Dividend Period, any 7-Day Dividend Period and any Special Dividend Period.
"Existing Holder" means a Broker-Dealer or any such other Person as may be permitted by the Corporation that is listed as the holder of record of shares of AMPS in the Stock Books.
"Fitch" means Fitch Ratings or its successors.
"Forward Commitment" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8(c) of these Articles Supplementary.
"High Yield Municipal Bonds" means (a) with respect to Moody's (1)
Municipal Bonds rated Ba1 to B3 by Moody's, (2) Municipal Bonds not rated by
Moody's, but rated BB+ to B- by S&P or Fitch, and (3) Municipal Bonds not
explicitly rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, but rated at least the equivalent
of B3 internally by the Adviser, provided that Moody's reviews and achieves
sufficient comfort with the Adviser's internal credit rating processes, and
(b) with respect to S&P (1) Municipal Bonds not rated by S&P but rated
equivalent to BBB+ or lower by another NRSRO and (2) Municipal Bonds rated BB+
or lower by S&P.
"Holder" means a Person identified as a holder of record of shares of AMPS in the Stock Register.
"Independent Auditors" means a nationally recognized accountant, or firm of accountants, that is, with respect to the Corporation, an independent public accountant or firm of independent public accountants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Initial Dividend Payment Date" means the Initial Dividend Payment Date as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation with respect to the AMPS or Other AMPS, as the case may be.
"Initial Dividend Period," with respect to the AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Initial Dividend Rate," with respect to the AMPS, means the rate per annum applicable to the Initial Dividend Period for the AMPS and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Initial Margin" means the amount of cash or securities deposited with a broker as a margin payment at the time of purchase or sale of a futures contract.
"Inverse Floaters" means trust certificates or other instruments evidencing interests in one or more Municipal Bonds that qualify as (i) S&P Eligible Assets the interest rates on which are adjusted at short term intervals on a basis that is inverse to the simultaneous readjustment of the interest rates on corresponding floating rate trust certificates or other instruments issued by the same issuer, provided that the ratio of the aggregate dollar amount of floating rate instruments to inverse floating rate instruments issued by the same issuer does not exceed one to one at their time of original issuance unless the floating rate instrument has only one reset remaining until maturity or (ii) Moody's Eligible Assets the interest rates on which are adjusted at short term intervals on a basis that is inverse to the simultaneous readjustment of the interest rates on corresponding floating rate trust certificates or other instruments issued by the same issuer, provided that (a) such Inverse Floaters are rated by Moody's with the Adviser having the capability to collapse (or relink) within seven (7) days as a liquidity enhancement measure, and
(b) the issuer of such Inverse Floaters employs a leverage factor (i.e., the ratio of underlying capital appreciation bonds or other instruments to residual long-term derivative instruments) of not more than 2:1.
"LIBOR Dealer" means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and such other dealer or dealers as the Corporation from time to time may appoint or, in lieu thereof, their respective affiliates and successors.
"LIBOR Rate," on any Auction Date, means (i) the rate for deposits in U.S. dollars for the designated Dividend Period, which appears on display page 3750 of Moneyline's 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 day 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 of 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 Corporation's 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 Corporation's
approval) that is representative of a 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
Corporation 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, the LIBOR Rate shall be the LIBOR
Rate as determined on the previous Auction Date. If the number of Dividend
Period days shall be (i) 7 or more but fewer than 21 days, such rate shall be
the seven-day LIBOR rate; (ii) 21 or more but fewer than 49 days, such rate
shall be the one-month LIBOR rate; (iii) 49 or more but fewer than 77 days,
such rate shall be the two-month LIBOR rate; (iv) 77 or more but fewer than
112 days, such rate shall be the three-month LIBOR rate; (v) 112 or more but
fewer than 140 days, such rate shall be the four-month LIBOR rate; (vi) 140 or
more but fewer than 168 days, such rate shall be the five-month LIBOR rate;
(vii) 168 or more but fewer than 189 days, such rate shall be the six-month
LIBOR rate; (viii) 189 or more but fewer than 217 days, such rate shall be the
seven-month LIBOR rate; (ix) 217 or more but fewer than 252 days, such rate
shall be the eight-month LIBOR rate; (x) 252 or more but fewer than 287 days,
such rate shall be the nine-month LIBOR rate; (xi) 287 or more but fewer than
315 days, such rate shall be the ten-month LIBOR rate; (xii) 315 or more but
fewer than 343 days, such rate shall be the eleven-month LIBOR rate; and
(xiii) 343 or more but fewer than 365 days, such rate shall be the
twelve-month LIBOR rate.
"London Business Day" means any day on which commercial banks are generally open for business in London.
"Long Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than five years.
"Mandatory Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share of AMPS plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption and excluding Additional Dividends.
"Marginal Tax Rate" means the maximum marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or the maximum marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate, whichever is greater.
"Market Value" of any asset of the Corporation shall be the market value thereof determined by the Pricing Service. Market Value of any asset shall include any interest accrued thereon. The Pricing Service shall value portfolio securities at the quoted bid prices or the mean between the quoted bid and asked price or the yield equivalent when quotations are not readily available. Securities for which quotations are not readily available shall be valued at fair value as determined by the Pricing Service using methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of municipal bonds of comparable quality, type of issue, coupon, maturity and rating; indications as to value from dealers; and general market conditions. The Pricing Service may employ electronic data processing techniques and/or a matrix system to determine valuations. In the event the Pricing Service is unable to value a security, the security shall be valued at the lower of two dealer bids obtained by the Corporation from dealers who are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and who make a market in the security, at least one of which shall be in writing. Futures contracts and options are valued at
closing prices for such instruments established by the exchange or board of trade on which they are traded, or if market quotations are not readily available, are valued at fair value on a consistent basis using methods determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
"Maximum Applicable Rate," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 10(a)(vii) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability," as of any Valuation Date, means the aggregate amount of Additional Dividends that would be due if the Corporation were to make Retroactive Taxable Allocations, with respect to any fiscal year, estimated based upon dividends paid and the amount of undistributed realized net capital gains and other taxable income earned by the Corporation, as of the end of the calendar month immediately preceding such Valuation Date and assuming such Additional Dividends are fully taxable.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or its successors.
"Moody's Discount Factor" means, for purposes of determining the Discounted Value of any Municipal Bond which constitutes a Moody's Eligible Asset, the percentage determined by reference to the rating by Moody's, S&P or Fitch on such Municipal Bond, in accordance with the tables (for the applicable Moody's Exposure Period) set forth below:
--------------------------------------------------------
Moody's Rating Category (1)
--------------------------------------------------------
Aaa Aa A Baa Other (2)
----------- ---------- --------- --------- -------------
151% 159% 160% 173% 225%
--------------------------------------------------------
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Footnotes:
(1) Ratings assigned by S&P or Fitch are generally accepted by Moody's at
face value. However, adjustments to face value may be made to particular
categories of credits for which the S&P and/or Fitch rating does not seem
to approximate a Moody's rating equivalent. Split rated securities
assigned by S&P and Fitch will be accepted at the lower of the two
ratings.
(2) Municipal Bonds rated Ba1 to B3 by Moody's or, if not rated by Moody's,
rated BB+ to B- by S&P or Fitch. In addition, Municipal Bonds not
explicitly rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, but rated at least the
equivalent of B3 internally by the Adviser, provided that Moody's reviews
and achieves sufficient comfort with the Adviser's internal credit rating
processes, will be included under "Other" in the table. Unless
conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates of both the
probability and severity of default for the Corporation's assets can be
derived from other sources as well as combined with a number of sources
as presented by the Corporation to Moody's, unrated Municipal Bonds which
are rated at least the equivalent of B3 by the Adviser internally are
limited to 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets.
----------------------------------------------------
Moody's Rating Category
----------------------------------------------------
MIG-1, VMIG-1, P-1 (1) MIG-1, VMIG-1, P-1 (2)
--------------------------- ------------------------
100% 136%
----------------------------------------------------
|
Footnotes:
(1) Moody's rated Municipal Bonds that have a maturity less than or equal to
49 days and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated the equivalent
to MIG-1, VMIG-1, or P-1 by S&P or Fitch that have a maturity less than
or equal to 49 days.
(2) Moody's rated Municipal Bonds that have a maturity greater than 49 days
and Municipal Bonds not rated by Moody's but rated the equivalent to
MIG-1, VMIG-1, or P-1 by S&P or Fitch that have a maturity greater than
49 days.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Moody's Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold that are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date. The Moody's Discount Factor for Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold that are due within six and 30 Business Days of such Valuation Date will be the Moody's Discount Factor applicable to the Municipal Bonds sold. "Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating Moody's Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date if such receivables are due within 30 Business Days of such Valuation Date.
The Moody's Discount Factor for Inverse Floaters shall be the product of
(x) the percentage determined by reference to the rating on the security
underlying such Inverse Floaters multiplied by (y) 1.25.
The Moody's Discount Factor for Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds shall be 110%.
"Moody's Eligible Asset" means cash, Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold, Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds or a Municipal Bond that (i) pays interest in cash, (ii) is publicly rated B3 or higher by Moody's or, if not rated by Moody's, but rated by S&P or Fitch, is publicly rated at least B- by S&P or Fitch, or if not explicitly rated by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, be rated at least the equivalent of B3 internally by the Adviser, provided that Moody's reviews and achieves
sufficient comfort with the Adviser's internal credit rating processes, (iii) does not have its Moody's rating suspended by Moody's, (iv) if an Inverse Floater, is explicitly rated by Moody's, and (v) is part of an issue of Municipal Bonds of at least $10,000,000 (except for issues rated Aaa by Moody's, as provided in the chart below). In addition, Municipal Bonds in the Corporation's portfolio must be within the following diversification requirements in order to be included within Moody's Eligible Assets:
Minimum Maximum Maximum State
Issue Size Underlying Allowed
Rating ($ Millions) Obligor (%) (1) (%) (1)(3)
------------------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
Aaa............................... * 100 100
Aa................................ 10 20 60
A................................. 10 10 40
Baa............................... 10 6 20
Ba................................ 10 4 12
B ................................ 10 3 12
Other (2)......................... 10 2 12
|
For purposes of the maximum underlying obligor requirement described above, any Municipal Bond backed by the guaranty, letter of credit or insurance issued by a third party will be deemed to be issued by such third party if the issuance of such third party credit is the sole determinant of the rating on such Bond.
When the Corporation sells a Municipal Bond and agrees to repurchase it at a future date, the Discounted Value of such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset and the amount the Corporation is required to pay upon repurchase of such Bond will count as a liability for purposes of calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. For so long as the AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation will not enter into any such reverse repurchase agreements
unless it has received written confirmation from Moody's that such transactions would not impair the rating then assigned the AMPS by Moody's. When the Corporation purchases a Municipal Bond and agrees to sell it at a future date to another party, cash receivable by the Corporation thereby will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset if the long-term debt of such other party is rated at least A2 by Moody's and such agreement has a term of 30 days or less; otherwise the Discounted Value of such Bond will constitute a Moody's Eligible Asset.
High Yield Municipal Bonds may comprise no more than 20% of Moody's Eligible Assets. Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates of both the probability and severity of default for the Corporation's assets can be derived from other sources as well as combined with a number of sources as presented by the Corporation to Moody's, unrated High Yield Municipal Bonds which are rated at least the equivalent of B3 by the Adviser internally are limited to 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets.
Inverse Floaters, including primary market and secondary market residual interest bonds, may constitute no more than 10% of Moody's Eligible Assets.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered a Moody's Eligible Asset if it is (i) held in a margin account, (ii) subject to any material lien, mortgage, pledge, security interest or security agreement of any kind, (iii) held for the purchase of a security pursuant to a Forward Commitment or (iv) irrevocably deposited by the Corporation for the payment of dividends or redemption.
"Moody's Exposure Period" means the period commencing on a given Valuation Date and ending 49 days thereafter.
"Moody's Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8(b) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Moody's Volatility Factor" means 272% as long as there has been no increase enacted to the Marginal Tax Rate. If such an increase is enacted but not yet implemented, the Moody's Volatility Factor shall be as follows:
% Change in Moody's Volatility
Marginal Tax Rate Factor
----------------- ------------------
<=5% 292%
>5% but <=10% 313%
>10% but <=15% 338%
>15% but <=20% 364%
>20% but <=25% 396%
>25% but <=30% 432%
>30% but <=35% 472%
>35% but <=40% 520%
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Moody's Volatility Factor may mean such other potential dividend rate increase factor as Moody's advises the Corporation in writing is applicable.
"Municipal Bonds" means "Municipal Bonds" as defined in the Corporation's Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-[________]) relating to the AMPS on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as such Registration Statement may be amended from time to time, as well as short-term municipal obligations, High Yield Municipal Bonds and Inverse Floaters.
"Municipal Index" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8(a) of these Articles Supplementary.
"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.
"1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage" means asset coverage, as defined in section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Corporation which are stock, including all outstanding shares of AMPS and Other AMPS (or such other asset
coverage as may in the future be specified in or under the 1940 Act as the minimum asset coverage for senior securities which are stock of a closed-end investment company as a condition of paying dividends on its common stock).
"1940 Act Cure Date," with respect to the failure by the Corporation to maintain the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage (as required by paragraph 6 of these Articles Supplementary) as of the last Business Day of each month, means the last Business Day of the following month.
"Non-Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of "Specific Redemption Provisions".
"Non-Payment Period" means, with respect to the AMPS, any period commencing on and including the day on which the Corporation shall fail to (i) declare, prior to the close of business on the second Business Day preceding any Dividend Payment Date, for payment on or (to the extent permitted by paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary) within three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders as of 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the full amount of any dividend on shares of AMPS payable on such Dividend Payment Date or (ii) deposit, irrevocably in trust, in same-day funds, with the Auction Agent by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, (A) on such Dividend Payment Date the full amount of any cash dividend on such shares payable (if declared) on such Dividend Payment Date or (B) on any redemption date for any shares of AMPS called for redemption, the Mandatory Redemption Price per share of such AMPS or, in the case of an optional redemption, the Optional Redemption Price per share, and ending on and including the Business Day on which, by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, all unpaid cash dividends and unpaid redemption prices shall have been so deposited or shall have otherwise been made available to Holders in same-day funds; provided that, a Non-Payment Period shall not end unless the
Corporation shall have given at least five days' but no more than 30 days' written notice of such deposit or availability to the Auction Agent, all Existing Holders (at their addresses appearing in the Stock Books) and the Securities Depository. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure by the Corporation to deposit funds as provided for by clauses (ii)(A) or (ii)(B) above within three Business Days after any Dividend Payment Date or redemption date, as the case may be, in each case to the extent contemplated by paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary, shall not constitute a "Non-Payment Period."
"Non-Payment Period Rate" means, initially, 200% of the applicable Reference Rate (or 300% of such rate if the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS), provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the authority to adjust, modify, alter or change from time to time the initial Non-Payment Period Rate if the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines and Moody's and S&P (and any Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be, in lieu of Moody's or S&P, or both, in the event either or both of such parties shall not rate the AMPS) advise the Corporation in writing that such adjustment, modification, alteration or change will not adversely affect their then current ratings on the AMPS.
"Normal Dividend Payment Date" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(b)(i) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Notice of Redemption" means any notice with respect to the redemption of shares of AMPS pursuant to paragraph 4 of these Articles Supplementary.
"Notice of Revocation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Notice of Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"NRSRO" means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as that term is used in Rule 15a3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provisions.
"Optional Redemption Price" means $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption and excluding Additional Dividends plus any applicable redemption premium attributable to the designation of a Premium Call Period.
"Other AMPS" means the auction rate preferred stock of the Corporation, other than the AMPS.
"Outstanding" means, as of any date (i) with respect to AMPS, shares of AMPS theretofore issued by the Corporation except, without duplication, (A) any shares of AMPS theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Auction Agent for cancellation, or redeemed by the Corporation, or as to which a Notice of Redemption shall have been given and Deposit Securities shall have been deposited in trust or segregated by the Corporation pursuant to paragraph 4(c) and (B) any shares of AMPS as to which the Corporation or any Affiliate thereof shall be a Beneficial Owner, provided that shares of AMPS held by an Affiliate shall be deemed outstanding for purposes of calculating the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii) with respect to shares of other Preferred Stock, has the equivalent meaning.
"Parity Stock" means the AMPS and each other outstanding series of Preferred Stock the holders of which, together with the holders of the AMPS, shall be entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may be, in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled, without preference or priority one over the other.
"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.
"Potential Beneficial Owner" means a customer of a Broker-Dealer or a Broker-Dealer that is not a Beneficial Owner of shares of AMPS but that wishes to purchase such shares, or that is a Beneficial Owner that wishes to purchase additional shares of AMPS.
"Potential Holder" means any Broker-Dealer or any such other Person as may be permitted by the Corporation, including any Existing Holder, who may be interested in acquiring shares of AMPS (or, in the case of an Existing Holder, additional shares of AMPS).
"Preferred Stock" means the preferred stock of the Corporation, and includes AMPS and Other AMPS.
"Premium Call Period" has the meaning set forth under the definition of "Specific Redemption Provisions."
"Pricing Service" means J.J. Kenny or any pricing service designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation provided the Corporation obtains written assurance from S&P and Moody's that such designation will not impair the rating then assigned by S&P and Moody's to the AMPS.
"Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold" for Moody's has the meaning set forth under the definition of Moody's Discount Factor, and for S&P has the meaning set forth under the definition of S&P Discount Factor.
"Reference Banks" means four major banks in the London interbank market selected by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates or successors or such other party as the Corporation may from time to time appoint.
"Reference Rate" means: (i) with respect to a Dividend Period having 364 or fewer days, the higher of the applicable LIBOR Rate and the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate, or (ii) with respect to any Dividend Period having 365 or more days, the applicable Treasury Index Rate.
"Request for Special Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Response" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(iii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Retroactive Taxable Allocation" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these Articles Supplementary.
"Right" with respect to the AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(e) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds" means investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that comply with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 thereunder.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's or its successors.
"S&P Discount Factor" means, for purposes of determining the Discounted Value of any Municipal Bond which constitutes an S&P Eligible Asset, the percentage determined by
reference to the rating by S&P, Moody's or Fitch on such Municipal Bond; provided, however, for purposes of determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to Municipal Bonds not rated by S&P, the Municipal Bonds will carry an S&P rating one full rating category lower than the S&P rating category that is the equivalent of the rating category in which such Municipal Bond is placed by a NRSRO, in accordance with the table (for the applicable S&P Exposure Period) set forth below:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S&P's Rating Category (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AAA* (2) AA* A* BBB* BB* B* CCC* NR
----------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------- ------------ -------------- ------------
144.75% 147.75% 150.75% 153.75% 175.11% 195.11% 215.11% 220.00%
----------------- ------------ ------------- --------------- ------------- ------------ -------------- ------------
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the S&P Discount Factor for short-term Municipal Bonds will be 115%, so long as such Municipal Bonds are rated A-1+ or SP-1+ by S&P and mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less, or 120% so long as such Municipal Bonds are rated A-1 or SP-1 by S&P and mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less, or 125% if such Municipal Bonds are not rated by S&P but are rated VMIG-1, P-1 or MIG-1 by Moody's or F-1+ by Fitch; provided, however, such short-term Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's or Fitch but not rated by S&P having a demand feature exercisable in 30 days or less must be backed by a letter of credit, liquidity facility or guarantee from a bank or other financial institution having a short-term rating of at least A-1+ from S&P; and further provided that such short-term Municipal Bonds rated by Moody's or Fitch but not rated by S&P may comprise no more than 50% of short-term Municipal Bonds that qualify as S&P Eligible Assets, (ii) the S&P Discount Factor for Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds will be 110%, (iii) the S&P Discount Factor for Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold that are due in more than five
Business Days from such Valuation Date will be the S&P Discount Factor applicable to the Municipal Bonds sold, and (iv) no S&P Discount Factor will be applied to cash or to Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold if such receivables are due within five Business Days of such Valuation Date. "Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold," for purposes of calculating S&P Eligible Assets as of any Valuation Date, means the book value of receivables for Municipal Bonds sold as of or prior to such Valuation Date. For purposes of the foregoing, Anticipation Notes rated SP-1 or, if not rated by S&P, rated VMIG-1 by Moody's or F-1+ by Fitch, which do not mature or have a demand feature exercisable in 30 days and which do not have a long-term rating, shall be considered to be short-term Municipal Bonds.
"S&P Eligible Asset" means cash, Receivables for Municipal Bonds Sold,
Rule 2a-7 Money Market Funds or a Municipal Bond that (i) is issued by any of
the 50 states of the United States, its territories and their subdivisions,
counties, cities, towns, villages, and school districts, agencies, such as
authorities and special districts created by the states, and certain federally
sponsored agencies such as local housing authorities (payments made on these
bonds are exempt from regular federal income taxes and are generally exempt
from state and local taxes in the state of issuance), (ii) except for zero
coupon Municipal Bonds rated AAA by S&P that mature in 30 years or less, is
interest bearing and pays interest at least semi-annually; (iii) is payable
with respect to principal and interest in United States Dollars; (iv) is not
subject to a covered call or covered put option written by the Corporation;
(v) except for Inverse Floaters, is not part of a private placement; and (vi)
except for Inverse Floaters and legally defeased bonds that are secured by
securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, is part of an
issue of Municipal Bonds with an original issue size of at least $10 million
or, if of an issue with an
original issue size below $10 million, is rated at least AA or higher by S&P. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1) Municipal Bonds issued by issuers in any one state or territory will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 25% of the aggregate Market Value of S&P Eligible Assets;
(2) Municipal Bonds which are escrow bonds or defeased bonds may compose up to 100% of the aggregate Market Value of S&P Eligible Assets if such Bonds initially are assigned a rating by S&P in accordance with S&P's legal defeasance criteria or rerated by S&P as economic defeased escrow bonds and assigned an AAA rating. Municipal Bonds may be rated as escrow bonds by another NRSRO or rerated as an escrow bond and assigned the equivalent of an S&P AAA rating, provided that such equivalent rated Bonds are limited to 50% of the aggregate Market Value of S&P Eligible Assets and are deemed to have an AA S&P rating for purposes of determining the S&P Discount Factor applicable to such Municipal Bonds. The limitations on Municipal Bonds in clause (1) above and clauses (3) and (4) below are not applicable to escrow bonds;
(3) Municipal Bonds which are not rated by any NRSRO may comprise no more than 10% of S&P Eligible Assets;
(4) Municipal Bonds rated at least BBB- by S&P, or if not rated by S&P, rated at least A- by another NRSRO, of any one issuer or guarantor (excluding bond insurers) will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets, High Yield Municipal Bonds of any issuer may comprise no more than
5% of S&P Eligible Assets, and Municipal Bonds of any one issuer which are not rated by any NRSRO will be considered S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 5% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets. In the aggregate, the maximum issuer exposure is limited to 10% of the S&P Eligible Assets; and
(5) Municipal Bonds not rated by S&P but rated by another NRSRO will be included in S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent the Market Value of such Municipal Bonds does not exceed 50% of the aggregate Market Value of the S&P Eligible Assets.
"S&P Exposure Period" means the sum of (i) that number of days from the
last Valuation Date on which the Corporation's Discounted Value of S&P
Eligible Assets were greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount to the
Valuation Date on which the Corporation's Discounted Value of S&P Eligible
Assets failed to exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, (ii) the maximum
number of days following a Valuation Date that the Corporation has under these
Articles Supplementary to cure any failure to maintain a Discounted Value of
S&P Eligible Assets at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and
(iii) the maximum number of days the Corporation has to effect a mandatory
redemption under Section 4(a)(ii) of these Articles Supplementary.
"S&P Hedging Transactions" has the meaning set forth in paragraph 8(a) of these Articles Supplementary.
"S&P Volatility Factor" means 277% or such other potential dividend rate increase factor as S&P advises the Corporation in writing is applicable.
"Securities Depository" means The Depository Trust Company or any successor company or other entities elected by the Corporation as securities depository for the shares of
AMPS that agrees to follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities depository in connection with the shares of AMPS.
"Service" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"7-Day Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of seven days.
"Short Term Dividend Period" means a Special Dividend Period consisting of a specified number of days (other than 7), evenly divisible by seven, and not fewer than seven nor more than 364.
"Special Dividend Period" means a Dividend Period consisting of (i) a specified number of days (other than 7), evenly divisible by seven and not fewer than seven nor more than 364 or (ii) a specified period of one whole year or more but not greater than five years (in each case subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph 2(b)(i)).
"Specific Redemption Provisions" means, with respect to a Special Dividend Period either, or any combination of, (i) a period (a "Non-Call Period") determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall not be subject to redemption at the option of the Corporation and (ii) a period (a "Premium Call Period"), consisting of a number of whole years and determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers, during each year of which the shares of AMPS subject to such Dividend Period shall be redeemable at the Corporation's option at a price per share equal to $25,000 plus accumulated but unpaid dividends plus a premium expressed as a percentage of $25,000, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation after consultation with the Auction Agent and the Broker-Dealers.
"Stock Books" means the books maintained by the Auction Agent setting forth at all times a current list, as determined by the Auction Agent, of Existing Holders of the AMPS.
"Stock Register" means the register of Holders maintained on behalf of the Corporation by the Auction Agent in its capacity as transfer agent and registrar for the AMPS.
"Subsequent Dividend Period," with respect to AMPS, has the meaning set forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) of these Articles Supplementary and, with respect to Other AMPS, has the equivalent meaning.
"Substitute LIBOR Dealers" means such Substitute LIBOR Dealer or Dealers as the Corporation may from time to time appoint or, in lieu of any thereof, their respective affiliates or successors.
"Substitute Rating Agency" and "Substitute Rating Agencies" mean a NRSRO or two NRSROs, respectively, selected by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates and successors, after obtaining the Corporation's approval, to act as the substitute rating agency or substitute rating agencies, as the case may be, to determine the credit ratings of the shares of AMPS.
"Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate" on any date means 90% of the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the Kenny S&P 30 day High Grade Index (the "Kenny Index") or any successor index, made available for the Business Day immediately preceding such date but in any event not later than 8:30 A.M., Eastern time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor thereto, based upon 30-day yield evaluations at par of bonds the interest on which is excludable for regular Federal income tax purposes under the Code of "high grade" component issuers selected by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any such successor from time to time in its
discretion, which component issuers shall include, without limitation, issuers of general obligation bonds but shall exclude any bonds the interest on which constitutes an item of tax preference under Section 57(a)(5) of the Code, or successor provisions, for purposes of the "alternative minimum tax," divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal); provided, however, that if the Kenny Index is not made so available by 8:30 A.M., Eastern time, on such date by Kenny Information Systems Inc. or any successor, the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate shall mean the quotient of (A) the per annum rate expressed on an interest equivalent basis equal to the most recent Kenny Index so made available for any preceding Business Day, divided by (B) 1.00 minus the Marginal Tax Rate (expressed as a decimal). The Corporation may not utilize a successor index to the Kenny Index unless Moody's and S&P provide the Corporation with written confirmation that the use of such successor index will not adversely affect the then-current respective Moody's and S&P ratings of the AMPS.
"Treasury Bonds" means U.S. Treasury Bonds or Notes.
"Treasury Index Rate" means the average yield to maturity for actively traded marketable fixed interest rate U.S. Treasury Securities having the same number of 30-day periods to maturity as the length of the applicable Dividend Period, determined, to the extent necessary, by linear interpolation based upon the yield for such securities having the next shorter and next longer number of 30-day periods to maturity treating all Dividend Periods with a length greater than the longest maturity for such securities as having a length equal to such longest maturity, in all cases based upon data set forth in the most recent weekly statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (currently in H.15(519)); provided, however, if the most recent such statistical release shall not have been published during the 15 days
preceding the date of computation, the foregoing computations shall be based upon the average of comparable data as quoted to the Corporation by at least three recognized dealers in U.S. Government Securities selected by the Corporation.
"U.S. Treasury Securities" means direct obligations of the United States Treasury that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States government.
"Valuation Date" means, for purposes of determining whether the Corporation is maintaining the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the last Business Day of each week commencing with the Date of Original Issue; provided, however, that the first Valuation Date may occur on any date established by the Corporation; provided, however, that such date shall not be more than one week from the Date of Original Issue.
"Variation Margin" means, in connection with an outstanding futures contract owned or sold by the Corporation, the amount of cash or securities paid to or received from a broker (subsequent to the Initial Margin payment) from time to time as the price of such futures contract fluctuates.
(b) The foregoing definitions of AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date, AMPS Basic Maintenance Report, Auditors' Confirmation, Deposit Securities, Discounted Value, High Yield Municipal Bonds, Independent Auditors, Initial Margin, Inverse Floaters, Market Value, Maximum Potential Additional Dividend Liability, Moody's Discount Factor, Moody's Eligible Asset, Moody's Exposure Period, Moody's Hedging Transactions, Moody's Volatility Factor, S&P Discount Factor, S&P Eligible Asset, S&P Exposure Period, S&P Hedging Transactions, S&P Volatility Factor, Valuation Date and Variation Margin have been determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in order to obtain a Aaa rating from Moody's and a AAA rating from S&P on the AMPS on their Date of
Original Issue; and the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the authority, without shareholder approval, to amend, alter or repeal from time to time by resolution or otherwise the foregoing definitions and the restrictions and guidelines if Moody's and S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency advises the Corporation in writing that such amendment, alteration or repeal will not materially affect the then current rating of the AMPS. Furthermore, if the Board of Directors determines as provided in paragraph 12 hereto not to continue to comply with the provisions of paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof with respect to Moody's, and any other provisions hereof with respect to obtaining and maintaining a rating on the AMPS from Moody's, and/or paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof with respect to S&P, and any other provisions hereof with respect to obtaining and maintaining a rating on the AMPS from S&P, then such definitions listed in this paragraph, unless the context requires otherwise, shall have no meaning in these Articles Supplementary for the AMPS.
2. Dividends.
(a) The Holders shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, out of funds legally available
therefor, cumulative dividends each consisting of (i) cash at the Applicable
Rate, (ii) a Right to receive cash as set forth in paragraph 2(e) below, and
(iii) any additional amounts as set forth in paragraph 2(f) below, and no
more, payable on the Dividend Payment Date set forth below. Dividends on the
shares of AMPS so declared and payable shall be paid (i) in preference to and
in priority over any dividends declared and payable on the Common Stock, and
(ii) to the extent permitted under the Code and to the extent available, out
of net tax-exempt income earned on the Corporation's investments. To the
extent permitted under the Code, dividends on shares of AMPS will be
designated as exempt-
interest dividends. For the purposes of this section, the term "net tax-exempt income" shall exclude capital gains of the Corporation.
(b) (i) Cash dividends on shares of AMPS shall accumulate from the Date
of Original Issue and shall be payable, when, as and if declared by the Board
of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, commencing on the
Initial Dividend Payment Date with respect to the AMPS. Following the Initial
Dividend Payment Date for the AMPS, dividends on the AMPS will be payable, at
the option of the Corporation, either (i) with respect to any 7-Day Dividend
Period and any Short Term Dividend Period of 35 or fewer days, on the day next
succeeding the last day thereof, or (ii) with respect to any Short Term
Dividend Period of more than 35 days and with respect to any Long Term
Dividend Period, monthly on the first Business Day of each calendar month
during such Short Term Dividend Period or Long Term Dividend Period and on the
day next succeeding the last day thereof (each such date referred to in clause
(i) or (ii) being herein referred to as a "Normal Dividend Payment Date"),
except that if such Normal Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then
the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business Day next succeeding such
Normal Dividend Payment Date. Although any particular Dividend Payment Date
may not occur on the originally scheduled date because of the exception
discussed above, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to such
exception, will occur on the next following originally scheduled date. If for
any reason a Dividend Payment Date cannot be fixed as described above, then
the Board of Directors shall fix the Dividend Payment Date. The Board of
Directors by resolution prior to authorization of a dividend by the Board of
Directors may change a Dividend Payment Date if such change does not adversely
affect the contract rights of the Holders of shares of AMPS set forth in the
Charter. The Initial Dividend Period, 7-Day Dividend Periods and Special
Dividend Periods are
hereinafter sometimes referred to as Dividend Periods. Each dividend payment date determined as provided above is hereinafter referred to as a "Dividend Payment Date."
(ii) Each dividend shall be paid to the Holders as they appear in the Stock Register as of 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the Business Day preceding the Dividend Payment Date. 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 they appear on the Stock Register on a date, not exceeding 15 days prior to the payment date therefor, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(c) (i) During the period from and including the Date of Original Issue to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date (the "Initial Dividend Period"), the Applicable Rate shall be the Initial Dividend Rate. Commencing on the Initial Dividend Payment Date, the Applicable Rate for each subsequent dividend period (hereinafter referred to as a "Subsequent Dividend Period"), which Subsequent Dividend Period shall commence on and include a Dividend Payment Date and shall end on and include the calendar day prior to the next Dividend Payment Date (or last Dividend Payment Date in a Dividend Period if there is more than one Dividend Payment Date), shall be equal to the rate per annum that results from implementation of the Auction Procedures.
The Applicable Rate for each Dividend Period commencing during a Non-Payment Period shall be equal to the Non-Payment Period Rate; and each Dividend Period, commencing after the first day of, and during, a Non-Payment Period shall be a 7-Day Dividend Period. Except in the case of the willful failure of the Corporation to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem any shares of AMPS on the date set for such redemption, any amount of any dividend due on any Dividend Payment Date (if, prior to the close of business on the
second Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation has declared such dividend payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders of such shares of AMPS as of 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the Business Day preceding such Dividend Payment Date) or redemption price with respect to any shares of AMPS not paid to such Holders when due may be paid to such Holders in the same form of funds by 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on any of the first three Business Days after such Dividend Payment Date or due date, as the case may be, provided that, such amount is accompanied by a late charge calculated for such period of non-payment at the Non-Payment Period Rate applied to the amount of such non-payment based on the actual number of days comprising such period divided by 365. In the case of a willful failure of the Corporation to pay a dividend on a Dividend Payment Date or to redeem any shares of AMPS on the date set for such redemption, the preceding sentence shall not apply and the Applicable Rate for the Dividend Period commencing during the Non-Payment Period resulting from such failure shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate. For the purposes of the foregoing, payment to a person in same-day funds on any Business Day at any time shall be considered equivalent to payment to such person in New York Clearing House (next day) funds at the same time on the preceding Business Day, and any payment made after 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on any Business Day shall be considered to have been made instead in the same form of funds and to the same person before 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on the next Business Day.
(ii) The amount of cash dividends per share of the AMPS payable (if declared) on the Initial Dividend Payment Date and on each Dividend Payment Date of each 7-Day Dividend Period and each Short Term Dividend Period shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of days in such Dividend Period or part thereof that such share was
outstanding and the denominator of which will be 365, multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent. During any Long Term Dividend Period, the amount of cash dividends per share of AMPS payable (if declared) on any Dividend Payment Date shall be computed by multiplying the Applicable Rate for such Dividend Period by a fraction, the numerator of which will be such number of days in such part of such Dividend Period that such share was outstanding and for which dividends are payable on such Dividend Payment Dates and the denominator of which will be 360, multiplying the amount so obtained by $25,000, and rounding the amount so obtained to the nearest cent.
(iii) With respect to each Dividend Period that is a Special Dividend Period, the Corporation may, at its sole option and to the extent permitted by law, by telephonic and written notice (a "Request for Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent and to each Broker-Dealer, request that the next succeeding Dividend Period for the AMPS be a number of days (other than seven), evenly divisible by seven and not fewer than seven nor more than 364 in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period or one whole year or more but not greater than five years in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, specified in such notice, provided that the Corporation may not give a Request for Special Dividend Period (and any such request shall be null and void) unless, for any Auction occurring after the initial Auction, Sufficient Clearing Bids were made in the last occurring Auction and unless full cumulative dividends, any amounts due with respect to redemptions, and any Additional Dividends payable prior to such date have been paid in full. Such Request for Special Dividend Period, in the case of a Short Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the second Business Day but not more than seven
Business Days prior to an Auction Date for the AMPS and, in the case of a Long Term Dividend Period, shall be given on or prior to the second Business Day but not more than 28 days prior to an Auction Date for the AMPS. Upon receiving such Request for Special Dividend Period, the Broker-Dealer(s) shall jointly determine whether, given the factors set forth below, it is advisable that the Corporation issue a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS as contemplated by such Request for Special Dividend Period and the Optional Redemption Price of the AMPS during such Special Dividend Period and the Specific Redemption Provisions and shall give the Corporation written notice (a "Response") of such determination by no later than the second Business Day prior to such Auction Date. In making such determination the Broker-Dealer(s) will consider (1) existing short-term and long-term market rates and indices of such short-term and long-term rates, (2) existing market supply and demand for short-term and long-term securities, (3) existing yield curves for short-term and long-term securities comparable to the AMPS, (4) industry and financial conditions which may affect the AMPS, (5) the investment objective of the Corporation, and (6) the Dividend Periods and dividend rates at which current and potential beneficial holders of the AMPS would remain or become beneficial holders. If the Broker-Dealer(s) shall not give the Corporation a Response by such second Business Day or if the Response states that given the factors set forth above it is not advisable that the Corporation give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS, the Corporation may not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period in respect of such Request for Special Dividend Period. In the event the Response indicates that it is advisable that the Corporation give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS, the Corporation may by no later than the second
Business Day prior to such Auction Date give a notice (a "Notice of Special Dividend Period") to the Auction Agent, the Securities Depository and each Broker-Dealer which notice will specify (i) the duration of the Special Dividend Period, (ii) the Optional Redemption Price as specified in the related Response and (iii) the Specific Redemption Provisions, if any, as specified in the related Response. The Corporation also shall provide a copy of such Notice of Special Dividend Period to Moody's and S&P. The Corporation shall not give a Notice of Special Dividend Period and, if the Corporation has given a Notice of Special Dividend Period, the Corporation is required to give telephonic and written notice of its revocation (a "Notice of Revocation") to the Auction Agent, each Broker-Dealer, and the Securities Depository on or prior to the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date if (x) either the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage is not satisfied or the Corporation shall fail to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, in each case on the Valuation Date immediately preceding the Business Day prior to the relevant Auction Date on an actual basis and on a pro forma basis giving effect to the proposed Special Dividend Period (using as a pro forma dividend rate with respect to such Special Dividend Period the dividend rate which the Broker-Dealers shall advise the Corporation is an approximately equal rate for securities similar to the AMPS with an equal dividend period), provided that, in calculating the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets for this purpose, the Moody's Exposure Period shall be deemed to be one week longer, (y) sufficient funds for the payment of dividends payable on the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date have not been segregated in an account at the Corporation's custodian bank or on the
books of the Corporation by the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the related Auction Date or (z) the Broker-Dealer(s) jointly advise the Corporation that after consideration of the factors listed above they have concluded that it is advisable to give a Notice of Revocation. The Corporation also shall provide a copy of such Notice of Revocation to Moody's and S&P. If the Corporation is prohibited from giving a Notice of Special Dividend Period as a result of any of the factors enumerated in clause (x), (y) or (z) above or if the Corporation gives a Notice of Revocation with respect to a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS, the next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 7-Day Dividend Period. In addition, in the event Sufficient Clearing Bids are not made in the applicable Auction or such Auction is not held for any reason, such next succeeding Dividend Period will be a 7-Day Dividend Period and the Corporation may not again give a Notice of Special Dividend Period for the AMPS (and any such attempted notice shall be null and void) until Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made in an Auction with respect to a 7-Day Dividend Period.
(d) (i) Holders shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends and applicable late charges, as herein provided, on the shares of AMPS (except for Additional Dividends as provided in paragraph 2(e) hereof and additional payments as provided in paragraph 2(f) hereof). Except for the late charge payable pursuant to paragraph 2(c)(i) hereof, no interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment on the shares of AMPS that may be in arrears.
(ii) For so long as any share of AMPS is Outstanding, the Corporation shall not declare, pay or set apart for payment 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 AMPS as to dividends or upon liquidation) in respect of the Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of AMPS 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 Corporation ranking junior to the shares of AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation) or any other such Parity Stock (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the shares of AMPS as to dividends and upon liquidation), unless (A) immediately after such transaction, the Corporation shall have S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and the Corporation shall maintain the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, (B) full cumulative dividends on shares of AMPS and shares of Other AMPS 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 Auction Agent, (C) any Additional Dividend required to be paid under paragraph 2(e) below on or before the date of such declaration or payment has been paid and (D) the Corporation has redeemed the full number of shares of AMPS required to be redeemed by any provision for mandatory redemption contained in Section 4(a)(ii).
(e) Each dividend shall consist of (i) cash at the Applicable Rate, (ii) an uncertificated right (a "Right") to receive an Additional Dividend (as defined below), and (iii) any additional amounts as set forth in paragraph 2(f) below. Each Right shall thereafter be
independent of the share or shares of AMPS on which the dividend was paid. The Corporation shall cause to be maintained a record of each Right received by the respective Holders. A Right may not be transferred other than by operation of law. If the Corporation retroactively allocates any net capital gains or other income subject to regular Federal income taxes to shares of AMPS without having given advance notice thereof to the Auction Agent as described in paragraph 2(f) hereof solely by reason of the fact that such allocation is made as a result of the redemption of all or some of the outstanding shares of AMPS or the liquidation of the Corporation (the amount of such allocation referred to herein as a "Retroactive Taxable Allocation"), the Corporation will, within 90 days (and generally within 60 days) after the end of the Corporation's fiscal year for which a Retroactive Taxable Allocation is made, provide notice thereof to the Auction Agent and to each holder of a Right applicable to such shares of AMPS (initially Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company) during such fiscal year at such holder's address as the same appears or last appeared on the Stock Books of the Corporation. The Corporation will, within 30 days after such notice is given to the Auction Agent, pay to the Auction Agent (who will then distribute to such holders of Rights), out of funds legally available therefor, an amount equal to the aggregate Additional Dividend with respect to all Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holders during the fiscal year in question.
An "Additional Dividend" means payment to a present or former holder of shares of AMPS of an amount which, when taken together with the aggregate amount of Retroactive Taxable Allocations made to such holder with respect to the fiscal year in question, would cause such holder's dividends in dollars (after Federal income tax consequences) from the aggregate of both the Retroactive Taxable Allocations and the Additional Dividend to be equal to the dollar amount of the dividends which would have been received by such holder if the amount of the
aggregate Retroactive Taxable Allocations had been excludable from the gross income of such holder. Such Additional Dividend shall be calculated (i) without consideration being given to the time value of money; (ii) assuming that no holder of shares of AMPS is subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax with respect to dividends received from the Corporation; and (iii) assuming that each Retroactive Taxable Allocation would be taxable in the hands of each holder of shares of AMPS at the greater of: (x) the maximum marginal regular Federal individual income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or capital gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution (including any surtax); or (y) the maximum marginal regular Federal corporate income tax rate applicable to ordinary income or capital gains depending on the taxable character of the distribution (disregarding in both (x) and (y) the effect of any state or local taxes and the phase out of, or provision limiting, personal exemptions, itemized deductions, or the benefit of lower tax brackets).
(f) Except as provided below, whenever the Corporation intends to include any net capital gains or other income subject to regular Federal income taxes in any dividend on shares of AMPS, the Corporation will notify the Auction Agent of the amount to be so included at least five Business Days prior to the Auction Date on which the Applicable Rate for such dividend is to be established. The Corporation may also include such income in a dividend on shares of the AMPS without giving advance notice thereof if it increases the dividend by an additional amount calculated as if such income was a Retroactive Taxable Allocation and the additional amount was an Additional Dividend, provided that the Corporation will notify the Auction Agent of the additional amounts to be included in such dividend at least five Business Days prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date.
(g) No fractional shares of AMPS shall be issued.
3. Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Holders shall be entitled to receive, out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to shareholders, before any distribution or payment is made upon any Common Stock or any other capital stock ranking junior in right of payment upon liquidation to the AMPS, the sum of $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) thereon to the date of distribution, and after such payment the Holders will be entitled to no other payments other than Additional Dividends as provided in paragraph 2(e) hereof. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the amounts payable with respect to the AMPS and any other Outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the AMPS as to payment upon liquidation are not paid in full, the Holders and the holders of such other class or series will share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the Holders will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Corporation except for any Additional Dividends. A consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity or a sale, whether for cash, shares of stock, securities or properties, of all or substantially all or any part of the assets of the Corporation shall not be deemed or construed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
4. Redemption.
(a) Shares of AMPS shall be redeemable by the Corporation as provided below:
(i) Optional Redemption. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, upon giving a Notice of Redemption, the Corporation at its option may
redeem shares of AMPS, in whole or in part, out of funds legally available therefor, at the Optional Redemption Price per share, on any Dividend Payment Date; provided that no share of AMPS may be redeemed at the option of the Corporation during (A) the Initial Dividend Period with respect to such share or (B) a Non-Call Period to which such share is subject. In addition, holders of AMPS which are redeemed shall be entitled to receive Additional Dividends to the extent provided herein. The Corporation may not give a Notice of Redemption relating to an optional redemption as described in this paragraph 4(a)(i) unless, at the time of giving such Notice of Redemption, the Corporation has available Deposit Securities with maturity or tender dates not later than the day preceding the applicable redemption date and having a value not less than the amount due to Holders by reason of the redemption of their shares of AMPS on such redemption date.
(ii) Mandatory Redemption. The Corporation shall redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, at the Mandatory Redemption Price per share, shares of AMPS to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, on a date fixed by the Board of Directors, if the Corporation fails to maintain S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as provided in paragraph 7(a) or to satisfy the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage as provided in paragraph 6 and such failure is not cured on or before the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date or the 1940 Act Cure Date (herein collectively referred to as a "Cure Date"), as the case may be. In addition, holders of AMPS so redeemed shall be entitled to receive Additional Dividends to the extent provided herein. The number of shares of AMPS to be redeemed shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the minimum number of shares of AMPS the redemption of which, if deemed to have
occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Cure Date, together with all shares of other Preferred Stock subject to redemption or retirement, would result in the Corporation having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, on such Cure Date (provided that, if there is no such minimum number of shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock the redemption of which would have such result, all shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock then Outstanding shall be redeemed), and (ii) the maximum number of shares of AMPS, together with all shares of other Preferred Stock subject to redemption or retirement, that can be redeemed out of funds expected to be legally available therefor on such redemption date. In determining the number of shares of AMPS required to be redeemed in accordance with the foregoing, the Corporation shall allocate the number required to be redeemed which would result in the Corporation having S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets each with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount or satisfaction of the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage, as the case may be, pro rata among shares of AMPS of all series, Other AMPS and other Preferred Stock subject to redemption pursuant to provisions similar to those contained in this paragraph 4(a)(ii); provided that, shares of AMPS which may not be redeemed at the option of the Corporation due to the designation of a Non-Call Period applicable to such shares (A) will be subject to mandatory redemption only to the extent that other shares are not available to satisfy the number of shares required to be redeemed and (B) will be selected for redemption in an ascending order of outstanding number of days in the Non-
Call Period (with shares with the lowest number of days to be redeemed first) and by lot in the event of shares having an equal number of days in such Non-Call Period. The Corporation shall effect such redemption on a Business Day which is not later than 30 days after such Cure Date, except that if the Corporation does not have funds legally available for the redemption of all of the required number of shares of AMPS and shares of other Preferred Stock which are subject to mandatory redemption or the Corporation otherwise is unable to effect such redemption on or prior to 30 days after such Cure Date, the Corporation shall redeem those shares of AMPS which it is unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which it is able to effect such redemption out of funds legally available therefor.
(b) No Redemption Under Certain Circumstances. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this paragraph 4, no shares of AMPS may be redeemed pursuant to
paragraph 4(a)(i) of these Articles Supplementary (i) unless all dividends in
arrears on all remaining outstanding shares of Parity Stock shall have been or
are being contemporaneously paid or declared and set apart for payment and
(ii) if redemption thereof would result in the Corporation's failure to
maintain Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate
Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
In the event that less than all the outstanding shares of AMPS are to be
redeemed and there is more than one Holder, the shares of AMPS to be redeemed
shall be selected by lot or such other method as the Corporation shall deem
fair and equitable.
(c) Notice of Redemption. Whenever shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Corporation, not less than 17 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, shall mail a notice ("Notice of Redemption") by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder
of shares of AMPS to be redeemed and to the Auction Agent. The Corporation
shall cause the Notice of Redemption to also be published in the eastern and
national editions of The Wall Street Journal. The Notice of Redemption shall
set forth (i) the redemption date, (ii) the amount of the redemption price,
(iii) the aggregate number of shares of AMPS to be redeemed, (iv) the place or
places where shares of AMPS are to be surrendered for payment of the
redemption price, (v) a statement that dividends on the shares to be redeemed
shall cease to accumulate on such redemption date (except that holders may be
entitled to Additional Dividends) and (vi) the provision of these Articles
Supplementary pursuant to which such shares are being redeemed. No defect in
the Notice of Redemption or in the mailing or publication thereof shall affect
the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable
law.
If the Notice of Redemption shall have been given as aforesaid and, concurrently or thereafter, the Corporation shall have deposited in trust with the Auction Agent, or segregated in an account at the Corporation's custodian bank for the benefit of the Holders of the AMPS to be redeemed and for payment to the Auction Agent, Deposit Securities (with a right of substitution) having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to the redemption payment for the shares of AMPS as to which such Notice of Redemption has been given with irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the Holders of such shares, then upon the date of such deposit or, if no such deposit is made, then upon such date fixed for redemption (unless the Corporation shall default in making the redemption payment), all rights of the Holders of such shares as shareholders of the Corporation by reason of the ownership of such shares will cease and terminate (except their right to receive the redemption price in respect thereof and any Additional Dividends, but without interest), and such shares shall no longer be deemed outstanding. The Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time, from the Auction
Agent the interest, if any, on such Deposit Securities deposited with it and the Holders of any shares so redeemed shall have no claim to any of such interest. In case the Holder of any shares so called for redemption shall not claim the redemption payment for his shares within one year after the date of redemption, the Auction Agent shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation such amount remaining on deposit and the Auction Agent shall thereupon be relieved of all responsibility to the Holder of such shares called for redemption and such Holder thereafter shall look only to the Corporation for the redemption payment.
5. Voting Rights.
(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter or By-laws, each Holder of shares of AMPS shall be entitled to one vote for each share held on each matter submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation, and the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, and of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a single class; provided that, at any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation held for the election of directors, the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, shall be entitled, as a class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation, to elect two directors of the Corporation. Subject to paragraph 5(b) hereof, the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation, including the holders of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, voting as a single class, shall elect the balance of the directors.
(b) Right to Elect Majority of Board of Directors. During any period in which any one or more of the conditions described below shall exist (such period being referred to herein as a "Voting Period"), the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be automatically increased by the smallest number that, when added to the two directors elected
exclusively by the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, would constitute a majority of the Board of Directors as so increased by such smallest number; and the holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled, voting separately as one class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), to elect such smallest number of additional directors, together with the two directors that such holders are in any event entitled to elect. A Voting Period shall commence:
(i) if at any time accumulated dividends (whether or not earned or declared, and whether or not funds are then legally available in an amount sufficient therefor) on the outstanding shares of AMPS equal to at least two full years' dividends shall be due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been deposited with the Auction Agent for the payment of such accumulated dividends; or
(ii) if at any time holders of any other shares of Preferred Stock are entitled to elect a majority of the directors of the Corporation under the 1940 Act.
Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights described in this paragraph 5(b) shall cease, subject always, however, to the reverting of such voting rights in the Holders upon the further occurrence of any of the events described in this paragraph 5(b).
