UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.
20549
Form N-2
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Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2
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Post-Effective Amendment No.
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and/or
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Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940
Amendment No. 39
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(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)
THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST
INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in Charter)
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York
10580-1422
(Address of Principal Executive
Offices)
Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code:
(800) 422-3554
Bruce N. Alpert
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, New York
10580-1422
(914) 921-5100
(Name and Address of Agent for
Service)
Copies to:
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James E.
McKee, Esq.
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Rose F.
DiMartino, Esq.
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Sarah E.
Cogan, Esq.
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The Gabelli Equity Trust
Inc.
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Willkie Farr &
Gallagher LLP
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Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett LLP
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One Corporate Center
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787 Seventh Ave.
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425 Lexington Ave.
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Rye, New York
10580-1422
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New York, New York
10019
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New York, NY 10017
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(914)
921-5100
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(212) 728-8000
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(212) 455-2000
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Approximate date of proposed public
offering:
As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other than
securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment
plan, check the following
box.
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It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box)
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When declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration
statement].
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This form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act
and the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering
is .
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933
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Proposed Maximum
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Amount of
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Amount
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Proposed Maximum
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Aggregate
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Registration
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Title of Securities
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Being Registered
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Offering Price
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Offering Price(1)
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Fee(2)
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%
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock
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5,000,000
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$25
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$125,000,000
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$13,375.00
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(1)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration
fee.
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(2)
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$107.00 was previously wired to the Securities and Exchange
Commission account at Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in
connection with the initial filing of this registration
statement. An additional $13,268.00 was wired to the Securities
and Exchange Commissions account in payment of the
additional registration fee due in connection with this filing
of the Registration Statement.
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The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities
and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said
section 8(a), may determine.
CROSS-REFERENCE
SHEET
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N-2 Item Number
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Location in Part A (Caption)
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PART A
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1. Outside Front Cover
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Outside Front Cover Page
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2. Cover Pages, Other
Offering Information
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Outside Front Cover Page; Inside
Front Cover Page
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3. Fee Table and
Synopsis
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Summary
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4. Financial Highlights
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Financial Highlights
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5. Plan of Distribution
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Outside Front Cover Page; Summary;
Underwriting
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6. Selling Shareholders
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Not Applicable
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7. Use of Proceeds
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Use of Proceeds; Investment
Objectives and Policies
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8. General Description
of the Registrant
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Outside Front Cover Page; Summary;
The Fund; Investment Objectives and Policies; Risk
Factors & Special Considerations; How the Fund Manages
Risk; Description of the Series F Preferred; Anti-Takeover
Provisions of the Funds Charter and By-Laws
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9. Management
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Outside Front Cover Page; Summary;
Management of the Fund; Custodian, Transfer Agent, Auction Agent
and Dividend-Disbursing Agent
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10. Capital Shares, Long-Term
Debt, and Other Securities
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Outside Front Cover Page; Summary;
Investment Objectives and Policies; Description of the
Series F Preferred; Description of Capital Stock and Other
Securities; Taxation Policies; Authorized and Outstanding
Shares; Taxation
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11. Defaults and Arrears on
Senior Securities
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Not Applicable
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12. Legal Proceedings
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Management of Fund
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13. Table of Contents of the
Statement of Additional Information
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Table of Contents of the Statement
of Additional Information
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N-2 Item Number
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Location in Statement of Additional Information
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PART B
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14. Cover Page
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Outside Front Cover Page
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15. Table of Contents
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Outside Front Cover Page
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16. General Information and
History
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Not Applicable
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17. Investment Objectives and
Policies
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Investment Objectives and
Policies; Investment Restrictions
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18. Management
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Management of the Fund
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19. Control Persons and
Principal Holders of Securities
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Not Applicable
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20. Investment Advisory and
Other Services
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Management of the Fund
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21. Portfolio Managers
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Management of the Fund
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22. Brokerage Allocation and Other
Practices
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Portfolio Transactions
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23. Tax Status
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Taxation
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24. Financial Statements
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Financial Statements
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PART C
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth
under the appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C to this
Registration Statement.
The information in
this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This
Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not
soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where
the offer or sale is not permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED
NOVEMBER 6, 2006
PROSPECTUS
$125,000,000
The Gabelli Equity Trust
Inc.
5,000,000 Shares, %
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock
(Liquidation Preference $25 Per Share)
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the Fund) is a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the 1940 Act). The Funds primary investment
objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of
common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable
securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities.
Income is a secondary investment objective. Gabelli Funds, LLC
(the Investment Adviser) serves as investment
adviser to the Fund. Under normal market conditions, the Fund
will invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in
equity securities. The Fund was organized as a Maryland
corporation on May 20, 1986 and commenced its investment
operations on August 21, 1986. An investment in the Fund is
not appropriate for all investors. We cannot assure you that the
Funds investment objectives will be achieved.
This prospectus describes the Funds %
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
Series F Preferred), liquidation preference
$25 per share. Distributions on the Series F Preferred
are cumulative from their original issue date at the annual rate
of % of the liquidation preference of $25 per
share and are payable quarterly on March 26, June 26,
September 26, and December 26 of each year, commencing on
December 26, 2006.
Investing in the Series F Preferred involves risks that
are described in the Risk Factors and Special
Considerations section beginning on page 21 of this
prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
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Series F
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Preferred
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Per Share
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Total
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Public Offering Price (1)
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Underwriting Discount (2)
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Proceeds to the Fund (before
expenses) (3)
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(1)
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Plus accumulated distributions, if any,
from ,
2006.
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(2)
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The Fund and the Investment Adviser have agreed to indemnify the
underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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(3)
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Offering expenses payable by the Fund (excluding underwriting
discount) are estimated at $500,000.
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Citigroup
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Merrill Lynch &
Co.
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A.G. Edwards &
Sons
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Gabelli & Company,
Inc.
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,
2006
The Series F Preferred being offered by this prospectus is
being offered by the underwriters listed in this prospectus,
subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by them and
subject to certain conditions. The Fund expects that delivery of
any Series F Preferred will be made in book-entry form
through The Depository Trust Company on or
about ,
2006.
A preliminary application has been made to list the
Series F Preferred on the New York Stock Exchange (the
NYSE). Subject to notice of issuance, trading of the
Series F Preferred on the NYSE is expected to commence
within 30 days from the date of this prospectus. Prior to
this offering, there has been no public market for the
Series F Preferred. See Underwriting.
The net proceeds of the offering are estimated at approximately
$ , after deduction of the
estimated underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses
payable by the Fund. The Fund intends to use the net proceeds to
redeem shares of the Series B Preferred, of which there are
currently 4,950,000 shares outstanding with a liquidation
preference of $25 per share. If the amount raised in the
offering exceeds the amount of Series B Preferred
outstanding, the excess amount will be invested in accordance
with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. The
Fund intends to redeem shares of Series B Preferred (and,
if there are excess proceeds, invest those proceeds in
accordance with the Funds investment objectives and
policies) within three months of the completion of the offering;
however, changes in market conditions, including, in particular,
factors affecting interest rates and the securities in which the
Fund invests, could result in this period being as long as six
months. See Use of Proceeds.
The Fund expects that distributions made on the Series F
Preferred will consist of (i) long-term capital gain (gain
from the sale of a capital asset held longer than
12 months), (ii) qualified dividend income (dividend
income from certain domestic and foreign corporations, provided
certain holding period and other requirements are met by both
the Fund and the shareholder), and (iii) investment company
taxable income (other than qualified dividend income, including
interest income, short-term capital gain and income from certain
hedging and interest rate transactions). For individuals, the
maximum federal income tax rate on long-term capital gain is
currently 15%, on qualified dividend income is 15%, and on
ordinary income (such as distributions from investment company
taxable income that are not eligible for treatment as qualified
dividend income) is currently 35%. These tax rates are scheduled
to apply through 2010. We cannot assure you, however, as to what
percentage of future distributions made on the Series F
Preferred will consist of long-term capital gain, which is
currently taxed at lower rates for individuals than ordinary
income, and qualified dividend income, which is currently
eligible to be taxed at the lower long-term capital gain rates.
For a more detailed discussion, see Taxation.
In order to be issued, the Series F Preferred must receive
a rating of Aaa by Moodys Investors Service,
Inc. (Moodys). In order to keep this rating,
the Fund will be required to maintain a minimum discounted asset
coverage with respect to its outstanding Series F Preferred
under guidelines established by Moodys. See
Description of the Series F PreferredRating
Agency Guidelines. The Fund is also required to maintain a
minimum asset coverage by the 1940 Act. If the Fund fails to
maintain any of these minimum asset coverage requirements, the
Fund may at its option (and in certain circumstances must)
require, in accordance with its charter (together with any
amendments or supplements thereto, including any articles
supplementary, the Charter) and the requirements of
the 1940 Act, that some or all of its outstanding preferred
stock, including the Series F Preferred, be redeemed.
Otherwise, prior
to ,
2011 the Series F Preferred will be redeemable at the
option of the Fund only to the extent necessary for the Fund to
continue to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment
company. Subject to certain notice and other requirements
(including those set forth in Section 23(c) of the 1940
Act), the Fund, at its option, may redeem the Series F
Preferred beginning
on ,
2011. In the event the Fund redeems the Series F Preferred,
such redemption will be for cash at a redemption price equal to
$25 per share plus accumulated but unmade distributions
(whether or not earned or declared).
This prospectus concisely sets forth important information about
the Fund that you should know before deciding whether to invest
in Series F Preferred. You should read this prospectus and
retain it for future reference.
The Fund has also filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a Statement of Additional Information (the
SAI),
dated ,
2006, which contains additional information about the Fund. The
SAI is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this
prospectus. You can review the table of contents of the SAI that
is filed with this prospectus. You may request a free copy of
the SAI by writing to the Fund at its address at One Corporate
Center, Rye, New York
10580-1422
or calling the Fund toll-free at
(800) 422-3554.
You can also call the toll-free number to request copies of the
Funds annual and semi-annual reports, to request other
information about the Fund, or to make stockholder inquiries.
The SAI and the Funds reports are also available at the
website http://www.gabelli.com. You may also obtain the SAI and
reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file
electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
the Securities and Exchange Commissions web site
(http://www.sec.gov).
The Funds Series F Preferred does not represent a
deposit or obligation of, and is not guaranteed or endorsed by,
any bank or other insured depository institution, and is not
federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.
You should rely only on the information contained in or
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Neither the
fund nor the underwriters have 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. Neither the fund nor the underwriters are making an
offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SUMMARY
This is only a summary. This summary does not contain all of the
information that you should consider before investing in the
Funds Series F Preferred, in particular the risks
associated with such an investment. For a more detailed
discussion of these risks, see Risk Factors and Special
Considerations. You should review the more detailed
information contained in this prospectus, the Statement of
Additional Information (the SAI), and the
Funds Articles Supplementary for the %
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
Series F Articles Supplementary) on file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
Commission).
The
Fund
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the Fund) is a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
organized as a Maryland corporation on May 20, 1986.
The Funds outstanding shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, are listed and traded on the New York
Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the symbol
GAB. As of September 30, 2006, the net assets
of the Fund attributable to its common stock were
$1,458,720,807. As of September 30, 2006, the Fund had
outstanding 167,642,009 shares of common stock;
4,950,000 shares of 7.20% Tax Advantaged Series B
Cumulative Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25 per
share (the Series B Preferred);
5,200 shares of Series C Auction Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25,000 per share
(the Series C Auction Rate Preferred);
2,949,700 shares of 5.875% Series D Cumulative
Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25 per share (the
Series D Preferred); and 2,000 shares of
Series E Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock,
liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the
Series E Auction Rate Preferred). The Fund
completed its redemption of 100% of its outstanding 7.25% Tax
Advantaged Cumulative Preferred Stock (the Series A
Preferred) on June 17, 2003. The Funds
outstanding Series B Preferred became redeemable at the
option of the Fund beginning June 20, 2006 and the Fund
redeemed 25% of its then outstanding Series B Preferred on
June 26, 2006. The Series B Preferred, the
Series C Auction Rate Preferred, the Series D
Preferred and the Series E Auction Rate Preferred
(collectively, the Existing Preferred) have the same
seniority with respect to distributions and liquidation
preference.
The
Offering
The Fund offers by this prospectus $125,000,000
of % Series F Cumulative
Preferred Stock (the Series F Preferred). The
Series F Preferred is being offered by a group of
underwriters led by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as joint
book running managers, and together with A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. and Gabelli & Company, Inc., as
representatives of the other underwriters named herein. Upon
issuance, the Series F Preferred will have equal seniority
with respect to distributions and liquidation preference to the
Funds Existing Preferred. See Description of the
Series F Preferred.
The Fund is offering 5,000,000 shares
of % Series F Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, liquidation
preference $25 per share, at a purchase price of
$25 per share. Distributions on the shares of Series F
Preferred will accumulate from the date on which such stock is
issued. A preliminary application has been made to list the
Series F Preferred on the NYSE. Subject to notice of
issuance, trading of the Series F Preferred on the NYSE
will commence within 30 days from the date of this
prospectus.
Generally, investors in Series F Preferred will not receive
certificates representing ownership of their stock. The
Depository Trust Company (DTC), any successor or its
nominee for the account of the investors broker-dealer
will maintain record ownership of the preferred stock in
book-entry form. An investors broker-dealer, in turn, will
maintain records of that investors beneficial ownership of
preferred stock.
Investment
Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to achieve
long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a
portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock,
preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable
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securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities
selected by the Investment Adviser. Income is a secondary
investment objective.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least
80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities (the
80% Policy). The 80% Policy may be changed without
stockholder approval. The Fund will provide stockholders with
notice at least 60 days prior to the implementation of any
change in the 80% Policy.
The Investment Adviser selects investments on the basis of
fundamental value and, accordingly, the Fund typically invests
in the securities of companies that are believed by the
Investment Adviser to be priced lower than justified in relation
to their underlying assets. Other important factors in the
selection of investments include favorable price/earnings and
debt/equity ratios and strong management.
The Fund seeks to achieve its secondary investment objective of
income, in part, by investing up to 10% of its total assets in a
portfolio consisting primarily of high-yielding, fixed-income
securities, such as corporate bonds, debentures, notes,
convertible securities, preferred stocks and domestic and
foreign government obligations. Fixed-income securities
purchased by the Fund may be rated as low as C by Moodys
or D by Standard & Poors Ratings Services
(S&P) or may be unrated securities considered to
be of equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by
Moodys are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as
having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining
investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default
or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date. These
debt securities, which are often referred to in the financial
press as junk bonds, are predominantly speculative
and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment
objectives will be achieved. See Investment Objectives and
Policies.
Dividends
and Distributions
Distributions on the Series F Preferred, at the annual rate
of % of its $25 per share
liquidation preference, are cumulative from the original issue
date and are payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors of the Fund (the Board), out of funds
legally available therefor, quarterly on March 26,
June 26, September 26, and December 26 of each year,
commencing on December 26, 2006.
Preferred Stock Distributions.
In accordance
with the Charter (together with any amendments or supplements
thereto, including any articles supplementary, the
Charter), all preferred stock of the Fund must have
the same seniority with respect to distributions. Accordingly,
no full distribution will be declared or paid on any series of
preferred stock of the Fund for any dividend period, or part
thereof, unless full cumulative dividends and distributions due
through the most recent dividend payment dates for all series of
outstanding preferred stock of the Fund are declared and paid.
If full cumulative distributions due have not been declared and
made on all outstanding preferred stock of the Fund ranking on a
parity with the Series F Preferred as to distributions, any
distributions on such preferred stock (including any outstanding
Series F Preferred) will be made as nearly pro rata as
possible in proportion to the respective amounts of
distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of
preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date.
In the event that for any calendar year the total distributions
on shares of the Funds preferred stock exceed the
Funds ordinary income and net capital gain allocable to
such shares, the excess distributions will generally be treated
as a tax-free return of capital (to the extent of the
stockholders tax basis in the shares). The amount treated
as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a stockholders
adjusted tax basis in the preferred stock, thereby increasing
the stockholders potential gain or reducing the potential
loss on the sale of the shares.
Common Stock Distributions.
In order to allow
its common stockholders to realize a predictable, but not
assured, level of cash flow and some liquidity periodically on
their investment without having to sell shares, the Fund has
adopted a managed distribution policy, which may be changed at
any time by the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution
of 10% of the average net asset value of the Fund to common
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stockholders. In the event the Fund does not generate a total
return from dividends and interest received and net realized
capital gains in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated
distribution in a given year, the Fund may return capital as
part of such distribution, which may have the effect of
decreasing the asset coverage per share with respect to the
Funds Series F Preferred (as well as the Existing
Preferred). Any return of capital should not be considered by
investors as yield or total return on their investment in the
Fund. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, the Fund
made distributions of $0.85 per share of common stock, none
of which constituted a return of capital. The Fund has made
distributions of $0.58 per share of common stock for the current
year through September 30, 2006. The Fund has made
quarterly distributions with respect to its common stock since
1987. A portion of the distributions to common stockholders
during nine of the twenty fiscal years since the Funds
inception has constituted a return of capital. The composition
of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the
Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual
composition of each of the current years distributions
will be based on the Funds investment activity through
December 31, 2006.
Tax
Treatment of Preferred Share Distributions
The Fund expects that distributions made on the Series F
Preferred will consist of (i) long-term capital gain (gain
from the sale of a capital asset held longer than
12 months), (ii) qualified dividend income (dividend
income from certain domestic and foreign corporations, provided
certain holding period and other requirements are met by both
the Fund and the shareholder), and (iii) investment company
taxable income (other than qualified dividend income, including
interest income, short-term capital gain and income from certain
hedging and interest rate transactions). For individuals, the
maximum federal income tax rate on long-term capital gain is
currently 15%, on qualified dividend income is 15%, and on
ordinary income (such as distributions from investment company
taxable income that are not eligible for treatment as qualified
dividend income) is currently 35%. These tax rates are scheduled
to apply through 2010. During the three year period from
2003-2005,
approximately 91% of the Funds distributions to common and
preferred stockholders consisted of long-term capital gain and
the remaining 9% distributed to stockholders constituted
qualified dividend income taxable at the 15% rate for
individuals. During 2005, approximately 89% of the Funds
distributions to common and preferred stockholders consisted of
long-term capital gain and the remaining 11% distributed to
stockholders constituted qualified dividend income taxable at
the 15% rate for individuals. We cannot assure you, however, as
to what percentage of future distributions made on the
Series F Preferred will consist of long-term capital gain,
which is currently taxed at lower rates for individuals than
ordinary income; and qualified dividend income, which is
currently eligible to be taxed at the lower long-term capital
gain rates. For a more detailed discussion, see
Taxation.
Rating
and Asset Coverage Requirements
In order to be issued, the Series F Preferred must receive
a rating of Aaa from Moodys. The Series F
Articles Supplementary setting forth the rights and
preferences of the Series F Preferred contain certain tests
that the Fund must satisfy to obtain and maintain a rating of
Aaa from Moodys on the Series F
Preferred. See Description of the Series F
PreferredRating Agency Guidelines.
Asset Coverage Requirements.
Under the asset
coverage tests to which the Series F Preferred is subject,
the Fund is required to maintain (i) assets having in the
aggregate a discounted value greater than or equal to a Basic
Maintenance Amount (as described under Description of the
Series F PreferredRating Agency Guidelines) for
each such series calculated pursuant to the applicable rating
agency guidelines and (ii) an asset coverage of at least
200% (or such higher or lower percentage as may be required at
the time under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
1940 Act)) with respect to all outstanding preferred
stock of the Fund, including the Series F Preferred. See
Description of the Series F PreferredAsset
Maintenance Requirements.
The Fund estimates that if the shares offered hereby had been
issued and sold as of September 30, 2006, the asset
coverage under the 1940 Act would have been approximately 389%
immediately following such issuance (and after giving effect to
the deduction of the estimated underwriting discounts of
$3,937,500 and
3
estimated offering expenses for such shares of $500,000). The
asset coverage would have been computed as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Fund assets less
liabilities and indebtedness not constituting senior securities
|
|
|
|
$1,956,775,807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
=
|
|
|
|
=
|
|
389%
|
Senior securities representing
indebtedness plus
|
|
|
|
$502,492,500
|
|
|
|
|
aggregate involuntary liquidation
preference of each class of senior security which is stock
|
|
|
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|
|
|
The Series F Articles Supplementary, which contain the
technical provisions of the various components of the asset
coverage tests, will be filed as an exhibit to this registration
statement and may be obtained through the web site of the
Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
Redemption
Mandatory Redemption.
The Series F
Preferred may be subject to mandatory redemption by the Fund to
the extent the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage
requirements described above in accordance with the rating
agency guidelines or the 1940 Act and does not cure such failure
by the applicable cure date. If the Fund redeems preferred stock
mandatorily, it may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient
number of such shares so that after the redemption the Fund
exceeds the asset coverage required by the guidelines of each of
the applicable rating agencies and the 1940 Act by 10%.
With respect to the Series F Preferred, any such redemption
will be made for cash at a redemption price equal to
$25 per share, plus an amount equal to accumulated and
unmade distributions (whether or not earned or declared) to the
redemption date. See Description of the Series F
PreferredRedemption.
In the event of a mandatory redemption, such redemption will be
made from the Series F Preferred or other preferred stock
of the Fund in such proportions as the Fund may determine,
subject to the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and
Maryland law.
Optional Redemption.
Subject to the
limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Maryland law, the
Fund may, at its option, redeem the Series F Preferred as
follows:
Commencing ,
2011 and at any time thereafter, the Fund at its option may
redeem the Series F Preferred, in whole or in part, for
cash at a redemption price per share equal to $25, plus an
amount equal to accumulated and unmade distributions (whether or
not earned or declared) to the redemption date. If fewer than
all of the shares of the Series F Preferred are to be
redeemed, such redemption will be made pro rata in accordance
with the number of such shares held. Prior
to ,
2011, the Series F Preferred will be subject to optional
redemption by the Fund at the redemption price only to the
extent necessary for the Fund to continue to qualify for tax
treatment as a regulated investment company. See
Description of the Series F
PreferredRedemptionOptional Redemption of the
Series F Preferred.
Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred, Series C
Auction Rate Preferred, Series D Preferred, and
Series E Auction Rate Preferred. The Fund redeemed 100% of
its outstanding Series A Preferred on June 17, 2003.
The Funds outstanding Series B Preferred became
redeemable at the option of the Fund beginning June 20,
2006 and the Fund redeemed 25% of its then outstanding
Series B Preferred on June 26, 2006. The Fund
generally may redeem the outstanding Series C Auction Rate
Preferred, in whole or in part, at any time other than during a
non-call period. The Funds outstanding Series D
Preferred will be redeemable at the option of the Fund beginning
October 7, 2008. The Fund generally may redeem the
outstanding Series E Auction Rate Preferred, in whole or in
part, at any time other than during a non-call period. Such
redemptions are subject to the limitations of the Charter, the
1940 Act and Maryland law. See Description of the
Series F PreferredRedemption.
4
Voting
Rights
At all times, holders of the Funds outstanding preferred
stock (including the Series F Preferred), voting together
as a single class, will be entitled to elect two members of the
Board, and holders of the preferred stock and common stock,
voting together as a single class, will elect the remaining
directors. However, upon a failure by the Fund to make
distributions on any of its shares of preferred stock in an
amount equal to two full years of distributions, holders of the
preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will have
the right to elect additional directors that would then
constitute a simple majority of the Board until all cumulative
distributions on all shares of preferred stock have been made or
provided for. Holders of outstanding shares of Series F
Preferred and any other preferred stock will vote separately as
a class on certain other matters as required under the Charter,
the 1940 Act and Maryland law. Except as otherwise indicated in
this prospectus and as otherwise required by applicable law,
holders of Series F Preferred will be entitled to one vote
per share on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders and
will vote together with holders of common stock and any other
preferred stock as a single class. See Description of the
Series F PreferredVoting Rights.
Liquidation
Preference
The liquidation preference of the Series F Preferred is
$25. Upon liquidation, holders of the Series F Preferred
will be entitled to receive the liquidation preference with
respect to their shares of preferred stock plus an amount equal
to accumulated but unmade distributions with respect to such
shares (whether or not earned or declared) to the date of
liquidation. See Description of the Series F
PreferredLiquidation Rights.
Use of
Proceeds
The net proceeds of the offering are estimated at approximately
$ , after deduction of the
estimated underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses
payable by the Fund. The Fund intends to use the net proceeds to
redeem shares of the Series B Preferred, of which there are
currently 4,950,000 shares outstanding with a liquidation
preference of $25 per share. If the amount raised in the
offering exceeds the amount of Series B Preferred
outstanding, the excess amount will be invested in accordance
with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. The
Fund intends to redeem shares of Series B Preferred (and,
if there are excess proceeds, invest those proceeds in
accordance with the Funds investment objectives and
policies) within three months of the completion of the offering;
however, changes in market conditions, including, in particular,
factors affecting interest rates and the securities in which the
Fund invests, could result in this period being as long as six
months. See Use of Proceeds.
Listing
of the Series F Preferred
Following its issuance, the Series F Preferred is expected
to be listed on the NYSE. However, during an initial period
which is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of
its initial issuance, the Series F Preferred will not be
listed on any securities exchange and consequently may be
illiquid during that period. Prior to this offering, there has
been no public market for the Series F Preferred. There can
be no assurance that a secondary market will provide owners with
liquidity.
Special
Characteristics and Risks
Risk is inherent in all investing. Therefore, before investing
in the Series F Preferred you should consider the risks
carefully. See Risk Factors and Special
Considerations. Primary risks specially associated with an
investment in the Series F Preferred include:
The market price for the Series F Preferred will be
influenced by changes in interest rates, the perceived credit
quality of the Series F Preferred and other factors. See
Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsRisks
Associated with the Series F PreferredFluctuations in
Market Price.
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the
Series F Preferred. A preliminary application has been made
to list the Series F Preferred on the NYSE. However, during
an initial period which
5
is not expected to exceed 30 days after the date of its
issuance, the Series F Preferred will not be listed on any
securities exchange. During such
30-day
period, the underwriters may make a market in the Series F
Preferred; however, they have no obligation to do so.
Consequently, the Series F Preferred may be illiquid during
such period. No assurances can be provided that listing on any
securities exchange or market making by the underwriters will
result in the market for Series F Preferred being liquid at
any time. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsRisks Associated with the Series F
PreferredIlliquidity Risk.
You will have no right to require the Fund to repurchase or
redeem your shares of Series F Preferred at any time.
The credit rating on the Series F Preferred could be
reduced or withdrawn while an investor holds shares, and the
credit rating does not eliminate or mitigate the risks of
investing in the Series F Preferred. A reduction or
withdrawal of the credit rating would likely have an adverse
effect on the market value of the Series F Preferred.
The Fund may not meet the asset coverage requirements or earn
sufficient income from its investments to make distributions on
the Series F Preferred.
The value of the Funds investment portfolio may decline,
reducing the asset coverage for the Series F Preferred.
Further, if an issuer of a common stock in which the Fund
invests experiences financial difficulties or if an
issuers preferred stock or debt security is downgraded or
defaults or if an issuer in which the Fund invests is affected
by other adverse market factors, there may be a negative impact
on the income and asset value of the Funds investment
portfolio. In such circumstances, the Fund may be forced to
mandatorily redeem shares of the Series F Preferred.
The Fund generally may redeem the Series F Preferred at any
time
after ,
2011 and may at any time redeem shares of Series F
Preferred to meet regulatory or rating agency requirements. The
Series F Preferred is subject to redemption under specified
circumstances and investors may not be able to reinvest the
proceeds of any such redemption in an investment providing the
same or a better rate than that of the Series F Preferred.
Subject to such circumstances, the Series F Preferred is
perpetual.
The Series F Preferred is not an obligation of the Fund.
The Series F Preferred is junior in respect of
distributions and liquidation preference to any indebtedness
incurred by the Fund. Although unlikely, precipitous declines in
the value of the Funds assets could result in the Fund
having insufficient assets to redeem all of the Series F
Preferred for the full redemption price.
The Fund currently uses, and intends to continue to use,
financial leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred
stock. It is currently anticipated that, taking into account the
Series F Preferred, the amount of leverage will represent
approximately 26% of the Funds managed assets
(as defined below). If the proposed spin-off of a portion of the
Funds assets (see Additional Information) were
to occur, subject to receipt of regulatory and shareholder
approval, the amount of leverage as a percentage of Fund total
assets would increase because the Funds managed assets
would decrease by the amount contributed to the spin-off fund.
The Funds leveraged capital structure creates special
risks not associated with unleveraged funds having similar
investment objectives and policies. These include the
possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher
volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset
coverage for the Series F Preferred. Such volatility may
increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments
in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the
preferred stock, or to redeem preferred stock when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. Also, if the Fund is utilizing
leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect the ability
of the Fund to make common stock distributions and such a
failure to make distributions could result in the Fund ceasing
to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). See
Taxation. As used in this prospectus, the
Funds managed assets include the aggregate net
asset value of the Funds common stock plus assets
attributable to its outstanding preferred stock, with no
deduction for the liquidation preference of such preferred stock.
Because the fee paid to the Investment Adviser will be
calculated on the basis of the Funds assets, which include
for this purpose assets attributable to the aggregate net asset
value of the common stock plus assets
6
attributable to any outstanding senior securities, with no
deduction for the liquidation preference of any preferred stock,
the fee may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred
stock is utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to
utilize such leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has
agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets
attributable to the Existing Preferred and the Series F
Preferred during the fiscal year if the total return of the net
asset value of the common stock, including distributions and
advisory fees subject to reduction for that year, does not
exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of
each particular series of preferred stock for the period. In
other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any
series of preferred stock exceeds the total return (based on net
asset value) on the Funds common stock, the Investment
Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the
incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series
of preferred stock to mitigate the negative impact of the
leverage on the common stockholders total return. This fee
waiver is voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The
Funds total return on the net asset value of the common
stock is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the
total return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeds
the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each
particular series of preferred stock for the period. The test to
confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets
attributable to each particular series of preferred stock is
annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these
assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the
Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets.
See Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsRisks
Associated with the Series F PreferredLeverage
Risk.
Restrictions imposed on the declaration and payment of dividends
or other distributions to the holders of the common stock and
preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements
imposed by rating agencies, might impair the Funds ability
to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company
for federal income tax purposes. While the Fund intends to
redeem shares of its preferred stock (including the
Series F Preferred) to the extent necessary to enable the
Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code,
there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in
time to meet the Code requirements. See Taxation in
the SAI.
The Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time
by the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of
the average net asset value of the Fund to common stockholders.
In the event the Fund does not generate a total return from
dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains
in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in
a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such
distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset
coverage per share with respect to the Series F Preferred
(as well as the Existing Preferred). Any return of capital
should not be considered by investors as yield or total return
on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, the Fund made distributions of
$0.85 per share of common stock, none of which constituted
a return of capital. The Fund has made distributions of
$0.58 per share of common stock for the current year
through September 30, 2006. The Fund has made quarterly
distributions with respect to its common stock since 1987. A
portion of the distributions to holders of common stock during
nine of the twenty fiscal years since the Funds inception
has constituted a return of capital. The composition of each
distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the Fund as
of the record date for each distribution. The actual composition
of each of the current years distributions will be based
on the Funds investment activity through December 31,
2006.
As a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest a greater portion of its
assets in a more limited number of issuers than may a
diversified fund, and accordingly, an investment in the Fund
may, under certain circumstances, present greater risk to an
investor than an investment in a diversified company. See
Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsRisks of
Investing in the FundNon-Diversified Status.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in the securities of
companies principally engaged in a single industry. In the event
the Fund makes substantial investments in a single industry, the
Fund would become more susceptible to adverse economic or
regulatory occurrences affecting that industry. See Risk
Factors and Special ConsiderationsRisks of Investing in
the FundIndustry Concentration Risk.
7
The Fund has entered into an interest rate swap transaction with
respect to its outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred
and may enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with
respect to all or a portion of its outstanding Series E
Auction Rate Preferred. The use of interest rate swaps and caps
is a highly specialized activity that involves certain risks to
the Fund including, among others, counterparty risk and early
termination risk. See How the Fund Manages
RiskInterest Rate Transactions.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in securities
of foreign issuers. Investing in securities of foreign companies
(or foreign governments), which are generally denominated in
foreign currencies, may involve certain risks and opportunities
not typically associated with investing in domestic companies
and could cause the Fund to be affected favorably or unfavorably
by changes in currency exchange rates and revaluation of
currencies. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsRisks of Investing in the FundForeign
Securities.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
fixed-income securities rated in the lower rating categories of
recognized statistical rating agencies, also sometimes referred
to as junk bonds. Such securities are subject to
greater risks than investment grade securities, which reflect
their speculative character, including (i) greater
volatility; (ii) greater credit risk;
(iii) potentially greater sensitivity to general economic
or industry conditions; (iv) potential lack of attractive
resale opportunities (illiquidity); and (v) additional
expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default. Fixed-income
securities purchased by the Fund may be rated as low as C by
Moodys or D by S&P or may be unrated securities
considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities that are
rated C by Moodys are the lowest rated class and can be
regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining
investment-grade standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default
or is expected to default upon maturity of payment date. See
Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsRisks of
Investing in the FundLower Rated Securities.
The Fund may participate in certain derivative transactions.
Such transactions entail certain execution, market, liquidity,
hedging and tax risks. Participation in the options or futures
markets and in currency exchange transactions involves
investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would
not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the
Investment Advisers prediction of movements in the
direction of the securities, foreign currency or interest rate
markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave it
in a worse position than if such strategies were not used. See
Risk Factors and Special ConsiderationsRisks of
Investing in the FundSpecial Risks of Derivative
Transactions.
The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively
managed portfolio. The Investment Adviser will apply investment
techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for
the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce
the desired results. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsRisks of Investing in the
FundManagement Risk.
The Investment Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of
Mr. Mario J. Gabelli in providing advisory services with
respect to the Funds investments. If the Investment
Adviser were to lose the services of Mr. Gabelli, its
ability to service the Fund could be adversely affected. There
can be no assurance that a suitable replacement could be found
for Mr. Gabelli in the event of his death, resignation,
retirement or inability to act on behalf of the Investment
Adviser. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsRisks of Investing in the
FundDependence on Key Personnel. The Funds
Charter and By-Laws include provisions that could limit the
ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the
Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund. See
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Funds Charter and
By-Laws.
The Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for
federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company.
Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the
Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory
limitations on distributions on the common stock if the Fund
fails to satisfy the 1940 Acts asset coverage requirements
could jeopardize the Funds ability to meet such
distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however,
to purchase or redeem preferred stock to the extent necessary in
order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage
requirements. See Taxation for a more complete
discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.
8
Management
and Fees
Gabelli Funds, LLC serves as the Funds investment adviser.
The Investment Advisers fee is computed weekly and paid
monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% of the Funds average
weekly net assets plus assets attributable to any outstanding
senior securities, with no deduction for the liquidation
preference of any outstanding preferred stock. The fee paid by
the Fund may be higher when leverage in the form of preferred
stock is utilized, giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to
utilize such leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has
agreed to reduce the management fee on the incremental assets
attributable to the Existing Preferred and the Series F
Preferred during the fiscal year if the total return of the net
asset value of the common stock, including distributions and
advisory fees subject to reduction for that year, does not
exceed the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of
each particular series of preferred stock for the period. In
other words, if the effective cost of the leverage for any
series of preferred stock exceeds the total return (based on net
asset value) on the Funds common stock, the Investment
Adviser will waive that portion of its management fee on the
incremental assets attributable to the leverage for that series
of preferred stock to mitigate the negative impact of the
leverage on the common stockholders total return. This fee
waiver is voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. The
Funds total return on the net asset value of the common
stock is monitored on a monthly basis to assess whether the
total return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeds
the stated dividend rate or corresponding swap rate of each
particular series of preferred stock for the period. The test to
confirm the accrual of the management fee on the assets
attributable to each particular series of preferred stock is
annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on these
assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that the
Fund will incur the management fee on those additional assets.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Funds total
return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeded the
stated dividend rate or net swap expense of the Series C
Auction Rate Preferred and Series E Auction Rate Preferred.
Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets. The
Funds total return on the net asset value of the common
stock did not exceed the stated dividend rate or net swap
expense of the Series B Preferred and Series D
Preferred. Thus, management fees with respect to the liquidation
value of those preferred stock assets were reduced by
$2,387,425. See Risk Factors and Special
ConsiderationsRisks Associated with the Series F
PreferredLeverage Risk.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Boards approval
of the investment advisory contract of the Fund is available in
the Funds semi-annual report to shareholders dated
June 30, 2006.
Over the past several years, the staff of the Commission (the
Staff), the staff of the New York Attorney
Generals office (the NYAG) and officials of
other states have been conducting industry-wide inquiries into,
and bringing enforcement and other proceedings regarding,
trading abuses involving open-end investment companies. The
Investment Adviser and its affiliates have received information
requests and subpoenas from the Staff and the NYAG in connection
with these inquiries and have been complying with these requests
for documents and testimony. The Investment Adviser has
implemented additional compliance policies and procedures in
response to recent industry initiatives and its internal reviews
of its mutual fund practices in a variety of areas. For further
details regarding the Investment Advisers review in
connection with these requests, see Management of the
FundRegulatory Matters.
Repurchase
of Common Stock
The Funds Board has authorized the Fund to repurchase
shares of its common stock in the open market when the shares
are trading at a discount of 10% or more from net asset value.
Such repurchases are subject to certain notice and other
requirements under the 1940 Act. Through September 30,
2006, the Fund has not repurchased shares of its common stock
under this authorization.
Anti-takeover
Provisions of the Funds Charter and By-Laws
Certain provisions of the Funds Charter and By-Laws may be
regarded as anti-takeover provisions. Pursuant to
these provisions, only one of the three classes of directors is
elected each year, and the affirmative
9
vote of the holders of
66
2
/
3
%
of the Funds outstanding shares of each class (voting
separately) is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund
from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or generally
to authorize any of the following transactions:
(1) the merger or consolidation of the Fund with any entity;
(2) the issuance of any securities of the Fund for cash to
any entity or person;
(3) the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial
part of the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except
assets having an aggregate fair market value of less than
$1,000,000); or
(4) the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange
for its securities, of any assets of any entity or person
(except assets having an aggregate fair market value of less
than $1,000,000);
if such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through
affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of any class of capital stock of the Fund.
However, such vote would not be required when, under certain
conditions, the Board approves the transaction. The overall
effect of these provisions is to render more difficult the
accomplishment of a merger with, or the assumption of control
by, a principal stockholder, or the conversion of the Fund to
open-end status. These provisions may have the effect of
depriving Fund stockholders of an opportunity to sell their
stock at a premium above the prevailing market price. See
Anti-Takeover Provisions of the Funds Charter and
By-Laws.
Custodian,
Transfer Agent, Auction Agent and Dividend Disbursing
Agent
Mellon Trust of New England, N.A. (the Custodian),
located at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts
02149, serves as the custodian of the Funds assets
pursuant to a custody agreement. Under the custody agreement,
the Custodian holds the Funds assets in compliance with
the 1940 Act. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly
fee based upon the month end value of the total assets of the
Fund, plus certain charges for securities transactions.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Computershare),
located at 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021,
serves as the Funds dividend disbursing agent, as agent
under the Funds automatic dividend reinvestment and
voluntary cash purchase plan (the Plan) and as
transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common stock of
the Fund.
Computershare will serve as the transfer agent, registrar,
dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with respect to
the Series F Preferred. Computershare currently serves in
such capacities with respect to the Series B Preferred and
the Series D Preferred.
The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New
York, New York 10286, serves as the auction agent, transfer
agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent
with respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred and the
Series E Auction Rate Preferred.
Interest
Rate Transactions
The Fund has entered into an interest rate swap transaction with
respect to its outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred,
and may enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with
respect to all or a portion of its outstanding Series E
Auction Rate Preferred. Through these transactions the Fund may,
for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate for the
Series C Auction Rate Preferred or the Series E
Auction Rate Preferred (collectively, the Auction Rate
Preferred) that is lower than the Fund would have to pay
if it issued fixed rate preferred stock. The use of interest
rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that
involves investment techniques and risks different from those
associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. Swap
agreements may involve, to varying degrees, elements of
marketing and counterparty risk, and exposure to loss in excess
of the related amounts reflected in the Funds Statement of
Assets and Liabilities.
10
In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the
other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the
counterparty) periodically a fixed rate payment in
exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund
periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to
approximate the Funds variable rate payment obligation on
a series of the Auction Rate Preferred. In an interest rate cap,
the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest
rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index
exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, the Fund would receive from
the counterparty payments of the difference based on the
notional amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap
transactions introduce additional risk because the Fund would
remain obligated to pay preferred stock distributions when due
in accordance with the Articles Supplementary of each of the
series of Auction Rate Preferred even if the counterparty
defaulted. If there is a default by the counterparty to a swap
contract, the Fund will be limited to contractual remedies
pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is
no assurance that the swap contract counterparties will be able
to meet their obligations pursuant to a swap contract or that,
in the event of a default, the Fund will succeed in pursuing
contractual remedies. The Fund assumes the risk that it may be
delayed in or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it
pursuant to a swap contract. The creditworthiness of the swap
contract counterparties is closely monitored in order to
minimize this risk. Depending on the general state of short-term
interest rates and the returns on the Funds portfolio
securities at that point in time, such a default could
negatively affect the Funds ability to make distributions
on its auction rate preferred stock. In addition, at the time an
interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled
termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able
to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the
replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring
transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on
the Funds ability to make distributions on its auction
rate preferred stock.
A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a
significant decline in the asset coverage. If the Fund fails to
maintain the required asset coverage on its outstanding
preferred stock or fails to comply with other covenants, the
Fund may, at its option (and in certain circumstances must)
require, consistent with its Charter and the requirements of the
1940 Act, that some or all of its outstanding shares of
preferred stock (including the Series F Preferred) be
redeemed. Such redemption likely would result in the Fund
seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap
transaction. Early termination of a swap could require the Fund
to make a termination payment to the counterparty.
The Fund intends to segregate cash or liquid securities having a
value at least equal to the value of the Funds net payment
obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily.
See How the Fund Manages RiskInterest Rate
Transactions.
11
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
The table below sets forth selected financial data for the
periods presented. The per share operating performance and
ratios for the fiscal periods ended December 31, 2005,
2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Funds Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in its report which
is incorporated by reference into the SAI. The per share
operating performance and ratios for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 are unaudited and are as stated in the
Funds semi-annual report which is incorporated by
reference into the SAI. The following information should be read
in conjunction with the Financial Statements and Notes thereto,
which are incorporated by reference into the SAI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selected data for a share of common
stock outstanding throughout each period:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
8.10
|
|
|
$
|
8.69
|
|
|
$
|
7.98
|
|
|
$
|
6.28
|
|
|
$
|
8.97
|
|
|
$
|
10.89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
|
(1.65
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
|
|
2.54
|
|
|
|
(1.58
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED
SHAREHOLDERS
a
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
e
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
Net realized gain on investments
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
e
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to preferred
shareholders
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET
ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
|
|
(1.75
|
)
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON
SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
e
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
Net realized gain on investments
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
e
|
|
|
(0.77
|
)
|
|
|
(0.79
|
)
|
|
|
(0.68
|
)
|
|
|
(0.90
|
)
|
|
|
(1.02
|
)
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
e
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to common
shareholders
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.85
|
)
|
|
|
(0.80
|
)
|
|
|
(0.69
|
)
|
|
|
(0.95
|
)
|
|
|
(1.08
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in net asset
value from common share transactions
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
0.00
|
f
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
Decrease in net asset value from
shares issued in rights offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.62
|
)
|
Increase in net asset value from
repurchase of preferred shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
f
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offering costs for preferred shares
charged to paid-in capital
|
|
|
0.00
|
f
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
0.00
|
f
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
Offering costs for issuance of
rights charged to paid-in capital
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
f
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capital share transactions
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
0.00
|
f
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
(0.64
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSET VALUE ATTRIBUTABLE TO
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS, END OF PERIOD
|
|
$
|
8.54
|
|
|
$
|
8.10
|
|
|
$
|
8.69
|
|
|
$
|
7.98
|
|
|
$
|
6.28
|
|
|
$
|
8.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value Total Return+
|
|
|
10.30
|
%
|
|
|
5.50
|
%
|
|
|
19.81
|
%
|
|
|
39.90
|
%
|
|
|
(21.00
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.68
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value, End of Period
|
|
$
|
8.21
|
|
|
$
|
8.03
|
|
|
$
|
9.02
|
|
|
$
|
8.00
|
|
|
$
|
6.85
|
|
|
$
|
10.79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return++
|
|
|
6.93
|
%
|
|
|
0.66
|
%
|
|
|
24.04
|
%
|
|
|
28.58
|
%
|
|
|
(28.36
|
)%
|
|
|
10.32
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets including liquidation
value of preferred shares, end of period (in 000s)
|
|
$
|
1,802,858
|
|
|
$
|
1,764,634
|
|
|
$
|
1,638,225
|
|
|
$
|
1,514,525
|
|
|
$
|
1,271,600
|
|
|
$
|
1,465,369
|
|
Net assets attributable to common
shares, end of period (in 000s)
|
|
$
|
1,425,366
|
|
|
$
|
1,345,891
|
|
|
$
|
1,219,483
|
|
|
$
|
1,094,525
|
|
|
$
|
842,403
|
|
|
$
|
1,166,171
|
|
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets attributable to common shares
|
|
|
2.82
|
%
g
|
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
|
0.64
|
%
|
|
|
0.67
|
%
|
|
|
0.99
|
%
|
|
|
0.81
|
%
|
Ratio of operating expenses to
average net assets attributable to common shares net of fee
reduction
b
|
|
|
1.45
|
%
g
|
|
|
1.39
|
%
|
|
|
1.57
|
%
|
|
|
1.62
|
%
|
|
|
1.19
|
%
|
|
|
1.12
|
%
|
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of operating expenses to
average net assets including liquidation value of preferred
shares net of fee
reduction
b
|
|
|
1.12
|
%
g
|
|
|
1.04
|
%
|
|
|
1.14
|
%
|
|
|
1.14
|
%
|
|
|
0.87
|
%
|
|
|
0.95
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
7.4
|
%
|
|
|
22.4
|
%
|
|
|
28.6
|
%
|
|
|
19.2
|
%
|
|
|
27.1
|
%
|
|
|
23.9
|
%
|
PREFERRED STOCK:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.25% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period
(in 000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
134,198
|
|
|
$
|
134,198
|
|
Total shares outstanding (in
000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,368
|
|
|
|
5,368
|
|
Liquidation preference per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
Average market
value
c
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
25.75
|
|
|
$
|
25.39
|
|
Asset coverage per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
74.07
|
|
|
$
|
122.44
|
|
7.20% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period
(in 000s)
|
|
$
|
123,750
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
|
$
|
165,000
|
|
Total shares outstanding (in
000s)
|
|
|
4,950
|
|
|
|
6,600
|
|
|
|
6,600
|
|
|
|
6,600
|
|
|
|
6,600
|
|
|
|
6,600
|
|
Liquidation preference per share
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
Average market
value
c
|
|
$
|
25.23
|
|
|
$
|
25.92
|
|
|
$
|
26.57
|
|
|
$
|
27.06
|
|
|
$
|
26.40
|
|
|
$
|
25.60
|
|
Asset coverage per share
|
|
$
|
119.40
|
|
|
$
|
105.35
|
|
|
$
|
97.81
|
|
|
$
|
90.15
|
|
|
$
|
74.07
|
|
|
$
|
122.44
|
|
AUCTION RATE SERIES C
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period
(in 000s)
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
|
|
$
|
130,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares outstanding (in
000s)
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation preference per share
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average market
value
c
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per share
|
|
$
|
119,397
|
|
|
$
|
105,353
|
|
|
$
|
97,806
|
|
|
$
|
90,150
|
|
|
$
|
74,068
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.875% SERIES D CUMULATIVE
PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period
(in 000s)
|
|
$
|
73,743
|
|
|
$
|
73,743
|
|
|
$
|
73,743
|
|
|
$
|
75,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares outstanding (in
000s)
|
|
|
2,950
|
|
|
|
2,950
|
|
|
|
2,950
|
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation preference per share
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average market
value
c
|
|
$
|
23.87
|
|
|
$
|
24.82
|
|
|
$
|
24.81
|
|
|
$
|
25.10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per share
|
|
$
|
119.40
|
|
|
$
|
105.35
|
|
|
$
|
97.81
|
|
|
$
|
90.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUCTION RATE SERIES E
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation value, end of period
(in 000s)
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
$
|
50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shares outstanding (in
000s)
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidation preference per share
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average market
value
c
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset coverage per share
|
|
$
|
119,397
|
|
|
$
|
105,353
|
|
|
$
|
97,806
|
|
|
$
|
90,150
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSET
COVERAGE
d
|
|
|
478
|
%
|
|
|
421
|
%
|
|
|
391
|
%
|
|
|
361
|
%
|
|
|
296
|
%
|
|
|
490
|
%
|
|
|
|
+
|
|
Based on net asset value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of
distributions, at prices dependent upon the relationship of the
net asset value per share and the market value per share on the
ex-dividend dates, including the effect of shares issued
pursuant to 2001 and 2005 rights offerings, assuming full
subscription by shareholder. Total return for the period of less
than one year is not annualized.
|
|
++
|
|
Based on market value per share, adjusted for reinvestment of
distributions, including the effect of shares issued pursuant to
2001 and 2005 rights offerings, assuming full subscription by
shareholder. Total return for the period of less than one year
is not annualized.
|
|
(a)
|
|
Calculated based upon average common shares outstanding on the
record dates throughout the periods.
|
|
(b)
|
|
The ratios do not include a reduction of expenses for custodian
fee credits on cash balances maintained with the custodian.
Including such custodian fee credits for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 and the years ended December 31, 2002
and 2001, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets
attributable to common
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
shares net of fee reduction would have been 1.44%, 1.19% and
1.11%, respectively, and the ratios of operating expenses to
average total net assets including liquidation value of
preferred shares net of fee reduction would have been 1.12%,
0.87%, and 0.94%, respectively. For the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the effect of the
custodian fee credits was minimal.
|
|
(c)
|
|
Based on weekly prices.
|
|
(d)
|
|
Asset coverage is calculated by combining all series of
preferred stock.
|
|
(e)
|
|
Based on fiscal year to date book income. Amounts are subject to
change and recharacterization at fiscal year-end.
|
|
(f)
|
|
Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
|
|
(g)
|
|
Annualized.
|
14
USE OF
PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the offering are estimated at approximately
$ , after deduction of the
estimated underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses
payable by the Fund. The Fund intends to use the net proceeds to
redeem shares of the Series B Preferred, of which there are
currently 4,950,000 shares outstanding with a liquidation
preference of $25 per share. If the amount raised in the
offering exceeds the amount of Series B Preferred
outstanding, the excess amount will be invested in accordance
with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. The
Fund intends to redeem shares of Series B Preferred (and,
if there are excess proceeds, invest those proceeds in
accordance with the Funds investment objectives and
policies) within three months of the completion of the offering;
however, changes in market conditions, including, in particular,
factors affecting interest rates and the securities in which the
Fund invests, could result in this period being as long as six
months.
THE
FUND
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as
a Maryland corporation on May 20, 1986. The Fund commenced
its investment operations on August 21, 1986. The
Funds principal office is located at One Corporate Center,
Rye, New York
10580-1422.
As of September 30, 2006, the Fund had
167,642,009 shares of common stock outstanding. Pursuant to
an amendment to the Funds Articles of Incorporation that
was approved by stockholders in 2004, the Board may increase or
decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of the Fund or
the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the
Fund has authority to issue without stockholder approval. The
Fund is currently authorized to issue 252,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $0.001 per share. The common stock
currently trades on the NYSE under the symbol GAB.
Prior to its redemption on June 17, 2003, the Series A
Preferred was listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol
GAB Pr. The Series B Preferred is listed and
traded on the NYSE under the symbol GAB PrB and
Series D Preferred is listed and traded on the NYSE under
the symbol GAB PrD. The Series C and
Series E Auction Rate Preferred are not traded on any
exchange.
The following table provides information about the Funds
outstanding stock as of September 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Title Of Class
|
|
Authorized *
|
|
|
Outstanding *
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
252,000,000
|
|
|
|
167,642,009
|
|
Series A Preferred
|
|
|
5,367,900
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
Series B Preferred
|
|
|
6,600,000
|
|
|
|
4,950,000
|
|
Series C Auction Rate
Preferred
|
|
|
5,200
|
|
|
|
5,200
|
|
Series D Preferred
|
|
|
3,000,000
|
|
|
|
2,949,700
|
|
Series E Auction Rate
Preferred
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
|
3,024,900
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Does not include the Series F Preferred being offered
pursuant to this prospectus.
|
15
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of
the Fund as of September 30, 2006, and its adjusted
capitalization assuming the Series F Preferred offered in
this prospectus had been issued.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
As Adjusted
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par
value per share, 18,000,000 shares authorized as of
September 30, 2006 and 23,000,000 shares As
Adjusted (the Actual column reflects the
Funds outstanding capitalization as of September 30,
2006; the As Adjusted column assumes the issuance of
5,000,000 shares of Series F Preferred, $25
liquidation preference)
|
|
$
|
377,492,500
|
|
|
$
|
502,492,500
|
|
Shareholders equity
applicable to common stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.001 par
value per share; 252,000,000 shares authorized as of
September 30, 2006; and 247,000,000 shares As
Adjusted; 167,642,009 shares outstanding
|
|
|
167,642
|
|
|
|
167,642
|
|
Paid-in surplus *
|
|
|
1,069,995,506
|
|
|
|
1,065,558,006
|
|
Distribution in excess of net
investment income and net realized gains on investments
|
|
|
(7,800,361
|
)
|
|
|
(7,800,361
|
)
|
Net unrealized appreciation
|
|
|
396,358,020
|
|
|
|
396,358,020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets attributable to common
stock
|
|
|
1,458,720,807
|
|
|
|
1,454,283,307
|
|
Liquidation preference of
preferred stock
|
|
|
377,492,500
|
|
|
|
502,492,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, plus the liquidation
preference of preferred stock
|
|
$
|
1,836,213,307
|
|
|
$
|
1,956,775,807
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Paid-in surplus, as adjusted, reflects a deduction for the
estimated underwriting discounts of $3,937,500 and estimated
offering expenses of the Series F Preferred issuance of
$500,000.
|
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund is required to deduct
the liquidation preference of its outstanding preferred stock
from net assets, so long as the senior securities
have redemption features that are not solely within the control
of the Fund. For all regulatory purposes, the Funds
preferred stock will be treated as equity (rather than debt).
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Investment
Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to achieve
long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a
portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock,
preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and
warrants and rights to purchase such securities selected by the
Investment Adviser. Income is a secondary investment objective.
The investment objectives of long-term growth of capital and
income are fundamental policies of the Fund. These fundamental
policies and the investment limitations described in the SAI
under the caption Investment Restrictions cannot be
changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the
Funds outstanding shares of preferred stock voting as a
separate class and the approval of the holders of a majority of
the Funds outstanding voting securities. Such majority
votes require, in each case, the lesser of (i) 67% of the
Funds applicable shares represented at a meeting at which
more than 50% of the Funds applicable shares outstanding
are represented, whether in person or by proxy, or
(ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
applicable class.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least
80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities. The
80% Policy may be changed without stockholder approval. The Fund
will provide stockholders with notice at least 60 days
prior to the implementation of any change in the 80% Policy.
16
The Investment Adviser selects investments on the basis of
fundamental value and, accordingly, the Fund typically invests
in the securities of companies that are believed by the
Investment Adviser to be priced lower than justified in relation
to their underlying assets. Other important factors in the
selection of investments include favorable price/earnings and
debt/equity ratios and strong management.
The Fund seeks to achieve its secondary investment objective of
income, in part, by investing up to 10% of its total assets in
fixed-income securities rated as low as C by Moodys or D
by S&P or may be unrated securities considered to be of
equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moodys
are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade
standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected
to default upon maturity of payment date. These debt securities,
which are often referred to in the financial press as junk
bonds, are predominantly speculative and involve major
risk exposure to adverse conditions.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment
objectives will be achieved.
Investment
Methodology of the Fund
In selecting securities for the Fund, the Investment Adviser
normally will consider the following factors, among others:
|
|
|
|
|
the Investment Advisers own evaluations of the private
market value, cash flow, earnings per share and other
fundamental aspects of the underlying assets and business of the
company;
|
|
|
|
the potential for capital appreciation of the securities;
|
|
|
|
the interest or dividend income generated by the securities;
|
|
|
|
the prices of the securities relative to other comparable
securities;
|
|
|
|
whether the securities are entitled to the benefits of call
protection or other protective covenants;
|
|
|
|
the existence of any anti-dilution protections or guarantees of
the security; and
|
|
|
|
the diversification of the portfolio of the Fund as to issuers.
|
The Investment Advisers investment philosophy with respect
to equity securities is to identify assets that are selling in
the public market at a discount to their private market value.
The Investment Adviser defines private market value as the value
informed purchasers are willing to pay to acquire assets with
similar characteristics. The Investment Adviser also normally
evaluates an issuers free cash flow and long-term earnings
trends. Finally, the Investment Adviser looks for a catalyst,
something indigenous to the company, its industry or country,
that will surface additional value.
Certain
Investment Practices
Foreign Securities.
The Fund may invest up to
35% of its total assets in foreign securities. Among the foreign
securities in which the Fund may invest are those issued by
companies located in developing countries, which are countries
in the initial stages of their industrialization cycles.
Investing in the equity and debt markets of developing countries
involves exposure to economic structures that are generally less
diverse and less mature, and to political systems that may have
less stability, than those of developed countries. The markets
of developing countries historically have been more volatile
than the markets of the more mature economies of developed
countries, but often have provided higher rates of return to
investors.
The Fund may also invest in the debt securities of foreign
governments. Although such investments are not a principal
strategy of the Fund, there is no independent limit on its
ability to invest in the debt securities of foreign governments.
Temporary Defensive Investments.
Subject to
the Funds investment restrictions, when a temporary
defensive period is believed by the Investment Adviser to be
warranted (temporary defensive periods), the Fund
may, without limitation, hold cash or invest its assets in
securities of United States government
17
sponsored instrumentalities, in repurchase agreements in respect
of those instruments, and in certain high-grade commercial paper
instruments. During temporary defensive periods the Fund may
also invest in money market mutual funds that invest primarily
in securities of United States government sponsored
instrumentalities and repurchase agreements in respect of those
instruments. Under current law, in the absence of an exemptive
order, such money market mutual funds will not be affiliated
with the Investment Adviser. Obligations of certain agencies and
instrumentalities of the United States government, such as the
Government National Mortgage Association, are supported by the
full faith and credit of the United States
government; others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of
the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to
borrow from the United States Treasury; others, such as those of
the Federal National Mortgage Association, are supported by the
discretionary authority of the United States government to
purchase the agencys obligations; and still others, such
as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No
assurance can be given that the United States government would
provide financial support to United States government sponsored
instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. During
temporary defensive periods, the Fund may be less likely to
achieve its secondary investment objective of income.
Lower Rated Securities.
The Fund may invest up
to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated in
the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating
agencies, including securities rated as low as C by Moodys
or D by S&P or may be unrated securities considered to be of
equivalent quality. Securities that are rated C by Moodys
are the lowest rated class and can be regarded as having
extremely poor prospects of ever obtaining investment-grade
standing. Debt rated D by S&P is in default or is expected
to default upon maturity of payment date.
Generally, lower rated securities and unrated securities of
comparable quality offer a higher current yield than is offered
by higher rated securities, but also (i) will likely have
some quality and protective characteristics that, in the
judgment of the ratings organizations, are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions and
(ii) are predominantly speculative with respect to the
issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal in
accordance with the terms of the obligation. The market values
of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to
individual corporate developments and changes in economic
conditions than higher quality bonds. In addition, such lower
rated securities and comparable unrated securities generally
present a higher degree of credit risk. The risk of loss due to
default by these issuers is significantly greater because such
lower rated securities and unrated securities of comparable
quality generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated
to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. In light of these
risks, the Investment Adviser, in evaluating the
creditworthiness of an issue, whether rated or unrated, will
take various factors into consideration, which may include, as
applicable, the issuers operating history, financial
resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends,
the market support for the facility financed by the issue, the
perceived ability and integrity of the issuers management
and regulatory matters.
In addition, the market value of securities in lower rated
categories is more volatile than that of higher quality
securities, and the markets in which such lower rated or unrated
securities are traded are more limited than those in which
higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited
markets may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain
accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio
and calculating its net asset value. Moreover, the lack of a
liquid trading market may restrict the availability of
securities for the Fund to purchase and may also have the effect
of limiting the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their
fair value to respond to changes in the economy or the financial
markets.
Lower rated debt obligations also present risks based on payment
expectations. If an issuer calls the obligation for redemption
(often a feature of fixed income securities), the Fund may have
to replace the security with a lower yielding security,
resulting in a decreased return for investors. Also, in the
event of rising interest rates, as the principal values of bonds
move inversely with movements in interest rates, the value of
the securities held by the Fund may decline proportionately more
than a portfolio consisting of higher rated securities.
Investments in zero coupon bonds may be more speculative and
subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in
interest rates than bonds that pay interest currently.
18
As part of its investments in lower grade fixed-income
securities, the Fund may invest in securities of issuers in
default. The Fund will only make an investment in securities of
issuers in default when the Investment Adviser believes that
such issuers will honor their obligations or emerge from
bankruptcy protection and that the value of these securities
will appreciate. By investing in the securities of issuers in
default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not
continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy
protection or that the value of the securities will not
appreciate.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures.
On
behalf of the Fund, the Investment Adviser may, subject to the
Funds investment restrictions and guidelines of the Board,
purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options
thereon which are traded on a commodities exchange or board of
trade for certain hedging, yield enhancement and risk management
purposes. These futures contracts and related options may be on
debt securities, financial indices, securities indices, United
States government securities and foreign currencies. A financial
futures contract is an agreement to purchase or sell an agreed
amount of securities or currencies at a set price for delivery
in the future.
The Investment Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the
definition of the term commodity pool operator under
the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to the
registration requirements under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Accordingly, the Funds investments in derivative
instruments are not limited by or subject to regulation under
the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise regulated by the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Nevertheless, the
Funds investment restrictions place certain limitations
and prohibitions on its ability to purchase or sell commodities
or commodity contracts. In addition, investment in futures
contracts and related options generally will be limited by the
rating agency guidelines applicable to any of the Funds
outstanding preferred stock.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts.
Subject
to guidelines of the Board, the Fund may enter into forward
foreign currency exchange contracts to protect the value of its
portfolio against future changes in the level of currency
exchange rates. The Fund may enter into such contracts on a
spot, i.e., cash, basis at the rate then prevailing
in the currency exchange market or on a forward basis, by
entering into a forward contract to purchase or sell currency. A
forward contract on foreign currency is an obligation to
purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may
be any fixed number of days agreed upon by the parties from the
date of the contract at a price set on the date of the contract.
The Funds dealings in forward contracts generally will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or
portfolio positions. The Fund does not have an independent
limitation on its investments in foreign currency futures
contracts and options on foreign currency futures contracts.
Repurchase Agreements.
The Fund may enter into
repurchase agreements with banks and non-bank dealers of United
States government securities which are listed as reporting
dealers of the Federal Reserve Bank and which furnish collateral
at least equal in value or market price to the amount of their
repurchase obligation. In a repurchase agreement, the Fund
purchases a debt security from a seller who undertakes to
repurchase the security at a specified resale price on an agreed
future date. Repurchase agreements are generally for one
business day and generally will not have a duration of longer
than one week. The Commission has taken the position that, in
economic reality, a repurchase agreement is a loan by a fund to
the other party to the transaction secured by securities
transferred to the fund. The resale price generally exceeds the
purchase price by an amount which reflects an agreed -upon
market interest rate for the term of the repurchase agreement.
The Funds risk is primarily that, if the seller defaults,
the proceeds from the disposition of the underlying securities
and other collateral for the sellers obligation may be
less than the repurchase price. If the seller becomes insolvent,
the Fund might be delayed in or prevented from selling the
collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a seller,
the Fund will promptly seek to liquidate the collateral. To the
extent that the proceeds from any sale of the collateral upon a
default in the obligation to repurchase is less than the
repurchase price, the Fund will experience a loss. If the
financial institution that is a party to the repurchase
agreement petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the
United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of
the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances,
there may be a restriction on the Funds ability to sell
the collateral and the Fund could suffer a loss.
19
Loans of Portfolio Securities.
To increase
income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities to securities
broker-dealers or financial institutions if (i) the loan is
collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements and (ii) no loan will cause the value of all
loaned securities to exceed 20% of the value of its total
assets. If the borrower fails to maintain the requisite amount
of collateral, the loan automatically terminates and the Fund
could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding
the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over the
value of the collateral. As with any extension of credit, there
are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of
rights in collateral should the borrower of the securities fail
financially.
While these loans of portfolio securities will be made in
accordance with guidelines approved by the Funds Board,
there can be no assurance that borrowers will not fail
financially. On termination of the loan, the borrower is
required to return the securities to the Fund, and any gain or
loss in the market price during the loan would inure to the
Fund. If the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy
or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law
regarding the Funds rights is unsettled. As a result,
under these circumstances, there may be a restriction on the
Funds ability to sell the collateral and it would suffer a
loss.
Borrowing.
The Fund may borrow money in
accordance with its investment restrictions, including as a
temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. It
may not borrow for investment purposes.
Leveraging.
As provided in the 1940 Act, and
subject to compliance with the Funds investment
limitations, the Fund may issue senior securities representing
stock, such as preferred stock, so long as immediately following
such issuance of stock, its total assets exceed 200% of the
amount of such stock. The use of leverage magnifies the impact
of changes in net asset value. For example, a fund that uses 33%
leverage will show a 1.5% increase or decline in net asset value
for each 1% increase or decline in the value of its total
assets. In addition, if the cost of leverage exceeds the return
on the securities acquired with the proceeds of leverage, the
use of leverage will diminish, rather than enhance, the return
to the Fund. The use of leverage generally increases the
volatility of returns to the Fund.
Further information on the investment objectives and policies of
the Fund is set forth in the SAI.
Investment Restrictions.
The Fund has adopted
certain investment restrictions as fundamental policies of the
Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be
changed without the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940
Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting
together as a single class). In addition, pursuant to the
Funds respective Articles Supplementary of the
Series B, C, D, E, and F Preferred, a majority, as defined
in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred stock of the Fund
(voting separately as a single class) is also required to change
a fundamental policy, as defined in the 1940 Act. The
Funds investment restrictions are more fully discussed
under Investment Restrictions in the SAI.
Portfolio Turnover.
The Fund does not engage
in the trading of securities for the purpose of realizing
short-term profits, but adjusts its portfolio as it deems
advisable in view of prevailing or anticipated market conditions
to accomplish its investment objectives. A high rate of
portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage
commission expenses than a lower rate, and such expenses must be
borne by the Fund and its stockholders. High portfolio turnover
may also result in the realization of substantial net short-term
capital gains and any distributions resulting from such gains
will be taxable at ordinary income rates for United States
federal income tax purposes. The Funds portfolio turnover
rates for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005
were 28.6% and 22.4%, respectively. The portfolio turnover rate
is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of
portfolio securities by the average monthly value of a
funds portfolio securities. For purposes of this
calculation, portfolio securities exclude purchases and sales of
debt securities having a maturity at the date of purchase of one
year or less.
20
RISK
FACTORS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Investors should consider the following risk factors and special
considerations associated with investing in the Fund:
Risks
Associated with the Series F Preferred
There are a number of risks associated with an investment in the
Series F Preferred:
The market price for the Series F Preferred will be
influenced by changes in interest rates, the perceived credit
quality of the Series F Preferred and other factors.
A preliminary application has been made to list the
Series F Preferred on the NYSE. Prior to this offering,
there has been no public market for the Series F Preferred.
However, during an initial period which is not expected to
exceed 30 days after the date of its issuance, the
Series F Preferred will not be listed on any securities
exchange. During such
30-day
period, the underwriters may make a market in the Series F
Preferred; however, they have no obligation to do so.
Consequently, the Series F Preferred may be illiquid during
such period. No assurances can be provided that listing on any
securities exchange or market making by the underwriters will
result in the market for Series F Preferred being liquid at
any time.
The credit rating on the Series F Preferred could be
reduced or withdrawn while an investor holds shares, and the
credit rating does not eliminate or mitigate the risks of
investing in the Series F Preferred. A reduction or
withdrawal of the credit rating would likely have an adverse
effect on the market value of the Series F Preferred.
The Fund may not meet the asset coverage requirements or earn
sufficient income from its investments to make distributions on
the Series F Preferred.
The value of the Funds investment portfolio may decline,
reducing the asset coverage for the Series F Preferred.
Further, if an issuer of a common stock in which the Fund
invests experiences financial difficulties or if an
issuers preferred stock or debt security is downgraded or
defaults or if an issuer in which the Fund invests is affected
by other adverse market factors, there may be a negative impact
on the income received from
and/or
asset
value of the Funds investment portfolio. In such
circumstances, the Fund may be forced to mandatorily redeem
shares of the Series F Preferred.
The Fund generally may redeem the Series F Preferred at any
time
after ,
2011 and may at any time redeem shares of Series F
Preferred to meet regulatory or rating agency requirements. The
Series F Preferred is subject to redemption under specified
circumstances and investors may not be able to reinvest the
proceeds of any such redemption in an investment providing the
same or a better rate than that of the Series F Preferred.
Subject to such circumstances, the Series F Preferred is
perpetual.
The Series F Preferred is not an obligation of the Fund.
The Series F Preferred would be junior in respect of
distributions and liquidation preference to any indebtedness
incurred by the Fund. Although unlikely, precipitous declines in
the value of the Funds assets could result in the Fund
having insufficient assets to redeem all of the Series F
Preferred for the full redemption price.
Leverage Risk.
The Fund uses financial
leverage for investment purposes by issuing preferred stock. It
is currently anticipated that taking into account the
Series F Preferred being offered in this prospectus, the
amount of leverage will represent approximately 26% of the
Funds total assets. If the proposed spin-off of a portion
of the Funds assets (see Additional
Information) were to occur, subject to regulatory and
shareholder approval, the amount of leverage as a percentage of
Fund total assets would increase because the Funds managed
assets would decrease by the amount contributed to the spin-off
fund. The Funds leveraged capital structure creates
special risks not associated with unleveraged funds having
similar investment objectives and policies. These include the
possibility of greater loss and the likelihood of higher
volatility of the net asset value of the Fund and the asset
coverage for the Series F Preferred. Such volatility may
increase the likelihood of the Fund having to sell investments
in order to meet its obligations to make distributions on the
preferred stock, or to redeem preferred stock, when it may be
disadvantageous to do so. Also, if the Fund
21
is utilizing leverage, a decline in net asset value could affect
the ability of the Fund to make common stock distributions and
such a failure to pay dividends or make distributions could
result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated investment
company under the Code. See Taxation.
Because the fee paid to the Investment Adviser will be
calculated on the basis of the Funds net assets, which
include for this purpose assets attributable to the aggregate
net asset value of the common stock plus assets attributable to
any outstanding preferred stock with no deduction for the
liquidation preference of any preferred stock, the fee may be
higher when leverage in the form of preferred stock is utilized,
giving the Investment Adviser an incentive to utilize such
leverage. However, the Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce
the management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the
Existing Preferred and the Series F Preferred during the
fiscal year if the total return of the net asset value of the
common stock, including distributions and advisory fees subject
to reduction for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend
rate or corresponding swap rate of each particular series of
preferred stock for the period. In other words, if the effective
cost of the leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds
the total return (based on net asset value) on the Funds
common stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of
its management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the
leverage for that series of preferred stock to mitigate the
negative impact of the leverage on the common stockholders
total return. This fee waiver is voluntary and may be
discontinued at any time. The Funds total return on the
net asset value of common stock is monitored on a monthly basis
to assess whether the total return on the net asset value of the
common stock exceeds the stated dividend rate or corresponding
swap rate of each particular series of preferred stock for the
period. The test to confirm the accrual of the management fee on
the assets attributable to each particular series of preferred
stock is annual. The Fund will accrue for the management fee on
these assets during the fiscal year if it appears probable that
the Fund will incur the management fee on those additional
assets.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Funds total
return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeded the
stated dividend rate or net swap expense of the Series C
Auction Rate Preferred and Series E Auction Rate Preferred.
Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets. The
Funds total return on the net asset value of the common
stock did not exceed the stated dividend rate or net swap
expense of the Series B Preferred and Series D
Preferred. Thus, management fees with respect to the liquidation
value of those preferred assets were reduced by $2,387,425.
Restrictions on Dividends and Other
Distributions.
Restrictions imposed on the
declaration and payment of dividends or other distributions to
the holders of the common stock and preferred stock (including
the Series F Preferred), both by the 1940 Act and by
requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair the
Funds ability to maintain its qualification as a regulated
investment company for federal income tax purposes. While the
Fund intends to redeem its preferred stock (including the
Series F Preferred) to the extent necessary to enable the
Fund to distribute its income as required to maintain its
qualification as a regulated investment company under the Code,
there can be no assurance that such actions can be effected in
time to meet the Code requirements. See Taxation in
the SAI.
Risks of
Investing in the Fund
Common Stock Distribution Policy Risk.
The
Fund has adopted a policy, which may be changed at any time by
the Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the
average net asset value of the Fund to common stockholders. In
the event the Fund does not generate a total return from
dividends and interest received and net realized capital gains
in an amount equal to or in excess of its stated distribution in
a given year, the Fund may return capital as part of such
distribution, which may have the effect of decreasing the asset
coverage per share with respect to the Series F Preferred
(as well as the Existing Preferred). Any return of capital
should not be considered by investors as yield or total return
on their investment in the Fund. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005, the Fund made distributions of
$0.85 per share of common stock, none of which constituted
a return of capital. The Fund has made distributions of
$0.58 per share of common stock for the current year
through September 30, 2006. The Fund has made quarterly
distributions with respect to its common stock since 1987. A
portion of the distributions to holders of common stock during
nine of the twenty fiscal years since the Funds inception
has constituted a return of capital. The composition
22
of each distribution is estimated based on the earnings of the
Fund as of the record date for each distribution. The actual
composition of each of the current years common stock
distributions will be based on the Funds investment
activity through December 31, 2006.