(c) Right to Vote with Respect to Certain Other Matters. So long as any shares of AMPS are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock Outstanding at the time, voting separately as one class: (i) authorize, create or issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to the AMPS or any other series of Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on dissolution, liquidation or winding up the affairs of the Corporation, or (ii) amend, alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely
affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter of
holders of shares of AMPS or any other Preferred Stock. To the extent
permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event shares of more than one series of
Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not approve any of the
actions set forth in clause (i) or (ii) which adversely affects the contract
rights expressly set forth in the Charter of a Holder of shares of AMPS
differently than those of a Holder of shares of any other series of Preferred
Stock without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of
the shares of AMPS adversely affected and outstanding at such time (voting
separately as a class). The Corporation shall notify Moody's and S&P ten
Business Days prior to any such vote described in clause (i) or (ii). 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 AMPS, voting together as a single class, will be required to approve
any plan of reorganization (including bankruptcy proceedings) adversely
affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote of security holders under
Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act. So long as any shares of the AMPS are
outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, voting together as a
single class, will be required to approve any voluntary application by the
Corporation for relief under Federal bankruptcy law or any similar application
under state law for so long as the Corporation is solvent and does not foresee
becoming insolvent. For purposes of the two preceding sentences, the phrase
"vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the 1940 Act. The class vote of
holders of shares of Preferred Stock, including AMPS, 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 AMPS, voting
together as a single class necessary to authorize the action in question. An
increase in the
number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the Charter or the issuance of additional shares of any series of Preferred Stock (including AMPS and Other AMPS) pursuant to the Charter shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely affect the contract rights of the holders of the AMPS.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, (i) holders of outstanding shares of the AMPS will be entitled as a series, to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities, including other Preferred Stock, Common Stock and other classes of capital stock of the Corporation, to vote on matters affecting the AMPS that do not materially adversely affect any of the contract rights of holders of such other securities, including other Preferred Stock, Common Stock and other classes of capital stock, as expressly set forth in the Charter, and (ii) holders of outstanding shares of AMPS will not be entitled to vote on matters affecting any other Preferred Stock that do not materially adversely affect any of the contract rights of holders of the AMPS, as expressly set forth in the Charter.
(d) Voting Procedures.
(i) As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors as described in paragraph 5(b) above, the Corporation shall call a special meeting of such holders and instruct the Auction Agent to mail 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 Corporation fails to send such notice to the Auction Agent or if the Corporation 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 held during a Voting Period, such Holders, voting together as a class (to the exclusion of the holders of all other securities and classes of capital stock of the Corporation), shall be entitled to elect the number of directors prescribed in paragraph 5(b) above. At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a quorum, a majority of such holders present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting without notice, other than by an announcement at the meeting, to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date.
(ii) For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders to vote on any matter or the number of shares required to constitute a quorum, whether such right is created by these Articles Supplementary, by the other provisions of the Charter, by statute or otherwise, a share of AMPS which is not Outstanding shall not be counted.
(iii) The terms of office of all persons who are directors of the Corporation at the time of a special meeting of Holders and holders of other 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 the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, shall constitute the duly elected directors of the Corporation.
(iv) Simultaneously with the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms of office of the additional directors elected by the Holders and holders of other Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall terminate, the remaining directors shall constitute
the directors of the Corporation and the voting rights of the Holders and such other holders to elect additional directors pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall cease, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of paragraph 5(b).
(e) Exclusive Remedy. Unless otherwise required by law, the Holders of shares of AMPS shall not have any rights or preferences other than those specifically set forth herein. The Holders of shares of AMPS shall have no preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting. In the event that the Corporation fails to pay any dividends on the shares of AMPS, the exclusive remedy of the Holders shall be the right to vote for directors pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph 5.
(f) Notification to S&P and Moody's. In the event a vote of Holders of AMPS is required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, the Corporation shall, not later than ten Business Days prior to the date on which such vote is to be taken, notify S&P and Moody's that such vote is to be taken and the nature of the action with respect to which such vote is to be taken and, not later than ten Business Days after the date on which such vote is taken, notify S&P and Moody's of the result of such vote.
6. 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage. The Corporation shall maintain, as of the last Business Day of each month in which any share of AMPS is outstanding, the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage.
7. AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
(a) The Corporation shall maintain, on each Valuation Date, and shall verify to its satisfaction that it is maintaining on such Valuation Date, (i) S&P Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and (ii) Moody's Eligible Assets having an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Upon any failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Corporation will use its best efforts to alter the composition of its portfolio to reattain a Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date.
(b) On or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the seventh Business Day in
the case of Moody's and on the next Business Day in the case of S&P, after a
Valuation Date on which the Corporation fails to satisfy the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall (i) complete and deliver to Moody's
a complete AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the date of such failure and
(ii) send S&P an electronic notification of such failure. The Corporation will
(i) deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to Moody's and (ii) send S&P an
electronic notification on or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the seventh
Business Day in the case of Moody's and on the next Business Day in the case
of S&P, after a Valuation Date on which the Corporation cures its failure to
maintain Moody's Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as the case may be,
with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount and on which the Corporation fails to maintain Moody's
Eligible Assets or S&P Eligible Assets, as the case may be, with an aggregate
Discounted Value which exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by 10% or
more. The Corporation will also deliver an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to
Moody's and S&P as of the 21st day of each month (or if such day is not a
Business Day, as of the next succeeding Business Day) or as the last Business
Day of the month in which the Corporation's fiscal year ends on or before the
seventh Business Day after such date. The Corporation shall also provide
Moody's and S&P with an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report when specifically
requested by either Moody's or S&P. A failure by the Corporation to deliver an
AMPS Basic Maintenance Report under this paragraph 7(b) shall be
deemed to be delivery of an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report indicating the Discounted Value for S&P Eligible Assets and Moody's Eligible Assets of the Corporation is less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, as of the relevant Valuation Date.
(c) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery of an AMPS Basic
Maintenance Report in accordance with paragraph 7(b) above relating to the
month in which the Corporation's fiscal year ends, the Independent Auditors
will confirm in writing to S&P and Moody's (i) the mathematical accuracy of
the calculations reflected in such Report, (ii) that, in such Report, the
Corporation correctly determined the assets of the Corporation which
constitute S&P Eligible Assets or Moody's Eligible Assets, as the case may be,
at its fiscal year end in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, and
(iii) that, in such Report, the Corporation determined whether the Corporation
had, at its fiscal year end in accordance with these Articles Supplementary,
S&P Eligible Assets of an aggregate Discounted Value at least equal to the
AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount and Moody's Eligible Assets of an aggregate
Discounted Value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (such
confirmation is herein called the "Auditors' Confirmation").
(d) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery to Moody's of an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with paragraph 7(b) above relating to any Valuation Date on which the Corporation failed to maintain S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value and Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and relating to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Cure Date with respect to such failure, the Independent Auditors will provide to S&P and Moody's an Auditors' Confirmation as to such AMPS Basic Maintenance Report.
(e) If any Auditors' Confirmation delivered pursuant to subparagraph (c) or (d) of this paragraph 7 shows that an error was made in the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report for a particular date for which such Auditors' Confirmation as required to be delivered, or shows that a lower aggregate Discounted Value for the aggregate of all S&P Eligible Assets or Moody's Eligible Assets, as the case may be, of the Corporation was determined by the Independent Auditors, the calculation or determination made by such Independent Auditors shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding on the Corporation, and the Corporation shall accordingly amend and deliver the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report to S&P and Moody's promptly following receipt by the Corporation of such Auditors' Confirmation.
(f) On or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the first Business Day after the Date of Original Issue of the shares of AMPS, the Corporation will complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such Date of Original Issue. Within five Business Days of such Date of Original Issue, the Independent Auditors will confirm in writing to S&P and Moody's (i) the mathematical accuracy of the calculations reflected in such Report and (ii) that the aggregate Discounted Value of S&P Eligible Assets and the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets reflected thereon equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount reflected thereon. Also, on or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the first Business Day after shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the Corporation, the Corporation will complete and deliver to S&P and Moody's an AMPS Basic Maintenance Report as of the close of business on such date that Common Stock is repurchased.
(g) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, in managing the Corporation's portfolio, the Adviser will not alter the composition of the Corporation's portfolio
if, in the reasonable belief of the Adviser, the effect of any such alteration would be to cause the Corporation to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value, as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date, less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount as of such Valuation Date; provided, however, that in the event that, as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets exceeded the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount by five percent or less, the Adviser will not alter the composition of the Corporation's portfolio in a manner reasonably expected to reduce the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets unless the Corporation shall have confirmed that, after giving effect to such alteration, the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets would exceed the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
8. Certain Other Restrictions and Requirements.
(a) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by S&P, the Corporation will not purchase or sell futures contracts, write, purchase or sell options on futures contracts or write put options (except covered put options) or call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from S&P that engaging in such transactions will not impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P, except that the Corporation may purchase or sell futures contracts based on the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index (the "Municipal Index") or Treasury Bonds and write, purchase or sell put and call options on such contracts (collectively, "S&P Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than transactions which terminate a futures contract or option held by the Corporation by the Corporation's taking an opposite position thereto
("Closing Transactions")), which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the least of (A) more than 1,000 outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index, (B) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 25% of the quotient of the Market Value of the Corporation's total assets divided by $1,000 or (C) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(ii) the Corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold the lesser of (A) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 50% of the quotient of the Market Value of the Corporation's total assets divided by $100,000 ($200,000 in the case of the two-year United States Treasury Note) or (B) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal;
(iii) the Corporation will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding futures contract which the Corporation owns or has sold or any outstanding option thereon owned by the Corporation in the event (A) the Corporation does not have S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive Valuation Dates and (B) the Corporation is required to pay Variation Margin on the second such Valuation Date;
(iv) the Corporation will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding futures contract or option thereon in the month prior to the delivery month under the terms of such futures contract or option thereon unless the Corporation holds the securities deliverable under such terms; and
(v) when the Corporation writes a futures contract or option thereon, it will either maintain an amount of cash, cash equivalents or liquid assets in a segregated account with the Corporation's custodian, so that the amount so segregated plus the amount of Initial Margin and Variation Margin held in the account of or on behalf of the Corporation's broker with respect to such futures contract or option equals the Market Value of the futures contract or option, or, in the event the Corporation writes a futures contract or option thereon which requires delivery of an underlying security, it shall hold such underlying security in its portfolio.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has S&P Eligible
Assets with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of cash or securities held for the
payment of Initial Margin or Variation Margin shall be zero and the aggregate
Discounted Value of S&P Eligible Assets shall be reduced by an amount equal to
(i) 30% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to market, of any
outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index which are owned by
the Corporation plus (ii) 25% of the aggregate settlement value, as marked to
market, of any outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds which
contracts are owned by the Corporation.
(b) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation will not engage in Bond Market Association Municipal Swap Index swap transactions ("BMA swap transactions"), buy or sell futures contracts, write, purchase or sell call options on futures
contracts or purchase put options on futures contracts or write call options (except covered call options) on portfolio securities unless it receives written confirmation from Moody's that engaging in such transactions would not impair the ratings then assigned to the shares of AMPS by Moody's, except that the Corporation may engage in BMA swap transactions, purchase or sell exchange-traded futures contracts based on any index approved by Moody's or Treasury Bonds and purchase, write or sell exchange-traded put options on such futures contracts (collectively, "Moody's Hedging Transactions"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Corporation will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on the Municipal Index (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures contracts based on the Municipal Index in the 30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as reported by The Wall Street Journal or (B) outstanding futures contracts based on the Municipal Index having a Market Value exceeding 50% of the Market Value of all Municipal Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction);
(ii) the Corporation will not engage in any Moody's Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing Transactions) which would cause the Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold (A) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 40% of the aggregate Market Value of Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation and rated Aa by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated AAA by S&P)
or (B) outstanding futures contracts based on Treasury Bonds having an aggregate Market Value exceeding 80% of the aggregate Market Value of all Municipal Bonds constituting Moody's Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation (other than Moody's Eligible Assets already subject to a Moody's Hedging Transaction) and rated Baa or A by Moody's (or, if not rated by Moody's but rated by S&P, rated A or AA by S&P) (for purposes of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Corporation shall be deemed to own the number of futures contracts that underlie any outstanding options written by the Corporation);
(iii) the Corporation will engage in Closing Transactions to close out any outstanding futures contract based on the Municipal Index if the amount of open interest in the Municipal Index as reported by The Wall Street Journal is less than 5,000;
(iv) the Corporation will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding futures contract by no later than the fifth Business Day of the month in which such contract expires and will engage in a Closing Transaction to close out any outstanding option on a futures contract by no later than the first Business Day of the month in which such option expires;
(v) the Corporation will engage in Moody's Hedging Transactions only with respect to futures contracts or options thereon having the next settlement date or the settlement date immediately thereafter;
(vi) the Corporation (A) will not engage in options and futures transactions for leveraging or speculative purposes, except that the Corporation may engage in an option or futures transaction so long as the combination of the Corporation's non-derivative positions, together with the relevant option or futures transaction, produces a synthetic
investment position, or the same economic result, that could be achieved by an investment, consistent with the Corporation's investment objective and policies, in a security that is not an option or futures transaction, subject to the Adviser periodically demonstrating to Moody's that said economic results are achieved, and (B) will not write any call options or sell any futures contracts for the purpose of hedging the anticipated purchase of an asset prior to completion of such purchase;
(vii) the Corporation will not enter into an option or futures transaction unless, after giving effect thereto, the Corporation would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount; and
(viii) the Corporation will not engage in BMA swap transactions with respect to more than 20% of the Corporation's net assets; provided that the Corporation's use of futures will proportionately decrease as the Corporation's use of BMA swap transactions increases, and vice-versa.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets which the Corporation is obligated to deliver or receive pursuant to an outstanding futures contract or option shall be as follows: (i) assets subject to call options written by the Corporation which are either exchange-traded and "readily reversible" or which expire within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made shall be valued at the lesser of (a) Discounted Value and (b) the exercise price of the call option written by the Corporation; (ii) assets subject to call options written by the Corporation not meeting the requirements of clause (i) of this sentence shall have no value; (iii) assets subject to
put options written by the Corporation shall be valued at the lesser of (A) the exercise price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security; (iv) futures contracts shall be valued at the lesser of (A) settlement price and (B) the Discounted Value of the subject security, provided that, if a contract matures within 49 days after the date as of which such valuation is made, where the Corporation is the seller the contract may be valued at the settlement price and where the Corporation is the buyer the contract may be valued at the Discounted Value of the subject securities; and (v) where delivery may be made to the Corporation with any security of a class of securities, the Corporation shall assume that it will take delivery of the security with the lowest Discounted Value.
For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the following amounts shall be subtracted from the aggregate Discounted Value of the Moody's Eligible Assets held by the Corporation: (i) 10% of the exercise price of a written call option; (ii) the exercise price of any written put option; (iii) where the Corporation is the seller under a futures contract, 10% of the settlement price of the futures contract; (iv) where the Corporation is the purchaser under a futures contract, the settlement price of assets purchased under such futures contract; (v) the settlement price of the underlying futures contract if the Corporation writes put options on a futures contract; and (vi) 105% of the Market Value of the underlying futures contracts if the Corporation writes call options on a futures contract and does not own the underlying contract.
(c) For so long as any shares of AMPS are rated by Moody's, the Corporation will not enter into any contract to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (other than such contracts that constitute Moody's Hedging
Transactions that are permitted under paragraph 8(b) of these Articles Supplementary), except that the Corporation may enter into such contracts to purchase newly-issued securities on the date such securities are issued ("Forward Commitments"), subject to the following limitations:
(i) the Corporation will maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash, cash equivalents or short-term, fixed-income securities rated P-1, MIG-1 or VMIG-1 by Moody's and maturing prior to the date of the Forward Commitment with a Market Value that equals or exceeds the amount of the Corporation's obligations under any Forward Commitments to which it is from time to time a party or long-term, fixed-income securities with a Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the amount of the Corporation's obligations under any Forward Commitment to which it is from time to time a party; and
(ii) the Corporation will not enter into a Forward Commitment unless, after giving effect thereto, the Corporation would continue to have Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount.
(d) For purposes of determining whether the Corporation has Moody's Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals or exceeds the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, the Discounted Value of all Forward Commitments to which the Corporation is a party and of all securities deliverable to the Corporation pursuant to such Forward Commitments shall be zero.
(e) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by S&P or Moody's, the Corporation will not, unless it has received written confirmation from S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, that such action would not impair the ratings then assigned to shares of AMPS by S&P and/or
Moody's, as the case may be, (i) borrow money except for the purpose of clearing transactions in portfolio securities (which borrowings shall under any circumstances be limited to the lesser of $10 million and an amount equal to 5% of the Market Value of the Corporation's assets at the time of such borrowings and which borrowings shall be repaid within 60 days and not be extended or renewed and shall not cause the aggregate Discounted Value of Moody's Eligible Assets and S&P Eligible Assets to be less than the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount), (ii) engage in short sales of securities, (iii) lend any securities, (iv) issue any class or series of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the AMPS with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, (v) reissue any AMPS previously purchased or redeemed by the Corporation, (vi) merge or consolidate into or with any other corporation or entity, (vii) change the Pricing Service or (viii) engage in reverse repurchase agreements.
(f) For as long as the AMPS are rated by S&P, the Corporation will not, unless it has received written confirmation from S&P that such action would not impair the rating then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P, engage in interest rate swaps, caps and floors, except that the Corporation may, without obtaining the written consent described above, engage in swaps, caps and floors if: (i) the counterparty to the swap transaction has a short-term rating of A-1 or, if the counterparty does not have a short-term rating, the counterparty's senior unsecured long-term debt rating is A- or higher, (ii) the original aggregate notional amount of the interest rate swap transaction or transactions is not to be greater than the liquidation preference of the AMPS, (iii) the interest rate swap transaction will be marked-to-market weekly by the swap counterparty, (iv) if the Corporation fails to maintain an aggregate discounted value at least equal to the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount on two consecutive Valuation Dates then the
agreement shall terminate immediately, (v) for the purpose of calculating the Discounted Value of S&P Eligible Assets, 90% of any positive mark-to-market valuation of the Corporation's rights will be S&P Eligible Assets, 100% of any negative mark-to-market valuation of the Corporation's rights will be included in the calculation of the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount, and (vi) the Corporation must maintain liquid assets with a value at least equal to the net amount of the excess, if any, of the Corporation's obligations over its entitlement with respect to each swap. For caps/floors, the Corporation must maintain liquid assets with a value at least equal to the Corporation's obligations with respect to such caps or floors.
(g) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by S&P or Moody's, as the case may be, the Corporation agrees to provide S&P and/or Moody's with the following, unless the Corporation has received written confirmation from S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, that the provision of such information is no longer required and that the current rating then assigned to the shares of AMPS by S&P and/or Moody's, as the case may be, would not be impaired: a notification letter at least 30 days prior to any material change in the Charter; a copy of the AMPS Basic Maintenance Report prepared by the Corporation in accordance with these Articles Supplementary; and a notice upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any failure by the Corporation to declare or pay any dividends on the AMPS or successfully remarket the AMPS; (ii) any mandatory or optional redemption of the AMPS effected by the Corporation; (iii) any assumption of control of the Board of Directors of the Corporation by the holders of the AMPS; (iv) a general unavailability of dealer quotes on the assets of the Corporation; (v) any material auditor discrepancies on valuations; (vi) the occurrence of any Special Dividend Period; (vii) any change in the Maximum Applicable Rate or the Reference Rate; (viii) the acquisition by any person of beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the Corporation's voting stock (inclusive
of Common Stock and Preferred Stock); (ix) the occurrence of any change in
Internal Revenue Service rules with respect to the payment of Additional
Dividends; (x) any change in the Pricing Service employed by the Corporation;
(xi) any change in the Adviser; (xii) any increase of greater than 40% to the
maximum marginal Federal income tax rate applicable to individuals or
corporations; and (xiii) the maximum marginal Federal income tax rate
applicable to individuals or corporations is increased to a rate in excess of
50%.
(h) For so long as shares of AMPS are rated by S&P or Moody's, the Corporation shall provide S&P and/or Moody's with a copy of the Corporation's annual audited financial statements as soon as practicable (not later than 60 days) after such annual audited financial statements have been made available to the Corporation's stockholders.
9. Notice. All notices or communications, unless otherwise specified in the By-laws of the Corporation or these Articles Supplementary, shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid. Notice shall be deemed given on the earlier of the date received or the date seven days after which such notice is mailed.
10. Auction Procedures.
(a) Certain definitions. As used in this paragraph 10, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) "AMPS" means the shares of AMPS being auctioned pursuant to this paragraph 10.
(ii) "Auction Date" means the first Business Day preceding the first day of a Dividend Period.
(iii) "Available AMPS" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(iv) "Bid" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(v) "Bidder" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(vi) "Hold Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(vii) "Maximum Applicable Rate" for any Dividend Period will be the higher of the Applicable Percentage of the Reference Rate or the Applicable Spread plus the Reference Rate. The Applicable Percentage and Applicable Spread will be determined based on (i) the lower of the credit rating or ratings assigned on such date to such shares by Moody's and S&P (or if Moody's or S&P or both shall not make such rating available, the equivalent of either or both of such ratings by a Substitute Rating Agency or two Substitute Rating Agencies or, in the event that only one such rating shall be available, such rating) and (ii) whether the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS as follows:
Applicable Applicable Applicable Applicable
Percentage of Percentage of Spread over Spread over
Credit Ratings Reference Reference Reference Reference
------------------------------------ Rate - No Rate - No Rate - No Rate -
Moody's S&P Notification Notification Notification Notification
------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Aaa AAA 110% 125% 1.10% 1.25%
Aa3 to Aa1 AA- to AA+ 125% 150% 1.25% 1.50%
A3 to A1 A- to A+ 150% 200% 1.50% 2.00%
Baa3 to Baa1 BBB- to BBB+ 175% 250% 1.75% 2.50%
Below Baa3 Below BBB- 200% 300% 2.00% 3.00%
|
The Applicable Percentage and the Applicable Spread as so determined may be further subject to upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, provided that immediately following any such increase the Corporation would be in compliance with the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 12, the Corporation shall take all reasonable
action necessary to enable S&P and Moody's to provide a rating for the AMPS. If either S&P or Moody's shall not make such a rating available, or neither S&P nor Moody's shall make such a rating available, subject to the provisions of paragraph 12, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or its affiliates and successors, after obtaining the Corporation's approval, shall select a NRSRO or two NRSROs to act as a Substitute Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Agencies, as the case may be.
(viii) "Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(ix) "Sell Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(b)(i) below.
(x) "Submission Deadline" means 1:00 P.M., Eastern time, on any Auction Date or such other time on any Auction Date as may be specified by the Auction Agent from time to time as the time by which each Broker-Dealer must submit to the Auction Agent in writing all Orders obtained by it for the Auction to be conducted on such Auction Date.
(xi) "Submitted Bid" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xii) "Submitted Hold Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xiii) "Submitted Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xiv) "Submitted Sell Order" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xv) "Sufficient Clearing Bids" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(xvi) "Winning Bid Rate" has the meaning specified in paragraph 10(d)(i) below.
(b) Orders by Beneficial Owners, Potential Beneficial Owners, Existing Holders and Potential Holders. (i) Unless otherwise permitted by the Corporation, Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners may only participate in Auctions through their Broker-Dealers. Broker-Dealers will submit the Orders of their respective customers who are Beneficial Owners and Potential Beneficial Owners to the Auction Agent, designating themselves as Existing Holders in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted or deemed submitted to them by Beneficial Owners and as Potential Holders in respect of shares subject to Orders submitted to them by Potential Beneficial Owners. A Broker-Dealer may also hold shares of AMPS in its own account as a Beneficial Owner. A Broker-Dealer may thus submit Orders to the Auction Agent as a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner and therefore participate in an Auction as an Existing Holder or Potential Holder on behalf of both itself and its customers. On or prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date:
(A) each Beneficial Owner may submit to its Broker-Dealer information as to:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period;
(2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner desires to continue to hold, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall not be less than the rate per annum specified by such Beneficial Owner; and/or
(3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS held by such Beneficial Owner which such Beneficial Owner offers to sell without regard to the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period; and
(B) each Broker-Dealer, using a list of Potential Beneficial Owners that shall be maintained in good faith for the purpose of conducting a competitive Auction, shall contact Potential Beneficial Owners, including Persons that are not Beneficial Owners, on such list to determine the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS which each such Potential Beneficial Owner offers to purchase, provided that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period 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 the communication by a Broker-Dealer acting for its own account to the Auction Agent, of information referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as an "Order" and each Beneficial Owner and each Potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order, including a Broker-Dealer acting in such capacity for its own account, is hereinafter referred to as a "Bidder"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(1) of this paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Hold Order"; an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(2) or (B) of this paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Bid"; and an Order containing the information referred to in clause (A)(3) of this paragraph 10(b)(i) is hereinafter referred to as a "Sell Order". Inasmuch as a Broker-Dealer participates in an Auction as an Existing Holder or a Potential Holder only to represent the interests of a Beneficial Owner or Potential Beneficial Owner, whether it be its
customers or itself, all discussion herein relating to the consequences of an Auction for Existing Holders and Potential Holders also applies to the underlying beneficial ownership interests represented.
(ii) A Bid by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 10(e)(i)(D) if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein; or
(3) a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 10(e)(ii)(C) if such specified rate per annum shall be higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(B) A Sell Order by an Existing Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Sell Order; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 10(e)(ii)(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(C) A Bid by a Potential Holder shall constitute an irrevocable offer to purchase:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be higher than the rate per annum specified in such Bid; or
(2) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be determined as set forth in paragraph 10(e)(i)(E) if the Applicable Rate determined on such Auction Date shall be equal to the rate per annum specified therein.
(c) Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
(i) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing or through mutually acceptable electronic means to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date all Orders obtained by such Broker-Dealer, designating itself (unless otherwise permitted by the Corporation) 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 specifying with respect to each Order:
(A) the name of the Bidder placing such Order (which shall be the Broker-Dealer unless otherwise permitted by the Corporation);
(B) the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Order;
(C) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Hold Order placed by such Existing Holder;
(2) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Bid placed by such Existing Holder and the rate per annum specified in such Bid; and
(3) the number of Outstanding shares, if any, of AMPS subject to any Sell Order placed by such Existing Holder; and
(D) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder, the rate per annum specified in such Potential Holder's Bid.