Value Investing Risk.
The Fund invests in
dividend-paying common and preferred stocks that the Investment
Adviser believes are undervalued or inexpensive relative to
other investments. These types of securities may present risks
in addition to the general risks associated with investing in
common and preferred stocks. These securities generally are
selected on the basis of an issuers fundamentals relative
to current market price. Such securities are subject to the risk
of mis-estimation of certain fundamental factors. In addition,
during certain time periods market dynamics may strongly favor
growth stocks of issuers that do not display strong
fundamentals relative to market price based upon positive price
momentum and other factors. Disciplined adherence to a
value investment mandate during such periods can
result in significant underperformance relative to overall
market indices and other managed investment vehicles that pursue
growth style investments
and/or
flexible equity style mandates.
Non-Diversified Status.
The Fund is classified
as a non-diversified investment company under the
1940 Act, which means it is not limited by the 1940 Act as to
the proportion of its assets that may be invested in the
securities of a single issuer. However, the Fund has in the past
conducted and intends to conduct its operations so as to qualify
as a regulated investment company, or
RIC, for purposes of the Code, which will relieve it
of any liability for federal income tax to the extent its
earnings are distributed to stockholders. To qualify as a
regulated investment company, among other
requirements, the Fund will limit its investments so that, with
certain exceptions, at the close of each quarter of the taxable
year:
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not more than 25% of the value of its total assets will be
invested in the securities (other than United States government
securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer,
or of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and which
are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related
trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more
qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined in the
Code); and
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at least 50% of the value of the Funds assets will be
represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment
companies, United States government securities and other
securities, with such other securities limited in respect of any
one issuer to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the
Funds assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding
voting securities of such issuer.
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As a non-diversified investment company, the Fund may invest in
the securities of individual issuers to a greater degree than a
diversified investment company. As a result, the Fund may be
more vulnerable to events affecting a single issuer and
therefore subject to greater volatility than a fund that is more
broadly diversified. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund may
present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a
diversified company.
Market Value and Net Asset Value.
The Fund is
a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.
Shares of closed-end funds are bought and sold in the securities
markets and may trade at either a premium to or discount from
net asset value. Listed shares of closed-end investment
companies often trade at discounts from net asset value. This
characteristic of stock of a closed-end fund is a risk separate
and distinct from the risk that its net asset value will
decrease. The Fund cannot predict whether its listed stock will
trade at, below or above net asset value. Since inception, the
Funds shares of common stock have traded at both premiums
to and discounts from net asset value. As of September 30,
2006, the shares traded at a premium of 0.69%. Stockholders
desiring liquidity may, subject to applicable securities laws,
trade their Fund stock on the NYSE or other markets on which
such stock may trade at the then-current market value, which may
differ from the then-current net asset value. Stockholders will
incur brokerage or other transaction costs to sell stock.
Industry Concentration Risk.
The Fund may
invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of a single
industry. Should the Fund choose to do so, the net asset value
of the Fund will be more susceptible to factors affecting those
particular types of companies, which, depending on the
particular industry, may include, among others: governmental
regulation; inflation; cost increases in raw materials, fuel and
other operating expenses;
23
technological innovations that may render existing products and
equipment obsolete; and increasing interest rates resulting in
high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital investment,
including costs associated with compliance with environmental
and other regulations. In such circumstances the Funds
investments may be subject to greater risk and market
fluctuation than a fund that had securities representing a
broader range of industries.
Special Risks Related to Preferred
Securities.
There are special risks associated
with the Funds investing in preferred securities,
including:
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Deferral.
Preferred securities may include
provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer
dividends or distributions for a stated period without any
adverse consequences to the issuer. If the Fund owns a preferred
security that is deferring its dividends or distributions, the
Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although
it has not yet received such income.
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Non-Cumulative Dividends.
Some preferred
securities are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not
accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio
may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities,
whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any
arrearages to its shareholders. Should an issuer of a
non-cumulative preferred security held by the Fund determine not
to pay dividends or distributions on such security, the
Funds return from that security may be adversely affected.
There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on
non-cumulative preferred securities in which the Fund invests
will be declared or otherwise made payable.
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Subordination.
Preferred securities are
subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in an
issuers capital structure in terms of priority to
corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be
subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt security
instruments.
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Liquidity.
Preferred securities may be
substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as
common stocks or U.S. Government securities.
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Limited Voting Rights.
Generally, preferred
security holders (such as the Fund) have no voting rights with
respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have
been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time
the preferred security holders may be entitled to elect a number
of trustees to the issuers board. Generally, once all the
arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no
longer have voting rights.
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Special Redemption Rights.
In certain
varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may
redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance,
for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be
triggered by a change in federal income tax or securities laws.
A redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of
the security held by the Fund.
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Market Disruption Risk.
Certain events have a
disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist
attacks, war and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot
predict the effects of similar events in the future on the
U.S. economy. Lower rated securities and securities of
issuers with smaller market capitalizations tend to be more
volatile than higher rated securities and securities of issuers
with larger market capitalizations so that these events and any
actions resulting from them may have a greater impact on the
prices and volatility of lower rated securities and securities
of issuers with smaller market capitalizations than on higher
rated securities and securities of issuers with larger market
capitalization.
Interest Rate Transactions.
The Fund has
entered into an interest rate swap transaction with respect to
its outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred and may
enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with respect
to its outstanding Series E Auction Rate Preferred. The use
of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity
that involves certain risks to the Fund including, among others,
counterparty risk and early termination risk. See How the
Fund Manages RiskInterest Rate Transactions.
Foreign Securities.
The Fund may invest up to
35% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve certain
considerations and risks not ordinarily
24
associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers.
Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform
accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements
comparable to those applicable to United States companies.
Foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies may
be subject to less government supervision and regulation than
exists in the United States. Dividend and interest income may be
subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may
adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may
be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad
and it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital
invested in certain countries. With respect to certain
countries, there are also risks of expropriation, confiscatory
taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic
developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in
foreign countries. Dividend income the Fund receives from
foreign securities may not be eligible for the special tax
treatment applicable to qualified dividend income.
There may be less publicly available information about a foreign
company than a United States company. Foreign securities markets
may have substantially less volume than United States securities
markets and some foreign company securities are less liquid than
securities of otherwise comparable United States companies. A
portfolio of foreign securities may also be adversely affected
by fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the currencies
of different nations and by exchange control regulations.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures that could cause the Fund to encounter difficulties
in purchasing and selling securities on such markets and may
result in the Fund missing attractive investment opportunities
or experiencing loss. In addition, a portfolio that includes
foreign securities can expect to have a higher expense ratio
because of the increased transaction costs on non-United States
securities markets and the increased costs of maintaining the
custody of foreign securities.
The Fund also may purchase sponsored American Depositary
Receipts (ADRs) or United States dollar denominated
securities of foreign issuers. ADRs are receipts issued by
United States banks or trust companies in respect of securities
of foreign issuers held on deposit for use in the United States
securities markets. While ADRs may not necessarily be
denominated in the same currency as the securities into which
they may be converted, many of the risks associated with foreign
securities may also apply to ADRs. In addition, the underlying
issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored
or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to
distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such
receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with
respect to the deposited securities.
Smaller Companies.
The Fund may invest in
smaller companies which may benefit from the development of new
products and services. These smaller companies may present
greater opportunities for capital appreciation, and may also
involve greater investment risk than larger, more established
companies. For example, smaller companies may have more limited
product lines, market or financial resources and their
securities may trade less frequently and in lower volume than
the securities of larger, more established companies. As a
result, the prices of the securities of such smaller companies
may fluctuate to a greater degree than the prices of securities
of other issuers.
Investment Companies.
The Fund may invest in
the securities of other investment companies to the extent
permitted by law. To the extent the Fund invests in the common
equity of investment companies, the Fund will bear its ratable
share of any such investment companys expenses, including
management fees. The Fund will also remain obligated to pay
management fees to the Investment Adviser with respect to the
assets invested in the securities of other investment companies.
In these circumstances holders of the Funds common stock
will be subject to duplicative investment expenses.
Lower Rated Securities.
The Fund may invest up
to 10% of its total assets in fixed-income securities rated in
the lower rating categories of recognized statistical rating
agencies. These high yield securities, also sometimes referred
to as junk bonds, generally pay a premium above the
yields of United States government securities or debt securities
of investment grade issuers because they are subject to greater
risks than these securities. These risks, which reflect their
speculative character, include the following:
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greater volatility;
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greater credit risk;
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25
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potentially greater sensitivity to general economic or industry
conditions;
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potential lack of attractive resale opportunities
(illiquidity); and
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additional expenses to seek recovery from issuers who default.
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The market value of lower rated securities may be more volatile
than the market value of higher rated securities and generally
tends to reflect the markets perception of the
creditworthiness of the issuer and short-term market
developments to a greater extent than more highly rated
securities, which primarily reflect fluctuations in general
levels of interest rates.
Ratings are relative and subjective, and are not absolute
standards of quality. Securities ratings are based largely on
the issuers historical financial condition and the rating
agencies analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the
rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a
reflection of the issuers current financial condition.
As a part of its investment in lower rated fixed-income
securities, the Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in
default. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in
default only when the Investment Adviser believes that such
issuers will honor their obligations and emerge from bankruptcy
protection and that the value of such issuers securities
will appreciate. By investing in the securities of issuers in
default, the Fund bears the risk that these issuers will not
continue to honor their obligations or emerge from bankruptcy
protection or that the value of these securities will not
appreciate.
Special Risks of Derivative
Transactions.
Participation in the options or
futures markets and in currency exchange transactions involves
investment risks and transaction costs to which the Fund would
not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the
Investment Advisers prediction of movements in the
direction of the securities, foreign currency or interest rate
markets is inaccurate, the consequences to the Fund may leave it
in a worse position than if such strategies were not used. Risks
inherent in the use of options, foreign currency, futures
contracts and options on futures contracts, securities indices
and foreign currencies include:
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dependence on the Investment Advisers ability to predict
correctly movements in the direction of interest rates,
securities prices and currency markets;
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imperfect correlation between the price of options and futures
contracts and options thereon and movements in the prices of the
securities or currencies being hedged;
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the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are
different from those needed to select portfolio securities;
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the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular instrument at any time;
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the possible need to defer closing out certain hedged positions
to avoid adverse tax consequences; and
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the possible inability of the Fund to purchase or sell a
security at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to
do so, or the possible need for the Fund to sell a security at a
disadvantageous time due to a need for the Fund to maintain
cover or to segregate securities in connection with
the hedging techniques.
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Futures Transactions.
Futures and options on
futures entail certain risks, including but not limited to the
following:
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no assurance that futures contracts or options on futures can be
offset at favorable prices;
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possible reduction of the returns of the Fund due to the use of
hedging;
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possible reduction in value of both the securities hedged and
the hedging instrument;
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possible lack of liquidity due to daily limits or price
fluctuations;
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imperfect correlation between the contracts and the securities
being hedged; and
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losses from investing in futures transactions that are
potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements for such
transactions.
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For a further description, see Investment Objectives and
PoliciesInvestment Practices in the SAI.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts.
The use
of forward currency contracts may involve certain risks,
including the failure of the counterparty to perform its
obligations under the contract and that the use of forward
contracts may not serve as a complete hedge because of an
imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the
contracts and the prices of the currencies hedged or used for
cover. For a further description of such investments, see
Investment Objectives and PoliciesInvestment
Practices in the SAI.
Counterparty Risk.
The Fund will be subject to
credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative
contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes
bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a
derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may
experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under
the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization
proceedings. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may
obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Loans of Portfolio Securities.
Consistent with
applicable regulatory requirements and the Funds
investment restrictions, the Fund may lend its portfolio
securities to securities broker-dealers or financial
institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time
by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described in the SAI)
and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which
are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable
regulations and that are at least equal to the market value,
determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of
such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on
the loaned securities while at the same time earning interest on
the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested
in short-term obligations. The Fund will not lend its portfolio
securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or
regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for
sale. The Funds loans of portfolio securities will be
collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory
requirements.
For a further description of such loans of portfolio securities,
see Investment Objective and PoliciesCertain
Investment PracticesLoans of Portfolio Securities.
Management Risk.
The Fund is subject to
management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. The
Investment Adviser will apply investment techniques and risk
analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there
can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Dependence on Key Personnel.
Mario J. Gabelli
serves as the Funds portfolio manager. The Investment
Adviser is dependent upon the expertise of Mr. Gabelli in
providing advisory services with respect to the Funds
investments. If the Investment Adviser were to lose the services
of Mr. Gabelli, its ability to service the Fund could be
adversely affected. There can be no assurance that a suitable
replacement could be found for Mr. Gabelli in the event of
his death, resignation, retirement or inability to act on behalf
of the Investment Adviser.
Anti-takeover Provisions of the Funds Charter and
By-Laws.
The Funds Charter and By- Laws
include provisions that could limit the ability of other
entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert
the Fund to an open-end fund. See Anti-Takeover Provisions
of the Funds Charter and By-Laws.
Status as A Regulated Investment Company.
The
Fund has qualified, and intends to remain qualified, for federal
income tax purposes as a regulated investment company.
Qualification requires, among other things, compliance by the
Fund with certain distribution requirements. Statutory
limitations on distributions on the common stock if the Fund
fails to satisfy the 1940 Acts asset coverage requirements
could jeopardize the Funds ability to meet such
distribution requirements. The Fund presently intends, however,
to purchase or redeem preferred stock to the extent necessary in
order to maintain compliance with such asset coverage
requirements. See Taxation for a more complete
discussion of these and other federal income tax considerations.
27
HOW THE
FUND MANAGES RISK
Investment
Restrictions
The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations, some of
which are fundamental policies of the Fund, designed to limit
investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. Under
the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without
the vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together as a
single class). In addition, pursuant to the
Articles Supplementary of each of the series of preferred
stock, a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the
outstanding shares of preferred stock of the Fund (voting
separately as a single class) is also required to change a
fundamental policy. The Fund may become subject to guidelines
that are more limiting than its current investment restrictions
in order to obtain and maintain ratings from Moodys and
S&P on its preferred stock.
Interest
Rate Transactions
The Fund has entered into an interest rate swap transaction with
respect to its outstanding Series C Auction Rate Preferred.
The Fund may enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions
with respect to all or a portion of its outstanding
Series E Auction Rate Preferred. Through these transactions
the Fund may, for example, obtain the equivalent of a fixed rate
for a series of the Auction Rate Preferred that is lower than
the Fund would have to pay if it issued fixed rate preferred
stock.
The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized
activity that involves investment techniques and risks different
from those associated with ordinary portfolio security
transactions. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to
pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known
as the counterparty) periodically a fixed rate
payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the
Fund periodically a variable rate payment that is intended to
approximate the Funds variable rate payment obligation on
a series of the Auction Rate Preferred. In an interest rate cap,
the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest
rate cap and, to the extent that a specified variable rate index
exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the
counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional
amount of such cap. Interest rate swap and cap transactions
introduce additional risk because the Fund would remain
obligated to pay preferred stock dividends or distributions when
due in accordance with the Articles Supplementary of the
relevant series of the Auction Rate Preferred even if the
counterparty defaulted. Depending on the general state of
short-term interest rates and the returns on the Funds
portfolio securities at that point in time, such a default could
negatively affect the Funds ability to make dividend or
distribution payments on the Auction Rate Preferred. In
addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction
reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the
Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or
that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on
the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a
negative impact on the Funds ability to make dividend or
distribution payments on the Auction Rate Preferred. To the
extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the
interest rate swap or cap could decline, resulting in a decline
in the asset coverage for the Auction Rate Preferred. A sudden
and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a
significant decline in the asset coverage. Under the
Articles Supplementary for each series of the preferred
stock (including the Series F Preferred ), if the Fund
fails to maintain the required asset coverage on the outstanding
preferred stock or fails to comply with other covenants, the
Fund may, at its option (and in certain circumstances will be
required to), mandatorily redeem some or all of these shares.
The Fund generally may redeem either or both series of the
Auction Rate Preferred, in whole or in part, at its option at
any time (usually on a dividend or distribution payment date),
other than during a non-call period. Such redemption would
likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a
portion of any swap or cap transaction. Early termination of a
swap could result in a termination payment by the Fund to the
counterparty, while early termination of a cap could result in a
termination payment to the Fund.
The Fund will usually enter into swaps or caps on a net basis;
that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash
settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the
instrument, with the Fund
28
receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of
the two payments. The Fund intends to segregate cash or liquid
securities having a value at least equal to the value of the
Funds net payment obligations under any swap transaction,
marked to market daily. The Fund will monitor any such swap with
a view to ensuring that the Fund remains in compliance with all
applicable regulatory investment policy and tax requirements.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
The Board (who, with its officers, are described in the SAI) has
overall responsibility for the management of the Fund. The Board
decides upon matters of general policy and reviews the actions
of the Investment Adviser.
Investment
Management
Gabelli Funds, LLC, located at One Corporate Center, Rye, New
York
10580-1422,
serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an
investment advisory agreement (described below in
Advisory Agreement). The Investment Adviser
was organized in 1999 and is the successor to Gabelli Funds,
Inc., which was organized in 1980. As of June 30, 2006, the
Investment Adviser acted as registered investment adviser to 27
management investment companies with aggregate net assets of
$13.5 billion. The Investment Adviser, together with other
affiliated investment advisers, had assets under management
totaling approximately $26.8 billion as of June 30,
2006. GAMCO Asset Management Inc., an affiliate of the
Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for individuals,
pension trusts, profit sharing trusts and endowments, and as a
sub-adviser to management investment companies having aggregate
assets of $12.3 billion under management as of
June 30, 2006. Gabelli Securities, Inc., an affiliate of
the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for
investment partnerships and entities having aggregate assets of
approximately $500 million under management as of
June 30, 2006. Gabelli Fixed Income LLC, an affiliate of
the Investment Adviser, acts as investment adviser for separate
accounts having aggregate assets of approximately
$55 million under management as of June 30, 2006.
Gabelli Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser,
acts as investment manager to the Westwood Funds having
aggregate assets of approximately $400 million under
management as of June 30, 2006.
The Investment Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO
Investors, Inc., a New York corporation whose Class A
Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol
GBL. Mr. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed a
controlling person of the Investment Adviser on the
basis of his ownership of a majority of the stock of GGCP, Inc.,
which owns a majority of the capital stock of GAMCO Investors,
Inc.
The Investment Adviser has sole investment discretion for the
Funds assets under the supervision of the Funds
Board and in accordance with the Funds stated policies.
The Investment Adviser will select investments for the Fund and
will place purchase and sale orders on behalf of the Fund.
The Investment Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated
with providing the services contemplated by the Advisory
Agreement, including compensation of and office space for its
officers and employees connected with investment and economic
research, trading and investment management and administration
of the Fund (but excluding costs associated with the calculation
of the net asset value), and the fees of all Directors of the
Fund who are affiliated with the Investment Adviser. The Fund
pays all other expenses incurred in its operation including,
among other things, offering expenses, expenses for legal and
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm services, rating
agency fees, costs of printing proxies, stock certificates and
stockholder reports, charges of the custodian, any subcustodian,
auction agent, transfer agent(s) and dividend disbursing agent
expenses in connection with its respective automatic dividend
reinvestment and voluntary cash purchase plan, Commission fees,
fees and expenses of unaffiliated directors, accounting and
pricing costs, including costs of calculating the net asset
value of the Fund, membership fees in trade associations,
fidelity bond coverage for its officers and employees,
directors and officers errors and omission insurance
coverage, interest, brokerage costs, taxes, stock exchange
listing fees and expenses, expenses of
29
qualifying its shares for sale in various states, litigation and
other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, and other
expenses properly payable by the Fund.
Advisory
Agreement
Under the terms of the Funds Investment Advisory Agreement
(the Advisory Agreement), the Investment Adviser
manages the portfolio of the Fund in accordance with its stated
investment objectives and policies, makes investment decisions
for the Fund, places orders to purchase and sell securities on
behalf of the Fund and manages the Funds other business
and affairs, all subject to the supervision and direction of its
Board. In addition, under the Advisory Agreement, the Investment
Adviser oversees the administration of all aspects of the
Funds business and affairs and provides, or arranges for
others to provide, at the Investment Advisers expense,
certain enumerated services, including maintaining the
Funds books and records, preparing reports to its
stockholders and supervising the calculation of the net asset
value of its stock. All expenses of computing the Funds
net asset value, including any equipment or services obtained
solely for the purpose of pricing shares of stock or valuing the
Funds investment portfolio, will be an expense of the Fund
under the Advisory Agreement unless the Investment Adviser
voluntarily assumes responsibility for such expense. During
fiscal 2005, the Fund reimbursed the Investment Adviser $45,000
in connection with the cost of computing the Funds net
asset value.
The Advisory Agreement combines investment advisory and
administrative responsibilities in one agreement. For services
rendered by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund under
the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Adviser a
fee computed weekly and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00%
of the Funds average weekly net assets plus the
liquidation value of any outstanding preferred stock. The
Investment Adviser has agreed to reduce the management fee on
the incremental assets attributable to the Existing Preferred
and the Series F Preferred during the fiscal year if the
total return of the net asset value of the common stock,
including distributions and management fees subject to reduction
for that year, does not exceed the stated dividend rate or
corresponding swap rate of each particular series of preferred
stock for the period. In other words, if the effective cost of
the leverage for any series of preferred stock exceeds the total
return (based on net asset value) on the Funds common
stock, the Investment Adviser will waive that portion of its
management fee on the incremental assets attributable to the
leverage for that series of preferred stock to mitigate the
negative impact of the leverage on the common stockholders
total return. This fee waiver is voluntary and may be
discontinued at any time. The Funds total return on the
net asset value of its common stock is monitored on a monthly
basis to assess whether the total return on the net asset value
of its common stock exceeds the stated dividend rate or
corresponding swap rate of each particular series of outstanding
preferred stock for the period. The test to confirm the accrual
of the management fee on the assets attributable to each
particular series of preferred stock is annual. The Fund will
accrue for the management fee on these assets during the fiscal
year if it appears probable that the Fund will incur the
management fee on those assets.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Funds total
return on the net asset value of the common stock exceeded the
stated dividend rate or net swap expense of the Series C
Auction Rate Preferred and Series E Auction Rate Preferred.
Thus, management fees were accrued on these assets. The
Funds total return on the net asset value of the common
stock did not exceed the stated dividend rate or net swap
expense of the Series B Preferred and Series D
Preferred. Thus, management fees with respect to the liquidation
value of those preferred assets were reduced by $2,387,425.
The Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties thereunder, the Investment Adviser
is not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for
any loss suffered by the Fund. As part of the Advisory
Agreement, the Fund has agreed that the name Gabelli
is the Investment Advisers property, and that in the event
the Investment Adviser ceases to act as an investment adviser to
the Fund, the Fund will change its name to one not including
Gabelli.
30
Pursuant to its terms, the Advisory Agreement will remain in
effect with respect to the Fund from year to year if approved
annually (i) by the Funds Board or by the holders of
a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities and
(ii) by a majority of the Directors who are not
interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
any party to the Advisory Agreement, by vote cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
A discussion regarding the basis of the Boards approval of
the Advisory Agreement is available in the Funds
semi-annual report to shareholders for the six months ended
June 30, 2006.
Selection
of Securities Brokers
The Advisory Agreement contains provisions relating to the
selection of securities brokers to effect the portfolio
transactions of the Fund. Under those provisions, the Investment
Adviser may (i) direct Fund portfolio brokerage to
Gabelli & Company, Inc. or other broker-dealer
affiliates of the Investment Adviser and (ii) pay
commissions to brokers other than Gabelli & Company,
Inc. that are higher than might be charged by another qualified
broker to obtain brokerage
and/or
research services considered by the Investment Adviser to be
useful or desirable for its investment management of the Fund
and/or
its
other advisory accounts or those of any investment adviser
affiliated with it. The SAI contains further information about
the Advisory Agreement, including a more complete description of
the advisory and expense arrangements, exculpatory and brokerage
provisions, as well as information on the brokerage practices of
the Fund.
Portfolio
Managers
Mario J. Gabelli is currently and has been responsible for the
day-to-day
management of the Fund since its formation. Mr. Gabelli has
served as Chief Investment OfficerValue Portfolios of the
Investment Adviser and its predecessor since 1980.
Mr. Gabelli also serves as Portfolio Manager for several
other funds in the Gabelli fund family. Because of the diverse
nature of Mr. Gabellis responsibilities, he will
devote less than all of his time to the
day-to-day
management of the Fund. Over the past five years,
Mr. Gabelli has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc.; Chief Investment
OfficerValue Portfolios of GAMCO Asset Management Inc;
Vice Chairman of the Board of LGL Group, Inc. (until 2004), a
diversified manufacturing company; and Chairman of the Board of
Lynch Interactive Corporation, a multimedia and communications
services company.
Additionally, as of September 30, 2006, Mr. Caesar
M.P. Bryan managed approximately $93 million of the
Funds assets. Mr. Bryan has been a Senior Vice
President and Portfolio Manager with GAMCO Asset Management Inc.
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc.) and
Portfolio Manager of the GAMCO Gold Fund, Inc. since May 1994
and the GAMCO International Growth Fund, Inc. since June 1995,
Co-Portfolio Manager of the GAMCO Global Opportunity Fund since
May 1998, Gold Companies Portfolio Manager of the Gabelli Global
Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust since March
2005, and a member of the GAMCO Global Growth Fund portfolio
management team since September 2000.
The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio
Managers compensation, other accounts managed by the
Portfolio Managers and the Portfolio Managers ownership of
securities in the Fund.
Sub-Administrator
PFPC, Inc. (PFPC), located at 400 Bellevue Parkway,
Wilmington, Delaware, 19809, serves as the Funds
sub-administrator. For these services and the related expenses
borne by PFPC, the Investment Adviser pays a prorated monthly
fee at the annual rate of 0.0275% of the first $10 billion
of the aggregate average net assets of the Fund and all other
funds advised by the Investment Adviser and administered by
PFPC, 0.0125% of the aggregate average net assets exceeding
$10 billion, and 0.01% of the aggregate average net assets
in excess of $15 billion.
31
Regulatory
Matters
The Fund received the following information from the Investment
Adviser.
Over the past several years, the staff of the Commission (the
Staff), the staff of the New York Attorney
Generals office (the NYAG) and officials of
other states have been conducting industry-wide inquiries into,
and bringing enforcement and other proceedings regarding,
trading abuses involving open-end investment companies. The
Investment Adviser and its affiliates have received information
requests and subpoenas from the Staff and the NYAG in connection
with these inquiries and have been complying with these requests
for documents and testimony. The Investment Adviser has
implemented additional compliance policies and procedures in
response to recent industry initiatives and its internal reviews
of its mutual fund practices in a variety of areas. The
Investment Adviser has not found any information that it
believes would be material to the ability of the Investment
Adviser to fulfill its obligations under the Advisory Agreement.
More specifically, the Investment Adviser has found no evidence
of arrangements for trading in the Gabelli mutual funds after
the 4:00 p.m. pricing time and no evidence of improper
short-term trading in these funds by its investment
professionals or senior executives. The Investment Adviser did
find that one investor, who had been engaged in short-term
trading in one of the Gabelli mutual funds (the prospectus of
which did not at that time impose limits on short-term trading)
and who had subsequently made an investment in a hedge fund
managed by an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, was banned
from the mutual fund only after certain other investors were
banned. The Investment Adviser believes that this relationship
was not material to the Investment Adviser. The Investment
Adviser also found that certain discussions took place in 2002
and 2003 between the Investment Advisers staff and
personnel of an investment advisor regarding possible frequent
trading in certain Gabelli domestic equity funds. In June 2006,
the Investment Adviser began discussions with the Staff
regarding a possible resolution of their inquiry. Since these
discussions are ongoing, the Investment Adviser cannot determine
whether they will ultimately result in a settlement of this
matter and, if so, what the terms of the settlement might be.
There can be no assurance that any resolution of this matter
will not have a material adverse impact on the Investment
Adviser or on its ability to fulfill its obligations under the
Advisory Agreement.
The Investment Adviser was informed by the Staff that they may
recommend to the Commission that the Investment Adviser be held
accountable for the actions of two of the seven closed-end funds
managed by the Investment Adviser relating to Section 19(a)
and
Rule 19a-1
of the 1940 Act. These provisions require registered investment
companies to provide written statements to shareholders when a
distribution is made from a source other than net investment
income. While the two funds sent annual statements containing
the required information and
Form 1099-DIV
statements as required by the IRS, the funds did not send
written statements to shareholders with each distribution in
2002 and 2003. The closed-end funds managed by the Investment
Adviser changed their notification procedures in 2004 and the
Investment Adviser believes that all of the funds have been in
compliance with Section 19(a) and
Rule 19a-1
of the 1940 Act since that time. The Staffs notice to the
Investment Adviser did not relate to the Fund. The Staff
indicated that they may recommend to the Commission that
administrative remedies be sought, including a monetary penalty.
The Investment Adviser cannot predict whether an administrative
proceeding will be instituted and, if so, what the ultimate
resolution might be. The Investment Adviser currently expects
that any resolution of this matter will not have a material
effect on the Investment Advisers ability to fulfill its
obligations under the Advisory Agreement. If the Commission were
to revoke the exemptive order that the Fund relies upon to make
distributions of capital gains more frequently than annually,
the Board may consider whether to modify or possibly eliminate
the Funds current distribution policy.
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
Principal transactions are not entered into with affiliates of
the Fund. However, Gabelli & Company, Inc., an
affiliate of the Investment Adviser, may execute portfolio
transactions on stock exchanges and in the
over-the-counter
markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission
therefore. For a more detailed discussion of the Funds
brokerage allocation practices, see Portfolio
Transactions in the SAI.
32
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund has a policy, which may be modified at any time by the
Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the
average net asset value of the Fund to common stockholders. The
Funds current quarterly distribution level is
$0.19 per share. The Board paid a distribution of
$0.20 per share for the third quarter of 2006, consisting
of the $0.19 per share quarterly distribution plus an
additional $0.01 per share. Each year the Fund pays an
adjusting distribution in the fourth quarter of an amount
sufficient to pay 10% of the average net asset value of the
Fund, as of the last day of the four preceding calendar
quarters, or to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of
the Code, whichever is greater. Each quarter, the Board reviews
the amount of any potential distribution and the income, capital
gain or capital available. This policy permits common
stockholders to realize a predictable, but not assured, level of
cash flow and some liquidity periodically with respect to their
shares of common stock without having to sell their shares. The
Fund may retain for reinvestment, and pay the resulting federal
income taxes on, its net capital gain, if any, although the Fund
reserves the authority to distribute its net capital gain in any
year. However, to avoid paying income tax at the corporate
level, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its
investment company taxable income and net capital gain.
If, for any calendar year, the total quarterly distributions and
the amount of distributions on any preferred stock issued by the
Fund exceed investment company taxable income and net capital
gain, the excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return
of capital up to the amount of a stockholders tax basis in
the stock. Any distributions to the holders of preferred stock
which constitute tax-free return of capital will reduce a
stockholders tax basis in such preferred stock, thereby
increasing such stockholders potential gain or reducing
his or her potential loss on the sale of the preferred stock.
Any amounts distributed to a preferred stockholder in excess of
the basis in the preferred stock will generally be taxable to
the stockholder as capital gain.
In the event the Fund distributes amounts in excess of its
investment company taxable income and net capital gain, such
distributions will decrease the Funds total assets and,
therefore, have the likely effect of increasing its expense
ratio, as the Funds fixed expenses will become a larger
percentage of the Funds average net assets. In addition,
in order to make such distributions, the Fund might have to sell
a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent
investment judgment might not dictate such action.
The Fund, along with other closed-end registered investment
companies advised by the Investment Adviser, has obtained an
exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and
Rule 19b-1
thereunder permitting it to make periodic distributions of
long-term capital gains provided that any distribution policy of
the Fund with respect to its common stock calls for periodic
(e.g., quarterly or semi-annually, but in no event more
frequently than monthly) distributions in an amount equal to a
fixed percentage of the Funds average net asset value over
a specified period of time or market price per share of common
stock at or about the time of distribution or payment of a fixed
dollar amount. The exemption also permits the Fund to make
distributions with respect to its preferred stock in accordance
with such stocks terms.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SERIES F PREFERRED
The Fund offers by this prospectus $125,000,000 of Series F
Preferred. The following is a brief description of the terms of
the Series F Preferred. This description does not purport
to be complete and is qualified by reference to the Funds
Charter, including the provisions of the
Articles Supplementary establishing the Series F
Preferred. For complete terms of the Series F Preferred,
including definitions of terms used in this prospectus, please
refer to the actual terms of the Series F Preferred, which
are set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
General
Under its Charter, the Fund is authorized to issue up to
270,000,000 shares of capital stock. As of November 6,
2006, 18,000,000 shares of the Funds capital stock
have been classified by the Board as
33
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Up to
7,000,000 authorized and unissued shares of the Fund, previously
classified as common stock, par value $0.001 per share, may
be reclassified and authorized for issuance as Series F
Preferred prior to the completion of this offering. No
fractional shares of Series F Preferred will be issued. The
Board reserves the right to issue additional shares of preferred
stock, including Series F Preferred, from time to time,
subject to the restrictions in the Funds Charter and the
1940 Act.
If and when issued, the Series F Preferred will have a
liquidation preference of $25 per share. Upon a
liquidation, each holder of Series F Preferred will be
entitled to receive out of the assets of the Fund available for
distribution to stockholders (after payment of claims of the
Funds creditors but before any distributions with respect
to common stock or any other shares of the Fund ranking junior
to the Series F Preferred as to liquidation payments) an
amount per share equal to such shares liquidation
preference plus any accumulated but unpaid distributions
(whether or not earned or declared, excluding interest thereon)
to the date of distribution and such stockholders shall be
entitled to no further participation in any distribution or
payment in connection with such liquidation. The Series F
Preferred will rank on a parity with any other series of
preferred stock (including the Existing Preferred) of the Fund
as to the payment of distributions and the distribution of
assets upon liquidation. The Series F Preferred carries one
vote per share on all matters on which such stock is entitled to
vote. The Series F Preferred will, upon issuance, be fully
paid and nonassessable and will have no preemptive, exchange or
conversion rights. The Board may by resolution classify or
reclassify any authorized but unissued capital shares of the
Fund from time to time by setting or changing the preferences,
conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to distributions or terms or conditions of
redemption. The Fund will not issue any class of stock senior to
the Series F Preferred.
Rating
Agency Guidelines
Upon issuance, the Series F Preferred will be rated
Aaa by Moodys. The Fund is required under
Moodys guidelines to maintain assets having in the
aggregate a discounted value at least equal to the Basic
Maintenance Amount (as defined below) for its outstanding
preferred stock, including any outstanding Series F
Preferred, with respect to the guidelines Moodys has
established for determining discounted value. To the extent any
particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable
rating agencys guidelines, all or a portion of such
holdings value will not be included in the calculation of
discounted value (as defined by such rating agency). The
Moodys guidelines also impose certain diversification
requirements and industry concentration limitations on the
Funds overall portfolio, and apply specified discounts to
securities held by the Fund (except certain money market
securities). The Basic Maintenance Amount, if
Moodys is then rating the Fund, is equal to (i) the
sum of (a) the aggregate liquidation preference of any
preferred stock then outstanding plus (to the extent not
included in the liquidation preference of such preferred stock)
an amount equal to the aggregate accumulated but unpaid
distributions (whether or not earned or declared) in respect of
such preferred stock, (b) the total principal of any debt
(plus accrued and projected interest), (c) certain Fund
expenses and (d) certain other current liabilities
(excluding any unmade distributions on the shares of common
stock) less (ii) the Funds (a) cash and
(b) assets consisting of indebtedness which (y) mature
prior to or on the date of redemption or repurchase of the
preferred stock and are United States government securities or
evidences of indebtedness rated at least Aaa,
P-1,
VMIG-1 or MIG-1 by Moodys or
AAA,
SP-1+
or
A-1+
by S&P and (z) is held by the Fund for distributions,
the redemption or repurchase of preferred stock or the
Funds liabilities.
If the Fund does not timely cure a failure to maintain a
discounted value of its portfolio equal to the Basic Maintenance
Amount in accordance with the requirements of the applicable
rating agency or agencies then rating the Series F
Preferred at the request of the Fund, the Fund may, and in
certain circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem
preferred stock, including the Series F Preferred, as
described below under Redemption.
The Fund may, but is not required to, adopt any modifications to
the rating agency guidelines that may hereafter be established
by Moodys (or such other rating agency then rating the
Series F Preferred at the request of the Fund). Failure to
adopt any such modifications, however, may result in a change in
the relevant
34
rating agencys ratings or a withdrawal of such ratings
altogether. In addition, any rating agency providing a rating
for the Series F Preferred at the request of the Fund may,
at any time, change or withdraw any such rating. The Board,
without further action by the stockholders, may amend, alter,
add to or repeal certain of the definitions and related
provisions that have been adopted by the Fund pursuant to the
rating agency guidelines if the Board determines that such
modification is necessary to prevent a reduction in rating of
the preferred stock by Moodys, is in the best interests of
the holders of common stock and is not adverse to the holders of
preferred stock in view of advice to the Fund by Moodys
(or such other rating agency then rating the Series F
Preferred at the request of the Fund), and that such
modification would not adversely affect, as the case may be,
Moodys then current rating of the Series F Preferred.
As described by Moodys, the rating assigned to the
Series F Preferred is an assessment of the capacity and
willingness of the Fund to pay the obligations of the
Series F Preferred. The rating on the Series F
Preferred is not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell
shares of Series F Preferred, inasmuch as the rating does
not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular
investor. The rating agency guidelines also do not address the
likelihood that an owner of Series F Preferred will be able
to sell such shares on an exchange or otherwise. The rating is
based on current information furnished to Moodys by the
Fund and the Investment Adviser and information obtained from
other sources. The rating may be changed, suspended or withdrawn
as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, such
information.
The Moodys guidelines will apply to the Series F
Preferred only so long as Moodys is rating such stock at
the request of the Fund. The Fund will pay fees to Moodys
for rating the Series F Preferred.
Asset
Maintenance Requirements
In addition to the requirements summarized under
Rating Agency Guidelines above, the Fund must
also satisfy asset maintenance requirements under the 1940 Act
with respect to its preferred stock. The 1940 Act requirements
are summarized below.
The Fund will be required under the Series F
Articles Supplementary to determine whether it has, as of
the last business day of each March, June, September and
December of each year, an asset coverage (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of at least 200% (or such higher or lower
percentage as may be required at the time under the 1940 Act)
with respect to all outstanding senior securities of the Fund
that are stock, including any outstanding Series F
Preferred. If the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage
required under the 1940 Act on such dates and such failure is
not cured within 60 calendar days, in the case of the
Series F Preferred, the Fund may, and in certain
circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem the number
of shares of preferred stock sufficient to satisfy such asset
coverage. See Redemption below.
The Fund estimates that if the stock offered hereby had been
issued and sold as of September 30, 2006, the asset
coverage under the 1940 Act would have been approximately 389%
immediately following such issuance (and after giving effect to
the deduction of the estimated underwriting discounts of
$3,937,500 and estimated offering expenses for such stock of
$500,000). The asset coverage would have been computed as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of Fund assets less
liabilities and indebtedness
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not constituting senior
securities
|
|
|
=
|
|
|
$
|
1,956,775,807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior securities representing
indebtedness
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
502,492,500
|
|
|
|
=
|
|
|
|
389%
|
|
aggregate involuntary plus
liquidation preference of each class of senior security which is
stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions
on the Series F Preferred
Upon issuance of the Series F Preferred (if issued),
holders of shares of Series F Preferred will be entitled to
receive, when, as and if declared by the Board out of funds
legally available therefor, cumulative cash distributions, at
the annual rate of % (computed on the basis of a
360-day
year
consisting of twelve
30-day
months) of the liquidation preference of $25 per share, payable
quarterly on March 26, June 26, September 26 and
December 26 of each year or, if any such day is not a business
day, the immediately succeeding business
35
day. Such distributions will commence on December 26, 2006
and will be payable to the persons in whose names the shares of
Series F Preferred are registered at the close of business
on the fifth preceding business day.
Distributions on the shares of Series F Preferred will
accumulate from the date on which such shares are issued.
Restrictions
on Dividends and Other Distributions for the Series F
Preferred
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not (i) declare any
dividend and distribution (except a dividend payable in stock of
the issuer) or other distributions upon any of its outstanding
shares of common stock, or purchase any such shares of common
stock, if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or
purchase, as applicable (and after giving effect thereto), asset
coverage with respect to the Funds outstanding senior
securities representing stock, including the Series F
Preferred, would be less than 200%.
So long as any Series F Preferred is outstanding, the Fund
may not pay any dividend or distribution (other than a dividend
or distribution paid in common stock or in options, warrants or
rights to subscribe for or purchase common stock) in respect of
the common stock or call for redemption, redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire for consideration any common stock (except by
conversion into or exchange for shares of the Fund ranking
junior to the Series F Preferred as to the payment of
dividends or distributions and the distribution of assets upon
liquidation), unless:
|
|
|
|
|
the Fund has declared and paid (or provided to the relevant
dividend disbursing agent) all cumulative distributions on the
Funds outstanding preferred stock, including the
Series F Preferred, due on or prior to the date of such
common stock dividend or distribution;
|
|
|
|
the Fund has redeemed the full number of shares of Series F
Preferred to be redeemed pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision in the Funds Charter; and
|
|
|
|
after making the distribution, the Fund meets applicable asset
coverage requirements described above under Rating
Agency Guidelines and Asset Maintenance
Requirements.
|
No full distribution will be declared or made on the
Series F Preferred for any dividend period, or part
thereof, unless full cumulative distributions due through the
most recent dividend payment dates therefor for all outstanding
series of preferred stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with
the Series F Preferred as to distributions have been or
contemporaneously are declared and made. If full cumulative
distributions due have not been made on all outstanding
preferred stock of the Fund ranking on a parity with the
Series F Preferred as to the payment of distributions, any
distributions being paid on the preferred stock (including the
Series F Preferred) will be paid as nearly pro rata as
possible in proportion to the respective amounts of
distributions accumulated but unmade on each such series of
preferred stock on the relevant dividend payment date. While the
Funds investment restrictions currently do not permit the
Fund to borrow money for investment purposes, the Funds
obligation to make distributions on the Series F Preferred
will be subordinate to its obligations to pay interest and
principal, when due, on any of the Funds senior securities
representing debt.
Redemption
Mandatory Redemption Relating to Asset Coverage
Requirements.
The Fund may, at its option,
consistent with its Charter and the 1940 Act, and in certain
circumstances will be required to, mandatorily redeem preferred
stock (including, at its discretion the Series F Preferred)
in the event that:
|
|
|
|
|
the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements for
the Series F Preferred specified under the 1940 Act on a
quarterly valuation date and such failure is not cured on or
before 60 days following such failure; or
|
|
|
|
the Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage requirements as
calculated in accordance with the applicable rating agency
guidelines as of the last Valuation Date of any calendar month,
and such failure is not cured on or before ten business days
after such Valuation Date.
|
36
The redemption price for the Series F Preferred subject to
mandatory redemption will be $25 per share plus an amount
equal to any accumulated but unmade distributions (whether or
not earned or declared) to the date fixed for redemption.
The number of shares of preferred stock that will be redeemed in
the case of a mandatory redemption will equal the minimum number
of outstanding shares of preferred stock, the redemption of
which, if such redemption had occurred immediately prior to the
opening of business on the applicable cure date, would have
resulted in the relevant asset coverage requirement having been
met or, if the required asset coverage cannot be so restored,
all of the shares of preferred stock. In the event that shares
of preferred stock are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy the
1940 Act asset coverage requirements, the Fund may, but is not
required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of preferred
stock so that the Funds assets exceed the asset coverage
requirements under the 1940 Act after the redemption by 10%
(that is, 220% asset coverage). In the event that shares of
preferred stock are redeemed due to a failure to satisfy
applicable rating agency guidelines, the Fund may, but is not
required to, redeem a sufficient number of shares of preferred
stock so that the Funds discounted portfolio value (as
determined in accordance with the applicable rating agency
guidelines) after redemption exceeds the asset coverage
requirements of each applicable rating agency by up to 10% (that
is, 110% rating agency asset coverage).
If the Fund does not have funds legally available for the
redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the shares
of preferred stock to be redeemed on any redemption date, the
Fund will redeem on such redemption date that number of shares
for which it has legally available funds, or is otherwise able
to redeem, from the holders whose shares are to be redeemed
ratably on the basis of the redemption price of such shares, and
the remainder of those shares to be redeemed will be redeemed on
the earliest practicable date on which the Fund will have funds
legally available for the redemption of, or is otherwise able to
redeem, such shares upon written notice of redemption.
If fewer than all shares of the Funds outstanding
preferred stock are to be redeemed, the Fund, at its discretion,
and subject to the limitations of the Charter, the 1940 Act and
Maryland law, will select the one or more series of preferred
stock from which shares will be redeemed and the amount of
preferred stock to be redeemed from each such series. If fewer
than all of the shares of a series of preferred stock are to be
redeemed, such redemption will be made as among the holders of
that series pro rata in accordance with the respective number of
shares of such series held by each such holder on the record
date for such redemption (or by such other equitable method as
the Fund may determine). If fewer than all shares of the
preferred stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the
notice of redemption mailed to such holder will specify the
number of shares to be redeemed from such holder, which may be
expressed as a percentage of shares held on the applicable
record date.
Optional Redemption of the Series F
Preferred.
Prior
to ,
2011 the shares of Series F Preferred are not subject to
optional redemption by the Fund unless such redemption is
necessary, in the judgment of the Fund, to maintain the
Funds status as a regulated investment company under the
Code. Commencing
on ,
2011 and thereafter, the Fund may at any time redeem shares of
Series F Preferred in whole or in part for cash at a
redemption price per share equal to $25 per share plus
accumulated and unmade distributions (whether or not earned or
declared) to the redemption date. Such redemptions are subject
to the notice requirements set forth below under
Redemption Procedures and the limitations
of the Charter, the 1940 Act and Maryland Law.
Redemption Procedures.
A notice of
redemption with respect to an optional redemption by the Fund
will be given to the holders of record of preferred stock
selected for redemption not less than 15 days (subject to
NYSE requirements) nor more than 40 days prior to the date
fixed for redemption. Preferred stockholders may receive shorter
notice in the event of a mandatory redemption. Each notice of
redemption will state (i) the redemption date,
(ii) the number or percentage of shares of preferred stock
to be redeemed (which may be expressed as a percentage of such
shares outstanding), (iii) the CUSIP number(s) of such
shares, (iv) the redemption price (specifying the amount of
accumulated distributions to be included therein), (v) the
place or places where such shares are to be redeemed,
(vi) that distributions on the shares to be redeemed will
cease to
37
accumulate on such redemption date, (vii) the provision of
the Series F Articles Supplementary under which the
redemption is being made and (viii) any conditions
precedent to such redemption. No defect in the notice of
redemption or in the mailing thereof will affect the validity of
the redemption proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
The holders of Series F Preferred will not have the right
to redeem any of their shares at their option.
Liquidation
Rights
Upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of
the Fund (whether voluntary or involuntary), holders of
Series F Preferred then outstanding will be entitled to
receive out of the assets of the Fund available for distribution
to stockholders, after satisfying claims of creditors but before
any distribution or payment of assets is made to holders of the
common stock or any other class of stock of the Fund ranking
junior to the Series F Preferred as to liquidation
payments, a liquidation distribution in the amount of
$25 per share, plus an amount equal to all unmade
distributions accumulated to and including the date fixed for
such distribution or payment (whether or not earned or declared
by the Fund but excluding interest thereon), and such holders
will be entitled to no further participation in any distribution
or payment in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution
or winding up. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Fund, whether voluntary or involuntary,
the assets of the Fund available for distribution among the
holders of all outstanding shares of preferred stock of the Fund
ranking on a parity with the Series F Preferred as to
payment upon liquidation will be insufficient to permit the
payment in full to such holders of the Series F Preferred
and other parity preferred stock of the amounts due upon
liquidation with respect to such shares, then such available
assets will be distributed among the holders of the
Series F Preferred and such other parity preferred stock
ratably in proportion to the respective preferential amounts to
which they are entitled. Unless and until the liquidation
payments due to holders of the Series F Preferred and such
other parity preferred stock have been paid in full, no
dividends or distributions will be made to holders of the common
stock or any other stock of the Fund ranking junior to the
Series F Preferred and other parity preferred stock as to
liquidation and junior to any senior securities representing
debt.
Voting
Rights
Except as otherwise stated in this prospectus, specified in the
Funds Charter or resolved by the Board or as otherwise
required by applicable law, holders of the Series F
Preferred shall be entitled to one vote per share held on each
matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Fund and
will vote together with holders of shares of common stock and of
any other preferred stock then outstanding as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Funds directors
(each, a Director), holders of the outstanding
shares of Series F Preferred and the other series of
preferred stock, voting together as a single class, will be
entitled at all times to elect two of the Funds Directors,
and the remaining directors will be elected by holders of shares
of common stock and holders of Series F Preferred, and
other series of preferred stock, voting together as a single
class. In addition, if (i) at any time dividends and
distributions on outstanding shares of Series F Preferred
and/or
any
other preferred stock are unpaid in an amount equal to at least
two full years dividends and distributions thereon and
sufficient cash or specified securities have not been deposited
with the applicable paying agent for the payment of such
accumulated dividends and distributions or (ii) at any time
holders of any other series of preferred stock are entitled to
elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund under the 1940 Act
or the applicable Articles Supplementary creating such
shares, then the number of Directors constituting the Board
automatically will be increased by the smallest number that,
when added to the two Directors elected exclusively by the
holders of the Series F Preferred and other series of
preferred stock as described above, would then constitute a
simple majority of the Board as so increased by such smallest
number. Such additional Directors will be elected by the holders
of the outstanding shares of Series F Preferred and the
other series of preferred stock, voting together as a single
class, at a special meeting of stockholders which will be called
as soon as practicable and will be held not less than ten nor
more than twenty days after the mailing date of the meeting
notice. If the Fund fails to send such meeting notice or to call
such a special meeting, the meeting may be called by any
preferred stockholder on like notice. The terms
38
of office of the persons who are Directors at the time of that
election will continue. If the Fund thereafter pays, or declares
and sets apart for payment in full, all dividends and
distributions payable on all outstanding shares of preferred
stock for all past dividend periods or the holders of other
series of preferred stock are no longer entitled to elect such
additional directors, the additional voting rights of the
holders of the preferred stock as described above will cease,
and the terms of office of all of the additional Directors
elected by the holders of the preferred stock (but not of the
Directors with respect to whose election the holders of shares
of common stock were entitled to vote or the two Directors the
holders of shares of preferred stock have the right to elect as
a separate class in any event) will terminate automatically.
So long as shares of Series F Preferred are outstanding,
the Fund will not, without the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the shares of
preferred stock outstanding at the time (including the
Series F Preferred), and present and voting on such matter,
voting separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the
provisions of the Funds Charter whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially adversely affect
any of the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in
the Charter with respect to such shares of preferred stock,
unless the Fund obtains written confirmation from Moodys,
or any such other rating agency then rating the Series F
Preferred that such amendment, alteration or repeal would not
impair the rating then assigned by such rating agency to the
Series F Preferred, in which case the vote or consent of
the holders of the Series F Preferred is not required.
Also, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, in the event
shares of more than one series of preferred stock are
outstanding, the Fund will not approve any of the actions set
forth in the preceding sentence which materially adversely
affect the rights, preferences or powers expressly set forth in
the Charter with respect to such shares of a series of preferred
stock 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 preferred stock
of each series materially adversely affected and outstanding at
such time (each such materially adversely affected series voting
separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected
differently). For purposes of this paragraph, no matter shall be
deemed to adversely affect any right, preference or power unless
such matter (i) adversely alters or abolishes any
preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, adversely
alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such
series; or (iii) creates or adversely alters (other than to
abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to such series.
Under the Charter and applicable provisions of the 1940 Act or
Maryland law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of the
preferred stock (including the Series F Preferred), voting
together as a single class, will be required to approve any plan
of reorganization adversely affecting the preferred stock. The
approval of
66
2
/
3
%
of each class, voting separately, of the Funds outstanding
voting stock is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund
from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. The
approval of a majority (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act)
of the Funds outstanding preferred stock and a majority
(as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds
outstanding voting securities are required to approve any action
requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of
the 1940 Act (other than a conversion of the Fund from a
closed-end to open-end investment company), including, among
other things, changes in the Funds investment objectives
or changes in the investment restrictions described as
fundamental policies under Investment Objectives and
Policies in this prospectus and the SAI, How the
Fund Manages RiskInvestment Restrictions in this
prospectus and Investment Restrictions in the SAI.
For purposes of this paragraph, except as otherwise required
under the 1940 Act, the majority of the outstanding preferred
stock means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the
1940 Act, the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the
stockholders of the Fund duly called (i) of
66
2
/
3
%
or more of the shares of preferred stock present at such
meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of preferred stock are present or represented by proxy,
or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of
preferred stock, whichever is less. The class vote of holders of
shares of the preferred stock described above in each case will
be in addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of
common stock, and any other preferred stock, voting together as
a single class, that may be necessary to authorize the action in
question.
39
The calculation of the elements and definitions of certain terms
of the rating agency guidelines may be modified by action of the
Board without further action by the stockholders if the Board
determines that such modification is necessary to prevent a
reduction in rating of the shares of preferred stock by
Moodys (or such other rating agency then rating the
Series F Preferred at the request of the Fund), as the case
may be, or is in the best interests of the holders of shares of
common stock and is not adverse to the holders of preferred
stock in view of advice to the Fund by the relevant rating
agencies that such modification would not adversely affect its
then-current rating of the preferred stock.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply to any
Series F Preferred if, at or prior to the time when the act
with respect to which such vote otherwise would be required will
be effected, such stock will have been redeemed or called for
redemption and sufficient cash or cash equivalents provided to
the applicable paying agent to effect such redemption. The
holders of Series F Preferred will have no preemptive
rights or rights to cumulative voting.
Limitation
on Issuance of Preferred Stock
So long as the Fund has preferred stock outstanding, subject to
receipt of approval from the rating agencies of each series of
preferred stock outstanding, and subject to compliance with the
Funds investment objectives, policies and restrictions,
the Fund may issue and sell shares of one or more other series
of additional preferred stock provided that the Fund will,
immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such
additional preferred stock and to its receipt and application of
the proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, to the
redemption of preferred stock to be redeemed out of such
proceeds), have an asset coverage for all senior
securities of the Fund which are stock, as defined in the 1940
Act, of at least 200% of the sum of the liquidation preference
of the shares of preferred stock of the Fund then outstanding
and all indebtedness of the Fund constituting senior securities
and no such additional preferred stock will have any preference
or priority over any other preferred stock of the Fund upon the
distribution of the assets of the Fund or in respect of the
payment of dividends or distributions.
The Fund does not currently intend to offer additional shares of
preferred stock. However, the Fund will monitor market
conditions, including, among other things, interest rates and
the asset levels of the Fund, and will consider from time to
time whether to offer additional preferred stock or securities
representing indebtedness and may issue such additional
securities if the Board concludes that such an offering would be
consistent with the Funds Charter and applicable law, and
in the best interest of existing common stockholders.
Repurchase
of the Series F Preferred
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company and, as such, holders of the Series F Preferred do
not and will not have the right to require the Fund to
repurchase their preferred stock. The Fund, however, may
repurchase Series F Preferred when it is deemed advisable
by the Board in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act
and regulations thereunder and other applicable requirements.
Unlike a redemption of the Series F Preferred, where
stockholders are subject to the redemption terms, in a
repurchase offer the Fund is purchasing stock on an exchange or
otherwise (through private transactions or tender offers)
soliciting repurchases, and stockholders may choose whether or
not to sell.
This prospectus will serve as notice that the Fund may from time
to time purchase shares of Series F Preferred when such
shares are trading below the $25 per share liquidation
preference.
Book-Entry
Shares of the Series F Preferred will initially be held in
the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for DTC. The Fund
will treat Cede & Co. as the holder of record of the
Series F Preferred for all purposes. In accordance with the
procedures of DTC, however, purchasers of the Series F
Preferred will be deemed the beneficial owners of stock
purchased for purposes of dividends and distributions, voting
and liquidation rights.
40
Certificates for Series F Preferred will not be issued.
Purchasers of the Series F Preferred may establish direct
(registered) ownership of their shares by contacting the
Transfer Agent.
DESCRIPTION
OF CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
Common
Stock
Pursuant to an amendment to the Funds Articles of
Incorporation that was approved by stockholders in 2004, the
Board may increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of
stock of the Fund or the number of shares of any class or series
that the Fund has authority to issue without stockholder
approval. The Fund is currently authorized to issue
252,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share. Holders of the Funds common stock
are entitled to one vote per share held. Holders of shares of
common stock are entitled to share equally in distributions
authorized by the Board payable to the holders of such shares
and in the net assets of the Fund available on liquidation for
distribution to holders of such shares. The shares of common
stock have noncumulative voting rights and no conversion,
preemptive or other subscription rights, and are not redeemable.
In the event of liquidation, each share of common stock is
entitled to its proportion of the Funds assets after
payment of debts and expenses and the amounts payable to holders
of the Fund preferred stock ranking senior to the shares of
common stock as described below.
The Funds outstanding common stock is listed and traded on
the NYSE under the symbol GAB. The average weekly
trading volume of the common stock on the NYSE during the period
from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 was
523,176 shares. The average weekly trading volume of the
common stock on the NYSE during the period from January 1,
2006 through September 30, 2006 was 1.02 million
shares. The Funds shares of common stock have traded in
the market at both premiums to and discounts from net asset
value.
The Fund may repurchase shares of its common stock from time to
time as and when it deems such repurchase advisable, subject to
maintaining required asset coverage for each series of
outstanding preferred stock. The Board has adopted a policy to
authorize such repurchases when the shares are trading at a
discount of 10% or more from net asset value. The policy does
not limit the amount of common stock that can be repurchased.
The percentage of the discount from net asset value at which
share repurchases will be authorized may be changed at any time
by the Board. Through September 30, 2006, the Fund has not
repurchased shares of its common stock under this authorization.
Stockholders whose common stock is registered in their own name
will have all distributions reinvested pursuant to the
Funds Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash
Purchase Plan (the Plan) unless they specifically
elect to opt out of the Plan. For a more detailed discussion of
the Plan, see Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and
Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan in the SAI.
Preferred
Stock
As of November 6, 2006, 18,000,000 shares of the
Funds capital stock have been classified by the Board as
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. Up to
7,000,000 authorized and unissued shares of the Fund, previously
classified as common stock, par value $0.001 per share, may
be reclassified and authorized for issuance as Series F
Preferred prior to the completion of this offering. The terms of
each series of preferred stock may be fixed by the Board and may
materially limit
and/or
qualify the rights of the holders of the Funds common
stock. As of September 30, 2006, the Fund had 4,950,000
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred, 5,200 outstanding
shares of Series C Auction Rate Preferred, 2,949,700
outstanding shares of Series D Preferred and 2,000
outstanding shares of Series E Auction Rate Preferred,
which, along with the Series F Preferred being issued in
connection with this prospectus, are senior securities of the
Fund.
Distributions on the Series B Preferred accumulate at an
annual rate of 7.20% of the liquidation preference of
$25 per share, are cumulative from the date of original
issuance thereof, and are payable quarterly on March 26,
June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The
Fund is required to meet
41
similar asset coverage requirements with respect to the
Series B Preferred as are described in this prospectus for
the Series F Preferred. The Series B Preferred is
rated Aaa by Moodys. The Funds
outstanding Series B Preferred became redeemable at the
liquidation preference plus accumulated but unpaid dividends
(whether or not earned or declared) at the option of the Fund
beginning June 20, 2006. The Series B Preferred is
listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol GAB
PrB.
Distributions on the Series C Auction Rate Preferred
accumulate at a variable rate set at a weekly auction. The Fund
is required to meet certain asset coverage requirements with
respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred. The
Series C Auction Rate Preferred is rated Aaa by
Moodys and AAA by S&P. The liquidation
preference of the Series C Auction Rate Preferred is
$25,000. The Fund generally may redeem the outstanding
Series C Auction Rate Preferred, in whole or in part, at
any time other than during a non-call period. The Series C
Auction Rate Preferred is not traded on any exchange.
Distributions on the Series D Preferred accumulate at an
annual rate of 5.875% of the liquidation preference of
$25 per share, are cumulative from the date of original
issuance thereof, and are payable quarterly on March 26,
June 26, September 26 and December 26 of each year. The
Fund is required to meet similar asset coverage requirements
with respect to the Series D Preferred as are described in
this prospectus for the Series F Preferred. The
Series D Preferred is rated Aaa by
Moodys. The Funds outstanding Series D
Preferred is redeemable at the liquidation preference plus
accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) at the option of the Fund beginning October 7,
2008. The Series D Preferred is listed and traded on the
NYSE under the symbol GAB PrD.
Distributions on the Series E Auction Rate Preferred
accumulate at a variable rate set at a weekly auction. The Fund
is required to meet certain asset coverage requirements with
respect to the Series E Auction Rate Preferred. The
Series E Auction Rate Preferred is rated Aaa by
Moodys and AAA by S&P. The liquidation
preference of the Series E Auction Rate Preferred is
$25,000. The Fund generally may redeem the outstanding
Series E Auction Rate Preferred, in whole or in part, at
any time other than during a non-call period. The Series E
Auction Rate Preferred is not traded on any exchange.
The following table shows (i) the classes of capital stock
authorized, (ii) the number of shares authorized in each
class and (iii) the number of shares outstanding in each
class as of September 30, 2006.
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Title of Class:
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Amount Authorized*
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Amount Outstanding*
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Common Stock
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|
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252,000,000
|
|
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167,642,009
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Series A Preferred
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5,367,900
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|
|
|
0
|
|
Series B Preferred
|
|
|
6,600,000
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|
|
|
4,950,000
|
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Series C Auction Rate
Preferred
|
|
|
5,200
|
|
|
|
5,200
|
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Series D Preferred
|
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3,000,000
|
|
|
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2,949,700
|
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Series E Auction Rate
Preferred
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
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Preferred Stock
|
|
|
3,024,900
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
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Does not include the Series F Preferred being offered
pursuant to this prospectus.
|
For a description of the terms and limitations of the
Series F Preferred with respect to liquidation rights,
dividends and distributions, the rights of holders of the
Funds preferred stock to receive distributions, and
selection of Directors to the Funds Board, see
Description of the Series F Preferred.
TAXATION
The following discussion is a brief summary of certain United
States federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and
its stockholders. The discussion reflects applicable tax laws of
the United States as of the date of this prospectus, which tax
laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the
courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS)
retroactively or prospectively. No attempt is made to present a
detailed explanation of all United States federal, state, local
and foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and
42
its stockholders (including stockholders owning large positions
in the Fund), and the discussion set forth herein does not
constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own
tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of
investing in the Fund.
Taxation
of the Fund
The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified, and
intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund
must, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year
at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends,
interest (including tax-exempt interest), payments with respect
to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other
disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other
income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures
and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of
investing in such stock, securities or currencies and
(b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly
traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for United
States federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90%
of their gross income from the items described in (a) above
(each a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership); and
(ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each
quarter of each taxable year (a) at least 50% of the value
of the Funds total assets is represented by cash and cash
items, United States government securities, the securities of
other regulated investment companies and other securities, with
such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to
an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds
total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, (b) not more than 25% of the
value of the Funds total assets is invested in the
securities of (I) any one issuer (other than United States
government securities and the securities of other regulated
investment companies), (II) any two or more issuers that
the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the
same business or similar or related trades or businesses or
(III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded
Partnerships.
The Funds investments in partnerships, including in
Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships, may result in the Fund
being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or
withholding tax liabilities.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally is not
subject to United States federal income tax on income and gains
that it distributes each taxable year to stockholders, if it
distributes at least 90% of the sum of the Funds
(i) investment company taxable income (which includes,
among other items, dividends, interest and the excess of any net
short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and
other taxable income other than any net capital gain (as defined
below) reduced by deductible expenses) determined without regard
to the deduction for dividends and distributions paid and
(ii) its net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross
tax-exempt interest over certain disallowed deductions). The
Fund intends to distribute at least annually substantially all
of such income.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a
calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a
nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. To avoid the tax,
the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount at
least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income
(not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the
calendar year, (ii) 98% of its capital gains in excess of
its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for a
one-year period generally ending on October 31 of the
calendar year (unless an election is made to use the Funds
fiscal year), and (iii) certain undistributed amounts from
previous years on which the Fund paid no United States federal
income tax. While the Fund intends to distribute any income and
capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of
the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that sufficient
amounts of the Funds taxable income and capital gains will
be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In
that event, the Fund will be liable for the tax only on the
amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution
requirement.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated
investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net
capital gain) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates
without any deduction for distributions to stockholders.
The Fund has a policy, which may be modified at any time by its
Board, of paying a minimum annual distribution of 10% of the
average net asset value of the Fund, paid quarterly, to holders
of shares of common
43
stock. In the event that the Funds investment company
taxable income and net capital gain exceed the total of its
quarterly distributions and the total amount of distributions on
any preferred stock issued by the Fund, in order to avoid paying
income tax at the corporate level, the Fund intends to pay such
excess once a year. If, for any calendar year, the total
quarterly distributions and the total amount of distributions on
any preferred stock issued by the Fund exceed both current
earnings and profits and accumulated earnings and profits, the
excess will generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital
up to the amount of a stockholders tax basis in the stock.
The amount treated as a tax-free return of capital will reduce a
stockholders tax basis in the stock, thereby increasing
such stockholders potential gain or reducing the potential
loss on the sale of the stock. Any amounts distributed to a
stockholder in excess of the basis in the stock will be taxable
to the stockholder as capital gain. The Funds distribution
policy may cause it to make taxable distributions to
stockholders in excess of the minimum amounts of such taxable
distributions it would be required to make in order to avoid
liability for federal income tax. In certain situations, this
excess distribution may cause stockholders to be liable for
taxes for which they would not otherwise be liable if the Fund
paid only that amount required to avoid liability for federal
income tax.
Taxation
of Stockholders
Based in part on the Funds inability to voluntarily redeem
the Series F Preferred
until ,
2011 the Fund intends to take the position that under present
law the Series F Preferred will constitute equity, rather
than debt of the Fund for Federal income tax purposes. It is
possible, however, that the IRS could take a contrary position
asserting, for example, that the Series F Preferred
constitutes debt of the Fund. The Fund believes this position,
if asserted, would be unlikely to prevail. If that position were
upheld, distributions on the Series F Preferred would be
considered interest, taxable as ordinary income regardless of
the taxable income of the Fund. The following discussion assumes
the Series F Preferred is treated as equity.
Distributions paid to you by the Fund from its investment
company taxable income which includes the excess of net
short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses
(together referred to hereinafter as ordinary income
dividends) are generally taxable to you as ordinary income
to the extent of the Funds earnings and profits. Such
distributions (if designated by the Fund) may, however, qualify
(provided holding periods and other requirements are met by both
the Fund and the stockholder) (i) for the dividends
received deduction in the case of corporate stockholders to the
extent that the Funds income consists of dividend income
from United States corporations, and (ii) for taxable years
through December 31, 2010, as qualified dividend income
eligible for the reduced maximum Federal rate to individuals of
generally 15% (currently 5% for individuals in lower tax
brackets) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified
dividend income. Qualified dividend income is, in general,
dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain
foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations
incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain
countries with a qualified comprehensive tax treaty with the
United States, or whose stock with respect to which such
dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established
securities market in the United States). Distributions made to
you from an excess of net long-term capital gains over net
short-term capital losses (capital gain dividends),
including capital gain dividends credited to you but retained by
the Fund, are taxable to you as long-term capital gains if they
have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the
length of time you have owned Fund stock. The maximum Federal
tax rate on net long-term capital gain of individuals is reduced
generally from 20% to 15% (currently 5% for individuals in lower
brackets) for such gain realized before January 1, 2011.
Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings and profits
will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of your stock and,
after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will
constitute capital gains to you (assuming the stock is held as a
capital asset). Generally, not later than 60 days after the
close of its taxable year, the Fund will provide you with a
written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend
income or capital gain dividends and other distributions.
Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of
Series F Preferred stock, you will generally realize a
taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between
(1) the amount of cash and the fair market value of other
property received and (2) your adjusted tax basis in the
stock. Such gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or
loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the stock
has been held for more than one
44
year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of
Fund stock held for six months or less will be treated as
long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain
dividends received (including amounts credited as an
undistributed capital gain dividend) by you. A loss realized on
a sale or exchange of stock of the Fund will be disallowed if
other substantially identical Fund stock is acquired (whether
through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise)
within a
61-day
period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days
after the date that the stock is disposed of. In such case, the
basis of the stock acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term
capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to
ordinary income.
If the Fund pays you a dividend or makes a distribution in
January that 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 or distribution will be treated
for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by you
on December 31 of the year in which the dividend or
distribution was declared.
The Fund is required in certain circumstances to backup withhold
on taxable dividends or distributions and certain other payments
paid to non-corporate holders of the Funds stock who do
not furnish the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification
number (in the case of individuals, their social security
number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject
to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be
refunded or credited against your United States federal income
tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the
provisions of the code and the treasury regulations in effect as
they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its
stockholders. These provisions are subject to change by
legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be
retroactive. A more complete discussion of the tax rules
applicable to the Fund and its stockholders can be found in the
SAI that is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
Stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding
specific questions as to United States federal, foreign, state,
local income or other taxes.
ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS OF THE FUNDS CHARTER AND
BY-LAWS
The Fund presently has provisions in its Charter and By-Laws
which could have the effect of limiting, in each case:
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the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of
the Fund;
|
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|
the Funds freedom to engage in certain
transactions; or
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the ability of the Funds Directors or stockholders to
amend the Charter and By-Laws or effectuate changes in the
Funds management.
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These provisions may be regarded as anti-takeover
provisions. The Board of the Fund is divided into three classes,
each having a term of three years. Each year the term of one
class of Directors will expire. Accordingly, only those
Directors in one class may be changed in any one year, and it
would require a minimum of two years to change a majority of the
Board. Such system of electing Directors may have the effect of
maintaining the continuity of management and, thus, make it more
difficult for the stockholders of the Fund to change the
majority of Directors. A Director of the Fund may be removed
only for cause and by a vote of a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast for the election of Directors.
In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of
66
2
/
3
%
of the Funds outstanding shares of each class (voting
separately) is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund
from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or generally
to authorize any of the following transactions:
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|
the merger or consolidation of the Fund with any entity;
|
45
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|
|
the issuance of any securities of the Fund for cash to any
entity or person;
|
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the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of
the assets of the Fund to any entity or person (except assets
having an aggregate fair market value of less than
$1,000,000); or
|
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|
the sale, lease or exchange to the Fund, in exchange for its
securities, of any assets of any entity or person (except assets
having an aggregate fair market value of less than $1,000,000);
|
if such person or entity is directly, or indirectly through
affiliates, the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of any class of capital stock of the Fund.
However, such vote would not be required when, under certain
conditions, the Board approves the transaction. Further, unless
a higher percentage is provided for under the Charter, the
affirmative vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares
of the Funds preferred stock, voting as a separate class,
will be required to approve any plan of reorganization adversely
affecting such stock or any action requiring a vote of security
holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including,
among other things, changing the Funds subclassification
as a closed-end investment company, changing the Funds
investment objectives or changing its fundamental investment
restrictions.
Maryland corporations that are subject to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and have at least three outside directors,
such as the Fund, may by board resolution elect to become
subject to certain corporate governance provisions set forth in
the Maryland corporate law, even if such provisions are
inconsistent with the corporations charter and by-laws.
Accordingly, notwithstanding the Funds Charter or By-Laws,
under Maryland law the Board may elect by resolution to, among
other things:
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require that special meetings of stockholders be called only at
the request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority
of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting;
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reserve for the Board the right to fix the number of Fund
Directors;
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provide that Directors are subject to removal only by the vote
of the holders of two-thirds of the stock entitled to
vote; and
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retain for the Board sole authority to fill vacancies created by
the death, removal or resignation of a Director, with any
Director so appointed to serve for the balance of the unexpired
term rather than only until the next annual meeting of
stockholders.
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The Board may make any of the foregoing elections without
amending the Funds Charter or By-Laws and without
stockholder approval. Though a corporations charter or a
resolution by its board may prohibit its directors from making
the elections set forth above, the Funds Board currently
is not prohibited from making any such elections.
The provisions of the Charter and By-Laws and Maryland law
described above could have the effect of depriving the owners of
stock in the Fund of opportunities to sell their shares at a
premium over prevailing market prices, by discouraging a third
party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender
offer or similar transaction. The overall effect of these
provisions is to render more difficult the accomplishment of a
merger or the assumption of control by a principal stockholder.
The Board has determined that the foregoing voting requirements,
which are generally greater than the minimum requirements under
Maryland law and the 1940 Act, are in the best interests of the
stockholders generally.
The Charter and By-Laws of the Fund are on file with the
Commission.
CUSTODIAN,
TRANSFER AGENT, AUCTION AGENT AND
DIVIDEND-DISBURSING AGENT
Mellon Trust of New England, N.A., located at 135 Santilli
Highway, Everett, Massachusetts 02149, serves as the custodian
of the Funds assets pursuant to a custody agreement. Under
the custody agreement, the Custodian holds the Funds
assets in compliance with the 1940 Act. For its services, the
Custodian
46
receives a monthly fee based upon the month end value of the
total assets of the Fund, plus certain charges for securities
transactions.
Computershare, located at 250 Royall Street, Canton,
Massachusetts 02021, serves as the Funds dividend
disbursing agent, as agent under the Funds Plan and as
transfer agent and registrar with respect to the common stock of
the Fund.
Along with the Series B Preferred and Series D
Preferred, Computershare will also serve as the Funds
transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent and
redemption agent with respect to the Series F Preferred.