(ii) If any rate per annum 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%.
(iii) If an Order or Orders covering all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS held by an Existing Holder are not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Dividend Period which is not a Special Dividend Period of more than 7 days) and a Sell Order (in the case of an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period of more than 7 days) to have been submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder covering the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder and not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
(iv) If one or more Orders on behalf of an Existing Holder covering in the aggregate more than the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing
Holder are submitted to the Auction Agent, such Order shall be considered valid as follows and in the following order of priority:
(A) any Hold Order submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be considered valid up to and including the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder; provided that if more than one Hold Order is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Hold Orders exceeds the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder, the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Hold Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Hold Orders, in the aggregate, will cover exactly the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder;
(B) any Bids submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder shall be considered valid, in the ascending order of their respective rates per annum if more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder, up to and including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to any Hold Order referred to in paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) above (and if more than one Bid submitted on behalf of such Existing Holder specifies the same rate per annum and together they cover more than the remaining number of shares that can be the subject of valid Bids after application of paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) above and of the foregoing portion of this paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B) to any Bid or Bids specifying a lower rate or rates per annum, the number of shares subject to each of such Bids shall be reduced pro rata so that such Bids, in the aggregate, cover exactly such remaining
number of shares); and the number of shares, if any, subject to Bids not valid under this paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B) shall be treated as the subject of a Bid by a Potential Holder; and
(C) any Sell Order shall be considered valid up to and including the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder over the number of shares of AMPS subject to Hold Orders referred to in paragraph 10(c)(iv)(A) and Bids referred to in paragraph 10(c)(iv)(B); provided that if more than one Sell Order is submitted on behalf of any Existing Holder and the number of shares of AMPS subject to such Sell Orders is greater than such excess, the number of shares of AMPS subject to each of such Sell Orders shall be reduced pro rata so that such Sell Orders, in the aggregate, cover exactly the number of shares of AMPS equal to such excess.
(v) If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Holder, each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate per annum and number of shares of AMPS therein specified.
(vi) Any Order submitted by a Beneficial Owner as 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.
(d) Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid Rate and Applicable Rate. (i) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall assemble all Orders submitted or deemed submitted to it by the Broker-Dealers (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 shall determine:
(A) the excess of the total number of Outstanding shares of AMPS over the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders (such excess being hereinafter referred to as the "Available AMPS");
(B) from the Submitted Orders whether the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Potential Holders specifying one or more rates per annum equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate exceeds or is equal to the sum of:
(1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders specifying one or more rates per annum higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate, and
(2) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS that are subject to Submitted Sell Orders (if such excess or such equality exists (other than because the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS in clause (1) above and this clause (2) are each zero because all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids by Potential Holders being hereinafter referred to collectively as "Sufficient Clearing Bids"); and
(C) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the lowest rate per annum specified in the Submitted Bids (the "Winning Bid Rate") that if:
(1) each Submitted Bid from Existing Holders specifying the Winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Existing Holders
specifying lower rates per annum were rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holders to continue to hold the shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids, and
(2) each Submitted Bid from Potential Holders specifying the Winning Bid Rate and all other Submitted Bids from Potential Holders specifying lower rates per annum were accepted, thus entitling the Potential Holders to purchase the shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bids,
would result in the number of shares subject to all Submitted Bids specifying the Winning Bid Rate or a lower rate per annum being at least equal to the Available AMPS.
(ii) Promptly after the Auction Agent has made the determinations pursuant to paragraph 10(d)(i), the Auction Agent shall advise the Corporation of the Maximum Applicable Rate and, based on such determinations, the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period as follows:
(A) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Winning Bid Rate;
(B) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than because all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), that the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to the Maximum Applicable Rate; or
(C) if all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders, the Dividend Period next succeeding the Auction shall automatically be the same length as the immediately preceding Dividend Period
and the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be equal to 60% of the Reference Rate (or 90% of such rate if the Corporation has provided notification to the Auction Agent prior to the Auction establishing the Applicable Rate for any dividend pursuant to paragraph 2(f) hereof that net capital gains or other taxable income will be included in such dividend on shares of AMPS) on the date of the Auction.
(e) Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders and Allocation of Shares.
Based on the determinations made pursuant to paragraph 10(d)(i), the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected and the Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth below:
(i) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have been made, subject to the provisions of paragraph 10(e)(iii) and paragraph 10(e)(iv), Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders shall be accepted or rejected in the following order of priority and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Sell Orders of Existing Holders shall be accepted and the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that is higher than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such Existing Holder to sell the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Sell Order or Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders specifying any rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus
entitling each such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(C) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders specifying any rate per annum that is lower than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;
(D) the Submitted Bid of each of the Existing Holders
specifying a rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate
shall be rejected, thus entitling each such Existing Holder to
continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject
of such Submitted Bid, unless the number of Outstanding shares of
AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids shall be greater than the
number of Outstanding shares of AMPS ("Remaining Shares") equal to
the excess of the Available AMPS over the number of Outstanding
shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraph
10(e)(i)(B) and paragraph 10(e)(i)(C), in which event the Submitted
Bids of each such Existing Holder shall be accepted, and each such
Existing Holder shall be required to sell Outstanding shares of
AMPS, but only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the
number of Outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing
Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and (2) the number of shares of
AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the number of Remaining Shares by
(y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of
Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to
such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the sum of
the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted
Bids made by all such Existing Holders that specified a rate per
annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate; and
(E) the Submitted Bid of each of the Potential Holders
specifying a rate per annum that is equal to the Winning Bid Rate
shall be accepted but only in an amount equal to the number of
Outstanding shares of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the
difference between the Available AMPS and the number of Outstanding
shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraph
10(e)(i)(B), paragraph 10(e)(i)(C) and paragraph 10(e)(i)(D) by (y)
a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding
shares of AMPS subject to such Submitted Bid and the denominator of
which shall be the sum of the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS
subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such Potential Holders
that specified rates per annum equal to the Winning Bid Rate.
(ii) If Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made (other than because all of the Outstanding shares of AMPS are subject to Submitted Hold Orders), subject to the provisions of paragraph 10(e)(iii), Submitted Orders shall be accepted or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(A) the Submitted Bid of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid;
(B) the Submitted Bid of each Potential Holder specifying any rate per annum that is equal to or lower than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring such Potential Holder to purchase the Outstanding shares of AMPS that are the subject of such Submitted Bid; and
(C) the Submitted Bids of each Existing Holder specifying any rate per annum that is higher than the Maximum Applicable Rate shall be accepted and the Submitted Sell Orders of each Existing Holder shall be accepted, in both cases only in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS then held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and (2) the number of shares of AMPS obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Available AMPS and the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraph 10(e)(ii)(A) and paragraph 10(e)(ii)(B) by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS held by such Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of which shall be the number of Outstanding shares of AMPS subject to all such Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders.
(iii) If, as a result of the procedures described in paragraph
10(e)(i) or paragraph 10(e)(ii), 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 AMPS on any Auction Date, the
Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall
determine, round up or down the number of shares of AMPS to be purchased
or sold by any Existing Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date
so that each Outstanding share of AMPS purchased or sold by each Existing
Holder or Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be a whole share of
AMPS.
(iv) If, as a result of the procedures described in paragraph
10(e)(i), any Potential Holder would be entitled or required to purchase
less than a whole share of
AMPS on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as in its sole discretion it shall determine, allocate shares of AMPS for purchase among Potential Holders so that only whole shares of AMPS are purchased on such Auction Date by any Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or more of such Potential Holders not purchasing any shares of AMPS on such Auction Date.
(v) Based on the results of each Auction, the Auction Agent shall determine, with respect to each Broker-Dealer that submitted Bids or Sell Orders on behalf of Existing Holders or Potential Holders, the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of AMPS to be purchased and the aggregate number of the Outstanding shares of AMPS to be sold by such Potential Holders and Existing Holders and, to the extent that such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to be purchased and such aggregate number of Outstanding shares to be sold differ, the Auction Agent shall determine to which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more purchasers such Broker-Dealer shall deliver, or from which other Broker-Dealer or Broker-Dealers acting for one or more sellers such Broker-Dealer shall receive, as the case may be, Outstanding shares of AMPS.
(f) Miscellaneous. The Corporation may interpret the provisions of this paragraph 10 to resolve any inconsistency or ambiguity, remedy any formal defect or make any other change or modification that does not substantially adversely affect the rights of Beneficial Owners of AMPS. A Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder (A) may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order in accordance with the procedures described in this paragraph 10 or to or through a Broker-Dealer, provided that in the case of all transfers other than pursuant to Auctions such Beneficial Owner or Existing Holder, its Broker-
Dealer, if applicable, or its Agent Member advises the Auction Agent of such transfer and (B) except as otherwise required by law, shall have the ownership of the shares of AMPS held by it maintained in book entry form by the Securities Depository in the account of its Agent Member, which in turn will maintain records of such Beneficial Owner's beneficial ownership. Neither the Corporation nor any Affiliate, other than an Affiliate that is a Broker-Dealer, shall submit an Order in any Auction. Any Beneficial Owner that is an Affiliate shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of AMPS to any Person other than the Corporation. All of the Outstanding shares of AMPS shall be represented by a single certificate registered in the name of the nominee of the Securities Depository unless otherwise required by law or unless there is no Securities Depository. If there is no Securities Depository, at the Corporation's option and upon its receipt of such documents as it deems appropriate, any shares of AMPS may be registered in the Stock Register in the name of the Beneficial Owner thereof and such Beneficial Owner thereupon will be entitled to receive certificates therefor and required to deliver certificates therefor upon transfer or exchange thereof.
11. Securities Depository; Stock Certificates.
(a) If there is a Securities Depository, one certificate for all of the shares of AMPS shall be issued to the Securities Depository and registered in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee. Additional certificates may be issued as necessary to represent shares of AMPS. All such certificates shall bear a legend to the effect that such certificates are issued subject to the provisions restricting the transfer of shares of AMPS contained in these Articles Supplementary. Unless the Corporation shall have elected, during a Non-Payment Period, to waive this requirement, the Corporation will also issue stop-transfer instructions to the Auction Agent for the shares of AMPS. Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, the Securities
Depository or its nominee will be the Holder, and no Beneficial Owner shall receive certificates representing its ownership interest in such shares.
(b) If the Applicable Rate applicable to all shares of AMPS of a series shall be the Non-Payment Period Rate or there is no Securities Depository, the Corporation may at its option issue one or more new certificates with respect to such shares (without the legend referred to in paragraph 11(a)) registered in the names of the Beneficial Owners or their nominees and rescind the stop-transfer instructions referred to in paragraph 11(a) with respect to such shares.
12. Termination of Rating Agency Provisions.
(a) The Board of Directors may determine that it is not in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to comply with the provisions of paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof with respect to Moody's, and any other provisions hereof with respect to obtaining and maintaining a rating on the AMPS from Moody's (together, the "Moody's Provisions"), and paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof with respect to S&P, and any other provisions hereof with respect to obtaining and maintaining a rating on the AMPS from S&P (together, the "S&P Provisions"), in which case the Corporation will no longer be required to comply with any of the Moody's Provisions or the S&P Provisions, as the case may be, provided that (i) the Corporation has given the Auction Agent, the Broker-Dealers, Moody's or S&P and Holders of the AMPS at least 45 calendar days written notice of such termination of compliance, (ii) the Corporation is in compliance with the Moody's Provisions and the S&P Provisions, as the case may be, at the time the notice required in clause (i) hereof is given and at the time of the termination of compliance with the Moody's Provisions or the S&P Provisions, and (iii) the AMPS continue to be rated by at least one NRSRO at the time of the termination of compliance with the Moody's Provisions or the S&P Provisions, as the case may be.
(b) On the date that the notice is given in paragraph 12(a) above and on the date that compliance with the Moody's Provisions and/or the S&P Provisions, as the case may be, is terminated, the Corporation shall provide the Auction Agent and Moody's or S&P, as applicable, with an officers' certificate as to the compliance with the provisions of paragraph 12(a) hereof, and the Moody's Provisions and/or the S&P Provisions, as applicable, on such later date and thereafter shall have no force or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Vice President, and attested by its Secretary, on the day of , 2005.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By:______________________________________
Name: Donald C. Burke
Title: Vice President
Attest:
_____________________________________
Name: Alice A. Pellegrino
Title: Secretary
|
THE UNDERSIGNED, Vice President of MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. (the "Corporation"), who executed on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary, of which this certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters and facts required to be verified under oath, further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts contained herein are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
By:______________________________________ Name: Donald C. Burke Title: Vice President
Exhibit (b)
BY-LAWS
OF
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
ARTICLE I
Offices
Section 1. Principal Office. The principal office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland.
Section 2. Principal Executive Office. The principal executive office of the Corporation shall be at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
Section 3. Other Offices. The corporation may have such other offices in such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of Stockholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on such day in May of each year as shall be designated annually by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Charter, may be called for any purpose or purposes by a majority or the Board of Directors, the President, or on the written request of the holders of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting to the extent permitted by Maryland law.
Section 3. Place of Meetings. The annual meeting and any special meeting of the stockholders shall be held at such place within the United States as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
Section 4. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice. Notice of the place, date and time of the holding of each annual and special meeting of the stockholders and the purpose or purposes of each special meeting shall be given personally or by mail, not less than ten nor more than ninety days before the date of such meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each other stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting. Notice by mail shall be deemed to be duly given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.
Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be deemed waived by any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, or who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a signed waiver of notice which is filed with the records of the meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time and place, unless the Board of Directors, after the adjournment, shall fix a new record date for an adjourned meeting, or the adjournment is for more than one hundred and twenty days after the original record date, notice of such adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place to which the meeting shall be adjourned were announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.
Section 5. Quorum. At all meetings of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter. In the absence of a quorum no business may be transacted, except that the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to
vote may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement thereat except as otherwise required by these By-Laws, until the holders of the requisite amount of shares of stock shall be so present. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. The absence from any meeting, in person or by proxy, of holders of the number of shares of stock of the corporation in excess of a majority thereof which may be required by the laws of the State of Maryland, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or other applicable statute, the Charter, or these By-Laws, for action upon any given matter shall not prevent action at such meeting upon any other matter or matters which may properly come before the meeting, if there shall be present thereat, in person or by proxy, holders of the number of shares of stock of the Corporation required for action in respect of such other matter or matters.
Section 6. Organization. At each meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board (if one has been designated by the Board), or in his absence or inability to act, the President, or in the absence or inability to act of the Chairman of the Board and the President, a Vice President, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary, or in his absence or inability to act, any person appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
Section 7. Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of the stockholders shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting.
Section 8. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by statute or the Charter, each holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation having voting power shall be entitled at each meeting of the stockholders to one vote for every share of such stock standing in his name
on the record of stockholders of the Corporation as of the record date determined pursuant to Section 9 of this Article or if such record date shall not have been so fixed, then at the later of (i) the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed or (ii) the thirtieth day before the meeting.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him by a proxy signed by such stockholder or his attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it, except in those cases where such proxy states that it is irrevocable and where an irrevocable proxy is permitted by law. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Charter or these By-Laws, any corporate action to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by a majority of the total votes cast at a meeting of stockholders by the holders of shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such action.
If a vote shall be taken on any question other than the election of directors, which shall be by written ballot, then unless required by statute or these By-Laws, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, any such vote need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by his proxy, if there be such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.
Section 9. Fixing of Record Date. The Board of Directors may set a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders. The record date, which may not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed, shall be not more than ninety nor less than ten days before the date of the meeting of the
stockholders. All persons who were holders of record of shares at such time, and not others, shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof.
Section 10. Inspectors. The Board may, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If the inspectors shall not be so appointed or if any of them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting may, and on the request of any stockholder entitled to vote thereat shall, appoint inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting powers of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting or any stockholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them. No director or candidate for the office of director shall act as inspector of an election of directors. Inspectors need not be stockholders.
Section 11. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Except as otherwise provided by statute or the Charter, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if the following are filed with the records of stockholders meetings: (i) a unanimous written
consent which sets forth the action and is signed by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and (ii) a written waiver of any right to dissent signed by each stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting but not entitled to vote thereat.
ARTICLE III
Board of Directors
Section 1. General Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the Charter, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. All powers of the Corporation may be exercised by or under authority of the Board of Directors except as conferred on or reserved to the stockholders by law or by the Charter or these By-Laws.
Section 2. Number of Directors. The number of directors shall be fixed
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by a
majority of the Directors then in office; provided, however, that the number
of directors shall in no event be less than three nor more than fifteen. Any
vacancy created by an increase in Directors may be filled in accordance with
Section 6 of this Article III. No reduction in the number of directors shall
have the effect of removing any director from office prior to the expiration
of his term unless such director is specifically removed pursuant to Section 5
of this Article III at the time of such decrease. Directors need not be
stockholders. As long as any preferred stock of the Corporation is
outstanding, the number of Directors shall be not less than five.
Section 3. Election and Term of Directors. Directors shall be elected annually, by written ballot at the annual meeting of stockholders, or a special meeting held for that purpose. The term of office of each director shall be from the time of his election and qualification until the annual election of directors next succeeding his election and until his successor shall have been elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until he shall have resigned, or until
December 31 of the year in which he shall have reached seventy-two years of age, or until he shall have been removed as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws, or as otherwise provided by statute or the Charter.
Section 4. Resignation. A director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Board or the Chairman of the Board or the President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5. Removal of Directors. Any director of the Corporation may be removed (with or without cause) by the stockholders by a vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock then entitled to vote in the election of such director.
Section 6. Vacancies. Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, any vacancies in the Board, whether arising from death, resignation, removal, an increase in the number of directors or any other cause, shall be filled by a vote of the Board of Directors in accordance with the Charter.
Section 7. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board may be held at such place as the Board may from time to time determine or as shall be specified in the notice of such meeting. Section 8. Regular Meeting. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and place as may be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 9. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by two or more directors of the Corporation or by the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 10. Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, participation in a meeting by these means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 11. Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given by the Secretary as hereinafter provided, in which notice shall be stated the time and place of the meeting. Notice of each such meeting shall be delivered to each director, either personally or by telephone or any standard form of telecommunication, at least twenty-four hours before the time at which such meeting is to be held, or by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least three days before the day on which such meeting is to be held.
Section 12. Waiver of Notice of Meetings. Notice of any special meeting need not be given to any director who shall, either before or after the meeting, sign a written waiver of notice which is filed with the records of the meeting or who shall attend such meeting. Except as otherwise specifically required by these By-Laws, a notice or waiver or notice of any meeting need not state the purposes of such meeting.
Section 13. Quorum and Voting. One-third, but not less than two, of the members of the entire Board shall be present in person at any meeting of the Board in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and except as otherwise expressly required by statute, the Charter, these By-Laws, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or other applicable statute, the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. In the absence of a quorum at any
meeting of the Board, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn such meeting to another time and place until a quorum shall be present thereat. Notice of the time and place of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless such time and place were announced at the meeting at which the adjournment was taken, to the other directors. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 14. Organization. The Board may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, designate a Chairman of the Board, who shall preside at each meeting of the Board. In the absence or inability of the Chairman of the Board to preside at a meeting, the President or, in his absence or inability to act, another director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting and preside thereat. The secretary (or, in his absence or inability to act, any person appointed by the Chairman) shall act as secretary of the meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
Section 15. Written Consent of Directors in Lieu of a Meeting. Subject to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writings or writing are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.
Section 16. Compensation. Directors may receive compensation for services to the Corporation in their capacities as directors or otherwise in such manner and in such amounts as may be fixed from time to time by the Board.
Section 17. Investment Policies. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to direct that the purchase, sale, retention and disposal of portfolio securities and the other investment practices of the Corporation are at all times consistent with the investment policies and restrictions with respect to securities investments and otherwise of the Corporation, as recited in the Prospectus of the Corporation included in the registration statement of the Corporation relating to the initial public offering of its capital stock, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or as such investment policies and restrictions may be modified by the Board of Directors, or, if required, by majority vote of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Board however, may delegate the duty of management of the assets and the administration of its day to day operations to an individual or corporate management company and/or investment adviser pursuant to a written contract or contracts which have obtained the requisite approvals, including the requisite approvals of renewals thereof, of the Board of Directors and/or the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
ARTICLE IV
Committees
Section 1. Executive Committee. The Board may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board, designate an Executive Committee consisting of two or more of the directors of the Corporation, which committee shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board with respect to all matters other than:
(a) the submission to stockholders of any action requiring authorization of stockholders pursuant to statute or the Charter;
(b) the filling of vacancies on the Board of Directors;.
(c) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee of the Board, including the Executive Committee;
(d) the approval or termination of any contract with an investment adviser or principal underwriter, as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the taking of any other action required to be taken by the Board of Directors by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
(e) the amendment or repeal of these By-Laws or the adoption of new By-Laws;
(f) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its terms may be amended or repealed only by the Board;
(g) the declaration of dividends and the issuance of capital stock of the Corporation; and
(h) the approval of any merger or share exchange which does not require stockholder approval.
The Executive Committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such minutes to the Board. All such proceedings shall be subject to revision or alteration by the Board; provided, however, that third parties shall not be prejudiced by such revision or alteration.
Section 2. Other Committees of the Board. The Board of Directors may from time to time, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more other
committees of the Board, each such committee to consist of two or more directors and to have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may, by resolution, prescribe.
Section 3. General. One-third, but not less than two, of the members of any committee shall be present in person at any meeting of such committee in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the act of a majority present shall be the act of such committee. The Board may designate a chairman of any committee and such chairman or any two members of any committee may fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. The Board shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill all vacancies,. to designate alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member, or to dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority or power of the Board in the management of the business or affairs of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V
Officers, Agents and Employees
Section 1. Number of Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, who shall be a director of the Corporation, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint one or more Vice Presidents and may also appoint such other officers, agents and employees as it may
deem necessary or proper. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Vice President, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity. Such officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors each year at its first meeting held after the annual meeting of stockholders, each to hold office until the next meeting of the stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified, or until his death, or until he shall have resigned, or have been removed, as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws. The Board may from time to time elect, or delegate to the President the power to appoint, such officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the corporation. Such officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be prescribed by the Board or by the appointing authority.
Section 2. Resignations. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of resignation to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, President or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective.
Section 3. Removal of Officer, Agent or Employee. Any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation may be removed by the Board of Directors with or without cause at any time, and the Board may delegate such power of removal as to agents and employees not elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. Such removal shall be without prejudice to such person's
contract rights, if any, but the appointment of any person as an officer, agent or employee of the Corporation shall not of itself create contract rights.
Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office, whether arising from death, resignation, removal or any other cause, may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term of the office which shall be vacant, in the manner prescribed in these By-Laws for the regular election or appointment to such office.
Section 5. Compensation. The compensation of the officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, but this power may be delegated to any officer in respect of other officers under his control.
Section 6. Bonds or Other Security. If required by the Board, any officer, agent or employee of the Corporation shall give a bond or other security for the faithful performance of his duties, in such amount and with such surety or sureties as the Board may require.
Section 7. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. In the absence of the chairman of the Board (or if there be none), he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall have, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, general charge of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He may employ and discharge employees and agents of the corporation, except such as shall be appointed by the Board, and he may delegate these powers.
Section 8. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe.
Section 9. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
(a) have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds and securities of the Corporation, except those which the Corporation has placed in the custody of a bank or trust
company or member of a national securities exchange (as that term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) pursuant to a written agreement designating such bank or trust company or member of a national securities exchange as custodian of the property of the Corporation;
(b) keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation;
(c) cause all moneys and other valuables to be deposited to the credit of the Corporation;
(d) receive, and give receipts for, moneys due and payable, to the Corporation from any source whatsoever;
(e) disburse the funds of the Corporation and supervise the investment of its funds as ordered or authorized by the Board, taking proper vouchers therefor; and
(f) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the President.
Section 10. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
(a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the stockholders;
(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and as required by law;
(c) be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal;
(d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the President.
Section 11. Delegation of Duties. In case of the absence of any officer of the Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the Board may confer for the time being the powers or duties, or any of them, of such officer upon any other officer or upon any director.
ARTICLE VI
Indemnification
Each officer and director of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation to the full extent permitted under the General Laws of the State of Maryland, except that such indemnity shall not protect any such person against any liability to the Corporation or any stockholder thereof to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office. Absent a court determination that an officer or director seeking indemnification was not liable on the merits or guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office, the decision
by the Corporation to indemnify such person must be based upon the reasonable
determination of independent legal counsel or the vote of a majority of a
quorum of the directors who are neither "interested persons," as defined in
Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor
parties to the proceeding ("non-party independent directors"), after review of
the facts, that such officer or director is not guilty of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office.
Each officer and director of the Corporation claiming indemnification within the scope of this Article VI shall be entitled to advances from the Corporation for payment of the reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with proceedings to which he is a party in the manner and to the full extent permitted under the General Laws of the State of Maryland; provided, however, that the person seeking indemnification shall provide to the Corporation a written affirmation of his good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Corporation has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance, if it should ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met, and provided further that at least one of the following additional conditions is met: (a) the person seeking indemnification shall provide a security in form and amount acceptable to the Corporation for his undertaking; (b) the Corporation is insured against losses arising by reason of the advance; (c) a majority of a quorum of non-party independent directors, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of facts readily available to the Corporation at the time the advance is proposed to be made, that there is reason to believe that the person seeking indemnification will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification.
The Corporation may purchase insurance on behalf of an officer or director protecting such person to the full extent permitted under the General Laws of the State of Maryland, from
liability arising from his activities as officer or director of the Corporation. The Corporation, however, may not purchase insurance on behalf of any officer or director of the Corporation that protects or purports to protect such person from liability to the Corporation or to its stockholders to which such officer or director would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
The Corporation may indemnify or purchase insurance to the extent provided in this Article VI on behalf of an employee or agent who is not an officer or director of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII
Capital Stock
Section 1. Stock Certificates. Each holder of stock of the Corporation shall be entitled upon request to have a certificate or certificates, in such form as shall be approved by the Board, representing the number of shares of stock of the Corporation owned by him, provided, however, that certificates for fractional shares will not be delivered in any case. The certificates representing shares of stock shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer and sealed with the seal of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures or the seal on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate shall be issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still in office at the date of issue.