The Bank of New York, located at 100 Church Street, New York,
New York 10286, serves as the auction agent, transfer agent,
registrar, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent with
respect to the Series C Auction Rate Preferred and the
Series E Auction Rate Preferred.
47
UNDERWRITING
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as joint
book-running managers and, together with A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. and Gabelli and Company, Inc., are acting as
representatives of the underwriters named below.
Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting
agreement dated the date of this prospectus, each underwriter
named below has agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to
sell to that underwriter, the number of shares of Series F
Preferred set forth opposite the underwriters name.
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Number of Series F
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Underwriter
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Preferred Shares
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
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A.G. Edwards & Sons,
Inc.
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Gabelli & Company,
Inc.
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Total
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the shares included in this offering
are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by counsel
and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated
to purchase all of the Series F Preferred shares, if they
purchase any such shares.
The following table shows the sales load that the Fund will pay
to the underwriters in connection with this offering.
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Sales Load Paid by the Fund
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Per Share
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Total
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The underwriters propose to initially offer some of the
Series F Preferred directly to the public at the public
offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus
and some of the Series F Preferred to certain dealers at
the public offering price less a concession not in excess of
$0.50 per share. The sales load that the Fund will pay of
$ per share is equal
to % of the initial offering price.
The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a
discount not in excess of
$ per share of Series F
Preferred on sales to other dealers. After the initial offering,
the public offering price and concession may be changed.
Investors must pay for any Series F Preferred purchased in
the initial public offering on or
before ,
2006.
Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the
Series F Preferred. A preliminary application has been made
to list the Series F Preferred on the NYSE. However, during
an initial period that is not expected to exceed 30 days
after the date of this prospectus, the Series F Preferred
will not be listed on any securities exchange. During such
30-day
period, the underwriters intend to make a market in the
Series F Preferred; however, they have no obligation to do
so. Consequently, an investment in the Series F Preferred
may be illiquid during such period.
In connection with the offering, Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
on behalf of the underwriters, may purchase and sell the
Series F Preferred in the open market. These transactions
may include syndicate covering and stabilizing transactions.
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the
Series F Preferred in the open market after the
distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate
short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain
bids or purchases of shares made for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares while
the offering is in progress.
48
The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit
the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a
syndicate member when Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated repurchase
shares of Series F Preferred originally sold by that
syndicate member in order to cover syndicate short positions or
make stabilizing purchases.
Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or
retarding a decline in the market price of Series F
Preferred. They may also cause the price of Series F
Preferred to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist
in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The
underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE or in
the
over-the-counter
market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these
transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.
We estimate that total expenses for this offering (excluding
underwriting discounts) will be $500,000.
The Fund anticipates that, from time to time, certain
underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with
the Funds execution of the Funds portfolio
transactions after they have ceased to be underwriters and,
subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they
are underwriters.
Certain underwriters have performed investment banking and
advisory services for the Fund and the Investment Adviser from
time to time, for which they have received customary fees and
expenses. The underwriters and their affiliates may from time to
time engage in transactions with, and perform services for, the
Fund and the Investment Adviser in the ordinary course of their
business. An affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is the
counterparty to the Fund in an interest rate swap transaction
with an aggregate notional value of $130 million.
Gabelli & Company, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Gabelli Securities, Inc., which is a majority-owned subsidiary
of the parent company of the Investment Adviser, which is, in
turn, indirectly majority-owned by Mario J. Gabelli. As a result
of these relationships, Mr. Gabelli, the Funds
Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, may be deemed to be a
controlling person of Gabelli & Company,
Inc.
In the underwriting agreement, the Fund and the Investment
Adviser have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments
the underwriters may be required to make for any of those
liabilities.
A prospectus in electronic format may be available on the
websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. The
representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of
Series F Preferred to underwriters for sale to their online
brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate
shares of Series F Preferred to underwriters that may make
Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.
In addition, Series F Preferred may be sold by the
underwriters to securities dealers who resell Series F
Preferred to online brokerage account holders.
The principal business address of Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013. The principal
business address of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated is 4 World Financial Center, New York, New
York 10080. The principal business address of A.G.
Edwards & Sons, Inc. is One North Jefferson Avenue,
St. Louis, Missouri 63101. The principal business address
of Gabelli & Company, Inc. is One Corporate Center,
Rye, New York
10580-1422.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters will be passed on by Willkie
Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New
York 10019, counsel to the Fund in connection with the offering
of the Series F Preferred, and by Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett, LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue New
York, New York 10017, counsel to the underwriters. Counsel for
the Fund and for the underwriters will rely, as to certain
matters of Maryland law, on Venable LLP, 1800 Mercantile
Bank and Trust Building, 2 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore,
Maryland 21201.
49
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements of the Fund as of
December 31, 2005, have been incorporated by reference into
the SAI in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is incorporated by
reference into the SAI. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is located at
300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
The Board has approved, subject to shareholder and other
regulatory approvals, the contribution of a portion of the
Funds assets to a newly formed non-diversified, closed-end
investment company, The Gabelli Global Healthcare &
WellnessRx Trust (the Healthcare & WellnessRx
Trust). All of the Healthcare & WellnessRx
Trusts common stock would then be distributed to the
common stockholders of the Fund.
The Fund would contribute to the Healthcare &
WellnessRx Trust approximately $60 million to
$100 million of its cash
and/or
securities and would then distribute all of the shares of the
Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust pro rata to the common
stockholders of the Fund. The Healthcare & WellnessRx
Trust will seek to have its shares listed on the NYSE.
The transaction is expected to be voted upon at the Funds
Annual Meeting of Shareholders in May 2007. The Board will
determine the amount of capital to be distributed, the number of
shares to be distributed, and the record and distribution dates,
which will be announced at a later time. The distribution will
be made only by means of a prospectus. The transaction will not
be concluded unless shareholder approval has been obtained and
all required regulatory approvals, including by the Commission
or its staff, have been obtained.
* * *
The Fund is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act
and in accordance therewith files reports and other information
with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Fund with the Commission pursuant to
the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and the 1940 Act can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The
Commission maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov containing
reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants, including the Fund, that file
electronically with the Commission.
The Funds common stock, Series B Preferred and
Series D Preferred are listed on the NYSE. Reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning the Fund and filed
with the Commission by the Fund will be available for inspection
at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
This prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement
filed by the Fund with the Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933 and the 1940 Act. This prospectus omits certain of the
information contained in the Registration Statement, and
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and
related exhibits for further information with respect to the
Fund and the preferred stock offered hereby. Any statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of any document are
not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is
made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such
reference. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained
from the Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed by its
rules and regulations or free of charge through the
Commissions web site (http://www.sec.gov).
PRIVACY
PRINCIPLES OF THE FUND
The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its
stockholders and to safeguarding their non-public personal
information. The following information is provided to help you
understand what personal information
50
the Fund collects, how the Fund protects that information and
why, in certain cases, the Fund may share information with
select other parties.
Generally, the Fund does not receive any non-public personal
information relating to its stockholders, although certain
non-public personal information of its stockholders may become
available to the Fund. The Fund does not disclose any non-public
personal information about its stockholders or former
stockholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is
necessary in order to service stockholder accounts (for example,
to a transfer agent or third party administrator).
The Fund restricts access to non-public personal information
about its stockholders to employees of the Funds
Investment Adviser and its affiliates with a legitimate business
need for the information. The Fund maintains physical,
electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the
non-public personal information of its stockholders.
51
TABLE OF
CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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S-8
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S-10
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S-20
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S-21
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S-26
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S-27
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S-27
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S-37
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S-38
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S-39
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S-41
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S-42
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No person has been authorized to give any information or to make
any representations in connection with this offering other than
those contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer
contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information
or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the
underwriters. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the
Fund since the date hereof or that the information contained
herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. This
prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the
securities to which it relates. This prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy such securities in any circumstance in which such an offer
or solicitation is unlawful.
52
APPENDIX ACORPORATE
BOND RATINGS
MOODYS
INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
Aaa Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and
are generally referred to as gilt edge. Interest
payments are protected by a large or exceptionally stable margin
and principal is secure. While the various protective elements
are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most
unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such
issues.
Aa Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by
all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what
are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower
than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as
large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements
present that make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than
in Aaa Securities.
A Bonds that are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper-medium-grade
obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest
are considered adequate, but elements may be present that
suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium-grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly
secured. Interest payments and principal security appear
adequate for the present, but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment
characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.
Ba Bonds that are rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured.
Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be
very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good
and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B Bonds that are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal
payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over
any long period of time may be small. Moodys applies
numerical modifiers (1, 2, and 3) with respect to the
bonds rated Aa through B. The modifier 1 indicates that the
company ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category;
the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3
indicates that the company ranks in the lower end of its generic
rating category.
Caa Bonds that are rated Caa are of poor standing. These issues
may be in default or there may be present elements of danger
with respect to principal or interest.
Ca Bonds that are rated Ca represent obligations that are
speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default
or have other marked shortcomings.
C Bonds that are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds,
and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor
prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.
A-1
STANDARD &
POORS RATINGS SERVICES
AAAThis is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a
debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to
pay interest and repay principal. AA Debt rated AA has a very
strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs
from AAA issues only in small degree.
APrincipal and interest payments on bonds in this category
are regarded as safe. Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay
interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more
susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBBThis is the lowest investment grade. Debt rated BBB has
an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters,
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay
principal for debt in this category than in higher rated
categories.
Speculative GradeDebt rated BB, CCC, CC, and C are
regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect
to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance
with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree
of speculation, and C the highest degree of speculation. While
such debt will likely have some quality and protective
characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major exposures to adverse conditions. Debt rated C 1 is
reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid and
debt rated D is in payment default.
In July 1994, S&P initiated an r symbol to its
ratings. The r symbol is attached to derivatives,
hybrids and certain other obligations that S&P believes may
experience high variability in expected returns due to noncredit
risks created by the terms of the obligations.
AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus
sign to show relative standing within the major categories.
NR indicates that no public rating has been
requested, that there is insufficient information on which to
base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type
of obligation as a matter of policy.
A-2
The
Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
5,000,000 Shares, %
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock
(Liquidation Preference $25 Per
Share)
PROSPECTUS
,
2006
Citigroup
Merrill Lynch &
Co.
A.G. Edwards
Gabelli & Company,
Inc.
THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS
NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THE FUND MAY NOT SELL
THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE
SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the Fund) is a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the 1940 Act). The Funds primary investment
objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital by investing
primarily in a portfolio of equity securities consisting of
common stock, preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable
securities and warrants and rights to purchase such securities.
Income is a secondary investment objective. The Fund commenced
investment operations on August 21, 1986. Gabelli Funds,
LLC (the Investment Adviser) serves as investment
adviser to the Fund.
This Statement of Additional Information (the SAI)
is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the
prospectus for the Fund
dated ,
2006 (the Prospectus). Investors should obtain and
read the Prospectus prior to purchasing the %
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
Series F Preferred). A copy of the Prospectus
may be obtained, without charge, by calling the Fund at
800-GABELLI
(800-422-3554)
or
(914) 921-5100.
This SAI incorporates by reference the entire Prospectus.
The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information
contained in the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission),
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. The
registration statement may be obtained from the Commission upon
payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected at the
Commissions office or via its website (http://www.sec.gov)
at no charge.
This Statement of Additional Information is
dated ,
2006.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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The Fund
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S-1
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Investment Objectives and Policies
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Investment Restrictions
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S-8
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Management of the Fund
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S-10
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Portfolio Transactions
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S-20
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Taxation
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S-21
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Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
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S-26
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Additional Information Concerning
the Series F Preferred
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S-27
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Moodys Guidelines
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S-27
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Net Asset Value
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S-37
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Beneficial Owners
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S-38
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General Information
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S-39
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Financial Statements
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S-41
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Glossary
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S-42
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No person has been authorized to give any information or to make
any representations in connection with this offering other than
those contained in this prospectus in connection with the offer
contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information
or representations must not be relied upon as having been
authorized by the Fund, the Investment Adviser or the
underwriters. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder will, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the
Fund since the date hereof or that the information contained
herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. This
prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the
securities to which it relates. This prospectus does not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
buy such securities in any circumstance in which such an offer
or solicitation is unlawful.
The Prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained
in the registration statement filed with the Commission,
Washington D.C. The registration statement may be obtained from
the Commission upon payment of the fee prescribed, or inspected
at the Commissions office at no charge. This Statement of
Additional Information is
dated ,
2006.
S-i
THE
FUND
The Fund was incorporated in Maryland on May 20, 1986 and
is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company
registered under the 1940 Act. The common stock of the Fund is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE)
under the symbol GAB. The Funds 7.20% Tax
Advantaged Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
Series B Preferred) is listed and traded on the
NYSE under the symbol GAB PrB. The Funds
5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
Series D Preferred) is listed and traded on the
NYSE under the symbol GAB PrD.
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
Investment
Objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to achieve
long-term growth of capital by investing primarily in a
portfolio of equity securities consisting of common stock,
preferred stock, convertible or exchangeable securities and
warrants and rights to purchase such securities selected by the
Investment Adviser. Income is a secondary investment objective.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least
80% of the value of its total assets in equity securities. See
Investment Objectives and Policies in the Prospectus.
Investment
Practices
Special Situations.
Although the Fund
typically invests in the securities of companies on the basis of
fundamental value, the Fund from time to time may, as a
non-principal investment strategy, invest in companies that are
determined by the Investment Adviser to possess special
situation characteristics. In general, a special situation
company is a company whose securities are expected to increase
in value solely by reason of a development particularly or
uniquely applicable to the company. Developments that may create
special situations include, among others, a liquidation,
reorganization, recapitalization or merger, material litigation,
technological breakthrough or new management or management
policies. The principal risk associated with investments in
special situation companies is that the anticipated development
thought to create the special situation may not occur and the
investment therefore may not appreciate in value or may decline
in value.
Options.
The Fund may, subject to guidelines
of the Board of Directors (the Board), purchase or
sell (i.e., write) options on securities, securities indices and
foreign currencies which are listed on a national securities
exchange or in the United States
over-the-counter
(OTC) markets as a means of achieving additional
return or of hedging the value of the Funds portfolio.
The Fund may write covered call options on common stocks that it
owns or has an immediate right to acquire through conversion or
exchange of other securities in an amount not to exceed 25% of
total assets or invest up to 10% of its total assets in the
purchase of put options on common stocks that the Fund owns or
may acquire through the conversion or exchange of other
securities that it owns.
A call option is a contract that gives the holder of the option
the right to buy from the writer (seller) of the call option, in
return for a premium paid, the security or currency underlying
the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the
term of the option. The writer of the call option has the
obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the
underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise
price during the option period.
A put option is the reverse of a call option, giving the holder
the right, in return for a premium, to sell the underlying
security or currency to the writer, at a specified price, and
obligating the writer to purchase the underlying security or
currency from the holder at that price. The writer of the put,
who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the
underlying security or currency upon exercise, at the exercise
price during the option period.
S-1
If the Fund has written an option, it may terminate its
obligation by effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is
accomplished by purchasing an option of the same series as the
option previously written. There can be no assurance that a
closing purchase transaction can be effected when the Fund so
desires.
An exchange-traded option may be closed out only on an exchange
which provides a secondary market for an option of the same
series. Although the Fund will generally purchase or write only
those options for which there appears to be an active secondary
market, there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on
an exchange will exist for any particular option.
A call option is covered if the Fund owns the
underlying instrument covered by the call or has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that instrument without additional
cash consideration upon conversion or exchange of another
instrument held in its portfolio (or for additional cash
consideration held in a segregated account by its custodian). A
call option is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same
instrument as the call written where the exercise price of the
call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price
of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price
of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund
in cash, U.S. Government Obligations (as defined under
Investment Restrictions) or other high-grade
short-term obligations in a segregated account with its
custodian. A put option is covered if the Fund
maintains cash or other high grade short-term obligations with a
value equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with
its custodian, or else holds a put on the same instrument as the
put written where the exercise price of the put held is equal to
or greater than the exercise price of the put written. If the
Fund has written an option, it may terminate its obligation by
effecting a closing purchase transaction. This is accomplished
by purchasing an option of the same series as the option
previously written. However, once the Fund has been assigned an
exercise notice, the Fund will be unable to effect a closing
purchase transaction. Similarly, if the Fund is the holder of an
option it may liquidate its position by effecting a closing sale
transaction. This is accomplished by selling an option of the
same series as the option previously purchased. There can be no
assurance that either a closing purchase or sale transaction can
be effected when the Fund so desires.
The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the
price of the transaction is less than the premium received from
writing the option or is more than the premium paid to purchase
the option; the Fund will realize a loss from a closing
transaction if the price of the transaction is more than the
premium received from writing the option or is less than the
premium paid to purchase the option. Since call option prices
generally reflect increases in the price of the underlying
security, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call
option may also be wholly or partially offset by unrealized
appreciation of the underlying security. Other principal factors
affecting the market value of a put or call option include
supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price and
price volatility of the underlying security and the time
remaining until the expiration date. Gains and losses on
investments in options depend, in part, on the ability of the
Investment Adviser to predict correctly the effect of these
factors. The use of options cannot serve as a complete hedge
since the price movement of securities underlying the options
will not necessarily follow the price movements of the portfolio
securities subject to the hedge.
An option position may be closed out only on an exchange which
provides a secondary market for an option of the same series or
in a private transaction. Although the Fund will generally
purchase or write only those options for which there appears to
be an active secondary market, there is no assurance that a
liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any
particular option. In such event it might not be possible to
effect closing transactions in particular options, so the Fund
would have to exercise its options in order to realize any
profit and would incur brokerage commissions upon the exercise
of call options and upon the subsequent disposition of
underlying securities for the exercise of put options. If the
Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not
be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires
or until the Fund delivers the underlying security upon exercise
or otherwise covers the position.
In addition to options on securities, the Fund may also purchase
and sell call and put options on securities indices. A stock
index reflects in a single number the market value of many
different stocks.
S-2
Relative values are assigned to the stocks included in an index
and the index fluctuates with changes in the market values of
the stocks. The options give the holder the right to receive a
cash settlement during the term of the option based on the
difference between the exercise price and the value of the
index. By writing a put or call option on a securities index,
the Fund is obligated, in return for the premium received, to
make delivery of this amount. The Fund may offset its position
in the stock index options prior to expiration by entering into
a closing transaction on an exchange, or it may let the option
expire unexercised.
The Fund may also buy or sell put and call options on foreign
currencies. A put option on a foreign currency gives the
purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at
the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a
foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to
purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option
expires. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges
may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of
the Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options.
Over-the-counter
options differ from exchange-traded options in that they are
two-party contracts with price and other terms negotiated
between buyer and seller and generally do not have as much
market liquidity as exchange-traded options.
Over-the-counter
options are illiquid securities.
Use of options on securities indices entails the risk that
trading in the options may be interrupted if trading in certain
securities included in the index is interrupted. The Fund will
not purchase these options unless the Investment Adviser is
satisfied with the development, depth and liquidity of the
market and the Investment Adviser believes the options can be
closed out.
Price movements in the portfolio of the Fund may not correlate
precisely with the movements in the level of an index and,
therefore, the use of options on indexes cannot serve as a
complete hedge and will depend, in part, on the ability of the
Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the
direction of the stock market generally or of a particular
industry. Because options on securities indexes require
settlement in cash, the Fund may be forced to liquidate
portfolio securities to meet settlement obligations.
Although the Investment Adviser will attempt to take appropriate
measures to minimize the risks relating to the Funds
writing of put and call options, there can be no assurance that
the Fund will succeed in any option writing program it
undertakes.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures.
A
sale of a futures contract (or a short
futures position) means the assumption of a contractual
obligation to deliver the assets underlying the contract at a
specified price at a specified future time. A
purchase of a futures contract (or a
long futures position) means the assumption of a
contractual obligation to acquire the assets underlying the
contract at a specified price at a specified future time.
Certain futures contracts, including stock and bond index
futures, are settled on a net cash payment basis rather than by
the sale and delivery of the assets underlying the futures
contracts. No consideration will be paid or received by the Fund
upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the
Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of
cash or cash equivalents equal to approximately 1% to 10% of the
contract amount (this amount is subject to change by the
exchange or board of trade on which the contract is traded and
brokers or members of such board of trade may charge a higher
amount). This amount is known as initial margin and
is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on
the contract. Subsequent payments, known as variation
margin, to and from the broker will be made daily as the
price of the index or security underlying the futures contracts
fluctuates. At any time prior to the expiration of a futures
contract, the Fund may close the position by taking an opposite
position, which will operate to terminate its existing position
in the contract.
An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a
futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior
to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the
delivery of the futures positions by the writer of the option to
the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the
accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account
attributable to that contract, which represents the amount by
which the market price of the futures contract exceeds, in the
case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the
exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The
potential loss related to the purchase of an option on futures
contracts is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus
transaction costs). Because the value of the option purchased is
fixed at the
S-3
point of sale, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser
to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract;
however, the value of the option does change daily and that
change would be reflected in the net assets of the Fund.
Futures and options on futures entail certain risks, including
but not limited to the following: no assurance that futures
contracts or options on futures can be offset at favorable
prices, possible reduction of the yield of the Fund due to the
use of hedging, possible reduction in value of both the
securities hedged and the hedging instrument, possible lack of
liquidity due to daily limits on price fluctuations, imperfect
correlation between the contracts and the securities being
hedged, losses from investing in futures transactions that are
potentially unlimited and the segregation requirements described
below.
In the event the Fund sells a put option or enters into long
futures contracts, under current interpretations of the 1940
Act, an amount of cash, obligations of the U.S. government
and its agencies and instrumentalities or other liquid
securities equal to the market value of the contract must be
deposited and maintained in a segregated account with the
custodian of the Fund to collateralize the positions, thereby
ensuring that the use of the contract is unleveraged. For short
positions in futures contracts and sales of call options, the
Fund may establish a segregated account (not with a futures
commission merchant or broker) with cash or liquid securities
that, when added to amounts deposited with a futures commission
merchant or a broker as margin, equal the market value of the
instruments or currency underlying the futures contract or call
option or the market price at which the short positions were
established.
Interest Rate Futures Contracts and Options
Thereon.
The Fund may purchase or sell interest
rate futures contracts to take advantage of, or to protect the
Fund, against fluctuations in interest rates affecting the value
of debt securities which the Fund holds or intends to acquire.
For example, if interest rates are expected to increase, the
Fund might sell futures contracts on debt securities the values
of which historically have a high degree of positive correlation
to the values of the Funds portfolio securities. Such a
sale would have an effect similar to selling an equivalent value
of the Funds portfolio securities. If interest rates
increase, the value of the Funds portfolio securities will
decline, but the value of the futures contracts to the Fund will
increase at approximately an equivalent rate, thereby keeping
the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it
otherwise would have. The Fund could accomplish similar results
by selling debt securities with longer maturities and investing
in debt securities with shorter maturities when interest rates
are expected to increase. However, since the futures market may
be more liquid than the cash market, the use of futures
contracts as a risk management technique allows the Fund to
maintain a defensive position without having to sell its
portfolio securities.
Similarly, the Fund may purchase interest rate futures contracts
when it is expected that interest rates may decline. The
purchase of futures contracts for this purpose constitutes a
hedge against increases in the price of debt securities (caused
by declining interest rates) which the Fund intends to acquire.
Since fluctuation in the value of appropriately selected futures
contracts should approximate those of the debt securities that
will be purchased, the Fund can take advantage of the
anticipated rise in the cost of the debt securities without
actually buying them. Subsequently, the Fund can make its
intended purchase of the debt securities in the cash market and
concurrently liquidate its futures position. To the extent the
Fund enters into futures contracts for this purpose, it will
maintain, in a segregated asset account with the Funds
custodian, assets sufficient to cover the Funds
obligations with respect to such futures contracts, which will
consist of cash or other liquid securities from its portfolio in
an amount equal to the difference between the fluctuating market
value of such futures contracts and the aggregate value of the
initial margin deposited by the Fund with its custodian with
respect to such futures contracts.
The purchase of a call option on a futures contract is similar
in some respects to the purchase of a call option on an
individual security. Depending on the pricing of the option
compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which
it is based or the price of the underlying debt securities, it
may or may not be less risky than ownership of the futures
contract or underlying debt securities. As with the purchase of
futures contracts, when the Fund is not fully invested it may
purchase a call option on a futures contract to hedge against a
market advance due to declining interest rates.
S-4
The purchase of a put option on a futures contract is similar to
the purchase of protective put options on portfolio securities.
The Fund will purchase a put option on a futures contract to
hedge the Funds portfolio against the risk of rising
interest rates and consequent reduction in the value of
portfolio securities.
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 of the option 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 Funds portfolio holdings. The
writing of a put option on a futures contract constitutes a
partial hedge against increasing prices of the securities that
are deliverable upon exercise of the futures contract. If the
futures price at expiration of the option 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 debt securities that the Fund intends
to purchase. If a put or call option the Fund has written is
exercised, the Fund will incur a loss which will be reduced by
the amount of the premium it received. Depending on the degree
of correlation between changes in the value of its portfolio
securities and changes in the value of its futures positions,
the Funds losses from options on futures it has written
may to some extent be reduced or increased by changes in the
value of its portfolio securities.
Currency Futures and Options
Thereon.
Generally, foreign currency futures
contracts and options thereon are similar to the interest rate
futures contracts and options thereon discussed previously. By
entering into currency futures and options thereon, the Fund
will seek to establish the rate at which it will be entitled to
exchange U.S. dollars for another currency at a future
time. By selling currency futures, the Fund will seek to
establish the number of dollars it will receive at delivery for
a certain amount of a foreign currency. In this way, whenever
the Fund anticipates a decline in the value of a foreign
currency against the U.S. dollar, the Fund can attempt to
lock in the U.S. dollar value of some or all of
the securities held in its portfolio that are denominated in
that currency. By purchasing currency futures, the Fund can
establish the number of dollars it will be required to pay for a
specified amount of a foreign currency in a future month. Thus,
if the Fund intends to buy securities in the future and expects
the U.S. dollar to decline against the relevant foreign
currency during the period before the purchase is effected, the
Fund can attempt to lock in the price in U.S. dollars of
the securities it intends to acquire.
The purchase of options on currency futures will allow the Fund,
for the price of the premium and related transaction costs it
must pay for the option, to decide whether or not to buy (in the
case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of a put option)
a futures contract at a specified price at any time during the
period before the option expires. If the Investment Adviser, in
purchasing an option, has been correct in its judgment
concerning the direction in which the price of a foreign
currency would move as against the U.S. dollar, the Fund
may exercise the option and thereby take a futures position to
hedge against the risk it had correctly anticipated or close out
the option position at a gain that will offset, to some extent,
currency exchange losses otherwise suffered by the Fund. If
exchange rates move in a way the Fund did not anticipate,
however, the Fund will have incurred the expense of the option
without obtaining the expected benefit; any such movement in
exchange rates may also thereby reduce, rather than enhance, the
Funds profits on its underlying securities transactions.
Securities Index Futures Contracts and Options
Thereon.
Purchases or sales of securities index
futures contracts are used for hedging purposes to attempt to
protect the Funds current or intended investments from
broad fluctuations in stock or bond prices. For example, the
Fund may sell securities index futures contracts in anticipation
of or during a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease
in market value of the Funds securities portfolio that
might otherwise result. If such decline occurs, the loss in
value of portfolio securities may be offset, in whole or part,
by gains on the futures position. When the Fund is not fully
invested in the securities market and anticipates a significant
market advance, it may purchase securities index futures
contracts in order to gain rapid market exposure that may, in
part or entirely, offset increases in the cost of securities
that the Fund intends to purchase. As such purchases are made,
the corresponding positions in securities index futures
contracts will be closed out. The Fund may write put and call
options on securities index futures contracts for hedging
purposes.
Limitations on the Purchase and Sale of Futures Contracts and
Options on Futures Contracts.
The Investment
Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term
commodity pool operator under
S-5
the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to
registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, the
Funds investments in derivative instruments described in
the Prospectus and this SAI are not limited by or subject to
regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act or otherwise
regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Nevertheless, the Funds investment restrictions place
certain limitations and prohibitions on the Funds ability
to purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts. See
Investment Restrictions. Under these restrictions,
the Fund may not enter into futures contracts or options on
futures contracts unless (i) the aggregate initial margins
and premiums do not exceed 5% of the fair market value of the
Funds total assets and (ii) the aggregate market
value of the Funds outstanding futures contracts and the
market value of the currencies and futures contracts subject to
outstanding options written by the Fund, as the case may be, do
not exceed 50% of the market value of the Funds total
assets. In addition, investment in futures contracts and related
options generally will be limited by the Rating Agency
Guidelines (as defined in the Glossary) applicable to any of the
Funds Outstanding Preferred Stock (as defined in the
Glossary).
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts.
The Fund
may engage in currency transactions other than on futures
exchanges to protect against future changes in the level of
future currency exchange rates. The Fund will conduct such
currency exchange transactions either on a spot, i.e., cash,
basis at the rate then prevailing in the currency exchange
market or on a forward basis, by entering into forward contracts
to purchase or sell currency. A forward contract on foreign
currency involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific
currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days
agreed upon by the parties from the date of the contract, at a
price set on the date of the contract. The risk of shifting of a
forward currency contract will be substantially the same as a
futures contract having similar terms. The Funds dealing
in forward currency exchange will be limited to hedging
involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions.
Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of forward currency
with respect to specific receivables or payables of the Fund
generally arising in connection with the purchase or sale of its
portfolio securities and accruals of interest receivable and
Fund expenses. Position hedging is the forward sale of currency
with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or
quoted in that currency or in a currency bearing a high degree
of positive correlation to the value of that currency.
The Fund may not position hedge with respect to a particular
currency for an amount greater than the aggregate market value
(determined at the time of making any sale of forward currency)
of the securities held in its portfolio denominated or quoted
in, or currently convertible into, such currency. If the Fund
enters into a position hedging transaction, the Funds
custodian or subcustodian will place cash or other liquid
securities in a segregated account of the Fund in an amount
equal to the value of the Funds total assets committed to
the consummation of the given forward contract. If the value of
the securities placed in the segregated account declines,
additional cash or securities will be placed in the account so
that the value of the account will, at all times, equal the
amount of the Funds commitment with respect to the forward
contract.
At or before the maturity of a forward sale contract, the Fund
may either sell a portfolio security and make delivery of the
currency, or retain the security and offset its contractual
obligations to deliver the currency by purchasing a second
contract pursuant to which the Fund will obtain, on the same
maturity date, the same amount of the currency which it is
obligated to deliver. If the Fund retains the portfolio security
and engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund, at the time
of execution of the offsetting transaction, will incur a gain or
a loss to the extent that movement has occurred in forward
contract prices. Should forward prices decline during the period
between the Funds entering into a forward contract for the
sale of a currency and the date it enters into an offsetting
contract for the purchase of the currency, the Fund will realize
a gain to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to
purchase is less than the price of the currency it has agreed to
sell. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer a
loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to
purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to
sell. Closing out forward purchase contracts involves similar
offsetting transactions.
The cost to the Fund of engaging in currency transactions varies
with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the
contract period and the market conditions then prevailing.
Because forward transactions in currency exchange are usually
conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are
involved. The use of foreign currency contracts does not
eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the
S-6
securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be
achieved in the future. In addition, although forward currency
contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value
of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that
might result if the value of the currency increases.
If a decline in any currency is generally anticipated by the
Investment Adviser, the Fund may not be able to contract to sell
the currency at a price above the level to which the currency is
anticipated to decline.
Special Risk Considerations Relating to Futures and Options
Thereon.
The Funds ability to establish and
close out positions in futures contracts and options thereon
will be subject to the development and maintenance of liquid
markets. Although the Fund generally will purchase or sell only
those futures contracts and options thereon for which there
appears to be a liquid market, there is no assurance that a
liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular
futures contract or option thereon at any particular time.
In the event no liquid market exists for a particular futures
contract or option thereon in which the Fund maintains a
position, it will not be possible to effect a closing
transaction in that contract or to do so at a satisfactory price
and the Fund would have to either make or take delivery under
the futures contract or, in the case of a written option, wait
to sell the underlying securities until the option expires or is
exercised or, in the case of a purchased option, exercise the
option. In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon
which the Fund has written and which the Fund is unable to
close, the Fund would be required to maintain margin deposits on
the futures contract or option thereon and to make variation
margin payments until the contract is closed.
Successful use of futures contracts and options thereon and
forward contracts by the Fund is subject to the ability of the
Investment Adviser to predict correctly movements in the
direction of interest and foreign currency rates. If the
Investment Advisers expectations are not met, the Fund
will be in a worse position than if a hedging strategy had not
been pursued. For example, if the Fund has hedged against the
possibility of an increase in interest rates that would
adversely affect the price of securities in its portfolio and
the price of such securities increases instead, the Fund will
lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its
securities because it will have offsetting losses in its futures
positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has
insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements,
it may have to sell securities to meet the requirements. These
sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices
which reflect the rising market. The Fund may have to sell
securities at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so.
Additional Risks of Foreign Options, Futures Contracts,
Options on Futures Contracts and Forward
Contracts.
Options, futures contracts and options
thereon and forward contracts on securities and currencies may
be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be
regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the U.S.,
may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and
are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting
trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of
such positions also could be adversely affected by
(i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic
factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the U.S. of
data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in
the Funds ability to act upon economic events occurring in
the foreign markets during non-business hours in the U.S.,
(iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement
terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the U.S.
and (v) lesser trading volume.
Exchanges on which options, futures and options on futures are
traded may impose limits on the positions that the Fund may take
in certain circumstances.
Risks of Currency Transactions.
Currency
transactions are also subject to risks different from those of
other portfolio transactions. Because currency control is of
great importance to the issuing governments and influences
economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency
and related instruments can be adversely affected by government
exchange controls, limitations or restrictions on repatriation
of currency, and manipulation, or exchange restrictions imposed
by governments. These forms of governmental action can result in
losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive
currency or monies in settlement of obligations and could also
cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless,
resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring
transaction costs.
S-7
When Issued, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward
Commitments.
The Fund may enter into forward
commitments for the purchase or sale of securities, including on
a when issued or delayed delivery basis,
in excess of customary settlement periods for the type of
security involved. In some cases, a forward commitment may be
conditioned upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as
approval and consummation of a merger, corporate reorganization
or debt restructuring, i.e., a when, as and if issued security.
When such transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the
time of the commitment, with payment and delivery taking place
in the future, generally a month or more after the date of the
commitment. While it will only enter into a forward commitment
with the intention of actually acquiring the security, the Fund
may sell the security before the settlement date if it is deemed
advisable.
Securities purchased under a forward commitment are subject to
market fluctuation, and no interest (or dividends) accrues to
the Fund prior to the settlement date. The Fund will segregate
with its custodian cash or liquid securities in an aggregate
amount at least equal to the amount of its outstanding forward
commitments.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities.
The Fund
may invest up to a total of 10% of its net assets in securities
that are subject to restrictions on resale and securities the
markets for which are illiquid, including repurchase agreements
with more than seven days to maturity. Illiquid securities
include securities the disposition of which is subject to
substantial legal or contractual restrictions. The sale of
illiquid securities often requires more time and results in
higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling
expenses than does the sale of securities eligible for trading
on national securities exchanges or in the
over-the-counter
markets. Restricted securities may sell at a price lower than
similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on
resale. Unseasoned issuers are companies (including
predecessors) that have operated less than three years. The
continued liquidity of such securities may not be as well
assured as that of publicly traded securities, and accordingly
the Board will monitor their liquidity. The Board will review
pertinent factors such as trading activity, reliability of price
information and trading patterns of comparable securities in
determining whether to treat any such security as liquid for
purposes of the foregoing 10% test. To the extent the Board
treats such securities as liquid, temporary impairments to
trading patterns of such securities may adversely affect the
Funds liquidity.
In accordance with pronouncements of the Commission, the Fund
may invest in restricted securities that can be traded among
qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities
Act), without registration and may treat them as liquid
for purposes of the foregoing 10% test if such securities are
found to be liquid. The Board has adopted guidelines and
delegated to the Investment Adviser, subject to the supervision
of the Board, the function of determining and monitoring the
liquidity of particular Rule 144A securities.
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
The Fund operates under the following restrictions that
constitute fundamental policies under the 1940 Act and that,
except as otherwise noted, cannot be changed without the
affirmative vote of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (voting together
as a single class). In addition, pursuant to the
Articles Supplementary, the affirmative vote of a majority,
as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding preferred stock
of the Fund (voting separately as a single class) is also
required to change a fundamental policy, as defined in the 1940
Act. For purposes of the preferred stock voting rights described
in the foregoing sentence, except as otherwise required under
the 1940 Act, the majority of the outstanding preferred stock
means, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act,
the vote of (i) of 67% or more of the shares of preferred
stock present at the stockholders meeting called for such vote,
if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding preferred
stock are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than
50% of the outstanding preferred stock, whichever is less.
Except as otherwise noted, all percentage limitations set forth
below apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment
and any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting
from market fluctuations does not require any action. The Fund
may not:
1. Invest 25% or more of its total assets, taken at market
value at the time of each investment, in the securities of
issuers in any particular industry. This restriction does not
apply to investments in direct
S-8
obligations of the United States or by its agencies or
instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit
of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury
Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full
payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption
(U.S. Government Obligations).
2. Purchase securities of other investment companies,
except in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition
or reorganization, if more than 10% of the market value of the
total assets of the Fund would be invested in securities of
other investment companies, more than 5% of the market value of
the total assets of the Fund would be invested in the securities
of any one investment company or the Fund would own more than 3%
of any other investment companys securities, provided,
however, this restriction shall not apply to securities of any
investment company organized by the Fund that are to be
distributed pro rata as a dividend to its stockholders.
3. Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts
except that the Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts and
related options thereon if immediately thereafter (i) no
more than 5% of its total assets are invested in margins and
premiums and (ii) the aggregate market value of its
outstanding futures contracts and market value of the currencies
and futures contracts subject to outstanding options written by
the Fund does not exceed 50% of the market value of its total
assets. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, provided
that the Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or
interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real
estate or interests therein.
4. Purchase any securities on margin or make short sales,
except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be
necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio
securities.
5. Make loans of money, except by the purchase of a portion
of publicly distributed debt obligations in which the Fund may
invest, and repurchase agreements with respect to those
obligations, consistent with its investment objectives and
policies. The Fund reserves the authority to make loans of its
portfolio securities to financial intermediaries in an aggregate
amount not exceeding 20% of its total assets. Any such loans may
only be made upon approval of, and subject to any conditions
imposed by, the Board. Because these loans would at all times be
fully collateralized, the risk of loss in the event of default
of the borrower should be slight.
6. Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from banks
and other financial institutions on an unsecured basis, in an
amount not exceeding 10% of its total assets, to finance the
repurchase of its stock. The Fund also may borrow money on a
secured basis from banks as a temporary measure for
extraordinary or emergency purposes. Temporary borrowings may
not exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund at
the time the loan is made. The Fund may pledge up to 10% of the
lesser of the cost or value of its total assets to secure
temporary borrowings. The Fund will not borrow for investment
purposes. Immediately after any borrowing, the Fund will
maintain asset coverage of not less than 300% with respect to
all borrowings. While the borrowing of the Fund exceeds 5% of
its respective total assets, the Fund will make no further
purchases of securities, although this limitation will not apply
to repurchase transactions as described above.
7. Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted
by applicable law.
8. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as
the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act
in selling portfolio securities; provided, however, this
restriction shall not apply to securities of any investment
company organized by the Fund that are to be distributed pro
rata as a dividend to its stockholders.
9. Invest more than 10% of its total assets in illiquid
securities, such as repurchase agreements with maturities in
excess of seven days, or securities that at the time of purchase
have legal or contractual restrictions on resale.
S-9
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUND
Directors
and Officers
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the
direction of its Board, and the
day-to-day
operations are conducted through or under the direction of its
officers.
The names and business addresses of the Directors and principal
officers of the Fund are set forth in the following table,
together with their positions and their principal occupations
during the past five years and, in the case of the Directors,
their positions with certain other organizations and companies.
Directors who are interested persons of the Fund, as
defined by the 1940 Act, are listed under the caption
Interested Directors.
Directors
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Number of
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Portfolios in
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Term of Office
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Fund Complex
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Name, Position(s), Address
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and Length of
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Overseen by
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Principal Occupation(s)
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Other Directorships
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and Age (1)
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Time Served (2)
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Director
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During Past Five Years
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Held by Director
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INTERESTED DIRECTORS: (3)
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Mario J. Gabelli
Director and Chief
Investment Officer
Age: 64
|
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Since 1986 ***
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23
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Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Chief Investment
OfficerValue Portfolios of Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO
Asset Management Inc.; Director/Trustee or Chief Investment
Officer of other registered investment companies in the Gabelli
fund complex; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GGCP, Inc.
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Director of Morgan Group Holdings,
Inc. (transportation services); Chairman of the Board of Lynch
Interactive Corporation (multimedia and communication services
company)
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Anthony R. Pustorino
Director
Age: 81
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Since 1986 *
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14
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Certified Public Accountant;
Professor Emeritus, Pace University
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Director of LGL Group, Inc.
(diversified manufacturing)
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NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS:
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Thomas E. Bratter
Director
Age: 67
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Since 1986 ***
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3
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Director, President and Founder of
The John Dewey Academy (residential college preparatory
therapeutic high school)
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None
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Anthony J. Colavita (4)
Director
Age: 70
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Since 1999 **
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33
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Partner in the law firm of Anthony
J. Colavita, P.C.
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None
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James P. Conn (4)
Director
Age: 68
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Since 1989 *
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14
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Former Managing Director and Chief
Investment Officer of Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd.
(insurance holding company) (1992-1998)
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Director of First Republic Bank
(banking)
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Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
Director
Age: 67
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Since 1998 **
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5
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President and Chief Executive
Officer of the American Gaming Association; Co-Chairman of the
Commission on Presidential Debates; Chairman of the Republican
National Committee
(1983-1989)
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Director of First Republic Bank
(banking)
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S-10
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Number of
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Portfolios in
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Term of Office
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Fund Complex
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Name, Position(s), Address
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and Length of
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Overseen by
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Principal Occupation(s)
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Other Directorships
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and Age (1)
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Time Served (2)
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Director
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During Past Five Years
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Held by Director
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Arthur V. Ferrara
Director
Age: 76
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Since 2001 ***
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5
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Former Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of The Guardian Life Insurance Company
of America
(1993-1995)
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Director of The Guardian Sponsored
Mutual Funds
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Salvatore J. Zizza
Director
Age: 60
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Since 1986 **
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24
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Chairman of Hallmark Electrical
Supplies Corp.
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Director of Hollis Eden
Pharmaceuticals (biotechnology) and Earl Scheib, Inc.
(automotive services)
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Officers
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Name, Position(s),
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Address and Age (1)
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Length of Time Served (2)
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
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Bruce N. Alpert
President
Age: 54
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Since 1988
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Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1988; Director and
President of Gabelli Advisers, Inc. since 1998; Officer of all
the registered investment companies in the Gabelli fund complex.
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Carter W. Austin
Vice President
Age: 40
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Since 2000
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Vice President of the Fund since
2000; Vice President of The Gabelli Dividend & Income
Trust since 2003 and The Gabelli Global Gold, Natural
Resources & Income Trust since 2005; Vice President of
Gabelli Funds, LLC since 1996.
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Peter D. Goldstein
Chief Compliance Officer
Age: 53
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Since 2004
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Director of Regulatory Affairs for
GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 2004; Chief Compliance Officer of
all the registered investment companies in the Gabelli fund
complex; Vice President of Goldman Sachs Asset Management from
2000-2004.
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James E. McKee
Secretary
Age: 43
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Since 1995
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Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. since 1999 and GAMCO Asset
Management Inc. since 1993; Secretary of all the registered
investment companies advised by Gabelli Advisers, Inc. and
Gabelli Funds, LLC.
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Agnes Mullady
Treasurer and Principal
Financial Officer
Age: 47
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Since 2006
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Officer of all the registered
investment companies in the Gabelli Funds complex; Senior Vice
President of U.S. Trust Company, N.A. and Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer of Excelsior Funds from 2004-2005; Chief
Financial Officer of AMIC Distribution Partners from 2002-2004;
Controller of Reserve Management, Inc. and Reserve Partners,
Inc. and Treasurer of Reserve Funds from 2000-2002.
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(1)
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Address: One Corporate Center, Rye,
NY
10580-1422,
unless otherwise noted.
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(2)
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The Funds Board is divided
into three classes, each class having a term of three years.
Each year the term of office of one class expires and the
successor or successors elected to such class serve for a
three-year term. The three-year term for each class is as
follows:
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*
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Term continues until the
Funds 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified.
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**
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Term continues until the
Funds 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified.
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***
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Term continues until the
Funds 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified.
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(3)
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Interested person of
the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. Mr. Gabelli is
considered an interested person of the Fund because
of his affiliation with the Investment Adviser and
Gabelli & Company, Inc., which executes portfolio
transactions for the Fund, and as a controlling shareholder
because of the level of his ownership of shares of common stock
of the Fund. As a result of his ownership of securities of an
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S-11
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affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Mr. Pustorino
is considered an interested person of the Fund until
after the completion of this offering.
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(4)
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As a Director, elected solely by holders of the Funds
preferred stock.
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BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF STOCK HELD IN THE FUND AND
THE FUND COMPLEX FOR EACH DIRECTOR
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity
securities in the Fund beneficially owned by each Director and
the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund
complex beneficially owned by each Director. Beneficial
Ownership is determined in accordance with
Section 16a-1(a)(2)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
1934 Act).
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Aggregate Dollar Range of
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Equity Securities
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in All Registered
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Dollar Range of Equity
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Investment Companies
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Securities
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Overseen by Directors
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Name of Director
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in the Fund *(1)
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in the Fund Complex *(1)(2)
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INTERESTED DIRECTORS:
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Mario J. Gabelli
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E
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E
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Anthony R. Pustorino **
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E
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E
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NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS:
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Dr. Thomas E. Bratter
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E
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E
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Anthony J. Colavita **
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C
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E
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James P. Conn
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E
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E
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Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
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A
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B
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Arthur V. Ferrara
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A
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E
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Salvatore J. Zizza
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E
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E
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A. None
B. $1-$10,000
C. $10,001-$50,000
D. $50,001-$100,000
E. Over $100,000
All shares were valued as of December 31, 2005.
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**
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Messrs. Colavita and Pustorino each beneficially owned less
than 1% of the common stock of LGL Group, Inc., having a value
of $16,517 and $19,272, respectively, as of December 31,
2005. LGL Group, Inc may be deemed to be controlled by Mario J.
Gabelli and an affiliated person and in that event would be
deemed to be under common control with the Investment Adviser.
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(1)
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This information has been furnished by each Director as of
December 31, 2005.
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(2)
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The Fund Complex includes all the funds that
are considered part of the same fund complex as the Fund because
they have common or affiliated investment advisers.
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Audit
Committee
The Audit Committee is composed of three of the Funds
independent (as such term is defined by the NYSEs listing
standards (the NYSE Listing Standards)) Directors,
namely, Messrs. Colavita, Pustorino and Zizza. Each member
of the Audit Committee has been determined by the Board to be
financially literate. The role of the Funds Audit
Committee is to assist the Board in its oversight of
(i) the quality and integrity of the Funds financial
statement reporting process and the independent audit and
reviews thereof; (ii) the Funds accounting and
financial reporting policies and practices, its internal
controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain
of its service providers; (iii) the Funds compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements;
S-12
and (iv) the independent registered public accounting
firms qualifications, independence and performance. The
Audit Committee also is required to prepare an audit committee
report pursuant to the rules of the Commission for inclusion in
the Funds annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee
operates pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter (the
Audit Charter) that was most recently reviewed and
approved by the Board on February 15, 2006.
Pursuant to the Audit Charter, the Audit Committee is
responsible for conferring with the Funds independent
registered public accounting firm, reviewing annual financial
statements, approving the selection of the Funds
independent registered public accounting firm and overseeing the
Funds internal controls. The Audit Charter also contains
provisions relating to the pre-approval by the Audit Committee
of certain non-audit services to be provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the Fund and to the Investment
Adviser and certain of its affiliates. The Audit Committee
advises the full Board with respect to accounting, auditing and
financial matters affecting the Fund. As set forth in the Audit
Charter, management is responsible for maintaining appropriate
systems for accounting and internal control, and the Funds
independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for
planning and carrying out proper audits and reviews. The
independent registered public accounting firm is ultimately
accountable to the Board and to the Audit Committee, as
representatives of shareholders. The independent registered
public accounting firm for the Fund reports directly to the
Audit Committee.
In performing its oversight function, at a meeting held on
February 13, 2006, the Audit Committee reviewed and
discussed with management of the Fund and PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP the audited financial statements of the Fund as of and for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, and discussed the
audit of such financial statements with the independent
registered public accounting firm.
In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with the independent
registered public accounting firm the accounting principles
applied by the Fund and such other matters brought to the
attention of the Audit Committee by the independent registered
public accounting firm required by Statement of Auditing
Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as
currently modified or supplemented. The Audit Committee also
received from the independent registered public accounting firm
the written disclosures and statements required by the
Commissions independence rules, delineating relationships
between the independent registered public accounting firm and
the Fund and discussed the impact that any such relationships
might have on the objectivity and independence of the
independent registered public accounting firm.
As set forth above, and as more fully set forth in the Audit
Charter, the Audit Committee has significant duties and powers
in its oversight role with respect to the Funds financial
reporting procedures, internal control systems and the
independent audit process.
The members of the Audit Committee are not, and do not represent
themselves to be, professionally engaged in the practice of
auditing or accounting and are not employed by the Fund for
accounting, financial management, or internal control purposes.
Moreover, the Audit Committee relies on and makes no independent
verification of the facts presented to it or representations
made by management or independent verification of the facts
presented to it or representations made by management or the
Funds independent registered public accounting firm.
Accordingly, the Audit Committees oversight does not
provide an independent basis to determine that management has
maintained appropriate accounting
and/or
financial reporting principles and policies, or internal
controls and procedures, designed to assure compliance with
accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations.
Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations and
discussions referred to above do not provide assurance that the
audit of the Funds financial statements has been carried
out in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) or that the financial
statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (United States).
The Audit Committee met twice during the year ended
December 31, 2005.
S-13
Nominating
Committee
The Board has a Nominating Committee composed of three
independent (as such term is defined by the NYSE Listing
Standards) Directors, namely, Messrs. Colavita, Ferrara and
Zizza. The Nominating Committee met once during the year ended
December 31, 2005. The Nominating Committee is responsible
for identifying and recommending to the Board individuals
believed to be qualified to become Board members in the event
that a position is vacated or created. The Nominating Committee
will consider Director candidates recommended by shareholders.
In considering candidates submitted by shareholders, the
Nominating Committee will take into consideration the needs of
the Board, the qualifications of the candidate and the interests
of shareholders. The Nominating Committee may also take into
consideration the number of shares held by the recommending
shareholder and the length of time that such shares have been
held. To recommend a candidate for consideration by the
Nominating Committee, a shareholder must submit the
recommendation in writing and must include the following
information:
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The name of the shareholder and evidence of the
shareholders ownership of shares of the Fund, including
the number of shares owned and the length of time of ownership;
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The name of the candidate, the candidates resume or a
listing of his or her qualifications to be a Director of the
Fund and the persons consent to be named as a Director if
selected by the Nominating Committee and nominated by the
Board; and
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If requested by the Nominating Committee, a completed and signed
directors questionnaire.
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The shareholders recommendation and information described
above must be sent to James E. McKee, the Funds Secretary,
c/o Gabelli Funds, LLC, and must be received by the
Secretary no less than 120 days prior to the anniversary
date of the Funds most recent annual meeting of
stockholders or, if the meeting has moved by more than
30 days, a reasonable amount of time before the meeting.
The Nominating Committee believes that the minimum
qualifications for serving as a Director of the Fund are that
the individual demonstrate, by significant accomplishment in his
or her field, an ability to make a meaningful contribution to
the BoardS oversight of the business and affairs of the
Fund and have an impeccable record and reputation for honest and
ethical conduct in both his or her professional and personal
activities. In addition, the Nominating Committee examines a
candidates specific experiences and skills, time
availability in light of other commitments, potential conflicts
of interest and independence from management and the Fund. The
Nominating Committee also seeks to have the Board represent a
diversity of backgrounds and experience.
The Funds Nominating Committee adopted a charter on
May 12, 2004, and amended the charter on November 17,
2004. The charter can be found on the Funds website at
http://www.gabelli.com.
Proxy
Voting Committee
The Fund also has a Proxy Voting Committee, which, if so
determined by the Board, is authorized to exercise voting power
and/or
dispositive power over specific securities held in the
Funds portfolio for such period as the Board may
determine. The Directors serving on the Proxy Voting Committee
are Messrs. Conn, Ferrara and Pustorino.
Remuneration
of Directors and Officers
The Fund pays each Director who is not affiliated with the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates a fee of $12,000 per
year plus $1,500 per meeting attended in person,
$1,000 per Committee meeting attended in person, and $500
per telephonic meeting, together with the Directors actual
out-of-pocket
expenses relating to his attendance at such meetings. In
addition, the Audit Committee Chairman receives an annual fee of
$3,000, the Proxy Voting Committee Chairman receives an annual
fee of $1,500, and the Nominating Committee Chairman receives an
annual fee of $2,000. The aggregate remuneration (not including
out-of-pocket
expenses) paid by the Fund to such Directors during the year
ended December 31, 2005 amounted to
S-14
$139,991. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the
Directors of the Fund met seven times, three of which were
special meetings of Directors. Each Director then serving in
such capacity attended at least 75% of the meetings of Directors
and of any Committee of which he is a member.
The following table shows certain compensation information for
the Directors and Officers of the Fund for the year ended
December 31, 2005. Officers of the Fund who are employed by
the Investment Adviser receive no compensation or expense
reimbursement from the Fund.
COMPENSATION
TABLE FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
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Total Compensation
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from the
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Aggregate
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Fund and Fund Complex
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Compensation
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Paid
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Name of Person and Position
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from the Fund
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to Directors/Officers *
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DIRECTORS:
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Mario J. Gabelli, Chairman of the
Board
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$
|
0
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$
|
0
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(24) ****
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Dr. Thomas E. Bratter, Director
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$
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18,333
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$
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32,750
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(3)
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Anthony J. Colavita, Director
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$
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22,085
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$
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212,473
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(37) ***,****
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James P. Conn, Director
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$
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17,538
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$
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83,283
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(14)
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Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.,
Director
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$
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18,225
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$
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60,183
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(5)
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Arthur V. Ferrara, Director
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$
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18,063
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$
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32,011
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(9) ***
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Karl Otto Pohl, Director**
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$
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0
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$
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7,571
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(35) ***,****
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Anthony R. Pustorino, Director
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$
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25,154
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$
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147,261
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(17) ***
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Salvatore J. Zizza, Director
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$
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20,592
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$
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143,962
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(25) ****
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OFFICER:
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Dawn M. Donato, Assistant Vice
President *****
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$
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75,000
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$
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75,000
|
(1)
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*
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Represents the total compensation paid to such persons during
the calendar year ended December 31, 2005 by investment
companies (including the Fund) or portfolios thereof from which
such person receives compensation that are considered part of
the same Fund Complex as the Fund because they have common
or affiliated investment advisers. The number in parentheses
represents the number of such investment companies and
portfolios.
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**
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Mr. Pohl resigned from the Board on November 15, 2005
and now serves as Director Emeritus.
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***
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Includes compensation for serving as a Director of The
Treasurers Fund, Inc., which was liquidated on
October 28, 2005.
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****
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Includes compensation for serving as a Trustee of Ned Davis
Research Funds, Inc., which was liquidated on February 10,
2006.
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*****
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Ms. Donato was employed by the Fund and not by the
Investment Adviser (although during her tenure she was eligible
to receive incentive-based variable compensation from affiliates
of the Investment Adviser). Ms. Donato resigned her
position as an officer and an employee of the Fund on
October 6, 2006.
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Limitation
of Officers and Directors Liability
The Funds By-Laws provide that the Fund, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, will indemnify its current and former
Directors and officers and may indemnify its employees or agents
against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with
litigation in which they may be involved because of their
offices or association with the Fund. The By-Laws do not permit
indemnification against any liability to which such person would
be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the
conduct of his office. Maryland law does not permit
indemnification of present or former directors, officers,
employees or agents in connection with any proceeding to which
they may be made
S-15
a party by reason of their service to the Fund if (i) the
act or omission of such person or entity was material to the
matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed
in bad faith; or (b) was the result of active and
deliberate dishonesty; (ii) such person or entity actually
received an improper personal benefit in money, property or
services; or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding,
such person or entity had reasonable cause to believe that the
act or omission was unlawful.
Under Maryland law, the Fund is not permitted to indemnify for
an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the Fund for
a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received, unless in either case a court orders
indemnification and then only for expenses. The termination of
any proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere
or its equivalent or an entry of an order of probation prior to
judgment creates a rebuttable presumption that the director,
officer, employee or agent did not meet the requisite standard
of conduct required for permitted indemnification. The
termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement,
however, does not create such a presumption.
The By-Laws and Maryland law permit the Fund to advance
reasonable expenses to current or former Directors, officers,
employees and agents upon the Funds receipt of a written
affirmation by such person or entity of its good faith belief
that it has met the standard of conduct necessary for
indemnification by the Fund, and a written undertaking by such
person or entity (or on its behalf) to repay the amount paid or
reimbursed by the Fund if it is ultimately determined that such
person or entity did not meet the requisite standard of conduct.
The By-Laws further require that one of the following conditions
must also be met to advance payment of expenses: (i) the
person or entity seeking indemnification shall provide a
security in the form and amount acceptable to the Fund for its
undertaking; (ii) the Fund is insured against losses
arising by reason of the advance; (iii) approval by a
majority of a quorum of the Directors of the Fund who are
neither interested persons as defined by
Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act nor parties to the
proceeding; or (iv) a written opinion of independent legal
counsel, based on a review of the facts readily available to the
Fund at the time the advance is proposed to be made, to the
effect that there is reason to believe that the person or entity
seeking indemnification will ultimately be found to be entitled
to indemnification.
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its
charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and
officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money
damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an
improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or
active and deliberate dishonesty established by final judgment
as being material to the cause of action. The Funds
Charter provides for such a limitation, except to the extent
such exemption is not permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time.
Matters
Relating to Investment Adviser
Affiliates of the Investment Adviser, may, in the ordinary
course of their business, acquire for their own account or for
the accounts of their advisory clients, significant (and
possibly controlling) positions in the securities of companies
that may also be suitable for investment by the Fund. The
securities in which the Fund might invest may thereby be limited
to some extent. For instance, many companies have adopted
so-called poison pill or other defensive measures
designed to discourage or prevent the completion of
non-negotiated offers for control of the company. Such defensive
measures may have the effect of limiting the shares of the
company, which might otherwise be acquired by the Fund if the
affiliates of the Investment Adviser or their advisory accounts
have or acquire a significant position in the same securities.
However, the Investment Adviser does not believe that the
investment activities of its affiliates will have a material
adverse effect upon the Fund in seeking to achieve its
investment objectives. In addition, the Fund and the Investment
Adviser have adopted a code of ethics that is designed in part
to ensure that all such orders are accorded priority of
execution over orders entered on behalf of proprietary accounts
or accounts in which the Investment Adviser or its affiliates
have a substantial pecuniary interest. See General
InformationCode of Ethics. The Investment Adviser
may give advice or take actions with respect to other clients
that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. The
Fund may invest in the securities of companies that are
investment management clients of the Investment Advisers
affiliates. In addition, portfolio companies or their officers
or directors may be minority shareholders of the Investment
Advisers affiliates.
S-16
For the years ended December 31, 2003, December 31,
2004, and December 31, 2005, the Investment Adviser was
paid $12,895,377, $15,167,775 and $16,357,998, respectively, for
advisory and administrative services rendered to the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager Information
Other
Accounts Managed
The information below lists other accounts for which the
Funds portfolio managers were primarily responsible for
the
day-to-day
management during the year ended December 31, 2005.
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Number of
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Accounts
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Managed
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with
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Advisory
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Total Assets
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Total Number
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Fee
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with Advisory
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Name of Portfolio
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of Accounts
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Based on
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Fee Based on
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Manager
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Types of Accounts
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Managed
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Total Assets
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Performance
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Performance
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Mario J. Gabelli
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Registered Investment Companies
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25
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$
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13,060,000,000
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6
|
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$
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4,700,000,000
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Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
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20
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$
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946,400,000
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19
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$
|
704,600,000
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Other Accounts
|
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1882
|
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$
|
10,000,000,000
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5
|
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$
|
1,300,000,000
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Caesar M.P. Bryan
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Registered Investment Companies
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6
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$
|
2,800,000,000
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|
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1
|
|
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$
|
1,900,000,000
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|
|
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Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
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|
1
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|
$
|
6,600,000
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1
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$
|
6,600,000
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Other Accounts
|
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5
|
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$
|
45,500,500
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0
|
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0
|
|
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*
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Represents the portion of assets for which the portfolio manager
has primary responsibility in the accounts indicated. The
accounts indicated may contain additional assets under the
primary responsibility of other portfolio managers.
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Potential
Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a
portfolio manager for the Fund also has
day-to-day
management responsibilities with respect to one or more other
accounts. These potential conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited Time and
Attention.
Because the portfolio manager manages
many accounts, he may not be able to formulate as complete a
strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities
for each of those accounts as if he were to devote substantially
more attention to the management of only a few accounts.
Allocation of Limited Investment
Opportunities.
If the portfolio manager
identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for
multiple accounts, the Fund may not be able to take full
advantage of that opportunity because the opportunity may need
to be allocated among all or many of these accounts or other
accounts primarily managed by other portfolio managers of the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies.
At times, the
portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity
may be appropriate for only some of the accounts for which he
exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain
of these accounts should take differing positions with respect
to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager
may execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more
accounts which may affect the market price of the security or
the execution of the transactions, or both, to the detriment of
one or more of his accounts.
Selection of Broker/Dealers.
Because of the
portfolio managers position with, and his indirect
majority ownership interest in, an affiliated broker,
Gabelli & Company, Inc., he may have an incentive to
use Gabelli & Company, Inc. to execute portfolio
transactions for the Fund even if using Gabelli &
Company, Inc. is not in the best interest of the Fund.
S-17
Variation in Compensation.
A conflict of
interest may arise where the financial or other benefits
available to the portfolio manager differ among the accounts
that he manages. If the structure of the Investment
Advisers management fee or the portfolio managers
compensation differs among accounts (such as where certain funds
or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based
management fees), the portfolio manager may be motivated to
favor certain funds or accounts over others. The portfolio
manager also may be motivated to favor funds or accounts in
which he has an investment interest, or in which the Investment
Adviser or its affiliates have investment interests. In
Mr. Gabellis case, the Investment Advisers
compensation (and expenses) for the Fund are marginally greater
as a percentage of assets than for certain other accounts and
are less than for certain other accounts managed by
Mr. Gabelli, while his personal compensation structure
varies with near term performance to a greater degree in certain
performance fee based accounts than with non-performance fee
based accounts. In addition, he has investment interests in
several of the funds managed by the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates.
The Investment Adviser and the Fund have adopted compliance
policies and procedures that are designed to address the various
conflicts of interest that may arise for the Investment Adviser
and its staff members. However, there is no guarantee that such
policies and procedures will be able to detect and address every
situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise. In
Mr. Bryans case, his compensation is not affected by
changes in assets of the Fund while it is for other accounts
that he manages.
Compensation Structure.
Mr. Gabelli
receives incentive-based variable compensation based on a
percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser
for managing the Fund. Net revenues are determined by deducting
from gross investment management fees the firms expenses
(other than Mr. Gabellis compensation) allocable to
the Fund. Additionally, he receives similar incentive-based
variable compensation for managing other accounts within the
firm. This method of compensation is based on the premise that
superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio should be
rewarded with higher compensation as a result of growth of
assets through appreciation and net investment activity. Five
closed-end registered investment companies managed by
Mr. Gabelli have arrangements whereby the Investment
Adviser will only receive its investment advisory fee
attributable to the liquidation value of outstanding preferred
stock (and Mr. Gabelli would only receive his percentage of
such advisory fee) if certain performance levels are met.
Mr. Gabelli manages other accounts with performance fees.
Compensation for managing these accounts has two components. One
component of his compensation is based on a percentage of net
revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing the
account. The second component is based on absolute performance
of the account, with respect to which a percentage of such
performance fee is paid to Mr. Gabelli. As an executive
officer of the Investment Advisers parent company, GAMCO
Investors, Inc., Mr. Gabelli also receives ten percent of
the net operating profits of the parent company.
Mr. Gabelli receives no base salary, no annual bonus and no
stock options.
The compensation of other portfolio managers in the Gabelli
organization is reviewed annually and structured to enable it to
attract and retain highly qualified professionals in a
competitive environment. Mr. Bryan receives a compensation
package that includes a minimum draw or base salary,
equity-based incentive compensation via awards of stock options,
and incentive-based variable compensation based on a percentage
of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser for managing
certain accounts other than the Fund to the extent that the
amount exceeds a minimum level of compensation. Net revenues are
determined by deducting from gross investment management fees
certain of the firms expenses (other than
Mr. Bryans compensation) allocable to such other
accounts. This method of compensation is based on the premise
that superior long-term performance in managing a portfolio
should be rewarded with higher compensation as a result of
growth of assets through appreciation and net investment
activity. Equity-based incentive compensation is based on an
evaluation by the Investment Advisers parent, GAMCO
Investors, Inc., of quantitative and qualitative performance
evaluation criteria.
Mr. Bryans compensation for managing other pooled
investment accounts is based on a percentage of net revenues
received by the Investment Adviser for managing the account.
Compensation for managing accounts that have a performance-based
fee will have two components. One component is based on a
percentage of net revenues received by the Investment Adviser
for managing the account. The second component is based on
S-18
absolute performance of the account, with respect to which a
percentage of the performance fee is paid to the portfolio
manager.
Ownership of Stock in the Fund.
Set forth in
the table below is the dollar range of equity securities in the
Fund beneficially owned by Messrs. Gabelli and Bryan:
|
|
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|
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Dollar Range of
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Equity Securities
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Name
|
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Held in Fund *
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Mario J. Gabelli
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G
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Caesar M.P. Bryan
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A
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*
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KEY TO DOLLAR RANGES INFORMATION AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 2005
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A. None
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B. $1$10,000
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C. $10,001$50,000
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D. $50,001$100,000
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E. $100,001$500,000
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F. $500,001$1,000,000
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G. over $1,000,000
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Portfolio
Holdings Information
Employees of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates will
often have access to information concerning the portfolio
holdings of the Fund. The Fund and the Investment Adviser have
adopted policies and procedures that require all employees to
safeguard proprietary information of the Fund, which includes
information relating to the Funds portfolio holdings as
well as portfolio trading activity of the Investment Adviser
with respect to the Fund (collectively, Portfolio Holdings
Information). In addition, the Fund and the Investment
Adviser have adopted policies and procedures providing that
Portfolio Holdings Information may not be disclosed except to
the extent that it is (a) made available to the general
public by posting on the Funds website or filed as a part
of a required filing on
Form N-Q
or NCSR or (b) provided to a third party for legitimate
business purposes or regulatory purposes, that has agreed to
keep such data confidential under forms approved by the
Investment Advisers legal department or outside counsel,
as described below. The Investment Adviser will examine each
situation under (b) with a view to determine that release
of the information is in the best interest of the Fund and its
shareholders and, if a potential conflict between the
Advisers interests and the Funds interests arises,
to have such conflict resolved by the Chief Compliance Officer
or the independent Board. These policies further provide that no
officer of the Fund or employee of the Investment Adviser shall
communicate with the media about the Fund without obtaining the
advance consent of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer, or General Counsel of the Investment Adviser.
Under the foregoing policies, the Fund currently may disclose
Portfolio Holdings Information in the circumstances outlined
below. Disclosure generally may be either on a monthly or
quarterly basis with no time lag in some cases and with a time
lag of up to 60 days in other cases (with the exception of
proxy voting services which require a regular download of data):
(1) To regulatory authorities in response to requests for
such information and with the approval of the Chief Compliance
Officer of the Fund;
(2) To mutual fund rating and statistical agencies and to
persons performing similar functions where there is a legitimate
business purpose for such disclosure and such entity has agreed
to keep such data confidential at least until it has been made
public by the Investment Adviser;
S-19
(3) To service providers of the Fund, as necessary for the
performance of their services to the Fund and to the Board; the
Funds service providers are its administrator, transfer
agent, custodian, independent registered public accounting firm,
and legal counsel;
(4) To firms providing proxy voting and other proxy
services provided each such entity has agreed to keep such data
confidential at least until it has been made public by the
Investment Adviser;
(5) To certain broker-dealers, investment advisers, and
other financial intermediaries for purposes of their performing
due diligence on the Fund and not for dissemination of this
information to their clients or use of this information to
conduct trading for their clients. Disclosure of portfolio
holdings information in these circumstances requires the broker,
dealer, investment adviser, or financial intermediary to agree
to keep such information confidential and is further subject to
prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund and
shall be reported to the Board at the next quarterly
meeting; and
(6) To consultants for purposes of performing analysis of
the Fund, which analysis (but not the Portfolio Holdings
Information) may be used by the consultant with its clients or
disseminated to the public, provided that such entity shall have
agreed to keep such information confidential at least until it
has been made public by the Investment Adviser.
Under the Funds policies described in item 2 above
the following entities receive information about the portfolio
holdings including information derived from the portfolio
monthly:
(1) Lipper Inc. receives information derived from the
portfolio, with a one (1) business day lag, and
(2) The Investment Company Institute receives information
derived from the portfolio, with up to a ten (10) business
day lag.
Disclosures made pursuant to a confidentiality agreement are
subject to periodic confirmation by the Chief Compliance Officer
of the Fund that the recipient has utilized such information
solely in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Neither
the Fund nor the Investment Adviser, nor any of the Investment
Advisers affiliates, will accept on behalf of itself, its
affiliates, or the Fund any compensation or other consideration
in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings of the
Fund. The Board will review such arrangements annually with the
Funds Chief Compliance Officer.
Proxy
Voting Procedures
The Fund has adopted the proxy voting procedures of the
Investment Adviser and has directed the Investment Adviser to
vote all proxies relating to the Funds voting securities
in accordance with such procedures. The proxy voting procedures
are set forth below as Appendix A to this SAI.
Information on how proxies relating to the Funds voting
securities were voted by the Investment Adviser during the
12 month period ended June 30, 2006 is available, upon
request, by calling
(800) 422-3554
or on the website of the Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
PORTFOLIO
TRANSACTIONS
Subject to policies established by the Board, the Investment
Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and
the allocation of brokerage on behalf of the Fund. Transactions
in equity securities are in most cases effected on
U.S. stock exchanges and involve the payment of negotiated
brokerage commissions. In general, there may be no stated
commission in the case of securities traded in
over-the-counter
markets, but the prices of those securities may include
undisclosed commissions or mark-ups. Principal transactions are
not entered into with affiliates of the Fund. However,
Gabelli & Company, Inc. may execute transactions in the
over-the-counter
markets on an agency basis and receive a stated commission
therefrom. To the extent consistent with applicable provisions
of the 1940 Act and the rules and exemptions adopted by the
Commission thereunder, as well as other regulatory requirements,
the Funds Board has determined that portfolio transactions
may be executed through Gabelli & Company, Inc. and its
broker-dealer affiliates if, in
S-20
the judgment of the Investment Adviser, the use of those
broker-dealers is likely to result in price and execution at
least as favorable as those of other qualified broker-dealers
and if, in particular transactions, those broker-dealers charge
the Fund a rate consistent with that charged to comparable
unaffiliated customers in similar transactions. The Fund has no
obligations to deal with any broker or group of brokers in
executing transactions in portfolio securities. In executing
transactions, the Investment Adviser seeks to obtain the best
price and execution for the Fund, taking into account such
factors as price, size of order, difficulty of execution and
operational facilities of the firm involved and the firms
risk in positioning a block of securities. While the Investment
Adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive commission rates,
the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest commission
available.
Subject to obtaining the best price and execution, brokers who
provide supplemental research, market and statistical
information or other services (e.g. wire services) to the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates may receive orders for
transactions by the Fund. The term research, market and
statistical information includes advice as to the value of
securities, and advisability of investing in, purchasing or
selling securities, and the availability of securities or
purchasers or sellers of securities, and furnishing analyses and
reports concerning issues, industries, securities, economic
factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of
accounts. Information so received will be in addition to and not
in lieu of the services required to be performed by the
Investment Adviser under the Advisory Agreement and the expenses
of the Investment Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a
result of the receipt of such supplemental information. Such
information may be useful to the Investment Adviser and its
affiliates in providing services to clients other than the Fund,
and not all such information is used by the Investment Adviser
in connection with the Fund. Conversely, such information
provided to the Investment Adviser and its affiliates by brokers
and dealers through whom other clients of the Investment Adviser
and its affiliates effect securities transactions may be useful
to the Investment Adviser in providing services to the Fund.
Although investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of the other accounts managed by the
Investment Adviser and its affiliates, investments of the kind
made by the Fund may also be made by those other accounts. When
the same securities are purchased for or sold by the Fund and
any such other accounts, it is the policy of the Investment
Adviser and its affiliates to allocate such purchases and sales
in a manner deemed fair and equitable to all of the accounts,
including the Fund.
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003,
December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, the Fund paid
a total of $837,474, $1,249,931 and $814,155, respectively, in
brokerage commissions, of which Gabelli & Company, Inc.
and its affiliates received, $426,925, $835,136 and $469,081,
respectively. The amount received by Gabelli & Company,
Inc. and its affiliates from the Fund in respect of brokerage
commissions for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
represented approximately 57.62% of the aggregate dollar amount
of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for such period and
approximately 51.44% of the aggregate dollar amount of
transactions by the Fund for such period.
TAXATION
The following discussion is a brief summary of certain
U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund
and its stockholders. The discussion reflects applicable tax
laws of the United States as of the date of this SAI, which tax
laws may be changed or subject to new interpretation by the
courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS),
retroactively or prospectively. No attempt is made to present a
detailed explanation of all U.S. federal, state, local and
foreign tax concerns affecting the Fund and its stockholders
(including stockholders owning large positions in the Fund), and
the discussions set forth here and in the Prospectus do not
constitute tax advice. Investors are urged to consult their own
tax advisers with any specific questions relating to
U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes.