Section 2. Books of Account and Record of Stockholders. There shall be kept at the principal executive office of the Corporation correct and complete books and records of account of all the business and transactions of the Corporation. There shall be made available upon request of any stockholder, in accordance with Maryland law, a record containing the number of shares of stock issued during a specified period not to exceed twelve months and the consideration received by the Corporation for each such share.
Section 3. Transfers of Shares. Transfers of shares of stock of the Corporation shall be made on the stock records of the Corporation only by the registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary or with a transfer agent or transfer clerk, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates, if issued, for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed stock transfer power and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person in whose name any share or shares stand on the record of stockholders as the owner of such share or shares for all purposes, including, without limitation, the rights to receive dividends or other distributions, and to vote as such owner, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or interest in any such share or shares on the part of any other person.
Section 4. Regulations. The Board may make such additional rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation. It may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one or more registrars and may require all certificates for shares of stock to bear the signature or signatures of any of them.
Section 5. Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost or destroyed or which shall have been mutilated, and the Board may, in its discretion, require such owner or his legal representatives to give to the Corporation a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties, as the Board in its absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Board, in its absolute discretion, may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except pursuant to legal proceedings under the laws of the State of Maryland.
Section 6. Fixing of a Record Date for Dividends and Distributions. The Board may fix, in advance, a date not more than ninety days preceding the date fixed for the payment of any dividend or the making of any distribution or the allotment of rights to subscribe for securities of the Corporation, or for the delivery of evidences of rights or evidences of interests arising out of any change, conversion or exchange of common stock or other securities, as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to receive any such dividend, distribution, allotment, rights or interests, and in such case only the stockholders of record at the time so fixed shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, allotment, rights or interests.
Section 7. Information to Stockholders and Others. Any stockholder of the Corporation or his agent may inspect and copy during usual business hours the Corporation's
By-Laws, minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders, annual statements of its affairs, and voting trust agreements on file at its principal office.
ARTICLE VIII
Seal
The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form and shall bear, in addition to any other emblem or device approved by the Board of Directors, the name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words "Corporate Seal" and "Maryland". Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
ARTICLE IX
Fiscal Year
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the _____ day of ____________.
ARTICLE X
Depositories and Custodians
Section 1. Depositories. The funds of the Corporation shall be deposited with such banks or other depositories as the Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time determine.
Section 2. Custodians. All securities and other investments shall be deposited in the safekeeping of such banks or other companies as the Board of Directors of the Corporation may from time to time determine. Every arrangement entered into with any bank or other company for the safekeeping of the securities and investments of the Corporation shall contain provisions complying with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the general rules and regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE XI
Execution of Instruments
Section 1. Checks, Notes, Drafts, etc. Checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, bills of exchange and other orders or obligations for the payment of money shall be signed by such officer or officers or person or persons as the Board of Directors by resolution shall from time to time designate.
Section 2. Sale or Transfer of Securities. Stock certificates, bonds or other securities at any time owned by the Corporation may be held on behalf of the Corporation or sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of subject to any limits imposed by these By-Laws and pursuant to authorization by the Board and, when so authorized to be held on behalf of the Corporation or sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, may be transferred from the name of the Corporation by the signature of the President or a Vice President or the Treasurer or pursuant to any procedure approved by the Board of Directors, subject to applicable law.
ARTICLE XII
Independent Public Accountants
The firm of independent public accountants which shall sign or certify the financial statements of the Corporation which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission shall be selected annually by the Board of Directors and ratified by the stockholders in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
ARTICLE XIII
Annual Statement
The books of account of the Corporation shall be examined by an independent firm of public accountants at the close of each annual period of the Corporation and at such other times
as may be directed by the Board. A report to the stockholders based upon each such examination shall be mailed to each stockholder of record of the Corporation on such date with respect to each report as may be determined by the Board, at his address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Such annual statement shall also be available at the annual meeting of stockholders and be placed on file at the Corporation's principal office in the State of Maryland. Each such report shall show the assets and liabilities of the Corporation as of the close of the annual or quarterly period covered by the report and the securities in which the funds of the Corporation were then invested. Such report shall also show the Corporation's income and expenses for the period from the end of the Corporation's preceding fiscal year to the close of the annual or quarterly period covered by the report and any other information required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and shall set forth such other matters as the Board or such firm of independent public accountants shall determine.
ARTICLE XIV
Amendments
These By-Laws or any of them may be amended, altered or repealed at any regular meeting of the stockholders or at any special meeting of the stockholders by a favorable vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to be voted on the matter, provided that notice of the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal be contained in the notice of such special meeting. These By-Laws may also be amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, except any particular By-Law which is specified as not subject to alteration or repeal by the Board of Directors, subject to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Exhibit (d)(2)
Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E
NUMBER 1 2,000 SHARES
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS SEE REVERSE FOR
OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN NEW YORK, NY CUSIP # [___]
THIS CERTIFIES THAT
CEDE & CO.
IS THE OWNER OF TWO THOUSAND
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FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 PER SHARE, LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25,000 PER SHARE PLUS AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ACCUMULATED BUT UNPAID DIVIDENDS THEREON (WHETHER OR NOT EARNED OR DECLARED) OF
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
TRANSFERABLE ON THE BOOKS OF SAID CORPORATION IN PERSON OR BY DULY AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY UPON SURRENDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE PROPERLY ENDORSED.
THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT VALID UNTIL COUNTERSIGNED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTERED BY THE REGISTRAR.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC. HAS CAUSED ITS CORPORATE SEAL TO BE HERETO AFFIXED AND THIS CERTIFICATE TO BE EXECUTED IN ITS NAME AND BEHALF BY ITS DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICERS.
Dated: [___]
Countersigned and Registered:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK -------------------------(seal)
(New York) Transfer Agent Vice President
By:
------------------------------ -------------------------(seal)
Authorized Signature Secretary
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THE TRANSFER OF THE SHARES OF AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY IS SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN THE CORPORATION'S CHARTER. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH INFORMATION ABOUT SUCH RESTRICTIONS TO ANY STOCKHOLDER, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
A full statement of the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the shares of each class and series of stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue and the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each class and series to the extent that they have been set, and the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of subsequent classes and series, will be furnished by the Corporation to any stockholder, without charge, upon request to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM--as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-- Custodian
-----------
(Cust) (Minor)
TEN ENT--as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN-- as joint tenants with right under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
of survivorship and not as tenants (State)
in common
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Additional abbreviations also may be used though not in the above list.
For value received, ____________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
Please insert social securities or other identifying number of assignee
(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address, Including Zip Code, of Assignee)
shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________ Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated: _________________________
_________________________________________________
NOTICE: The Signature to this assignment must correspond
with the name as written upon the face of the
Certificate in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
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Exhibit (e)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
1. Appointment of Agent. You, State Street Bank and Trust Company, will act as Agent for me, and will open an account for me under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") in the same name as my present shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Common Stock"), of MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") are registered, and will automatically put into effect for me the dividend reinvestment option of the Plan as of the first record date for a dividend or capital gains distribution (collectively referred to herein as a "dividend"), payable at the election of shareholders in cash or shares of Common Stock.
2. Dividends Payable in Common Stock. My participation in the Plan constitutes an election by me to receive dividends in shares of Common Stock whenever the Fund declares a dividend. In such event, the dividend amount shall automatically be made payable to me entirely in shares of Common Stock which shall be acquired by the Agent for my account, depending upon the circumstances described in paragraph 3, either (i) through receipt of additional shares of unissued but authorized shares of Common Stock from the Fund ("newly issued shares") as described in paragraph 6 or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares of Common Stock on the open market ("open-market purchases") as described in paragraph 7.
3. Determination of Whether Newly-Issued Shares or Open Market Purchases. If on the payment date for the dividend (the "valuation date"), the net asset value per share of the Common Stock, as defined in paragraph 8, is equal to or less than the market price per share of the Common Stock, as defined in paragraph 8, plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition being referred to herein as "market premium"), the Agent shall invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares on my behalf as described in paragraph 6. If on the valuation date, the net asset value per share is greater than the market value (such condition being referred to herein as "market discount"), the Agent shall invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on my behalf in open-market purchases as described in paragraph 7.
4. Purchase Period for Open-Market Purchases. In the event of a market discount on the valuation date, the Agent shall have until the last business day before the next ex-dividend date with respect to the shares of Common Stock or in no event more than 30 days after the valuation date (the "last purchase date") to invest the dividend amount in shares acquired in open-market purchases except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws.
5. Failure to Complete Open-Market Purchases During Purchase Period. If the Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases during the purchase period because the market discount has shifted to a market premium or otherwise, the Agent will invest the uninvested portion of the dividend amount in newly issued shares at the close of business on the last purchase date as described in paragraph 4; except that the Agent may not acquire newly issued shares after the valuation date under the foregoing circumstances unless it has received a legal opinion that registration of such shares is not required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless the shares to be issued are registered under such Act.
6. Acquisition of Newly-Issued Shares. In the event that all or part of the dividend amount is to be invested in newly issued shares, you shall automatically receive such newly-issued shares of Common Stock, including fractions, for my account, and the number of additional newly-issued shares of Common Stock to be credited to my account shall be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend on my shares to be invested in newly-issued shares by the net asset value per share of Common Stock on the date the shares are issued (the valuation date in the case of an initial market premium or the last purchase date in case the Agent is unable to complete open-market purchases during the purchase period); provided, that the maximum discount from the then current market price per share on the date of issuance shall not exceed 5%.
7. Manner of Making Open-Market Purchases. In the event that the dividend amount is to be invested in shares of Common Stock acquired in open-market purchases, you shall apply the amount of such dividend on my shares (less my pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to your open-market purchases) to the purchase on the open-market of shares of the Common Stock for my account. Open-market purchases may be made on any securities exchange where the Common Stock is traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as you shall determine. My funds held by you uninvested will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, you shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase shares within 30 days after the initial date of such purchase as herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases affected. You shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Common Stock acquired for my account. For the purposes of cash investments you may commingle my funds with those of other shareholders of the Fund for whom you similarly act as Agent, and the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all shares purchased by our as Agent in the open market shall be the price per share allocable to me in connection with open-market purchases.
8. Meaning of Market Price and Net Asset Value. For all purposes of the Plan: (a) the market price of the Common Stock on a particular date shall be the last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") on that date, or, if there is no sale on the Exchange on that date, then the mean between the closing bid and asked quotations for such stock on the Exchange on such date and (b) net asset value per share of the Common Stock on a particular date shall be as determined by or on behalf of the Fund.
9. Registration of Shares Acquired Pursuant to the Plan. You may hold my shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan, together with the shares of other shareholders of the Fund acquired pursuant to the Plan, in noncertificated form in your name or that of your nominee. You will forward to me any proxy solicitation material and will vote any shares so held for me only in accordance with the proxy returned by me to the Fund. Upon my written request, you will deliver to me, without charge, a certificate or certificates for the full shares held by you for my account.
10. Confirmations. You will confirm to me each acquisition made for my account as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof.
11. Fractional Interests. Although I may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a share of the Fund, no certificates for a fractional share will be issued. However, dividends and distributions on fractional shares will be credited to my account. In the event of termination of my account under the Plan, you will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Fund's shares at the time of termination less the pro rata expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.
12. Stock Dividends or Share Purchase Rights. Any stock dividends or split shares distributed by the Fund on shares held by you for me will be credited to my account. In the event that the Fund makes available to its shareholders rights to purchase additional shares or other securities, the shares held for me under the Plan will be added to other shares held by me in calculating the number of rights to be issued to me.
13. Service Fee. Your service fee for handling capital gains distributions or income dividends will be paid by the Fund. I will be charged for my pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open market purchases.
14. Termination of Account. I may terminate my account under the Plan by notifying you in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if my notice is received by you not less than ten days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such termination will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution with respect to any subsequent dividend or distribution. The Plan may be terminated by you or the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to me at least 90 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund. Upon any termination you will cause a certificate or certificates for the full shares held for me under the Plan and cash adjustment for any fraction to be delivered to me without charge. If I elect by notice to you in writing in advance of such termination to have you sell part or all of my shares and remit the proceeds to me, you are authorized to deduct brokerage commissions for this transaction from the proceeds.
15. Amendment of Plan. These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by you or the Fund at any time or times but, except when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, only by mailing to me appropriate written notice at least 90 days prior to the effective date thereof. The amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by me unless, prior to the effective date, thereof, you receive written notice of the termination of my account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by you in your place and stead of a successor Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of an Agent for the purpose of receiving dividends and distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Agent, for my account, all dividends and distributions payable on Common Stock of the Fund held in my name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.
16. Extent of Responsibility of Agent. You shall at all times act in good faith and agree to use your best efforts within reasonable limits to insure the accuracy of all services
performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assume no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by your negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of your employees.
17. Governing Law. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions.
Exhibit (g)(1)
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made this 12th day of June 1992, by and between MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund"), and FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Investment Adviser").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Fund is engaged in business as a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter referred to as the "Investment Company Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser is engaged principally in rendering management and investment advisory services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Adviser's Act of 1940, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain the Investment Adviser to provide management and investment advisory services to the Fund in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser is willing to provide management and investment advisory services to the Fund on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained, the Fund and the Investment Adviser hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Duties of the Investment Adviser
The Fund hereby employs the Investment Adviser to act as a manager and investment adviser of the Fund and to furnish, or arrange for affiliates to furnish, the management and investment advisory services described below, subject to the policies of, review by and overall control of the Board of Directors of the Fund, for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Investment Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period at its own expense, to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth for the compensation provided for herein. The Investment Adviser and its affiliates shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Fund.
(a) Investment Advisory Services. The Investment Adviser shall perform (or arrange for the performance by affiliates of) the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund including administering shareholder accounts and handling shareholder relations. The Investment Adviser shall provide the Fund with office space, facilities, equipment and necessary personnel and such other services as the Investment Adviser, subject to review by the Board of Directors, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Investment Adviser shall also, on behalf of the Fund, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, pricing agents, dividend disbursing agents, other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Investment Adviser shall generally
monitor the Fund's compliance with investment policies and restrictions as set forth in filings made by the Fund under the Federal securities laws. The Investment Adviser shall make reports to the Board of Directors of its performance of obligations hereunder and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Fund as it shall determine to be desirable.
(b) Investment Advisory Services. The Investment Adviser shall provide (or arrange for affiliates to provide) the Fund with such investment research, advice and supervision as the latter may from time to time consider necessary for the proper supervision of the assets of the Fund, shall furnish continuously an investment program for the Fund and shall determine from time to time which securities shall be purchased, sold or exchanged and what portion of the assets of the Fund shall be held in the various securities in which the Fund invests, options, futures, options on futures or cash, subject always to the restrictions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Fund, as amended from time to time, the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the statements relating to the Fund's investment objective, investment policies and investment restrictions as the same are set forth in filings made by the Fund under the Federal securities laws. The Investment Adviser shall make decisions for the Fund as to foreign currency matters and make determinations as to foreign exchange contracts, foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and related options on foreign currency futures. The Investment Adviser shall make decisions for the Fund as to the manner in which voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's portfolio securities shall be exercised. Should the Directors at any time, however, make any definite determination as to investment policy and notify the Investment Adviser thereof in writing, the Investment Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if any,
specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such determination has been revoked. The Investment Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Fund, all actions which it deems necessary to implement the investment policies determined as provided above, and in particular to place all orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Fund's account with brokers or dealers selected by it, and to that end, the Investment Adviser is authorized as the agent of the Fund to give instructions to the custodian of the Fund as to deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders with respect to assets of the Fund, the Investment Adviser is directed at all times to seek to obtain execution and prices within the policy guidelines determined by the Board of Directors and set forth in filings made by the Fund under the Federal securities laws. Subject to this requirement and the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, the Investment Adviser may select brokers or dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated.
ARTICLE II
Allocation of Charges and Expenses
(a) The Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser assumes and shall pay for maintaining the staff and personnel necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and shall at its own expense, provide the office space, facilities, equipment and necessary personnel which it is obligated to provide under Article I hereof, and shall pay all compensation of officers of the Fund and all Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser.
(b) The Fund. The Fund assumes and shall pay or cause to be paid all other expenses of the Fund including, without limitation: taxes, expenses for legal and auditing services, costs of
printing proxies, stock certificates, shareholder reports, prospectuses, charges of the custodian, any sub-custodian and transfer agent, expenses of portfolio transactions, Securities and Exchange Commission fees, expenses of registering the shares under Federal, state and foreign laws, fees and actual out-of-pocket expenses of Directors who are not affiliated persons of the Investment Adviser, accounting and pricing costs (including the daily calculation of the net asset value), insurance, interest, brokerage costs, litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. It is also understood that the Fund will reimburse the Investment Adviser for its costs in providing accounting services to the Fund.
ARTICLE III
Compensation of the Investment Adviser
(a) Investment Advisory Fee. For the services rendered, the facilities furnished and expenses assumed by the Investment Adviser, the Fund shall pay to the Investment Adviser at the end of each calendar month a fee based upon the average weekly value of the net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.50 of 1.0% (0.50%) of the average weekly net assets of the Fund (i.e., the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of accrued liabilities of the Fund and accumulated dividends on shares of outstanding preferred stock), commencing on the day following effectiveness hereof. For purposes of this calculation, average weekly net assets is determined at the end of each month on the basis of the average net assets of the Fund for each week during the month. The assets for each weekly period are determined by averaging the net assets at the last business day of a week with the net assets at the last business day of the prior week. It is understood that the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock (other than accumulated dividends) is not considered a liability in determining the Fund's average weekly net assets. If this Agreement becomes effective subsequent to the first day of a
month or shall terminate before the last day of a month, compensation for that part of the month this Agreement is in effect shall be prorated in a manner consistent with the calculation of the fee as set forth above. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) hereof, payment of the Investment Adviser's compensation for the preceding month shall be made as promptly as possible after completion of the computations contemplated by subsection (b) hereof. During any period when the determination of net asset value is suspended by the Board of Directors, the average net asset value of a share for the last week prior to such suspension shall for this purpose be deemed to be the net asset value at the close of each succeeding week until it is again determined.
(b) Expense Limitations. In the event the operating expenses of the Fund, including amounts payable to the Investment Adviser pursuant to subsection (a) hereof, for any fiscal year ending on a date on which this Agreement is in effect exceed the expense limitations applicable to the Fund imposed by applicable state securities laws or regulations thereunder, as such limitations may be raised or lowered from time to time, the Investment Adviser shall reduce its management and investment advisory fee by the extent of such excess and, if required pursuant to any such laws or regulations, will reimburse the Fund in the amount of such excess; provided, however, to the extent permitted by law, there shall be excluded from such expenses the amount of any interest, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions and extraordinary expenses (including but not limited to legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification related thereto) paid or payable by the Fund. Whenever the expenses of the Fund exceed a pro rata portion of the applicable annual expense limitations, the estimated amount of reimbursement under such limitations shall be applicable as an offset against the monthly payment of the fee due to the Investment Adviser should two or more such expense limitations be applicable as at the
end of the last business day of the month, that expense limitation which results in the largest reduction in the Investment Adviser's fee shall be applicable.
ARTICLE IV
Limitation of Liability of the Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the management of the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder. As used in this Article IV, the term "Investment Adviser" shall include any affiliates of the Investment Adviser performing services for the Fund contemplated hereby and directors, officers and employees of the Investment Adviser and such affiliates.
ARTICLE V
Activities of the Investment Adviser
The services of the Investment Adviser to the Fund are not to be deemed to be exclusive: the Investment Adviser and any person controlled by or under common control with the Investment Adviser (for purposes of this Article V referred to as "affiliates") are free to render services to others. It is understood that Directors, officers, employees and shareholders of the Fund are or may become interested in the Investment Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners and shareholders or otherwise, and that directors, officers, employees, partners and shareholders of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Fund, and that the Investment Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners and shareholders of its affiliates may become interested in the Fund as shareholder or otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
Duration and Termination of this Agreement
This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first above written and shall remain in force until May 31, 1994 and thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Directors of the Fund, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Directors or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, or by the Investment Adviser, on sixty days' written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
ARTICLE VII
Amendment of this Agreement
This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by (i) the vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (ii) a majority of those Directors who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
ARTICLE VIII
Definitions of Certain Terms
The terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities", "assignment", "affiliated person" and "interested person", when used in this Agreement, shall have the
respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act.
ARTICLE IX
Governing Law
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with laws of the State of New York and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By______________________________
(Authorized Signatory)
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By______________________________
(Authorized Signatory)
SUPPLEMENT TO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
WITH
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT
As of January 1, 1994 Fund Asset Management was reorganized as a limited
partnership, formally known as Fund Asset Management, L.P. ("FAM"). The
general partner of FAM is Princeton Services, Inc. and the limited partners
are Fund Asset Management, Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. Pursuant to Rule
202(a)(l)-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and Rule 2a-6 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 such reorganization did not constitute an
assignment of this investment advisory agreement since it did not involve a
change of control or management of the investment adviser. Pursuant to the
requirements of Section 205 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, however,
Fund Asset Management hereby supplements this investment advisory agreement by
undertaking to advise you of any change in the membership of the partnership
within a reasonable time after any such change occurs.
By________________________________
Dated: January 3, 1994
Exhibit (h)(1)
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
(a Maryland corporation)
$50,000,000
Auction Market Preferred Stock
2,000 Shares, Series E
(Liquidation Preference $25,000 Per Share)
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated: [___], 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties....................................3
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Fund and
the Investment Adviser.....................................................3
(b) Additional Representations of the Investment Adviser..................9
(c) Officers' Certificates...............................................10
SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to the Underwriter; Closing....................11
(a) Purchase Price.......................................................11
(b) Payment..............................................................11
(c) Denominations; Registration..........................................11
SECTION 3. Covenants of the Fund............................................11
(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests.......11
(b) Filing of Amendments.................................................12
(c) Delivery of Registration Statements..................................12
(d) Delivery of Prospectus...............................................12
(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws............................12
(f) Blue Sky Qualifications..............................................13
(g) Rule 158.............................................................13
(h) Use of Proceeds......................................................13
(i) Subchapter M.........................................................13
(j) Restrictions on Sale of Shares.......................................13
(k) Reporting Requirements...............................................14
(l) Rule 462(b) Registration Statement...................................14
(m) No Manipulation of Market for the Shares..............................14
SECTION 4. Covenants of the Underwriter.....................................14
SECTION 5. Payment of Expenses..............................................14
(a) Expenses.............................................................14
(b) Termination of Agreement.............................................15
SECTION 6. Conditions of Underwriter's Obligations..........................15
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement..............................15
(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Fund and the Underwriter..................15
i
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Table of Contents
-----------------
(continued)
Page
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(c) Opinion of Senior Attorney of the Investment Adviser.................15
(d) Officers' Certificates...............................................15
(e) Accountant's Comfort Letter..........................................16
(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter............................................16
(g) Ratings Letters......................................................16
(h) Asset Coverage........................................................16
(i) Additional Documents.................................................16
(j) Termination of Agreement.............................................17
SECTION 7. Indemnification..................................................17
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriter...................................17
(b) Indemnification of Fund, Investment Adviser, General Partner,
and Directors and Officers................................................18
(c) Actions against Parties, Notification................................18
(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse...................19
SECTION 8. Contribution.....................................................19
SECTION 9. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery...20
SECTION 10. Termination of Agreement........................................20
(a) Termination; General.................................................20
(b) Liabilities..........................................................21
SECTION 11. Notices 21
SECTION 12. Parties 21
SECTION 13. Governing Law and Time..........................................21
SECTION 14. No Fiduciary Relationship.......................................22
SECTION 15. Effect of Headings..............................................22
ii
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EXHIBITS Exhibit A - Form of Opinion of Fund's Counsel Exhibit B - Form of Opinion of Senior Attorney of the Investment Adviser Exhibit C - Form of Accountant's Comfort Letter |
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
(a Maryland corporation)
$50,000,000
Auction Market Preferred Stock
2,000 Shares, Series E
(Liquidation Preference $25,000 Per Share)
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
[___], 2005
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
4 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10080
Ladies and Gentlemen:
MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Fund"), and Fund Asset Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "Investment Adviser"), each confirms its agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Underwriter" or "Merrill Lynch"), with respect to the issue and sale by the Fund and the purchase by the Underwriter of 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E ("Series E AMPS"), with a par value of $.10 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared), of the Fund (the "Shares").
The Fund understands that the Underwriter proposes to make a public offering of the Shares as soon as the Underwriter deems advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.
The Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a notification on Form N-8A of registration of the Fund as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"), and a registration statement on Form N-2 (Nos. 333-[ ], 811-06660), including the related preliminary prospectus and preliminary statement of additional information, for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), the Investment Company Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act and the Investment Company Act (together, the "Rules and Regulations"), and has filed such amendments to such registration statement on Form N-2, if any, and such amended preliminary prospectuses and preliminary statements of additional information as may have been required to
the date hereof. Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Fund will either (i) prepare and file a prospectus and statement of additional information in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (c) of Rule 497 ("Rule 497(c)") of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations") or a certificate in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (j) of Rule 497 ("Rule 497(j)") of the 1933 Act Regulations, (ii) prepare and file a prospectus and statement of additional information in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A ("Rule 430A") of the 1933 Act Regulations and paragraph (h) of Rule 497 ("Rule 497(h)") of the 1933 Act Regulations, or (iii) if the Fund has elected to rely upon Rule 434 ("Rule 434") of the 1933 Act Regulations, prepare and file a term sheet (a "Term Sheet") in accordance with the provisions of Rule 434 and Rule 497(h). The information included in any such prospectus and statement of additional information or in any such Term Sheet, as the case may be, that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective (a) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is referred to as "Rule 430A Information" or (b) pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 434 is referred to as "Rule 434 Information." Each prospectus and statement of additional information used before such registration statement became effective, and any prospectus and statement of additional information that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A Information or the Rule 434 Information, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a "preliminary prospectus/statement." Such registration statement, including the exhibits thereto and schedules thereto, if any, at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, as applicable, is herein called the "Registration Statement." Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein referred to as the "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement," and after such filing the term "Registration Statement" shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The final prospectus and final statement of additional information in the form first furnished to the Underwriter for use in connection with the offering of the Shares is herein called the "Prospectus." If Rule 434 is relied on, the term "Prospectus" shall refer to the preliminary prospectus/statement dated [ ], 2005, together with the applicable Term Sheet and all references in this Agreement to the date of such Prospectus shall mean the date of the applicable Term Sheet. For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus/statement, the Prospectus, or any Term Sheet or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR").
All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus/statement, or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, such preliminary prospectus/statement, or the Prospectus, as the case may be.
SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties.
(a) Representations and Warranties by the Fund and the Investment Adviser. The Fund and the Investment Adviser each severally represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Time referred to in Section 2(c) hereof and as of the Date of Delivery (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with the Underwriter, as follows:
(i) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Fund meets the requirements for use of Form N-2 under the 1933 Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. If required, the Fund has received any orders exempting the Fund from any provisions of the Investment Company Act.
At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became
effective and at the Closing Time the Registration Statement, the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto
complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements
of the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations
and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the
Prospectus, nor any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto were issued and at
the Closing Time included or will include an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to
statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Fund in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use in
the Registration Statement or in the Prospectus. If Rule 434 is used, the
Fund will comply with the requirements of Rule 434 and the Prospectus
shall not be "materially different," as such term is used in Rule 434,
from the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it
became effective.
Each preliminary prospectus/statement and the prospectus and statement of additional information filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 497(c) or Rule 497(h) under the 1933 Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Rules and Regulations and each preliminary prospectus/statement and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriter for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
If a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is required in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares, the Fund has complied or will comply with the requirements of Rule 111, under the 1933 Act Regulations relating to the payment of filing fees thereof.
(ii) Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules, if any, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement are from an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the 1933 Act and the Rules and Regulations.
(iii) Financial Statements. The financial statements, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Fund at the date indicated and said statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the period involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the information required to be stated therein. The information in the Prospectus under the headings "Financial Highlights," "Capitalization," "Portfolio Composition" and "Description of Capital Stock" has been fairly presented.
(iv) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse Effect"), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Fund, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Fund and (C) except for regular monthly dividends on the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Fund and periodic distributions on the outstanding shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (the "Outstanding AMPS"), of the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Outstanding AMPS, and special year end distributions on the Common Stock and Outstanding AMPS related to the Fund's qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Subchapter M of the Code"), there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Fund on any class of its capital stock.
(v) Good Standing of the Fund. The Fund has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Fund is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(vi) Subsidiaries. The Fund has no subsidiaries.
(vii) Officers and Directors. No person is serving or acting as an officer, director or investment adviser of the Fund except in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Advisers Act (the "Advisers Act Rules and Regulations"). Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to either of them), no director of the Fund is an "interested person" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Fund or an "affiliated person" (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Underwriter.
(viii) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Fund is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock." All issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Outstanding AMPS have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, except as provided for in the Fund's charter, and have been offered and sold or exchanged by the Fund in compliance with all applicable laws (including without limitation, federal and state securities laws); none of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or Outstanding AMPS of the Fund was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Fund.
(ix) Investment Company Act. The Fund is registered with the Commission under the Investment Company Act as a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment company, and no order of suspension or revocation of such registration has been issued or proceedings therefor initiated, to the knowledge of the Fund and the Investment Adviser, or threatened by the Commission.
(x) Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund.
(xi) Authorization and Description of Shares. The Shares to be purchased by the Underwriter from the Fund have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriter pursuant to this Agreement, and, when issued and delivered by the Fund pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth in this Agreement will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the Shares conform to all statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and such description conforms to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same; no holder of the Shares will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Fund.
(xii) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. The Fund is not in violation of its charter or by-laws or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound, or
to which any of the property or assets of the Fund is subject (collectively, "Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement, the Auction Agent Agreement and the Letter of Representations referred to in the Registration Statement (as used herein, the "Advisory Agreement", the "Custody Agreement," the "Auction Agreement" and the "Letter of Representations," respectively) and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement (including the issuance and sale of the Shares and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Fund with its obligations under this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or a default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Fund pursuant to the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or the by-laws of the Fund, or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Fund or any of its assets, properties or operations. As used herein, a "Repayment Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Fund.
(xiii) Authorization of Agreements. Each of this Agreement, the Advisory Agreement and the Custody Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, and each complies with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. Each of the Auction Agreement and the Letter of Representations has been duly authorized for execution and delivery by the Fund and, when executed and delivered by the Fund, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles.
(xiv) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, threatened against or affecting the Fund, which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement (other than as disclosed therein), or which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the Fund or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Fund of its obligations hereunder; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Fund is a party or of which any of its respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, including ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xv) Subchapter M Compliance. The Fund intends to, and will, direct the investment of the proceeds of the offering described in the Registration Statement in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code, and the Fund qualifies and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.
(xvi) Distribution of Offering Materials. The Fund has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of (A) the Closing Time and (B) completion of the distribution of the Shares, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares other than the Registration Statement, a preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or other materials, if any, permitted by the 1933 Act or the Investment Company Act or the Rules and Regulations.
(xvii) Accounting Controls. The Fund maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorization and with the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Code; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets and to maintain compliance with the books and records requirements under the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with the management's general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
(xviii) Absence of Undisclosed Payments. To the Fund's knowledge, neither the Fund nor any employee or agent of the Fund has made any payment of funds of the Fund or received or retained any funds, which payment, receipt or retention of funds is of a character required to be disclosed in the Prospectus.
(xix) Material Agreements. This Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Auction Agent Agreement have each been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Fund and executed and delivered by the Fund, as of the dates noted therein, and each complies with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act in all material respects. Assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto with respect to the Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Auction Agent Agreement, each of the Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Auction Agent Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and except as rights to indemnification or contribution thereunder may be limited by federal or state laws.
(xx) Registration Rights. There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Fund under the 1933 Act.
(xxi) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits thereto by the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act or the Rules and Regulations which have not been so described and filed as required.
(xxii) Possession of Intellectual Property. The Fund owns or possesses, has the right to use or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to carry on the business now operated by the Fund, and the Fund has not received any notice or is not otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Fund therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxiii) Absence of Further Requirements. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency is necessary or required for the performance by the Fund of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Shares under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or the Investment Company Act or the Rules and Regulations and foreign or state securities laws or under the rules of the NASD (formerly, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.).
(xxiv) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Fund possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by it; the Fund is in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Fund has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xxv) NYSE Listing. The Fund's shares of Common Stock are duly listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
(xxvi) Ratings. The Shares have been, or prior to the Closing Date will be, assigned a rating of Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and AAA by Standard & Poor's ("S&P").
(xxvii) Leverage. The Fund has no liability for borrowed money, including under any reverse repurchase agreement.
(b) Additional Representations of the Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser represents and warrants to the Underwriter as of the date hereof and as of the Representation Date as follows:
(i) Organization and Authority of Investment Adviser. The Investment Adviser has been duly organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(ii) Investment Advisers Act. The Investment Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Advisers Act"), and is not prohibited by the Investment Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act, or the rules and regulations under such acts, from acting under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(iii) Description of Investment Adviser. The description of the Investment Adviser in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement to either of them) complied and complies in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act, the Advisers Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations and is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(iv) Capitalization. The Investment Adviser has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, this Agreement and under the Advisory Agreement.
(v) Authorization of Agreements. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Adviser; the Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Adviser, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Investment Adviser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles; and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Advisory Agreement, nor the performance by the Investment Adviser of its obligations hereunder or thereunder will
conflict with, or result in a breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Investment Adviser is a party or by which it is bound, the certificate of formation, the operating agreement, or other organizational documents of the Investment Adviser, or the Investment Adviser's knowledge by any law, order, decree, rule or regulation applicable to it of any jurisdiction, court, federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, stock exchange or securities association having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser or its respective properties or operations; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental authority or agency is required for the consummation by the Investment Adviser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement, except as have been obtained or may be required under the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act, the 1934 Act or state securities laws.
(vi) No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, there has not occurred any event which should reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Investment Adviser to perform its respective obligations under this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement.
(vii) Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Investment Adviser, threatened against or affecting the Investment Adviser or any "affiliated person" of the Investment Adviser (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) or any partners, trustees, officers or employees of the foregoing, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, which might reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Investment Adviser, materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the Investment Adviser or materially impair or adversely affect the ability of the Investment Adviser to function as an investment adviser or perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement, or which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(viii) Absence of Violation or Default. The Investment Adviser is not in violation of its certificate of formation, its operating agreement or other organizational documents or in default under any agreement, indenture or instrument, where such violation or default would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Investment Adviser's ability to function as an investment adviser or perform its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
(c) Officers' Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Fund or any officer of the Investment Adviser delivered to the Underwriter or to counsel for the Fund and the Underwriter shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Fund or the Investment Adviser, as the case may be, to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to the Underwriter; Closing.
(a) Purchase Price. On the basis of the representations and warranties
herein contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth,
the Fund agrees to sell to the Underwriter and the Underwriter agrees to
purchase from the Fund the Shares at the price per share set forth in Schedule
A.
(b) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of
certificates for, the Shares shall be made at the offices of Sidley Austin
Brown & Wood llp, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, or at such
other place as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Fund, at 9:00
A.M. (Eastern time) on the second (third, if the pricing occurs after 4:30
P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day following the date hereof,
or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall
be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Fund (such time and date of payment
and delivery herein being referred to as "Closing Time").
Payment shall be made to the Fund by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Fund, against delivery to the Underwriter of certificates for the Shares to be purchased by it.
(c) Denominations; Registration. The Shares shall be represented by certificates registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for The Depository Trust Company. The certificates for the Shares will be made available for examination by the Underwriter not later than 10:00 A.M. on the last business day prior to Closing Time.
SECTION 3. Covenants of the Fund. The Fund covenants with the Underwriter as follows:
(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The
Fund, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A
or Rule 434, as applicable, and will notify the Underwriter immediately, and
confirm the notice in writing, (i) if any post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement shall have become effective, or any supplement to the
Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the
receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the
Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or
supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of
any preliminary prospectus/statement, or of the suspension of the
qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of
the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, and
(v) of the issuance by the Commission of an order of suspension or revocation
of the notification on Form N-8A of registration of the Fund as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act or the initiation of any proceeding
for that purpose. The Fund will make every reasonable effort to prevent the
issuance of any stop order described in subsection (iv) hereunder or any order
of suspension or revocation described in subsection (v) hereunder and, if any
such stop order or order of suspension or revocation is issued, to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment. The Fund will promptly effect
the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 497(c), Rule 497(j) or Rule 497(h) and
will take such steps as it
deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the certificate transmitted for filing under Rule 497(j) or the form of prospectus and statement of additional information transmitted for filing under Rule 497(c) or Rule 497(h) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such certificate or prospectus and statement of additional information.
(b) Filing of Amendments. The Fund will give the Underwriter notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendment or filing under Rule 462(b)), any Term Sheet or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus or statement of additional information included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the Investment Company Act, the 1933 Act, or otherwise, and will furnish the Underwriter with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Underwriter or counsel to the Underwriter and the Fund shall object.
(c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Fund has furnished or will deliver to the Underwriter and counsel to the Underwriter and the Fund, without charge, signed copies of the notification of registration on Form N-8A and Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (including exhibits filed therewith, or incorporated by reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Underwriter a conformed copy, without charge, of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for the Underwriter. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriter will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(d) Delivery of Prospectus. The Fund has delivered to the Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus/statement as the Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Fund hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Fund will furnish to the Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriter will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof field with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.
(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Fund will comply with the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Shares as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel to the Underwriter and the Fund, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement any Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statements of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel,
at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement any Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Fund will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Fund will furnish to the Underwriter such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriter may reasonably request.
(f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Fund will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriter, to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as the Underwriter may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the later of the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Fund shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Shares have been so qualified, the Fund will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect for a period of not less than one year from the effective date of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.
(g) Rule 158. The Fund will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1933 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.
(h) Use of Proceeds. The Fund will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares in the manner specified in the Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds."
(i) Subchapter M. The Fund will use its best efforts to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code.
(j) Restrictions on Sale of Shares. During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Fund will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, (i) directly or indirectly offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any senior security of the Fund, as defined in Section 18 of the Investment Company Act, or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of senior securities, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of senior securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder or (B) transactions as contemplated in the Registration Statement where the Fund has segregated cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities at the Fund's custodian having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of such senior securities.
(k) Reporting Requirements. The Fund, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Investment Company Act and the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations and the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, respectively.
(l) Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. If the Fund elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Fund shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Fund shall at the time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the 1933 Act.
(m) No Manipulation of Market for the Shares. The Fund will not (a) take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in, or that might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Fund to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares, and (b) until the Closing Date (i) sell, bid for or purchase the Shares or pay any person (other than the Underwriter) any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Shares or (ii) pay or agree to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Fund (other than payments to broker-dealers in connection with the auctions of the Outstanding AMPS).
SECTION 4. Covenants of the Underwriter. The Underwriter covenants and agrees with the Fund that no later than the second business day succeeding Closing Time, it will provide the Fund and the Auction Agent (as defined in the Prospectus) with a listing of Existing Holders (as defined in the Prospectus) of Shares, the number of shares held by each such Existing Holder and the number of Shares it is holding as Underwriter as of the date of such notice.
SECTION 5. Payment of Expenses.
(a) Expenses. The Fund will pay all expenses incident to the performance
of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation,
printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial
statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto,
(ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriter of this
Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the
offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Shares, (iii) the
preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Shares to the
Underwriter, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or
other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Shares to the
Underwriter, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Fund's counsel,
accountants and other advisers, (v) the qualification of the Shares under the
securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof,
including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to
the Underwriter and the Fund in connection therewith, (vi) the printing and
delivery to the Underwriter of copies of each preliminary
prospectus/statement, any Term Sheets and of the Prospectus and any amendments
or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or
registrar for the Shares, and (viii) the fees charged by rating agencies
rating the Shares.
(b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Underwriter in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 or Section 10(a)(i) hereof, the Fund or the Investment Adviser shall reimburse, or arrange for an affiliate to reimburse, the Underwriter for all of its out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Fund and the Underwriter.
SECTION 6. Conditions of Underwriter's Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriter hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Fund and the Investment Adviser contained in Section 1 hereof, or in the certificates of any officer of the Fund and the Investment Adviser delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Fund and the Investment Adviser of their respective covenants and obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriter and the Fund. Either (i) a certificate has been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497(j) or a prospectus and statement of additional information have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497(c), or (ii) a prospectus and statement of additional information containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497(h) (or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A) or, if the Fund has elected to rely upon Rule 434, a Term Sheet shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497(h).
(b) Opinion of Counsel for the Fund and the Underwriter. At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood llp, counsel to the Fund and the Underwriter, to the effect set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
(c) Opinion of Senior Attorney of the Investment Adviser. At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Andrew J. Donohue, Esq., General Counsel of the Investment Adviser, or another senior attorney of the Investment Adviser, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel to the Underwriter, to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriter may reasonably request.
(d) Officers' Certificates. At Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Underwriter shall have received (A) a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Fund, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1(a) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time,
(iii) the Fund has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the officer's knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission and (B) a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Investment Adviser, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) hereof are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) the Investment Adviser has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time and (iv) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Investment Adviser, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.
(e) Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Underwriter shall have received from _________________ a letter, dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in independent registered public accounting firms' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, to the effect set forth in Exhibit C hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriter may reasonably request.
(f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, the Underwriter shall have received from ______________ a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter, furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section, except that the "specified date" referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Time.
(g) Ratings Letters. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to Closing Time, there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of (i) any intended or potential downgrading or (ii) any review or possible change that indicates anything other than a stable outlook, in the rating accorded any securities of or guaranteed by the Fund by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the 1933 Act; and prior to Closing Time, S&P and Moody's shall have confirmed by letter that the Shares have been rated AAA and Aaa, respectively, by such agencies.
(h) Asset Coverage. As of the Closing Date and assuming the receipt of the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares, the 1940 Act AMPS Asset Coverage and the AMPS Basic Maintenance Amount (each as defined in the Fund's articles supplementary creating the Shares) each will be met.
(i) Additional Documents. At Closing Time, counsel to the Fund and the Underwriter shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as it may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling it to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Fund
in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Underwriter and counsel to the Fund and the Underwriter.
(j) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, may be terminated by the Underwriter by notice to the Fund at any time at or prior to Closing Time and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 5 and except that Sections 1, 7, 8, 9 and 12 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 7. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification of the Underwriter. The Fund and the Investment Adviser jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 25 of the 1934 Act and any director, officer, employee or affiliate thereof as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus/statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, provided that (subject to Section 7(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the indemnifying party; and
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including
the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Underwriter)
reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency
or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any
such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement
or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or
(ii) above;
provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus/statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(b) Indemnification of Fund, Investment Adviser, General Partner, and Directors and Officers. The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Investment Adviser, the directors of the Fund, the general partner of the Investment Adviser, each of the Fund's officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Investment Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, if applicable, or in any preliminary prospectus/statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus/statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(c) Actions against Parties, Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Underwriter, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 7(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Fund and the Investment Adviser. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7 or Section 8 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 7(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.
SECTION 8. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 7 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Fund and the Investment Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Fund and the Investment Adviser on the one hand and of the Underwriter on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative benefits received by the Fund and the Investment Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Fund, and the total underwriting commission received by the Underwriter, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used, the corresponding location on the Term Sheet, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Shares as set forth on such cover.
The relative fault of the Fund and the Investment Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Fund and the Investment Adviser or by the Underwriter and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Underwriter agree that it would
not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8 were
determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which
does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
this Section 8. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages
and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this
Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending
against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which the Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
For purposes of this Section 8, each person, if any, who controls the
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriter,
and each director of the Fund and the Investment Adviser, respectively, each
officer of the Fund who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if
any, who controls the Fund and the Investment Adviser within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Fund and the Investment Adviser.
SECTION 9. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Fund or of the Investment Adviser submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Fund or the Investment Adviser and shall survive delivery of the Shares to the Underwriter.
SECTION 10. Termination of Agreement.
(a) Termination; General. The Underwriter may terminate this Agreement by
notice to the Fund, at any time at or prior to Closing Time (i) if there has
been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective
dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse
change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business
affairs or business prospects of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, whether
or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has
occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United
States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or
escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development
involving a prospective change in national or international political,
financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as
to make it, in the judgment of the Underwriter, impracticable or inadvisable
to market the Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Shares, or
(iii) if trading in any securities of the Fund has been suspended or
materially limited by the Commission or the NYSE or such other national
securities exchange upon which the Fund's securities trade, or if trading
generally on the NYSE or the American Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National
Market System has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum
prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for
securities have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or
by order
of the Commission, the NASD or any other governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.
(b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 5 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 7, 8, 9 and 12 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriter shall be directed to Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated at 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080, Attention: Equity Capital Markets; notices to the Fund and the Investment Adviser shall be directed to 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, Attention: Donald C. Burke.
SECTION 12. Parties. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriter, the Fund, the Investment Adviser and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriter, the Fund, the Investment Adviser and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers, directors and general partner referred to in Sections 7 and 8 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriter, the Fund and the Investment Adviser and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Shares from the Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.
SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.
SECTION 14. No Fiduciary Relationship. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Shares and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm's-length commercial transaction between the Fund on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on the other hand, (ii) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction the Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Fund, or its stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) the Underwriter has not assumed nor will it assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Fund with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Fund on other matters) and the Underwriter has no obligation to the Fund with respect to the offering
contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Underwriter and its respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Fund, and (v) the Underwriter has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Fund has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
SECTION 15. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Fund a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement between the Underwriter and the Fund and the Investment Adviser in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours,
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By:_____________________________
Authorized Officer
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By: PRINCETON SERVICES, INC.,
General Partner
By:_____________________________
Authorized Officer
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
By:_____________________________
Authorized Officer
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
(a Maryland corporation)
$50,000,000
Auction Market Preferred Stock
2,000 Shares, Series E
(Liquidation Preference $25,000 per share)
1. The initial public offering price per share for the Shares, determined as provided in Section 2 hereof shall be $25,000 plus accumulated dividends, if any, from the date of original issue.
2. The purchase price per share for the Shares to be paid by the Underwriter shall be $24,750 plus accumulated dividends, if any, from the date of original issue, being an amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less $250 per share.
3. The dividend rate for the Series E AMPS for the initial dividend period ending [ ], 2005, shall be [ ]%.
Exhibit A
FORM OF OPINION OF FUND'S COUNSEL
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 6(b)
1. The Fund has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.
2. The Fund has the corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Purchase Agreement.
3. The Fund is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse Effect").
4. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Fund is as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "Description of Capital Stock." The outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Fund and the Outstanding AMPS have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
5. The Shares to be purchased by the Underwriter from the Fund pursuant to the Purchase Agreement have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriter and, when issued and delivered by the Fund to the Underwriter pursuant to the Purchase Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth in the Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, and no holder of the Shares is or will be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such a holder.
6. The issuance of the Shares is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Fund.
7. To the best of our knowledge, the Fund does not have any subsidiaries.
8. The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and complies with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act.
9. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has been declared effective under the 1933 Act; any required filing of the certificate pursuant to Rule 497(j) or the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 497(c) or Rule 497(h), as the case may be, has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 497(j), Rule 497(c) or Rule
497(h), as the case may be; and, to the best of our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or threatened by the Commission.
10. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information, as applicable, the Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of their respective effective or issue dates, complied as to form in all material respects (other than the financial statements and supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we express no opinion) with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act and the Investment Company Act (the "Rules and Regulations").
11. The form of certificate(s) used to evidence the Shares complies in all material respects with all applicable statutory requirements and with any applicable requirements of the charter and by-laws of the Fund.
12. To the best of our knowledge, there is not pending or threatened any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, to which the Fund is a party, or to which the property of the Fund is subject, before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement or the performance by the Fund of its obligations thereunder, other than those disclosed in the Prospectus.
13. The information in the Prospectus under "Description of AMPS," "Description of Capital Stock," and "Taxes" and in the Registration Statement under Item 30, to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the Fund's charter and bylaws or legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, has been reviewed by us and is correct in all material respects.
14. To the best of our knowledge, there are no statutes or regulations that are required to be described in the Prospectus that are not described as required.
15. All descriptions in the Prospectus of contracts and other documents to which the Fund is a party are accurate in all material respects; to the best of our knowledge, there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other instruments of the Fund required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or referred to therein or filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits thereto, and the descriptions thereof or references thereto are correct in all material respects.
16. To the best of our knowledge, the Fund is not in violation of its charter or by-laws and no default by the Fund exists in the due performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument that is described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
17. No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign (other than under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Investment Company Act, the Rules and Regulations, which have been obtained, or as may be required under the securities or blue sky laws of the various states, as to which we express no opinion) is necessary or required in connection with the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Fund of the Purchase Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, the Custody Agreement, the Auction Agreement and the Letter of Representations or for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Shares.
18. The Advisory Agreement and the Custody Agreement have each been duly authorized and approved by the Fund and comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, and each has been duly executed and delivered by the Fund.
19. Each of the Auction Agreement and the Letter of Representations has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund, and each constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles.
20. The Fund is registered with the Commission under the Investment Company
Act as a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company, and all
required action has been taken by the Fund under the 1933 Act, the Investment
Company Act and the Rules and Regulations to make the public offering and
consummate the sale of the Shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; the
provisions of the charter and the by-laws of the Fund comply as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the Investment Company Act; and, to
the best of our knowledge and information, no order of suspension or
revocation of such registration under the Investment Company Act, pursuant to
Section 8(e) of the Investment Company Act, has been issued or proceedings
therefor initiated or threatened by the Commission.
21. The execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement and in
the Registration Statement (including the issuance and sale of the Shares, and
the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in the
Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Fund
with its obligations under the Purchase Agreement do not and will not, whether
with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, conflict with
or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined in
Section 1(a)(xii) of the Purchase Agreement) under or result in the creation
or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
of the Fund pursuant to any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
or credit agreement, note, lease or any other agreement or instrument, known
to us, to which the Fund is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which
any of the property or assets of the Fund is subject (except for such
conflicts, breaches or
defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not have a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Fund, or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree, known to us, of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Fund or any of its properties, assets or operations.
22. The Investment Adviser has been duly organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus.
23. The Investment Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under Advisers Act, and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act, or the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act, from acting under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
24. The Purchase Agreement and the Advisory Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investment Adviser, and the Advisory Agreement constitutes valid and binding obligation of the Investment Adviser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.
We have endeavored to see that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply with the 1933 Act and the Investment Company Act and the Rules and Regulations relating to registration statements on Form N-2 and related prospectuses, but we cannot, of course, make any representation to you as to the accuracy or completeness of statements of fact contained in the Registration Statement or in the Prospectus. Nothing, however, has come to our attention that has caused us to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, including the Rule 430A Information and Rule 434 Information (if applicable), (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we make no statement), at the time such Registration Statement or any such amendment was declared effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial statements and schedules and other financial data included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, as to which we make no statement), at the time the Prospectus was issued, at the time any such amended or supplemented prospectus was issued or at the Closing Time, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters of fact (but not as to legal conclusions), to the extent they deem proper, on certificates and written statements of responsible officers of and accountants for the Fund, the Investment Adviser and Princeton Services and of public officials. Such opinion shall not state that it is to be governed or qualified by, or that it is otherwise subject to, any treatise, written policy or other document relating to
legal opinions, including, without limitation, the Legal Opinion Accord of the ABA Section of Business Law (1991).