S-21
Taxation
of the Fund
The Fund has elected to be treated and has qualified, and
intends to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the CODE) (a RIC).
If the Fund were unable to satisfy the 90% distribution
requirement described under Taxation in the
Prospectus or otherwise were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any
year, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary
corporation and distributions to the Funds stockholders
would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable
income. To qualify again to be taxed as a RIC in a subsequent
year, the Fund would be required to distribute to its
stockholders its earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC
years reduced by an interest charge on 50% of such earnings and
profits payable by the Fund to the IRS. In addition, if the Fund
failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable
years, then the Fund would be required to elect to recognize and
pay tax on any net built-in gain (the excess of aggregate gain,
including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have
been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) or,
alternatively, be subject to taxation on such built-in gain
recognized for a period of ten years, in order to qualify as a
RIC in a subsequent year.
Gain or loss on the sales of securities by the Fund will
generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the securities
have been held by the Fund for more than one year. Gain or loss
on the sale of securities held for one year or less will be
short-term capital gain or loss.
Foreign currency gain or loss on
non-U.S. dollar-denominated
securities and on any
non-U.S. dollar-denominated
futures contracts, options and forward contracts that are not
section 1256 contracts (as defined in the Code) generally
will be treated as ordinary income and loss.
Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are
considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or
losses; however, foreign currency gains or losses arising from
certain section 1256 contracts may be treated as ordinary
income or loss. Also, section 1256 contracts held by the
Fund at the end of each taxable year (and on certain other dates
as prescribed under the Code) are
marked-to-market
with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as
though they were realized.
Investments by the Fund in certain passive foreign
investment companies (PFICs) could subject the
Fund to federal income tax (including interest charges) on
certain distributions or dispositions with respect to those
investments which cannot be eliminated by making distributions
to stockholders. Elections may be available to the Fund to
mitigate the effect of this tax provided that the PFIC complies
with certain reporting requirements, but such elections
generally accelerate the recognition of income without the
receipt of cash. Dividends paid by PFICs will not qualify for
the reduced tax rates discussed below under Taxation of
Stockholders.
The Fund may invest in debt obligations purchased at a discount
with the result that the Fund may be required to accrue income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes before amounts due
under the obligations are paid. The Fund may also invest in
securities rated in the medium to lower rating categories of
nationally recognized rating organizations, and in unrated
securities (high yield securities). A portion of the
interest payments on such high yield securities may be treated
as dividends for certain U.S. federal income tax purposes.
As a result of investing in stock of PFICs or securities
purchased at a discount or any other investment that produces
income that is not matched by a corresponding cash distribution
to the Fund, the Fund could be required to currently include
income it has not yet received. Any such income would be treated
as income earned by the Fund and therefore would be subject to
the distribution requirements of the Code. This might prevent
the Fund from distributing 90% of its investment company taxable
income as is required in order to avoid Fund-level federal
income taxation on all of its income, or might prevent the Fund
from distributing enough ordinary income and capital gain net
income to avoid completely the imposition of the excise tax. To
avoid this result, the Fund may be required to borrow money or
dispose of securities to be able to make distributions to its
stockholders.
S-22
If the Fund does not meet the asset coverage requirements of the
1940 Act and the Articles Supplementary, the Fund will be
required to suspend distributions to the holders of the shares
of common stock until the asset coverage is restored. Such a
suspension of distributions might prevent the Fund from
distributing 90% of its investment company taxable income as is
required in order to avoid Fund-level federal income taxation on
all of its income, or might prevent the Fund from distributing
enough income and capital gain net income to avoid completely
imposition of the excise tax.
Certain of the Funds investment practices are subject to
special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that
may, among other things, (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise
limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions,
(ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains into
higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income,
(iii) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital
loss (the deductibility of which is more limited),
(iv) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a
corresponding receipt of cash, (v) adversely affect the
time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is
deemed to occur, (vi) adversely alter the characterization
of certain complex financial transactions and (vii) produce
income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the
90% annual gross income requirement described above. The Fund
will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections
to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent
disqualification of the Fund as a RIC.
Foreign
Taxes
Since the Fund may invest in foreign securities, its income from
such securities may be subject to
non-U.S. taxes.
The Fund intends to invest less than 50% of its total assets in
foreign securities. As long as the Fund continues to invest less
than 50% of its assets in foreign securities it will not be
eligible to elect to pass-through to stockholders of
the Fund the ability to use the foreign tax deduction or foreign
tax credit for foreign taxes paid with respect to qualifying
taxes.
Taxation
of Stockholders
A distribution will be treated as paid during the calendar year
if it is paid during the calendar year or declared by the Fund
in October, November or December of the year, payable to
stockholders of record on a date during such a month and paid by
the Fund during January of the following year. Any such
distributions paid during January of the following year will be
deemed to be received on December 31 of the year the
distributions are declared, rather than when the distributions
are received.
The Fund will determine either to distribute or to retain for
reinvestment all or part of its net capital gain. If any such
gain is retained, the Fund will be subject to a tax of 35% of
such amount. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the
retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its
stockholders, each of whom (i) will be required to include
in income for tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share
of such undistributed amounts, (ii) will be entitled to
credit its proportionate share of the tax paid by the Fund
against its federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to
the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and
(iii) will increase its basis in its shares of stock of the
Fund by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed
capital gain included in such stockholders gross income.
Distributions paid by the Fund from its investment company
taxable income, which includes net short-term capital gain,
generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the
Funds earnings and profits. Such distributions (if
designated by the Fund) may, however, qualify (provided holding
period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and the
stockholder) (i) for the dividends received deduction
available to corporations, but only to the extent that the
Funds income consists of dividend income from
U.S. corporations and (ii) through December 31,
2010, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced
maximum federal rate to individuals of generally 15% (currently
5% for individuals in lower tax brackets) to the extent that the
Fund receives qualified dividend income. Qualified dividend
income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic
corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations (e.g.,
generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of
the United States or in certain countries with a qualifying
comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or whose stock
with respect to which such dividend is paid is
S-23
readily tradable on an established securities market in the
United States). A qualified foreign corporation does not include
a foreign corporation which for the taxable year of the
corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding
taxable year, is a PFIC. If the Fund lends portfolio securities,
the amount received by the Fund that is the equivalent of the
dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned will not
be eligible for qualified dividend income treatment.
Distributions of net capital gain designated as capital gain
distributions, if any, are taxable to stockholders at rates
applicable to long-term capital gain, whether paid in cash or in
stock, and regardless of how long the stockholder has held the
Funds stock. Capital gain distributions are not eligible
for the dividends received deduction. The maximum federal tax
rate on net long-term capital gain of individuals is reduced
generally from 20% to 15% (currently 5% for individuals in lower
brackets) for such gain realized before January 1, 2011.
Distributions in excess of the Funds earnings and profits
will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holders
stock and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero,
will constitute capital gain to such holder (assuming the stock
is held as a capital asset). For non-corporate taxpayers,
investment company taxable income (other than qualified dividend
income) will currently be taxed at a maximum rate of 35%, while
net capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of
15%. For corporate taxpayers, both investment company taxable
income and net capital gain are taxed at a maximum rate of 35%.
If an individual receives a regular dividend qualifying for the
long-term capital gains rates and such dividend constitutes an
extraordinary dividend, and the individual
subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock
in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then
the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such
extraordinary dividend. An extraordinary dividend on
preferred stock for this purpose is generally a dividend
(i) in an amount greater than or equal to 5% of the
taxpayers tax basis (or trading value) in a share of
stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an
85-day
period or (ii) in an amount greater than 20% of the
taxpayers tax basis (or trading value) in a share of
stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a
365-day
period.
The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more
classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate
amounts of each type of its income (such as ordinary income,
capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends received
deduction (DRD) and qualified dividend income) based
upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or
accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year.
Accordingly, the Fund intends each year to allocate capital gain
dividends, dividends qualifying for the DRD and dividends that
constitute qualified dividend income, if any, between its common
stock and preferred stock in proportion to the total dividends
paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each
class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of
the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits, if
any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the
common stock and preferred stock. Since the Funds current
and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay
dividends on its preferred stock (including the Series F
Preferred ), distributions in excess of such earnings and
profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of
shares of common stock.
Stockholders may be entitled to offset their capital gain
distributions (but not distributions eligible for qualified
dividend income treatment) with capital loss. There are a number
of statutory provisions affecting when capital loss may be
offset against capital gain, and limiting the use of loss from
certain investments and activities. Accordingly, stockholders
with capital loss are urged to consult their own tax advisers.
The price of stock purchased at any time may reflect the amount
of a forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing stock just prior
to a distribution will receive a distribution which generally
will be taxable to them even though it represents in part a
return of invested capital.
Certain types of income received by the Fund from real estate
investment trusts (REITs), real estate mortgage
investment conduits (REMICs), taxable mortgage pools
or other investments may cause the Fund to designate some or all
of its distributions as excess inclusion income. To
Fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may
(1) constitute taxable income, as unrelated business
taxable income (UBTI) for those shareholders
who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement
accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and
certain charitable entities; (2) not be offset against net
operating
S-24
losses for tax purposes; (3) not be eligible for reduced
U.S. withholding for non- U.S. shareholders even from
tax treaty countries; and (4) cause the Fund to be subject
to tax if certain disqualified organizations as
defined by the Code are Fund shareholders.
Upon a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of stock,
a stockholder will generally realize a taxable gain or loss
equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair
market value of other property received and the
stockholders adjusted tax basis in the stock. Such gain or
loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the
stock has been held for more than one year. Any loss realized on
a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the stock
disposed of is replaced by substantially identical stock within
a
61-day
period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days
after the date that the stock is disposed of. In such a case,
the basis of the stock acquired will be adjusted to reflect the
disallowed loss.
Any loss realized by a stockholder on the sale of Fund stock
held by the stockholder for six months or less will be treated
for tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of
any capital gain distributions received by the stockholder (or
amounts credited to the stockholder as an undistributed capital
gain) with respect to such stock.
Ordinary income distributions and capital gain distributions
also may be subject to state and local taxes. Stockholders are
urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding specific
questions about federal (including the application of the
alternative minimum tax rules), state, local or foreign tax
consequences to them of investing in the Fund.
Distributions of investment company taxable income made by the
Fund to stockholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign
entities (foreign investors) are generally subject
to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by
an applicable income tax treaty. In order to obtain a reduced
rate of withholding, a foreign investor will be required to
provide an IRS
Form W-8BEN
certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The
withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a
foreign investor who provides a
Form W-8ECI,
certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the
foreign investors conduct of a trade or business within
the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends
will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the
foreign investor were a U.S. stockholder. A
non-U.S. corporation
receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to
additional branch profits tax imposed at a rate of
30% (or lower treaty rate). A foreign investor who fails to
provide an IRS
Form W-8BEN
or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at
the appropriate rate.
In general, United States federal withholding tax will not apply
to any gain or income realized by a foreign investor in respect
of any capital gain distributions, undistributed capital gains,
exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition
of shares of the Fund.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2008,
properly-designated dividends are generally exempt from United
States federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in
respect of the Funds qualified net interest
income (generally, the Funds U.S. source
interest income, other than certain contingent interest and
interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in
which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by
expenses that are allocable to such income) (such dividend, an
interest-related dividend) or (ii) are paid in
respect of the Funds qualified short-term gain
(generally, the excess of the Funds net short-term capital
gain over the Funds long-term capital loss for such
taxable year) (such dividend, a short-term capital gain
dividend). However, depending on its circumstances, the
Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible
dividends as such interest-related dividends or as short-term
capital gain dividends,
and/or
treat
such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this
exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this
exemption from withholding, a foreign investor will need to
comply with applicable certification requirements relating to
its
non-U.S. status
(including, in general, furnishing an IRS
Form W-8BEN
or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an
intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund
designates the payment as an interest-related dividend or
short-term capital gain dividend. Foreign investors should
contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of
these rules to their accounts.
S-25
Backup
Withholding
The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income
tax on all taxable distributions and redemption proceeds payable
to non-corporate stockholders who fail to provide the Fund with
their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required
certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they
are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an
additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be refunded or credited
against such stockholders U.S. federal income tax
liability, if any, provided that the required information is
furnished to the IRS.
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. Persons considering an investment in
shares of common stock should consult their own tax
advisers regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of
shares of common stock.
AUTOMATIC
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND VOLUNTARY CASH PURCHASE PLAN
Under the Funds Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and
Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan (the Plan), a
stockholder whose shares of common stock are registered in his
own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Computershare),
which is agent under the Plan, unless the stockholder elects to
receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares of common
stock registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee
(that is, in street name) will be reinvested by the
broker or nominee in additional shares of common stock under the
Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or
nominee or the stockholder elects to receive distributions in
cash. Investors who own shares of common stock registered in
street name should consult their broker-dealers for details
regarding reinvestment. All distributions to investors who do
not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed
directly to the record holder by Computershare as
dividend-disbursing agent.
Under the Plan, whenever the market price of the shares of
common stock is equal to or exceeds net asset value at the time
shares of common stock are valued for purposes of determining
the number of shares equivalent to the cash dividend or capital
gains distribution, participants in the Plan are issued shares
of common stock, valued at the greater of (i) the net asset
value as most recently determined or (ii) 95% of the
then-current market price of the shares of common stock. The
valuation date is the dividend or distribution payment date or,
if that date is not a NYSE trading day, the next preceding
trading day. If the net asset value of the shares of common
stock at the time of valuation exceeds the market price of the
shares of common stock, participants will receive shares of
common stock from the Fund, valued at market price. If the Fund
should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable
only in cash, Computershare will purchase the shares of common
stock for such Plan in the open market, on the NYSE or
elsewhere, for the participants accounts, except that
Computershare will endeavor to terminate purchases in the open
market and cause the Fund to issue shares of common stock at the
greater of net asset value or 95% of market value if, following
the commencement of such purchases, the market value of the
shares of common stock exceeds net asset value.
Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional
cash payments to Computershare, semi-monthly, for investment in
the common stock as applicable. Such payments may be made in any
amount from $250 to $10,000. Computershare will use all funds
received from participants to purchase shares of common stock in
the open market on or about the 1st and 15th of each
month. Computershare will charge each stockholder who
participates $0.75, plus a pro rata share of the brokerage
commissions. Brokerage charges for such purchases are expected
to be less than the usual brokerage charge for such
transactions. It is suggested that participants send voluntary
cash payments to Computershare in a manner that ensures that
Computershare will receive these payments approximately
10 days before the 1st and 15th of the month. A
participant may without charge withdraw a voluntary cash payment
by written notice, if the notice is received by Computershare at
least 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.
S-26
Computershare maintains all stockholder accounts in the Plan and
furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in the
account, including information needed by stockholders for
personal and tax records. Shares of common stock in the account
of each Plan participant will be held by Computershare in
noncertificated form in the name of the participant. A Plan
participant may send its stock certificates to Computershare so
that the shares of common stock represented by such certificates
will be held by Computershare in the participants
stockholder account under the Plan. In the case of stockholders
such as banks, brokers or nominees, which hold shares of common
stock for others who are the beneficial owners, Computershare
will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares of
common stock certified from time to time by the stockholder as
representing the total amount registered in the
stockholders name and held for the account of beneficial
owners who participate in the Plan.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are
desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or
terminate its Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments
made and any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written
notice of the change sent to the members of such Plan at least
90 days before the record date for such dividend or
distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by
Computershare on at least 90 days written notice to
the participants in such Plan. All correspondence concerning the
Plan should be directed to Computershare at P.O. Box 43010,
Providence, RI
02940-3010.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SERIES F PREFERRED
The additional information concerning the Series F
Preferred contained in this SAI does not purport to be a
complete description of the Series F Preferred and should
be read in conjunction with the description of the Series F
Preferred contained in the Prospectus under Description of
the Series F Preferred. This description is subject
to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Funds
Governing Documents (as defined in the Glossary), including the
provisions of the Articles Supplementary establishing the
Series F Preferred. Copies of these
Articles Supplementary are filed as exhibits to the
registration statement of which the Prospectus and this SAI are
a part and may be inspected, and a copy thereof may be obtained,
as described under Additional Information in the
Prospectus.
MOODYS
GUIDELINES
The description of the Moodys Guidelines contained in this
SAI does not purport to be complete and is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Articles Supplementary. A copy of the
Articles Supplementary is filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which the Prospectus and this SAI are
a part and may be inspected, and copies thereof may be obtained,
as described under Additional Information in the
Prospectus.
The composition of the Funds portfolio reflects guidelines
(referred to herein as the Rating Agency Guidelines)
established by Moodys in connection with the Funds
receipt of a rating of Aaa from Moodys for the
Series F Preferred. These Rating Agency Guidelines relate,
among other things, to industry and credit quality
characteristics of issuers and diversification requirements and
specify various Discount Factors for different types of
securities (with the level of discount greater as the rating of
a security becomes lower). Under the Rating Agency Guidelines,
certain types of securities in which the Fund may otherwise
invest consistent with its investment strategy are not eligible
for inclusion in the calculation of the Discounted Value of the
Funds portfolio. Such instruments include, for example,
private placements (other than Rule 144A securities) and
other securities not within the Rating Agency Guidelines.
Accordingly, although the Fund reserves the right to invest in
such securities to the extent set forth herein, such securities
have not constituted and it is anticipated that they will not
constitute a significant portion of the Funds portfolio.
The Rating Agency Guidelines require that the Fund maintain
assets having an aggregate Discounted Value, determined on the
basis of such guidelines, greater than the aggregate liquidation
preference of the Outstanding Series F Preferred and other
Preferred Stock plus specified liabilities, payment obligations
and other amounts, as of periodic Valuation Dates. The Rating
Agency Guidelines also require the Fund to
S-27
maintain asset coverage for the Outstanding Preferred Stock
(including the Series F Preferred ) on a non-discounted
basis of at least 200% as of the end of each month, and the 1940
Act requires this asset coverage as a condition to paying
dividends or other distributions on its shares of common stock.
See Description of the Series F PreferredAsset
Maintenance Requirements in the Prospectus. The effect of
compliance with the Rating Agency Guidelines may be to cause the
Fund to invest in higher quality assets
and/or
to
maintain relatively substantial balances of highly liquid assets
or to restrict the Funds ability to make certain
investments that would otherwise be deemed potentially desirable
by the Investment Adviser, including private placements of other
than Rule 144A securities. The Rating Agency Guidelines are
subject to change from time to time with the consent of the
relevant Rating Agency and will apply to the Series F
Preferred only so long as the relevant Rating Agency is rating
such stock at the request of the Fund. If in the future the Fund
elected to issue senior securities rated by a rating agency
other than Moodys, other similar arrangements might apply
with respect to those securities.
The Fund intends to maintain, at specified times, a Discounted
Value for its portfolio at least equal to the amount specified
by each Rating Agency (the Basic Maintenance
Amount), the determination of which is as set forth under
Description of the Series F PreferredAsset
Maintenance Requirements in the Prospectus. To the extent
any particular portfolio holding does not satisfy the applicable
Rating Agency Guidelines, all or a portion of such
holdings value will not be included in the calculation of
Discounted Value (as defined by such Rating Agency). Upon any
failure to maintain the required Discounted Value, the Fund may
seek to alter the composition of its portfolio to reestablish
required asset coverage within the specified ten Business Day
cure period, thereby incurring additional transaction costs and
possible losses
and/or
gains
on dispositions of portfolio securities.
The Rating Agency 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 Funds portfolio. The amount of such assets
included in the portfolio at any time may vary depending upon
the rating, diversification and other characteristics of the
assets included in the portfolio which are eligible for
inclusion in the Discounted Value of the portfolio under the
Rating Agency Guidelines.
A rating of preferred stock as Aaa (as described by
Moodys ) indicates strong asset protection, conservative
balance sheet ratios and positive indications of continued
protection of preferred dividend requirements. A Moodys
credit rating of preferred stock does not address the likelihood
that a resale mechanism will be successful. As described by
Moodys, an issue of preferred stock which is rated
Aaa is considered to be top-quality preferred stock
with good asset protection and the least risk of dividend
impairment within the universe of preferred stock.
The Fund will pay certain fees to Moodys for rating the
Series F Preferred. Such ratings may be subject to revision
or withdrawal by the assigning Rating Agency at any time. Any
rating of the Series F Preferred should be evaluated
independently of any other rating. Ratings are not
recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell Series F
Preferred inasmuch as the rating does not comment as to market
price or suitability for a particular investor. The rating is
based on current information furnished to Moodys by the
Fund and obtained by Moodys from other sources. The rating
may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes
in, or unavailability of, such information. The Fund has no
current intention to file a voluntary application 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.
Under the Moodys guidelines, the Fund is required to
maintain specified discounted asset values for its portfolio
representing the Preferred Stocks Basic Maintenance
Amount. To the extent any particular portfolio holding does not
meet the applicable guidelines, it is not included for purposes
of calculating the Discounted Value of the Funds portfolio.
S-28
The following Discount Factors apply to portfolio holdings as
described below, subject to diversification, issuer size and
other requirements, in order to constitute Moodys Eligible
Assets includable within the calculation of Discounted Value:
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset *:
|
|
Discount Factor
|
|
U.S. Treasury Securities with
final maturities that are less than or equal to 60 days
|
|
1.00
|
Demand or time deposits,
certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances includible
in Short Term Money Market Instruments
|
|
1.00
|
Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in 30 days or less
|
|
1.00
|
Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in more than 30 days but in
270 days or less
|
|
1.15
|
Commercial paper rated
A-1+
by
S&P maturing in 270 days or less
|
|
1.25
|
Repurchase obligations includible
in Short Term Money Market Instruments if term is less than
30 days and counterparty is rated at least A2
|
|
1.00
|
Other repurchase obligations
|
|
Discount factor
applicable to
underlying assets
|
U.S. Common Stocks and Common
Stocks of foreign issuers for which ADRs are traded:
|
|
|
Large Cap Stocks (Market
Capitalization in excess of $10 billion)
|
|
2.00
|
Mid Cap Stocks (Market
Capitalization in between $2 billion and $10 billion)
|
|
2.05
|
Small Cap Stocks (Market
Capitalization less than $2 billion)
|
|
2.20
|
Common Stocks of foreign issuers
(in existence for at least five years) for which no ADRs are
traded
|
|
4.00
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks and
Convertible Corporate Debt Securities having a delta range of:
|
|
|
.8-.4 (investment grade)
|
|
1.92
|
.8-.4 (below investment grade)
|
|
2:26
|
1-.8 (investment grade)
|
|
1.95
|
1-.8 (below investment grade)
|
|
2:29
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks and
Convertible Corporate Debt Securities that are unrated
|
|
2.50
|
Preferred Stocks:
|
|
|
Auction rate preferred stocks
|
|
3.50
|
Other preferred stock rated:
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
1.50
|
Aa
|
|
1.55
|
A
|
|
1.60
|
Baa
|
|
1.65
|
Ba
|
|
1.96
|
B
|
|
2.16
|
Less than B or not rated
|
|
2.40
|
DRD Preferred (investment grade)
|
|
1.65
|
DRD Preferred (below investment
grade)
|
|
2.16
|
S-29
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset *:
|
|
Discount Factor
|
|
U.S. Government Obligations
(other than U.S. Treasury Securities Strips set forth
below) with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.04
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.09
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.12
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.15
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.21
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.24
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.25
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
U.S. Treasury Securities
Strips with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.04
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.10
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.14
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.21
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.27
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.34
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.45
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.54
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.66
|
Corporate Debt:
|
|
|
Convertible corporate debt having
a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate debt, rated
at least Aal with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.09
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.15
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.20
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.32
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.39
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.45
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
1.65
|
S-30
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset *:
|
|
Discount Factor
|
|
Convertible corporate debt having
a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate debt, rated
at least Aa3 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.12
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.23
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.29
|
5 years or less
|
|
1:35
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.43
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
1.73
|
Convertible corporate debt having
a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate debt, rated
at least A3 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.15
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.22
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.27
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.33
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.39
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.47
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
1.81
|
Convertible corporate debt having
a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate debt, rated
at least Baa3 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.18
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.25
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.31
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.38
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.44
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.52
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
1.89
|
S-31
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset *:
|
|
Discount Factor
|
|
Convertible corporate debt having
a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate debt, rated
at least Ba3 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year, or less
|
|
1.37
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.46
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.53
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.61
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.68
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.79
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.89
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
2.05
|
Convertible corporate debt having
a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate debt, rated
at least Bl and B2 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.50
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.68
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.76
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.85
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.97
|
10 years or less
|
|
2.08
|
15 years or less
|
|
2.16
|
20 years or less
|
|
2.28
|
30 years or less
|
|
2.29
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
2.40
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Discount Factors are for a seven-week exposure period; the
Discount Factor applicable to Rule 144A securities shall be
increased by 20%. Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk
and estimates of both the probability and severity of default
for the Funds assets can be derived from other sources,
securities rated below B by Moodys and unrated securities,
which are securities rated by neither Moodys, S&P nor
Fitch, are limited to 10% of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a
convertible corporate debt security is unrated by Moodys,
S&P or Fitch, the Fund will use the percentage set forth
under NR in this table. Ratings assigned by S&P
or Fitch are generally accepted by Moodys at face value.
However, adjustments to face value may be made to particular
categories of credits for which an S&P
and/or
Fitch
rating does not seem to approximate a Moodys rating
equivalent. Securities with different ratings assigned by
S&P and Fitch will be accepted at the lower of the two
ratings.
|
Moodys
Eligible Assets Means:
(a) cash (including, for this purpose, receivables for
investments sold to a counterparty whose senior debt securities
are rated at least Baa3 by Moodys or a counterparty
approved by Moodys and payable within five Business Days
following such Valuation Date and dividends and interest
receivable within 49 days on investments);
(b) Short-Term Money Market Instruments;
S-32
(c) commercial paper that is not includible as a Short-Term
Money Market Instrument having on the Valuation Date a rating
from Moodys of at least
P-1
and
maturing within 270 days;
(d) preferred stocks (i) which either (A) are
issued by issuers whose senior debt securities are rated at
least Baa1 by Moodys or (B) are rated at least Baa3
by Moodys or (C) in the event an issuers senior
debt securities or preferred stock is not rated by Moodys,
which either (1) are issued by an issuer whose senior debt
securities are rated at least A− by S&P or
(2) are rated at least A− by S&P and for this
purpose have been assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of
at least Baa3, (ii) of issuers which have (or, in the case
of issuers which are special purpose corporations, whose parent
companies have) common stock listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market System, (iii) which have a minimum issue size (when
taken together with other of the issuers issues of similar
tenor) of $40,000,000, (iv) which have paid cash dividends
consistently during the preceding three-year period (or, in the
case of new issues without a dividend history, are rated at
least A1 by Moodys or, if not rated by Moodys, are
rated at least A+ by S&P), (v) which pay cumulative
cash dividends in U.S. dollars, (vi) which are not
convertible into any other class of stock and do not have
warrants attached, (vii) which are not issued by issuers in
the transportation industry and (viii) in the case of
auction rate preferred stocks, which are rated at least Aa3 by
Moodys, or. if not rated by Moodys, AA− by
S&P, AA− by Fitch or are otherwise approved in writing
by Moodys and have never had a failed auction; provided,
however, that for this purpose the aggregate Market Value of the
Funds holdings of any single issue of auction rate
preferred stock shall not be more than 1% of the Funds
total assets;
(e) common stocks (i) (A) which are traded on a
nationally recognized stock exchange or in the
over-the-counter
market, (B) if cash dividend paying, pay cash dividends in
U.S. dollars and (C) which may be sold without
restriction by the Fund; provided, however, that (y) common
stock which, while a Moodys Eligible Asset owned by the
Fund, ceases paying any regular cash dividend will no longer be
considered a Moodys Eligible Asset until 71 days
after the date of the announcement of such cessation, unless the
issuer of the common stock has senior debt securities rated at
least A3 by Moodys and (z) the aggregate Market Value
of the Corporations holdings of the common stock of any
issuer in excess of 4% in the case of utility common stock and
6% in the case of non-utility common stock of the aggregate
Market Value of the Funds holdings shall not be
Moodys Eligible Assets, (ii) which are securities
denominated in any currency other than the U.S. dollar or
securities of issuers formed under the laws of jurisdictions
other than the United States, its states and the District of
Columbia for which there are American Depositary Receipts
(ADRs) or their equivalents which are traded in the
United States on exchanges or
over-the-counter
and are issued by banks formed under the laws of the United
States, its states or the District of Columbia or
(iii) which are securities of issuers formed under the laws
of jurisdictions other than the United States (and in existence
for at least five years) for which no ADRs are traded; provided,
however, that the aggregate Market Value of the Funds
holdings of securities denominated in currencies other than the
U.S. dollar and ADRs in excess of (A) 6% of the
aggregate Market Value of the Outstanding shares of common stock
of such issuer thereof or (B) in excess of 10% of the
Market Value of the Funds Moodys Eligible Assets
with respect to issuers formed under the laws of any single such
non-U.S. jurisdiction,
other than Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the
United Kingdom shall not be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
(f) ADR securities, based on the following guidelines:
(i) Sponsored ADR program or (ii) Level II or
Level III ADRs. Private placement Rule 144A ADRs are
not eligible for collateral consideration. Global GDR programs
will be evaluated on a case by case basis;
(g) U.S. Government Obligations;
(h) corporate evidences of indebtedness (i) which may
be sold without restriction by the Fund which are rated at least
B3 (Caa subordinate) by Moodys (or, in the event the
security is not rated by Moodys, the security is rated at
least B− by S&P and which for this purpose is assigned
a Moodys equivalent rating of one full rating category
lower), with such rating confirmed on each Valuation Date,
(ii) which have a minimum issue size of at least
(A) $100,000,000 if rated at least Baa3 or
(B) $50,000,000 if rated B or Ba3,
S-33
(iii) which are not convertible or exchangeable into equity
of the issuing corporation and have a maturity of not more than
30 years and (iv) for which, if rated below Baa3 or
not rated, the aggregate Market Value of the Funds
holdings do not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of any
individual issue of corporate evidences of indebtedness
calculated at the time of original issuance;
(i) convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
(i) which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least B2 by Moodys (or, in the
event an issuers senior debt securities are not rated by
Moodys, which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least B by S&P and which for this
purpose is assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full
rating category lower), (ii) which are convertible into
common stocks which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or
the American Stock Exchange or are quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market System and (iii) which, if cash dividend paying, pay
cash dividends in U.S. dollars; provided, however, that
once convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness have been
converted into common stock, the common stock issued upon
conversion must satisfy the criteria set forth in
clause (e) above and other relevant criteria set forth in
this definition in order to be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
provided, however, that the Funds investments in auction
rate preferred stocks described in clause (d) above shall
be included in Moodys Eligible Assets only to the extent
that the aggregate Market Value of such stocks does not exceed
10% of the aggregate Market Value of all of the
Corporations investments meeting the criteria set forth in
clauses (a) through (g) above less the aggregate
Market Value of those investments excluded from Moodys
Eligible Assets pursuant to the paragraph appearing after
clause (i) below; and
(j) no assets which are subject to any lien or irrevocably
deposited by the Fund for the payment of amounts needed to meet
the obligations described in clauses (a) through
(d) of the definition of Basic Maintenance
Amount in Description of the Series F Preferred
Rating Agency Guidelines may be includible in Moodys
Eligible Assets.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding
clauses (a)-(j), the FUNDs investment in preferred
stock, common stock, corporate evidences of indebtedness and
convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness shall not be
treated as Moodys Eligible Assets except to the extent
they satisfy the following diversification requirements
(utilizing Moodys Industry and
Sub-industry
Categories) with respect to the Market Value of the Funds
holdings:
Issuer:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Utility Maximum
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)(2)
|
|
Single Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Single Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
Ba
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
B3 or lower
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
S-34
Industry
and State:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Utility Maximum
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Single
Sub-
|
|
|
Utility Maximum
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)
|
|
Single Industry (3)
|
|
|
Industry (3)(6)
|
|
|
Single Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
% (7)
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
7
|
% (7)
|
Ba
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B3 or lower
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk and estimates of
both the probability and severity of default for the Funds
assets can be derived from other sources, securities rated below
B by Moodys and unrated securities, which are securities
rated by neither Moodys, S&P nor Fitch, are limited to
10% of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a corporate, municipal
or other debt security is unrated by Moodys, S&P or
Fitch, the Fund will use the percentage set forth under B3
or lower in this table. Ratings assigned by S&P or
Fitch are generally accepted by Moodys 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 Moodys rating
equivalent.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Corporate evidences of indebtedness from issues ranging from
$50,000,000 to $100,000,000 are limited to 20% of Moodys
Eligible Assets.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals
only for the related Moodys rating category and each lower
Moodys rating category.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Issuers subject to common ownership of 25% or more are
considered as one name.
|
|
(5)
|
|
CS/CB refers to common stock and convertible corporate evidences
of indebtedness, which are diversified independently from the
rating level.
|
|
(6)
|
|
In the case of utility common stock, utility preferred stock,
utility evidences of indebtedness and utility convertible
evidences of indebtedness, the definition of industry refers to
sub-industries (electric, water, hydro power, gas, diversified).
Investments in other sub-industries are eligible only to the
extent that the combined sum represents a percentage position of
the Moodys Eligible Assets less than or equal to the
percentage limits in the diversification tables above.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Such percentage shall be 15% in the case of utilities regulated
by California, New York and Texas.
|
Moodys Hedging Transactions.
For so long
as any Preferred Stock is rated by Moodys, the Fund may
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 on
portfolio securities, swaps and securities lending unless it
receives written confirmation from Moodys that engaging in
such transactions would impair the ratings then assigned to the
Preferred Stock by Moodys (collectively Moodys
Hedging Transactions), subject to the following
limitations:
(i) Future and call options: For purposes of the Basic
Maintenance Amount, futures held by the Fund and call options
sold by the Fund shall not be included as Moodys Eligible
Assets. However, such assets shall be valued at Market Value by
subtracting the good faith margin and the maximum daily trading
variance as of a Valuation Date. For call options purchased by
the Fund, the Market Value of the call option will be included
as a Moodys Eligible Asset subject to a Moodys
Discount Factor mutually agreed to between the Fund and
Moodys based on the characteristics of the option contract
such as its maturity and the underlying security of the contract.
(ii) Securities lending: The Fund may engage in securities
lending in an amount not to exceed 10% of the Funds total
gross assets (provided term and conditions of the securities
lending program are
S-35
disclosed in advance to Moodys, if Moodys is rating
the Preferred Stock). For purposes of calculating the Basic
Maintenance Amount, such securities lent shall be included as
Moodys Eligible Assets with the appropriate Moodys
Discount Factor applied to such lent security. The obligation to
return such collateral shall not be included as an
obligation/liability for purposes of calculating the Basic
Maintenance Amount. However, the Fund may reinvest cash
collateral for securities lent in conformity with its investment
objectives and policies and the provisions of these By-Laws. In
such event, to the extent that securities lending collateral
received is invested by the Fund in assets that otherwise would
be Moodys Eligible Assets and the value of such assets
exceeds the amount of the Funds Moodys Eligible
Assets by applying the applicable Moodys Discount Factor
to this amount and adding the product to total Moodys
Eligible Assets. Conversely, if the value of assets in which
securities lending collateral has been invested is less then the
amount of the Funds obligation to return the collateral on
a Valuation Date, such difference shall be included as an
obligation/liability of the Fund for purposes of calculating the
Basic Maintenance Amount. Collateral received by the Fund in a
securities lending transaction and maintained by the Fund in the
form received shall not be included as a Moodys Eligible
Asset for purposes of calculating the Basic Maintenance Amount.
(iii) Swaps (including Total Return Swaps and Interest Rate
Swaps): Total Return and Interest Rate Swaps are subject to the
following provisions:
(A) Only the cumulative unsettled profit and loss from a
Total Return Swap transaction will be calculated when
determining the Basic Maintenance Amount. If the Fund has an
outstanding gain from a swap transaction on a Valuation Date,
the gain will be included as a Moodys Eligible Asset
subject to the Moodys Discount Factor on the counterparty
to the swap transaction. If the Fund has an outstanding
liability from a swap transaction on a Valuation Date, the Fund
will subtract the outstanding liability from the total
Moodys Eligible Assets in calculating the Basic
Maintenance Amount.
In addition, for swaps other than Total Return Swaps, the Market
Value of the position (positive or negative) will be included as
a Moodys Eligible Asset. The aggregate notional value of
all swaps will not exceed the Liquidation Preference of the
Outstanding Preferred Stock. At the time a swap is executed, the
Fund will only enter into swap transactions where the
counterparty has at least a S&P or Fitch rating of A−
or Moodys long-term rating of A3.
(B) (1) The underlying securities subject to a Credit
Default Swap sold by the Fund will be subject to the applicable
Moodys Discount Factor for each security subject to the
swap;
(2) If the Fund purchases a Credit Default Swap and holds
the underlying security, the Market Value of the Credit Default
Swap and the underlying security will be included as a
Moodys Eligible Asset subject to the Moodys Discount
Factor assessed based on the counterparty risk and the duration
of the swap agreement.
If not otherwise provided for in (i)-(iii) above, derivative
instruments shall be treated as follows: Any derivative
instruments will be valued pursuant to the Funds valuation
procedures on a Valuation Date. The amount of the net payment
obligation and the cost of a closing transaction, as
appropriate, on any derivative instrument on a Valuation Date
will be counted as a liability for purposes of determining the
Basic Maintenance Amount (e.g., written call option that is in
the money for the holder). Any derivative instrument with
respect to which the Fund is owed payment on the Valuation Date
that is not based upon an individual security or securities that
are Moodys Eligible Assets will have a mutually agreed
-upon valuation by Moodys and the Fund for purposes of
determining Moodys Eligible Assets. Any derivative
instrument with respect to which the Fund is owed payment on the
Valuation Date that is based upon an individual security or
securities that are Moodys Eligible Assets (e.g., a
purchased call option on a bond that is in the money) will be
valued as follows for purposes of determining Moodys
Eligible Assets: (A) For such derivative instruments that
are exchange traded, the value of the
in-the-money
amount of the payment obligation to the Fund will be reduced by
applying the Moodys Discount Factor (as it would apply to
the underlying security or securities) and then added to
Moodys Eligible Assets; and (B) for such derivative
instruments that are not exchange-
S-36
traded, the value of the
in-the-money
amount of the payment obligation to the Fund will be
(1) reduced as described in (A) and (B) further
reduced by applying to the remaining amount the Moodys
Discount Factor determined by reference to the credit rating of
the derivative counterparty with the remaining amount after
these reductions then added to Moodys Eligible Assets.
For purposes of determining whether the Fund has Moodys
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value that equals
or exceeds the 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.
NET ASSET
VALUE
For purposes of determining the Funds net asset value per
share, portfolio securities listed or traded on a nationally
recognized securities exchange or traded in the
U.S. over-the-counter
market for which market quotations are readily available are
valued at the last quoted sale price or a markets official
closing price as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued. If there were no sales that day,
the security is valued at the average of the closing bid and
asked prices or, if there were no asked prices quoted on that
day, then the security is valued at the most recently available
price, or, if the Board so determines, by such other method as
the Board shall determine in good faith, to reflect its fair
market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one
national securities exchange or market are valued according to
the broadest and most representative market, as determined by
the Investment Adviser.
Portfolio securities primarily traded on foreign markets are
generally valued at the preceding closing values of such
securities on their respective exchanges or, if after the close,
market conditions change significantly, certain foreign
securities may be fair valued pursuant to procedures established
by the Board. Debt instruments that are not credit impaired with
remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, unless the Board determines such amount does not
reflect the securities fair value, in which case these
securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by
the Board. Debt instruments having a maturity greater than
60 days for which market quotations are readily available
are valued at the average of the latest bid and asked prices. If
there were no asked prices quoted on such day, the security is
valued using the closing bid price. Futures contracts are valued
at the closing settlement price of the exchange or board of
trade on which the applicable contract is traded.
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not
readily available are valued at their fair value as determined
in good faith under procedures established by and under the
general supervision of the Board. Fair valuation methodologies
and procedures may include, but are not limited to: analysis and
review of available financial and non-financial information
about the company; comparisons to the valuation and changes in
valuation of similar securities, including a comparison of
foreign securities to the equivalent U.S. dollar value ADR
securities at the close of the U.S. exchange; and
evaluation of any other information that could be indicative of
the value of the security.
The Fund obtains valuation on the basis of prices provided by
one or more pricing services approved by the Board. All other
investment assets, including restricted and not readily
marketable securities, are valued at their fair value as
determined in good faith under procedures established by and
under the general supervision of the Board. In addition,
whenever developments in one or more securities markets after
the close of the principal markets for one or more portfolio
securities and before the time as of which the Fund determines
its net asset value would, if such developments had been
reflected in such principal markets, likely have had more than a
minimal effect on the Funds asset value per share, the
Fund may fair value such portfolio securities based on available
market information as of the time the Fund determines its net
asset value.
S-37
BENEFICIAL
OWNERS
Principal
Stockholders and Ownership By Directors
Set forth below is information as of October 31, 2006 with
respect to the beneficial ownership of our shares of common
stock by (i) each person who is known by us to be the beneficial
owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of
common stock, (ii) each of our interested and
non-interested Directors, and (iii) all of our interested
and non-interested Directors as a group. Except as otherwise
indicated, to our knowledge, all shares are beneficially owned
and investment and voting power is held by the persons named as
owners. At this time, we are unaware of any stockholder owning
5 percent or more of the outstanding shares of common
stock. Unless otherwise provided, the address of each holder is
Gabelli Funds, LLC, One Corporate Center, Rye, NY,
10580-1422.
Set forth in the table below is the amount of shares
beneficially owned by each Director of the Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial
|
|
Percent of Shares
|
|
Name of Director
|
|
Ownership (1)
|
|
Outstanding (2)
|
|
|
INTERESTED DIRECTORS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mario J. Gabelli
|
|
1,827,970 shares of common
stock (3)
|
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
Anthony R. Pustorino
|
|
13,620 shares of common
stock (4)
|
|
|
*
|
|
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Thomas E. Bratter
|
|
29,075 shares of common stock;
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
375 shares of Series B
Preferred
|
|
|
|
|
Anthony J. Colavita
|
|
2,835 shares of common
stock (5);
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
750 shares of Series B
Preferred (6)
|
|
|
|
|
James P. Conn
|
|
43,439 shares of common stock;
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
750 shares of Series B
Preferred
|
|
|
|
|
Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
|
|
0
|
|
|
*
|
|
Arthur V. Ferrara
|
|
0
|
|
|
*
|
|
Salvatore J. Zizza
|
|
41,390 shares of common
stock (7)
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
This information has been furnished by each Director as of
October 31, 2006. Beneficial Ownership is
determined in accordance with
Section 16a-1(a)(2)
of the 1934 Act. Reflects ownership of common stock unless
otherwise noted.
|
|
(2)
|
|
An asterisk indicates that the ownership amount constitutes less
than 1% of the total shares outstanding.
|
|
(3)
|
|
Includes 947,963 shares of common stock owned directly by
Mr. Gabelli, 37,358 shares of common stock owned by a
family partnership for which Mr. Gabelli serves as general
partner, and 842,649 shares of common stock owned by GAMCO
Investors, Inc. or its affiliates. Mr. Gabelli disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares held by the discretionary
accounts and by the entities named except to the extent of his
interest in such entities.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Includes 2,632 shares of common stock owned by
Mr. Pustorinos spouse for which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Comprised of 2,835 shares of common stock owned by
Mr. Colavitas spouse for which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
|
|
(6)
|
|
Comprised of 750 shares of preferred stock owned by
Mr. Colavitas spouse for which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Includes 30,500 shares of common stock owned by
Mr. Zizzas sons for which he disclaims beneficial
ownership.
|
S-38
As of October 31, 2006, the Directors and Officers of the
Fund as a group beneficially owned approximately 1.2% of the
Funds outstanding shares of common stock and less than 1%
of the Funds outstanding Series B Preferred.
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Book-Entry-Only
Issuance
DTC will act as securities depository for the stock of
Series F Preferred offered pursuant to the Prospectus. The
information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs
book-entry system is based upon information obtained from DTC.
The securities offered hereby initially will be issued only as
fully-registered securities registered in the name of
Cede & Co. (as nominee for DTC). One or more
fully-registered global security certificates initially will be
issued, representing in the aggregate the total number of
securities, and deposited with DTC.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New
York Banking Law, a banking organization within the
meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal
Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a
clearing agency registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the 1934 Act, as amended.
DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC
also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities
transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
participants accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. Direct DTC
participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to
others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a direct participant, either directly or
indirectly through other entities.
Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or
through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the
securities on DTCs records. The ownership interest of each
actual purchaser of a security, a beneficial owner, is in turn
to be recorded on the direct or indirect participants
records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation
from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected
to receive written confirmations providing details of the
transactions, and periodic statements of their holdings, from
the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial
owners purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in
securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books
of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners.
Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing
their ownership interests in securities, except as provided
herein.
DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the
securities being offered pursuant to this Prospectus; DTCs
records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to
whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may
not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of
their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct
participants, by direct participants to indirect participants,
and by direct participants and indirect participants to
beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them,
subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time.
Payments on the securities will be made to DTC. DTCs
practice is to credit direct participants accounts on the
relevant payment date in accordance with their respective
holdings shown on DTCs records unless DTC has reason to
believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date.
Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed
by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the
responsibility of such participant and not of DTC or the Fund,
subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time. Payment of distributions to DTC is the
responsibility of the Fund, disbursement of such payments to
direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and
disbursement
S-39
of such payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility
of direct and indirect participants. Furthermore each beneficial
owner must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights
under the securities.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities
depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving
reasonable notice to the Fund. Under such circumstances, in the
event that a successor securities depository is not obtained,
certificates representing the securities will be printed and
delivered.
Counsel
and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New
York, New York 10019, is counsel to the Fund. As to certain
matters of Maryland law, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
will rely on the opinion of Venable LLP, 1800 Mercantile Bank
and Trust Building, 2 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, Maryland
21201.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 300 Madison Avenue, New York,
New York 10017 serves as the Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm of the Fund and will annually audit the
financial statements of the Fund.
Proxy
Voting Procedures
The Fund has adopted the proxy voting procedures of the
Investment Adviser and has directed the Investment Adviser to
vote all proxies relating to the Funds voting securities
in accordance with such procedures. The proxy voting procedures
are attached hereto as Appendix A. Information regarding
how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities
during the most recent
12-month
period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge,
upon request, by calling
800-422-3554,
or on the Registrants website at
http://www.gabelli.com,
and (ii) on the Commissions website at
http://www.sec.gov.
Code of
Ethics
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a code of
ethics (the Code of Ethics) under
Rule 17(j)-1
under the 1940 Act. The Code of Ethics permits
directors/trustees, officers and employees of the Fund, the
Investment Adviser and their affiliates, subject to the Code of
Ethics and its restrictive provisions, to invest in securities,
including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.
The Code of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the
Commissions Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
Information on the operations of the Public Reference Room may
be obtained by calling the Commission at 800-SEC-0330. The Code
of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR database on the
Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the
Code of Ethics may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating
fee, by electronic request at the following
e-mail
address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commissions
Public Reference Room Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-0102.
Joint
Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial
Officers
The Fund and the Investment Adviser have adopted a joint code of
ethics (the Joint Code) that serves as a code of
conduct.
This Joint Code sets forth policies to guide the chief executive
and senior financial officers in the performance of their
duties. The Joint Code can be reviewed and copied at the
Commissions Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.
Information on the operations of the Public Reference Room may
be obtained by calling the Commission at 800-SEC-0330. The Joint
Code is also available on the EDGAR database on the
Commissions website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the
Joint Code may also be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee,
by electronic request at the following
e-mail
address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commissions
Public Reference Room Section, Washington, D.C.
20549-0102.
S-40
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements included in the annual report
to the Funds shareholders for the year ended
December 31, 2005, and the unaudited financial statements
included in the semi-annual report to the Funds
shareholders for the period ended June 30, 2006, together
with the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the
Funds annual report, are incorporated herein by reference
from the Funds annual report and semi-annual report to
shareholders. All other portions of the annual report and
semi-annual report to shareholders are not incorporated herein
by reference and are not part of the Registration Statement. A
copy of the annual report or the semi-annual report to
shareholders may be obtained without charge by writing to the
Fund at its address at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York
10580-1422
or by calling the Fund toll-free at
800-GABELLI
(422-3554).
S-41
GLOSSARY
ADJUSTED VALUE of each Eligible Asset shall be
computed as follows:
(i) cash shall be valued at 100% of the face value
thereof; and
(ii) all other Eligible Assets shall be valued at the
applicable Discounted Value thereof; and
(iii) each asset that is not an Eligible Asset shall be
valued at zero.
ADMINISTRATOR means the other party to the
Administration Agreement with the Fund, which shall initially be
Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York limited liability company, and
will include, as appropriate, any sub-administrator appointed by
the Administrator.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION means the Articles of
Incorporation of the Fund, dated as of May 20, 1986, as
amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (including
by the Articles Supplementary).
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY means the
Articles Supplementary of the Fund establishing a series of
preferred stock, including the Series F Preferred.
BASIC MAINTENANCE AMOUNT has the meaning set forth
in Moodys Guidelines.
BOARD means the Board of Directors of the Fund or
any duly authorized committee thereof as permitted by applicable
law.
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, New York
are authorized or obligated by law to close.
BY-LAWS means the By-Laws of the Fund, as amended
from time to time.
CHARTER means the Charter of the Fund (together with
any amendments or supplements thereto, including any articles
supplementary).
CODE means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
COMMISSION means the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission.
DEPOSIT ASSETS means cash, Short-Term Money Market
Instruments and U.S. Government Securities. Except for
determining whether the Fund has Eligible Assets with an
Adjusted Value equal to or greater than the Basic Maintenance
Amount, each Deposit Asset shall be deemed to have a value equal
to its principal or face amount payable at maturity plus any
interest payable thereon after delivery of such Deposit Asset
but only if payable on or prior to the applicable payment date
in advance of which the relevant deposit is made.
DISCOUNT FACTOR means (i) so long as
Moodys is rating the Series F Preferred at the
Funds request, the Moodys Discount Factor,
and/or
(ii) any applicable discount factor established by any
Other Rating Agency, whichever is applicable.
DISCOUNTED VALUE means, as applicable, (i) the
quotient of the Market Value of an Eligible Asset divided by the
applicable Discount Factor, or (ii) such other formula for
determining the discounted value of an Eligible Asset as may be
established by an applicable Rating Agency, provided that, with
respect to an Eligible Asset that is currently callable,
Discounted Value will be equal to the applicable quotient or
product as calculated above or the call price, whichever is
lower, and that, with respect to an Eligible Asset that is
prepayable, Discounted Value will be equal to the applicable
quotient or product as calculated above or the par value,
whichever is lower.
DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE means, with respect to the
Series F Preferred, any date on which dividends and
distributions declared by the Board thereon are payable pursuant
to the provisions of
S-42
paragraph 2(a) of Article II of the
Articles Supplementary of the Series F Preferred and
shall have a correlative meaning with respect to any other class
or series of Preferred Stock.
DIVIDEND PERIOD means, with respect to Series F
Preferred, the quarterly dividend and distribution specified in
paragraph 1(a) of Article II of the
Articles Supplementary for the Series F Preferred and,
with respect to any other Preferred Stock issued by the Fund,
the periods specified in or determinable by reference to the
Articles Supplementary therefor.
ELIGIBLE ASSETS means Moodys Eligible Assets
(if Moodys is then rating the Series F Preferred at
the request of the Fund),
and/or
Other
Rating Agency Eligible Assets if any Other Rating Agency is then
rating the Series F Preferred, whichever is applicable.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS means the Articles of
Incorporation and the By-Laws.
LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE means $25 per share of
Series F Preferred and will have a correlative meaning with
respect to shares of any other class or series of Preferred
Stock.
MARKET CAPITALIZATION means, with respect to any
issue of common stock, as of any date, the product of
(i) the number of shares of such common stock issued and
outstanding as of the close of business on the date of
determination thereof and (ii) the Market Value per share
of such common stock as of the close of business on the date of
determination thereof.
MARKET VALUE means the amount determined by the Fund
with respect to specific Eligible Assets in accordance with
valuation policies adopted from time to time by the Board as
being in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Market Value may, at
the option of the Fund with respect to any of its assets, mean
the amount determined with respect to specific Eligible Assets
of the Fund in the manner set forth below:
1. as to any common or preferred stock which is an Eligible
Asset, (a) if the stock is traded on a national securities
exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System, the
last sales price reported on the Valuation Date or (b) if
there was no reported sales price on the Valuation Date, the
price obtained from a Pricing Service as of the Valuation Date,
or (c) if there was no reported sales price on the
Valuation Date or price available from a Pricing Service, the
lower of two bid prices for such stock provided to the
Administrator by two recognized securities dealers with a
minimum capitalization of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for
such purpose by Moodys) at least one of which will be
provided in writing or by telecopy, telex, other electronic
transcription, computer-obtained quotation reducible to written
form or similar means, and in turn provided to the Fund by any
such means by such administrator, or, if two bid prices cannot
be obtained, such Eligible Asset will have a Market Value of
zero;
2. as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short-Term
Money Market Instrument (other than demand deposits, federal
funds, bankers acceptances and next Business Day
repurchase agreements) and commercial paper with a maturity of
greater than 60 days, the product of (a) the principal
amount (accreted principal to the extent such instrument
accretes interest) of such instrument and (b) the price
provided by a Pricing Service or, if not obtainable through a
Pricing Service, the lower of the bid prices for the same kind
of instruments having, as nearly as practicable, comparable
interest rates and maturities provided by two recognized
securities dealers having minimum capitalization of $25,000,000
(or otherwise approved for such purpose by Moodys) to the
administrator, at least one of which will be provided in writing
or by telecopy, telex, other electronic transcription, computer
obtained quotation reducible to written form or similar means,
and in turn provided to the Fund by any such means by such
administrator, or, if two bid prices cannot be obtained, such
Eligible Asset will have a Market Value of zero;
3. as to cash, demand and timed deposits, federal funds,
bankers acceptances and next Business Day repurchase
agreements included in Short-Term Money Market Instruments, the
face value thereof;
S-43
4. as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short-Term
Money Market Instrument or commercial paper with a maturity of
60 days or fewer, amortized cost unless the Board
determines that such value does not constitute fair value; or
5. as to any other evidence of indebtedness which is an
Eligible Asset, (a) the product of (1) the unpaid
principal balance of such indebtedness as of the Valuation Date
and (2)(A) if such indebtedness is traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market
System, the last sales price reported on the Valuation Date or
(B) if there was no reported sales price on the Valuation
Date and if such indebtedness is not traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market
System, the price obtained from a Pricing Service as of the
Valuation Date or (C) if there was no reported sales price
on the Valuation Date or if such indebtedness is not traded on a
national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National
Market System, and a price was not obtainable from a Pricing
Service as of the Valuation Date, the lower of two bid prices
for such indebtedness provided by two recognized dealers with a
minimum capitalization of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for
such purpose by Moodys) to the administrator of the
Funds assets, at least one of which will be provided in
writing or by telecopy, telex, other electronic transcription,
computer obtained quotation reducible to written form or similar
means, and in turn provided to the Fund by any such means by
such administrator, plus (b) accrued interest on such
indebtedness.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of preferred stock
that is rated by a single Rating Agency, Market
Value shall have the meaning set forth in the governing
documents of such preferred stock.
MOODYS means Moodys Investors Service,
Inc. and its successors.
MOODYS DISCOUNT FACTOR has the meaning
ascribed to it in Moodys Guidelines.
MOODYS ELIGIBLE ASSETS has the meaning
ascribed to it in Moodys Guidelines.
MOODYS HEDGING TRANSACTION has the meaning
ascribed to it in Moodys Guidelines.
1940 ACT means the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, or any successor statute.
1940 ACT ASSET COVERAGE means asset coverage, as
determined in accordance with Section 18(h) of the 1940
Act, of at least 200% with respect to all outstanding senior
securities of the Fund which are stock, including all
Outstanding Series F Preferred (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
declaring dividends and distributions on its shares of common
stock), determined on the basis of values calculated as of a
time within 48 hours (not including Saturdays, Sundays or
holidays) next preceding the time of such determination.
OTHER RATING AGENCY means any rating agency other
than Moodys then providing a rating for the Series F
Preferred pursuant to the request of the Fund.
OTHER RATING AGENCY ELIGIBLE ASSETS means assets of
the Fund designated by any Other Rating Agency as eligible for
inclusion in calculating the discounted value of the Funds
assets in connection with such Other Rating Agencys rating
of the Series F Preferred.
OUTSTANDING means, as of any date, Preferred Stock
theretofore issued by the Fund except:
(i) any such Preferred Stock theretofore cancelled by the
Fund or delivered to the Fund for cancellation;
(ii) any such share of Preferred Stock other than shares of
Auction Rate Preferred (as defined in the Prospectus), as to
which a notice of redemption will have been given and for whose
payment at the redemption thereof Deposit Assets in the
necessary amount are held by the Fund in trust for, or have been
irrevocably deposited with the relevant disbursing agent for
payment to, the holder of such stock pursuant to the
Articles Supplementary with respect thereto;
S-44
(iii) in the case of Auction Rate Preferred stock, any such
shares theretofore delivered to the applicable auction agent for
cancellation or with respect to which the Fund has given notice
of redemption and irrevocably deposited with the applicable
paying agent sufficient funds to redeem such stock; and
(iv) any such Preferred Stock in exchange for or in lieu of
which other shares have been issued and delivered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) for purposes of voting
rights (including the determination of the number of shares
required to constitute a quorum), any shares of Preferred Stock
as to which the Fund or any subsidiary is the holder, as
applicable, will be disregarded and deemed not Outstanding; and
(y) in connection with any auction, any Auction Rate
Preferred stock as to which the Fund or any Person known to the
auction agent to be a subsidiary is the holder or Existing
Holder, as applicable, will be disregarded and not deemed
Outstanding.
PERSON means and includes an individual, a
partnership, the Fund, a trust, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint
venture or other entity or a government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
PREFERRED STOCK means the preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Fund, and includes the
Series F Preferred.
PRICING SERVICE means any of the following:
Bloomberg Financial Service, Bridge Information Services, Data
Resources Inc., FT Interactive, International Securities Market
Association, Merrill Lynch Securities Pricing Service, Muller
Data Corp., Reuters, S&P/J.J. Kenny, Telerate, Trepp Pricing
and Wood Gundy.
RATING AGENCY means Moodys as long as
Moodys is then rating the Series F Preferred at the
request of the Fund, or any Other Rating Agency then rating the
Series F Preferred at the request of the Fund.
RATING AGENCY GUIDELINES has the meaning set forth
in Moodys Guidelines.
SECURITIES ACT means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any successor statute.
SERIES F PREFERRED means the Funds
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
per share and liquidation preference $25 per share.
SHORT-TERM MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS means the
following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or
other acquisition thereof by the Fund, the remaining term to
maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days:
(i) commercial paper rated
A-1
if such
commercial paper matures in 30 days, or
A-1+
if such
commercial paper matures in over 30 days;
(ii) AAAm rated money market funds
(iii) demand or time deposits in, and bankers
acceptances and certificates of deposit of (A) a depository
institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia or (B) a United States branch office or agency of
a foreign depository institution (provided that such branch
office or agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws
of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia) or
(C) A-1+
rated institutions;
(iv) overnight funds; and
(v) U.S. Government Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of preferred stock
that is rated by a single Rating Agency, Short-Term Money
Market Instruments shall have the meaning set forth in the
governing documents of such preferred stock.
S-45
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES means direct
obligations of the United States or by its agencies or
instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit
of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury
Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full
payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
VALUATION DATE means the last Business Day of each
month, or such other date as the Fund and Rating Agencies may
agree to for purposes of determining the Basic Maintenance
Amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of preferred
stock that is rated by a single Rating Agency, Valuation
Date shall have the meaning set forth in the governing
documents of such preferred stock.
S-46
GAMCO
INVESTORS, INC. AND AFFILIATES
THE VOTING OF PROXIES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS
Rules 204(4)-2
and 204-2 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and
Rule 30b1-4
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 require investment
advisers to adopt written policies and procedures governing the
voting of proxies on behalf of their clients.
These procedures will be used by GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.,
Gabelli Funds, LLC and Gabelli Advisers, Inc. (collectively, the
Advisers) to determine how to vote proxies relating
to portfolio securities held by their clients, including the
procedures that the Advisers use when a vote presents a conflict
between the interests of the shareholders of an investment
company managed by one of the Advisers, on the one hand, and
those of the Advisers; the principal underwriter; or any
affiliated person of the investment company, the Advisers, or
the principal underwriter. These procedures will not apply where
the Advisers do not have voting discretion or where the Advisers
have agreed with a client to vote the clients proxies in
accordance with specific guidelines or procedures supplied by
the client (to the extent permitted by ERISA).
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I.
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Proxy
Voting Committee
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The Proxy Voting Committee was originally formed in April 1989
for the purpose of formulating guidelines and reviewing proxy
statements within the parameters set by the substantive proxy
voting guidelines originally published by GAMCO Asset
Management, Inc. in 1988 and updated periodically, a copy of
which is appended as Exhibit A. The Committee will include
representatives of Research, Administration, Legal, and the
Advisers. Additional or replacement members of the Committee
will be nominated by the Chairman and voted upon by the entire
Committee. As of June 30, 2006, the members were:
Bruce N. Alpert, Chief Operating Officer of Gabelli Funds, LLC
Caesar M. P. Bryan, Portfolio Manager
Joshua W. Fenton, Director of Research
Peter D. Goldstein, Director of Regulatory Affairs
Douglas R. Jamieson, Chief Operating Officer of GAMCO
James E. McKee, General Counsel
Karyn-Marie Prylucki, Director of Proxy Voting Services
Christopher J. Michailoff, Deputy General Counsel
George Maldonado, Proxy Administrator
William S. Selby, Managing Director of GAMCO
Howard F. Ward, Portfolio Manager
Mr. Joshua Fenton currently chairs the Committee. Meetings
are held on an as needed basis to form views on the manner in
which the Advisers should vote proxies on behalf of their
clients.
In general, the Director of Proxy Voting Services, using the
Proxy Guidelines, recommendations of Institutional Shareholder
Corporate Governance Service ( ISS), other
third-party services and the analysts of Gabelli &
Company, Inc., will determine how to vote on each issue. For
non-controversial matters, the Director of Proxy Voting Services
may vote the proxy if the vote is (1) consistent with the
recommendations of the issuers Board of Directors and not
contrary to the Proxy Guidelines; (2) consistent with the
recommendations of the issuers Board of Directors and is a
non-controversial issue not covered by the Proxy Guidelines; or
(3) the vote is contrary to the recommendations of the
issuers Board of Directors but is consistent with the
Proxy Guidelines. In those instances, the Director of Proxy
Voting Services or the Chairman of the Committee may sign and
date the proxy statement indicating how each issue will be voted.
All matters identified by the Chairman of the Committee, the
Director of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department as
controversial, taking into account the recommendations of ISS or
other third party services and the analysts of
Gabelli & Company, Inc., will be presented to the Proxy
Voting Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee, the Director
of Proxy Voting Services or the Legal Department has identified
the matter as one that (1) is controversial; (2) would
benefit from deliberation by the Proxy Voting Committee; or
A-1
(3) may give rise to a conflict of interest between the
Advisers and their clients, the Chairman of the Committee will
initially determine what vote to recommend that the Advisers
should cast and the matter will go before the Committee.
For matters submitted to the Committee, each member of the
Committee will receive, prior to the meeting, a copy of the
proxy statement, any relevant third party research, a summary of
any views provided by the Chief Investment Officer and any
recommendations by Gabelli & Company, Inc. analysts.
The Chief Investment Officer or the Gabelli & Company,
Inc. analysts may be invited to present their viewpoints. If the
Legal Department believes that the matter before the committee
is one with respect to which a conflict of interest may exist
between the Advisers and their clients, counsel will provide an
opinion to the Committee concerning the conflict. If the matter
is one in which the interests of the clients of one or more
Advisers may diverge, counsel will so advise and the Committee
may make different recommendations as to different clients. For
any matters where the recommendation may trigger appraisal
rights, counsel will provide an opinion concerning the likely
risks and merits of such an appraisal action.
Each matter submitted to the Committee will be determined by the
vote of a majority of the members present at the meeting. Should
the vote concerning one or more recommendations be tied in the
Committee, the Chairman of the Committee will cast the deciding
vote. The Committee will notify the proxy department of its
decisions and the proxies will be voted accordingly.
Although the Proxy Guidelines express the normal preferences for
the voting of any shares not covered by a contrary investment
guideline provided by the client, the Committee is not bound by
the preferences set forth in the Proxy Guidelines and will
review each matter on its own merits. Written minutes of all
Proxy Voting Committee meetings will be maintained. The Advisers
subscribe to ISS, which supplies current information on
companies, matters being voted on, regulations, trends in proxy
voting and information on corporate governance issues.
If the vote cast either by the analyst or as a result of the
deliberations of the Proxy Voting Committee runs contrary to the
recommendation of the Board of Directors of the issuer, the
matter will be referred to legal counsel to determine whether an
amendment to the most recently filed Schedule 13D is
appropriate.
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II.
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Social
Issues and Other Client Guidelines
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If a client has provided special instructions relating to the
voting of proxies, they should be noted in the clients
account file and forwarded to the Proxy Voting Department. This
is the responsibility of the investment professional or sales
assistant for the client. In accordance with Department of Labor
guidelines, the Advisers policy is to vote on behalf of
ERISA accounts in the best interest of the plan participants
with regard to social issues that carry an economic impact.
Where an account is not governed by ERISA, the Advisers will
vote shares held on behalf of the client in a manner consistent
with any individual investment/voting guidelines provided by the
client. Otherwise the Advisers will abstain with respect to
those shares.
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III.
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Client
Retention of Voting Rights
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If a client chooses to retain the right to vote proxies or if
there is any change in voting authority, the following should be
notified by the investment professional or sales assistant for
the client.
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Operations
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Legal Department
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Proxy Department
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Investment professional assigned to the account
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In the event that the Board of Directors (or a Committee
thereof) of one or more of the investment companies managed by
one of the Advisers has retained direct voting control over any
security, the Proxy Voting Department will provide each Board
member (or Committee member) with a copy of the proxy
A-2
statement together with any other relevant information including
recommendations of ISS or other third-party services.
The Proxy Voting Department will retain a record of matters
voted upon by the Advisers for their clients. The Advisers
staff may request proxy-voting records for use in presentations
to current or prospective clients. Requests for proxy voting
records should be made at least ten days prior to client
meetings.
If a client wishes to receive a proxy voting record on a
quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis, please notify the Proxy
Voting Department. The reports will be available for mailing
approximately ten days after the quarter end of the period.
First quarter reports may be delayed since the end of the
quarter falls during the height of the proxy season.
A letter is sent to the custodians for all clients for which the
Advisers have voting responsibility instructing them to forward
all proxy materials to:
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Attn:
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Proxy Voting Department
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One Corporate Center
Rye, New York
10580-1433
The sales assistant sends the letters to the custodians along
with the trading/DTC instructions. Proxy voting records will be
retained in compliance with
Rule 204-2
under the Investment Advisers Act.
1. Custodian banks, outside brokerage firms and First
Clearing Corporation are responsible for forwarding proxies
directly to GAMCO. Proxies are received in one of two forms:
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Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms (VAFs)Issued by
ADP. VAFs must be voted through the issuing institution causing
a time lag. ADP is an outside service contracted by the various
institutions to issue proxy materials.
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Proxy cards which may be voted directly.
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2. Upon receipt of the proxy, the number of shares each
form represents is logged into the proxy system according to
security.
3. In the case of a discrepancy such as an incorrect number
of shares, an improperly signed or dated card, wrong class of
security, etc., the issuing custodian is notified by phone. A
corrected proxy is requested. Arrangements are made to insure
that a proper proxy is received in time to be voted (overnight
delivery, fax, etc.). When securities are out on loan on the
record date, the custodian is requested to supply written
verification.
4. Upon receipt of instructions from the proxy committee,
the votes are cast and recorded for each account on an
individual basis.
Since January 1, 1992, records have been maintained on the
Proxy Edge system. The system is backed up regularly. From 1990
through 1991, records were maintained on the PROXY VOTER system
and in hardcopy format. Prior to 1990, records were maintained
on diskette and in hardcopy format.
A-3
PROXY EDGE RECORDS INCLUDE:
Security Name and Cusip Number
Date and Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Client Name
Adviser or Fund Account Number
Directors Recommendation
How GAMCO voted for the client on each issue
The rationale for the vote when appropriate
RECORDS PRIOR TO THE INSTITUTION OF THE PROXY EDGE SYSTEM
INCLUDE:
Security name
Type of Meeting (Annual, Special, Contest)
Date of Meeting
Name of Custodian
Name of Client
Custodian Account Number
Adviser or Fund Account Number
Directors Recommendation
How the Adviser voted for the client on each issue
Date the proxy statement was received and by whom
Name of person posting the vote
Date and method by which the vote was cast
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From these records individual client proxy voting records are
compiled. It is our policy to provide institutional clients with
a proxy voting record during client reviews. In addition, we
will supply a proxy voting record at the request of the client
on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.
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5. VAFs are kept alphabetically by security. Records for
the current proxy season are located in the Proxy Voting
Department office. In preparation for the upcoming season, files
are transferred to an offsite storage facility during
January/February.
6. Shareholder Vote Authorization Forms issued by ADP
are always sent directly to a specific individual at ADP.
7. If a proxy card or VAF is received too late to be voted
in the conventional matter, every attempt is made to vote in one
of the following manners:
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VAFs can be faxed to ADP up until the time of the meeting. This
is followed up by mailing the original form.
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When a solicitor has been retained, the solicitor is called. At
the solicitors direction, the proxy is faxed.
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8. In the case of a proxy contest, records are maintained
for each opposing entity.
9. Voting in Person. At times it may be necessary to vote
the shares in person. In this case, a legal proxy is
obtained in the following manner:
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Banks and brokerage firms using the services at ADP:
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A call is placed to ADP requesting legal proxies. The VAFs are
then sent overnight to ADP. ADP issues individual legal proxies
and sends them back via overnight mail. A lead-time of at least
two weeks prior to the
A-4
meeting is needed to do this. Alternatively, the procedures
detailed below for banks not using ADP may be implemented.
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Banks and brokerage firms issuing proxies directly:
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The bank is called and/or faxed and a legal proxy is requested.
All legal proxies should appoint: REPRESENTATIVE OF WITH
FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION.
The legal proxies are given to the person attending the meeting
along with the following supplemental material:
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A limited Power of Attorney appointing the attendee an Adviser
representative.
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A list of all shares being voted by custodian only. Client names
and account numbers are not included. This list must be
presented, along with the proxies, to the Inspectors of
Elections
and/or
tabulator at least one-half hour prior to the scheduled start of
the meeting. The tabulator must qualify the votes
(i.e., determine if the votes have previously been cast, if the
votes have been rescinded, etc.).
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A sample ERISA and Individual contract.
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A sample of the annual authorization to vote proxies form.
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A copy of our most recent Schedule 13D filing (if
applicable).
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PROXY
VOTING GUIDELINES
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT
It is the policy of GAMCO Investors Inc. to vote in the best
economic interests of our clients. As we state in our Magna
Carta of Shareholders Rights, established in May 1988, we are
neither for nor against management. We are for shareholders.
At our first proxy committee meeting in 1989, it was decided
that each proxy statement should be evaluated on its own merits
within the framework first established by our Magna Carta of
Shareholders Rights. The attached guidelines serve to enhance
that broad framework.
We do not consider any issue routine. We take into consideration
all of our research on the company, its directors, and their
short- and long-term goals for the company. In cases where
issues that we generally do not approve of are combined with
other issues, the negative aspects of the issues will be
factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will
not necessitate a vote in opposition to the overall proposals.
Board of
Directors
The advisers do not consider the election of the Board of
Directors a routine issue. Each slate of directors is evaluated
on a
case-by-case
basis.
Factors taken into consideration include:
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Historical responsiveness to shareholders. This may include such
areas as:
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Paying greenmail
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Failure to adopt shareholder resolutions receiving a majority of
shareholder votes
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Qualifications
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Nominating committee in place
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Number of outside directors on the board
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A-5
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Attendance at meetings
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Overall performance
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Selection
of Auditors
In general, we support the Board of Directors
recommendation for auditors.
Blank
Check Preferred Stock
We oppose the issuance of blank check preferred stock.
Blank check preferred stock allows the company to issue stock
and establish dividends, voting rights, etc. without further
shareholder approval.
Classified
Board
A classified board is one where the directors are divided into
classes with overlapping terms. A different class is elected at
each annual meeting.
While a classified board promotes continuity of directors
facilitating long-range planning, we feel directors should be
accountable to shareholders on an annual basis. We will look at
this proposal on a
case-by-case
basis taking into consideration the boards historical
responsiveness to the rights of shareholders.
Where a classified board is in place we will generally not
support attempts to change to an annually elected board. When an
annually elected board is in place, we generally will not
support attempts to classify the board.
Increase
Authorized Common Stock
The request to increase the amount of outstanding shares is
considered on a
case-by-case
basis. Factors taken into consideration include:
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Future use of additional shares:
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Stock split
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Stock option or other executive compensation plan
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Finance growth of company/strengthen balance sheet
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Aid in restructuring
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Improve credit rating
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Implement a poison pill or other takeover defense
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Amount of stock currently authorized but not yet issued or
reserved for stock option plans
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Amount of additional stock to be authorized and its dilutive
effect
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We will support this proposal if a detailed and verifiable plan
for the use of the additional shares is contained in the proxy
statement.
Confidential
Ballot
We support the idea that a shareholders identity and vote
should be treated with confidentiality.
However, we look at this issue on a
case-by-case
basis.
In order to promote confidentiality in the voting process, we
endorse the use of independent Inspectors of Election.
A-6
Cumulative
Voting
In general, we support cumulative voting.
Cumulative voting is a process by which a shareholder may
multiply the number of directors being elected by the number of
shares held on record date and cast the total number for one
candidate or allocate the voting among two or more candidates.