Exhibit B
FORM OF OPINION OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL OR SENIOR ATTORNEY
OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER TO BE DELIVERED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(c)
To the best of my knowledge and information, neither the execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement or the Advisory Agreement nor the performance by the Investment Adviser of its obligations hereunder or thereunder will conflict with, or result in a breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Investment Adviser is a party or by which the Investment Adviser is bound, or any law, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Investment Adviser of any jurisdiction, court, Federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental body, stock exchange or securities association having jurisdiction over the Investment Adviser or its properties or operations.
Exhibit C
FORM OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM'S
COMFORT LETTER PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(e)
(1) We are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Fund within the meaning of the 1933 Act, Investment Company Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States);
(2) In our opinion the financial statements audited by us and included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act and the related rules and regulations adopted by the Commission;
Such independent registered public accounting firm shall also state that they have performed specified procedures, not constituting an audit, including a reading of the latest available interim financial statements of the Fund, a reading of the minute books of the Fund, made inquiries of officials of the Fund responsible for financial accounting matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, and on the basis of such inquiries and procedures nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that (A) the unaudited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 1933 Act, the Investment Company Act and of the Rules and Regulations applicable to unaudited interim financial statements included or incorporated by reference in registration statements or are not in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, and (B) during the period from the date of the unaudited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement to a specified date not more than three days prior to the date of the Purchase Agreement, there was any change in the capital stock (other than by reason of the issuance of shares of common stock in connection with the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan, as specified in such letter) or decrease in net assets of the Fund or any increase in the long-term debt of the Fund, as compared with amounts shown on the unaudited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, except for changes which the Registration Statement discloses have occurred or may occur; and in addition, they have performed other specified procedures, not constituting an audit, with respect to certain amounts, percentages, numerical data, financial information and financial statements appearing in the Registration Statement, which previously have been specified by such independent registered public accounting firm and which shall be specified in such letter, and have compared certain of such items with, and have found such items to be in agreement with, the accounting and financial records of the Fund.
Exhibit (k)(3)
AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT
between
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Dated as of [__], 2005
Relating to
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK
("AMPS"),
Series E
of
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
THIS AUCTION AGENT AGREEMENT, dated as of [__], 2005, is between MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation.
The Company proposes to duly authorize and issue 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E ("Series E AMPS") with a par value of $.10 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared), pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The Series E AMPS are sometimes referred to as the "AMPS." A separate Auction (as defined below) will be conducted for the AMPS. The Company desires that The Bank of New York perform certain duties as agent in connection with each Auction of shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the "Auction Agent"), and as the transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to the shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"), upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Company hereby appoints The Bank of New York as said Auction Agent and Paying Agent in accordance with those terms and conditions (hereinafter generally referred to as the "Auction Agent," except in Sections 3 and 4 below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, the Company and the Auction Agent agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1. Terms Defined by Reference to Articles Supplementary.
Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings specified in the Articles Supplementary.
1.2. Terms Defined Herein.
As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures (as defined below), the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean any Person, other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, made known to the Auction Agent to be controlled by, in control of, or under common control with, the Company or its successors.
(b) "Agent Member" of any Person shall mean such Person's agent member of the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a Bidder.
(c) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary of the Company, establishing the powers, preferences and rights of the AMPS, filed on [__], 2005 with the state of Maryland.
(d) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof.
(e) "Auction Agent Acceptance Fee" means an acceptance fee as set forth in a written agreement between the Auction Agent and the Company.
(f) "Auction Agent Fee" means the fees, other than the Auction Agent Acceptance Fee, set forth in a written agreement signed by the Auction Agent and the Company.
(g) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary.
(h) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Vice President, Assistant Vice President, and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent assigned to the Dealing and Trading Group of its Corporate Trust Department, and every other officer or employee of the Auction Agent designated as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes hereof in a written communication to the Company.
(i) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean each agreement between the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(j) "Company Officer" shall mean the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the President, each Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or word or words added before or after the title "Vice President"), the Secretary, the Treasurer, each Assistant Secretary and each Assistant Treasurer of the Company and every other officer or employee of the Company designated as a "Company Officer" for purposes hereof in a written notice from the Company to the Auction Agent.
(k) "Holder" shall be a holder of record of one or more shares of AMPS, listed as such in the stock register maintained by the Paying Agent pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof.
(l) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures attached as Exhibit A to the Broker-Dealer Agreement.
1.3. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent, the following rules shall apply to the construction of this Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to Eastern Standard Time.
II. THE AUCTION.
2.1. Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and Settlement Procedures.
(a) The Articles Supplementary provide that the Applicable Rate on shares of Series E AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the Initial Dividend Period shall be the rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by the Company advises results from implementation of the Auction Procedures. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing The Bank of New York as Auction Agent for purposes of the Auction Procedures. The Auction Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that, on each Auction Date, it shall follow the procedures set forth in this Section 2 and the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate for the AMPS for the next Dividend Period therefor. Each periodic operation of such procedures is hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and in the Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part hereof to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein. In the case of any conflict between the terms of any document incorporated herein by reference and the terms hereof, the Auction Agent is, subject to its obligations as set forth in Section 6.1, authorized to perform its duties according to the terms hereof, and shall have no liability for so doing.
2.2. Preparation for Each Auction; Maintenance of Registry of Existing Holders.
(a) As of the date hereof, the Company shall provide the Auction Agent with a list of the Broker-Dealers and shall cause to be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by each such Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent shall keep a list of Broker-Dealers with whom it has signed such Broker-Dealer Agreements, and shall endeavor to keep such list current and accurate and shall indicate thereon, or on a separate list, the identity of each Existing Holder, if any, whose most recent Order was submitted by a Broker-Dealer on such list and resulted in such Existing Holder continuing to hold or purchasing shares of AMPS. Not later than five Business Days prior to any Auction Date for which any change in such list of Broker-Dealers is to be effective, the Company shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change and, if any such change is the addition of a Broker-Dealer to such list, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Auction Agent for execution by the Auction Agent a Broker-Dealer Agreement signed by such Broker-Dealer. The
Auction Agent shall have entered into a Broker-Dealer Agreement with each Broker-Dealer prior to the participation of any such Broker-Dealer in any Auction.
(b) In the event that the Auction Date for any Auction shall be changed after the Auction Agent shall have given the notice referred to in clause (vii) of Paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures, the Auction Agent, by such means as the Auction Agent deems practicable, shall give notice of such change to the Broker-Dealers not later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new Auction Date or 9:15 A.M. on the old Auction Date.
(c) The provisions contained in paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary concerning Special Dividend Periods and the notification of a Special Dividend Period will be followed by the Company and, to the extent applicable, the Auction Agent, and the provisions contained therein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
(d) (i) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall determine the Reference Rate and the Maximum Applicable Rate. If the rate obtained by the Auction Agent is not quoted on an interest or discount basis, the Auction Agent shall convert the quoted rate to an interest rate after consultation with the Company as to the method of such conversion. Not later than 9:30 A.M. on each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify the Company and the Broker-Dealers of the Reference Rate so determined and of the Maximum Applicable Rate.
(ii) If the Reference Rate is the applicable LIBOR Rate and such rate is to be based on rates supplied by LIBOR Dealers and one or more of the LIBOR Dealers shall not provide a quotation for the determination of the applicable LIBOR Rate, the Auction Agent promptly shall notify the Company so that the Company can determine whether to select a Substitute LIBOR Dealer or Substitute LIBOR Dealers to provide the quotation or quotations not being supplied by any LIBOR Dealer or LIBOR Dealers. The Company promptly shall advise the Auction Agent of any such selection. If the Company does not select any such Substitute LIBOR Dealer or Substitute LIBOR Dealers, then the rates shall be supplied by the remaining LIBOR Dealer or LIBOR Dealers.
(iii) If, after the date of this Agreement, there is any change in the prevailing rating of AMPS by either of the rating agencies (or Substitute Rating Agency or successor rating agency) referred to in the definition of the Maximum Applicable Rate, subject to the provisions of paragraph 12 of the Articles Supplementary, thereby resulting in any change in the corresponding applicable percentage or corresponding applicable spread for the AMPS, as set forth in said definition (the "Percentage or Spread"), the Company shall notify the Auction Agent in writing of such change in the Percentage or Spread prior to 9:00 A.M. on the Auction Date for AMPS next succeeding such change. The Percentage or
Spread for the AMPS on the date of this Agreement is as specified in paragraph 10(a)(vii) of the Articles Supplementary. The Auction Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the last Percentage or Spread of which it has received notice from the Company (or, in the absence of such notice, the Percentage or Spread set forth in the preceding sentence) in determining the Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth in Section 2.2(d)(i) hereof.
(e) The Auction Agent shall maintain a current registry of the Existing Holders of the shares of AMPS for purposes of each Auction. The Company shall use its best efforts to provide or cause to be provided to the Auction Agent within ten Business Days following the date of the Closing a list of the initial Existing Holders of AMPS, and the Broker-Dealer of each such Existing Holder through which such Existing Holder purchased such shares. The Auction Agent may conclusively rely upon, as evidence of the identities of the Existing Holders, such list, the results of each Auction and notices from any Existing Holder, the Agent Member of any Existing Holder or the Broker-Dealer of any Existing Holder with respect to such Existing Holder's transfer of any shares of AMPS to another Person.
(f) In the event of any partial redemption of AMPS, upon notice by the Company to the Auction Agent of such partial redemption, the Auction Agent promptly shall request the Securities Depository to notify the Auction Agent of the identities of the Agent Members (and the respective numbers of shares) from the accounts of which shares have been called for redemption and the person or department at such Agent Member to contact regarding such redemption, and at least two Business Days prior to the Auction preceding the date of redemption with respect to shares of AMPS being partially redeemed, the Auction Agent shall request each Agent Member so identified to disclose to the Auction Agent (upon selection by such Agent Member of the Existing Holders whose shares are to be redeemed) the number of shares of AMPS of each such Existing Holder, if any, to be redeemed by the Company, provided that the Auction Agent has been furnished with the name and telephone number of a person or department at such Agent Member from which it is to request such information. In the absence of receiving any such information with respect to an Existing Holder, from such Existing Holder's Agent Member or otherwise, the Auction Agent may continue to treat such Existing Holder as having ownership of the number of shares of AMPS shown in the Auction Agent's registry of Existing Holders.
(i) The Auction Agent shall register a transfer of the ownership of shares of AMPS from an Existing Holder to another Existing Holder, or to another Person if permitted by the Company, only if (A) such transfer is made pursuant to an Auction or (B) if such transfer is made other than pursuant to an Auction, the Auction Agent has been notified of such transfer in writing in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Broker-Dealer Agreements, by such Existing Holder or by the Agent Member of such Existing Holder. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any notice of transfer delivered for an Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next
preceding the applicable Auction Date. The Auction Agent shall rescind a transfer made on the registry of the Existing Holders of any shares of AMPS if the Auction Agent has been notified in writing, in a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D to the Broker-Dealer Agreement, by the Agent Member or the Broker-Dealer of any Person that (i) purchased any shares of AMPS and the seller failed to deliver such shares or (ii) sold any shares of AMPS and the purchaser failed to make payment to such Person upon delivery to the purchaser of such shares.
(g) The Auction Agent may, but shall not be obligated, to request that the Broker-Dealers, as set forth in Section 3.2(c) of the Broker-Dealer Agreements, provide the Auction Agent with a list of their respective customers that such Broker-Dealers believe are Beneficial Owners of shares of AMPS. The Auction Agent shall keep confidential any such information and shall not disclose any such information so provided to any Person other than the relevant Broker-Dealer and the Company; provided, however, that the Auction Agent reserves the right and is authorized to disclose any such information if (i) it is ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel such disclosure, (ii) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would be unlawful or (iii) failure to do so would expose the Auction Agent to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for which it has not received indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
2.3. Auction Schedule.
The Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions in accordance with the schedule set forth below. Such schedule may be changed by the Auction Agent with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The Auction Agent shall give notice of any such change to each Broker-Dealer. Such notice shall be received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such change shall be effective. The Auction Agent will follow The Bond Market Association's Market Practice U.S. Holiday Recommendations for shortened trading days for bond markets (the "BMA Recommendation") unless the Auction Agent is instructed otherwise by the Company. In the event of a BMA Recommendation on an Auction Date, the Submission Deadline will be 11:30 A.M. instead of 1:00 P.M. and as a result the notice of Auction results will occur at an earlier time.
Time Event
---- -----
By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the Company and the
Broker-Dealers of the Reference Rate and
the Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth in
Section 2.2(d)(i) hereof.
9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent assembles information
communicated to it by Broker-Dealers as
provided in Paragraph 10(c)(i) of the
Articles Supplementary. Submission
deadline is 1:00 P.M.
|
Not earlier than 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent makes determinations pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i) of the Articles Supplementary.
By approximately Auction Agent advises the Company of the
3:00 P.M. results of the Auction as provided in
Paragraph 10(d)(ii) of the Articles
Supplementary.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders
are accepted and rejected in whole or in
part and shares of AMPS allocated as
provided in Paragraph 10(e) of the Articles
Supplementary. Auction Agent gives notice
of the Auction results as set forth in
Section 2.4 hereof.
|
2.4. Notice of Auction Results.
On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify Broker-Dealers of the results of the Auction held on such date by telephone or other mutually acceptable electronic means as set forth in Paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures. Unless instructed otherwise in writing by the Company, the Auction Agent is authorized to release the Applicable Rate determined as a result of the Auction for public dissemination.
2.5. Broker-Dealers.
(a) Not later than 12:00 noon on each Auction Date, the Company
shall pay to the Auction Agent in Federal Funds or similar same-day
funds an amount in cash equal to (i) in the case of any Auction Date
immediately preceding a 7-Day Dividend Period, the product of (A) a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such
Dividend Period (calculated by counting the first day of such
Dividend Period but excluding the last day thereof) and the
denominator of which is 360, times (B) 1/4 of 1%, times (C) $25,000
times (D) the sum of the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of
AMPS and (ii) in the case of any Special Dividend Period, the amount
determined by mutual consent of the Company and the Broker-Dealers
pursuant to Section 3.5 of the Broker-Dealer Agreements. The Auction
Agent shall apply such moneys as set forth in Section 3.5 of the
Broker-Dealer Agreements and shall thereafter remit to the Company
any remaining funds paid to the Auction Agent pursuant to this
Section 2.5(a).
(b) The Company may designate an Affiliate or Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated to act as a Broker-Dealer.
(c) The Auction Agent shall terminate any Broker-Dealer Agreement as set forth therein if so directed by the Company.
(d) Subject to Section 2.5(b) hereof, the Auction Agent from time to time shall enter into such Broker-Dealer Agreements as the Company shall request.
(e) Subject to Section 2.2(a), the Auction Agent shall maintain a list of Broker-Dealers.
2.6. Ownership of Shares of AMPS and Submission of Bids by the Company and its Affiliates.
Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company may submit any Sell
Order or Bid, directly or indirectly, in any Auction, except that an Affiliate
of the Company that is a Broker-Dealer may submit a Sell Order or Bid on
behalf of a Beneficial Owner or a Potential Beneficial Owner. The Company
shall notify the Auction Agent if the Company or, to the best of the Company's
knowledge, any Affiliate of the Company becomes a Beneficial Owner of any
shares of AMPS. Any shares of AMPS redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired
(i) by the Company shall not be reissued, except in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (ii) by its
Affiliates shall not be transferred (other than to the Company). The Auction
Agent shall have no duty or liability with respect to enforcement of this
Section 2.6.
2.7. Access to and Maintenance of Auction Records.
The Auction Agent shall afford to the Company, its agents, independent registered public accounting firm and counsel, access at reasonable times during normal business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost and expense) of all books, records, documents and other information concerning the conduct and results of Auctions, provided that any such agent, accounting firm or counsel shall furnish the Auction Agent with a letter from the Company requesting that the Auction Agent afford such person access. The Auction Agent shall maintain records relating to any Auction for a period of two years after such Auction (unless requested by the Company to maintain such records for such longer period not in excess of four years, then for such longer period which shall not be in excess of four years), and such records, in reasonable detail, shall accurately and fairly reflect the actions taken by the Auction Agent hereunder. The Company agrees to keep confidential any information regarding the customers of any Broker-Dealer received from the Auction Agent in connection with this Agreement or any Auction, and shall not disclose such information or permit the disclosure of such information without the prior written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer to anyone except such agent, accounting firm or counsel engaged to audit or review the results of Auctions as permitted by this Section 2.7, provided that the Company reserves the right to disclose any such information if it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to the Company. Any such agent, accounting firm or counsel, before having access to such information, shall agree to keep such information confidential and not to disclose such information or permit disclosure of such information without the prior written consent of the applicable Broker-Dealer, provided that such agent, accounting firm or counsel may reserve the right to disclose any such information if it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would (i) be unlawful or (ii) expose it to liability, unless the Broker-Dealer shall have offered indemnification satisfactory to such agent, accountant or counsel. The Auction Agent shall have no liability in connection with allowing access to the Company's books, records, documents and other information pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.7 to the Company, its agents, independent public accountants and counsel.
III. THE AUCTION AGENT AS PAYING AGENT.
3.1. The Paying Agent.
The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing The Bank of New York as transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the Company in connection with any shares of AMPS (in such capacity, the "Paying Agent"). The Paying Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with its standard procedures and the provisions of the Articles Supplementary which are specified herein with respect to the shares of AMPS and as set forth in this Section 3.
3.2. The Company's Notices to the Paying Agent.
Whenever any shares of AMPS are to be redeemed, the Company promptly shall deliver to the Paying Agent a Notice of Redemption upon the terms set forth in Section 4(c) of the Articles Supplementary, which will be mailed by the Company to each Holder at least five Business Days prior to the date such Notice of Redemption is required to be mailed pursuant to the Articles Supplementary. The Paying Agent shall have no responsibility to confirm or verify the accuracy of any such Notice.
3.3. The Company to Provide Funds for Dividends and Redemptions.
(a) Not later than noon on each Dividend Payment Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal Funds or similar same-day funds equal to the declared dividends to be paid to Holders on such Dividend Payment Date, and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions to apply such funds to the payment of such dividends on such Dividend Payment Date.
(b) If the Company shall give a Notice of Redemption, then by noon of the date fixed for redemption, the Company shall deposit in trust with the Paying Agent an aggregate amount of Federal Funds or similar same-day funds sufficient to redeem such shares of AMPS called for redemption and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the redemption price to the Holders of shares of AMPS called for redemption upon surrender of the certificate or certificates therefor.
3.4. Disbursing Dividends and Redemption Price.
After receipt of the Federal Funds or similar same-day funds and
instructions from the Company described in Sections 3.3(a) and (b) above, the
Paying Agent shall pay to the Holders (or former Holders) entitled thereto (i)
on each corresponding Dividend Payment Date, dividends on the shares of AMPS
and (ii) on any date fixed for redemption, the redemption price of any shares
of AMPS called for redemption. The amount of dividends for any Dividend Period
to be paid by the Paying Agent to Holders will be determined by the Company as
set forth in Paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary. The redemption price
to be paid by the Paying Agent to the Holders of any shares of AMPS called for
redemption will be determined as set forth in Paragraph 4 of the Articles
Supplementary. The Company shall notify the Paying Agent in writing of a
decision to redeem any shares of AMPS on or prior to the date specified in
Section 3.2 above, and such notice by the Company to the Paying Agent shall
contain the information required to be stated in a Notice of Redemption
required to be mailed by the
Company to such Holders. The Paying Agent shall have no duty to determine the redemption price and may rely conclusively on the amount thereof set forth in a Notice of Redemption.
IV. THE PAYING AGENT AS TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.
4.1. Original Issue of Stock Certificates.
On the Date of Original Issue for any share of AMPS, one certificate for the AMPS shall be issued by the Company and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Securities Depository, and countersigned by the Paying Agent. The Company will give the Auction Agent prior written notice and instruction as to the issuance and redemption of AMPS.
4.2. Registration of Transfer or Exchange of Shares.
Except as provided in this Section 4.2, the shares of AMPS shall be registered solely in the name of the Securities Depository or its nominee. If the Securities Depository shall give notice of its intention to resign as such, and if the Company shall not have selected a substitute Securities Depository acceptable to the Paying Agent prior to such resignation, then upon such resignation, the shares of AMPS, at the Company's request, may be registered for transfer or exchange, and new certificates thereupon shall be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, upon surrender of the old certificate in form deemed by the Paying Agent properly endorsed for transfer with (a) all necessary endorsers' signatures guaranteed in such manner and form as the Paying Agent may require by a guarantor reasonably believed by the Paying Agent to be responsible, (b) such assurances as the Paying Agent shall deem necessary or appropriate to evidence the genuineness and effectiveness of each necessary endorsement and (c) satisfactory evidence of compliance with all applicable laws relating to the collection of taxes in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange or funds necessary for the payment of such taxes.
4.3. Removal of Legend.
Any request for removal of a legend indicating a restriction on transfer from a certificate evidencing shares of AMPS shall be accompanied by an opinion of counsel stating that such legend may be removed and such shares may be transferred free of the restriction described in such legend, said opinion to be delivered under cover of a letter from a Company Officer authorizing the Paying Agent to remove the legend on the basis of said opinion.
4.4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates.
The Paying Agent shall issue and register replacement certificates for certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the fulfillment of such requirements as shall be deemed appropriate by the Company and by the Paying Agent, subject at all times to provisions of law, the By-Laws of the Company governing such matters and resolutions adopted by the Company with respect to lost, stolen or destroyed securities. The Paying Agent may issue new certificates in exchange for and upon the cancellation of mutilated certificates. Any request by the Company to the Paying Agent to issue a replacement or new certificate pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Paying Agent that such issuance will comply with provisions of applicable law and the By-Laws and resolutions of the Company.
4.5. Disposition of Canceled Certificates; Record Retention.
The Paying Agent shall retain stock certificates which have been canceled in transfer or in exchange and accompanying documentation in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for two calendar years from the date of such cancellation. The Paying Agent, upon written request by the Company, shall afford to the Company, its agents and counsel access at reasonable times during normal business hours to review and make extracts or copies (at the Company's sole cost and expense) of such certificates and accompanying documentation. Upon request by the Company at any time during this two-year period, the Paying Agent shall deliver to the Company the canceled certificates and accompanying documentation. The Company, at its expense, shall retain such records for a minimum additional period of four calendar years from the date of delivery of the records to the Company and shall make such records available during this period at any time, or from time to time, for reasonable periodic, special, or other examinations by representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company also shall undertake to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon demand, either at their principal office or at any regional office, complete, correct and current hard copies of any and all such records.
4.6. Stock Register.
The Paying Agent shall maintain the stock register, which shall contain a list of the Holders, the number of shares held by each Holder and the address of each Holder. The Paying Agent shall record in the stock register any change of address of a Holder upon notice by such Holder. In case of any written request or demand for the inspection of the stock register or any other books of the Company in the possession of the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will notify the Company and secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection; provided, however, that the Auction Agent reserves the right and is authorized to permit such inspection if (i) it is ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel such disclosure, (ii) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would be unlawful or (iii) failure to do so would expose the Auction Agent to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for which it has not received indemnity or security satisfactory to it.
4.7. Return of Funds.
Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent by the Company for any reason under this Agreement, including for the payment of dividends or the redemption of shares of AMPS, that remain with the Paying Agent after 12 months shall be repaid to the Company upon written request by the Company.
V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
5.1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.
The Company represents and warrants to the Auction Agent that:
(i) the Company is duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and has full power to execute and deliver this Agreement and to authorize, create and issue the shares of AMPS;
(ii) the Company is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end, diversified, management investment company;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject as to such enforceability to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equitable principles;
(iv) the forms of the certificate evidencing the shares of AMPS comply with all applicable laws of the State of Maryland;
(v) the shares of AMPS have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, upon completion of the initial sale of the shares of AMPS and receipt of payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(vi) at the time of the offering of the shares of AMPS, the shares offered will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no further action by or before any governmental body or authority of the United States or of any state thereof is required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or will be required in connection with the issuance of the shares of AMPS, except such action as required by applicable state securities or insurance laws, all of which action will have been taken;
(vii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and delivery of the shares of AMPS do not and will not conflict with, violate, or result in a breach of, the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, the Charter or the By-Laws of the Company, any law or regulation applicable to the Company, any order or decree of any court or public authority having jurisdiction over the Company, or any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or undertaking to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and
(viii) no taxes are payable upon or in respect of the execution of this Agreement or will be payable upon or in respect of the issuance of the shares of AMPS.
5.2. Representations and Warranties of the Auction Agent.
The Auction Agent represents and warrants to the Company that the Auction Agent is duly organized and is validly existing as a banking corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, and has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
VI. THE AUCTION AGENT.
6.1. Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Company hereunder and owes no fiduciary duties to any Person except as specifically provided by this Agreement. The Auction Agent owes no duties to any person other than the Company by reason of this Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Auction Agent.
(c) In the absence of willful misconduct or negligence on its part, the Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in the absence of willful misconduct unless the Auction Agent shall have been negligent in ascertaining (or failing to ascertain) the pertinent facts.
(d) The Auction Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires, floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; acts of war or terrorism; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes (including, without limitation, strikes or work stoppages); acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; it being understood that the Auction Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances. In no event shall the Auction Agent be responsible or liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit), even if the Auction Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
6.2. Rights of the Auction Agent.
(a) The Auction Agent may conclusively rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized hereby and
any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for acting upon any telephone communication or by other electronic means acceptable to the parties authorized hereby which the Auction Agent believes in good faith to have been given by the Company or by a Broker-Dealer. The Auction Agent may record telephone communications with the Company or with the Broker-Dealers or with both.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its choice, and the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder. The Auction Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.
(e) The Auction Agent shall have no obligation or liability with respect to the registration or exemption therefrom of the AMPS under the federal or state securities laws or with respect to the sufficiency or the conformity of any transfer of the AMPS to the terms of the Auction Agreement, the Broker-Dealer Agreements, the AMPS or any other document contemplated thereby.
6.3. Auction Agent's Disclaimer.
The Auction Agent makes no representation as to the validity or the adequacy of this Agreement, the Broker-Dealer Agreements or the AMPS.