Where cumulative voting is in place, we will vote against any
proposal to rescind this shareholder right.
Cumulative voting may result in a minority block of stock
gaining representation on the board. When a proposal is made to
institute cumulative voting, the proposal will be reviewed on a
case-by-case
basis. While we feel that each board member should represent all
shareholders, cumulative voting provides minority shareholders
an opportunity to have their views represented.
Director
Liability and Indemnification
We support efforts to attract the best possible directors by
limiting the liability and increasing the indemnification of
directors, except in the case of insider dealing.
Equal
Access to the Proxy
The Commissions rules provide for shareholder resolutions.
However, the resolutions are limited in scope and there is a 500
word limit on proponents written arguments. Management has
no such limitations. While we support equal access to the proxy,
we would look at such variables as length of time required to
respond, percentage of ownership, etc.
Fair
Price Provisions
Charter provisions requiring a bidder to pay all shareholders a
fair price are intended to prevent two-tier tender offers that
may be abusive. Typically, these provisions do not apply to
board-approved transactions.
We support fair price provisions because we feel all
shareholders should be entitled to receive the same benefits.
Provisions are reviewed on a
case-by-case
basis.
Golden
Parachutes
Golden parachutes are severance payments to top executives who
are terminated or demoted after a takeover.
We support any proposal that would assure management of its own
welfare so that they may continue to make decisions in the best
interest of the company and shareholders even if the decision
results in management losing their jobs. We do not, however,
support excessive golden parachutes. Therefore, each proposal
will be decided on a
case-by-case
basis.
Note:
Congress has imposed a tax on any
parachute that is more than three times the executives
average annual compensation.
Anti-Greenmail
Proposals
We do not support greenmail. An offer extended to one
shareholder should be extended to all shareholders equally
across the board.
Limit
Shareholders Rights to Call Special Meetings
We support the right of shareholders to call a special meeting.
A-7
Consideration
of Nonfinancial Effects of A Merger
This proposal releases the directors from only looking at the
financial effects of a merger and allows them the opportunity to
consider the mergers effects on employees, the community,
and consumers.
As a fiduciary, we are obligated to vote in the best economic
interests of our clients. In general, this proposal does not
allow us to do that. Therefore, we generally cannot support this
proposal.
Reviewed on a
case-by-case
basis.
Mergers,
Buyouts, Spin-Offs, Restructurings
Each of the above is considered on a
case-by-case
basis. According to the United States Department of Labor, we
are not required to vote for a proposal simply because the
offering price is at a premium to the current market price. We
may take into consideration the long-term interests of the
shareholders.
Military
Issues
Shareholder proposals regarding military production must be
evaluated on a purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA
clients. As such, decisions will be made on a
case-by-case
basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will
vote according to the clients direction when applicable.
Where no direction has been given, we will vote in the best
economic interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose
our social judgment on others.
Northern
Ireland
Shareholder proposals requesting the signing of the MacBride
principles for the purpose of countering the discrimination
against Catholics in hiring practices must be evaluated on a
purely economic set of criteria for our ERISA clients. As such,
decisions will be made on a
case-by-case
basis.
In voting on this proposal for our non-ERISA clients, we will
vote according to client direction when applicable. Where no
direction has been given, we will vote in the best economic
interests of our clients. It is not our duty to impose our
social judgment on others.
Opt-Out
of State Anti-Takeover Law
This shareholder proposal requests that a company opt out of the
coverage of the states takeover statutes. Example:
Delaware law requires that a buyer must acquire at least 85% of
the companys stock before the buyer can exercise control
unless the board approves.
We consider this on a
case-by-case
basis. Our decision will be based on the following:
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State of incorporation
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Management history of responsiveness to shareholders
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Other mitigating factors
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Poison
Pill
In general, we do not endorse poison pills.
In certain cases where management has a history of being
responsive to the needs of shareholders and the stock is very
liquid, we will reconsider this position.
A-8
Reincorporation
Generally, we support reincorporation for well-defined business
reasons. We oppose reincorporation if proposed solely for the
purpose of reincorporating in a state with more stringent
anti-takeover statutes that may negatively impact the value of
the stock.
Stock
Option Plans
Stock option plans are an excellent way to attract, hold and
motivate directors and employees. However, each stock option
plan must be evaluated on its own merits, taking into
consideration the following:
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Dilution of voting power or earnings per share by more than 10%
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Kind of stock to be awarded, to whom, when and how much
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Method of payment
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Amount of stock already authorized but not yet issued under
existing stock option plans
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Supermajority
Vote Requirements
Supermajority vote requirements in a companys charter or
bylaws require a level of voting approval in excess of a simple
majority of the outstanding shares. In general, we oppose
supermajority-voting requirements.
Supermajority requirements often exceed the average level of
shareholder participation. We support proposal approval by a
simple majority of the shares voting.
Limit
Shareholders Right to Act By Written Consent
Written consent allows shareholders to initiate and carry on a
shareholder action without having to wait until the next annual
meeting or to call a special meeting. It permits action to be
taken by the written consent of the same percentage of the
shares that would be required to effect the proposed action at a
shareholder meeting.
Reviewed on a
case-by-case
basis.
A-9
PART C
OTHER
INFORMATION
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Item 25.
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Financial
Statements and Exhibits
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1. Financial Statements(1)
(a) Portfolio of Investments
(b) Statement of Assets and Liabilities
(c) Statement of Operations
(d) Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year
(e) Financial highlights for a share outstanding throughout
the periods 1996 through June 30, 2006
(f) Notes to Financial Statements
(g) Report of Independent Accountants
2. Exhibits
(a) (i) Articles of Incorporation(2)
(ii) Articles Supplementary for the
Series B 7.20% Cumulative Preferred Stock(3)
(iii) Articles Supplementary for the
Series C Auction Rate Preferred Cumulative Stock(5)
(iv) Articles Supplementary for the
Series D 5.875% Cumulative Preferred Stock(11)
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(v)
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Articles Supplementary for the Series E Auction Rate
Preferred Cumulative Preferred Stock(11)
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(vi) Articles Supplementary for the
Series F [ ] Cumulative Preferred Stock(11)
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(vii)
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Articles of Amendment dated May 12, 2004 to the Articles of
Incorporation(8)
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(viii)
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Articles of Amendment dated September 12, 2005 to the
Articles of Incorporation(9)
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(b) Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant(9)
(c) Not applicable
(d) Specimen Stock Certificate:
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(i)
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Form of certificate for Common Stock, par value $.001 per
share(6)
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(ii)
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7.20% Tax Advantaged Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock(3)
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(iii)
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Series C Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock(5)
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(iv)
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5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock(7)
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(v)
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Series E Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock(7)
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(e)
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Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Voluntary Cash Purchase Plan
of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (the Registrant)(2)
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(f) Not applicable
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(g)
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Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gabelli
Funds, LLC (the Investment Adviser)(6)
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1
(h) Form of Underwriting Agreement(11)
(i) Not applicable
(j) Custodian Contract between Registrant and Mellon Trust
of New England, N.A.(2)
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(k) (i)
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Registrar, Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between
Registrant and Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.(6)
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(ii)
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Transfer Agent and Registrar Services Fee Agreement between
Registrant and Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.(6)
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(iii)
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Form of Auction Agency Agreement for the Series C Auction
Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock(5)
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(iv)
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Form of Auction Agency Agreement for the Series E Auction
Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock(7)
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(v)
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Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement for the Series C Auction
Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock(5)
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(vi)
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Form of Broker-Dealer Agreement for the Series E Auction
Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock(7)
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(l) (i)
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Opinion and Consent of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP(11)
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(ii)
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Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP(11)
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(m) Not applicable
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(n) (i)
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Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm(11)
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(ii)
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Powers of Attorney (10)
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(o) Not applicable
(p) Not applicable
(q) Not applicable
(r) Codes of Ethics of the Registrant and the Investment
Adviser (4)
1. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
semi-annual report filed September 6, 2006 on
form N-CSRS
(File
No. 811-4700)
and the Registrants annual report filed on March 13,
2006 on
form N-CSR
(File
No. 811-04700).
2. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos. 33 3-45951 and
811-4700);
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 7, 1998.
3. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos.
333-47012
and
811-4700);
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 11, 2001.
4. Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment
No. 2 to the Registrants Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos.
333-62323
and
811-4700);
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 12, 2000.
2
5. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos.
333-86554
and
811-4700);
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 25, 2002.
6. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos.
333-62323
and
811-4700);
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 13, 1995.
7. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos.
333-106081
and 8114700); as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 1, 2003.
8. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-14
(File Nos.
333-126111)
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 24, 2005.
9. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on
Form N-2
(File Nos.
333-127724
and
811-04700)
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 14, 2005.
10. Incorporated by reference to the Registrants
Registration Statement on N-2 (File Nos.
333-137298
and
811-04700)
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 13, 2006.
11. Filed herewith.
Item 26.
Marketing
Arrangements
Please refer to exhibit 2(h) of this Registration Statement
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
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SEC registration fees
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$
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13,375
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New York Stock Exchange listing fee
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$
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20,000
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Rating Agency fees
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$
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37,500
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Printing expenses
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$
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100,000
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Auditing fees and expenses
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$
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30,000
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Legal fees and expenses
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$
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275,000
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Blue Sky fees
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$
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20,000
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Miscellaneous
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$
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4,125
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Total
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$
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500,000
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Item 28.
Persons
Controlled by or Under Common Control with
Registrant
NONE
Item 29.
Number
of Holders of Securities as of September 30,
2006:
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Number of
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Class of Stock
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Record Holders
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Common Stock
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78,356
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Series B Preferred
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8,293
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Series C Auction Rate
Preferred
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765
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Series D Preferred
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3,515
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Series E Auction Rate
Preferred
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418
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3
Item 30.
Indemnification
The response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the
caption Management of the FundLimitation of
Officers and Directors Liability in the
Part B of this Registration Statement.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
1933 Act) may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised
that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, 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 Securities Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 31.
Business
and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The Investment Adviser, a limited liability company organized
under the laws of the State of New York, acts as investment
adviser to the Registrant. The Registrant is fulfilling the
requirement of this Item 31 to provide a list of the
officers and directors of the Investment Adviser, together with
information as to any other business, profession, vocation or
employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the Investment
Adviser or those officers and directors during the past two
years, by incorporating by reference the information contained
in the Form ADV of the Investment Adviser filed with the
commission pursuant to the 1940 Act (Commission File
No. 801-37706).
Item 32.
Location
of Accounts and Records
The accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained in
part at the office of the Investment Adviser at One Corporate
Center, Rye, New York
10580-1422,
in part at the offices of the Custodian, Mellon Trust of New
England, N.A., 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts
02149, in part at the offices of the Registrants
Sub-Administrator,
PFPC, Inc, 400 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808,
and in part at the offices of Computershare Shareholder
Services, Inc., N.A., PO Box 43025, Providence, RI
02940-3025.
Item 33.
Management
Services
Not applicable.
Item 34.
Undertakings
1. Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares
until the prospectus is amended, if subsequent to the effective
date of this registration statement, its net asset value
declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of
the effective date of the registration statement or its net
asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds
as stated in the prospectus.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. a. Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant
pursuant to Rule 497(h) will be deemed to be a part of the
Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
4
b. Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus will
be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
6. 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 constituting Part B of
this Registration Statement.
5
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, this Registrants Registration
Statement has been signed on behalf of the Registrant, in the
City of Rye, State of New York, on the 6th day of November,
2006.
THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
Bruce N. Alpert
President and Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates set forth below.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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*
Mario
J. Gabelli
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Director and Chairman
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November 6, 2006
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/s/ Agnes
Mullady
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Treasurer and Principal Financial
Officer
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November 6, 2006
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*
Thomas
E. Bratter
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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*
Anthony
J. Colavita
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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*
James
P. Conn
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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*
Frank
J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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*
Arthur
V. Ferrara
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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*
Anthony
R. Pustorino
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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*
Salvatore
J. Zizza
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Director
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November 6, 2006
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/s/ Bruce
N. Alpert
Bruce
N. Alpert
Attorney-in-Fact
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*
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Pursuant to a Power of Attorney
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6
EXHIBIT INDEX
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2(a)
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(iv)
|
|
Articles Supplementary for the
Series D 5.875% Cumulative Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
|
Articles Supplementary for the
Series E Auction Rate Preferred Cumulative Preferred Stock
|
|
|
|
|
(vi)
|
|
Articles Supplementary for the
Series F % Cumulative Preferred Stock
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement
|
|
(l)
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Willkie
Farr & Gallagher LLP
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP
|
|
(n)
|
|
|
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
|
7
Exhibit 2(a)(iv)
THE
GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
CREATING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS OF
5.875% SERIES D CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation, having
its principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland (hereinafter
called the
Corporation
), hereby certifies to
the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of
Maryland that:
FIRST: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, at a
meeting duly convened and held on May 14, 2003, pursuant to
authority expressly vested in it by Article V of the
Charter of the Corporation, adopted resolutions
(i) reclassifying 2,000,000 shares of authorized but
unissued common stock as preferred stock of the Fund, par value
$.001 per share, (ii) redesignating
382,100 shares of is authorized by unissued 7.25%
Cumulative Preferred Stock as preferred stock of the
Corporation, par value $.001 per share,
(iii) redesignating 3,400,000 shares of its authorized
but unissued shares of 7.20% Tax Advantaged Series B
Cumulative Preferred Stock as preferred stock of the
Corporation, par value $.001 per share,
(iv) redesignating 800 shares of the Series C
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock as preferred stock of
the Corporation, par value $.001 per share, and
(v) authorizing the issuance and designation of up to
6,006,000 shares of preferred stock as a new series of
fixed rate preferred stock and one or more series of auction
rate preferred stock at such times as the Pricing Committee
should determine.
SECOND: The Pricing Committee, at a meeting duly convened
and held on October 2, 2003, pursuant to authority granted
it by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at its
May 14, 2003 meeting, approved the designation and issuance
by the Corporation of 3,000,000 shares of 5.875%
Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock.
THIRD: The preferences, rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and
terms and conditions of redemption of the 5.875% Series D
Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, as
set by the Board of Directors are as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning
or intent, each of the following terms when used in these
Articles Supplementary shall have the meaning ascribed to
it below, whether such term is used in the singular or plural
and regardless of tense:
Accountants Confirmation
means a letter
from an Independent Accountant delivered to Moodys with
respect to certain Basic Maintenance Reports substantially to
the effect that:
(a) the Independent Accountant has read the Basic
Maintenance Report or Reports prepared by the Administrator
during the referenced calendar year that are referred to in such
letter;
(b) with respect to the issue size compliance, issuer
diversification and industry diversification calculations, such
calculations and the resulting Market Value of the Moodys
Eligible Assets included in the Reports and the Adjusted Value
of the Moodys Eligible Assets included in the Reports are
numerically correct;
(c) with respect to the excess or deficiency of the
Adjusted Value of the Moodys Eligible Assets included in
the Reports when compared to the Basic Maintenance Amount
calculated for Moodys, the results of the calculation set
forth in the Reports have been recalculated and are numerically
correct;
1
(d) with respect to the Moodys and S&P ratings on
corporate evidences of indebtedness, convertible corporate
evidences of indebtedness and preferred stock listed in the
Reports, that information has been traced and agrees with the
information provided directly or indirectly by the respective
rating agencies (in the event such information does not agree or
such information is not listed in the accounting records of the
Corporation, the Independent Accountants will inquire of the
rating agencies what such information is and provide a listing
in their letter of such differences, if any);
(e) with respect to issuer name and coupon or dividend rate
listed in the Reports, that information has been traced and
agrees with information listed in the accounting records of the
Corporation;
(f) with respect to issue size listed in the Reports, that
information has been traced and agrees with information provided
by a Pricing Service or such other services as Moodys may
authorize from time to time;
(g) with respect to the prices (or alternative permissible
factors used in calculating the Market Value as provided by
these Articles Supplementary) provided by the Administrator
of the Corporations assets for purposes of valuing
securities in the portfolio, the Independent Accountant has
traced the price used in the Reports to the price provided by
such Administrator (in accordance with the procedures provided
in these Articles Supplementary) and verified that such
information agrees (in the event such information does not
agree, the Independent Accountants will provide a listing in
their letter of such differences); and
(h) with respect to the description of each security
included in the Reports, the description of Moodys
Eligible Assets has been compared to the definition of
Moodys Eligible Assets contained in these
Articles Supplementary, and the description as appearing in
the Reports agrees with the definition of Moodys Eligible
Assets as described in these Articles Supplementary.
Each such letter may state that: (i) such Independent
Accountant has made no independent verification of the accuracy
of the description of the investment securities listed in the
Reports or the Market Value of those securities nor has it
performed any procedures other than those specifically outlined
above for the purposes of issuing such letter; (ii) unless
otherwise stated in the letter, the procedures specified therein
were limited to a comparison of numbers or a verification of
specified computations applicable to numbers appearing in the
Reports and the schedule(s) thereto; (iii) the foregoing
procedures do not constitute an examination in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and the Reports contained
in the letter do not extend to any of the Corporations
financial statements taken as a whole; (iv) such
Independent Accountant does not express an opinion as to whether
such procedures would enable such Independent Accountant to
determine that the methods followed in the preparation of the
Reports would correctly determine the Market Value or Discounted
Value of the investment portfolio; and (v) accordingly,
such Independent Accountant expresses no opinion as to the
information set forth in the Reports or in the schedule(s)
thereto and makes no representation as to the sufficiency of the
procedures performed for the purposes of these
Articles Supplementary.
Such letter shall also state that the Independent Accountant is
an independent accountant with respect to the
Corporation within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the related published rules and regulations
thereunder.
Adjusted Value
of each Moodys Eligible
Asset shall be computed as follows:
(a) cash shall be valued at 100% of the face value
thereof; and
(b) all other Moodys Eligible Assets shall be valued
at the Discounted Value thereof; and
(c) each asset that is not a Moodys Eligible Asset
shall be valued at zero.
Administrator
means the other party to the
Administration Agreement with the Corporation, which shall
initially be Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York limited liability
company, and will include, as appropriate, any sub-administrator
appointed by the Administrator.
ADRs
means U.S. dollar-denominated
American Depository Receipts.
2
Adviser
means Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York
limited liability company, or such other person as shall be
serving as the investment adviser of the Corporation.
Annual Valuation Date
means the Valuation
Date each calendar year so designated by the Corporation,
commencing in the calendar year 2003.
Asset Coverage
means asset coverage, as
determined in accordance with 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 Series D Preferred Stock (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 declaring dividends on its common stock),
determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within
48 hours (not including Saturdays, Sundays or holidays)
next preceding the time of such determination.
Basic Maintenance Amount
means, as of any
Valuation Date, the dollar amount equal to (a) the sum of
(i) the product of the number of shares of each class or
series of Preferred Stock Outstanding on such Valuation Date
multiplied by the Liquidation Preference per share; (ii) to
the extent not included in (i) the aggregate amount of cash
dividends (whether or not earned or declared) that will have
accumulated for each Outstanding share of Preferred Stock from
the most recent Dividend Payment Date to which dividends have
been paid or duly provided for (or, in the event the Basic
Maintenance Amount is calculated on a date prior to the initial
Dividend Payment Date with respect to a class or series of the
Preferred Stock, then from the Date of Original Issue) through
the Valuation Date plus all dividends to accumulate on the
Preferred Stock then Outstanding during the 70 days
following such Valuation Date or, if less, during the number of
days following such Valuation Date that shares of Preferred
Stock called for redemption are scheduled to remain Outstanding;
(iii) the Corporations other liabilities due and
payable as of such Valuation Date (except that dividends and
other distributions payable by the Corporation on Common Stock
shall not be included as a liability) and such liabilities
projected to become due and payable by the Corporation during
the 90 days following such Valuation Date (excluding
liabilities for investments to be purchased and for dividends
and other distributions not declared as of such Valuation Date);
and (iv) any current liabilities of the Corporation as of
such Valuation Date to the extent not reflected in (or
specifically excluded by) any of (a)(i) through (a)(iii)
(including, without limitation, and immediately upon
determination, any amounts due and payable by the Corporation
pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements and any payables for
assets purchased as of such Valuation Date) less (b)(i) the
Adjusted Value of any of the Corporations assets or
(ii) the face value of any of the Corporations assets
if, in the case of both (b)(i) and (b)(ii), such assets are
either cash or evidences of indebtedness which mature prior to
or on the date of redemption or repurchase of shares of
Preferred Stock or payment of another liability and are either
U.S. Government Obligations or evidences of indebtedness
which have a rating assigned by Moodys of at least Aaa,
P-1,
VMIG-1
or MIG-1 or by S&P of at least AAA,
SP-1+
or
A-1+,
and
are irrevocably held by the Corporations custodian bank in
a segregated account or deposited by the Corporation with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent for the payment of the amounts needed
to redeem or repurchase Preferred Stock subject to redemption or
repurchase or any of (a)(ii) through (a)(iv); and provided that
in the event the Corporation has repurchased Preferred Stock and
irrevocably segregated or deposited assets as described above
with its custodian bank or the Dividend-Disbursing Agent for the
payment of the repurchase price the Corporation may deduct 100%
of the Liquidation Preference of such Preferred Stock to be
repurchased from (a) above. Basic Maintenance Amount shall,
for purposes of these Articles Supplementary, have a
correlative meaning with respect to a ny other class or series
of Preferred Stock.
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date
means,
with respect to the Series D Preferred Stock, 10 Business
Days following a Valuation Date, such date being the last day
upon which the Corporations failure to comply with
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) of Article II hereof could be
cured, and for the purposes of these Articles Supplementary
shall have a correlative meaning with respect to any other class
or series of Preferred Stock.
Basic Maintenance Report
or
Report
means, with respect to the
Series D Preferred Stock, a report prepared by the
Administrator which sets forth, as of the related Valuation
Date, Moodys Eligible Assets
3
sufficient to meet or exceed the Basic Maintenance Amount, the
Market Value and Discounted Value thereof (seriatim and in the
aggregate), and the Basic Maintenance Amount, and for the
purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
Board of Directors
means the Board of
Directors of the Corporation or any duly authorized committee
thereof as permitted by applicable law.
Business Day
means a day on which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading and that is neither a
Saturday, Sunday nor any other day on which banks in The City of
New York, New York are authorized by law to close.
Charter
means the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation, as amended, supplemented (including these
Articles Supplementary), as filed with the State Department
of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland.
Common Stock
means the Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share, of the Corporation.
Corporation
means The Gabelli Equity Trust
Inc., a Maryland corporation.
Cure Date
shall have the meaning set forth in
paragraph 4(a) of Article II hereof.
Date of Original Issue
means October 7,
2003, and for the purposes of these Articles Supplementary
shall mean with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock the date upon which shares of such class or
series are first issued.
Deposit Assets
means cash, Short-Term Money
Market Instruments and U.S. Government Obligations. Except
for determining whether the Corporation has Moodys
Eligible Assets with an Adjusted Value equal to or greater than
the Basic Maintenance Amount, each Deposit Asset shall be deemed
to have a value equal to its principal or face amount payable at
maturity plus any interest payable thereon after delivery of
such Deposit Asset but only if payable on or prior to the
applicable payment date in advance of which the relevant deposit
is made.
Discounted Value
means, as applicable,
(a) the quotient of the Market Value of an Eligible Asset
divided by the applicable Discount Factor or (b) such other
formula for determining the discounted value of an Eligible
Asset as may be established by an applicable rating agency,
provided, in either case that with respect to an Eligible Asset
that is currently callable, Discounted Value will be equal to
the applicable quotient or product as calculated above or the
call price, whichever is lower, and that with respect to an
Eligible Asset that is prepayable, Discounted Value will be
equal to the applicable quotient or product as calculated above
or the par value, whichever is lower.
Dividend-Disbursing Agent
means, with respect
to the Series D Preferred Stock, EquiServe Trust Company,
N.A. and its successors or any other dividend-disbursing agent
appointed by the Corporation and, with respect to any other
class or series of Preferred Stock, the Person appointed by the
Corporation as dividend-disbursing or paying agent with respect
to such class or series.
Dividend Payment Date
means with respect to
the Series D Preferred Stock, any date on which dividends
declared by the Board of Directors thereon are payable pursuant
to the provisions of paragraph 2(a) of Article II of
these Articles Supplementary and shall for the purposes of
these Articles Supplementary have a correlative meaning
with respect to any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Dividend Period
shall have the meaning set
forth in paragraph 2(a) of Article II hereof, and for
the purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
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.
4
Liquidation Preference
shall, with respect to
the Series D Preferred Stock, have the meaning set forth in
paragraph 3(a) of Article II hereof, and for the
purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
Market Value
means the amount determined by
the Corporation with respect to Moodys Eligible Assets in
accordance with valuation policies adopted from time to time by
the Board of Directors as being in compliance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Market Value may, at
the option of the Corporation with respect to any of its assets,
mean the amount determined with respect to specific Moodys
Eligible Assets of the Corporation in the manner set forth below:
(a) as to any common or preferred stock which is a
Moodys Eligible Asset, (i) if the stock is traded on
a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System,
the last sales price reported on the Valuation Date or
(ii) if there was no reported sales price on the Valuation
Date, the lower of two bid prices for such stock provided to the
Administrator by two recognized securities dealers with minimum
capitalizations of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for such
purpose by Moodys) or by one such securities dealer and
any other source (provided that the utilization of such source
would not adversely affect Moodys then-current rating of
the Series D Preferred Stock), at least one of which shall
be provided in writing or by telecopy, telex, other electronic
transcription, computer obtained quotation reducible to written
form or similar means, and in turn provided to the Corporation
by any such means by such Administrator, or, if two bid prices
cannot be obtained, such Moodys Eligible Asset shall have
a Market Value of zero;
(b) as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short Term
Money Market Instrument (other than demand deposits, federal
funds, bankers acceptances and next Business Day
repurchase agreements) and commercial paper with a maturity of
greater than 60 days, the product of (i) the principal
amount (accreted principal to the extent such instrument
accretes interest) of such instrument, and (ii) the lower
of the bid prices for the same kind of instruments having, as
nearly as practicable, comparable interest rates and maturities
provided by two recognized securities dealers having a minimum
capitalization of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for such
purpose by Moodys) or by one such dealer and any other
source (provided that the utilization of such source would not
adversely affect Moodys then-current rating of the
Series D Preferred Stock) to the Administrator, at least
one of which shall be provided in writing or by telecopy, telex,
other electronic transcription, computer obtained quotation
reducible to written form or similar means, and in turn provided
to the Corporation by any such means by such Administrator, or,
if two bid prices cannot be obtained, such Moodys Eligible
Asset will have a Market Value of zero;
(c) as to cash, demand deposits, federal funds,
bankers acceptances and next Business Day repurchase
agreements included in Short-Term Money Market Instruments, the
face value thereof;
(d) as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short-Term
Money Market Instrument or commercial paper with a maturity of
60 days or fewer, amortized cost unless the Board of
Directors determines that such value does not constitute fair
value; and
(e) as to any other evidence of indebtedness which is a
Moodys Eligible Asset, (i) the product of
(A) the unpaid principal balance of such indebtedness as of
the Valuation Date and (B)(1) if such indebtedness is traded on
a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System,
the last sales price reported on the Valuation Date or
(2) if there was no reported sales price on the Valuation
Date or if such indebtedness is not traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System, the lower of
two bid prices for such indebtedness provided by two recognized
dealers with a minimum capitalization of $25,000,000 (or
otherwise approved for such purpose by Moodys) or by one
such dealer and any other source (provided that the utilization
of such source would not adversely affect Moodys
then-current rating of the Series D Preferred Stock) to the
Administrator, at least one of which shall be provided in
writing or by telecopy, telex, other electronic transcription,
computer obtained quotation
5
reducible to written form or similar means, and in turn provided
to the Corporation by any such means by such Administrator, plus
(ii) accrued interest on such indebtedness.
Moodys
means Moodys Investors
Service, Inc., or its successors at law. In the event that
Moodys is no longer rating the Series D Preferred
Stock at the request of the Corporation,
Moodys shall be deemed to refer to any other
nationally recognized securities rating agency designated by the
Corporation.
Moodys Discount Factor
means, with
respect to a Moodys Eligible Asset specified below, the
following applicable number:
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Short Term Money Market
Instruments (other than U.S. Government Obligations set
forth below) and other commercial paper:
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Securities with
final maturities that are less than or equal to 60 days
|
|
1.00
|
Demand or time deposits,
certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances includible
in Short Term Money Market Instruments
|
|
1.00
|
Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in 30 days or less
|
|
1.00
|
Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in more than 30 days but in
270 days or less
|
|
1.15
|
Commercial paper rated
A-1+
by
S&P maturing in 270 days or less
|
|
1.25
|
Repurchase obligations includible
in Short Term Money Market Instruments if term is less than
30 days and counterparty is rated at least A2
|
|
1.00
|
Other repurchase obligations
|
|
Discount Factor
applicable to
underlying assets
|
U.S. Common Stocks and Common
Stocks of foreign issuers for which ADRs are traded
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.70
|
Industrial
|
|
2.64
|
Financial
|
|
2.41
|
Transportation
|
|
3.40
|
Common Stocks of foreign issuers
(in existence for at least five years) for which no ADRs
are traded
|
|
4.00
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks
|
|
3.00
|
Preferred stocks:
|
|
|
Auction rate preferred stocks
|
|
|
Cumulative
|
|
3.50
|
Non-Cumulative
|
|
3.60
|
Other preferred stocks issued by
issuers in the financial and industrial industries
|
|
|
Cumulative
|
|
1.97
|
Non-Cumulative
|
|
2.07
|
Other preferred stocks issued by
issuers in the utilities industry
|
|
|
Cumulative
|
|
1.55
|
Non-Cumulative
|
|
1.65
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
U.S. Government Obligations
(other than U.S. Treasury Securities Strips set forth
below) with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.04
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.09
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.12
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.15
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
7 years of less
|
|
1.21
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.24
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.25
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
U.S. Treasury Securities
Strips with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.04
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.10
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.14
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.21
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.27
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.34
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.45
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.54
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.66
|
Corporate Debt:
|
|
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Aaa1 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.09
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.15
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.20
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.32
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.39
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.45
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Aa3 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.12
|
2 years of less
|
|
1.18
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.23
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.29
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.35
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.43
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least A3 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.15
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.22
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.27
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.33
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.39
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.47
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Baa3 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.18
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.25
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.31
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.38
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.44
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.52
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Ba3 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.37
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.46
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.53
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.61
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.68
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.79
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.89
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least B1 and B2 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.50
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.68
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.76
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.85
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.97
|
10 years or less
|
|
2.08
|
15 years or less
|
|
2.16
|
20 years or less
|
|
2.28
|
30 years or less
|
|
2.29
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least Aa3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.67
|
Industrial
|
|
2.61
|
Financial
|
|
2.38
|
Transportation
|
|
2.65
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least A3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.72
|
Industrial
|
|
2.66
|
Financial
|
|
2.43
|
Transportation
|
|
2.75
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least Baa3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.88
|
Industrial
|
|
2.82
|
Financial
|
|
2.59
|
Transportation
|
|
2.85
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least Ba3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.95
|
Industrial
|
|
2.90
|
Financial
|
|
2.65
|
Transportation
|
|
2.90
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least B2 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.98
|
Industrial
|
|
2.93
|
Financial
|
|
2.70
|
Transportation
|
|
2.95
|
Moodys Eligible Assets
means:
(a) cash (including, for this purpose, receivables for
investments sold to a counterparty whose senior debt securities
are rated at least Baa3 by Moodys or a counterparty
approved by Moodys and payable within five Business Days
following such Valuation Date and dividends and interest
receivable within 70 days on investments);
(b) Short-Term Money Market Instruments;
(c) commercial paper that is not includible as a Short-Term
Money Market Instrument having on the Valuation Date a rating
from Moodys of at least
P-1
and
maturing within 270 days;
(d) preferred stocks (i) which either (A) are
issued by issuers whose senior debt securities are rated at
least Baa1 by Moodys or (B) are rated at least Baa3
by Moodys or (C) in the event an issuers senior
debt securities or preferred stock is not rated by Moodys,
which either (1) are issued by an issuer whose senior debt
securities are rated at least A− by S&P or
(2) are rated at least A− by S&P and for this
purpose have been assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of
at least Baa3, (ii) of issuers which have (or, in the case
of issuers which are special purpose corporations, whose parent
companies have) common stock listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market System, (iii) which have a minimum issue size (when
taken together with other of the issuers issues of similar
tenor) of $50,000,000, (iv) which have paid cash dividends
consistently during the preceding three-year period (or, in the
case of new issues without a dividend history, are rated at
least A1 by Moodys or, if not rated by Moodys, are
rated at least AA− by S&P), (v) which pay
cumulative cash dividends in U.S. dollars, (vi) which
are not convertible into any other class of stock and do not
have warrants attached, (vii) which are not issued by
issuers in the transportation industry and (viii) in the
case of auction rate preferred stocks, which are rated at least
Aa3 by Moodys, or if not rated by Moodys, AAA by
S&P, AAA by Fitch or are otherwise approved in writing by
Moodys and have never had a failed auction;
provided,
however
, that for this purpose the aggregate Market Value of
the Corporations holdings of any single issue of auction
rate preferred stock shall not be more than 1% of the
Corporations total assets.
(e) common stocks (i) (A) which are traded on a
nationally recognized stock exchange or in the
over-the-counter
market, (B) if cash dividend paying, pay cash dividends in
U.S. dollars and (C) which may be sold without
restriction by the Corporation;
provided, however
, that
(y) common stock which, while a Moodys Eligible Asset
owned by the Corporation, ceases paying any regular cash
dividend will no longer be considered a Moodys Eligible
Asset until 71 days after the date of the announcement of
such cessation, unless the issuer of the common stock has senior
debt securities rated at least A3 by Moodys and
(z) the aggregate Market Value of the Corporations
holdings of the common stock of any issuer in excess of 4% in
the case of utility common stock and 6% in the case of
non-utility common stock of the aggregate Market
10
Value of the Corporations holdings shall not be
Moodys Eligible Assets, (ii) which are securities
denominated in any currency other than the U.S. dollar or
securities of issuers formed under the laws of jurisdictions
other than the United States, its states and the District of
Columbia for which there are dollar-denominated ADRs or their
equivalents which are traded in the United States on exchanges
or
over-the-counter
and are issued by banks formed under the laws of the United
States, its states or the District of Columbia or
(iii) which are securities of issuers formed under the laws
of jurisdictions other than the United States (and in existence
for at least five years) for which no ADRs are traded;
provided, however
, that the aggregate Market Value of the
Corporations holdings of securities denominated in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar and ADRs in excess of
(A) 6% of the aggregate Market Value of the outstanding
shares of common stock of such issuer thereof or (B) 10% of
the Market Value of the Corporations Moodys Eligible
Assets with respect to issuers formed under the laws of any
single such
non-U.S. jurisdiction
other than Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, shall
not be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
(f) ADR securities, based on the following guidelines:
(i) Sponsored ADR program or (ii) Level II or
Level III ADRs. Private placement Rule 144A ADRs are
not eligible for collateral consideration. Global GDR programs
will be evaluated on a case by case basis;
(g) U.S. Government Obligations;
(h) corporate evidences of indebtedness (i) which may
be sold without restriction by the Corporation which are rated
at least B3 (Caa subordinate) by Moodys (or, in the event
the security is not rated by Moodys, the security is rated
at least BB− by S&P and which for this purpose is
assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full rating
category lower), with such rating confirmed on each Valuation
Date, (ii) which have a minimum issue size of at least
(A) $100,000,000 if rated at least Baa3 or
(B) $50,000,000 if rated B or Ba3, (iii) which are not
convertible or exchangeable into equity of the issuing
corporation and have a maturity of not more than 30 years
and (iv) for which, if rated below Baa3 or not rated, the
aggregate Market Value of the Corporations holdings do not
exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of any individual issue
of corporate evidences of indebtedness calculated at the time of
original issuance; and
(i) convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
(i) which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least B2 by Moodys (or, in the
event an issuers senior debt securities are not rated by
Moodys, which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least BB by S&P and which for this
purpose is assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full
rating category lower), (ii) which are convertible into
common stocks which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or
the American Stock Exchange or are quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market System and (iii) which, if cash dividend paying, pay
cash dividends in U.S. dollars;
provided, however
,
that once convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness have
been converted into common stock, the common stock issued upon
conversion must satisfy the criteria set forth in
clause (e) above and other relevant criteria set forth in
this definition in order to be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
provided, however
, that the Corporations
investments in auction rate preferred stocks described in
clause (d) above shall be included in Moodys Eligible
Assets only to the extent that the aggregate Market Value of
such stocks does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of
all of the Corporations investments meeting the criteria
set forth in clauses (a) through (g) above less the
aggregate Market Value of those investments excluded from
Moodys Eligible Assets pursuant to the paragraph appearing
after clause (j) below; and
(j) no assets which are subject to any lien or irrevocably
deposited by the Corporation for the payment of amounts needed
to meet the obligations described in clauses (a)(i) through
(a)(iv) of the definition of Basic Maintenance
Amount may be includible in Moodys Eligible Assets.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding
clauses (a)-(j), the Corporations investment in
preferred stock, common stock, corporate evidences of
indebtedness and convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
shall not be treated as Moodys Eligible Assets except to
the extent they satisfy the following
11
diversification requirements (utilizing Moodys Industry
and
Sub-industry
Categories) with respect to the Market Value of the
Corporations holdings:
Issuer:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)(2)
|
|
Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
Ba
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
B3 or below
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
Industry
and State:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
|
Single
Sub-
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)
|
|
Industry (3)
|
|
|
Industry (3)(6)
|
|
|
State (3)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
% (7)
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
7
|
% (7)
|
Ba
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B3 or below
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates
of both the probability and severity of default for the
Corporations assets can be derived from other sources,
securities rated below B by Moodys and unrated securities,
which are securities rated by neither Moodys, S&P nor
Fitch, are limited to 10% of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a
corporate, municipal or other debt security is unrated by
Moodys, S&P or Fitch, the Corporation will use the
percentage set forth under B3 or below in this
table. Ratings assigned by S&P or Fitch are generally
accepted by Moodys 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 Moodys rating
equivalent.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Corporate evidences of indebtedness from issues ranging
$50,000,000 to $100,000,000 are limited to 20% of Moodys
Eligible Assets.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals
only for the related Moodys rating category and each lower
Moodys rating category.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Issuers subject to common ownership of 25% or more are
considered as one name.
|
|
(5)
|
|
CS/CB refers to common stock and convertible corporate evidences
of indebtedness, which are diversified independently from the
rating level.
|
|
(6)
|
|
In the case of utility common stock, utility preferred stock,
utility evidences of indebtedness and utility convertible
evidences of indebtedness, the definition of industry refers to
sub-industries (electric, water, hydro power, gas, diversified).
Investments in other sub-industries are eligible only to the
extent that the combined sum represents a percentage position of
the Moodys Eligible Assets less than or equal to the
percentage limits in the diversification tables above.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Such percentage shall be 15% in the case of utilities regulated
by California, New York and Texas.
|
12
Moodys Industry Classifications
means
for the purposes of determining Moodys Eligible Assets,
each of the following industry classifications (or such other
classifications as Moodys may from time to time approve
for application to the Series D Preferred Stock).
1. Aerospace and Defense: Major Contractor,
Subsystems, Research, Aircraft Manufacturing, Arms, Ammunition.
2. Automobile: Automobile Equipment,
Auto-Manufacturing, Auto Parts Manufacturing, Personal Use
Trailers, Motor Homes, Dealers.
3. Banking: Bank Holding, Savings and Loans, Consumer
Credit, Small Loan, Agency, Factoring, Receivables.
4. Beverage, Food and Tobacco: Beer and Ale,
Distillers, Wines and Liquors, Distributors, Soft Drink Syrup,
Bottlers, Bakery, Mill Sugar, Canned Foods, Corn Refiners, Dairy
Products, Meat Products, Poultry Products, Snacks, Packaged
Foods, Distributors, Candy, Gum, Seafood, Frozen Food,
Cigarettes, Cigars, Leaf/Snuff, Vegetable Oil.
5. Buildings and Real Estate: Brick, Cement, Climate
Controls, Contracting, Engineering, Construction, Hardware,
Forest Products (building-related only), Plumbing, Roofing,
Wallboard, Real Estate, Real Estate Development, REITs, Land
Development.
6. Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber: Chemicals
(non-agricultural), Industrial Gases, Sulphur, Plastics, Plastic
Products, Abrasives, Coatings, Paints, Varnish, Fabricating
Containers.
7. Packaging and Glass: Glass, Fiberglass, Containers
made of: Glass, Metal, Paper, Plastic, Wood or Fiberglass.
8. Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products
(Manufacturing Only): Soaps, Perfumes, Cosmetics, Toiletries,
Cleaning Supplies, School Supplies.
9. Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing.
10. Diversified/Conglomerate Service.
11. Diversified Natural Resources, Precious Metals and
Minerals: Fabricating, Distribution.
12. Ecological: Pollution Control, Waste Removal, Waste
Treatment and Waste Disposal.
13. Electronics: Computer Hardware, Electric Equipment,
Components, Controllers, Motors, Household Appliances,
Information Service Communication Systems, Radios, TVs, Tape
Machines, Speakers, Printers, Drivers, Technology.
14. Finance: Investment Brokerage, Leasing, Syndication,
Securities.
15. Farming and Agriculture: Livestock, Grains, Produce,
Agriculture Chemicals, Agricultural Equipment, Fertilizers.
16. Grocery: Grocery Stores, Convenience Food Stores.
17. Healthcare, Education and Childcare: Ethical Drugs,
Proprietary Drugs, Research, Health Care Centers, Nursing Homes,
HMOs, Hospitals, Hospital Supplies, Medical Equipment.
18. Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable
Consumer Products: Carpets, Floor Coverings, Furniture, Cooking,
Ranges.
19. Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming.
20. Insurance: Life, Property and Casualty, Broker, Agent,
Surety.
13
21. Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures, Entertainment:
Boating, Bowling, Billiards, Musical Instruments, Fishing, Photo
Equipment, Records, Tapes, Sports, Outdoor Equipment (Camping),
Tourism, Resorts, Games, Toy Manufacturing, Motion Picture
Production Theaters, Motion Picture Distribution.
22. Machinery (Non-Agricultural, Non-Construction,
Non-Electronic): Industrial, Machine Tools, Steam Generators.
23. Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals: Coal,
Copper, Lead, Uranium, Zinc, Aluminum, Stainless Steel,
Integrated Steel, Ore Production, Refractories, Steel Mill
Machinery, Mini-Mills, Fabricating, Distribution and Sales of
the foregoing.
24. Oil and Gas: Crude Producer, Retailer, Well Supply,
Service and Drilling.
25. Printing, Publishing, and Broadcasting: Graphic Arts,
Paper, Paper Products, Business Forms, Magazines, Books,
Periodicals, Newspapers, Textbooks, Radio, T.V., Cable
Broadcasting Equipment.
26. Cargo Transport: Rail, Shipping, Railroads, Rail-car
Builders, Ship Builders, Containers, Container Builders, Parts,
Overnight Mail, Trucking, Truck Manufacturing, Trailer
Manufacturing, Air Cargo, Transport.
27. Retail Stores: Apparel, Toy, Variety, Drugs,
Department, Mail Order Catalog, Showroom.
28. Telecommunications: Local, Long Distance, Independent,
Telephone, Telegraph, Satellite, Equipment, Research, Cellular.
29. Textiles and Leather: Producer, Synthetic Fiber,
Apparel Manufacturer, Leather Shoes.
30. Personal Transportation: Air, Bus, Rail, Car Rental.
31. Utilities: Electric, Water, Hydro Power, Gas.
32. Diversified Sovereigns: Semi-sovereigns, Canadian
Provinces, Supra-national Agencies.
The Corporation will use SIC codes in determining which industry
classification is applicable to a particular investment in
consultation with the Independent Accountant and Moodys,
to the extent the Corporation considers necessary.
1933 Act
means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any successor statute.
1940 Act
means the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, or any successor statute.
Notice of Redemption
shall have the meaning
set forth in paragraph 4(c)(i) of Article II hereof.
Outstanding
means, as of any date, Preferred
Stock theretofore issued by the Corporation except:
(a) any such share of Preferred Stock theretofore cancelled
by the Corporation or delivered to the Corporation for
cancellation;
(b) any such share of Preferred Stock other than auction
rate Preferred Stock as to which a notice of redemption shall
have been given and for whose payment at the redemption thereof
Deposit Assets in the necessary amount are held by the
Corporation in trust for, or have been irrevocably deposited
with the relevant disbursing agent for payment to, the holder of
such share pursuant to the Articles Supplementary with
respect thereto;
(c) in the case of auction rate Preferred Stock, any such
shares theretofore delivered to the auction agent for
cancellation or with respect to which the Corporation has given
notice of redemption and irrevocably deposited with the paying
agent sufficient funds to redeem such shares; and
(d) any such share in exchange for or in lieu of which
other shares have been issued and delivered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of voting
rights (including the determination of the number of shares
required to constitute a quorum), any shares of Preferred Stock
as to which any subsidiary of the Corporation is the holder will
be disregarded and deemed not Outstanding, and (ii) in
connection with any
14
auction of shares of auction rate Preferred Stock as to which
the Corporation or any Person known to the auction agent to be a
subsidiary of the Corporation is the holder will be disregarded
and not deemed Outstanding.
Person
means and includes an individual, a
partnership, the Corporation, a trust, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint
venture or other entity or a government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
Preferred Stock
means the preferred stock,
par value $.001 per share, of the Corporation, and includes
the Series D Preferred Stock.
Pricing Service
means any of the following:
Bloomberg Financial Service, Bridge Information Services, Data
Resources Inc., FT Interactive, International Securities Market
Association, Merrill Lynch Securities Pricing Service, Muller
Data Corp., Reuters, S&P/J.J. Kenny, Telerate, Trepp Pricing
and Wood Gundy.
Redemption Price
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 4(a) of Article II hereof, and for
the purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
S&P
means Standard & Poors
Ratings Services, or its successors at law.
Series D Preferred Stock
means the
5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value
$.001 per share, of the Corporation.
Series D Asset Coverage Cure Date
means,
with respect to the failure by the Corporation to maintain Asset
Coverage (as required by paragraph 6(a)(i) of
Article II hereof) as of the last Business Day of each
March, June, September and December of each year, 60 days
following such Business Day.
Short-Term Money Market Instruments
means the
following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or
other acquisition thereof by the Corporation, the remaining term
to maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days:
(i) commercial paper rated
A-1
if such
commercial paper matures in 30 days or
A-1+
if such
commercial paper matures in over 30 days;
(ii) demand or time deposits in, and bankers
acceptances and certificates of deposit of (A) a depository
institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia or (B) a United States branch office or agency of
a foreign depository institution (provided that such branch
office or agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws
of the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia);
(iii) overnight funds; and
(iv) U.S. Government Obligations.
U.S. Government Obligations
means direct
obligations of the United States or by its agencies or
instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit
of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury
Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full
payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
Valuation Date
means the last Business Day of
each month, or such other date as the Corporation and
Moodys may agree to for purposes of determining the Basic
Maintenance Amount.
Voting Period
shall have the meaning set
forth in paragraph 5(b) of Article II hereof.
15
ARTICLE II
SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK
1. Number of Shares; Ranking.
(a) The initial number of authorized shares constituting
the Series D Preferred Stock to be issued is 3,000,000. No
fractional shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall be
issued.
(b) Shares of Series D Preferred Stock which at any
time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall,
after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized
but unissued shares of Preferred Stock.
(c) The Series D Preferred Stock shall rank on a
parity with any other series of Preferred Stock as to the
payment of dividends and liquidation preference to which such
stock is entitled.
(d) No Holder of Series D Preferred Stock shall have,
solely by reason of being such a holder, any preemptive or other
right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares of any
Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities of the
Corporation which it may hereafter issue or sell.
2. Dividends.
(a) Holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor,
cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 5.875% per annum
(computed on the basis of a
360-day
year
consisting of twelve
30-day
months) of the Liquidation Preference on the Series D
Preferred Stock and no more, payable quarterly on
March 26th, June 26th, September 26th and
December 26th in each year (each a
Dividend
Payment Date
) commencing December 26, 2003 (or,
if any such day is not a Business Day, then on the next
succeeding Business Day) to holders of record of Series D
Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the
Corporation at the close of business on the fifth preceding
Business Day in preference to dividends on shares of Common
Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation ranking
junior to the Series D Preferred Stock in payment of
dividends. Dividends on shares of Series D Preferred Stock
shall accumulate from the date on which such shares are
originally issued. Each period beginning on and including a
Dividend Payment Date (or the Date of Original Issue, in the
case of the first dividend period after issuance of such shares)
and ending on but excluding the next succeeding Dividend Payment
Date is referred to herein as a
Dividend
Period.
Dividends on account of arrears for any past
Dividend Period or in connection with the redemption of
Series D Preferred Stock may be declared and paid at any
time, without reference to any Dividend Payment Date, to holders
of record on such date not exceeding 30 days preceding the
payment date thereof as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
(b) (i) No full dividends shall be declared or paid on
shares of Series D Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period
or part thereof unless full cumulative dividends due through the
most recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor for all series of
Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity with the
Series D Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends
have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid through the
most recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor. If full cumulative
dividends due have not been paid on all Outstanding shares of
such Preferred Stock, any dividends being paid on such shares of
Preferred Stock (including the Series D Preferred Stock)
will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the
respective amounts of dividends accumulated but unpaid on each
such series of Preferred Stock on the relevant Dividend Payment
Date. No holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash,
property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends as
provided in this paragraph 2(b)(i) on shares of
Series D Preferred Stock. No interest or sum of money in
lieu of interest shall be payable in respect of any dividend
payments on any shares of Series D Preferred Stock that may
be in arrears.
(ii) For so long as shares of
Series D Preferred Stock are Outstanding, the Corporation
shall not pay 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 Series D
16
Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and the distribution
of assets upon liquidation) in respect of the Common Stock or
any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the
Series D Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, or call for redemption,
redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation
ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock as to
payment of dividends and upon liquidation (except by conversion
into or exchange for stock of the Corporation ranking junior to
the Series D Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and
the distribution of assets upon liquidation), unless, in each
case, (A) immediately thereafter, the aggregate Adjusted
Value of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets
shall equal or exceed the Basic Maintenance Amount and the
Corporation shall have Asset Coverage, (B) all cumulative
dividends on all shares of Series D Preferred Stock 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 applicable
Dividend-Disbursing Agent) and (C) the Corporation has
redeemed the full number of shares of Series D Preferred
Stock to be redeemed mandatorily pursuant to any provision
contained herein for mandatory redemption.
(iii) Any dividend payment made on
the shares of Series D Preferred Stock shall first be
credited against the dividends accumulated with respect to the
earliest Dividend Period for which dividends have not been paid.
(c) Not later than the Business Day immediately preceding
each Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall deposit with
the Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit Assets having an initial
combined value sufficient to pay the dividends that are payable
on such Dividend Payment Date, which Deposit Assets shall mature
on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date. The Corporation may
direct the Dividend-Disbursing Agent with respect to the
investment of any such Deposit Assets, provided that such
investment consists exclusively of Deposit Assets and provided
further that the proceeds of any such investment will be
available at the opening of business on such Dividend Payment
Date.
3. Liquidation Rights.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the holders of shares of Series D Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, after
satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or
payment shall be made in respect of the Common Stock or any
other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the
Series D Preferred Stock as to liquidation payments, a
liquidation distribution in the amount of $25.00 per share
(the
Liquidation Preference
), plus an amount
equal to all unpaid dividends accumulated to and including the
date fixed for such distribution or payment (whether or not
earned or declared by the Corporation, but excluding interest
thereon), and such holders shall be entitled to no further
participation in any distribution or payment in connection with
any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
(b) If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the assets of the Corporation available for
distribution among the holders of all Outstanding shares of
Series D Preferred Stock, and any other Outstanding shares
of a class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation
ranking on a parity with the Series D Preferred Stock as to
payment upon liquidation, shall be insufficient to permit the
payment in full to such holders of Series D Preferred Stock
of the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated and unpaid
dividends and the amounts due upon liquidation with respect to
such other Preferred Stock, then such available assets shall be
distributed among the holders of shares of Series D
Preferred Stock and such other Preferred Stock ratably in
proportion to the respective preferential amounts to which they
are entitled. Unless and until the Liquidation Preference plus
accumulated and unpaid dividends has been paid in full to the
holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock, no dividends
or distributions will be made to holders of the Common Stock or
any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the
Series D Preferred Stock as to liquidation.
17
4. Redemption.
Shares of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be redeemed by
the Corporation as provided below:
(a) Mandatory Redemptions.
If the Corporation is required to redeem any shares of Preferred
Stock (which may include Series D Preferred Stock) pursuant
to paragraphs 6(b) or 6(c) of Article II hereof, then
the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act
and Maryland law, by the close of business on such Series D
Asset Coverage Cure Date or Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date
(herein collectively referred to as a
Cure
Date
), as the case may be, fix a redemption date and
proceed to redeem shares as set forth in paragraph 4(c)
hereof. On such redemption date, the Corporation shall redeem,
out of funds legally available therefor, the number of shares of
Preferred Stock, which, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act
and Maryland law, at the option of the Corporation may include
any proportion of Series D Preferred Stock or any other
series of Preferred Stock, equal to the minimum number of shares
the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred
immediately prior to the opening of business on such Cure Date,
would have resulted in the Corporation having Asset Coverage or
an Adjusted Value of its Moodys Eligible Assets equal to
or greater than the Basic Maintenance Amount, as the case may
be, immediately prior to the opening of business on such Cure
Date or, if Asset Coverage or an Adjusted Value of its Eligible
Assets equal to or greater than the Basic Maintenance Amount, as
the case may be, cannot be so restored, all of the Outstanding
shares of Series D Preferred Stock, at a price equal to
$25.00 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends
(whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation) through
the date of redemption (the
Redemption Price
). In the event that
shares of Preferred Stock are redeemed pursuant to
paragraphs 6(b) or 6(c) of Article II hereof, the
Corporation may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient
number of shares of Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to
this paragraph 4(a) which, when aggregated with other
shares of Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation, permits
the Corporation to have with respect to the shares of Preferred
Stock (including the Series D Preferred Stock) remaining
Outstanding after such redemption (i) Asset Coverage of as
much as 220% and (ii) Moodys Eligible Assets with
Adjusted Value of as great as 110% of the Basic Maintenance
Amount. In the event that all of the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock then Outstanding are required to be redeemed
pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article II hereof, the
Corporation shall redeem such shares at the
Redemption Price and proceed to do so as set forth in
paragraph 4(c) hereof.
(b) Optional Redemptions.
Prior to September 26, 2008, the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock are not subject to optional redemption by the
Corporation unless such redemption is necessary, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, to maintain the Corporations
status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Commencing
September 26, 2008 and thereafter, and prior thereto to the
extent necessary to maintain the Corporations status as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act and Maryland law, the Corporation may at any time upon
Notice of Redemption redeem the Series D Preferred Stock in
whole or in part at the Redemption Price per share, which
notice shall specify a redemption date of not fewer than
15 days nor more than 40 days after the date of such
notice.
(c) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) If the Corporation shall determine or be required to
redeem shares of Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to this
paragraph 4, it shall mail a written notice of redemption
(
Notice of Redemption
) with respect to such
redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder
of the shares to be redeemed at such holders address as
the same appears on the stock books of the Corporation on the
close of business on such date as the Board of Directors may
determine, which date shall not be earlier than the second
Business Day prior to the date upon which such Notice of
Redemption is mailed to the holders of Series D Preferred
Stock. Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (A) the
redemption date as established by the Board of Directors;
(B) the number of
18
shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be redeemed;
(C) the CUSIP number(s) of such shares; (D) the
Redemption Price (specifying the amount of accumulated
dividends to be included therein); (E) the place or places
where the certificate(s) for such shares (properly endorsed or
assigned for transfer, if the Board of Directors shall so
require and the Notice of Redemption shall so state) are to be
surrendered for payment in respect of such redemption;
(F) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease
to accrue on such redemption date; (G) the provisions of
this paragraph 4 under which such redemption is made; and
(H) in the case of a redemption pursuant to
paragraph 4(b), any conditions precedent to such
redemption. If fewer than all shares of Series D Preferred
Stock held by any holder are to be redeemed, the Notice of
Redemption mailed to such holder also shall specify the number
or percentage of shares to be redeemed from such holder. No
defect in the Notice of Redemption or the mailing thereof shall
affect the validity of the redemption proceedings, except as
required by applicable law.
(ii) If the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption,
then by the close of business on the Business Day preceding the
redemption date specified in the Notice of Redemption (so long
as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met)
or, if the Dividend-Disbursing Agent so agrees, another date not
later than the redemption date, the Corporation shall
(A) deposit with the Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit
Assets that shall mature on or prior to such redemption date
having an initial combined value sufficient to effect the
redemption of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock to be
redeemed and (B) give the Dividend-Disbursing Agent
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the holders of the shares of
Series D Preferred Stock called for redemption on the
redemption date. The Corporation may direct the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent with respect to the investment of any
Deposit Assets so deposited provided that the proceeds of any
such investment will be available at the opening of business on
such redemption date. Upon the date of such deposit (unless the
Corporation shall default in making payment of the
Redemption Price), all rights of the holders of the shares
of Series D Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall
cease and terminate except the right of the holders thereof to
receive the Redemption Price thereof and such shares shall
no longer be deemed Outstanding for any purpose. The Corporation
shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the date fixed for
redemption, any cash in excess of the aggregate
Redemption Price of the shares of Series D Preferred
Stock called for redemption on such date and any remaining
Deposit Assets. Any assets so deposited that are unclaimed at
the end of two years from such redemption date shall, to the
extent permitted by law, be repaid to the Corporation, after
which the holders of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock
so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for
payment of the Redemption Price thereof. The Corporation
shall be entitled to receive, from time to time after the date
fixed for redemption, any interest on the Deposit Assets so
deposited.
(iii) On or after the redemption date, each holder of
shares of Series D Preferred Stock that are subject to
redemption shall surrender the certificate evidencing such
shares to the Corporation at the place designated in the Notice
of Redemption and shall then be entitled to receive the cash
Redemption Price, without interest.
(iv) In the case of any redemption of less than all of the
shares of Series D Preferred Stock pursuant to these
Articles Supplementary, such redemption shall be made pro
rata from each holder of shares of Series D Preferred Stock
in accordance with the respective number of shares held by each
such holder on the record date for such redemption.
(v) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
paragraph 4, the Corporation shall not redeem shares of
Series D Preferred Stock unless all accumulated and unpaid
dividends on all Outstanding shares of Series D Preferred
Stock and other Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the
Series D Preferred Stock with respect to dividends for all
applicable past Dividend Periods (whether or not earned or
declared by the Corporation) shall have been or are
contemporaneously paid or declared and Deposit Assets for the
payment of such dividends shall have been deposited with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent as set forth in paragraph 2(c) of
Article II hereof, provided, however, that the
19
foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the successful
completion of an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer
made on the same terms to holders of all Outstanding shares of
Series D Preferred Stock.
If the Corporation shall not have funds legally available for
the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the
shares of the Series D Preferred Stock or other Preferred
Stock designated to be redeemed on any redemption date, the
Corporation shall redeem on such redemption date the number of
shares of Series D Preferred Stock and other Preferred
Stock so designated as it shall have legally available funds, or
is otherwise able, to redeem ratably on the basis of the
Redemption Price from each holder whose shares are to be
redeemed, and the remainder of the shares of the Series D
Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock designated to be
redeemed shall be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on
which the Corporation shall have funds legally available for the
redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon
Notice of Redemption.
5. Voting Rights.
(a) General.
Except as otherwise provided by law or as specified in the
Charter, each holder of shares of Series D Preferred Stock
and any other Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for
each share held on each matter submitted to a vote of
stockholders of the Corporation, and the holders of Outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock, including Series D Preferred
Stock, and of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a
single class;
provided, however
, that at any meeting of
the stockholders of the Corporation held for the election of
directors, the holders of Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,
including Series D Preferred Stock, 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 a
number of Corporations directors, such that following the
election of directors at the meeting of the stockholders, the
Corporations Board of Directors shall contain two
directors elected by the holders of the Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, including the Series D Preferred Stock.
Subject to paragraph 5(b) of Article II hereof, the
holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation, including the holders of Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, including the Series D Preferred Stock,
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 pursuant to paragraph 5(a) above,
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
pursuant to paragraph 5(a) above. The Corporation and the
Board of Directors shall take all necessary action, including
amending the Corporations bylaws, to effect an increase in
the number of directors as described in the preceding sentence.
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 Series D Preferred Stock 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 Dividend-Disbursing 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 or
Articles Supplementary creating such shares.
20
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 of Preferred Stock 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 Series D Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act)
of the shares of Preferred Stock Outstanding at the time, voting
separately as one class, amend, alter or repeal the provisions
of the Charter, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise,
so as to materially adversely affect any of the contract rights
expressly set forth in the Charter with respect to holders of
shares of Series D Preferred Stock 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 effect any of the actions
set forth in the preceding sentence which materially adversely
affects the contract rights expressly set forth in the Charter
with respect to a holder of shares of a series of Preferred
Stock 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 Preferred Stock
of each series materially adversely affected and Outstanding at
such time (each such materially adversely affected series voting
separately as a class to the extent its rights are affected
differently). The Corporation shall notify Moodys ten
Business Days prior to any such vote described above. Unless a
higher percentage is provided for under the Charter or
applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, including
Series D Preferred Stock, voting together as a single
class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization
adversely affecting such shares or any action requiring a vote
of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act.
For purposes of this paragraph 5(c), the phrase vote
of the holders of a majority of the Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock (or any like phrase) shall mean, in
accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the vote,
at the annual or a special meeting of the stockholders of the
Corporation duly called (i) of 67 percent or more of
the shares of Preferred Stock present at such meeting, if the
holders of more than 50 percent of the Outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock are present or represented by proxy; or
(ii) of more than 50 percent of the Outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock, whichever is less. The class vote of holders
of shares of Preferred Stock 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
Series D 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 Series D Preferred
Stock) pursuant to the Charter shall not in and of itself be
considered to adversely affect the contract rights of the
holders of Series D Preferred Stock. The provisions of this
paragraph 5(c) are subject to the provisions of
paragraph 6 of Article II hereof.
(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 Dividend-Disbursing 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 Dividend-Disbursing 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 day on which such
notice is mailed or such other date as the Board of Directors
shall determine. At any such special meeting and at each meeting
held during a Voting Period, such holders of Preferred Stock,
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 on a one-vote-per-share
basis. 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 90 days after the original record date.
21
(ii) For purposes of determining any rights of the holders
of Series D Preferred Stock 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 Series D Preferred Stock 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
of Preferred Stock, including Series D Preferred Stock, to
elect directors shall continue, notwithstanding the election at
such meeting by such holders of the number of directors that
they are entitled to elect, and the persons so elected by such
holders, together with the two incumbent directors elected by
the holders of Preferred Stock, including Series D
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) Upon the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms of
office of the additional directors elected by the holders of
Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall
expire and the remaining directors shall constitute the
directors of the Corporation and the voting rights of such
holders of Preferred Stock, including Series D Preferred
Stock, to elect additional directors pursuant to
paragraph 5(b) above shall cease, subject to the provisions
of the last sentence of paragraph 5(b). Upon the expiration
of the terms of the directors elected by the holders of
Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above, the
number of directors shall be automatically reduced to the number
and composition of directors on the Board immediately preceding
such Voting Period.
(e) Exclusive Remedy.
Unless otherwise required by law, the holders of shares of
Series D Preferred Stock shall not have any rights or
preferences other than those specifically set forth herein. The
holders of shares of Series D Preferred Stock 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
Series D Preferred Stock, 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 Moodys.
In the event a vote of holders of Series D Preferred Stock
is required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(a) of
the 1940 Act, as long as the Series D Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the Corporations request, the
Corporation shall, not later than ten Business Days prior to the
date on which such vote is to be taken, notify Moodys 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 Moodys of the result of such vote.
6. Coverage Tests.
(a) Determination of Compliance.
For so long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, the Corporation shall make the following
determinations:
(i) Asset Coverage. The Corporation shall have Asset
Coverage as of the last Business Day of each March, June,
September and December of each year in which any share of
Series D Preferred Stock is Outstanding.
(ii) Basic Maintenance Amount Requirement.
(A) For so long as any shares of Series D Preferred
Stock are Outstanding and are rated by Moodys at the
Corporations request, the Corporation shall maintain, on
each Valuation Date, Moodys Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount,
each as of such Valuation Date. Upon any failure to maintain
Moodys Eligible Assets having an Adjusted Value at least
equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall use
all commercially reasonable efforts to retain Moodys
Eligible Assets having an Adjusted Value at least
22
equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the Basic
Maintenance Amount Cure Date, by altering the composition of its
portfolio or otherwise.
(B) The Administrator shall prepare a Basic Maintenance
Report relating to each Valuation Date. On or before
5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the fifth Business Day
after the first Valuation Date following the Date of Original
Issue of the Series D Preferred Stock and after each
(1) Annual Valuation Date, (2) Valuation Date on which
the Corporation fails to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above, (3) Basic Maintenance
Amount Cure Date following a Valuation Date on which the
Corporation fails to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above and (4) Valuation Date and
any immediately succeeding Business Day on which the Adjusted
Value of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets
exceeds the Basic Maintenance Amount by 5% or less, the
Corporation shall complete and deliver to Moodys a Basic
Maintenance Report, which will be deemed to have been delivered
to Moodys if Moodys receives a copy or telecopy,
telex or other electronic transcription or transmission of the
Basic Maintenance Report and on the same day the Corporation
mails to Moodys for delivery on the next Business Day the
Basic Maintenance Report. A failure by the Corporation to
deliver a Basic Maintenance Report under this
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) shall be deemed to be delivery of a
Basic Maintenance Report indicating an Adjusted Value of the
Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets less than the
Basic Maintenance Amount, as of the relevant Valuation Date.
(C) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery to
Moodys of a Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above relating to an Annual Valuation
Date, the Corporation shall deliver to Moodys an
Accountants Confirmation relating to such Basic
Maintenance Report that was prepared by the Corporation during
the quarter ending on such Annual Valuation Date. Also, within
ten Business Days after the date of delivery to Moodys of
a Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above relating to a Valuation Date on
which the Corporation fails to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) and any Basic Maintenance Amount Cure
Date, the Corporation shall deliver to Moodys an
Accountants Confirmation relating to such Basic
Maintenance Report.
(D) In the event the Adjusted Value of the
Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets shown in any
Basic Maintenance Report prepared pursuant to
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above is less than the applicable
Basic Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall have until the
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date to achieve an Adjusted Value
of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets at least
equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and upon such achievement
(and not later than such Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date) the
Corporation shall inform Moodys of such achievement in
writing by delivery of a revised Basic Maintenance Report
showing an Adjusted Value of the Corporations Moodys
Eligible Assets at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount
as of the date of such revised Basic Maintenance Report.
(E) On or before 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on no
later than the fifth Business Day after the next Valuation Date
following each date on which the Corporation has repurchased
more than 1% of its Common Stock since the most recent date of
delivery of a Basic Maintenance Report, the Corporation shall
complete and deliver to Moodys a Basic Maintenance Report.
A Basic Maintenance Report delivered as provided in
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above also shall be deemed to have
been delivered pursuant to this paragraph 6(a)(ii)(E).
(b) Failure to Meet Asset Coverage.
If the Corporation fails to have Asset Coverage as provided in
paragraph 6(a)(i) hereof and such failure is not cured as
of the related Series D Asset Coverage Cure Date,
(i) the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption as
described in paragraph 4 of Article II hereof with
respect to the redemption of a sufficient number of shares of
Preferred Stock, which at the Corporations determination
(to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Maryland law) may
include any proportion of Series D Preferred Stock, to
enable it to meet the requirements of paragraph 6(a)(i)
above, and, at the Corporations discretion, such
additional number of shares
23
of Series D Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock in
order that the Corporation have Asset Coverage with respect to
the shares of Series D Preferred Stock and any other
Preferred Stock remaining Outstanding after such redemption as
great as 220%, and (ii) deposit with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit Securities having an initial
combined value sufficient to effect the redemption of the shares
of Series D Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock to be
redeemed, as contemplated by paragraph 4(a) of
Article II hereof.
(c) Failure to Maintain Moodys Eligible Assets having
an Adjusted Value at Least Equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount.
If the Corporation fails to have Moodys Eligible Assets
having an Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance
Amount as provided in paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above and such
failure is not cured, the Corporation shall, on or prior to the
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date, (i) give a Notice of
Redemption as described in paragraph 4 of Article II
hereof with respect to the redemption of a sufficient number of
shares of Series D Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock
to enable it to meet the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above, and, at the Corporations
discretion, such additional number of shares of Series D
Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock in order that the
Corporation have Adjusted Assets with respect to the remaining
shares of Series D Preferred Stock and any other Preferred
Stock remaining Outstanding after such redemption as great as
110% of the Basic Maintenance Amount, and (ii) deposit with
the Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit Assets having an initial
combined value sufficient to effect the redemption of the shares
of Series D Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock to be
redeemed, as contemplated by paragraph 4(a) of
Article II hereof.
(d) Status of Shares Called for Redemption.
For purposes of determining whether the requirements of
paragraphs 6(a)(i) and 6(a)(ii)(A) hereof are satisfied,
(i) no share of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be
deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of any computation if,
prior to or concurrently with such determination, sufficient
Deposit Assets to pay the full Redemption Price for such
share shall have been deposited in trust with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent (or applicable paying agent) and the
requisite Notice of Redemption shall have been given, and
(ii) such Deposit Assets deposited with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent (or paying agent) shall not be
included.
7. Certain Other Restrictions.
(a) For so long as the Series D Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the request of the Corporation, the
Corporation will not, and will cause the Adviser not to,
(i) knowingly and willfully purchase or sell any asset for
the specific purpose of causing, and with the actual knowledge
that the effect of such purchase or sale will be to cause, the
Corporation to have Moodys Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value as of the date of such purchase or sale to be
less than the Basic Maintenance Amount as of such date,
(ii) in the event that, as of the immediately preceding
Valuation Date, the Adjusted Value of the Corporations
Moodys Eligible Assets exceeded the Basic Maintenance
Amount by 5% or less, alter the composition of the
Corporations assets in a manner reasonably expected to
reduce the Adjusted Value of the Corporations Moodys
Eligible Assets, unless the Corporation shall have confirmed
that, after giving effect to such alteration, the Adjusted Value
of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets exceeded
the Basic Maintenance Amount or (iii) declare or pay any
dividend or other distribution on any shares of Common Stock or
repurchase any shares of Common Stock, unless the Corporation
shall have confirmed that, after giving effect to such
declaration, other distribution or repurchase, the Corporation
continued to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) of Article II hereof.
(b) For so long as the Series D Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the request of the Corporation, unless
the Corporation shall have received written confirmation from
Moodys, the Corporation may engage in the lending of its
portfolio securities only in an amount of up to 5% of the
Corporations total assets, provided that the Corporation
receives cash collateral for such loaned securities which is
maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of
the current market value of the loaned securities and, if
invested, is invested only in Short-Term Money Market
Investments or in money market mutual funds meeting the
requirements of
Rule 2a-7
under the 1940 Act that maintain a constant
24
$1.00 per share net asset value and treat the loaned
securities rather than the collateral as the assets of the
Corporation for purposes of determining compliance with
paragraph 6 of Article II hereof.
(c) For so long as the Series D Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the request of the Corporation, the
Corporation shall not consolidate the Corporation with, merge
the Corporation into, sell or otherwise transfer all or
substantially all of the Corporations assets to another
Person or adopt a plan of liquidation of the Corporation, in
each case without providing prior written notification to
Moodys.
8. Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness and
Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock
(a) So long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock
are Outstanding the Corporation may issue and sell one or more
series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation
representing indebtedness under Section 18 of the 1940 Act
and/or
otherwise create or incur indebtedness, provided that
immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such
indebtedness and to its receipt and application of the proceeds
thereof, the Corporation shall have an asset
coverage for all senior securities representing
indebtedness, as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act,
of at least 300% of the amount of all indebtedness of the
Corporation then Outstanding and no such additional indebtedness
shall have any preference or priority over any other
indebtedness of the Corporation upon the distribution of the
assets of the Corporation or in respect of the payment of
interest. Any possible liability resulting from lending
and/or
borrowing portfolio securities, entering into reverse repurchase
agreements, entering into futures contracts and writing options,
to the extent such transactions are made in accordance with the
investment restrictions of the Corporation then in effect, shall
not be considered to be indebtedness limited by this
paragraph 8(a).
(b) So long as any shares of Series D Preferred Stock
are Outstanding, the Corporation may issue and sell shares of
one or more other series of Preferred Stock constituting a
series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation
representing stock under Section 18 of the 1940 Act in
addition to the shares of Series D Preferred Stock,
provided that (i) the Corporation shall, immediately after
giving effect to the issuance of such additional Preferred Stock
and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof,
including, without limitation, to the redemption of Preferred
Stock for which a Redemption Notice has been mailed prior
to such issuance, have an asset coverage for all
senior securities which are stock, as defined in
Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum
of the liquidation preference of the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock and all other Preferred Stock of the Corporation
then Outstanding, and (ii) no such additional Preferred
Stock shall have any preference or priority over any other
Preferred Stock of the Corporation upon the distribution of the
assets of the Corporation or in respect of the payment of
dividends.