6.4. Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification.
(a) The Company shall pay to the Auction Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it under this Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements as shall be agreed by the Auction Agent and the Company from time to time as shall be set forth in a separate writing signed by the Company and the Auction Agent, subject to adjustments if the AMPS no longer are held of record by the Securities Depository or its nominee or if there shall be such other change as shall increase materially the Auction Agent's obligations hereunder or under the Broker-Dealer Agreements.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Auction Agent upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Auction Agent in accordance with any provision of this Agreement and of the Broker-Dealer Agreements (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any expense, disbursement or advance attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.
(c) The Company shall indemnify the Auction Agent, for, and hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part arising out of or in connection with its agency under this Agreement and under the Broker-Dealer Agreements, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with its exercise or performance of any of its duties hereunder and thereunder, except such as may result from its negligence or willful misconduct.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1. Term of Agreement.
(a) The term of this Agreement is unlimited unless it shall be terminated as provided in this Section 7.1. The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time by so notifying the Auction Agent, provided that if any AMPS remain outstanding the Company shall have entered into an agreement in substantially the form of this Agreement with a successor auction agent. The Auction Agent may terminate this Agreement upon prior notice to the Company on the date specified in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 60 days after delivery of such notice. If the Auction Agent resigns while any shares of AMPS remain outstanding, the Company shall use its best efforts to enter into an agreement with a successor auction agent containing substantially the same terms and conditions as this Agreement.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.1(b), the respective rights and duties of the Company and the Auction Agent under this Agreement shall cease upon termination of this Agreement. The Company's representations, warranties, covenants and obligations to the Auction Agent under Sections 5 and 6.4 hereof shall survive the termination hereof. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Auction Agent shall (i) resign as Auction Agent under the Broker-Dealer Agreements, (ii) at the Company's request, deliver promptly to the Company copies of all books and records maintained by it in connection with its duties hereunder, and (iii) at the request of the Company, transfer promptly to the Company or to any successor auction agent any funds deposited by the Company with the Auction Agent (whether in its capacity as Auction Agent or as Paying Agent) pursuant to this Agreement which have not been distributed previously by the Auction Agent in accordance with this Agreement.
(c) If the AMPS shall no longer settle through an electronic book entry system, the Auction Agent (but not necessarily the Paying Agent) shall cease to perform its duties hereunder, and under any Broker-Dealer Agreement.
7.2. Communications.
Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone (or by other electronic means acceptable to the parties) pursuant to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in connection with Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in writing), all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopier number set forth below:
If to the Company, MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
addressed to: 800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
Attention: Treasurer
Telephone No.: (609) 282-2800
Telecopier No.: (609) 282-3472
If to the Auction The Bank of New York
Agent, addressed to: Corporate Trust-Dealing and Trading Group
101 Barclay Street, 7W
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Auction Desk
Telephone No.: (212) 815-3450
Telecopier No.: (212) 815-3440
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or such other address or telecopier number as such party hereafter may specify for such purpose by notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein. Communications shall be given on behalf of the Company by a Company Officer and on behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer.
7.3. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations, endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings, oral, written or inferred, between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, except for agreements relating to the compensation of the Auction Agent.
7.4. Benefits.
Nothing herein, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the Company, the Auction Agent and their respective successors and assigns, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim hereunder.
7.5. Amendment; Waiver.
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified, amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a written
instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be charged. The Company shall notify the Auction Agent of any change in the Articles Supplementary prior to the effective date of any such change. If any such change in the Articles Supplementary materially increases the Auction Agent's obligations hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent to the Auction Agent prior to the effective date of such change.
(b) Failure of either party hereto to exercise any right or remedy hereunder in the event of a breach hereof by the other party shall not constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any subsequent breach.
7.6. Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the Company and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably.
7.7. Severability.
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
7.8. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
7.9. Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in said State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By:____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Exhibit (k)(4)
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT
between
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
and
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
Dated as of [___], 2005
Relating to
AUCTION MARKET PREFERRED STOCK
("AMPS"),
Series E
of
MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
BROKER-DEALER AGREEMENT dated as of [___], 2005, between THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (the "Auction Agent") (not in its individual capacity, but solely as agent of MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to authority granted to it in the Auction Agent Agreement dated as of [___], 2005, between the Company and the Auction Agent (the "Auction Agent Agreement")), and MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED (together with its successors and assigns, "BD").
The Company proposes to duly authorize and issue 2,000 shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E ("Series E AMPS"), par value of $.10 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared), each pursuant to the Company's Articles Supplementary (as defined below). The Series E AMPS are sometimes referred to herein as the "AMPS."
The Company's Articles Supplementary provide that the dividend rate of the AMPS for each Dividend Period therefor after the Initial Dividend Period shall be the Applicable Rate therefor, which in each case, in general shall be the rate per annum that a commercial bank, trust company or other financial institution appointed by the Company advises results from implementation of the Auction Procedures (as defined below). The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a resolution appointing The Bank of New York as Auction Agent for purposes of the Auction Procedures, and pursuant to Section 2.5(d) of the Auction Agent Agreement, the Company has requested and directed the Auction Agent to execute and deliver this Agreement.
The Auction Procedures require the participation of one or more Broker-Dealers.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the Auction Agent and BD agree as follows:
I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
1.1. Terms Defined by Reference to the Articles Supplementary. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the respective meanings specified in the Articles Supplementary of the Company.
1.2. Terms Defined Herein. As used herein and in the Settlement Procedures (as defined below), the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Articles Supplementary" shall mean the Articles Supplementary, as amended, of the Company, establishing the powers, preferences and rights of the AMPS filed on [___], 2005 with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
(b) "Auction" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof.
(c) "Auction Procedures" shall mean the Auction Procedures that are set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary.
(d) "Authorized Officer" shall mean each Vice President, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of the Auction Agent assigned to the Dealing and Trading Group of its Corporate Trust Department, and every other officer or employee of the Auction Agent designated as an "Authorized Officer" for purposes of this Agreement in a written communication to BD.
(e) "BD Officer" shall mean each officer or employee of BD designated as a "BD Officer" for purposes of this Agreement in a communication to the Auction Agent.
(f) "Broker-Dealer Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and any substantially similar agreement between the Auction Agent and a Broker-Dealer.
(g) "Settlement Procedures" shall mean the Settlement Procedures attached hereto as Exhibit A.
1.3. Rules of Construction. Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning or intent, the following rules shall apply to the construction of this Agreement:
(a) Words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa.
(b) The captions and headings herein are solely for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.
(c) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereto," and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole.
(d) All references herein to a particular time of day shall be to New York City time.
II. THE AUCTION.
2.1. Purpose; Incorporation by Reference of Auction Procedures and Settlement Procedures.
(a) On the Auction Date, the provisions of the Auction Procedures will be followed by the Auction Agent for the purpose of determining the Applicable Rate for the AMPS, for the next Dividend Period therefor. Each periodic operation of such procedures is hereinafter referred to as an "Auction."
(b) All of the provisions contained in the Auction Procedures and
the Settlement Procedures are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent
as if such provisions were set forth fully herein. In the case of any conflict
between the terms of any document incorporated herein by reference and the
terms hereof, the Auction Agent is, subject to its obligations as set forth in
Section 3.1, authorized to perform its duties according to the terms thereof,
and shall have no liability for so doing.
(c) BD agrees to act as, and assumes the obligations of and limitations and restrictions placed upon, a Broker-Dealer under this Agreement. BD understands that other Persons meeting the requirements specified in the definition of "Broker-Dealer" contained in Paragraph 1 of the Articles Supplementary may execute a Broker-Dealer Agreement and participate as Broker-Dealers in Auctions.
(d) BD and other Broker-Dealers may participate in Auctions for their own accounts. However, the Company, by notice to BD and all other Broker Dealers, may prohibit all Broker-Dealers from submitting Bids in Auctions for their own accounts, provided that Broker-Dealers may continue to submit Hold Orders and Sell Orders. The Auction Agent shall have no responsibility or liability in connection with this section 2.1(d).
2.2. Preparation for Auction.
(a) Not later than 9:30 A.M. on the Auction Date for the AMPS, the Auction Agent shall advise BD by telephone of the Reference Rate and the Maximum Applicable Rate in effect on such Auction Date.
(b) In the event that the Auction Date for the Auction shall be
changed after the Auction Agent has given the notice referred to in clause
(vii) of paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures, the Auction Agent, by
such means as the Auction Agent deems practicable, shall give notice of such
change to BD not later than the earlier of 9:15 A.M. on the new Auction Date
or 9:15 A.M. on the old Auction Date. Thereafter, BD promptly shall notify
customers of BD that BD believes are Beneficial Owners of shares of Series E AMPS of such change in the Auction Date.
(c) The Auction Agent from time to time may but shall not be obligated to, request BD to provide it with a list of the respective customers BD believes are Beneficial Owners of shares of the AMPS. BD shall comply with any such request, and the Auction Agent shall keep confidential any such information, including information received as to the identity of Bidders in any Auction, and shall not disclose any such information so provided to any Person other than the Company; and such information shall not be used by the Auction Agent or its officers, employees, agents or representatives for any purpose other than such purposes as are described herein; provided, however, that the Auction Agent reserves the right and is authorized to disclose any such information if (a) it is ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or a regulatory body, judicial or quasi-judicial agency or authority having the authority to compel such disclosure, (b) it is advised by its counsel that its failure to do so would be unlawful or (c) failure to do so would expose the Auction Agent to loss, liability, claim, damage or expense for which it has not received indemnity or security satisfactory to it. The Auction Agent shall transmit any list of customers BD believes are Beneficial Owners of shares of the AMPS and information related thereto only to its officers, employees, agents or representatives in the Corporate Trust and Agency Group who need to know such information for the purposes of acting in accordance with this Agreement, and the Auction Agent shall prevent the transmission of such information to others and shall cause its officers, employees, agents and representatives to abide by the foregoing confidentiality restrictions; provided, however, that the Auction Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for the actions of any of its officers, employees, agents or representatives after they have left the employ of the Auction Agent.
(d) The provisions contained in paragraph 2 of the Articles Supplementary concerning the notification of a Special Dividend Period will be followed by the Auction Agent and BD, and the provisions contained therein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions were set forth fully herein.
2.3. Auction Schedule; Method of Submission of Orders.
(a) The Company and the Auction Agent shall conduct Auctions for the AMPS in accordance with the schedule set forth below. Such schedule may be changed at any time by the Auction Agent with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The Auction Agent shall give notice of any such change to BD. Such notice shall be received prior to the first Auction Date on which any such change shall be effective.
Time Event
---- -----
By 9:30 A.M. Auction Agent advises the Company and
Broker-Dealers of the Reference Rate and
the Maximum Applicable Rate as set forth
in Section 2.2(a) hereof.
9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent assembles information
communicated to it by Broker-Dealers as
provided in Paragraph 10(c)(i) of the
Articles Supplementary. Submission
Deadline is 1:00 P.M.
Not earlier than 1:00 P.M. Auction Agent makes determinations
pursuant to Paragraph 10(d)(i) of the
Articles Supplementary.
By approximately 3:00 P.M. Auction Agent advises the Company of the
results of the Auction as provided in
Paragraph 10(d)(ii) of the Articles
Supplementary.
Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell Orders
are accepted and rejected in whole or in
part and shares of AMPS are allocated as
provided in Paragraph 10(e) of the
Articles Supplementary.
Auction Agent gives notice of the
Auction results as set forth in Section
2.4(a) hereof.
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(b) BD agrees to maintain a list of Potential Beneficial Owners and to contact the Potential Beneficial Owners on such list on or prior to each Auction Date for the purposes set forth in Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary.
(c) BD shall submit Orders to the Auction Agent in writing in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. BD shall submit separate Orders to the Auction Agent for each Potential Beneficial Owner or Beneficial Owner on whose behalf BD is submitting an Order and shall not net or aggregate the Orders of Potential Beneficial Owners or Beneficial Owners on whose behalf BD is submitting Orders.
(d) BD shall deliver to the Auction Agent (i) a written notice, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, of transfers of shares of the AMPS, made through BD by an Existing Holder to another Person other than pursuant to an Auction, and (ii) a written notice, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, of the failure of shares of the AMPS to be transferred to or by any Person that purchased or sold shares of the AMPS through BD pursuant to an Auction. The Auction Agent is not required to accept any notice delivered pursuant to the terms of the foregoing sentence with respect to an Auction unless it is received by the Auction Agent by 3:00 P.M. on the Business Day next preceding the applicable Auction Date.
2.4. Notice of Auction Results.
(a) On each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify BD by telephone or by other mutually acceptable electronic means as set forth in paragraph (a) of the Settlement Procedures. On the Business Day next succeeding such Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall notify BD in writing of the disposition of all Orders submitted by BD in the Auction held on such Auction Date.
(b) BD shall notify each Beneficial Owner, Potential Beneficial Owner, Existing Holder or Potential Holder on whose behalf BD has submitted an Order as set forth in paragraph (b) of the Settlement Procedures, and take such other action as is required of BD pursuant to the Settlement Procedures.
If any Beneficial Owner or Existing Holder selling shares of AMPS in an Auction fails to deliver such shares, the BD of any Person that was to have purchased shares of AMPS in such Auction may deliver to such Person a number of whole shares of AMPS that is less than the number of shares that otherwise was to be purchased by such Person. In such event, the number of shares of AMPS to be so delivered shall be determined by such BD. Delivery of such lesser number of shares shall constitute good delivery. Upon the occurrence of any such failure to deliver shares, such BD shall deliver to the Auction Agent the notice required by Section 2.3(d)(ii) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing terms of this Section 2.4(b), any delivery or non-delivery of shares of AMPS which represents any departure from the results of an Auction, as determined by the Auction Agent, shall be of no effect unless and until the Auction Agent shall have been notified of such delivery or non-delivery in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3(d) hereof. The Auction Agent shall have no duty or liability with respect to enforcement of this Section 2.4(b).
2.5. Service Charge to Be Paid to BD. On the Business Day next succeeding
each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall pay to BD from moneys received from
the Company an amount equal to: (a) in the case of any Auction Date
immediately preceding a 7-Day Dividend Period or 28-Day Dividend Period, the
product of (i) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such
Dividend Period (calculated by counting the first day of such Dividend Period
but excluding the last day thereof) and the denominator of which is 360, times
(ii) 1/4 of 1%, times (iii) $25,000, times (iv) the sum of (A) the aggregate
number of AMPS placed by BD in the applicable Auction that were (x) the
subject of a Submitted Bid of a Beneficial Owner submitted by BD and continued
to be held as a result of such submission and (y) the subject of a Submitted
Bid of a Potential Beneficial Owner submitted by BD and were purchased as a
result of such submission plus (B) the aggregate number of AMPS subject to
valid Hold Orders (determined in accordance with Paragraph 10 of the Articles
Supplementary) submitted to the Auction Agent by BD plus (C) the number of
AMPS deemed to be subject to Hold Orders by Beneficial Owners pursuant to
Paragraph 10 of the Articles Supplementary that were acquired by such
Beneficial Owners through BD; and (b) in the case of any Auction Date
immediately preceding a Special Dividend Period, that amount as mutually
agreed upon by the Company and BD, based on the selling concession that would
be applicable to an underwriting of fixed or variable rate preferred shares
with a similar final maturity or variable rate dividend period, at the
commencement of such Special Dividend Period.
For purposes of subclause (a)(iv)(C) of the foregoing sentence, if any Beneficial Owner who acquired shares of the AMPS through BD transfers those shares to another Person other than pursuant to an Auction, then the Broker-Dealer for the shares so transferred shall continue to be BD, provided, however, that if the transfer was effected by, or if the transferee is, a Broker-Dealer other than BD, then such Broker-Dealer shall be the Broker-Dealer for such shares.
III. THE AUCTION AGENT.
3.1. Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Auction Agent is acting solely as agent for the Company hereunder and owes no fiduciary duties to any other Person by reason of this Agreement. The Auction Agent owes no duties to any person other than BD and the Company by reason of this Agreement.
(b) The Auction Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are set forth specifically in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Auction Agent.
(c) In the absence of willful misconduct or negligence on its part, the Auction Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it, or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in the absence of willful misconduct unless the Auction Agent shall have been negligent in ascertaining (or failing to ascertain) the pertinent facts.
The Auction Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; acts of terrorism; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; it being understood that the Auction Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances. In no event shall the Auction Agent be responsible or liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit), even if the Auction Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
3.2. Rights of the Auction Agent.
(a) The Auction Agent conclusively may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any communication authorized by this Agreement and any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document believed by it to be genuine. The Auction Agent shall not be liable for acting upon any telephone communication authorized by this Agreement which the Auction Agent believes in good faith to have been given by the Company or by BD. The Auction Agent may record telephone communications with BD.
(b) The Auction Agent may consult with counsel of its own choice, and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Auction Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder.
(d) The Auction Agent may perform its duties and exercise its rights hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys.
3.3. Auction Agent's Disclaimer. The Auction Agent makes no representation as to and shall have no liability with respect to the correctness of the recitals in, or the validity, accuracy or adequacy of this Agreement, the Auction Agent Agreement, any offering material used in connection with the offer and sale of the AMPS or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or in any thereof. The Auction Agent shall have no obligation or liability in respect of the registration or exemption therefrom of the AMPS under federal or state securities laws in respect of the sufficiency or the conformity of any transfer of the AMPS pursuant to the terms of the Auction Agent Agreement, any Broker Dealer Agreement or any other document contemplated hereby or thereby.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS.
4.1. Termination. BD may terminate this Agreement at any time upon five days' prior written notice to the Auction Agent; provided, however, that if BD is Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, neither BD nor the Auction Agent may terminate this Agreement without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Company to such termination, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably. The Auction Agent shall terminate this Agreement only pursuant to the prior written instruction of the Company.
4.2. Participant in Securities Depository; Payment of Dividends in Same-Day Funds.
(a) BD is, and shall remain for the term of this Agreement, a member of, or a participant in, the Securities Depository (or an affiliate of such a member or participant).
(b) BD represents that it (or if BD does not act as Agent Member, one of its affiliates) shall make all dividend payments on the AMPS available in same-day funds on each Dividend Payment Date to customers that use BD (or its affiliate) as Agent Member.
4.3. Agent Member. At the date hereof, BD is a participant of the Securities Depository.
4.4. Communications. Except for (i) communications authorized to be made by telephone pursuant to this Agreement or the Auction Procedures and (ii) communications in connection with the Auctions (other than those expressly required to be in writing), all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopy or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopier number set forth below:
If to BD, addressed to: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
4 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10080
Attention: Auction Market Securities
Trading
Telecopier No.: (212) 449-2761
Telephone No.: (212) 449-4940
If to the Auction Agent, addressed to: The Bank of New York
Corporate Trust-Dealing and Trading
101 Barclay Street, 7W Floor
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Auction Desk
Telecopier No.: (212) 437-6123
Telephone No.: (212) 437-6166
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or such other address or telecopier number as such party hereafter may specify for such purpose by written notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or communication shall be effective when delivered at the address specified herein. Communications shall be given on behalf of BD by a BD Officer and on behalf of the Auction Agent by an Authorized Officer. BD may record telephone communications with the Auction Agent.
4.5. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations, endorsements, promises, agreements or understandings, oral, written or inferred, between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof.
4.6. Benefits. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the Company, the Auction Agent and BD and their respective successors and assigns, any benefit of any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement.
4.7. Amendment; Waiver.
(a) This Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be modified, amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of the party to be charged.
(b) Failure of either party to this Agreement to exercise any right or remedy hereunder in the event of a breach of this Agreement by the other party shall not constitute a waiver of any such right or remedy with respect to any subsequent breach.
4.8. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of BD and the Auction Agent. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto absent the prior written consent of the other party;
provided, however, that this Agreement may be assigned by the Auction Agent to a successor Auction Agent selected by the Company without the consent of BD.
4.9. Severability. If any clause, provision or section of this Agreement shall be ruled invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any remaining clause, provision or section hereof.
4.10. Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
4.11. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in said State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Title:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
Title:
[From Prospectus]
Submit To: The Bank of New York Issue: MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.
Securities Transfer Department
101 Barclay Street, 7W Series: _______________________
New York, New York 10286 Auction Date:__________________
Attention: Auction Desk
Telephone: (212) 437-6166
Facsimile: (212) 437-6123
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The undersigned Broker-Dealer submits the following Order on behalf of the Bidder listed below:
Name of Bidder:____________________________
BENEFICIAL OWNER
Shares now held::__________________________ HOLD_____________________
BID at rate of___________
SELL_____________________
POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL OWNER
# of shares bid__________
BID at rate of___________
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Notes:
(1) If submitting more than one Bid for one Bidder, use additional Auction Bid Forms.
(2) If one or more Bids covering in the aggregate more than the number of outstanding shares held by any Beneficial Owner are submitted, such bid shall be considered valid in the order of priority set forth in the Auction Procedures on the above issue.
(3) A Hold or Sell Order may be placed only by a Beneficial Owner covering a number of shares not greater than the number of shares currently held.
(4) Potential Beneficial Owners may make only Bids, each of which must specify a rate. If more than one Bid is submitted on behalf of any Potential Beneficial Owner, each Bid submitted shall be a separate Bid with the rate specified.
(5) Bids may contain no more than three figures to the right of the decimal point (.001 of 1%). Fractions will not be accepted.
NAME OF BROKER-DEALER ________________________________________
Authorized Signature _________________________________________
(Note: To be used only for transfers made other than pursuant to an Auction)
Re: MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. Auction Market Preferred Stock, Series E ("AMPS")
We are (check one):
|_| the Existing Holder named below;
|_| the Broker-Dealer for such Existing Holder; or
|_| the Agent Member for such Existing Holder.
We hereby notify you that such Beneficial Owner has transferred ____________ shares of Series E AMPS to _____________________________________.
By______________________________________
Printed Name:
Title:
(Note: To be used only for failures to deliver AMPS sold pursuant to an Auction)
Complete either I or II
I. We are a Broker-Dealer for (the "Purchaser"), which purchased ___________ shares of Auction Market Preferred Stock ("AMPS"), Series _____, of MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. in the Auction held on from the seller of such shares.
II. We are a Broker-Dealer for _____________________ (the "Seller"), which sold _______ shares of AMPS, Series ____, of MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc. in the Auction held on ________________ to the Purchaser of such shares.
We hereby notify you that (check one):
____________ the Seller failed to deliver such shares to the Purchaser
____________ the Purchaser failed to make payment to the Seller upon delivery of such shares
Name:____________________________________
(Name of Broker-Dealer)
By:______________________________________
Printed Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT 99.2(k)(5)
The Depository Trust Company A subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation
ISSUER LETTER OF REPRESENTATIONS
[To be Completed by Issuer and Co-Issuer(s), if applicable]
General Counsel's Office; 22nd Floor
The Depository Trust Company
55 Water Street
New York, NY 10041-0099
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter sets forth our understanding with respect to the Securities represented by the CUSIP number referenced above (the "Securities"). Issuer requests that The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") accept the Securities as eligible for deposit at DTC. The DTC Participant, *______________ (manager, underwriter, or placement agent) will distribute the securities through DTC.
To induce DTC to accept the Securities as eligible for deposit at DTC, and to act in accordance with DTC's Rules with respect to the Securities, Issuer represents to DTC that Issuer will comply with the requirements applicable to it stated in DTC's Operational Arrangements (found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org), as they may be amended from time to time.
Very truly yours,
* Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Note:
----
Schedule A contains statements that DTC MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND, INC.
believes accurately describe DTC, the --------------------------------------------------
method of effecting book-entry transfers (Issuer)
of securities distributed through DTC,
and certain related matters. By:
-------------------------------------------------
(Authorized Officer's Signature)
Received and Accepted: ----------------------------------------------------
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (Print Name)
By: ----------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------- (Street Address)
---------------------------------------------------
(City) (State) (Country) (Zip Code)
( )
---------------------------------------------------
[LOGO OMITTED] DTCC(R) (Phone Number)
The Depository Trust & ---------------------------------------------------
Clearing Corporation (E-mail Address)
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(Prepared by DTC--bracketed material may be applicable only to certain issues)
1. The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), New York, NY, will act as securities depository for the securities (the "Securities"). The Securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC's partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered Security certificate will be issued for [each issue of] the Securities, [each] in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC. [If, however, the aggregate principal amount of [any] issue exceeds $500 million, one certificate will be issued with respect to each $500 million of principal amount, and an additional certificate will be issued with respect to any remaining principal amount of such issue.]
2. DTC, the world's largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 2.2 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments from over 100 countries that DTC's participants ("Direct Participants") deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants' accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC"). DTCC, in turn, is owned by a number of Direct Participants of DTC and Members of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, and Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation (NSCC, FICC, and EMCC, also subsidiaries of DTCC), as well as by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC, and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). DTC has Standard & Poor's highest rating: AAA. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com and www.dtc.org.
3. Purchases of Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Securities on DTC's records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Security ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Securities is discontinued.
4. To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Securities; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
5. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
[Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the Securities, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the Security documents. For example, Beneficial Owners of Securities may wish to ascertain that the nominee holding the Securities for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to Beneficial Owners. In the alternative, Beneficial Owners may wish to provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.]
[6. Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.]
7. Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to Securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC's Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an Omnibus Proxy to Issuer as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
8. Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the Securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit Direct Participants' accounts upon DTC's receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from Issuer or Agent, on payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC's records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, Agent, or Issuer, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of Issuer or Agent, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
[9. A Beneficial Owner shall give notice to elect to have its Securities
purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to [Tender/Remarketing] Agent,
and shall effect delivery of such Securities by causing the Direct Participant
to transfer the Participant's interest in the Securities, on DTC's records, to
[Tender/Remarketing] Agent. The requirement for physical delivery of
Securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will
be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the Securities are
transferred by Direct Participants on DTC's records and followed by a
book-entry credit of tendered Securities to [Tender/Remarketing] Agent's DTC
account.]
10. DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to Issuer or Agent. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.
11. Issuer may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.
12. The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system has been obtained from sources that Issuer believes to be reliable, but Issuer takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.