ARTICLE III
ABILITY OF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MODIFY THE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
The calculation of Adjusted Value, Basic Maintenance Amount and
the elements of each of them and the definitions of such terms
and elements may be modified by action of the Board of Directors
without further action by the stockholders if the Board of
Directors determines that such modification is necessary to
prevent a reduction in rating of the shares of Preferred Stock
by Moodys or is in the best interests of the holders of
shares of Common Stock and is not adverse to the holders of
Preferred Stock in view of advice to the Corporation by
Moodys that such modification would not adversely affect
its then-current rating of the shares of Series D Preferred
Stock. To the extent the Corporation is unable to obtain an
opinion of counsel to the effect that operation of the foregoing
sentence is enforceable in the circumstances then obtaining, the
calculation of Adjusted Value, Basic Maintenance Amount and the
elements of each of them and the definitions of such terms and
the elements thereof shall be adjusted from time to time without
further action by the Board of Directors and the stockholders
only to reflect changes made thereto independently by
Moodys (if Moodys is then rating the Series D
Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation) if
Moodys has advised the Corporation in writing separately
(a) of such adjustments and (b) that the revised
calculation
25
definition would not cause Moodys to reduce or withdraw
its then-current rating of the shares of Series D Preferred
Stock. The adjustments contemplated by the preceding sentence
shall be made effective upon the time the Corporation receives
the notice from Moodys to the effect specified in
clause (b) of the preceding sentence. Any such modification
may be rescinded or further modified by action of the Board of
Directors and the stockholders.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, to
the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors, without the
vote of the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock or any
other capital stock of the Corporation, may amend the provisions
of these Articles Supplementary to resolve any
inconsistency or ambiguity or to remedy any formal defect so
long as the amendment does not materially adversely affect any
of the contract rights of holders of shares of the Series D
Preferred Stock or any other capital stock of the Corporation or
adversely affect the then-current rating on the Series D
Preferred Stock by Moodys.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. has caused
these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by a
duly authorized 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 that to the best of
their knowledge, information and belief under penalty of perjury
the matters and facts herein set forth with respect to approval
are true in all material respects, all on October 3, 2003.
THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
By:
/s/ Gus
A. Coutsorous
Name: Gus A. Coutsorous
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
Attest:
Name: James E. McKee
Title: Secretary
26
Exhibit
2(a)(v)
THE
GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
CREATING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS OF
SERIES E AUCTION RATE PREFERRED STOCK
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation having its
principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland (the
Corporation
), hereby certifies to the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland
that:
FIRST: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, at a meeting
duly convened and held on May 14, 2003, pursuant to
authority expressly vested in it by Article V of the
Charter of the Corporation, adopted resolutions authorizing the
issuance and designation of up to 6,006,000 shares of
preferred stock as a new series of fixed rate preferred and one
or more series of auction rate preferred stock at such times as
the Pricing Committee should determine.
SECOND: The Pricing Committee, at a meeting duly convened and
held on October 2, 2003, pursuant to authority granted it
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at its May 14,
2003 meeting, approved the designation and issuance by the
Corporation of 2,000 shares of Series E Auction Rate
Cumulative Preferred Stock.
THIRD: The preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and
conditions of redemption of the Series E Auction Rate
Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, as set by the
Board of Directors are as follows:
DESIGNATION
Series E Preferred Stock: A series of 2,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, is hereby
designated Series E Auction Rate Preferred
Stock (the
Series E Preferred
Stock
). Each share of Series E Preferred Stock
may be issued on a date to be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation; have an initial dividend rate per
annum, an initial Dividend Period and an initial Dividend
Payment Date as shall be determined in advance of the issuance
thereof by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; and have
such other preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption, in addition to those required by
applicable law or set forth in the Charter applicable to
Preferred Stock of the Corporation, as are set forth in these
Articles Supplementary. The Series E Preferred Stock
shall constitute a separate series of Preferred Stock.
As used in these Articles Supplementary, unless the context
requires otherwise, each capitalized term shall have the meaning
ascribed to it in paragraph 13 of Article I and
paragraph 1 of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary. Paragraph references that do not
reference a specific Article shall refer to the Article in which
the reference occurs, unless the context requires otherwise.
Article I:
Series E
Preferred Stock Terms
1. Number of Shares; Ranking.
(a) The initial number of authorized shares constituting
the Series E Preferred Stock to be issued is 2,000. No
fractional shares of Series E Preferred Stock shall be
issued.
(b) Shares of Series E Preferred Stock which at any
time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall,
after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized
but unissued shares of Preferred Stock.
(c) The Series E Preferred Stock shall rank on a
parity with any other series of Preferred Stock as to the
payment of dividends and liquidation preference to which such
stock is entitled.
1
(d) No Holder of Series E Preferred Stock shall have,
solely by reason of being such a holder, any preemptive or other
right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares of any
Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities of the
Corporation which it may hereafter issue or sell.
2. Dividends.
(a) The Holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, cumulative
cash dividends on their shares of Series E Preferred Stock
at the dividend rate determined by the Board of Directors in the
manner described under Designation above during the
period from and after the date on which such shares are
originally issued up to and including the last day of the
initial Dividend Period and, thereafter, at the rate, determined
as set forth in paragraph 2(c), and no more, payable on the
respective dates determined as set forth in paragraph 2(b).
Dividends on the Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock shall accumulate from the date on which such shares are
originally issued.
(i) Dividends shall be payable when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors following the initial Dividend Payment
Date, subject to paragraph 2(b)(ii), on the Series E
Preferred Stock as follows:
(A) with respect to any Dividend Period of one year or
less, on the first Business Day following the last day of such
Dividend Period; provided, however, if the Dividend Period is
more than 91 days then on the 91st, 181st and
271st days within such period, if applicable, and on the
first Business Day following the last day of such Dividend
Period; and
(B) with respect to any Dividend Period of more than one
year, on a quarterly basis on each March 26th,
June 26th, September 26th and
December 26th within such Dividend Period and on the
first Business Day following the last day of such Dividend
Period.
(ii) If a day for payment of dividends resulting from the
application of paragraph 2(b)(i) above is not a Business
Day, then the Dividend Payment Date shall be the first Business
Day following such day for payment of dividends.
(iii) The Corporation shall pay to the Paying Agent not
later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day
immediately preceding each Dividend Payment Date for
Series E Preferred Stock, an aggregate amount of
immediately available funds equal to the dividends to be paid to
all Holders of such Series E Preferred Stock on such
Dividend Payment Date. The Corporation shall not be required to
establish any reserves for the payment of dividends.
(iv) All moneys paid to the Paying Agent for the payment of
dividends shall be held in trust for the payment of such
dividends by the Paying Agent for the benefit of the Holders
specified in paragraph 2(b)(v). Unless instructed by the
Corporation in writing the Paying Agent will hold such moneys
uninvested. Any moneys paid to the Paying Agent in accordance
with the foregoing but not applied by the Paying Agent to the
payment of dividends, including interest earned, if any, on such
moneys, will, to the extent permitted by law, be repaid to the
Corporation at the end of 90 days from the date on which
such moneys were to have been so applied.
(v) Each dividend on Series E Preferred Stock shall be
paid on the Dividend Payment Date therefor to the Holders of
Series E Preferred Stock as their names appear on the stock
ledger or stock records of the Corporation on the Business Day
immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date; provided,
however, that if dividends are in arrears, they may be declared
and paid at any time to Holders as their names appear on the
stock ledger or stock records of the Corporation on such date
not exceeding 15 days preceding the payment date thereof,
as may be fixed by the Board of Directors. No interest will be
payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments which may
be in arrears.
(vi) For each Dividend Period after the initial Dividend
Period for the Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock, the dividend rate shall be equal to the rate (stated as a
rate per annum) that results from an Auction (but the rate set
at the Auction will not exceed the Maximum Rate); provided,
however, that if an Auction for any subsequent Dividend Period
of Series E Preferred Stock is not held for any reason
2
(other than as provided in the immediately following sentence)
or if Sufficient Clearing Bids have not been made in an Auction
(other than as a result of all shares of Series E Preferred
Stock being the subject of Submitted Hold Orders), then the
dividend rate on each Outstanding share of Series E
Preferred Stock for any such Dividend Period shall be the
Maximum Rate, except as provided in 2(c)(ii) below. If an
Auction is not held because an unforeseen event or unforeseen
events cause a day that otherwise would have been an Auction
Date not to be a Business Day, then the length of the
then-current Dividend Period shall be extended by seven days (or
a multiple thereof if necessary because of such unforeseen event
or events), the Applicable Rate for such period shall be the
Applicable Rate for the Dividend Period so extended and the
Dividend Payment Date for such Dividend Period shall be the
first Business Day immediately succeeding the end of such period.
(vii) Subject to the cure provisions in
paragraph 2(c)(iii) below, a Default Period with respect to
the Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock will
commence if the Corporation fails to deposit irrevocably in
trust in same-day funds, with the Paying Agent by 12:00 noon,
New York City time on the Business Day immediately preceding the
relevant Dividend Payment Date, the full amount of any declared
dividend on the Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock then payable on that Dividend Payment Date (a
Dividend Default
).
Subject to the cure provisions of paragraph 2(c)(iii)
below, a Default Period with respect to a Dividend Default or a
Redemption Default shall end on the Business Day on which,
by 12:00 noon, New York City time, all unpaid dividends and any
unpaid Redemption Price in respect of such shares of
Series E Preferred Stock shall have been deposited
irrevocably in trust in same-day funds with the Paying Agent. In
the case of a Default Period, the following shall apply:
A. Each Dividend Period that commences during a Default
Period will be a Standard Dividend Period.
B. The dividend rate for each Dividend Period that
commences and concludes during a Default Period will be equal to
the Default Rate.
C. In the event a Holder sells Series E Preferred
Stock at an Auction that takes place on the day a Dividend
Default occurs and the Default is not cured in accordance with
paragraph 2(c)(iii) below, such former Holder shall be
entitled to receive the Default Rate with respect to the shares
of Series E Preferred Stock such Holder sold at the Auction
for the Dividend Period with respect to which the Default
occurred.
D. In the event a Dividend Period commences during a
Default Period and such Dividend Period continues after such
Default Period has ended (a) the dividend rate for the
portion of such Dividend Period that occurs during the Default
Period will be the Default Rate and (b) the dividend rate
for the portion of such Dividend Period that falls outside the
Default Period will be (i) the Applicable Rate, in the case
of the first Dividend Period following a Default, or
(ii) the Maximum Rate, in the case of any other Dividend
Period commencing during a Default Period.
E. The commencement of a Default Period will not by itself
cause the commencement of a new Dividend Period.
F. No Auction will be held during an applicable Default
Period; provided, however, that if a Default Period shall end
prior to the end of a Standard Dividend Period that had
commenced during such Default Period, an Auction will be held on
the last day of such Standard Dividend Period.
(viii) No Default Period with respect to a Dividend Default
or Redemption Default shall be deemed to have commenced,
unless such default is due solely to the willful failure of the
Corporation, if the amount of any dividend or any
Redemption Price due is deposited irrevocably in trust in
same-day funds with the Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York
City time within three Business Days after the applicable
Dividend Payment Date or Redemption Date, together with an
amount in respect of such shares of Series E Preferred
Stock equal to the Default Rate applied to the amount of such
non-payment
3
based on the actual number of days that would otherwise have
comprised the Default Period divided by 360. The
Default Rate
shall be equal to the Reference
Rate multiplied by three (3).
(ix) The amount of dividends per share of Series E
Preferred Stock payable (if declared) on each Dividend Payment
Date of each Dividend Period of less than one year (or in
respect of dividends on another date in connection with a
redemption during such Dividend Period) shall be computed by
multiplying the relevant Applicable Rate, Default Rate or
Maximum Rate, as the case may be, for such Dividend Period (or a
portion thereof) by a fraction, the numerator of which will be
the number of days in such Dividend Period (or portion thereof)
that such share of Series E Preferred Stock was Outstanding
and for which the Applicable Rate, Maximum Rate or the Default
Rate was applicable (but in no event shall the numerator exceed
360) 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. During any Dividend Period of one
year or more, the amount of dividends per share of Series E
Preferred Stock payable on any Dividend Payment Date (or in
respect of dividends on another date in connection with a
redemption during such Dividend Period) will be computed as
described in the preceding sentence except that the numerator,
with respect to any full twelve month period, will be 360.
(b) Any dividend payment made on shares of Series E
Preferred Stock shall first be credited against the earliest
accumulated but unpaid dividends due with respect to such shares.
(c) For so long as shares of the Series E Preferred
Stock are Outstanding, except as otherwise contemplated by
Article I of these Articles Supplementary, the
Corporation shall not pay 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
Series E Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon
liquidation) with respect to Common Stock or any other capital
stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series E
Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, or call for
redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any Common Stock or other capital stock ranking
junior to the Series E Preferred Stock (except by
conversion into or exchange for shares of the Corporation
ranking junior to the Series E Preferred Stock as to
dividends and upon liquidation), unless, in each case,
(i) immediately after such transaction, the Corporation
would have Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at
least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount and Asset Coverage
would be achieved, (ii) all cumulative and unpaid dividends
due on or prior to the date of the transaction have been
declared and paid in full with respect to the Corporations
Preferred Stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock (or
shall have been declared and sufficient funds for the payment
thereof deposited with the applicable Paying Agent) and
(iii) the Corporation has redeemed the full number of
shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed mandatorily pursuant to
any provision for mandatory redemption contained herein,
including, without limitation, any such provision contained in
paragraph 3(a)(ii).
(d) No full dividends shall be declared or paid on the
Series E Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period or part
thereof, unless full cumulative dividends due through the most
recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor for all Outstanding
series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity
with the Series E Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid
through the most recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor. If full
cumulative dividends due have not been paid on all Outstanding
shares of such Preferred Stock, any dividends being paid on such
shares of Preferred Stock (including the Series E Preferred
Stock) will be paid as nearly pro rata as possible in proportion
to the respective amounts of dividends accumulated but unpaid on
each such series of Preferred Stock then Outstanding on the
relevant Dividend Payment Date.
3. Redemption.
(i)
Optional Redemption.
After the
initial Dividend Period, subject to any Non-Call Period and the
provisions of this paragraph 3 and to the extent permitted
under the 1940 Act and Maryland law, the Corporation may, at its
option, redeem in whole or in part out of funds legally
available therefor, shares of Series E Preferred Stock by
delivering a notice of redemption not less than 7 calendar days
and not more than 40 calendar days prior to the
Redemption Date at the applicable Redemption Price.
Notwithstanding the
4
foregoing, the Corporation shall not give a notice of any
redemption pursuant to this paragraph 3(a)(i) unless, on
the date on which the Corporation gives such notice (x) the
Corporation reasonably believes that, assuming the fulfillment
of any conditions precedent specified in such notice, it will be
able to deposit with the Paying Agent when due Deposit Assets
with maturity or tender dates not later than the day preceding
the applicable Redemption Date and having a value not less
than the Redemption Price due to Holders of the
Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed on the
Redemption Date and (y) the Corporation would have
Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value at least
equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount and Asset Coverage
immediately subsequent to such redemption, if such redemption
were to occur on such date, it being understood that the
provisions of paragraph 3(d) shall be applicable in such
circumstances in the event the Corporation makes the deposit and
takes the other action required thereby.
(ii)
Mandatory Redemption.
So long as
shares of Series E Preferred Stock are Outstanding, if the
Corporation fails (A) as of any Valuation Date to meet the
Basic Maintenance Test and such failure is not cured by the
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date or (B) as of any
Quarterly Valuation Date to meet Asset Coverage and such failure
is not cured by the Series E Asset Coverage Cure Date or
(C) as of any valuation or measuring date applicable to any
other series of Preferred Stock to meet any applicable
maintenance amount test and such failure is not cured by the
relevant cure date (any such cure date, together with any Basic
Maintenance Amount Cure Date or Series E Asset Coverage
Cure Date, a
Cure Date
), Preferred Stock,
which at the Corporations determination may include
Series E Preferred Stock, will be subject to mandatory
redemption out of funds legally available therefor. The series
and number of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed in such
circumstances will be determined by the Corporation, subject to
the limitations of the 1940 Act and Maryland law, from among all
series of Preferred Stock then Outstanding and may include any
proportion of Series E Preferred Stock or any other series
of Preferred Stock. The amount of Preferred Stock to be
mandatorily redeemed under such circumstances shall, in the
aggregate, equal the lesser of (1) the minimum amount of
Preferred Stock (including the Series E Preferred Stock if
so determined by the Corporation) the redemption of which, if
deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of
business on the relevant Cure Date, would result in the
Corporation meeting, as the case may be, the Basic Maintenance
Test, Asset Coverage and any other then applicable maintenance
amount test, in each case as of the relevant Cure Date (provided
that, if there is no such minimum amount of Preferred Stock the
redemption of which would have such result, all Series E
Preferred Stock then Outstanding will be redeemed), and
(2) the maximum amount of Preferred Stock that can be
redeemed out of funds expected to be available therefor on the
Mandatory Redemption Date at the applicable
Redemption Price; provided, that in the event that
Preferred Stock is redeemed mandatorily pursuant to this
paragraph 3, the Corporation may, but is not required to,
redeem a sufficient amount of additional shares of Series E
Preferred Stock, which when aggregated with other shares of
Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation, permits the
Corporation to have (x) Eligible Assets with Adjusted Value
with respect to the Preferred Stock remaining Outstanding of as
great as 110% of the Basic Maintenance Amount and (y) Asset
Coverage with respect to the Preferred Stock remaining
Outstanding of as much as 220%.
(iii) Subject to the Articles Supplementary
establishing each series of Preferred Stock and the 1940 Act,
the Corporation may determine the shares and series of Preferred
Stock to be redeemed in accordance with the
paragraph 3(a)(ii) above, subject to the further provisions
of this paragraph 3(a)(iii). The Corporation shall effect
any mandatory redemption of Series E Preferred Stock
relating to: (A) a failure to meet the Basic Maintenance
Test or a failure to meet Asset Coverage, no later than eight
days following such Cure Date, provided, that if such eighth day
is not a Business Day, such redemption will occur not later than
the close of business on the next Business Day or (B) a
failure to meet any other then applicable maintenance amount
test in accordance with the requirements of such test (in each
case the date specified for such redemption being, the
Mandatory Redemption Date
), except that
if the Corporation does not have funds legally available for the
redemption of, or is not otherwise legally permitted to redeem,
the amount of Preferred Stock which would be mandatorily
redeemed by the Corporation under subparagraph 3(a)(ii) if
sufficient funds were available, or the Corporation otherwise is
unable to effect such redemption on or prior to the applicable
Mandatory Redemption Date, the Corporation shall redeem on
such redemption date the number of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock with respect to which
it has given notice of redemption as
5
it shall have legally available funds, or is otherwise able, to
redeem ratably on the basis of Redemption Price from each
holder whose shares are to be redeemed and the remainder of the
Series E Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock which it
was unable to redeem on the earliest practicable date on which
the Corporation will have such funds available upon notice, in
the case of Series E Preferred Stock pursuant to
paragraph 3(b) to Holders of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock to be redeemed. The Corporation will deposit
with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to redeem the specified
number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject to a
redemption under this paragraph 3(a) by 12:00 noon, New
York City time, of the Business Day immediately preceding the
redemption date. If fewer than all of the Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the number of
shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall be
redeemed pro rata from the Holders of such shares in proportion
to the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by
such Holders, by lot or by such other method as the Corporation
shall deem fair and equitable, subject, however, to the terms of
any applicable Specific Redemption Provisions.
(b) In the event of a redemption of Series E Preferred
Stock pursuant to paragraph 3(a) above, the Corporation
will have filed or will file a notice of its intention to redeem
with the Commission, in either case so as to provide at least
the minimum notice required under
Rule 23c-2
under the 1940 Act or any successor provision. In addition, the
Corporation shall deliver a notice of redemption to the Auction
Agent (the
Notice of Redemption
) containing
the information set forth below (i) in the case of an
optional redemption pursuant to paragraph 3(a)(i) above,
one Business Day prior to the giving of notice to the Holders
and (ii) in the case of a mandatory redemption pursuant to
paragraph 3(a)(ii) above, on or prior to the 7th day
preceding the Mandatory Redemption Date. The Auction Agent
will use its reasonable efforts to provide telephonic,
electronic or written notice to each Holder of any shares of
Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption not later
than the close of business on the Business Day immediately
following the day on which the Corporation determines the shares
to be redeemed (or, during a Default Period with respect to such
shares, not later than the close of business on the Business Day
immediately following the day on which the Auction Agent
receives Notice of Redemption from the Corporation). The Auction
Agent shall confirm a telephonic notice in writing not later
than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding
the date fixed for redemption by providing the Notice of
Redemption to each Holder of shares called for redemption, the
Paying Agent (if different from the Auction Agent) and the
Securities Depository. Notice of Redemption will be addressed to
the Holders of Series E Preferred Stock at their addresses
appearing on the share records of the Corporation. Such Notice
of Redemption will set forth (s) the date fixed for
redemption, (t) the number or percentage of shares of
Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed, (u) the CUSIP
number(s) of such shares, (v) the Redemption Price
(specifying the amount of accumulated dividends to be included
therein) and any applicable redemption premium, (w) the
place or places where such shares are to be redeemed,
(x) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease
to accumulate on such date fixed for redemption, (y) the
provision of these Articles Supplementary under which
redemption shall be made, and (z) in the case of a
redemption pursuant to paragraph 3(a)(i), any conditions
precedent to such redemption. If fewer than all the Outstanding
shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by any Holder are
to be redeemed, the Notice of Redemption mailed to such Holder
shall also specify the number or percentage of shares of
Series E Preferred Stock to be redeemed from such Holder.
No defect in the Notice of Redemption or in the transmittal or
mailing thereof will affect the validity of the redemption
proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 3(a),
the Corporation shall not redeem shares of Preferred Stock
unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends on all Outstanding
shares of Series E Preferred Stock and other Preferred
Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E Preferred Stock
with respect to dividends for all applicable past Dividend
Periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation)
have been or are contemporaneously paid or declared and Deposit
Assets for the payment of such dividends have been deposited
with the Paying Agent; provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the successful completion
of an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the
same terms to holders of all Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock.
6
(d) Upon the deposit of funds sufficient to redeem shares
of Series E Preferred Stock with the Paying Agent and the
giving of the Notice of Redemption to the Auction Agent under
paragraph 3(b) above, such shares shall no longer be deemed
to be Outstanding for any purpose (including, without
limitation, for purposes of calculating whether the Corporation
has met the Basic Maintenance Test or Asset Coverage), and all
rights of the Holders of the shares of Series E Preferred
Stock so called for redemption shall cease and terminate, except
the right of such Holder to receive the applicable
Redemption Price, but without any interest or other
additional amount. Such Redemption Price shall be paid by
the Paying Agent to the nominee of the Securities Depository.
The Corporation shall be entitled to receive from the Paying
Agent, promptly after the date fixed for redemption, any cash
deposited with the Paying Agent in excess of (i) the
aggregate Redemption Price of the shares of Series E
Preferred Stock called for redemption on such date and
(ii) such other amounts, if any, to which Holders of the
Series E Preferred Stock called for redemption may be
entitled. Any funds so deposited that are unclaimed at the end
of two years from such redemption date shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be paid to the Corporation, after which time
the Holders of shares of Series E Preferred Stock so called
for redemption may look only to the Corporation for payment of
the Redemption Price and all other amounts, if any, to
which they may be entitled; provided, however, that the Paying
Agent shall notify all Holders whose funds are unclaimed by
placing a notice in
The Wall Street Journal
concerning
the availability of such funds for three consecutive weeks. The
Corporation shall be entitled to receive, from time to time
after the date fixed for redemption, any interest earned on the
funds so deposited.
(e) A Default Period with respect to the Outstanding shares
of Series E Preferred Stock will commence if the
Corporation fails to deposit irrevocably in trust in same-day
funds, with the Paying Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time
on the Business Day preceding the redemption date specified in
the Notice of Redemption (the
Redemption Date
) or on such later date
as the Paying Agent shall authorize, the full amount of any
Redemption Price payable on such Redemption Date (a
Redemption Default
); provided, that no
Redemption Default shall be deemed to have occurred in
respect of Series E Preferred Stock when the related
redemption notice provides that the redemption of such
Series E Preferred Stock is subject to one or more
conditions precedent and each such condition precedent shall not
have been satisfied at the time or times or in the manner
specified in such Notice of Redemption. To the extent a
Redemption Default occurs with respect to Series E
Preferred Stock or that any redemption for which Notice of
Redemption has been given is otherwise prohibited, such
redemption shall be made as soon as practicable to the extent
such funds become legally available or such redemption is no
longer otherwise prohibited. Notwithstanding the fact that a
Redemption Default has occurred and is continuing or that the
Corporation has otherwise failed to redeem shares of
Series E Preferred Stock for which a Notice of Redemption
has been given, dividends may be declared and if so declared
will be paid on Series E Preferred Stock, which shall
include those shares of Series E Preferred Stock for which
Notice of Redemption has been given but for which deposit of
funds has not been made.
(f) All moneys paid to the Paying Agent for payment of the
Redemption Price of shares of Series E Preferred Stock
called for redemption shall be held in trust by the Paying Agent
for the benefit of Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock
so to be redeemed. A Redemption Default will occur on account of
the Corporations failure to timely deposit any required
Redemption Price with the Paying Agent and any resulting Default
Period will end in accordance with paragraph 2(c)(ii).
(g) So long as the Series E Preferred Stock is held of
record by the nominee of the Securities Depository, the
Redemption Price for such shares will be paid on the date fixed
for redemption to the nominee of the Securities Depository for
distribution to agent members for distribution to the Persons
for whom they are acting as agent.
(h) Except for the provisions described above, nothing
contained in these Articles Supplementary limits any right of
the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire Series E
Preferred Stock outside of an Auction at any price, whether
higher or lower than the price that would be paid in connection
with an optional or mandatory redemption, so long as, at the
time of any such purchase, there is no arrearage in the payment
of dividends on, or the Redemption Price with respect to, any
shares of Series E Preferred Stock for which
7
Notice of Redemption has been given and the Corporation meets
Asset Coverage and the Basic Maintenance Test after giving
effect to such purchase or acquisition on the date thereof. Any
shares of Series E Preferred Stock which are purchased,
redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall have no
voting rights. If fewer than all the Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock are redeemed or otherwise acquired
by the Corporation, the Corporation shall give notice of such
transaction to the Auction Agent.
(i) In the case of any redemption pursuant to this
paragraph 3, only whole shares of Series E Preferred
Stock shall be redeemed, and in the event that any provision of
the Charter would require redemption of a fractional share, the
Auction Agent shall be authorized to round up so that only whole
shares are redeemed.
(j) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
Board of Directors may authorize, create or issue other series
of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the Series E
Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the
distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation, to the extent permitted by
the 1940 Act, if upon issuance of any such series, either
(i) the net proceeds from the sale of such stock (or such
portion thereof needed to redeem or repurchase the Outstanding
shares of Series E Preferred Stock) are deposited with the
Auction Agent, Notice of Redemption as contemplated by
paragraph 3(b) has been delivered prior thereto or is sent
promptly thereafter, and such proceeds are used to redeem all
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock or
(ii) the Corporation would meet Asset Coverage, the Basic
Maintenance Test and the requirements of paragraph 9
immediately following such issuance and any redemption of
Preferred Stock (which may include a portion of the
Series E Preferred Stock) to be effected with the proceeds
of such issuance.
4. Designation of Dividend Period.
(a) The initial Dividend Period for the Series E
Preferred Stock shall be as determined in the manner under
Designation above. The Corporation shall designate
the duration of subsequent Dividend Periods of the Series E
Preferred Stock; provided, however, that no such designation
shall be necessary for a Standard Dividend Period and, provided
further, that any designation of a Special Dividend Period for
the Series E Preferred shall be effective only if
(i) notice thereof shall have been given as provided
herein, (ii) any failure to pay in a timely manner to the
Auction Agent the full amount of any dividend on, or the
Redemption Price of, the Series E Preferred Stock shall
have been cured as provided for herein, (iii) Sufficient
Clearing Orders shall have existed in an Auction held for the
Series E Preferred Stock on the Auction Date immediately
preceding the first day of such proposed Special Dividend
Period, (iv) if the Corporation shall have mailed a Notice
of Redemption with respect to any shares of Series E
Preferred Stock, the Redemption Price with respect to such
shares shall have been deposited with the Paying Agent and
(v) the Corporation has confirmed that as of the Auction
Date next preceding the first day of such Special Dividend
Period, it has Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted
Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and the
Corporation has consulted with the Broker-Dealers and has
provided notice of such designation and a Basic Maintenance
Report for the most recent Valuation Date to each Rating Agency.
(b) If the Corporation proposes to designate any Special
Dividend Period, not fewer than seven Business Days (or two
Business Days in the event the duration of the Dividend Period
prior to such Special Dividend Period is fewer than eight
Business Days) nor more than 30 Business Days prior to the first
day of such Special Dividend Period, notice shall be
(i) made by press release and (ii) communicated by the
Corporation by telephonic or other means to the Auction Agent
and confirmed in writing promptly thereafter. Each such notice
shall state (x) that the Corporation proposes to exercise
its option to designate a succeeding Special Dividend Period,
specifying the first and last days thereof and (y) that the
Corporation will by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
second Business Day next preceding the first day of such Special
Dividend Period, notify the Auction Agent, who will promptly
notify the Broker-Dealers, of either (A) its determination,
subject to certain conditions, to proceed with such Special
Dividend Period, subject to the terms of any Specific
Redemption Provisions, or (B) its determination not to
proceed with such Special Dividend Period, in which latter event
the succeeding Dividend Period shall be a Standard Dividend
Period. No later than 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
second Business Day next preceding the first day of any proposed
Special Dividend
8
Period, the Corporation shall deliver to the Auction Agent, who
will promptly deliver to the Broker-Dealers and Existing
Holders, either:
(1) a notice stating (a) that the Corporation has
determined to designate the next succeeding Dividend Period as a
Special Dividend Period, (b) the first and last days
thereof and (c) the terms of any Specific
Redemption Provisions; or
(2) a notice stating that the Corporation has determined
not to exercise its option to designate a Special Dividend
Period.
If the Corporation fails to deliver either such notice with
respect to the designation of any proposed Special Dividend
Period to the Auction Agent or is unable to make the
confirmation provided in paragraph 4(a)(v) by
3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day
next preceding the first day of such proposed Special Dividend
Period, the Corporation shall be deemed to have delivered a
notice to the Auction Agent with respect to such Dividend Period
to the effect set forth in clause (2) above, thereby
resulting in a Standard Dividend Period.
5. Restrictions on Transfer.
Series E Preferred Stock may be transferred only
(a) pursuant to an Order placed in an Auction, (b) to
or through a Broker-Dealer or (c) to the Corporation or any
Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer other than
pursuant to an Auction will not be effective unless the selling
Existing Holder or the Agent Member of such Existing Holder (in
the case of an Existing Holder whose shares are listed in its
own name on the books of the Auction Agent), or the
Broker-Dealer or Agent Member of such Broker-Dealer (in the case
of a transfer between persons holding shares of any
Series E Preferred Stock through different Broker-Dealers),
advises the Auction Agent of such transfer. Any certificates
representing Series E Preferred Stock issued to the
Securities Depository will bear legends with respect to the
restrictions described above and stop-transfer instructions will
be issued to the Transfer Agent
and/or
Registrar.
6. Voting Rights.
(a) General.
Except as otherwise provided by law or as specified in the
Charter, each Holder of Series E Preferred Stock and any
other Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each
share held on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders of
the Corporation, and the Holders of Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock and Common Stock shall vote together as a single
class; provided, however, that at any meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation held for the election of
directors, the Holders of Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,
including the Series E Preferred Stock, 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 a
number of Corporations directors, such that following the
election of directors at the meeting of the stockholders, the
Corporations Board of Directors shall contain two
directors elected by the Holders of the Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock as a class. Subject to paragraph 6(b), the
Holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation, including the Holders of Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, including Series E Preferred Stock, 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 of additional
directors that, when added to the two directors elected
exclusively by the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant
to paragraph 6(a) above, 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 pursuant to paragraph 6(a)
above. The Corporation and the Board of Directors shall take all
necessary action,
9
including amending the Corporations bylaws, to effect an
increase in the number of directors as described in the
preceding sentence. 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
Series E Preferred Stock equal to at least two full
years dividends shall have become due and unpaid and
sufficient cash or specified securities shall not have been
deposited with the Paying Agent for the payment in full 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 or the
Articles Supplementary creating such shares.
Upon the termination of a Voting Period, the voting rights
described in this paragraph 6(b) shall cease, subject
always, however, to the reverting of such voting rights in the
holders of Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of
the events described in this paragraph 6(b).
(c) Right to Vote with Respect to Certain Other Matters.
So long as the Series E Preferred Stock is 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, amend,
alter or repeal the provisions of the Charter, whether by
merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to materially
adversely affect any of the contract rights expressly set forth
in the Charter of Holders of Series E Preferred Stock 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
effect any of the actions set forth in the preceding sentence
which materially adversely affects the contract rights expressly
set forth in the Charter of a Holder of shares of a series of
Preferred Stock 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 Preferred
Stock of each series materially adversely affected and
Outstanding at such time (each such materially adversely
affected series voting separately as a class to the extent its
rights are affected differently). The Corporation shall notify
each Rating Agency ten Business Days prior to any such vote
described above. Unless a higher percentage is provided for
under the Charter or applicable provisions of the Maryland
General Corporation Law, the affirmative vote of the Holders of
a majority of the Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,
including the Series E Preferred Stock, voting together as
a single class, will be required to approve any plan of
reorganization adversely affecting such shares or any action
requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of
the 1940 Act. For purposes of this paragraph 6(c), the
phrase vote of the Holders of a majority of the
Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock (or any like phrase)
shall mean, in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940
Act, the vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation duly called (A) of
67 percent or more of the shares of Preferred Stock present
at such meeting, if the Holders of more than 50 percent of
the Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock are present or
represented by proxy; or (B) of more than 50 percent
of the Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, whichever is less.
The class vote of Holders of shares of Preferred Stock 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 the Series E 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 the Series E Preferred Stock) pursuant to the
Charter shall not in and of itself be considered to adversely
affect the contract rights of the Holders of Preferred Stock.
The provisions of this paragraph 6(c) are subject to the
provisions of paragraph 10.
(d) Voting Procedures.
(i) As soon as practicable after the accrual of any right
of the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock, including the
Series E Preferred Stock, to elect additional directors as
described in paragraph 6(b), the Corporation shall call a
special meeting of such Holders and instruct the Auction Agent
to mail a notice of such special meeting to the Holders of
Series E Preferred Stock, 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
10
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 day on which such notice is
mailed or such other day as the Board of Directors shall
determine. At any such special meeting and at each meeting held
during a Voting Period, such Holders of Preferred Stock, 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 6(b) on a one-vote-per-share basis.
At any such meeting or adjournment thereof in the absence of a
quorum, a majority of the Holders of shares of Preferred Stock,
including the Series E Preferred Stock, present in person
or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the meeting without
notice, other than an announcement at the meeting, until a date
not more than 90 days after the original record date.
(ii) For purposes of determining any rights of the Holders
of the shares of Preferred Stock, including the Series E
Preferred Stock, to vote on any matter, whether such right is
created by these Articles Supplementary, by the other
provisions of the Charter, by statute or otherwise, a share of
Series E Preferred Stock 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
of Preferred Stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock,
to elect directors shall continue, notwithstanding the election
at such meeting by such Holders of the number of directors that
they are entitled to elect, and the persons so elected by such
Holders, together with the two incumbent directors elected by
the Holders of Preferred Stock, including the Series E
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) Upon the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms of
office of the additional directors elected by the Holders of
Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 6(b) above shall
expire and the remaining directors shall constitute the
directors of the Corporation and the voting rights of such
Holders of Preferred Stock, including Series E Preferred
Stock, to elect additional directors pursuant to
paragraph 6(b) above shall cease, subject to the provisions
of the last sentence of paragraph 6(b). Upon the expiration
of the terms of the directors elected by the holders of
Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 6(b) above, the
number of directors shall be automatically reduced to the number
and composition of directors on the Board immediately preceding
such Voting Period.
(e) Exclusive Remedy.
Unless otherwise required by law, the Holders of Series E
Preferred Stock shall not have any rights or preferences other
than those specifically set forth herein. The Holders of
Series E Preferred Stock shall have no preemptive rights or
rights to cumulative voting. In the event that the Corporation
fails to pay any dividends on the Series E Preferred Stock,
the exclusive remedy of the Holders shall be the right to vote
for directors pursuant to the provisions of this
paragraph 6.
(f) Notification to Rating Agency.
In the event a vote of Holders of Preferred Stock is required
pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(a) of the 1940
Act, as long as the Series E Preferred Stock is rated by a
Rating Agency at the request of the Corporation, the Corporation
shall, not later than ten Business Days prior to the date on
which such vote is to be taken, notify each Rating Agency 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 each Rating Agency of the result of such vote.
7. Liquidation Rights.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the Holders of Series E Preferred Stock shall
be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation
available for distribution to stockholders, after claims of
creditors but before any
11
distribution or payment shall be made in respect of the Common
Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to
the Series E Preferred Stock as to liquidation payments, a
liquidation distribution in the amount of $25,000.00 per
share (the
Liquidation Preference
), plus an
amount equal to all unpaid dividends accumulated to and
including the date fixed for such distribution or payment
(whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation, but
excluding interest thereon), and such Holders shall be entitled
to no further participation in any distribution or payment in
connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
(b) If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the assets of the Corporation available for
distribution among the Holders of all Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock, and any other Outstanding class
or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the
Series E Preferred Stock as to payment upon liquidation,
shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full to such
Holders of Series E Preferred Stock of the Liquidation
Preference plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and the amounts
due upon liquidation with respect to such other Preferred Stock,
then such available assets shall be distributed among the
Holders of Series E Preferred Stock and such other
Preferred Stock ratably in proportion to the respective
preferential amounts to which they are entitled. Unless and
until the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated and unpaid
dividends has been paid in full to the Holders of shares of
Series E Preferred Stock, no dividends or distributions
will be made to holders of shares of the Common Stock or any
other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the
Series E Preferred Stock as to liquidation.
8. Auction Agent.
For so long as shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, the Auction Agent, duly appointed by the
Corporation to so act, shall be in each case a commercial bank,
trust company or other financial institution independent of the
Corporation and its Affiliates (which, however, may engage or
have engaged in business transactions with the Corporation or
its Affiliates) and at no time shall the Corporation or any of
its Affiliates act as the Auction Agent in connection with the
Auction Procedures. If the Auction Agent resigns or for any
reason its appointment is terminated during any period that any
shares of Series E Preferred Stock are Outstanding, the
Corporation shall use its best efforts promptly thereafter to
appoint another qualified commercial bank, trust company or
financial institution to act as the Auction Agent.
9. Coverage Tests.
(a) Determination of Compliance.
For so long as shares of the Series E Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, the Corporation shall make the following
determinations:
(i) Asset Coverage as follows:
(A) As of each Quarterly Valuation Date, the Corporation
shall determine whether Asset Coverage is met as of that date.
In the event the Corporation determines that it has failed to
meet Asset Coverage as of such Quarterly Valuation date, the
Corporation will notify each Rating Agency of such failure in
writing (which notification may be by facsimile or other
electronic means) on or before 5:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the fifth Business Day following the date of such
determination.
(B) The Corporation shall deliver to each Rating Agency an
Asset Coverage Certificate
which sets forth
the determination of paragraph 9(a)(i)(A) above (1) as
of the Date of Original Issue and, thereafter, (2) as of
(x) each Quarterly Valuation Date and (y) a Business
Day on or before any Series E Asset Coverage Cure Date
following a failure to meet Asset Coverage. Such Asset Coverage
Certificate shall be delivered in the case of clause (1) on
the Date of Original Issue and in the case of clause (2) on
or before the seventh Business Day following such Quarterly
Valuation Date or the relevant Cure Date, as the case may be.
12
(ii) Basic Maintenance Amount as follows:
(A) For so long as the Series E Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys
and/or
S&P at the Corporations request, the Corporation shall
maintain, on each Valuation Date, Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount,
as of such Valuation Date. Upon any failure to maintain Eligible
Assets having an Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic
Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to re-attain Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount on
or prior to the Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date, by altering
the composition of its portfolio or otherwise.
(B) On or before 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
fifth Business Day after a Valuation Date on which the
Corporation fails to satisfy the Basic Maintenance Amount, and
on the fifth Business Day after the Basic Maintenance Amount
Cure Date with respect to such Valuation Date, the Corporation
shall complete and deliver to each Rating Agency a Basic
Maintenance Report as of the date of such failure or such Basic
Maintenance Amount Cure Date, as the case may be, which will be
deemed to have been delivered to such Rating Agency if such
Rating Agency receives a copy or facsimile or other electronic
transcription or transmission thereof and on the same day the
Corporation mails or sends to such Rating Agency for delivery on
the next Business Day the full Basic Maintenance Report. The
Corporation shall also deliver a Basic Maintenance Report to
each Rating Agency as of any Annual Valuation Date, in each case
on or before the fifth Business Day after such day. A failure by
the Corporation to deliver a Basic Maintenance Report pursuant
to the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be delivery of a
Basic Maintenance Report indicating the Discounted Value for all
assets of the Corporation is less than the Basic Maintenance
Amount, as of the relevant Valuation Date.
(C) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery of
a Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with
paragraph 9(a)(ii)(B) relating to any Annual Valuation
Date, the Corporation shall cause the Independent Accountant to
send an Accountants Confirmation to each Rating Agency
with respect to such Basic Maintenance Report.
(D) Within ten Business Days after the date of delivery of
a Basic Maintenance Report in accordance with
paragraph 9(a)(ii)(B) relating to each, if any, Valuation
Date on which the Corporation failed to satisfy the Basic
Maintenance Amount and the Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date
with respect to such failure to satisfy the Basic Maintenance
Amount, the Corporation shall cause the Independent Accountant
to provide to each Rating Agency an Accountants
Confirmation as to such Basic Maintenance Report.
(E) If any Accountants Confirmation delivered
pursuant to paragraph (C) or (D) of this
paragraph 9(a)(ii) does not agree with the
Corporations calculation of the Basic Maintenance Report
for a particular Valuation Date for which such Accountants
Confirmation was required to be delivered, or shows that a lower
aggregate Discounted Value for the aggregate Eligible Assets in
respect of any Rating Agency than was determined by the
Corporation, 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 Basic Maintenance Report to
the relevant Rating Agency promptly following receipt by the
Corporation of such Accountants Confirmation.
(F) On or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
fifth Business Day after the Date of Original Issue of
Series E Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall complete
and deliver to each Rating Agency a Basic Maintenance Report as
of the close of business on such Date of Original Issue.
(G) On or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
fifth Business Day after either (1) the Corporation shall
have redeemed Series E Preferred Stock or (2) the
ratio of the Discounted Value of Eligible Assets in respect of
any Rating Agency to the Basic Maintenance Amount is less than
or
13
equal to 110%, the Corporation shall complete and deliver to
each Rating Agency, a Basic Maintenance Report as of the date of
either such event.
(H) As for any Valuation Date for which the
Corporations ratio of the Discounted Value of Eligible
Assets in respect of any Rating Agency to the Basic Maintenance
Amount is less than or equal to 110%, the Trust shall deliver,
by fax or email before 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the
first Business Day following such Valuation Date, notice of such
ratio to each Rating Agency.
(b) Failure to Meet Asset Coverage Requirements.
If the Corporation fails to have Asset Coverage as provided in
paragraph 9(a)(i)(A) or to have Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount as
provided in paragraph 9(a)(ii)(A) and such failure is not
cured by the applicable Cure Date, Preferred Stock, which at the
Corporations determination (to the extent permitted by the
1940 Act and Maryland law) may include any proportion of
Series E Preferred Stock, will be subject to mandatory
redemption as set forth in paragraph 3.
(c) Status of Series E Preferred Stock Called for
redemption.
For purposes of determining whether the requirements of
paragraphs 9(a)(i)(A) and 9(a)(ii)(A) hereof are satisfied,
(i) no share of the Series E Preferred Stock or other
Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes
of any computation if, prior to or concurrently with such
determination, sufficient Deposit Assets to pay the full
Redemption Price for such share shall have been deposited
in trust with the Paying Agent (or applicable
dividend-disbursing agent) and the requisite Notice of
Redemption shall have been given, and (ii) such Deposit
Assets deposited with the Paying Agent (or dividend-disbursing
agent) shall not be included.
(d) Certain Notifications Relating to Market Value.
In the event the Market Value of an Eligible Asset is determined
pursuant to clause (a)(iii) of the definition of Market
Value set forth in paragraph 13, the Corporation shall
promptly inform each Rating Agency in writing (which notice may
be by facsimile or other electronic means) of the basis upon
which the Market Value of such Eligible Asset was determined.
10. Certain Other Restrictions.
(a) For so long as the shares of Series E Preferred
are rated by a Rating Agency at the Corporations request,
the Corporation will not, and will cause the Adviser not to,
(i) knowingly and willfully purchase or sell any asset for
the specific purpose of causing, and with the actual knowledge
that the effect of such purchase or sale will be to cause, the
Corporation to have Eligible Assets having an Adjusted Value as
of the date of such purchase or sale to be less than the Basic
Maintenance Amount as of such date, (ii) in the event that,
as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date, the Adjusted
Value of the Corporations Eligible Assets exceeded the
Basic Maintenance Amount by 5% or less, alter the composition of
the Corporations assets in a manner reasonably expected to
reduce the Adjusted Value of the Corporations Eligible
Assets, unless the Corporation shall have confirmed that, after
giving effect to such alteration, the Adjusted Value of the
Corporations Eligible Assets exceeded the Basic
Maintenance Amount or (iii) declare or pay any dividend or
other distribution on any Common Stock or repurchase any Common
Stock, unless the Corporation shall have confirmed that, after
giving effect to such declaration, other distribution or
repurchase, the Corporation continued to satisfy the
requirements of paragraph 9(a)(ii).
(b) For so long as the shares of Series E Preferred
Stock are rated by any Rating Agency at the Corporations
request, unless the Corporation shall have received written
confirmation from each such Rating Agency, the Corporation may
engage in the lending of its portfolio securities only in an
amount of up to 20% of the Corporations total assets,
provided that the Corporation receives cash collateral for such
loaned securities that is maintained at all times in an amount
equal to at least 100% of the then current market value of the
loaned securities and, if invested, is invested only in
Short-Term Money Market Instruments or in money market mutual
funds meeting the requirements of
Rule 2a-7
under the 1940 Act that maintain a
14
constant $1.00 per share net asset value and treat the
loaned securities rather than the collateral as the assets of
the Corporation for purposes of determining compliance with
paragraph 9.
(c) For so long as the shares of Series E Preferred
Stock are rated by Rating Agency at the Corporations
request, the Corporation shall not consolidate with, merge into,
sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its
assets to another Person or adopt a plan of liquidation of the
Corporation, in each case without providing prior written
notification to each Rating Agency.
11. Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness,
Certain Transactions and Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock
(a) So long as the shares of Series E Preferred Stock
are Outstanding, the Corporation may issue and sell one or more
series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation
representing indebtedness under Section 18 of the 1940 Act
and/or
otherwise create or incur indebtedness, provided that
immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such
indebtedness and to its receipt and application of the proceeds
thereof, the Corporation shall have an asset
coverage for all senior securities representing
indebtedness, as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act,
of at least 300% of the amount of all indebtedness of the
Corporation then Outstanding and no such additional indebtedness
shall have any preference or priority over any other
indebtedness of the Corporation upon the distribution of the
assets of the Corporation upon the distribution of the assets of
the Corporation or in respect of the payment of interest. Any
possible liability resulting from lending
and/or
borrowing portfolio securities, entering into reverse repurchase
agreements, entering into futures contracts and writing options,
to the extent such transactions are made in accordance with the
investment restrictions of the Corporation then in effect, shall
not be considered to be indebtedness limited by this
paragraph 11(a).
(b) So long as any shares of Series E Preferred Stock
are Outstanding and S&P is rating such Series E
Preferred Stock at the Corporations request, the
Corporation will not, unless it has received written
confirmation that any such transaction would not impair the
rating then assigned by S&P to such Series E Preferred
Stock, engage in any one or more of the following transactions:
(i) 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 securities owned by the Corporation (collectively,
S&P Hedging Transactions), except subject to the
following limitations:
(A) for each net long or short position in S&P Hedging
Transactions, the Corporation will maintain segregated assets
with the Corporations custodian or with the counterparty
to such S&P Hedging Transaction an amount of cash or readily
marketable securities having a value, when added to any amounts
on deposit with the Corporationss futures commission
merchants or brokers as margin or premium for such position, at
least equal to the market value of the Corporations
potential obligations on such position,
marked-to-market
on a daily basis, in each case as and to the extent required by
the applicable rules or orders of the Commission or by
interpretations of the Commissions staff;
(B) the Corporation will not engage in any S&P Hedging
Transaction which would cause the Corporation at the time of
such transaction to own or have sold the lesser of
(1) outstanding futures contracts, in aggregate, based on
the Standard & Poors 500 Index, the Dow Jones
Industrial Average, the Russell 2000 Index, the Wilshire 5000
Index, the Nasdaq Composite Index and the New York Stock
Exchange Composite Index (or any component of any of the
forgoing) exceeding in number 50% of the market value of the
Corporations total assets or (2) outstanding futures
contracts based on any of the aforementioned indices exceeding
in number 10% of the average number of daily traded futures
contracts based on such index in the 30 days preceding the
time of effecting such transaction as reported by
The Wall
Street Journal
;
(C) 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
15
the Corporation in the event (1) the Corporation does not
have S&P Eligible Assets with an aggregate Discounted Value
equal to or greater than the Basic Maintenance Amount on two
consecutive Valuation Dates and (2) the Corporation is
required to pay variation margin on the second such Valuation
Date;
(D) the Corporation will engage in a closing transaction to
close out any outstanding futures contract or option thereon at
least one week prior to the delivery date under the terms of the
futures contract or option thereon unless the Corporation holds
the securities deliverable under such terms; and
(E) when the Corporation writes a futures contract or
option thereon, either the amount of margin posted by the
Corporation (in the case of a futures contract) or the
marked-to-market
value of the Corporations obligation (in the case of a put
option written by the Corporation) shall be treated as a
liability of the Corporation for purposes of calculating the
Basic Maintenance Amount, or, in the event the Corporation
writes a futures contract or option thereon which requires
delivery of an underlying security and the Corporation does not
wish to treat its obligations with respect thereto as a
liability for purposes of calculating the Basic Maintenance
Amount, it shall hold such underlying security in its portfolio
and shall not include such security to the extent of such
contract or option as an S&P Eligible Asset.
(ii) borrow money, except for the purpose of clearing
securities transactions if (A) the Basic Maintenance Amount
would continue to be satisfied after giving effect to such
borrowing and (B) such borrowing (1) is privately
arranged with a bank or other person and is not intended to be
publicly distributed or (2) is for temporary
purposes, and is in an amount not exceeding 5 percent
of the market value of the total assets of the Corporation at
the time of the borrowing; for purposes of the foregoing,
temporary purposes means that the borrowing is to be
repaid within sixty days and is not to be extended or renewed;
(iii) engage in any short sales of equity securities (other
than short sales against the box) unless the Corporation
maintains segregated assets with the Corporations
custodian in an amount of cash or other readily marketable
securities having a market value, when added to any amounts on
deposit with the Corporations broker as collateral for its
obligation to replace the securities borrowed and sold short, at
least equal to the current market value of securities sold
short,
marked-to-market
on a daily basis;
(iv) utilize any pricing service other than a Pricing
Service or such other pricing service then permitted by
S&P; or
(v) enter into any reverse repurchase agreement, other than
with a counterparty that is rated at least
A-1+
by
S&P.
(c) So long as the shares Series E Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, the Corporation may issue and sell shares of one or
more other series of Preferred Stock constituting a series of a
class of senior securities of the Corporation representing stock
under Section 18 of the 1940 Act in addition to the
Series E Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock then
Outstanding, provided that (i) the Corporation shall,
immediately after giving effect to the issuance of such
additional shares of Preferred Stock and to its receipt and
application of the proceeds thereof (including, without
limitation, to the Redemption of Preferred Stock for which a
Notice of Redemption has been mailed prior to such issuance),
have an asset coverage for all senior securities
which are stock, as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940
Act, of at least 200% of the Series E Preferred Stock and
all other Preferred Stock of the Corporation then Outstanding,
and (ii) no such additional Preferred Stock (including any
additional Series E Preferred Stock) shall have any
preference or priority over any other Preferred Stock of the
Corporation upon the distribution of the assets of the
Corporation or in respect of the payment of dividends.
16
12. Termination.
In the event that no shares of Series E Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, all rights and preferences of such shares
established and designated hereunder shall cease and terminate,
and all obligations of the Corporation under these
Articles Supplementary shall terminate.
13. Definitions.
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning
or intent, each of the following terms when used in these
Articles Supplementary shall have the meaning ascribed to
it below, whether such term is used in the singular or plural
and regardless of tense:
AA Financial Composite Commercial Paper
Rate
on any date means
(i) the interest equivalent of the
7-day
rate,
in the case of a Dividend Period of seven days or shorter; for
Dividend Periods greater than 7 days but fewer than or
equal to 31 days, the
30-day
rate;
for Dividend Periods greater than 31 days but fewer than or
equal to 61 days, the
60-day
rate;
for Dividend Periods greater than 61 days but fewer than or
equal to 91 days, the 90 day rate; for Dividend
Periods greater than 91 days but fewer than or equal to
270 days, the rate described in (ii) below; for
Dividend Periods greater than 270 days, the Treasury Index
Rate; on commercial paper on behalf of issuers whose corporate
bonds are rated AA by S&P, or the equivalent of
such rating by another nationally recognized rating agency, as
announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the close
of business on the Business Day immediately preceding such date;
or (ii) if the Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not
make available such a rate, then the arithmetic average of the
interest equivalent of such rates on commercial paper placed on
behalf of such issuers, as quoted on a discount basis or
otherwise by the Commercial Paper Dealers to the Auction Agent
for the close of business on the Business Day immediately
preceding such date (rounded to the next highest .001 of 1%). If
any Commercial Paper Dealer does not quote a rate required to
determine the AA Financial Composite Commercial
Paper Rate, such rate shall be determined on the basis of the
quotations (or quotation) furnished by the remaining Commercial
Paper Dealers (or Dealer), if any, or, if there are no such
Commercial Paper Dealers, by the Auction Agent pursuant to
instructions from the Corporation. For purposes of this
definition, (A)
Commercial Paper Dealers
shall mean (1) Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Lehman
Brothers Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Goldman Sachs & Co.; (2) in lieu
of any thereof, its respective Affiliate or successor; and
(3) in the event that any of the foregoing shall cease to
quote rates for commercial paper of issuers of the sort
described above, in substitution therefor, a nationally
recognized dealer in commercial paper of such issuers then
making such quotations selected by the Corporation, and
(B) interest equivalent of a rate stated on a
discount basis for commercial paper of a given number of
days maturity shall mean a number equal to the quotient
(rounded upward to the next higher one-thousandth of 1%) of
(1) such rate expressed as a decimal, divided by
(2) the difference between (x) 1.00 and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the product of such
rate expressed as a decimal, multiplied by the number of days in
which such commercial paper shall mature and the denominator of
which shall be 360.
Accountants Confirmation
means a letter
from an Independent Accountant delivered to each Rating Agency
with respect to certain Basic Maintenance Reports substantially
to the effect that:
(a) the Independent Accountant has read the Basic
Maintenance Report or Reports prepared by the Administrator
during the referenced calendar year that are referred to in such
letter;
(b) with respect to the issue size compliance, issuer
diversification and industry diversification calculations, such
calculations and the resulting Market Value of the relevant
Eligible Assets included in the Reports and the Adjusted Value
of the such Eligible Assets included in the Reports are
numerically correct;
(c) with respect to the excess or deficiency of the
Adjusted Value of the relevant Eligible Assets included in the
Reports when compared to the Basic Maintenance Amount calculated
for such Rating
17
Agency the results of the calculation set forth in the Reports
have been recalculated and are numerically correct;
(d) with respect to the Rating Agency ratings on corporate
evidences of indebtedness, convertible corporate evidences of
indebtedness and preferred stock listed in the Reports, that
information has been traced and agrees with the information
provided directly or indirectly by the respective Rating
Agencies (in the event such information does not agree or such
information is not listed in the accounting records of the
Corporation, the Independent Accountants will inquire of the
Rating Agencies what such information is and provide a listing
in their letter of such differences, if any);
(e) with respect to issuer name and coupon or dividend rate
listed in the Reports, that information has been traced and
agrees with information listed in the accounting records of the
Corporation;
(f) with respect to issue size listed in the Reports, that
information has been traced and agrees with information provided
by a Pricing Service or such other services as the relevant
Rating Agency may authorize from time to time;
(g) with respect to the prices (or alternative permissible
factors used in calculating the Market Value as provided by
these Articles Supplementary) provided by the Administrator
of the Corporations assets for purposes of valuing
securities in the portfolio, the Independent Accountant has
traced the price used in the Reports to the price provided by
such Administrator (in accordance with the procedures provided
in these Articles Supplementary) and verified that such
information agrees (in the event such information does not
agree, the Independent Accountants will provide a listing in
their letter of such differences); and
(h) with respect to the description of each security
included in the Reports, the description of the relevant
Eligible Assets has been compared to the definition of such
Rating Agencys Eligible Assets contained in these
Articles Supplementary, and the description as appearing in
the Reports agrees with the definition of such Rating
Agencys Eligible Assets as described in these
Articles Supplementary.
Each such letter may state that: (i) such Independent
Accountant has made no independent verification of the accuracy
of the description of the investment securities listed in the
Reports or the Market Value of those securities nor has it
performed any procedures other than those specifically outlined
above for the purposes of issuing such letter; (ii) unless
otherwise stated in the letter, the procedures specified therein
were limited to a comparison of numbers or a verification of
specified computations applicable to numbers appearing in the
Reports and the schedule(s) thereto; (iii) the foregoing
procedures do not constitute an examination in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and the Reports contained
in the letter do not extend to any of the Corporations
financial statements taken as a whole; (iv) such
Independent Accountant does not express an opinion as to whether
such procedures would enable such Independent Accountant to
determine that the methods followed in the preparation of the
Reports would correctly determine the Market Value or Discounted
Value of the investment portfolio; and (v) accordingly,
such Independent Accountant expresses no opinion as to the
information set forth in the Reports or in the schedule(s)
thereto and makes no representation as to the sufficiency of the
procedures performed for the purposes of these Articles
Supplementary; and such other statements as are acceptable to
the Rating Agencies.
Such letter shall also state that the Independent Accountant is
an independent accountant with respect to the
Corporation within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the
related published rules and regulations thereunder.
Adjusted Value
of each Eligible Asset shall
be computed as follows:
(a) cash shall be valued at 100% of the face value
thereof; and
(b) all other Eligible Assets shall be valued at the
applicable Discounted Value thereof; and
(c) each asset that is not an Eligible Asset shall be
valued at zero.
18
Administrator
means the other party to the
Administration Agreement with the Corporation, which shall
initially be Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York limited liability
company, and will include, as appropriate, any sub-administrator
appointed by the Administrator.
Advance Rate
means (a) so long as
S&P is rating the Series E Preferred Stock at the
Corporations request, the Advance Rates set forth in the
definition of S&P Rating Factor or (b) any applicable
advance rate established by any Other Rating Agency, whichever
is applicable.
ADRs
means U.S. dollar-denominated
American Depository Receipts.
Adviser
means Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York
limited liability company, or such other Person that is then
serving as the investment adviser of the Corporation.
Affiliate
means, with respect to the Auction
Agent, any person known to the Auction Agent to be controlled
by, in control of or under common control with the Corporation;
provided, however, that no Broker-Dealer controlled by, in
control of or under common control with the Corporation shall be
deemed to be an Affiliate nor shall any corporation or any
Person controlled by, in control of or under common control with
such corporation, one of the directors or executive officers of
which is a director of the Corporation be deemed to be an
Affiliate solely because such director or executive officer is
also a director of the Corporation.
All Hold Rate
means 80% of the AA
Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate.
Annual Valuation Date
means the Valuation
Date each calendar year so designated by the Corporation,
commencing in the calendar year 2003.
Applicable Rate
means, with respect to the
Series E Preferred Stock, for each Dividend Period
(i) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist for the Auction in
respect thereof, the Winning Bid Rate, (ii) if Sufficient
Clearing Orders do not exist for the Auction in respect thereof,
or an Auction does not take place with respect to such Dividend
Period because of the commencement of a Default Period, the
Maximum Rate and (iii) if all shares of Series E
Preferred Stock are the subject of Submitted Hold Orders for the
Auction in respect thereof, the All Hold Rate.
Asset Coverage
means asset coverage, as
determined in accordance with 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 Series E Preferred Stock (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 declaring dividends on its common stock),
determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within
48 hours (not including Saturdays, Sundays or holidays)
next preceding the time of such determination.
Asset Coverage Certificate
means the
certificate required to be delivered by the Corporation pursuant
to paragraph 9(a)(i)(B) of Article I of these Articles
Supplementary.
Auction
means each 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 enters into an agreement with the Corporation
to follow the Auction Procedures for the purpose of determining
the Applicable Rate.
Auction Date
means the last day of the
initial Dividend Period and each seventh day after the
immediately preceding Auction Date; provided, however, that if
any such seventh day is not a Business Day, such Auction Date
shall be the first preceding day that is a Business Day and the
next Auction Date, if for a Standard Dividend Period, shall
(subject to the same advancement procedure) be the seventh day
after the date that the preceding Auction Date would have been
if not for the advancement procedure; provided further, however,
that the Auction Date for the Auction at the conclusion of any
Special Dividend Period shall be the last Business Day in such
Special Dividend Period and that no more than one Auction shall
be held during
19
any Dividend Period; provided further, however, that the Auction
Date following a Default Period shall be the last Business Day
in the Standard Dividend Period that commenced during such
Default Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an
auction is not held because an unforeseen event or unforeseen
events cause a day that otherwise would have been an Auction
Date not to be a Business Day, then the length of the then
current dividend period will be extended by seven days (or a
multiple thereof if necessary because of such unforeseen event
or events).
Auction Procedures
means the procedures for
conducting Auctions as set forth in Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Basic Maintenance Amount
means, with respect
to the Series E Preferred Stock, as of any Valuation Date,
the dollar amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) the
product of the number of shares of each class or series of
Preferred Stock Outstanding on such Valuation Date multiplied,
in the case of each such series or class, by the per share
Liquidation Preference applicable to each such series or class;
(ii) to the extent not included in (i) the aggregate
amount of cash dividends (whether or not earned or declared)
that will have accumulated for each Outstanding share of
Preferred Stock from the most recent applicable dividend payment
date to which dividends have been paid or duly provided for (or,
in the event the Basic Maintenance Amount is calculated on a
date prior to the initial Dividend Payment Date with respect to
a class or series of the Preferred Stock, then from the Date of
Original Issue of such shares) through the Valuation Date plus
all dividends to accumulate on the Preferred Stock then
Outstanding during the 31 days following such Valuation
Date or, if less, during the number of days following such
Valuation Date that shares of Preferred Stock called for
redemption are scheduled to remain Outstanding at the applicable
rate or default rate then in effect with respect to such shares;
(iii) the Corporations other liabilities due and
payable as of such Valuation Date (except that dividends and
other distributions payable by the Corporation on Common Stock
shall not be included as a liability) and such liabilities
projected to become due and payable by the Corporation during
the 90 days following such Valuation Date (excluding
liabilities for investments to be purchased and for dividends
and other distributions not declared as of such Valuation Date);
and (iv) any current liabilities of the Corporation as of
such Valuation Date to the extent not reflected in (or
specifically excluded by) any of (a)(i) through (a)(iii)
(including, without limitation, and immediately upon
determination, any amounts due and payable by the Corporation
pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements and any payables for
assets purchased as of such Valuation Date) less
(b) (i) the Adjusted Value of any of the
Corporations assets or (ii) the face value of any of
the Corporations assets if, in the case of both (b)(i) and
(b)(ii), such assets are either cash or evidences of
indebtedness which mature prior to or on the date of redemption
or repurchase of shares of Preferred Stock or payment of another
liability and are either U.S. Government Obligations or
evidences of indebtedness which have a rating assigned by
Moodys of at least Aaa,
P-1,
VMIG-1
or
MIG-1
or by
S&P of at least AAA,
SP-1+
or
A-1+,
and
are irrevocably held by the Corporations custodian bank in
a segregated account or deposited by the Corporation with the
dividend-disbursing agent or Paying Agent, as the case may be,
for the payment of the amounts needed to redeem or repurchase
Preferred Stock subject to redemption or repurchase or any of
(a)(ii) through (a)(iv); and provided that in the event the
Corporation has repurchased Preferred Stock and irrevocably
segregated or deposited assets as described above with its
custodian bank, the dividend-disbursing agent or Paying Agent
for the payment of the repurchase price the Corporation may
deduct 100% of the Liquidation Preference of such Preferred
Stock to be repurchased from (a) above. Basic Maintenance Amount
shall, for the purposes of these Articles Supplementary, have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date
means,
with respect to the Series E Preferred Stock,
10 Business Days following a Valuation Date, such date
being the last day upon which the Corporations failure to
comply with paragraph 9(a)(ii)(A) of Article I of
these Articles Supplementary could be cured, and shall, for the
purposes of these Articles Supplementary, have a correlative
meaning with respect to any other class or series of Preferred
Stock.
Basic Maintenance Test
means, with respect to
the Series E Preferred Stock, a test which is met if the
lower of the aggregate Discounted Values of the Moodys
Eligible Assets or the S&P Eligible Assets if both
Moodys and S&P are then rating the Series E
Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation, or the
20
Eligible Assets of whichever of Moodys or S&P is then
doing so if only one of Moodys or S&P is then rating
the Series E Preferred Stock at the request of the
Corporation, meets or exceeds the Basic Maintenance Amount.
Basic Maintenance Report
or
Report
means with respect to the
Series E Preferred Stock, a report prepared by the
Administrator which sets forth, as of the related Monthly
Valuation Date, (i) Moodys Eligible Assets and
S&P Eligible Assets sufficient to meet or exceed the Basic
Maintenance Amount, (ii) the Market Value and Discounted
Value thereof (seriatim and in the aggregate), (iii) the
Basic Maintenance Amount, and (iv) the net asset value of
the Corporation. Such report will also include (A) the
month-end closing price for the Common Stock of the Corporation
(B) the monthly total-return per Common Stock, which will
be determined based upon month-end closing share prices,
assuming reinvestment of all dividends paid during such month
and (C) the total leverage position of the Corporation. For
the purposes of these Articles Supplementary, Basic
Maintenance Report or Report shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
Beneficial Owner,
with respect to the shares
of Series E Preferred Stock, 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
Series E Preferred Stock.
Bid
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(a) of Article II of these Articles
Supplementary.
Bidder
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(a) of Article II of these Articles
Supplementary, provided however that neither the Corporation nor
any Affiliate shall be permitted to be Bidder in an Auction.
Board of Directors
or
Board
means the Board of Directors of the Corporation or any duly
authorized committee thereof as permitted by applicable law.
Broker-Dealer
means any broker-dealer or
broker-dealers, or other entity permitted by law to perform the
functions required of a Broker-Dealer by the Auction Procedures,
that has been selected by the Corporation and has entered into a
Broker-Dealer Agreement 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 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, New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
Charter
means the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation, as amended or supplemented (including these
Articles Supplementary), as filed with the State Department of
Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland.
Commission
means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Common Stock
means the shares of the
Corporations common stock, par value $.001 per share.
Corporation
means The Gabelli Equity Trust
Inc., a Maryland corporation.
Cure Date
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 3(a)(ii) of Article I of these Articles
Supplementary.
Date of Original Issue
means October 7,
2003, and, for the purposes of these Articles Supplementary,
shall mean with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock the date upon which shares of such class or
series are first issued.
Default
means a Dividend Default or a
Redemption Default.
Default Period
means a Dividend Default or a
Redemption Default.
Default Rate
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(c)(iii) of Article I of these Articles
Supplementary.
21
Deposit Assets
means cash, Short-Term Money
Market Instruments and U.S. Government Obligations. Except
for determining whether the Corporation has Eligible Assets with
an Adjusted Value equal to or greater than the Basic Maintenance
Amount, each Deposit Asset shall be deemed to have a value equal
to its principal or face amount payable at maturity plus any
interest payable thereon after delivery of such Deposit Asset
but only if payable on or prior to the applicable payment date
in advance of which the relevant deposit is made.
Discount Factor
means (a) so long as
Moodys is rating the Series E Preferred Stock at the
Corporations request, the Moodys Discount Factor,
(b) so long as S&P is rating the Series E
Preferred Stock at the Corporations request, the S&P
Discount Factor,
and/or
(c) any applicable discount factor established by any Other
Rating Agency, whichever is applicable.
Discounted Value
means, as applicable,
(a) the quotient of the Market Value of an Eligible Asset
divided by the applicable Discount Factor or (b) such other
formula for determining the discounted value of an Eligible
Asset as may be established by an applicable Rating Agency,
provided, in either case that with respect to an Eligible Asset
that is currently callable, Discounted Value will be equal to
the applicable quotient or product as calculated above or the
call price, whichever is lower, and that with respect to an
Eligible Asset that is prepayable, Discounted Value will be
equal to the applicable quotient or product as calculated above
or the par value, whichever is lower.
Dividend Default
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(c)(ii) of Article I of these Articles
Supplementary.
Dividend Payment Date
means with respect to
the Series E Preferred Stock, any date on which dividends
declared by the Board of Directors thereon are payable pursuant
to the provisions of paragraph 2(b) of Article I of
these Articles Supplementary and shall for the purposes of these
Articles Supplementary have a correlative meaning with respect
to any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Dividend Period
means, with respect to
Series E Preferred Stock, the initial period determined in
the manner set forth under Designation above, and
thereafter, the period commencing on the Business Day following
each Auction Date and ending on the next Auction Date or, if
such next Auction Date is not immediately followed by a Business
Day, on the latest day prior to the next succeeding Business
Day, and shall, for the purposes of these Articles
Supplementary, have a correlative meaning with respect to any
other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Eligible Assets
means Moodys Eligible
Assets (if Moodys is then rating the Series E
Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation), S&P
Eligible Assets (if S&P is then rating the Series E
Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation),
and/or
Other
Rating Agency Eligible Assets, whichever is applicable.
Holder
means, with respect to the Preferred
Stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock, the
registered holder of such shares as the same appears on the
stock ledger or stock records of the Corporation or records of
the Auction Agent, as the case may be.
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 1933 Act.
Industry Classification
means a six-digit
industry classification in the Standard Industry Classification
system published by the United States.
Liquidation Preference
shall, with respect to
each share of Series E Preferred Stock, have the meaning
set forth in paragraph 7(a) of Article I of these
Articles Supplementary and shall, for the purposes of these
Articles Supplementary, have a correlative meaning with respect
to any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Mandatory Redemption Date
has the
meaning set forth in paragraph 3(a)(iii) of Article I
of these Articles Supplementary.
22
Market Value
means the amount determined by
the Corporation with respect to specific Eligible Assets in
accordance with valuation policies adopted from time to time by
the Board of Directors as being in compliance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Market Value may, at
the option of the Corporation with respect to any of its assets,
mean the amount determined with respect to specific Eligible
Assets of the Corporation in the manner set forth below:
(a) as to any common or preferred stock which is an
Eligible Asset, (i) if the stock is traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System, the last
sales price reported on the Valuation Date, (ii) if there
was no such reported sales price, the price reported by a
recognized pricing service or (iii) if there was no such
pricing service report, the lower of two bid prices for such
stock provided to the Administrator by two recognized securities
dealers with minimum capitalizations of $25,000,000 (or
otherwise approved for such purpose by Moodys and
S&P), at least one of which shall be provided in writing or
by telecopy, telex, other electronic transcription, computer
obtained quotation reducible to written form or similar means,
and in turn provided to the Corporation by any such means by
such Administrator, or, if two bid prices cannot be obtained,
such Eligible Asset shall have a Market Value of zero;
(b) as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short-Term
Money Market Instrument (other than demand deposits, federal
funds, bankers acceptances and next Business Day
repurchase agreements) and commercial paper, with a maturity of
greater than 60 days, the product of (i) the principal
amount (accreted principal to the extent such instrument
accretes interest) of such instrument and (ii) the lower of
the bid prices for the same kind of instruments having, as
nearly as practicable, comparable interest rates and maturities
provided by two recognized securities dealers having minimum
capitalization of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for such
purpose by Moodys and S&P) to the Administrator, at
least one of which shall be provided in writing or by telecopy,
telex, other electronic transcription, computer obtained
quotation reducible to written form or similar means, and in
turn provided to the Corporation by any such means by such
Administrator, or, if two bid prices cannot be obtained, such
Eligible Asset will have a Market Value of zero;
(c) as to cash, demand or time deposits, federal funds,
bankers acceptances and next Business Day repurchase
agreements included in Short-Term Money Market Instruments, the
face value thereof;
(d) as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short-Term
Money Market Instrument or commercial paper with a maturity of
60 days or fewer, amortized cost unless the Board of
Directors determines that such value does not constitute fair
value;
(e) as to any other evidence of indebtedness which is an
Eligible Asset, (i) the product of (A) the unpaid
principal balance of such indebtedness as of the Valuation Date
and (B)(1) if such indebtedness is traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System, the last
sales price reported on the Valuation Date or (2) if there
was no reported sales price on the Valuation Date or if such
indebtedness is not traded on a national securities exchange or
quoted on the Nasdaq System, the lower of two bid prices for
such indebtedness provided by two recognized dealers with a
minimum capitalization of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for
such purpose by Moodys and S&P) to the Administrator,
at least one of which shall be provided in writing or by
telecopy, telex, other electronic transcription, computer
obtained quotation reducible to written form or similar means,
and in turn provided to the Corporation by any such means by
such Administrator, plus (ii) accrued interest on such
indebtedness.
Maximum Rate
means, on any date on which the
Applicable Rate is determined, the applicable percentage of
(i) in the case of a dividend period of 184 days or
less, the AA Financial Composite Commercial Paper
Rate on the date of such Auction determined as set forth below
based on the lower of the credit ratings assigned to the
Series E Preferred by Moodys and S&P subject to
upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the
Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers;
provided that
23
immediately following any such increase the Corporation would be
in compliance with the Basic Maintenance Amount or (ii) in
the case of a dividend period of longer than 184 days, the
Treasury Index Rate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys Credit Rating
|
|
S&P Credit Rating
|
|
Applicable Percentage
|
|
|
Aa3 or higher
|
|
AA− or higher
|
|
|
150
|
%
|
A3 to A1
|
|
A− to A+
|
|
|
175
|
%
|
Baa3 to Baa1
|
|
BBB− to BBB+
|
|
|
250
|
%
|
Below Baa3
|
|
Below BBB−
|
|
|
275
|
%
|
Monthly Valuation Date
means the last
Valuation Date for each calendar month.
Moodys
means Moodys Investors
Service, Inc. and its successors at law.
Moodys Discount Factor
means, with
respect to a Moodys Eligible Asset specified below, the
following applicable number:
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Short Term Money Market
Instruments (other than U.S. Government Obligations set
forth below) and other commercial paper:
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Securities with
final maturities that are less than or equal to 60 days
|
|
1.00
|
Demand or time deposits,
certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances includible
in Moodys Short Term Money Market Instruments
|
|
1.00
|
Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in 30 days or less
|
|
1.00
|
Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in more than 30 days but in
270 days or less
|
|
1.15
|
Commercial paper rated
A-1+
by
S&P maturing in 270 days or less
|
|
1.25
|
Repurchase obligations includible
in Moodys Short Term Money Market Instruments if term is
less than 30 days and counterparty is rated at least A2
|
|
1.00
|
Other repurchase obligations
|
|
Discount Factor
applicable to the
underlying assets
|
U.S. Common Stocks and Common
Stocks of foreign issuers for which ADRs are traded
|
|
3.00
|
Utility
|
|
1.70
|
Industrial
|
|
2.64
|
Financial
|
|
2.41
|
Transportation
|
|
3.40
|
Common Stocks of foreign issuers
(in existence for at least five years) for which no ADRs are
traded
|
|
4.00
|
Convertible Preferred Stocks
|
|
3.00
|
Preferred stocks:
|
|
|
Auction rate preferred stocks
|
|
|
Cumulative
|
|
3.50
|
Non-Cumulative
|
|
3.60
|
Other preferred stocks issued by
issuers in the financial and industrial industries
|
|
|
Cumulative
|
|
1.97
|
Non-Cumulative
|
|
2.07
|
Other preferred stocks issued by
issuers in the utilities industry
|
|
|
Cumulative
|
|
1.55
|
Non-Cumulative
|
|
1.65
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
U.S. Government Obligations
(other than U.S. Treasury Securities Strips set forth
below) with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.04
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.09
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.12
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.15
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
7 years of less
|
|
1.21
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.24
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.25
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
U.S. Treasury Securities
Strips with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.04
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.10
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.14
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.18
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.21
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.27
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.34
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.45
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.54
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.66
|
Corporate Debt:
|
|
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Aaa1 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.09
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.15
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.20
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.26
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.32
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.39
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.45
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Aa3 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.12
|
2 years of less
|
|
1.18
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.23
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.29
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.35
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.43
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.50
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least A3 with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.15
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.22
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.27
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.33
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.39
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.47
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.55
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Baa3 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.18
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.25
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.31
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.38
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.44
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.52
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.65
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least Ba3 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.37
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.46
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.53
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.61
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.68
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.79
|
10 years or less
|
|
1.89
|
15 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
20 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
30 years or less
|
|
1.96
|
Non-convertible corporate debt
rated at least B1 and B2 with remaining terms of maturity of:
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
1.50
|
2 years or less
|
|
1.60
|
3 years or less
|
|
1.68
|
4 years or less
|
|
1.76
|
5 years or less
|
|
1.85
|
7 years or less
|
|
1.97
|
10 years or less
|
|
2.08
|
15 years or less
|
|
2.16
|
20 years or less
|
|
2.28
|
30 years or less
|
|
2.29
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least Aa3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.67
|
Industrial
|
|
2.61
|
Financial
|
|
2.38
|
Transportation
|
|
2.65
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Discount Factor:
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least A3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.72
|
Industrial
|
|
2.66
|
Financial
|
|
2.43
|
Transportation
|
|
2.75
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least Baa3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.88
|
Industrial
|
|
2.82
|
Financial
|
|
2.59
|
Transportation
|
|
2.85
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least Ba3 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.95
|
Industrial
|
|
2.90
|
Financial
|
|
2.65
|
Transportation
|
|
2.90
|
Convertible corporate debt
securities rated at least B2 issued by the following type of
issuers:
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
1.98
|
Industrial
|
|
2.93
|
Financial
|
|
2.70
|
Transportation
|
|
2.95
|
Moodys Eligible Assets
means:
(a) cash (including, for this purpose, receivables for
investments sold to a counterparty whose senior debt securities
are rated at least Baa3 by Moodys or a counterparty
approved by Moodys and payable within five Business Days
following such Valuation Date and dividends and interest
receivable within 49 days on investments);
(b) Short-Term Money Market Instruments;
(c) commercial paper that is not includible as a Short-Term
Money Market Instrument having on the Valuation Date a rating
from Moodys of at least
P-1
and
maturing within 270 days;
(d) preferred stocks (i) which either (A) are
issued by issuers whose senior debt securities are rated at
least Baa1 by Moodys or (B) are rated at least Baa3
by Moodys or (C) in the event an issuers senior
debt securities or preferred stock is not rated by Moodys,
which either (1) are issued by an issuer whose senior debt
securities are rated at least A- by S&P or (2) are
rated at least A- by S&P and for this purpose have been
assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of at least Baa3,
(ii) of issuers which have (or, in the case of issuers
which are special purpose corporations, whose parent companies
have) common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the
American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market System,
(iii) which have a minimum issue size (when taken together
with other of the issuers issues of similar tenor) of
$50,000,000, (iv) which have paid cash dividends
consistently during the preceding three-year period (or, in the
case of new issues without a dividend history, are rated at
least A1 by Moodys or, if not rated by Moodys, are
rated at least AA- by S&P), (v) which pay cumulative
cash dividends in U.S. dollars, (vi) which are not
convertible into any other class of stock and do not have
warrants attached, (vii) which are not issued by issuers in
the transportation industry and (viii) in the case of
auction rate preferred stocks, which are rated at least Aa3 by
Moodys, or if not rated by Moodys, AAA by S&P,
AAA by Fitch or are otherwise approved in writing by
Moodys and have never had a failed auction;
provided,
however,
that for this purpose the aggregate Market Value of
the Companys
27
holdings of any single issue of auction rate preferred stock
shall not be more than 1% of the Corporations total assets.
(e) common stocks (i) (A) which are traded on a
nationally recognized stock exchange or in the
over-the-counter
market, (B) if cash dividend paying, pay cash dividends in
U.S. dollars and (C) which may be sold without
restriction by the Corporation;
provided, however,
that
(y) common stock which, while a Moodys Eligible Asset
owned by the Corporation, ceases paying any regular cash
dividend will no longer be considered a Moodys Eligible
Asset until 71 days after the date of the announcement of
such cessation, unless the issuer of the common stock has senior
debt securities rated at least A3 by Moodys and
(z) the aggregate Market Value of the Corporations
holdings of the common stock of any issuer in excess of 4% in
the case of utility common stock and 6% in the case of
non-utility common stock of the aggregate Market Value of the
Corporations holdings shall not be Moodys Eligible
Assets, (ii) which are securities denominated in any
currency other than the U.S. dollar or securities of
issuers formed under the laws of jurisdictions other than the
United States, its states and the District of Columbia for which
there are ADRs or their equivalents which are traded in the
United States on exchanges or
over-the-counter
and are issued by banks formed under the laws of the United
States, its states or the District of Columbia or
(iii) which are securities of issuers formed under the laws
of jurisdictions other than the United States (and in existence
for at least five years) for which no ADRs are traded;
provided, however
, that the aggregate Market Value of the
Corporations holdings of securities denominated in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar and ADRs in excess of
(A) 6% of the aggregate Market Value of the Outstanding
shares of common stock of such issuer thereof or (B) in
excess of 10% of the Market Value of the Corporations
Moodys Eligible Assets with respect to issuers formed
under the laws of any single such
non-U.S. jurisdiction
other than Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, shall
not be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
(f) ADR securities, based on the following guidelines:
(i) Sponsored ADR program or (ii) Level II or
Level III ADRs. Private placement Rule 144A ADRs are
not eligible for collateral consideration. Global GDR programs
will be evaluated on a case by case basis;
(g) U.S. Government Obligations;
(h) corporate evidences of indebtedness (i) which may
be sold without restriction by the Corporation which are rated
at least B3 (Caa subordinate) by Moodys (or, in the event
the security is not rated by Moodys, the security is rated
at least BB− by S&P and which for this purpose is
assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full rating
category lower), with such rating confirmed on each Valuation
Date, (ii) which have a minimum issue size of at least
(A) $100,000,000 if rated at least Baa3 or
(B) $50,000,000 if rated B or Ba3, (iii) which are not
convertible or exchangeable into equity of the issuing
corporation and have a maturity of not more than 30 years
and (iv) for which, if rated below Baa3 or not rated, the
aggregate Market Value of the Companys holdings do not
exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of any individual issue
of corporate evidences of indebtedness calculated at the time of
original issuance; and
(i) convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
(i) which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least B2 by Moodys (or, in the
event an issuers senior debt securities are not rated by
Moodys, which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least BB by S&P and which for this
purpose is assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full
rating category lower), (ii) which are convertible into
common stocks which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or
the American Stock Exchange or are quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market System and (iii) which, if cash dividend paying, pay
cash dividends in U.S. dollars;
provided, however
,
that once convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness have
been converted into common stock, the common stock issued upon
conversion must satisfy the criteria set forth in
clause (e) above and other relevant criteria set forth in
this definition in order to be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
provided, however
, that the Corporations
investments in auction rate preferred stocks described in
clause (d) above shall be included in Moodys Eligible
28
Assets only to the extent that the aggregate Market Value of
such stocks does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of
all of the Corporations investments meeting the criteria
set forth in clauses (a) through (g) above less the
aggregate Market Value of those investments excluded from
Moodys Eligible Assets pursuant to the paragraph appearing
after clause (i) below; and
(j) no assets which are subject to any lien or irrevocably
deposited by the Corporation for the payment of amounts needed
to meet the obligations described in clauses (a)(i) through
(a)(iv) of the definition of Basic Maintenance
Amount may be includible in Moodys Eligible Assets.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding
clauses (a)-(j), the Corporations investment in
preferred stock, common stock, corporate evidences of
indebtedness and convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
shall not be treated as Moodys Eligible Assets except to
the extent they satisfy the following diversification
requirements (utilizing Moodys Industry and
Sub-industry
Categories) with respect to the Market Value of the
Corporations holdings:
Issuer:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)(2)
|
|
Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Issuer (3)(4)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
CS/CB, Baa(5)
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
Ba
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
B3 or lower
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
Industry
and State:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
|
Single
Sub-
|
|
|
Maximum Single
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)
|
|
Industry (3)
|
|
|
Industry (3)(6)
|
|
|
State (3)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
% (7)
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
7
|
% (7)
|
Ba
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B3 or lower
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates
of both the probability and severity of default for the
Corporations assets can be derived from other sources,
securities rated below B by Moodys and unrated securities,
which are securities rated by neither Moodys, S&P nor
Fitch, are limited to 10% of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a
corporate, municipal or other debt security is unrated by
Moodys, S&P or Fitch, the Corporation will use the
percentage set forth under B3 or lower in this
table. Ratings assigned by S&P or Fitch are generally
accepted by Moodys 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 Moodys rating
equivalent.
|
|
(2)
|
|
Corporate evidences of indebtedness from issues ranging
$50,000,000 to $100,000,000 are limited to 20% of Moodys
Eligible Assets.
|
29
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals
only for the related Moodys rating category and each lower
Moodys rating category.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Issuers subject to common ownership of 25% or more are
considered as one name.
|
|
(5)
|
|
CS/CB refers to common stock and convertible corporate evidences
of indebtedness, which are diversified independently from the
rating level.
|
|
(6)
|
|
In the case of utility common stock, utility preferred stock,
utility evidences of indebtedness and utility convertible
evidences of indebtedness, the definition of industry refers to
sub-industries (electric, water, hydro power, gas, diversified).
Investments in other sub-industries are eligible only to the
extent that the combined sum represents a percentage position of
the Moodys Eligible Assets less than or equal to the
percentage limits in the diversification tables above.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Such percentage shall be 15% in the case of utilities regulated
by California, New York and Texas.
|
Moodys Hedging Transactions
means
purchases or sales of exchange-traded financial futures
contracts based on any index approved by Moodys or
Treasury Bonds, and purchases, writings or sales of
exchange-traded put options on such financial futures contracts,
any index approved by Moodys or Treasury Bonds, and
purchases, writings or sales of exchange-traded call options on
such financial futures contracts, any index approved by
Moodys or Treasury Bonds, subject to the following
limitations:
(a) the Corporation will not engage in any Moodys
Hedging Transaction based on any index approved by Moodys
(other than Closing Transactions) that would cause the
Corporation at the time of such transaction to own or have sold:
(i) outstanding financial futures contracts based on such
index exceeding in number 10% of the average number of daily
traded financial futures contracts based on such index in the
30 days preceding the time of effecting such transaction as
reported by
The Wall Street Journal
; or
(ii) outstanding financial futures contracts based on any
index approved by Moodys having a Market Value exceeding
50% of the Market Value of all portfolio securities of the
Corporation constituting Moodys Eligible Assets owned by
the Corporation;
(b) The Corporation will not engage in any Moodys
Hedging Transaction based on Treasury Bonds (other than Closing
Transactions) that would cause the Corporation at the time of
such transaction to own or have sold:
(i) outstanding financial futures contracts based on
Treasury Bonds with such contracts having an aggregate Market
Value exceeding 20% of the aggregate Market Value of
Moodys Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation and rated
Aa by Moodys (or, if not rated by Moodys but rated
by S&P, rated AAA by S&P); or
(ii) outstanding financial futures contracts based on
Treasury Bonds with such contracts having an aggregate Market
Value exceeding 50% of the aggregate Market Value of all
portfolio securities of the Corporation constituting
Moodys Eligible Assets owned by the Corporation (other
than Moodys Eligible Assets already subject to a
Moodys Hedging Transaction) and rated Baa or A by
Moodys (or, if not rated by Moodys but rated by
S&P, rated A or AA by S&P);
(c) The Corporation will engage in Closing Transactions to
close out any outstanding financial futures contract based on
any index approved by Moodys if the amount of open
interest in such index as reported by
The Wall Street Journal
is less than an amount to be mutually determined by
Moodys and the Corporation;
(d) The Corporation 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;
30
(e) The Corporation will engage in Moodys Hedging
Transactions only with respect to financial futures contracts or
options thereon having the next settlement date or the
settlement date immediately thereafter;
(f) The Corporation (i) will not engage in options and
futures transactions for leveraging or speculative purposes,
except that an option or futures transaction shall not for these
purposes be considered a leveraged position or speculative and
(ii) 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; and
(g) The Corporation will not enter into an option or
futures transaction unless, after giving effect thereto, the
Corporation would continue to have Moodys Eligible Assets
with an aggregate Discounted Value equal to or greater than the
Basic Maintenance Amount.
Moodys Industry Classifications
means,
for the purposes of determining Moodys Eligible Assets,
each of the following industry classifications (or such other
classifications as Moodys may from time to time approve
for application to the Series E Preferred Stock).
1. Aerospace and Defense: Major Contractor, Subsystems,
Research, Aircraft Manufacturing, Arms, Ammunition.
2. Automobile: Automobile Equipment, Auto-Manufacturing,
Auto Parts Manufacturing, Personal Use Trailers, Motor Homes,
Dealers.
3. Banking: Bank Holding, Savings and Loans, Consumer
Credit, Small Loan, Agency, Factoring, Receivables.
4. Beverage, Food and Tobacco: Beer and Ale, Distillers,
Wines and Liquors, Distributors, Soft Drink Syrup, Bottlers,
Bakery, Mill Sugar, Canned Foods, Corn Refiners, Dairy Products,
Meat Products, Poultry Products, Snacks, Packaged Foods,
Distributors, Candy, Gum, Seafood, Frozen Food, Cigarettes,
Cigars, Leaf/Snuff, Vegetable Oil.
5. Buildings and Real Estate: Brick, Cement, Climate
Controls, Contracting, Engineering, Construction, Hardware,
Forest Products (building-related only), Plumbing, Roofing,
Wallboard, Real Estate, Real Estate Development, REITs, Land
Development.
6. Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber: Chemicals
(non-agricultural), Industrial Gases, Sulphur, Plastics, Plastic
Products, Abrasives, Coatings, Paints, Varnish, Fabricating
Containers.
7. Packaging and Glass: Glass, Fiberglass, Containers
made of: Glass, Metal, Paper, Plastic, Wood or Fiberglass.
8. Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products
(Manufacturing Only): Soaps, Perfumes, Cosmetics, Toiletries,
Cleaning Supplies, School Supplies.
9. Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing.
10. Diversified/Conglomerate Service.
11. Diversified Natural Resources, Precious Metals and
Minerals: Fabricating, Distribution.
12. Ecological: Pollution Control, Waste Removal, Waste
Treatment and Waste Disposal.
13. Electronics: Computer Hardware, Electric Equipment,
Components, Controllers, Motors, Household Appliances,
Information Service Communication Systems, Radios, TVs, Tape
Machines, Speakers, Printers, Drivers, Technology.
14. Finance: Investment Brokerage, Leasing, Syndication,
Securities.
15. Farming and Agriculture: Livestock, Grains, Produce,
Agriculture Chemicals, Agricultural Equipment, Fertilizers.
31
16. Grocery: Grocery Stores, Convenience Food Stores.
17. Healthcare, Education and Childcare: Ethical Drugs,
Proprietary Drugs, Research, Health Care Centers, Nursing Homes,
HMOs, Hospitals, Hospital Supplies, Medical Equipment.
18. Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable
Consumer Products: Carpets, Floor Coverings, Furniture, Cooking,
Ranges.
19. Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming.
20. Insurance: Life, Property and Casualty, Broker, Agent,
Surety.
21. Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures, Entertainment:
Boating, Bowling, Billiards, Musical Instruments, Fishing, Photo
Equipment, Records, Tapes, Sports, Outdoor Equipment (Camping),
Tourism, Resorts, Games, Toy Manufacturing, Motion Picture
Production Theaters, Motion Picture Distribution.
22. Machinery (Non-Agricultural, Non-Construction,
Non-Electronic): Industrial, Machine Tools, Steam Generators.
23. Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals: Coal,
Copper, Lead, Uranium, Zinc, Aluminum, Stainless Steel,
Integrated Steel, Ore Production, Refractories, Steel Mill
Machinery, Mini-Mills, Fabricating, Distribution and Sales of
the foregoing.
24. Oil and Gas: Crude Producer, Retailer, Well Supply,
Service and Drilling.
25. Printing, Publishing, and Broadcasting: Graphic Arts,
Paper, Paper Products, Business Forms, Magazines, Books,
Periodicals, Newspapers, Textbooks, Radio, T.V., Cable
Broadcasting Equipment.
26. Cargo Transport: Rail, Shipping, Railroads, Rail-car
Builders, Ship Builders, Containers, Container Builders, Parts,
Overnight Mail, Trucking, Truck Manufacturing, Trailer
Manufacturing, Air Cargo, Transport.
27. Retail Stores: Apparel, Toy, Variety, Drugs,
Department, Mail Order Catalog, Showroom.
28. Telecommunications: Local, Long Distance, Independent,
Telephone, Telegraph, Satellite, Equipment, Research, Cellular.
29. Textiles and Leather: Producer, Synthetic Fiber,
Apparel Manufacturer, Leather Shoes.
30. Personal Transportation: Air, Bus, Rail, Car Rental.
31. Utilities: Electric, Water, Hydro Power, Gas.
32. Diversified Sovereigns: Semi-sovereigns, Canadian
Provinces, Supra-national Agencies.
The Corporation will use SIC codes in determining which industry
classification is applicable to a particular investment in
consultation with the Independent Accountant and Moodys,
to the extent the Corporation considers necessary.
1933 Act
means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any successor statute.
1940 Act
means the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, or any successor statute.
Non-Call Period
means a period determined by
the Board of Directors after consultation with the
Broker-Dealers, during which the Series E Preferred Stock
subject to such Special Dividend Period is not subject to
redemption at the option of the Corporation but only to
mandatory redemption.
Notice of Redemption
means any notice with
respect to the redemption of Series E Preferred Stock
pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article I of these
Articles Supplementary.
Other Rating Agency
means any rating agency
other than Moodys or S&P then providing a rating for
the Series E Preferred Stock at the request of the
Corporation.
32
Other Rating Agency Eligible Assets
means
assets of the Corporation designated by any Other Rating Agency
as eligible for inclusion in calculating the discounted value of
the Corporations assets in connection with such Other
Rating Agencys rating of the Series E Preferred Stock.
Outstanding
means, as of any date, shares of
Preferred Stock theretofore issued by the Corporation except:
(a) any such share of Preferred Stock theretofore cancelled
by the Corporation or delivered to the Corporation for
cancellation;
(b) any such share of Preferred Stock other than an auction
rate Preferred Stock as to which a notice of redemption shall
have been given and for whose payment at the redemption thereof
Deposit Assets in the necessary amount are held by the
Corporation in trust for, or have been irrevocably deposited
with the relevant disbursing agent for payment to, the holder of
such share pursuant to the Articles Supplementary with
respect thereto;
(c) in the case of shares of an auction rate Preferred
Stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock, any such
shares theretofore delivered to the applicable auction agent for
cancellation or with respect to which the Corporation has given
notice of redemption and irrevocably deposited with the
applicable paying agent sufficient funds to redeem such shares;
and
(d) any such share in exchange for or in lieu of which
other shares have been issued and delivered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of voting
rights (including the determination of the number of shares
required to constitute a quorum), any Preferred Stock as to
which any subsidiary of the Corporation is the holder or
Existing Holder, as applicable, will be disregarded and deemed
not Outstanding and (ii) in connection with any auction,
any auction rate Preferred Stock as to which any Person known to
the auction agent to be a subsidiary of the Corporation is the
holder or Existing Holder, as applicable, will be disregarded
and not deemed Outstanding.
Paying Agent
means The Bank of New York
unless and until another entity appointed by a resolution of the
Board of Directors enters into an agreement with the Corporation
to serve as paying agent, which paying agent may be the same as
the Auction Agent and, with respect to any other class or series
of Preferred Stock, the Person appointed by the Corporation as
dividend-disbursing or paying agent with respect to such class
or series.
Person
means and includes an individual, a
partnership, the Corporation, a trust, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint
venture or other entity or a government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
Preferred Stock
means the preferred stock,
par value $.001 per share, of the Corporation, and includes
the shares of Series E Preferred Stock.
Preferred Stocks
means, with respect to
S&P Ratings Factors, the preferred stock of issuers whose
common stock satisfies subsections (b)(i)-(iv) of the definition
of S&P Eligible Assets.
Premium Call Period
means a period consisting
of a number of whole years as determined by the Board of
Directors after consultation with the Broker-Dealers, during
each year of which the shares subject to such Special Dividend
Period will be redeemable at the Corporations option at a
price per share equal to the Liquidation Preference plus
accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) plus a premium expressed as a percentage or
percentages of the
Liquidation Preference or expressed as a formula using specified
variables as determined by the Board of Directors after
consultation with the Broker-Dealers.
Pricing Service
means any of the following:
Bloomberg Financial Service, Bridge Information Services, Data
Resources Inc., FT Interactive, International Securities Market
Association, Merrill Lynch
33
Securities Pricing Service, Muller Data Corp., Reuters,
S&P/J.J. Kenny, Telerate, Trepp Pricing and Wood Gundy.
Public Equity Large-Cap
means any equity
issuer with a market capitalization in excess of
$10 billion.
Public Equity Mid-Cap
means any equity issuer
with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion but
less than or equal to $10 billion.
Public Equity Small-Cap
means any equity
issuer with a market capitalization of less than or equal to
$1 billion.
Quarterly Valuation Date
means the last
Business Day of each March, June, September and December of each
year.
Rating Agency
means Moodys and S&P
as long as such rating agency is then rating the Series E
Preferred Stock at the Corporations request or any other
rating agency then rating the Series E Preferred Stock at
the Corporations request.
Redemption Date
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 3(e) of Article I of these
Articles Supplementary.
Redemption Default
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 3(e) of Article I of these
Articles Supplementary.
Redemption Price
shall mean
(a) with respect to a Dividend Period that is not a Premium
Call Period, the Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to
accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned
or declared) to the Redemption Date, or, (b) with
respect to a Dividend Period that is a Premium Call Period, the
Liquidation Preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but
unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to
the Redemption Date plus a redemption premium, if any,
determined by the Board of Directors after consultation with the
Broker-Dealers and set forth in the notice describing any
applicable Specific Redemption Provisions. For the purposes
of these Articles Supplementary,
Redemption Price shall have a correlative
meaning with respect to any other class or series of Preferred
Stock.
Reference Rate
means, with respect to the
determination of the Default Rate, the applicable AA
Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate for a Dividend Period
of 184 days or fewer or the applicable Treasury Index Rate
for a Dividend Period of longer than 184 days and, with
respect to the determination of the Maximum Rate, the
AA Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate or the
Treasury Index Rate, as appropriate.
Registrar
means The Bank of New York, unless
and until another entity appointed by a resolution of the Board
of Directors enters into an agreement with the Corporation to
serve as registrar.
S&P
means Standard & Poors
Ratings Services, or its successors at law.
S&P Rating Factor
means, with respect to
a S&P Eligible Asset specified below, the following
applicable number:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Class Obligor
|
|
Advance
|
|
|
Overcollateralization
|
|
(Collateral)
|
|
Rates (1)
|
|
|
Factors (1)
|
|
|
Public Equity Small-Cap
|
|
|
46.0
|
%
|
|
|
217.4
|
%
|
Public Equity Mid-Cap
|
|
|
53.6
|
%
|
|
|
186.6
|
%
|
Public Equity Large-Cap
|
|
|
59.7
|
%
|
|
|
167.6
|
%
|
Cash and Other Deposit Securities
with Maturities of 30 days or less
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
For an S&P rating of AAA.
|
34
S&P Eligible Assets
means:
(a) Deposit Assets; and
(b) common stocks that satisfy all of the following
conditions:
(i) such common stock (including the common stock of any
predecessor or constituent issuer) has been traded on a
recognized national securities exchange or quoted on the
National Market System (or any equivalent or successor thereto)
of Nasdaq for at least 450 days,
(ii) the Market Capitalization of such issuer of common
stock exceeds $100 million,
(iii) the issuer of such common stock is not an entity that
is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes,
(iv) if such issuer is organized under the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof,
any possession or territory thereof or the District of Columbia,
the common stock of such issuer held by the Corporation is
traded on a recognized national securities exchange or quoted on
the National Market System of Nasdaq either directly or in the
form of depository receipts, and
(v) if such issuer is registered as an investment company
under the 1940 Act, such issuer does not invest more than 25% of
the value of its gross assets in securities that are not S&P
Eligible Assets by reason of clause (iv) above;
provided, however, that the Corporations holdings of the
common stock of any single issuer that satisfies the conditions
set forth in clauses (i) through (v) above shall be
included in S&P Eligible Assets only to the extent that:
(1) such holdings may be sold publicly by the Corporation
at any time without registration,
(2) to the extent remaining eligible after the operation of
item (1) above, such holdings do not exceed a number of
shares representing the average weekly trading volume of such
common stock during the preceding 30 day period,
(3) to the extent remaining eligible after the operation of
items (1) and (2) above, the aggregate Market Value of
such holdings, when added to the aggregate Market Value of the
Corporations holdings of all other similarly eligible
shares of common stock of issuers in the same Industry
Classification, does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market
Value of the Corporations S&P Eligible Assets, and
(4) to the extent remaining eligible after the operation of
items (1) through (3) above, the aggregate Market
Value of the Corporations holdings of each of the three
largest issuers is not in excess of 5% of the aggregate Market
Value of the Corporations S&P Eligible Assets, and of
the remaining issuers, is not in excess of 2% of the aggregate
Market Value of the Corporations S&P Eligible Assets.
(c) Preferred Stocks, on such basis as S&P may
determine in response to a request from the Corporation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an asset will not be considered
an S&P Eligible Asset if it is held in a margin account, is
subject to any material lien, mortgage, pledge, security
interest or security agreement of any kind or has been deposited
irrevocably for the payment of dividends, redemption payments or
any other payment or obligation under the Corporations
Articles Supplementary.
S&P Hedging Transactions
has the meaning
set forth in paragraph 11(b)(i) of Article I of these
Articles Supplementary.
35
Securities Depository
means The Depository
Trust Company and its successors and assigns or any successor
securities depository selected by the Corporation that agrees to
follow the procedures required to be followed by such securities
depository in connection with the Series E Preferred Stock.
Series E Asset Coverage Cure Date
means,
with respect to the failure by the Corporation to maintain Asset
Coverage (as required by paragraph 9(a)(i)(A) of
Article I of these Articles Supplementary) as of an
applicable Quarterly Valuation Date, 10 Business Days following
such Quarterly Valuation Date, and shall, for the purposes of
these Articles Supplementary, have a correlative meaning
with respect to any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Series E Preferred Stock
means shares of
the Corporations Series E Auction Rate Preferred
Stock, par value $.001 per share, liquidation preference
$25,000 per share.
Short-Term Money Market Instrument
means the
following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or
other acquisition thereof by the Corporation, the remaining term
to maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days:
(a) commercial paper rated
A-1
if such
commercial paper matures in 30 days, or
A-1+
if such
commercial paper matures in over 30 days;
(b) AAAm rated money market funds;
(c) demand or time deposits in, and bankers
acceptances and certificates of deposit of (i) a depository
institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia (ii) a United States branch office or agency of a
foreign depository institution (provided that such branch office
or agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia),
or
(iii) A-1+
rated institutions;
(d) overnight funds; and
(e) U.S. Government Obligations.
Special Dividend Period
means a Dividend
Period that is not a Standard Dividend Period.
Specific Redemption Provisions
means,
with respect to any Special Dividend Period of more than one
year, either, or any combination of (i) a Non-Call Period
and (ii) a Premium Call Period.
Standard Dividend Period
means a Dividend
Period of seven days, subject to increase or decrease to the
extent necessary for the next Auction Date and Dividend Payment
Date to each be Business Days.
Submission Deadline
means 1:30 p.m., New
York City time, on any Auction Date or such other time on any
Auction Date by which Broker-Dealers are required to submit
Orders to the Auction Agent as specified by the Auction Agent
from time to time.
Transfer Agent
means The Bank of New York,
unless and until another entity appointed by a resolution of the
Board of Directors enters into an agreement with the Corporation
to serve as transfer agent.
Treasury Index Rate
means the average yield
to maturity for actively traded marketable U.S. Treasury
fixed interest rate 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 Obligations selected
by the Corporation.
36
U.S. Government Obligations
means direct
obligations of the United States or by its agencies or
instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit
of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury
Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full
payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
Valuation Date
means the last Business Day of
each week, or such other date as the Corporation and Rating
Agencies may agree to for purposes of determining the Basic
Maintenance Amount.
Voting Period
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 6(b) of Article I of these
Articles Supplementary.
14. Interpretation. References to sections, subsections,
clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and subparagraphs that do not
reference a specific Article of these
Articles Supplementary or another document shall refer to
the Article of these Articles Supplementary in which the
reference occurs, unless the context otherwise requires.
Article II:
Auction
Procedures
1. Certain Definitions. Unless the context or use indicates
another or different meaning or intent, each of the following
terms when used in these Articles Supplementary shall have
the meaning ascribed to it below, whether such term is used in
the singular or plural and regardless of tense:
Agent Member
means a member of or participant
in the Securities Depository that will act on behalf of a Bidder.
Available Preferred Shares
has the meaning
set forth in paragraph 4(a)(i) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Existing Holder
means (a) a Person who
beneficially owns those shares of Preferred Stock, including
Series E Preferred Stock, listed in that Persons name
in the records of the Corporation or Auction Agent, as the case
may be, or (b) the beneficial owner of those shares of
Series E Preferred Stock which are listed under such
persons Broker-Dealers name in the records of the
Auction Agent, which Broker-Dealer shall have signed a Master
Purchasers Letter.
Hold Order
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Master Purchasers Letter
means the
letter which is required to be executed by each prospective
purchaser of Series E Preferred Stock or by the
Broker-Dealer through whom the shares will be held.
Order
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Potential Holder
means (a) any Existing
Holder who may be interested in acquiring additional
Series E Preferred Stock or (b) any other Person who
may be interested in acquiring Series E Preferred Stock and
who has signed a Master Purchasers Letter or whose shares
will be listed under such persons Broker-Dealers
name on the records of the Auction Agent which Broker-Dealer
shall have executed a Master Purchasers Letter.
Sell Order
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 2(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Bid
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 4(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Hold Order
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 4(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Order
has the meaning set forth in
paragraph 4(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Submitted Sell Order
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 4(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
37
Sufficient Clearing Bids
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 4(a)(ii) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
Sufficient Clearing Orders
means that all
shares of Series E Preferred Stock are the subject of
Submitted Hold Orders or that the number of shares of
Series E Preferred Stock that are the subject of Submitted
Bids by Potential Holders specifying one or more rates equal to
or less than the Maximum Rate exceeds or equals the sum of
(a) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock
that are subject of Submitted Bids by Existing Holders
specifying one or more rates higher than the Maximum Rate and
(b) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock
that are subject to Submitted Sell Orders.
Winning Bid Rate
means the lowest rate
specified in the Submitted Bids which if:
(a) (i) each such Submitted Bid of Existing Holders
specifying such lowest rate and
(ii) all other such Submitted Bids
of Existing Holders specifying lower rates were rejected, thus
entitling such Existing Holders to continue to hold the shares
of such series that are subject to such Submitted Bids; and
(b) (i) each such Submitted Bid of Potential Holders
specifying such lowest rate and
(ii) all other such Submitted Bids
of Potential Holders specifying lower rates were accepted;
would result in such Existing Holders described in
subclause (a) above continuing to hold an aggregate number
of Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock which,
when added to the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock to be purchased by such Potential Holders
described in subclause (b) above, would equal not less than
the Available Preferred Shares.
2. Orders.
(a) On or prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction
Date for Series E Preferred Stock:
(i) each Beneficial Owner of Series E Preferred Stock
may submit to its Broker-Dealer by telephone or otherwise
information as to:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock, if any, 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;
(B) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock, if any, held by such Beneficial Owner which
such Beneficial Owner offers to sell if the Applicable Rate for
the next succeeding Dividend Period shall be less than the rate
per annum specified by such Beneficial Owner; and/or
(C) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock, if any, 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
(ii) each Broker-Dealer, using lists of potential
Beneficial Owners, shall in good faith for the purpose of
conducting a competitive Auction in a commercially reasonable
manner, contact potential Beneficial Owners (by telephone or
otherwise), including Persons that are not Beneficial Owners, on
such lists to determine the number of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock, if any, that each such potential Beneficial
Owner offers to purchase if 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 by a
Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, of information referred to
in clauses (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this
paragraph (2) is hereinafter referred to as an
Order
and collectively as
Orders
and each Beneficial Owner and each
potential Beneficial Owner placing an Order with a
Broker-Dealer, and
38
such Broker-Dealer placing an Order with the Auction Agent, is
hereinafter referred to as a
Bidder
and
collectively as
Bidders
; an Order containing
the information referred to in clause (a)(i)(A) of this
paragraph (2) is hereinafter referred to as a
Hold Order
and collectively as
Hold
Orders
; an Order containing the information referred
to in clauses (a)(i)(B) or (a)(ii) of this
paragraph (2) is hereinafter referred to as a
Bid
and collectively as
Bids
; and an Order containing the information
referred to in clause (a)(i)(C) of this
paragraph (2) is hereinafter referred to as a
Sell Order
and collectively as
Sell
Orders.
(iii) A Bid by a Beneficial Owner or an Existing Holder of
Series E Preferred Stock subject to an Auction on any
Auction Date shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell if:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate
determined on such Auction Date shall be less than the rate
specified therein;
(B) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock to be determined as set forth in
paragraph 5(a)(iv) if the Applicable Rate for Series E
Preferred Stock determined on such Auction Date shall be equal
to the rate specified therein; or
(C) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock specified in such Bid if the rate specified
therein shall be higher than the Maximum Rate, or such number or
a lesser number of Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock to be determined as set forth in paragraph 5(b)(iii)
if the rate specified therein shall be higher than the Maximum
Rate and Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist.
(iv) A Sell Order by a Beneficial Owner or an Existing
Holder of Series E Preferred Stock subject to an Auction on
any Auction Date shall constitute an irrevocable offer to sell:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock specified in such Sell Order; or
(B) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock as set forth in
paragraph 5(b)(iii) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not
exist; provided, however, that a Broker-Dealer that is an
Existing Holder with respect to Series E Preferred Stock
shall not be liable to any Person for failing to sell such
shares pursuant to a Sell Order described in the proviso to
paragraph 3(c) if (1) such shares were transferred by
the Beneficial Owner thereof without compliance by such
Beneficial Owner or its transferee Broker-Dealer (or other
transferee Person, if permitted by the Corporation) with the
provisions of paragraph 6 or (2) such Broker-Dealer
has informed the Auction Agent pursuant to the terms of its
Broker-Dealer Agreement that, according to such
Broker-Dealers records, such Broker-Dealer believes it is
not the Existing Holder of such shares.
(v) A Bid by a Potential Holder of Series E Preferred
Stock subject to an Auction on any Auction Date shall constitute
an irrevocable offer to purchase if:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock specified in such Bid if the Applicable Rate
determined on such Auction Date shall be higher than the rate
specified therein; or
(B) such number or a lesser number of Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock as set forth in
paragraph 5(a)(v) if the Applicable Rate determined on such
Auction Date shall be equal to the rate specified therein.
(b) No Order for any number of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock other than whole shares shall be valid.
39
3. Submission of Orders by Broker-Dealers to Auction Agent.
(a) Each Broker-Dealer shall submit in writing to the
Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline on each Auction
Date all Orders for Series E Preferred Stock subject to an
Auction on such Auction Date 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 shall
specify with respect to each Order for such shares:
(i) the name of the Bidder placing such Order (which shall
be the Broker-Dealer unless otherwise permitted by the
Corporation);
(ii) the aggregate number of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock that are the subject of such Order;
(iii) to the extent that such Bidder is an Existing Holder
of Series E Preferred Stock:
(A) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock,
if any, subject to any Hold Order of such Existing Holder;
(B) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock,
if any, subject to any Bid of such Existing Holder and the rate
specified in such Bid; and
(C) the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock,
if any, subject to any Sell Order of such Existing
Holder; and
(iv) to the extent such Bidder is a Potential Holder of
Series E Preferred Stock, the rate and number of shares of
Series E Preferred Stock specified in such Potential
Holders Bid.
(b) If any rate specified in any Bid contains more than
three figures to the right of the decimal point, the Auction
Agent shall round such rate up to the next highest one
thousandth (.001) of 1%.
(c) If an Order or Orders covering all of the Outstanding
shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by any Existing
Holder is not submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the
Submission Deadline, the Auction Agent shall deem a Hold Order
to have been submitted by or on behalf of such Existing Holder
covering the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock held by such Existing Holder and not subject to
Orders submitted to the Auction Agent; provided, however, that
if an Order or Orders covering all of the Outstanding
Series E Preferred Stock held by any Existing Holder is not
submitted to the Auction Agent prior to the Submission Deadline
for an Auction relating to a Special Dividend Period consisting
of more than 28 calendar days, the Auction Agent shall deem a
Sell Order to have been submitted by or on behalf of such
Existing Holder covering the number of Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock held by such Existing Holder and
not subject to Orders submitted to the Auction Agent.
(d) If one or more Orders of an Existing Holder is
submitted to the Auction Agent covering in the aggregate more
than the number of Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred
Stock subject to an Auction held by such Existing Holder, such
Orders shall be considered valid in the following order of
priority:
(i) all Hold Orders shall be considered valid, but only up
to and including in the aggregate the number of Outstanding
shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such Existing
Holder, and if the number of shares subject to such Hold Orders
exceeds the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock held by such Existing Holder, the number of
shares subject to each such Hold Order shall be reduced pro rata
to cover the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock held by such Existing Holder;
(A) any Bid for Series E Preferred Stock shall be
considered valid up to and including the excess of the number of
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such
Existing Holder over the number of shares of Series E
Preferred Stock subject to any Hold Orders referred to in
clause (d)(i) above;
40
(B) subject to subclause (d)(ii)(A), if more than one
Bid of an Existing Holder for Series E Preferred Stock is
submitted to the Auction Agent with the same rate and the number
of Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject
to such Bids is greater than such excess, such Bids shall be
considered valid up to and including the amount of such excess,
and the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock
subject to each Bid with the same rate shall be reduced pro rata
to cover the number of shares equal to such excess;
(C) subject to subclauses (d)(ii)(A) and (B), if more
than one Bid of an Existing Holder for Series E Preferred
Stock is submitted to the Auction Agent with different rates,
such Bids shall be considered valid in the ascending order of
their respective rates up to and including the amount of such
excess; and
(D) in any such event, the number, if any, of such
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject to
any portion of Bids considered not valid in whole or in part
under this paragraph 3(d)(ii) shall be treated as the
subject of a Bid by or on behalf of a Potential Holder at the
rate specified therein; and
(ii) all Sell Orders for Series E Preferred Stock
shall be considered valid up to and including the excess of the
number of Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock
held by such Existing Holder over the sum of Outstanding shares
of Series E Preferred Stock subject to valid Hold Orders
referred to in paragraph 3(d)(i) above and valid Bids
referred to in paragraph 3(d)(ii) above.
(e) If more than one Bid for Series E Preferred Stock
is submitted to the Auction Agent by or on behalf of any
Potential Holder, each such Bid submitted shall be a separate
Bid with the rate and number of shares therein specified.
(f) Any Order submitted by a Beneficial Owner or a
potential Beneficial Owner to its Broker-Dealer, or by a
Broker-Dealer to the Auction Agent, prior to the Submission
Deadline on any Auction Date, shall be irrevocable.
4. Determination of Sufficient Clearing Bids, Winning Bid
Rate and Applicable Rate.
(a) Not earlier than the Submission Deadline on each
Auction Date for Series E Preferred Stock, the Auction
Agent shall assemble all valid 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 collectively as
Submitted Hold Orders
,
Submitted
Bids
or
Submitted Sell Orders
, as
the case may be, or as
Submitted Orders
) and
shall determine:
(i) the excess of the number of Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock over the number of Outstanding
shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject to Submitted
Hold Orders (such excess being hereinafter referred to as the
Available Preferred Shares
);
(ii) from the Submitted Orders for Series E Preferred
Stock whether:
(A) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock subject to Submitted Bids of Potential Holders
specifying one or more rates equal to or lower than the Maximum
Rate exceeds or is equal to the sum of
(B) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock subject to Submitted Bids of Existing Holders
specifying one or more rates higher than the Maximum
Rate; and
(C) the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock subject to Submitted Sell Orders (in the event
such excess or such equality exists (other than because the
number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock in
clauses (a)(ii)(A) and (B) above is zero because all
of the Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock are
subject to Submitted Hold Orders), such Submitted Bids in
clause (a)(ii)(A) above being hereinafter referred to
collectively as
Sufficient Clearing Bids
); and
41
(iii) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, the Winning Bid
Rate.
(b) Not later than 9:30 A.M., New York City time, on
each Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall advise the
Corporation of the Maximum Rate for the Series E Preferred
Stock for which an Auction is being held on the Auction Date
and, based on such determination, promptly after the Auction
Agent has made the determinations pursuant to
paragraph 4(a), the Auction Agent shall advise the
Corporation of the Applicable Rate for the next succeeding
Dividend Period thereof as follows:
(i) if Sufficient Clearing Bids exist, that the Applicable
Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period thereof shall be
equal to the Winning Bid Rate so determined;
(ii) if Sufficient Clearing Bids do not exist (other than
because all of the Outstanding shares of such series are subject
to Submitted Hold Orders), that the Applicable Rate for the next
succeeding Dividend Period thereof shall be equal to the Maximum
Rate; or
(iii) if all of the Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock are subject to Submitted Hold Orders, that the
Applicable Rate for the next succeeding Dividend Period thereof
shall be the All Hold Rate.
5. Acceptance and Rejection of Submitted Bids and Submitted
Sell Orders and Allocation.
Existing Holders shall continue to hold the shares of
Series E Preferred Stock that are subject to Submitted Hold
Orders, and, based on the determinations made pursuant to
paragraph 4(a), the Submitted Bids and Submitted Sell
Orders shall be accepted or rejected by the Auction Agent and
the Auction Agent shall take such other action as set forth
below:
(a) If Sufficient Clearing Bids for shares of Series E
Preferred Stock have been made, all Submitted Sell Orders shall
be accepted and, subject to the provisions of
paragraphs 5(d) and 5(e), Submitted Bids shall be accepted
or rejected as follows in the following order of priority and
all other Submitted Bids shall be rejected:
(i) Existing Holders Submitted Bids for Series E
Preferred Stock specifying any rate that is higher than the
Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted, thus requiring each such
Existing Holder to sell the Series E Preferred Stock
subject to such Submitted Bids;
(ii) Existing Holders Submitted Bids for shares
Series E Preferred Stock specifying any rate that is lower
than the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling each
such Existing Holder to continue to hold the Series E
Preferred Stock subject to such Submitted Bids;
(iii) Potential Holders Submitted Bids for shares of
Series E Preferred Stock specifying any rate that is lower
than the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted;
(iv) each Existing Holders Submitted Bid for shares
of Series E Preferred Stock specifying a rate that is equal
to the Winning Bid Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling such
Existing Holder to continue to hold the Series E Preferred
Stock subject to such Submitted Bid, unless the number of
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject to
all such Submitted Bids shall be greater than the number of
shares of Series E Preferred Stock (remaining
shares) in the excess of the Available Preferred Shares
over the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock
subject to Submitted Bids described in paragraphs 5(a)(ii)
and 5(a)(iii), in which event such Submitted Bid of such
Existing Holder shall be rejected in part, and such Existing
Holder shall be entitled to continue to hold Series E
Preferred Stock subject to such Submitted Bid, but only in an
amount equal to the shares of Series E Preferred Stock
obtained by multiplying the number of remaining shares by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock held by such
Existing Holder subject to such Submitted Bid and the
denominator of which shall be the aggregate number of
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject to
such Submitted Bids made by all such Existing Holders that
specified a rate equal to the Winning Bid Rate; and
42
(v) each Potential Holders Submitted Bid for
Series E Preferred Stock specifying a rate that is equal to
the Winning Bid Rate shall be accepted but only in an amount
equal to the number of shares obtained by multiplying the number
of shares of Series E Preferred Stock in the excess of the
Available Preferred Shares over the number of shares of
Series E Preferred Stock subject to Submitted Bids
described in paragraph 5(a)(ii) through (iv) by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of
Outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock subject to
such Submitted Bid and the denominator of which shall be the
aggregate number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock subject to such Submitted Bids made by all such
Potential Holders that specified a rate equal to the Winning Bid
Rate.
(b) If Sufficient Clearing Bids for Series E Preferred
Stock have not been made (other than because all of the
Outstanding shares are subject to Submitted Hold Orders),
subject to the provisions of paragraph 5(d), Submitted
Orders shall be accepted or rejected as follows in the following
order of priority and all other Submitted Bids for Series E
Preferred Stock shall be rejected:
(i) Existing Holders Submitted Bids for Series E
Preferred Stock specifying any rate that is equal to or lower
than the Maximum Rate shall be rejected, thus entitling such
Existing Holders to continue to hold the Series E Preferred
Stock subject to such Submitted Bids;
(ii) Potential Holders Submitted Bids for
Series E Preferred Stock specifying any rate that is equal
to or lower than the Maximum Rate shall be accepted; and
(iii) Each Existing Holders Submitted Bid for
Series E Preferred Stock specifying any rate that is higher
than the Maximum Rate and the Submitted Sell Orders of each
Existing Holder shall be accepted, thus entitling each Existing
Holder that submitted or on whose behalf was submitted any such
Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order to sell Series E
Preferred Stock subject to such Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell
Order, but in both cases only in an amount equal to the number
of shares of Series E Preferred Stock obtained by
multiplying the number of shares of Series E Preferred
Stock subject to Submitted Bids described in
paragraph 5(b)(ii) by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the number of Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock held by such Existing Holder subject to such
Submitted Bid or Submitted Sell Order and the denominator of
which shall be the aggregate number of Outstanding shares of
Series E Preferred Stock subject to all such Submitted Bids
and Submitted Sell Orders.
(c) If all of the Outstanding shares of Series E
Preferred Stock are subject to Submitted Hold Orders, all
Submitted Bids for such shares shall be rejected.
(d) If, as a result of the procedures described in
paragraph 5(a)(iv) or (v) or paragraph 5(b)(iii),
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 Series E Preferred Stock on any
Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in such manner as it
shall determine in its sole discretion, round up or down the
number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock to be
purchased or sold by any Existing Holder or Potential Holder on
such Auction Date as a result of such procedures so that the
number of shares so purchased or sold by each Existing Holder or
Potential Holder on such Auction Date shall be whole shares.
(e) If, as a result of the procedures described in
paragraph 5(a)(v) any Potential Holder would be entitled or
required to purchase less than a whole share of Series E
Preferred Stock on any Auction Date, the Auction Agent shall, in
such manner as it shall determine in its sole discretion,
allocate Series E Preferred Shares for purchase among
Potential Holders so that only whole shares are purchased on
such Auction Date as a result of such procedures by any
Potential Holder, even if such allocation results in one or more
Potential Holders not purchasing Series E Preferred Stock
on such Auction Date.
(f) Based on the results of each Auction for Series E
Preferred Stock, the Auction Agent shall determine the aggregate
number of such shares to be purchased and the aggregate number
of such shares to be sold by Potential Holders and Existing
Holders and, with respect to each Potential Holder and Existing
Holder, to the extent that such aggregate number of shares to be
purchased and such aggregate
43
number of shares to be sold differ, determine to which other
Potential Holder(s) or Existing Holder(s) they shall deliver, or
from which other Potential Holder(s) or Existing Holder(s) they
shall receive, as the case may be, Series E Preferred
Stock. Notwithstanding any provision of the Auction Procedures
to the contrary, in the event an Existing Holder or Beneficial
Owner of Series E Preferred Stock with respect to whom a
Broker-Dealer submitted a Bid to the Auction Agent for such
shares that was accepted in whole or in part, or submitted or is
deemed to have submitted a Sell Order for such shares that was
accepted in whole or in part, fails to instruct its Agent Member
to deliver such shares against payment therefor, partial
deliveries of shares of Series E Preferred Stock that have
been made in respect of Potential Holders or Potential
Beneficial Owners Submitted Bids for Series E
Preferred Stock that have been accepted in whole or in part
shall constitute good delivery to such Potential Holders and
Potential Beneficial Owners.
(g) Neither the Corporation nor the Auction Agent nor any
affiliate of either shall have any responsibility or liability
with respect to the failure of an Existing Holder, a Potential
Holder, a Beneficial Owner, a Potential Beneficial Owner or its
respective Agent Member to deliver shares of Series E
Preferred Stock or to pay for Series E Preferred Stock sold
or purchased pursuant to the Auction Procedures or otherwise.
6. Transfer of Series E Preferred Stock.
Unless otherwise permitted by the Corporation, a Beneficial
Owner or an Existing Holder may sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of Series E Preferred Stock only in whole shares
and only pursuant to a Bid or Sell Order placed with the Auction
Agent in accordance with the procedures described in this
Article II or to a Broker-Dealer;
provided, however
,
that (a) a sale, transfer or other disposition of
Series E Preferred Stock from a customer of a Broker-Dealer
who is listed on the records of that Broker-Dealer as the Holder
of such shares to that Broker-Dealer or another customer of that
Broker-Dealer shall not be deemed to be a sale, transfer or
other disposition for purposes of this paragraph 6 if such
Broker-Dealer remains the Existing Holder of the shares so sold,
transferred or disposed of immediately after such sale, transfer
or disposition and (b) in the case of all transfers other
than pursuant to Auctions, the Broker-Dealer (or other Person,
if permitted by the Corporation) to whom such transfer is made
shall advise the Auction Agent of such transfer.
ARTICLE III
ABILITY OF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MODIFY THE ARTICLES
SUPPLEMENTARY
The calculation of Adjusted Value, Basic Maintenance Amount and
the elements of each of them and the definitions of such terms
and elements may be modified by action of the Board of Directors
without further action by the stockholders if the Board of
Directors determines that such modification is necessary to
prevent a reduction in rating of the shares of Preferred Stock
by the Rating Agencies rating such shares at the request of the
Corporation or is in the best interests of the holders of Common
Stock and is not adverse to the Holders of Preferred Stock in
view of advice to the Corporation by the relevant Rating
Agencies that such modification would not adversely affect the
then-current rating of the Series E Preferred Stock. To the
extent the Corporation is unable to obtain an opinion of counsel
to the effect that operation of the foregoing sentence is
enforceable in the circumstances then obtaining, the calculation
of Adjusted Value, Basic Maintenance Amount and the elements of
each of them and the definitions of such terms and the elements
thereof shall be adjusted from time to time without further
action by the Board of Directors and the stockholders only to
reflect changes made thereto independently by a Rating Agency
then rating Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation if
such Rating Agency has advised the Corporation in writing
separately (a) of such adjustments and (b) that the
revised calculation definition would not cause such Rating
Agency to reduce or withdraw its then-current rating of the
shares of Preferred Stock or any other Rating Agency then rating
Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation to reduce or
withdraw its then-current rating. The adjustments contemplated
by the preceding sentence shall be made effective upon the time
the Corporation receives the notice from such Rating Agency to
the effect specified in clause (b) of the preceding
sentence.
44
Any such modification may be rescinded or further modified by
action of the Board of Directors and stockholders.
In addition, subject to compliance with applicable law, the
Board of Directors may amend the definition of Maximum Rate to
increase the applicable percentage by which the Reference Rate
is multiplied to determine the Maximum Rate shown therein
without the vote or consent of the Holders of shares of
Preferred Stock, including the Series E Preferred Stock, or
any other stockholder of the Corporation, after consultation
with the Broker-Dealers, and with confirmation from each Rating
Agency that immediately following any such increase the
Corporation would meet the Basic Maintenance Test.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, to
the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors, without the
vote of the Holders of the Series E Preferred Stock or any
other capital stock of the Corporation, may amend the provisions
of these Articles Supplementary to resolve any
inconsistency or ambiguity or to remedy any formal defect so
long as the amendment does not materially adversely affect any
of the contract rights of holders of shares of the Series E
Preferred Stock or any other capital stock of the Corporation or
adversely affect the then current rating on the Series E
Preferred Stock by any Rating Agency.
45
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. has caused
these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by a
duly authorized 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 that to the best of
their knowledge, information and belief under penalty of perjury
the matters and facts herein set forth with respect to approval
are true in all material respects, all on October 3, 2003.
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By:
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/s/ Gus
A. Coutsorous
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Name: Gus A. Coutsorous
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
Attest:
Name: James E. McKee
Title: Secretary
46
Exhibit
2(a)(vi)
Form
of
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
CREATING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS OF
[ ]% SERIES F CUMULATIVE
PREFERRED STOCK
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation, having
its principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland (hereinafter
called the
Corporation
), hereby certifies to
the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland
that:
FIRST: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, at a meeting
duly convened and held on May 17, 2006, pursuant to
authority expressly vested in it by Article V of the
Charter of the Corporation, adopted resolutions classifying up
to 7,000,000 authorized and unissued shares of the Corporation,
previously classified as shares of the Corporations common
stock (Common Stock), par value $0.001 per
share, as shares of Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock,
and authorizing such shares of Series F Cumulative
Preferred Stock for issuance by the Corporation.
SECOND: The Pricing Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation, at a meeting duly convened and held on [DATE], 2006
pursuant to
Section 2-411
of the Maryland General Corporation Law and authority granted it
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation at its May 17,
2006 meeting, approved the designation and issuance by the
Corporation of
[ ] shares
of [ ]% Series F Cumulative
Preferred Stock.
THIRD: The preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends and distributions, qualifications,
and terms and conditions of redemption of the
[ ]% Series F Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, are as follows:
DESIGNATION
Series F Preferred Stock: A series of
[ ] shares
of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, liquidation
preference $25 per share, is hereby designated
Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
Series F Preferred Stock). Each share of
Series F Preferred Stock may be issued on a date to be
determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation; shall
have an initial dividend rate stated as a rate per annum, an
initial Dividend Period and an initial Dividend Payment Date as
shall be determined in advance of the issuance thereof by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation; and shall have such other
preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as
to dividends and distributions, qualifications and terms and
conditions of redemption, in addition to those required by
applicable law or set forth in the Governing Documents
applicable to Preferred Stock of the Corporation, as are set
forth in these Articles Supplementary. The Series F
Preferred Stock shall constitute a separate series of Preferred
Stock.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Unless the context or use indicates another or different meaning
or intent, each of the following terms when used in these
Articles Supplementary shall have the meaning ascribed to
it below, whether such term is used in the singular or plural
and regardless of tense:
Accountants Confirmation
means a letter
from an Independent Accountant delivered to Moodys with
respect to certain Basic Maintenance Reports substantially to
the effect that:
(a) the Independent Accountant has read the Basic
Maintenance Report or Reports prepared by the Administrator
during the referenced calendar year that are referred to in such
letter;
1
(b) with respect to the issue size compliance, issuer
diversification and industry diversification calculations, such
calculations and the resulting Market Value of the Moodys
Eligible Assets included in the Reports and the Adjusted Value
of the Moodys Eligible Assets included in the Reports are
numerically correct;
(c) with respect to the excess or deficiency of the
Adjusted Value of the Moodys Eligible Assets included in
the Reports when compared to the Basic Maintenance Amount
calculated for Moodys, the results of the calculation set
forth in the Reports have been recalculated and are numerically
correct;
(d) with respect to the Moodys ratings on corporate
evidences of indebtedness, convertible corporate evidences of
indebtedness and preferred stock listed in the Reports, that
information has been traced and agrees with the information
provided directly or indirectly by the respective rating
agencies (in the event such information does not agree or such
information is not listed in the accounting records of the
Corporation, the Independent Accountants will inquire of the
rating agencies what such information is and provide a listing
in their letter of such differences, if any);
(e) with respect to issuer name and coupon or dividend rate
listed in the Reports, that information has been traced and
agrees with information listed in the accounting records of the
Corporation;
(f) with respect to issue size listed in the Reports, that
information has been traced and agrees with information provided
by a Pricing Service or such other services as Moodys may
authorize from time to time;
(g) with respect to the prices (or alternative permissible
factors used in calculating the Market Value as provided by
these Articles Supplementary) provided by the Administrator
of the Corporations assets for purposes of valuing
securities in the portfolio, the Independent Accountant has
traced the price used in the Reports to the price provided by
such Administrator (in accordance with the procedures provided
in these Articles Supplementary) and verified that such
information agrees (in the event such information does not
agree, the Independent Accountants will provide a listing in
their letter of such differences); and
(h) with respect to the description of each security
included in the Reports, the description of Moodys
Eligible Assets has been compared to the definition of
Moodys Eligible Assets contained in these
Articles Supplementary, and the description as appearing in
the Reports agrees with the definition of Moodys Eligible
Assets as described in these Articles Supplementary.
Each such letter may state that: (i) such Independent
Accountant has made no independent verification of the accuracy
of the description of the investment securities listed in the
Reports or the Market Value of those securities nor has it
performed any procedures other than those specifically outlined
above for the purposes of issuing such letter; (ii) unless
otherwise stated in the letter, the procedures specified therein
were limited to a comparison of numbers or a verification of
specified computations applicable to numbers appearing in the
Reports and the schedule(s) thereto; (iii) the foregoing
procedures do not constitute an examination in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and the Reports contained
in the letter do not extend to any of the Corporations
financial statements taken as a whole; (iv) such
Independent Accountant does not express an opinion as to whether
such procedures would enable such Independent Accountant to
determine that the methods followed in the preparation of the
Reports would correctly determine the Market Value or Discounted
Value of the investment portfolio; and (v) accordingly,
such Independent Accountant expresses no opinion as to the
information set forth in the Reports or in the schedule(s)
thereto and makes no representation as to the sufficiency of the
procedures performed for the purposes of these
Articles Supplementary.
Such letter shall also state that the Independent Accountant is
an independent accountant with respect to the
Corporation within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the related published rules and regulations
thereunder.
Adjusted Value
of each Moodys Eligible
Asset shall be computed as follows:
(a) cash shall be valued at 100% of the face value
thereof; and
2
(b) all other Moodys Eligible Assets shall be valued
at the Discounted Value thereof; and
(c) each asset that is not a Moodys Eligible Asset
shall be valued at zero.
Administrator
means the other party to the
Administration Agreement with the Corporation, which shall
initially be Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York limited liability
company, and will include, as appropriate, any sub-administrator
appointed by the Administrator.
ADRs
means U.S. dollar-denominated
American Depository Receipts.
Adviser
means Gabelli Funds, LLC, a New York
limited liability company, or such other person as shall be
serving as the investment adviser of the Corporation.
Annual Valuation Date
means the Valuation
Date each calendar year so designated by the Corporation,
commencing in the calendar year 2006.
Asset Coverage
means asset coverage, as
determined in accordance with 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 Series F Preferred Stock (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 declaring dividends on its common stock),
determined on the basis of values calculated as of a time within
48 hours (not including Saturdays, Sundays or holidays)
next preceding the time of such determination.
Basic Maintenance Amount
means, as of any
Valuation Date, the dollar amount equal to (a) the sum of
(i) the product of the number of shares of each class or
series of Preferred Stock Outstanding on such Valuation Date
multiplied by the Liquidation Preference per share; (ii) to
the extent not included in (i) the aggregate amount of cash
dividends and distributions (whether or not earned or declared)
that will have accumulated for each Outstanding share of
Preferred Stock from the most recent Dividend Payment Date to
which dividends and distributions have been paid or duly
provided for (or, in the event the Basic Maintenance Amount is
calculated on a date prior to the initial Dividend Payment Date
with respect to a class or series of the Preferred Stock, then
from the Date of Original Issue) through the Valuation Date plus
all dividends and distributions to accumulate on the Preferred
Stock then Outstanding during the 70 days following such
Valuation Date or, if less, during the number of days following
such Valuation Date that shares of Preferred Stock called for
redemption are scheduled to remain Outstanding; (iii) the
Corporations other liabilities due and payable as of such
Valuation Date (except that dividends and other distributions
payable by the Corporation on Common Stock shall not be included
as a liability) and such liabilities projected to become due and
payable by the Corporation during the 90 days following
such Valuation Date (excluding liabilities for investments to be
purchased and for dividends and other distributions not declared
as of such Valuation Date); and (iv) any current
liabilities of the Corporation as of such Valuation Date to the
extent not reflected in (or specifically excluded by) any of
(a)(i) through (a)(iii) (including, without limitation, and
immediately upon determination, any amounts due and payable by
the Corporation pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements and
any payables for assets purchased as of such Valuation Date)
less (b)(i) the Adjusted Value of any of the Corporations
assets or (ii) the face value of any of the
Corporations assets if, in the case of both (b)(i) and
(b)(ii), such assets are either cash or evidences of
indebtedness which mature prior to or on the date of redemption
or repurchase of shares of Preferred Stock or payment of another
liability and are either U.S. Government Obligations or
evidences of indebtedness which have a rating assigned by
Moodys of at least Aaa,
P-1,
VMIG-1
or MIG-1 or by S&P of at least AAA,
SP-1+
or
A-1+,
and
are irrevocably held by the Corporations custodian bank in
a segregated account or deposited by the Corporation with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent for the payment of the amounts needed
to redeem or repurchase Preferred Stock subject to redemption or
repurchase or any of (a)(ii) through (a)(iv); and provided that
in the event the Corporation has repurchased Preferred Stock and
irrevocably segregated or deposited assets as described above
with its custodian bank or the Dividend-Disbursing Agent for the
payment of the repurchase price the Corporation may deduct 100%
of the Liquidation Preference of such Preferred Stock to be
repurchased from (a) above. Basic
3
Maintenance Amount shall, for purposes of these
Articles Supplementary, have a correlative meaning with
respect to any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date
means,
with respect to the Series F Preferred Stock, 10 Business
Days following a Valuation Date, such date being the last day
upon which the Corporations failure to comply with
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) of Article II hereof could be
cured, and for the purposes of these Articles Supplementary
shall have a correlative meaning with respect to any other class
or series of Preferred Stock.
Basic Maintenance Report
or
Report
means, with respect to the
Series F Preferred Stock, a report prepared by the
Administrator which sets forth, as of the related Valuation
Date, Moodys Eligible Assets sufficient to meet or exceed
the Basic Maintenance Amount, the Market Value and Discounted
Value thereof (seriatim and in the aggregate), and the Basic
Maintenance Amount, and for the purposes of these Articles
Supplementary shall have a correlative meaning with respect to
any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Board of Directors
means the Board of
Directors of the Corporation or any duly authorized committee
thereof as permitted by applicable law.
Business Day
means a day on which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading and that is neither a
Saturday, Sunday nor any other day on which banks in the City of
New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law to close.
By-Laws
means the By-Laws of the Corporation,
as amended from time to time.
Charter
means the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation, as amended and supplemented (including by
these Articles Supplementary), as filed with the State
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.
Common Stock
means the Common Stock, par
value $.001 per share, of the Corporation.
Cure Date
shall have the meaning set forth in
paragraph 4(a) of Article II hereof.
Date of Original Issue
means
[ ], and for the purposes of these
Articles Supplementary shall mean with respect to any other
class or series of Preferred Stock the date upon which shares of
such class or series are first issued.
Deposit Assets
means cash, Short-Term Money
Market Instruments and U.S. Government Obligations. Except
for determining whether the Corporation has Moodys
Eligible Assets with an Adjusted Value equal to or greater than
the Basic Maintenance Amount, each Deposit Asset shall be deemed
to have a value equal to its principal or face amount payable at
maturity plus any interest payable thereon after delivery of
such Deposit Asset but only if payable on or prior to the
applicable payment date in advance of which the relevant deposit
is made.
Discounted Value
means, as applicable,
(a) the quotient of the Market Value of an Eligible Asset
divided by the applicable Moodys Discount Factor or
(b) such other formula for determining the discounted value
of an Eligible Asset as may be established by an applicable
Rating Agency, provided, in either case that with respect to an
Eligible Asset that is currently callable, Discounted Value will
be equal to the applicable quotient or product as calculated
above or the call price, whichever is lower, and that with
respect to an Eligible Asset that is prepayable, Discounted
Value will be equal to the applicable quotient or product as
calculated above or the par value, whichever is lower.
Dividend-Disbursing Agent
means, with respect
to the Series F Preferred Stock, Computershare Trust
Company, N.A. and its successors or any other
dividend-disbursing agent appointed by the Corporation and, with
respect to any other class or series of Preferred Stock, the
Person appointed by the Corporation as dividend-disbursing or
paying agent with respect to such class or series.
Dividend Payment Date
means with respect to
the Series F Preferred Stock, any date on which dividends
and distributions declared by the Board of Directors thereon are
payable pursuant to the provisions
4
of paragraph 2(a) of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary and shall for the purposes of these
Articles Supplementary have a correlative meaning with
respect to any other class or series of Preferred Stock.
Dividend Period
shall have the meaning set
forth in paragraph 2(a) of Article II hereof, and for
the purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
Eligible Assets
means Moodys Eligible
Assets (if Moodys is then rating the Series F
Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation), S&P
Eligible Assets (if S&P is then rating the Series F
Preferred Shares at the request of the Corporation)
and/or
Other
Rating Agency Eligible Assets if any Other Rating Agency is then
rating the Series F Preferred Stock or any other
outstanding series of Preferred Stock, whichever is applicable.
Governing Documents
means the Charter and the
By-Laws.
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.
Liquidation Preference
shall, with respect to
the Series F Preferred Stock, have the meaning set forth in
paragraph 3(a) of Article II hereof, and for the
purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
Market Value
means the amount determined by
the Corporation with respect to Moodys Eligible Assets in
accordance with valuation policies adopted from time to time by
the Board of Directors as being in compliance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Market Value may, at
the option of the Corporation with respect to any of its assets,
mean the amount determined with respect to specific Moodys
Eligible Assets of the Corporation in the manner set forth below:
(a) as to any common or preferred stock which is a
Moodys Eligible Asset, (i) if the stock is traded on
a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System,
the last sales price reported on the Valuation Date or
(ii) if there was no reported sales price on the Valuation
Date, the lower of two bid prices for such stock provided to the
Administrator by two recognized securities dealers with minimum
capitalizations of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for such
purpose by Moodys) or by one such securities dealer and
any other source (provided that the utilization of such source
would not adversely affect Moodys then-current rating of
the Series F Preferred Stock), at least one of which shall
be provided in writing or by telecopy, telex, other electronic
transcription, computer obtained quotation reducible to written
form or similar means, and in turn provided to the Corporation
by any such means by such Administrator, or, if two bid prices
cannot be obtained, such Moodys Eligible Asset shall have
a Market Value of zero;
(b) as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short Term
Money Market Instrument (other than demand deposits, federal
funds, bankers acceptances and next Business Day
repurchase agreements) and commercial paper with a maturity of
greater than 60 days, the product of (i) the principal
amount (accreted principal to the extent such instrument
accretes interest) of such instrument, and (ii) the lower
of the bid prices for the same kind of instruments having, as
nearly as practicable, comparable interest rates and maturities
provided by two recognized securities dealers having a minimum
capitalization of $25,000,000 (or otherwise approved for such
purpose by Moodys) or by one such dealer and any other
source (provided that the utilization of such source would not
adversely affect Moodys then-current rating of the
Series F Preferred Stock) to the Administrator, at least
one of which shall be provided in writing or by telecopy, telex,
other electronic transcription, computer obtained quotation
reducible to written form or similar means, and in turn provided
to the Corporation by any such means by such Administrator, or,
if two bid prices cannot be obtained, such Moodys Eligible
Asset will have a Market Value of zero;
5
(c) as to cash, demand deposits, federal funds,
bankers acceptances and next Business Day repurchase
agreements included in Short-Term Money Market Instruments, the
face value thereof;
(d) as to any U.S. Government Obligation, Short-Term
Money Market Instrument or commercial paper with a maturity of
60 days or fewer, amortized cost unless the Board of
Directors determines that such value does not constitute fair
value; and
(e) as to any other evidence of indebtedness which is a
Moodys Eligible Asset, (i) the product of
(A) the unpaid principal balance of such indebtedness as of
the Valuation Date and (B)(1) if such indebtedness is traded on
a national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System,
the last sales price reported on the Valuation Date or
(2) if there was no reported sales price on the Valuation
Date or if such indebtedness is not traded on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq System, the lower of
two bid prices for such indebtedness provided by two recognized
dealers with a minimum capitalization of $25,000,000 (or
otherwise approved for such purpose by Moodys) or by one
such dealer and any other source (provided that the utilization
of such source would not adversely affect Moodys
then-current rating of the Series F Preferred Stock) to the
Administrator, at least one of which shall be provided in
writing or by telecopy, telex, other electronic transcription,
computer obtained quotation reducible to written form or similar
means, and in turn provided to the Corporation by any such means
by such Administrator, plus (ii) accrued interest on such
indebtedness.
Monthly Valuation Date
means the last
Valuation Date of each calendar month.
Moodys
means Moodys Investors
Service, Inc., or its successors at law. In the event that
Moodys is no longer rating the Series F Preferred
Stock at the request of the Corporation,
Moodys shall be deemed to refer to any other
nationally recognized securities rating agency designated by the
Corporation.
Moodys Discount Factor means, with respect to
a Moodys Eligible Asset specified below, the following
applicable number:
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Moodys
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Discount
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Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
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Factor
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Short Term Money Market
Instruments (other than U.S. Government Obligations set
forth below) and other commercial paper:
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U.S. Treasury Securities with
final maturities that are less than or equal to 60 days
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1.00
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Demand or time deposits,
certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances includible
in Short Term Money Market Instruments
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1.00
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Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in 30 days or less
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1.00
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Commercial paper rated
P-1
by
Moodys maturing in more than 30 days but in
270 days or less Commercial paper rated
A-1+
by
S&P maturing in 270 days or less
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1.25
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Repurchase obligations includible
in Short Term Money Market Instruments if term is less than
30 days and counterparty is rated at least A2
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1.00
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Other repurchase obligations
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Discount Factor applicable
to underlying assets
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U.S. Common Stocks and Common
Stocks of foreign issuers for which ADRs are traded: Large
Cap Stocks (Market Capitalization in excess of $10 billion)
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2.00
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Mid Cap Stocks (Market
Capitalization in between $2 billion and $10 billion)
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2.05
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Small Cap Stocks (Market
Capitalization less than $2 billion)
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2.20
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Common Stocks of foreign issuers
(in existence for at least five years) for which no ADRs
are traded
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4.00
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*
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Discount Factors are for a
7-week
exposure period; the Discount Factor applicable to
Rule 144A securities shall be increased by 20%. Unless
conclusions regarding liquidity risk and estimates of both the
probability
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and severity of default for the Corporations assets can be
derived from other sources, securities rated below B by
Moodys and unrated securities, which are securities rated
by neither Moodys, S&P nor Fitch, are limited to 10%
of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a convertible corporate debt
security is unrated by Moodys, S&P or Fitch, the
Corporation will use the percentage set forth under
NR in this table. Ratings assigned by S&P or
Fitch are generally accepted by Moodys 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 Moodys rating
equivalent. Securities with different ratings assigned by
S&P and Fitch will be accepted at the lower of the two
ratings.
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Moodys
|
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Discount
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Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
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Factor
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Convertible Preferred Stocks
and Convertible Corporate Debt Securities having a delta range
of:
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.8-.4 (investment grade)
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1.92
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.8-.4 (below investment grade)
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2.26
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1-.8 (investment grade)
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1.95
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1-.8 (below investment grade)
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2.29
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Convertible Preferred Stocks and
Convertible Corporate Debt Securities that are unrated Preferred
stocks:
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2.50
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Auction rate preferred stocks
Other preferred stock rated:
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3.50
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Aaa
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1.50
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Aa
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1.55
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A
|
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1.60
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Baa
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1.65
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Ba
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1.96
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B
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2.16
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Less than B or not rated
|
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2.40
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DRD Preferred (investment grade)
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1.65
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DRD Preferred (below investment
grade)
|
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2.16
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U.S. Government
Obligations (other than U.S. Treasury Securities Strips set
forth below) with remaining terms to maturity of:
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1 year or less
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|
|
1.04
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.12
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.18
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.21
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.24
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.25
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
|
|
|
Discount
|
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Factor
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Securities
Strips with remaining terms to maturity of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.04
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.10
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.14
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.18
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.21
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.27
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.34
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.66
|
|
Corporate Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
having a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate
debt, rated at least Aa1 with remaining terms to maturity
of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
having a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate
debt, rated at least Aa3 with remaining terms to maturity
of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.12
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.18
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.23
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.29
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.35
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.43
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
|
1.73
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
|
|
|
Discount
|
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Factor
|
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
having a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate
debt, rated at least A3 with remaining terms to maturity
of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.22
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.27
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.39
|
|
7 year s or less
|
|
|
1.47
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
|
1.81
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
having a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate
debt, rated at least Baa3 with remaining terms of maturity
of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.18
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.25
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.31
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.38
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.44
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.52
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.65
|
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
|
1.89
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
having a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate
debt, rated at least Ba3 with remaining terms of maturity
of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.37
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.46
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.53
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.68
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.79
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
1.89
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
|
2.05
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys
|
|
|
|
Discount
|
|
Type of Moodys Eligible Asset:
|
|
Factor
|
|
|
Convertible corporate debt
having a delta range of .4-0, and non-convertible corporate
debt, rated at least B1 and B2 with remaining terms of maturity
of:
|
|
|
|
|
1 year or less
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
2 years or less
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
3 years or less
|
|
|
1.68
|
|
4 years or less
|
|
|
1.76
|
|
5 years or less
|
|
|
1.85
|
|
7 years or less
|
|
|
1.97
|
|
10 years or less
|
|
|
2.08
|
|
15 years or less
|
|
|
2.16
|
|
20 years or less
|
|
|
2.28
|
|
30 years or less
|
|
|
2.29
|
|
Greater than 30 years
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Discount Factors are for a
7-week
exposure period; the Discount Factor applicable to
Rule 144A securities shall be increased by 20%. Unless
conclusions regarding liquidity risk and estimates of both the
probability and severity of default for the Corporations
assets can be derived from other sources, securities rated below
B by Moodys and unrated securities, which are securities
rated by neither Moodys, S&P nor Fitch, are limited to
10% of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a convertible corporate
debt security is unrated by Moodys, S&P or Fitch, the
Corporation will use the percentage set forth under
NR in this table. Ratings assigned by S&P or
Fitch are generally accepted by Moodys 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 Moodys rating
equivalent. Securities with different ratings assigned by
S&P and Fitch will be accepted at the lower of the two
ratings.
|
Moodys Eligible Assets
means:
(a) cash (including, for this purpose, receivables for
investments sold to a counterparty whose senior debt securities
are rated at least Baa3 by Moodys or a counterparty
approved by Moodys and payable within five Business Days
following such Valuation Date and dividends and interest
receivable within 70 days on investments);
(b) Short-Term Money Market Instruments;
(c) commercial paper that is not includible as a Short-Term
Money Market Instrument having on the Valuation Date a rating
from Moodys of at least
P-1
and
maturing within 270 days;
(d) preferred stocks including convertible preferred
(i) which either (A) are issued by issuers whose
senior debt securities are rated at least Baa1 by Moodys,
(B) are rated at least Baa3 by Moodys or (C) in
the event an issuers senior debt securities or preferred
stock is not rated by Moodys, which either (1) are
issued by an issuer whose senior debt securities are rated at
least A− by S&P or (2) are rated at least A- by
S&P and for this purpose have been assigned a Moodys
equivalent rating of at least Baa3, (ii) of issuers which
have (or, in the case of issuers which are special purpose
corporations, whose parent companies have) common stock listed
on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or
the Nasdaq National Market System, (iii) which have a
minimum issue size (when taken together with other of the
issuers issues of similar tenor) of $40,000,000,
(iv) which have paid cash dividends consistently during the
preceding three-year period (or, in the case of new issues
without a dividend history, are rated at least A1 by
Moodys or, if not rated by Moodys, are rated at
least A+ by S&P), (v) which pay cumulative cash
dividends in U.S. dollars, (vi) which do not have
warrants attached, (vii) which are not issued by issuers in
the transportation industry and (viii) in the case of
auction rate
10
preferred stocks, which are rated at least Aa3 by Moodys,
or if not rated by Moodys, AA- by S&P, AA- by Fitch or
are otherwise approved in writing by Moodys and have never
had a failed auction;
provided, however,
that for this
purpose the aggregate Market Value of the Corporations
holdings of any single issue of auction rate preferred stock
shall not be more than 1% of the Corporations total assets.
(e) common stocks (i) (A) which are traded on a
nationally recognized stock exchange or in the
over-the-counter
market, (B) if cash dividend paying, pay cash dividends in
U.S. dollars and (C) which may be sold without
restriction by the Corporation;
provided, however,
that
(y) common stock which, while a Moodys Eligible Asset
owned by the Corporation, ceases paying any regular cash
dividend will no longer be considered a Moodys Eligible
Asset until 71 days after the date of the announcement of
such cessation, unless the issuer of the common stock has senior
debt securities rated at least A3 by Moodys and
(z) the aggregate Market Value of the Corporations
holdings of the common stock of any issuer in excess of 4% in
the case of utility common stock and 6% in the case of
non-utility common stock of the aggregate Market Value of the
Corporations holdings shall not be Moodys Eligible
Assets, (ii) which are securities denominated in any
currency other than the U.S. dollar or securities of
issuers formed under the laws of jurisdictions other than the
United States, its states and the District of Columbia for which
there are dollar-denominated ADRs or their equivalents which are
traded in the United States on exchanges or
over-the-counter
and are issued by banks formed under the laws of the United
States, its states or the District of Columbia or
(iii) which are securities of issuers formed under the laws
of jurisdictions other than the United States (and in existence
for at least five years) for which no ADRs are traded;
provided, however,
that the aggregate Market Value of the
Corporations holdings of securities denominated in
currencies other than the U.S. dollar and ADRs in excess of
(A) 6% of the aggregate Market Value of the outstanding
shares of common stock of such issuer thereof or (B) 10% of
the Market Value of the Corporations Moodys Eligible
Assets with respect to issuers formed under the laws of any
single such
non-U.S. jurisdiction
other than Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the
United Kingdom, shall not be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
(f) ADR securities, based on the following guidelines:
(i) Sponsored ADR program or (ii) Level II or
Level III ADRs. Private placement Rule 144A ADRs are
not eligible for collateral consideration. Global GDR programs
will be evaluated on a case by case basis;
(g) U.S. Government Obligations;
(h) corporate evidences of indebtedness (i) which may
be sold without restriction by the Corporation which are rated
at least B3 (Caa subordinate) by Moodys (or, in the event
the security is not rated by Moodys, the security is rated
at least B− by S&P and which for this purpose is
assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full rating
category lower), with such rating confirmed on each Valuation
Date, (ii) which have a minimum issue size of at least
(A) $100,000,000 if rated at least Baa3 or
(B) $50,000,000 if rated B or Ba3, (iii) which are not
convertible or exchangeable into equity of the issuing
corporation and have a maturity of not more than 30 years
and (iv) for which, if rated below Baa3 or not rated, the
aggregate Market Value of the Corporations holdings do not
exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of any individual issue
of corporate evidences of indebtedness calculated at the time of
original issuance; and
(i) convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
(i) which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least B2 by Moodys (or, in the
event an issuers senior debt securities are not rated by
Moodys, which are issued by issuers whose senior debt
securities are rated at least B by S&P and which for this
purpose is assigned a Moodys equivalent rating of one full
rating category lower), (ii) which are convertible into
common stocks which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange or
the American Stock Exchange or are quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market System and (iii) which, if cash dividend paying, pay
cash dividends in U.S. dollars;
provided, however,
that once convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
have been converted into common stock, the common stock issued
upon
11
conversion must satisfy the criteria set forth in
clause (e) above and other relevant criteria set forth in
this definition in order to be a Moodys Eligible Asset;
provided, however,
that the Corporations
investments in auction rate preferred stocks described in
clause (d) above shall be included in Moodys Eligible
Assets only to the extent that the aggregate Market Value of
such stocks does not exceed 10% of the aggregate Market Value of
all of the Corporations investments meeting the criteria
set forth in clauses (a) through (g) above less the
aggregate Market Value of those investments excluded from
Moodys Eligible Assets pursuant to the paragraph appearing
after clause (j) below; and
(j) no assets which are subject to any lien or irrevocably
deposited by the Corporation for the payment of amounts needed
to meet the obligations described in clauses (a)(i) through
(a)(iv) of the definition of Basic Maintenance
Amount may be includible in Moodys Eligible Assets.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding
clauses (a)-(j), the Corporations investment in
preferred stock, common stock, corporate evidences of
indebtedness and convertible corporate evidences of indebtedness
shall not be treated as Moodys Eligible Assets except to
the extent they satisfy the following diversification
requirements (utilizing Moodys Industry and
Sub-industry
Categories) with respect to the Market Value of the
Corporations holdings:
Issuer:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
Moodys Rating (1 2)
|
|
Single Issuer (1 2)
|
|
|
Single Issuer (3 4)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
Ba
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
B3 or below
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
Industry
and State:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Utility
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
Utility
|
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
Moodys Rating (1)
|
|
Single Industry (3)
|
|
|
Single
Sub-Industry (3
6)
|
|
|
Single Industry (3)
|
|
|
Aaa
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
Aa
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
A
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
CS/CB, Baa (5)
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
50
|
%
|
|
|
7
|
% (7)
|
Ba
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
% (7)
|
B1/B2
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
B3 or below
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Unless conclusions regarding liquidity risk as well as estimates
of both the probability and severity of default for the
Corporations assets can be derived from other sources,
securities rated below B by Moodys and unrated securities,
which are securities rated by neither Moodys, S&P nor
Fitch, are limited to 10% of Moodys Eligible Assets. If a
corporate, municipal or other debt security is unrated by
Moodys, S&P or Fitch, the Corporation will use the
percentage set forth under B3 or below in this
table. Ratings assigned by S&P or Fitch are generally
accepted by Moodys 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 Moodys rating
equivalent.
|
12
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Corporate evidences of indebtedness from issues ranging
$50,000,000 to $100,000,000 are limited to 20% of Moodys
Eligible Assets.
|
|
(3)
|
|
The referenced percentages represent maximum cumulative totals
only for the related Moodys rating category and each lower
Moodys rating category.
|
|
(4)
|
|
Issuers subject to common ownership of 25% or more are
considered as one name.
|
|
(5)
|
|
CS/CB refers to common stock and convertible corporate evidences
of indebtedness, which are diversified independently from the
rating level.
|
|
(6)
|
|
In the case of utility common stock, utility preferred stock,
utility evidences of indebtedness and utility convertible
evidences of indebtedness, the definition of industry refers to
sub-industries (electric, water, hydro power, gas, diversified).
Investments in other sub-industries are eligible only to the
extent that the combined sum represents a percentage position of
the Moodys Eligible Assets less than or equal to the
percentage limits in the diversification tables above.
|
|
(7)
|
|
Such percentage shall be 15% in the case of utilities regulated
by California, New York and Texas.
|
Moodys Industry Classifications
means
for the purposes of determining Moodys Eligible Assets,
each of the following industry classifications (or such other
classifications as Moodys may from time to time approve
for application to the Series F Preferred Stock).
1. Aerospace and Defense: Major Contractor, Subsystems,
Research, Aircraft Manufacturing, Arms, Ammunition.
2. Automobile: Automobile Equipment, Auto-Manufacturing,
Auto Parts Manufacturing, Personal Use Trailers, Motor Homes,
Dealers.
3. Banking: Bank Holding, Savings and Loans, Consumer
Credit, Small Loan, Agency, Factoring, Receivables.
4. Beverage, Food and Tobacco: Beer and Ale, Distillers,
Wines and Liquors, Distributors, Soft Drink Syrup, Bottlers,
Bakery, Mill Sugar, Canned Foods, Corn Refiners, Dairy Products,
Meat Products, Poultry Products, Snacks, Packaged Foods,
Distributors, Candy, Gum, Seafood, Frozen Food, Cigarettes,
Cigars, Leaf/Snuff, Vegetable Oil.
5. Buildings and Real Estate: Brick, Cement, Climate
Controls, Contracting, Engineering, Construction, Hardware,
Forest Products (building-related only), Plumbing, Roofing,
Wallboard, Real Estate, Real Estate Development, REITs, Land
Development.
6. Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber: Chemicals
(non-agricultural), Industrial Gases, Sulphur, Plastics, Plastic
Products, Abrasives, Coatings, Paints, Varnish, Fabricating
Containers.
7. Packaging and Glass: Glass, Fiberglass, Containers made
of: Glass, Metal, Paper, Plastic, Wood or Fiberglass.
8. Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products
(Manufacturing Only): Soaps, Perfumes, Cosmetics, Toiletries,
Cleaning Supplies, School Supplies.
9. Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing.
10. Diversified/Conglomerate Service.
11. Diversified Natural Resources, Precious Metals and
Minerals: Fabricating, Distribution.
12. Ecological: Pollution Control, Waste Removal, Waste
Treatment and Waste Disposal.
13. Electronics: Computer Hardware, Electric Equipment,
Components, Controllers, Motors, Household Appliances,
Information Service Communication Systems, Radios, TVs, Tape
Machines, Speakers, Printers, Drivers, Technology.
14. Finance: Investment Brokerage, Leasing, Syndication,
Securities.
13
15. Farming and Agriculture: Livestock, Grains, Produce,
Agriculture Chemicals, Agricultural Equipment, Fertilizers.
16. Grocery: Grocery Stores, Convenience Food Stores.
17. Healthcare, Education and Childcare: Ethical Drugs,
Proprietary Drugs, Research, Health Care Centers, Nursing Homes,
HMOs, Hospitals, Hospital Supplies, Medical Equipment.
18. Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable
Consumer Products: Carpets, Floor Coverings, Furniture, Cooking,
Ranges.
19. Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming.
20. Insurance: Life, Property and Casualty, Broker, Agent,
Surety.
21. Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures, Entertainment:
Boating, Bowling, Billiards, Musical Instruments, Fishing, Photo
Equipment, Records, Tapes, Sports, Outdoor Equipment (Camping),
Tourism, Resorts, Games, Toy Manufacturing, Motion Picture
Production Theaters, Motion Picture Distribution.
22. Machinery (Non-Agricultural, Non-Construction,
Non-Electronic): Industrial, Machine Tools, Steam Generators.
23. Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals: Coal,
Copper, Lead, Uranium, Zinc, Aluminum, Stainless Steel,
Integrated Steel, Ore Production, Refractories, Steel Mill
Machinery, Mini-Mills, Fabricating, Distribution and Sales of
the foregoing.
24. Oil and Gas: Crude Producer, Retailer, Well Supply,
Service and Drilling.
25. Printing, Publishing, and Broadcasting: Graphic Arts,
Paper, Paper Products, Business Forms, Magazines, Books,
Periodicals, Newspapers, Textbooks, Radio, T.V., Cable
Broadcasting Equipment.
26. Cargo Transport: Rail, Shipping, Railroads, Rail-car
Builders, Ship Builders, Containers, Container Builders, Parts,
Overnight Mail, Trucking, Truck Manufacturing, Trailer
Manufacturing, Air Cargo, Transport.
27. Retail Stores: Apparel, Toy, Variety, Drugs,
Department, Mail Order Catalog, Showroom.
28. Telecommunications: Local, Long Distance, Independent,
Telephone, Telegraph, Satellite, Equipment, Research, Cellular.
29. Textiles and Leather: Producer, Synthetic Fiber,
Apparel Manufacturer, Leather Shoes.
30. Personal Transportation: Air, Bus, Rail, Car Rental.
31. Utilities: Electric, Water, Hydro Power, Gas.
32. Diversified Sovereigns: Semi-sovereigns, Canadian
Provinces, Supra-national Agencies.
The Corporation will use SIC codes in determining which industry
classification is applicable to a particular investment, in
consultation with the Independent Accountant and Moodys,
to the extent the Corporation considers necessary.
1933 Act
means the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or any successor statute.
1940 Act
means the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, or any successor statute.
Notice of Redemption
shall have the meaning
set forth in paragraph 4(c)(i) of Article II hereof.
Other Rating Agency
means any rating agency
other than Moodys then providing a rating for the
Series F Preferred Stock at the request of the Corporation.
14
Outstanding
means, as of any date, Preferred
Stock theretofore issued by the Corporation except:
(a) any such share of Preferred Stock theretofore cancelled
by the Corporation or delivered to the Corporation for
cancellation;
(b) any such share of Preferred Stock other than auction
rate Preferred Stock as to which a notice of redemption shall
have been given and for whose payment at the redemption thereof
Deposit Assets in the necessary amount are held by the
Corporation in trust for, or have been irrevocably deposited
with the relevant disbursing agent for payment to, the holder of
such share pursuant to these Articles Supplementary with
respect thereto;
(c) in the case of auction rate Preferred Stock, any such
shares theretofore delivered to the auction agent for
cancellation or with respect to which the Corporation has given
notice of redemption and irrevocably deposited with the paying
agent sufficient funds to redeem such shares; and
(d) any such share in exchange for or in lieu of which
other shares have been issued and delivered.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of voting
rights (including the determination of the number of shares
required to constitute a quorum), any shares of Preferred Stock
as to which any subsidiary of the Corporation is the holder will
be disregarded and deemed not Outstanding, and (ii) in
connection with any auction of shares of auction rate Preferred
Stock as to which the Corporation or any Person known to the
auction agent to be a subsidiary of the Corporation is the
holder will be disregarded and not deemed Outstanding.
Person
means and includes an individual, a
partnership, the Corporation, a trust, a corporation, a limited
liability company, an unincorporated association, a joint
venture or other entity or a government or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
Preferred Stock
means the preferred stock,
par value $.001 per share, of the Corporation, and includes
the Series F Preferred Stock.
Pricing Service
means any of the following:
Bloomberg Financial Service, Bridge Information Services, Data
Resources Inc., FT Interactive, International Securities Market
Association, Merrill Lynch Securities Pricing Service, Muller
Data Corp., Reuters, S&P/J.J. Kenny, Telerate, Trepp Pricing
and Wood Gundy.
Redemption Price
has the meaning set
forth in paragraph 4(a) of Article II hereof, and for
the purposes of these Articles Supplementary shall have a
correlative meaning with respect to any other class or series of
Preferred Stock.
S&P
means Standard & Poors
Ratings Services, or its successors at law.
Series F Preferred Stock
means the
[ ]% Series F Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the
Corporation.
Series F Asset Coverage Cure Date
means,
with respect to the failure by the Corporation to maintain Asset
Coverage (as required by paragraph 6(a)(i) of
Article II hereof) as of the last Business Day of each
March, June, September and December of each year, 60 days
following such Business Day.
Short-Term Money Market Instruments
means the
following types of instruments if, on the date of purchase or
other acquisition thereof by the Corporation, the remaining term
to maturity thereof is not in excess of 180 days:
(i) commercial paper rated
A-1
if such
commercial paper matures in 30 days or
A-1+
if such
commercial paper matures in over 30 days;
(ii) demand or time deposits in, and bankers
acceptances and certificates of deposit of (A) a depository
institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia or (B) a United States branch office or agency of
a foreign
15
depository institution (provided that such branch office or
agency is subject to banking regulation under the laws of the
United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia);
(iii) overnight funds; and
(iv) U.S. Government Obligations.
U.S. Government Obligations
means direct
obligations of the United States or by its agencies or
instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit
of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury
Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full
payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
Valuation Date
means the last Business Day of
each month, or such other date as the Corporation and
Moodys may agree to for purposes of determining the Basic
Maintenance Amount.
Voting Period
shall have the meaning set
forth in paragraph 5(b) of Article II hereof.
ARTICLE II
SERIES F PREFERRED STOCK
1. Number of Shares; Ranking.
(a) The initial number of authorized shares constituting
the Series F Preferred Stock to be issued is
[ ].
No fractional shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall be
issued.
(b) Shares of Series F Preferred Stock which at any
time have been redeemed or purchased by the Corporation shall,
after such redemption or purchase, have the status of authorized
but unissued shares of Preferred Stock.
(c) The Series F Preferred Stock shall rank on a
parity with any other series of Preferred Stock as to the
payment of dividends, distributions and liquidation preference
to which such stock is entitled.
(d) No holder of Series F Preferred Stock shall have,
solely by reason of being such a holder, any preemptive or other
right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any shares of any
Preferred Stock or Common Stock or other securities of the
Corporation which it may hereafter issue or sell.
2. Dividends and Distributions.
(a) Holders of shares of Series F Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor,
cumulative cash dividends and distributions at the rate of
[ ] per annum (computed on the basis of a
360-day
year
consisting of twelve
30-day
months) of the Liquidation Preference on the Series F
Preferred Stock and no more, payable quarterly on
March 26th, June 26th, September 26th and
December 26th in each year (each a
Dividend
Payment Date
) commencing on December 26, 2006
(or, if any such day is not a Business Day, then on the next
succeeding Business Day) to holders of record of Series F
Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the
Corporation at the close of business on the fifth preceding
Business Day in preference to dividends and distributions on
shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the
Corporation ranking junior to the Series F Preferred Stock
in payment of dividends and distributions. Dividends and
distributions on shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall
accumulate from the date on which such shares are originally
issued. Each period beginning on and including a Dividend
Payment Date (or the Date of Original Issue, in the case of the
first dividend period after issuance of such shares) and ending
on but excluding the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date is
referred to herein as a
Dividend Period.
Dividends and distributions on account of arrears for any past
Dividend Period or in connection with the redemption of
Series F Preferred Stock may be declared and paid at any
time, without reference to any Dividend Payment Date, to holders
of record on such date not exceeding 30 days preceding the
payment date thereof as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
16
(b) (i) No full dividends or distributions shall be
declared or paid on shares of Series F Preferred Stock for
any Dividend Period or part thereof unless full cumulative
dividends and distributions due through the most recent Dividend
Payment Dates therefor for all series of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation ranking on a parity with the Series F Preferred
Stock as to the payment of dividends and distributions have been
or contemporaneously are declared and paid through the most
recent Dividend Payment Dates therefor. If full cumulative
dividends and distributions due have not been paid on all
Outstanding shares of such Preferred Stock, any dividends and
distributions being paid on such shares of Preferred Stock
(including the Series F Preferred Stock) will be paid as
nearly pro rata as possible in proportion to the respective
amounts of dividends and distributions accumulated but unpaid on
each such series of Preferred Stock on the relevant Dividend
Payment Date. No holders of shares of Series F Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to any dividends or distributions,
whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full
cumulative dividends and distributions as provided in this
paragraph 2(b)(i) on shares of Series F Preferred
Stock. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest shall be
payable in respect of any dividend payments on any shares of
Series F Preferred Stock that may be in arrears.
(ii) For so long as shares of Series F Preferred Stock
are Outstanding, the Corporation shall not pay 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 Series F Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and
the distribution of assets upon liquidation) in respect of the
Common Stock or any other stock of the Corporation ranking
junior to the Series F Preferred Stock as to payment of
dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, or
call for redemption, redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any shares of Common Stock or any other stock of
the Corporation ranking junior to the Series F Preferred
Stock as to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
upon liquidation (except by conversion into or exchange for
stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series F
Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends and the distribution
of assets upon liquidation), unless, in each case,
(A) immediately thereafter, the aggregate Adjusted Value of
the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets shall equal
or exceed the Basic Maintenance Amount and the Corporation shall
have Asset Coverage, (B) all cumulative dividends and
distributions on all shares of Series F Preferred Stock 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 applicable
Dividend-Disbursing Agent) and (C) the Corporation has
redeemed the full number of shares of Series F Preferred
Stock to be redeemed mandatorily pursuant to any provision
contained herein for mandatory redemption.
(iii) Any dividend payment made on the shares of
Series F Preferred Stock shall first be credited against
the dividends and distributions accumulated with respect to the
earliest Dividend Period for which dividends and distributions
have not been paid.
(c) Not later than the Business Day immediately preceding
each Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation shall deposit with
the Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit Assets having an initial
combined value sufficient to pay the dividends and distributions
that are payable on such Dividend Payment Date, which Deposit
Assets shall mature on or prior to such Dividend Payment Date.
The Corporation may direct the Dividend-Disbursing Agent with
respect to the investment of any such Deposit Assets, provided
that such investment consists exclusively of Deposit Assets and
provided further that the proceeds of any such investment will
be available at the opening of business on such Dividend Payment
Date.
3. Liquidation Rights.
(a) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the holders of shares of Series F Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, after
satisfying claims of creditors but before any distribution or
payment shall be made in respect of the Common Stock or any
other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the
Series F Preferred Stock as to liquidation payments, a
liquidation distribution in the amount of $25.00 per share
(the
Liquidation Preference
), plus an amount
equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions accumulated to
and including the date fixed for such distribution or
17
payment (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation,
but excluding interest thereon), and such holders shall be
entitled to no further participation in any distribution or
payment in connection with any such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up.
(b) If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, the assets of the Corporation available for
distribution among the holders of all Outstanding shares of
Series F Preferred Stock, and any other Outstanding shares
of a class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation
ranking on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock as to
payment upon liquidation, shall be insufficient to permit the
payment in full to such holders of Series F Preferred Stock
of the Liquidation Preference plus accumulated and unpaid
dividends and distributions and the amounts due upon liquidation
with respect to such other Preferred Stock, then such available
assets shall be distributed among the holders of shares of
Series F Preferred Stock and such other Preferred Stock
ratably in proportion to the respective preferential liquidation
amounts to which they are entitled. Unless and until the
Liquidation Preference plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and
distributions has been paid in full to the holders of shares of
Series F Preferred Stock, no dividends or distributions
will be made to holders of the Common Stock or any other stock
of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series F Preferred
Stock as to liquidation.
4. Redemption.
Shares of the Series F Preferred Stock shall be redeemed by
the Corporation as provided below:
(a) Mandatory Redemptions.
If the Corporation is required to redeem any shares of Preferred
Stock (which may include Series F Preferred Stock) pursuant
to paragraphs 6(b) or 6(c) of Article II hereof, then
the Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act
and Maryland law, by the close of business on such Series F
Asset Coverage Cure Date or Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date
(herein collectively referred to as a
Cure
Date
), as the case may be, fix a redemption date and
proceed to redeem shares as set forth in paragraph 4(c)
hereof. On such redemption date, the Corporation shall redeem,
out of funds legally available therefor, the number of shares of
Preferred Stock, which, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act
and Maryland law, at the option of the Corporation may include
any proportion of Series F Preferred Stock or any other
series of Preferred Stock, equal to the minimum number of shares
the redemption of which, if such redemption had occurred
immediately prior to the opening of business on such Cure Date,
would have resulted in the Corporation having Asset Coverage or
an Adjusted Value of its Moodys Eligible Assets equal to
or greater than the Basic Maintenance Amount, as the case may
be, immediately prior to the opening of business on such Cure
Date or, if Asset Coverage or an Adjusted Value of its Eligible
Assets equal to or greater than the Basic Maintenance Amount, as
the case may be, cannot be so restored, all of the Outstanding
shares of Series F Preferred Stock, at a price equal to
$25.00 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends
(whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation) through
the date of redemption (the
Redemption Price
). In the event that
shares of Preferred Stock are redeemed pursuant to
paragraphs 6(b) or 6(c) of Article II hereof, the
Corporation may, but is not required to, redeem a sufficient
number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to
this paragraph 4(a) which, when aggregated with other
shares of Preferred Stock redeemed by the Corporation, permits
the Corporation to have with respect to the shares of Preferred
Stock (including the Series F Preferred Stock) remaining
Outstanding after such redemption (i) Asset Coverage of as
much as 220% and (ii) Moodys Eligible Assets with
Adjusted Value of as great as 110% of the Basic Maintenance
Amount. In the event that all of the shares of Series F
Preferred Stock then Outstanding are required to be redeemed
pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article II hereof, the
Corporation shall redeem such shares at the
Redemption Price and proceed to do so as set forth in
paragraph 4(c) hereof.
(b) Optional Redemptions.
Prior to
[ ],
2011 the shares of Series F Preferred Stock are not subject
to optional redemption by the Corporation unless such redemption
is necessary, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, to
maintain the Corporations status as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of
18
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Commencing on
[ ],
2011 and thereafter, and prior thereto to the extent necessary
to maintain the Corporations status as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, to the extent permitted by the 1940
Act and Maryland law, the Corporation may at any time upon
Notice of Redemption redeem the Series F Preferred Stock in
whole or in part at the Redemption Price per share, which
notice shall specify a redemption date of not fewer than
15 days nor more than 40 days after the date of such
notice.
(c) Procedures for Redemption.
(i) If the Corporation shall determine or be required to
redeem shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to this
paragraph 4, it shall mail a written notice of redemption
(
Notice of Redemption
) with respect to such
redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder
of the shares to be redeemed at such holders address as
the same appears on the stock books of the Corporation on the
close of business on such date as the Board of Directors may
determine, which date shall not be earlier than the second
Business Day prior to the date upon which such Notice of
Redemption is mailed to the holders of Series F Preferred
Stock. Each such Notice of Redemption shall state: (A) the
redemption date as established by the Board of Directors;
(B) the number or percentage of shares of Series F
Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (C) the CUSIP number(s) of
such shares; (D) the Redemption Price (specifying the
amount of accumulated dividends to be included therein);
(E) the place or places where the certificate(s) for such
shares (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Board
of Directors shall so require and the Notice of Redemption shall
so state) are to be surrendered for payment in respect of such
redemption; (F) that dividends and distributions on the
shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on such redemption
date; (G) the provisions of this paragraph 4 under
which such redemption is made; and (H) in the case of a
redemption pursuant to paragraph 4(b), any conditions
precedent to such redemption. If fewer than all shares of
Series F Preferred Stock held by any holder are to be
redeemed, the Notice of Redemption mailed to such holder also
shall specify the number or percentage of shares to be redeemed
from such holder. No defect in the Notice of Redemption or the
mailing thereof shall affect the validity of the redemption
proceedings, except as required by applicable law.
(ii) If the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption,
then by the close of business on the Business Day preceding the
redemption date specified in the Notice of Redemption (so long
as any conditions precedent to such redemption have been met)
or, if the Dividend-Disbursing Agent so agrees, another date not
later than the redemption date, the Corporation shall
(A) deposit with the Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit
Assets that shall mature on or prior to such redemption date
having an initial combined value sufficient to effect the
redemption of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock to be
redeemed and (B) give the Dividend-Disbursing Agent
irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
Redemption Price to the holders of the shares of
Series F Preferred Stock called for redemption on the
redemption date. The Corporation may direct the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent with respect to the investment of any
Deposit Assets so deposited provided that the proceeds of any
such investment will be available at the opening of business on
such redemption date. Upon the date of such deposit (unless the
Corporation shall default in making payment of the
Redemption Price), all rights of the holders of the shares
of Series F Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall
cease and terminate except the right of the holders thereof to
receive the Redemption Price thereof and such shares shall
no longer be deemed Outstanding for any purpose. The Corporation
shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the date fixed for
redemption, any cash in excess of the aggregate Redemption Price
of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock called for
redemption on such date and any remaining Deposit Assets. Any
assets so deposited that are unclaimed at the end of two years
from such redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law,
be repaid to the Corporation, after which the holders of the
shares of Series F Preferred Stock so called for redemption
shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the
Redemption Price thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled
to receive, from time to time after the date fixed for
redemption, any interest on the Deposit Assets so deposited.
(iii) On or after the redemption date, each holder of
shares of Series F Preferred Stock that are subject to
redemption shall surrender the certificate evidencing such
shares to the Corporation at the place
19
designated in the Notice of Redemption and shall then be
entitled to receive the cash Redemption Price, without
interest.
(iv) In the case of any redemption of less than all of the
shares of Series F Preferred Stock pursuant to these
Articles Supplementary, such redemption shall be made pro
rata from each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock
in accordance with the respective number of shares held by each
such holder on the record date for such redemption.
(v) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
paragraph 4, the Corporation shall not redeem shares of
Series F Preferred Stock unless all accumulated and unpaid
dividends and distributions on all Outstanding shares of
Series F Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock ranking
on a parity with the Series F Preferred Stock with respect
to dividends and distributions for all applicable past Dividend
Periods (whether or not earned or declared by the Corporation)
shall have been or are contemporaneously paid or declared and
Deposit Assets for the payment of such dividends and
distributions shall have been deposited with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent as set forth in paragraph 2(c) of
Article II hereof, provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the successful completion
of an otherwise lawful purchase or exchange offer made on the
same terms to holders of all Outstanding shares of Series F
Preferred Stock.
If the Corporation shall not have funds legally available for
the redemption of, or is otherwise unable to redeem, all the
shares of the Series F Preferred Stock or other Preferred
Stock designated to be redeemed on any redemption date, the
Corporation shall redeem on such redemption date the number of
shares of Series F Preferred Stock and other Preferred
Stock so designated as it shall have legally available funds, or
is otherwise able, to redeem ratably on the basis of the
Redemption Price from each holder whose shares are to be
redeemed, and the remainder of the shares of the Series F
Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock designated to be
redeemed shall be redeemed on the earliest practicable date on
which the Corporation shall have funds legally available for the
redemption of, or is otherwise able to redeem, such shares upon
Notice of Redemption.
5. Voting Rights.
(a) General.
Except as otherwise provided by law or as specified in the
Charter, each holder of shares of Series F Preferred Stock
and any other Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for
each share held on each matter submitted to a vote of
stockholders of the Corporation, and the holders of Outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock, including Series F Preferred
Stock, and of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as a
single class;
provided, however
, that at any meeting of
the stockholders of the Corporation held for the election of
directors, the holders of Outstanding shares of Preferred Stock,
including Series F Preferred Stock, 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 a
number of the Corporations directors, such that following
the election of directors at the meeting of the stockholders,
the Corporations Board of Directors shall contain two
directors elected by the holders of the Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, including the Series F Preferred Stock.
Subject to paragraph 5(b) of Article II hereof, the
holders of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation, including the holders of Outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock, including the Series F Preferred Stock,
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 pursuant to paragraph 5(a) above,
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
20
directors, together with the two directors that such holders are
in any event entitled to elect pursuant to paragraph 5(a)
above. The Corporation and the Board of Directors shall take all
necessary action, including amending the Corporations
bylaws, to effect an increase in the number of directors as
described in the preceding sentence. A Voting Period shall
commence:
(i) if at any time accumulated dividends and distributions
(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 Series F Preferred Stock equal to at
least two full years dividends and distributions shall be
due and unpaid and sufficient cash or specified securities shall
not have been deposited with the Dividend-Disbursing Agent for
the payment of such accumulated dividends and
distributions; 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 or
Articles Supplementary creating such shares.
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 of Preferred Stock upon the further occurrence of any of
the events described in this paragraph 5(b).
(c) 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 Dividend-Disbursing 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 Dividend-Disbursing 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 day on which such
notice is mailed or such other date as the Board of Directors
shall determine. At any such special meeting and at each meeting
held during a Voting Period, such holders of Preferred Stock,
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 on a one-vote-per-share
basis. 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 90 days after the original record date.
(ii) For purposes of determining any rights of the holders
of Series F Preferred Stock 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
Series F Preferred Stock 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
of Preferred Stock including Series F Preferred Stock, to
elect directors, shall continue following such meeting,
notwithstanding the election at such meeting by such holders of
the number of directors that they are entitled to elect, and the
persons so elected by such holders, together with the two
incumbent directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock,
including Series F 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) Upon the expiration of a Voting Period, the terms of
office of the additional directors elected by the holders of
Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall
expire at the earliest time permitted by law and the remaining
directors shall constitute the directors of the Corporation and
the voting rights of such holders of Preferred Stock, including
Series F Preferred Stock, to elect additional directors
pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above shall cease, subject to
the provisions of the last sentence of paragraph 5(b). Upon
the expiration of the terms of the directors elected by the
holders of Preferred
21
Stock pursuant to paragraph 5(b) above, the number of
directors shall be automatically reduced to the number and
composition of directors on the Board immediately preceding such
Voting Period.
(d) Exclusive Remedy.
Unless otherwise required by law, the holders of shares of
Series F Preferred Stock shall not have any rights or
preferences other than those specifically set forth herein. The
holders of shares of Series F Preferred Stock shall have no
preemptive rights or rights to cumulative voting. In the event
that the Corporation fails to pay any dividends and
distributions on the shares of Series F Preferred Stock,
the exclusive remedy of the holders shall be the right to vote
for directors pursuant to the provisions of this
paragraph 5.
(e) Notification to Moodys.
In the event a vote of holders of Series F Preferred Stock
is required pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(a) of
the 1940 Act, as long as the Series F Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the Corporations request, the
Corporation shall, not later than ten Business Days prior to the
date on which such vote is to be taken, notify Moodys 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 Moodys of the result of such vote.
6. Coverage Tests.
(a) Determination of Compliance.
For so long as any shares of Series F Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, the Corporation shall make the following
determinations:
(i) Asset Coverage. The Corporation shall have Asset
Coverage as of the last Business Day of each March, June,
September and December of each year in which any share of
Series F Preferred Stock is Outstanding.
(ii) Basic Maintenance Amount Requirement.
(A) For so long as any shares of Series F Preferred
Stock are Outstanding and are rated by Moodys at the
Corporations request, the Corporation shall maintain, on
each Valuation Date, Moodys Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount,
each as of such Valuation Date. Upon any failure to maintain
Moodys Eligible Assets having an Adjusted Value at least
equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall use
all commercially reasonable efforts to retain Moodys
Eligible Assets having an Adjusted Value at least equal to the
Basic Maintenance Amount on or prior to the Basic Maintenance
Amount Cure Date, by altering the composition of its portfolio
or otherwise.
(B) The Administrator shall prepare a Basic Maintenance
Report relating to each Valuation Date. On or before
5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the fifth Business Day
after the first Valuation Date following the Date of Original
Issue of the Series F Preferred Stock and after each
(1) Annual Valuation Date, (2) Valuation Date on which
the Corporation fails to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above, (3) Basic Maintenance
Amount Cure Date following a Valuation Date on which the
Corporation fails to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above and (4) Valuation Date and
any immediately succeeding Business Day on which the Adjusted
Value of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets
exceeds the Basic Maintenance Amount by 5% or less, the
Corporation shall complete and deliver to Moodys a Basic
Maintenance Report, which will be deemed to have been delivered
to Moodys if Moodys receives a copy or telecopy,
telex or other electronic transcription or transmission of the
Basic Maintenance Report and on the same day the Corporation
mails to Moodys for delivery on the next Business Day the
Basic Maintenance Report. A failure by the Corporation to
deliver a Basic Maintenance Report under this
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) shall be deemed to be delivery of a
Basic Maintenance Report indicating an
22
Adjusted Value of the Corporations Moodys Eligible
Assets less than the Basic Maintenance Amount, as of the
relevant Valuation Date.
(C) Within thirty (30) Business Days after the date of
delivery to Moodys of a Basic Maintenance Report in
accordance with paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above relating to an
Annual Valuation Date, the Corporation shall deliver to
Moodys an Accountants Confirmation relating to such
Basic Maintenance Report that was prepared by the Corporation
during the quarter ending on such Annual Valuation Date. Also,
within fifteen (15) Business Days after the date of
delivery to Moodys of a Basic Maintenance Report in
accordance with paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above relating to a
Valuation Date on which the Corporation fails to satisfy the
requirements of paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) and any Basic
Maintenance Amount Cure Date, the Corporation shall deliver to
Moodys an Accountants Confirmation relating to such
Basic Maintenance Report.
(D) In the event the Adjusted Value of the
Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets shown in any
Basic Maintenance Report prepared pursuant to
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above is less than the applicable
Basic Maintenance Amount, the Corporation shall have until the
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date to achieve an Adjusted Value
of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets at least
equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount, and upon such achievement
(and not later than such Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date) the
Corporation shall inform Moodys of such achievement in
writing by delivery of a revised Basic Maintenance Report
showing an Adjusted Value of the Corporations Moodys
Eligible Assets at least equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount
as of the date of such revised Basic Maintenance Report.
(E) On or before 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on no
later than the fifth Business Day after the next Valuation Date
following each date on which the Corporation has repurchased
more than 1% of its Common Stock since the most recent date of
delivery of a Basic Maintenance Report, the Corporation shall
complete and deliver to Moodys a Basic Maintenance Report.
A Basic Maintenance Report delivered as provided in
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(B) above also shall be deemed to have
been delivered pursuant to this paragraph 6(a)(ii)(E).
(b) Failure to Meet Asset Coverage.
If the Corporation fails to have Asset Coverage as provided in
paragraph 6(a)(i) hereof and such failure is not cured as
of the related Series F Asset Coverage Cure Date,
(i) the Corporation shall give a Notice of Redemption as
described in paragraph 4 of Article II hereof with
respect to the redemption of a sufficient number of shares of
Preferred Stock, which at the Corporations determination
(to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and Maryland law) may
include any proportion of Series F Preferred Stock, to
enable it to meet the requirements of paragraph 6(a)(i)
above, and, at the Corporations discretion, such
additional number of shares of Series F Preferred Stock or
other Preferred Stock in order that the Corporation have Asset
Coverage with respect to the shares of Series F Preferred
Stock and any other Preferred Stock remaining Outstanding after
such redemption as great as 220%, and (ii) deposit with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit Securities having an initial
combined value sufficient to effect the redemption of the shares
of Series F Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock to be
redeemed, as contemplated by paragraph 4(a) of
Article II hereof.
(c) Failure to Maintain Moodys Eligible Assets having
an Adjusted Value at Least Equal to the Basic Maintenance Amount.
If the Corporation fails to have Moodys Eligible Assets
having an Adjusted Value at least equal to the Basic Maintenance
Amount as provided in paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above and such
failure is not cured, the Corporation shall, on or prior to the
Basic Maintenance Amount Cure Date, (i) give a Notice of
Redemption as described in paragraph 4 of Article II
hereof with respect to the redemption of a sufficient number of
shares of Series F Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock
to enable it to meet the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) above, and, at the Corporations
discretion, such additional number of shares of Series F
Preferred Stock or other Preferred Stock in order that the
Corporation have Adjusted Assets with respect to the remaining
shares of Series F Preferred Stock and any other Preferred
Stock remaining Outstanding after such
23
redemption as great as 110% of the Basic Maintenance Amount, and
(ii) deposit with the Dividend-Disbursing Agent Deposit
Assets having an initial combined value sufficient to effect the
redemption of the shares of Series F Preferred Stock or
other Preferred Stock to be redeemed, as contemplated by
paragraph 4 of Article II hereof.
(d) Status of Shares Called for Redemption.
For purposes of determining whether the requirements of
paragraphs 6(a)(i) and 6(a)(ii)(A) hereof are satisfied,
(i) no share of the Series F Preferred Stock shall be
deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of any computation if,
prior to or concurrently with such determination, sufficient
Deposit Assets to pay the full Redemption Price for such
share shall have been deposited in trust with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent (or applicable paying agent) and the
requisite Notice of Redemption shall have been given, and
(ii) such Deposit Assets deposited with the
Dividend-Disbursing Agent (or paying agent) shall not be
included.
7. Certain Other Restrictions.
(a) For so long as the Series F Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the request of the Corporation, the
Corporation will not, and will cause the Adviser not to,
(i) knowingly and willfully purchase or sell any asset for
the specific purpose of causing, and with the actual knowledge
that the effect of such purchase or sale will be to cause, the
Corporation to have Moodys Eligible Assets having an
Adjusted Value as of the date of such purchase or sale to be
less than the Basic Maintenance Amount as of such date,
(ii) in the event that, as of the immediately preceding
Valuation Date, the Adjusted Value of the Corporations
Moodys Eligible Assets exceeded the Basic Maintenance
Amount by 5% or less, alter the composition of the
Corporations assets in a manner reasonably expected to
reduce the Adjusted Value of the Corporations Moodys
Eligible Assets, unless the Corporation shall have confirmed
that, after giving effect to such alteration, the Adjusted Value
of the Corporations Moodys Eligible Assets exceeded
the Basic Maintenance Amount or (iii) declare or pay any
dividend or other distribution on any shares of Common Stock or
repurchase any shares of Common Stock, unless the Corporation
shall have confirmed that, after giving effect to such
declaration, other distribution or repurchase, the Corporation
continued to satisfy the requirements of
paragraph 6(a)(ii)(A) of Article II hereof.
(b) For so long as the Series F Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the request of the Corporation, unless
the Corporation shall have received written confirmation from
Moodys, the Corporation may engage in the lending of its
portfolio securities only in an amount of up to 20% of the
Corporations total assets, provided that the Corporation
receives cash collateral for such loaned securities which is
maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of
the current market value of the loaned securities and, if
invested, is invested only in Short-Term Money Market
Investments or in money market mutual funds meeting the
requirements of
Rule 2a-7
under the 1940 Act that maintain a constant $1.00 per share
net asset value and treat the loaned securities rather than the
collateral as the assets of the Corporation for purposes of
determining compliance with paragraph 6 of Article II
hereof.
(c) For so long as the Series F Preferred Stock is
rated by Moodys at the request of the Corporation, the
Corporation shall not consolidate the Corporation with, merge
the Corporation into, sell or otherwise transfer all or
substantially all of the Corporations assets to another
Person or adopt a plan of liquidation of the Corporation, in
each case without providing prior written notification to
Moodys.
8. Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness and
Issuance of Additional Preferred Stock
(a) So long as any shares of Series F Preferred Stock
are Outstanding the Corporation may issue and sell one or more
series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation
representing indebtedness under Section 18 of the 1940 Act
and/or
otherwise create or incur indebtedness, provided that
immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such
indebtedness and to its receipt and application of the proceeds
thereof, the Corporation shall have an asset
coverage for all senior securities representing
indebtedness, as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act,
of at least 300% of the amount of all indebtedness of the
Corporation then Outstanding and no such additional indebtedness
shall have any preference or priority over any other
indebtedness of the Corporation upon the distribution of the
assets of the Corporation or in respect of the payment of
interest. Any possible liability resulting from lending
and/or
borrowing
24
portfolio securities, entering into reverse repurchase
agreements, entering into futures contracts and writing options,
to the extent such transactions are made in accordance with the
investment restrictions of the Corporation then in effect, shall
not be considered to be indebtedness limited by this
paragraph 8(a).
(b) So long as any shares of Series F Preferred Stock
are Outstanding, the Corporation may issue and sell shares of
one or more other series of Preferred Stock constituting a
series of a class of senior securities of the Corporation
representing stock under Section 18 of the 1940 Act in
addition to the shares of Series F Preferred Stock,
provided that (i) the Corporation shall, immediately after
giving effect to the issuance of such additional Preferred Stock
and to its receipt and application of the proceeds thereof,
including, without limitation, to the redemption of Preferred
Stock for which a Redemption Notice has been mailed prior
to such issuance, have an asset coverage for all
senior securities which are stock, as defined in
Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, of at least 200% of the sum
of the liquidation preference of the shares of Series F
Preferred Stock and all other Preferred Stock of the Corporation
then Outstanding, and (ii) no such additional Preferred
Stock shall have any preference or priority over any other
Preferred Stock of the Corporation upon the distribution of the
assets of the Corporation or in respect of the payment of
dividends.
9.
Termination.
In the event that no Series F Preferred Stock are
Outstanding, (1) all rights and preferences of such shares
established and designated hereunder shall cease and terminate,
and all obligations of the Corporation under these
Articles Supplementary shall terminate and (2) the
terms of office of all directors elected solely by the holders
of the Preferred Stock voting together as a class pursuant to
paragraphs 5(a) and 5(b) shall expire. Upon the expiration
of the terms of such directors, the number of directors shall be
automatically reduced by the number of directors elected solely
by the holders of Preferred Stock voting together as a class.
ARTICLE III
ABILITY OF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO MODIFY THESE ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
1. Modification to Prevent Ratings Reduction or Withdrawal.
The Board of Directors, without the vote or consent of any
holders of Series F Preferred Stock or the holders of any
other shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, or any other
stockholder of the Corporation, may from time to time amend,
alter or repeal the provisions of paragraph 7 of
Part I of these Articles Supplementary, as well as any
or all of the definitions contained within these
Articles Supplementary (and any terms defined within, or
related to, such definitions), add covenants and other
obligations of the Corporation, or confirm the applicability of
covenants and other obligations set forth herein, all in
connection with obtaining or maintaining the rating of
Moodys or any Other Rating Agency then rating the
Series F Preferred Stock, and any such amendment,
alteration or repeal will be deemed not to affect the
preferences,
rights or powers of the holders of Series F Preferred Stock
or the holders of any other shares of preferred stock of the
Corporation expressly set forth in the Charter, provided that
the Board of Directors shall have obtained written confirmation
from Moodys (if Moodys is then rating the
Series F Preferred Stock) and from any Other Rating Agency
then rating the Series F Preferred Stock (with such
confirmation in no event being required to be obtained from a
particular Rating Agency with respect to definitions or other
provisions relevant only to and adopted in connection with
another Rating Agencys rating of the Series F
Preferred Stock) that any such amendment, alteration or repeal
would not adversely affect the rating then assigned by such
Rating Agency.
2. Other Modification.
(a) The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, as
defined in the 1940 Act, of shares of Series F Preferred
Stock (or of any other series of Preferred Stock), voting
separately from any other series of Preferred Stock (to the
extent its rights are affected differently), shall be required
with respect to any matter that materially and adversely affects
the rights, preferences or powers of that series in a manner
different from that
25
of other series or classes of the Corporations shares of
capital stock. For purposes of the foregoing, no matter shall be
deemed to adversely affect any rights, preference or power
unless such matter (i) adversely alters or abolishes any
preferential right of such series; (ii) creates, adversely
alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of such
series; or (iii) creates or adversely alters (other than to
abolish) any restriction on transfer applicable to such series.
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 the
Series F Preferred Stock) pursuant to the Charter shall not
in and of itself be considered to adversely affect the contract
rights of the holders of Preferred Stock. The vote of holders of
any series described in this paragraph 2(a) of
Article III will in each case be in addition to a separate
vote of the requisite percentage of Common Stock and Preferred
Stock, if any, necessary to authorize the action in question.
The holders of the Series F Preferred Stock shall not be
entitled to vote on any matter that affects the rights or
interests of only one or more series of Preferred Stock other
than the Series F Preferred Stock.
(b) The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, as
defined in the 1940 Act, of the shares of Preferred Stock,
voting separately as one class (including the Series F
Preferred Stock), shall be required to amend, alter or repeal
the provisions of the Governing Documents, whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise, if such amendment, alteration or
repeal would affect adversely the rights, preferences or powers
expressly set forth in any Articles Supplementary of the
Preferred Stock, including the Series F Preferred Stock,
unless, in each case, the Corporation obtains written
confirmation from Moodys (if Moodys is then rating
the Series F Preferred Stock) or any Other Rating Agency
then rating the Series F Preferred Stock that such
amendment, alteration or repeal would not impair the rating then
assigned by such rating agency to the Series F Preferred
Stock, in which case the vote or consent of the holders of the
Series F Preferred Stock is not required. For purposes of
the foregoing, no matter shall be deemed to adversely affect any
rights, preference or power unless such matter
(i) adversely alters or abolishes any preferential right of
the Series F Preferred Stock; (ii) creates, adversely
alters or abolishes any right in respect of redemption of the
Series F Preferred Stock; or (iii) creates or
adversely alters (other than to abolish) any restriction on
transfer applicable to the Series F Preferred Stock. 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 the Series F
Preferred Stock) pursuant to the Charter shall not in and of
itself be considered to adversely affect the contract rights of
the holders of Preferred Stock. The vote of holders of any
Series F Preferred Stock described in this
paragraph 2(b) of Article III will in each case be in
addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage, if any,
of Common Stock and Preferred Stock necessary to authorize the
action in question.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Article III, to
the extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors, without the
vote of the holders of the Series F Preferred Shares or any
other capital stock of the Corporation, may amend the provisions
of these Articles Supplementary to resolve any
inconsistency or ambiguity or to remedy any formal defect so
long as the amendment does not in the aggregate adversely affect
the rights and preferences of the Series F Preferred Shares.
(d) Unless a higher percentage is required under the
Governing Documents or applicable provisions of the Maryland
General Corporation Law or the 1940 Act, the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the
shares of Outstanding Preferred Stock, including the
Series F Preferred Stock, voting together as a single
class, will be required to approve any plan of reorganization
adversely affecting the Preferred Stock or any action requiring
a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940
Act. The vote of holders of any series described in this
paragraph 2(d) of Article III will in each case be in
addition to a separate vote of the requisite percentage of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock, if any, necessary to authorize
the action in question.
(e) For purposes of these Article III, the phrase
vote of the Holders of a majority of the Outstanding
shares of Preferred Stock (or any like phrase) shall mean,
in accordance with Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, the
vote, at the annual or a special meeting of the stockholders of
the Corporation duly called (A) of 67 percent or more
of the shares of Preferred Stock present at such meeting, if the
Holders of more than 50 percent of the Outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock are present or represented by proxy; or
(B) of more than 50 percent of the Outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock, whichever is less.
26
(f) The provisions of this Article III are subject to
the provisions of paragraph 7 of Article II of these
Articles Supplementary.
3. Notice.
In the event of any modification of these
Articles Supplementary pursuant to paragraph 2 of this
Article III, the Corporation shall provide notice of such
modification to the Rating Agencies 10 Business Days prior to
the date such modification takes effect.
27
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. has caused
these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and
on its behalf by a duly authorized officer, and witnessed by its
Secretary, and the said officers of the Corporation further
acknowledge said instrument to be the corporate act of the
Corporation, and state that to the best of their knowledge,
information and belief under penalty of perjury the matters and
facts herein set forth with respect to authorization and
approval are true in all material respects, all on [DATE].
THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
Name: Bruce N. Alpert
Title: President
Witness:
Name: James E. McKee
28
Exhibit
(h)
THE GABELLI EQUITY TRUST INC.
[ ] Shares, [ ] Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock
FORM OF PURCHASE AGREEMENT
November __, 2006
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
as Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Merrill Lynch & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
4 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10080
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Fund), and Gabelli Funds, LLC, a
limited liability company organized under the laws of the state of New York (the Investment
Adviser), confirm their agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Citigroup), Merrill Lynch
& Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch), and each of the
other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the Underwriters, which term shall
also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom
Merrill Lynch and Citigroup are acting as Representatives (in such capacity, the
Representatives), with respect to the issue and sale by the Fund and the purchase by the
Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective number of shares set forth in
said Schedule A of an aggregate of ___ shares of the Funds Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock
(the Securities). The Securities will be authorized by, and subject to the terms and conditions
of, the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, as amended and supplemented through November ___,
2006 (the Charter).
The Fund understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities
as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.
The Fund has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) a registration
statement on Form N-2 (No. 333-137298 and No. 811-04700) covering the registration of the
Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), including the related
preliminary prospectus or prospectuses, and a notification on Form N-8A of registration (the 1940
Act Notification) of the Fund as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended (the 1940 Act), and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act and
the 1940 Act (the Rules and Regulations). Promptly after execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Fund will prepare
and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (Rule 430A) of the
Rules and Regulations and paragraph (c) or (h) of Rule 497 (Rule 497) of the Rules and
Regulations. The information included in any such prospectus 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 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A is
referred to as Rule 430A Information. Each prospectus used before such registration statement
became effective, and any prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information, that was used after
such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, including in each
case any Statement of Additional Information incorporated therein by reference, is herein called a
preliminary prospectus. Such registration statement, including the exhibits thereto and
schedules thereto at the time it became effective and including the Rule 430A Information is herein
called the Registration Statement. Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of
the Rules and 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 in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in
connection with the offering of the Securities, including the Statement of Additional Information
incorporated therein by reference, is herein called the Prospectus. For purposes of this
Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the
Prospectus 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 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.
SECTION 1.
Representations and Warranties
.
(a)
Representations and Warranties by the Fund and the Investment Adviser
. The Fund and the
Investment Adviser jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the date
hereof, the Applicable Time referred to in Section 1(a)(i) hereof and as of the Closing Time
referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:
(i)
Compliance with Registration Requirements
. 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, or order of suspension or
revocation of registration pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act, and no proceedings for
any such 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.
2
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, the notification
on Form N-8A and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all
material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 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 such amendment or supplement was 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 Statutory Prospectus (as defined below) as of the Applicable Time and the
information included on Schedule C hereto as of the Applicable Time, all considered together
(collectively, the General Disclosure Package), did not include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
As used in this subsection and elsewhere in this Agreement:
Applicable Time means [___] [p.m.] (Eastern time) on [___], 2006 or such other
time as agreed by the Fund and the Representatives.
Statutory Prospectus as of any time means the prospectus relating to the Securities
that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time, including any
document incorporated by reference therein.
Each preliminary prospectus and the prospectus filed as part of the Registration
Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule
497 under the 1933 Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Rules and
Regulations and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters
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 Securities, 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 Accountants
. The accountants who certified the financial
statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement are independent
public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.
(iii)
Financial Statements
. The financial statements included in the
Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the
related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Fund at the
3
dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of
the Fund for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in
accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial
data and the summary financial information included in the Prospectus present fairly the
information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the
audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement.
(iv)
No Material Adverse Change
. Since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or 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 considered as one enterprise, 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) 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 the Statutory 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 other 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)
No Subsidiaries
. The Fund has no subsidiaries.
(vii)
Investment Company Status
. The Fund is duly registered with the
Commission under the 1940 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 or to the Funds knowledge, threatened by the Commission.
(viii)
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
1940 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, the Prospectus and the General Disclosure Package (or any amendment
or supplement to any of them), to the knowledge of the Fund or the Investment Adviser after
due inquiry, no director of the Fund is an interested
4
person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or an affiliated person (as defined
in the 1940 Act) of any Underwriter listed in Schedule A hereto.
(ix)
Capitalization
. The authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Fund is as set forth in the Prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus as of the date
thereof under the caption Description of Capital Stock and Other Securities. All issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Fund have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; none of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Fund was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any
securityholder of the Fund.
(x)
Authorization of Agreement
. This Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by the Fund.
(xi)
Authorization of Securities
. The Securities have been duly authorized
and, at the Closing Time will have been duly executed by the Fund and, when issued and
delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor as provided in this Agreement, will
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Fund, and are fully paid and nonassessable
and free of any preemptive or similar rights.
(xii)
Description of the Securities
. The Securities will conform in all
material respects to the statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and the
Statutory Prospectus and will be in substantially the forms filed or incorporated by
reference, as the case may be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
(xiii)
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 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 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 do not involve Material Fund Agreements (as defined below) and material instruments
that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or the Investment Advisory Agreement
dated as of ___ among
___, the Custodian Agreement dated as of ___ among ___, the Registrar, Transfer Agent
and Service Agreement dated as of ___ among ___, and the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash
Repurchase Plan dated as of ___ (each, a Material Fund Agreement) and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement (including the
issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the
Securities as described in the Prospectus under the caption Use of Proceeds) and
compliance by the Fund with its obligations hereunder 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 default
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 Material Fund Agreement (except for such
conflicts, breaches, defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect), nor
5
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
of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having
jurisdiction over the Fund or any of its assets, properties or operations, except for
violations that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(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 result in a
Material Adverse Effect, or which might 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 or any subsidiary is a party or of which any
of their 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 result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(xv)
Accuracy of Exhibits
. There are no contracts or documents which are
required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Statutory
Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits
thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.
(xvi)
Absence of Manipulation
. Neither the Fund nor any affiliate of the Fund
has taken, nor will the Fund or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which
is designed to or which has constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Fund to facilitate the
sale or resale of the Securities.
(xvii)
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
Securities hereunder 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 or the
1933 Act Regulations, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act) or state
securities laws.
(xviii)
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, except where the failure so to
possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; 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, result in a Material
Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and
6
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, singly or in the aggregate,
result in 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.
(xix)
Title to Property
. The Fund has good and marketable title to all real
property owned by the Fund and good title to all other properties owned by it, in each case,
free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or
encumbrances of any kind except such as (a) are described in the Prospectus or the General
Disclosure Package or (b) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of
such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such
property by the Fund; and all of the leases and subleases material to the business of the
Fund, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Fund holds properties described in
the Prospectus and the General Disclosure Package, are in full force and effect, and the
Fund has not received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by
anyone adverse to the rights of the Fund under any of the leases or subleases mentioned
above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Fund to the continued possession of the
leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.
(xx)
Advertisements
. Any advertising, sales literature or other promotional
material (including prospectus wrappers, broker kits, road show slides and road show
scripts) authorized in writing by or prepared by the Fund or the Investment Adviser for use
in connection with the public offering of the Securities (collectively, sales material)
does 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.
Moreover, all sales material complied and will comply in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Rules and Regulations and the
rules and interpretations of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
(xxi)
Subchapter M
. The Fund intends to 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 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(Subchapter M of the Code and the Code, respectively), and, at all times since its
inception, has qualified as a regulated investment Fund under Subchapter M of the Code.
(xxii)
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 Securities, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering
and sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement, a preliminary prospectus,
the Prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, or other materials, if any, permitted by the 1933
Act or the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations.
7
(xxiii)
Accounting Controls and Disclosure Controls
. The Fund maintains a
system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (1)
transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorization
and with the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the Rules and Regulations and the
Code; (2) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets and to maintain
compliance with the books and records requirements under the 1940 Act and the Rules and
Regulations; (3) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general
or specific authorization; and (4) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to
any differences.
The Fund employs disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed by the Fund in the reports that it files or submits
under the 1940 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods
specified in the Commissions rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to the
Funds management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal
financial officer or officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
disclosure.
(xxiv)
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
. There is and has been no
failure on the part of the Fund or any of the Funds directors or officers, in their
capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any provision of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith
(the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906
related to certifications.
(xxv)
Pending Proceedings and Examinations
. The Registration Statement is not
the subject of a pending proceeding or examination under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the 1933
Act, and the Fund is not the subject of a pending proceeding under Section 8(e) of the 1933
Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.
(xxvi)
Absence of Undisclosed Payments
. To the Funds 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 or the Statutory Prospectus.
(xxvii)
Material Agreements
. Each of this Agreement and each Material Fund
Agreement has each been duly authorized by all requisite action on the part of the Fund,
executed and delivered by the Fund, as of the dates noted therein, and each complies with
all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. Assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by the other parties thereto with respect to this Agreement and each Material Fund
Agreement, each such 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, and general equitable principles (whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law).
8
(xxviii)
Registration Rights
. There are no persons with registration rights or
other similar rights to have any securities of the Fund registered pursuant to the
Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Fund under the 1933 Act.
(xxix)
NYSE Listing
. The Funds shares of common stock are duly listed on the
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
(xxx)
Ratings
. The Securities have been, or prior to the Closing Date will be,
assigned a rating of Aaa by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys).
(xxxi)
Leverage
. The Fund has no liability for borrowed money, including under
any reverse repurchase agreement.
(b)
Officers Certificates
. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Fund or the
Investment Adviser delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be
deemed a representation and warranty by the Fund to each Underwriter as to the matters covered
thereby.
(c)
Representations and Warranties by the Investment Adviser
. The Investment Adviser
represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Closing Time referred
to in Section 2(c) hereof as follows:
(i)
Good Standing of the Investment Adviser
. The Investment Adviser has been
duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing as a limited liability company
under the laws of the State of New York with full corporate power and authority to own,
lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus
and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing
in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required except where the failure
so to register or to qualify does not have a material adverse effect on the condition
(financial or other), business, business prospects, properties, net assets or results of
operations of the Investment Adviser to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the
Management Agreement.
(ii)
Investment Adviser Status
. The Investment Adviser is duly registered and
in good standing with the Commission as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and is
not prohibited by the Advisers Act or the 1940 Act, or the rules and regulations under such
acts, from acting under the Management Agreement for the Fund as contemplated by the
Prospectus.
(iii)
Description of Investment Adviser
. The description of the Investment
Adviser in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the General Disclosure Package
(and any amendment or supplement to either of them) complied and comply in all material
respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1940 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.
9
(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 Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, this Agreement and under the
Management Agreement.
(v)
Authorization of Agreements; Absence of Defaults and Conflicts
. This
Agreement and the Management Agreement have each been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Investment Adviser, and the Management Agreement constitutes a valid and
binding obligation of the Investment Adviser, 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 and
general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Management 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 lapse of time or both, a default under, (i) any
agreement or instrument to which the Investment Adviser is a party or by which it is bound,
(ii) the certificate of formation, the by laws or other organizational documents of the
Investment Adviser, or (iii) to the Investment Advisers 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 other than, with respect to clauses (i) and (iii), any conflict,
breach or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect; 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 or the Management Agreement, except as
have been obtained or may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1940 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, the Prospectus and the Statutory
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 obligations under this Agreement and the Management
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 1940 Act) or any partners, directors, 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
10
Adviser to function as an Investment Adviser or perform its obligations under the
Management Agreement, or which is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus that has not been disclosed.
(viii)
Absence of Violation or Default
. The Investment Adviser is not in
violation of its certificate of formation, by-laws or other organizational documents or in
default under any agreement, indenture or instrument except for such violations or defaults
that 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 Investment Adviser or the
Fund.
SECTION 2.
Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing
.
(a)
Securities
. 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 each Underwriter,
severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from
the Fund, at the price set forth in Schedule B, the number of Securities set forth in Schedule A
opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional Securities which such Underwriter may
become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof.
(b)
Payment
. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, the
Securities shall be made at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue,
New York, New York 10017, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and
the Fund, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M.
(Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance
with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such
date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Fund (such time and date of payment and
delivery being herein called 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 Representatives for the respective accounts
of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood
that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of,
receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Securities which it has agreed to
purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but
shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be purchased by
any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time, but such payment shall not
relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.
SECTION 3.
Covenants of the Fund
. The Fund and the Investment Adviser jointly and
severally covenant with each Underwriter as follows:
(a)
Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests; Payment of Filing Fees
.
The Fund, subject to Section 3(a)(ii), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A and will
notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement relating to
the Securities shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus,
11
the General Disclosure Package 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 the filing of a new registration statement or any
amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein or
otherwise deemed to be a part thereof or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or such new
registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The
Fund will effect the filings necessary under Rule 497, in the manner and within the time period
required by Rule 497 and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether
the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 497 was received for filing by the
Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Fund will
make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order or
order of supervision or revocation of registration pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act is
issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.
(b)
Filing of Amendments
. The Fund will give the Representatives notice of its intention to
file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule
462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to the prospectus included in the Registration
Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act or otherwise, and the Fund will furnish the Representatives 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 Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters
shall reasonably object.
(c)
Delivery of Registration Statements
. The Fund has furnished or will deliver to the
Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration
Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by
reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or
otherwise deemed to be a part thereof) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of
experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the
Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the
Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the
Underwriters 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 Prospectuses
. The Fund has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as
many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such 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 each 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 such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or
supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters 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.
12
(e)
Continued Compliance with Securities Laws
. The Fund will comply with the 1933 Act and the
1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of
the distribution of the Securities 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 Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is
necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Fund, to amend the
Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not
include any untrue statements of a 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 to file a new registration
statement or amend or supplement the 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, supplement or new registration statement as may be
necessary to correct such statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, the Fund will
use its best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as
soon as practicable and the Fund will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such
amendment, supplement or new registration statement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.
(f)
Blue Sky Qualifications
. The Fund will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the
Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable Securities laws
of such states and other jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such
qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the date hereof; 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 so subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction
in which it is not otherwise so subject. The Fund will also supply the Underwriters with such
information as is necessary for the determination of the legality of the Securities for investment
under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may request.
(g)
Rule 158
. The Fund will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 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 to the Underwriters 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
Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus under Use of Proceeds.
(i)
Reporting Requirements
. The Fund, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be
delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, including in such circumstances where such
requirement would be satisfied by Section 172 of the 1933 Act, will file all documents required to
be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act within the time periods
required by the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, respectively.
13
(i)
Subchapter M
. The Fund will comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of
the Code to qualify as a regulated investment Fund under the Code.
(ii)
No Manipulation of Market for Securities
. 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 Securities, and (b) until the
Closing Date, or the Date of Delivery, if any, (i) sell, bid for or purchase the Securities
or pay any person any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Securities or (ii) pay or
agree to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other
Securities of the Fund.
(iii)
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.
(j) Except as provided in this Agreement, the Fund will not sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of any of its preferred shares of the same series as the Securities or any
Securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for its preferred shares of the same
series as the Securities, or grant any options or warrants to purchase its preferred shares of the
same series as the Securities, for a period of 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, without
the prior written consent of the Representatives.
SECTION 4.
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 Underwriters of this Agreement, any
Agreement among Underwriters and such other documents as may be required in connection with the
offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance
and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or
other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of
the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Funds counsel,
accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under Securities laws in
accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection
with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (vi) the printing and
delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any
amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the
foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the
Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, any transfer agent or
registrar for the Securities, (viii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the rating
of the Securities, (ix) the printing of any sales material, and (viii) the
14
transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Fund representatives in
connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Shares.
(b)
Termination of Agreement
. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a) hereof, the Fund and the Investment
Adviser jointly and severally agree that they shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their
out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Underwriters.
SECTION 5.
Conditions of Underwriters Obligations
. The obligations of the several
Underwriters 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 certificates of any officer of
the Fund or the Investment Adviser delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance
by the Fund and the Investment Adviser of their respective covenants and other obligations
hereunder, and to the following further conditions:
(a)
Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Filing of Prospectus; Payment of Filing Fee
. 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, no notice or order pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act shall
have been issued, and no proceedings with respect to either shall have been 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 Underwriters. A
prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in
accordance with Rule 497 (or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been
filed and become effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A).
(b)
Opinion of Counsel for Fund and the Investment Adviser
. At Closing Time, the
Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Willkie
Farr & Gallagher LLP, counsel for the Fund, and Venable LLP, special Maryland counsel for the
Fund], in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or
reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in
Exhibit A hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.
(c)
Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters
. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have
received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP,
counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of
the other Underwriters with respect to the matters set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (vi) through
(xii), inclusive, and the penultimate paragraph of Exhibit A hereto. In giving such opinion such
counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the
State of New York and the federal law of the United States, upon the opinions of counsel
satisfactory to the Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion
involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of
officers of the Fund and the Investment Adviser and certificates of public officials.
15
(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 and the General
Disclosure Package, 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 Representatives shall have received a certificate of a duly
authorized officer of the Fund and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Fund
and of the President or a Vice President or Managing Director of the Investment Adviser, dated as
of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the
representations and warranties in Sections 1(a) and (b) hereof are true and correct with the same
force and effect as though expressly made at and as of Closing Time, (iii) each of the Fund and the
Investment Adviser, respectively, has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on
its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to Closing Time, (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 Fund or the Investment Adviser, whether or not arising in the ordinary
course of business and (v) to the knowledge of such officers, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or order of suspension or revocation of registration
pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act, has been issued and no proceedings for any such purpose
have been instituted or are pending or are contemplated by the Commission.
(e)
Accountants Comfort Letter
. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the
Representatives shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter dated such date, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies
of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type
ordinarily included in accountants comfort letters to underwriters with respect to the financial
statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus.
(f)
Bring-down Comfort Letter
. At Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 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)
Maintenance of Rating
. At Closing Time, the Securities shall be rated at least Aaa by
Moodys Investors Service Inc. and the Fund shall have delivered to the Representatives a letter
dated the Closing Time, from such rating agency, or other evidence satisfactory to the
Representatives, confirming that the Securities have such rating; and since the date of this
Agreement, there shall not have occurred a downgrading or an announcement of potential downgrade in
the rating assigned to the Securities or any of the Funds other securities.
(h)
Additional Documents
. At Closing Time, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been
furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to
pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities 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 and the Investment Adviser in
connection with the organization and registration of the Fund under the
16
1940 Act and the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.
(i)
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
Representatives 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 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive any such termination and remain in
full force and effect.
SECTION 6.
Indemnification
.
(a)
Indemnification of Underwriters
. The Fund and the Investment Adviser, jointly and
severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, as such term is
defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an Affiliate), its selling agents and each
person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act 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, 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 contained in any
preliminary prospectus, 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, or any such
alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such
settlement is effected with the written consent of the Fund;
(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives), 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
17
furnished to the Fund by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information or any
preliminary prospectus, any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
Notwithstanding this paragraph (a), the Investment Advisor shall be liable to any party to be
indemnified under this section 6(a) in any case only to the extent that the Fund fails to indemnify
and hold harmless the indemnified party.
(b)
Indemnification of the Fund, the Investment Adviser, Directors and Officers
. Each
Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the
Investment Adviser and their respective directors, officers of the Fund 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)(i) 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 or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Fund by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.
(c)
Indemnification for Marketing Materials
. In addition to the foregoing indemnification,
the Fund and the Investment Adviser also, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold
harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter 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 Section 6(a), as limited by the
proviso set forth therein, with respect to any sales material that has been prepared by or
authorized for use in writing by the Fund or the Investment Adviser.
(d)
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 6(a)(1) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected
by the Representatives, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(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 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
18
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 6 or Section 7 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.
(e)
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 6(a)(1) (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 7.
Contribution
. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 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 Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities 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 Underwriters 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
Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this
Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from
the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by
the Fund and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set
forth on the cover of the Prospectus.
The relative fault of the Fund and the Investment Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriters
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 Underwriters
and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.
19
The Fund, the Investment Adviser and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even
if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
Section 7. 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 7, no Underwriter shall be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of
any damages which such 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 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriters
Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each director of the Fund and each director of the Investment Adviser, respectively, each officer
of the Fund 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 shall have the same rights to contribution as the Fund and the Investment Adviser,
respectively. The Underwriters respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7
are several in proportion to the number of shares set forth opposite their respective names in
Schedule A hereto and not joint.
SECTION 8.
Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
. All
representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of
officers of the Fund or the Investment Adviser submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative
and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its
officers or directors or any person controlling the Fund, and (ii) delivery of and payment for the
Securities.
SECTION 9.
Termination of Agreement
.
(a)
Termination; General
. The Representatives 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
(exclusive of any supplement thereto) or the General Disclosure Package, any material adverse
change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business
20
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
Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for
the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Fund has been suspended or
materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the
American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market has been
suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or
maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by
order of the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or any other
governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or Securities
settlement, or (iv) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or Securities
settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (v) 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 4 hereof,
and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such termination and remain in full
force and effect.
SECTION 10.
Default by One or More of the Underwriters
. If one or more of the
Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated
to purchase under this Agreement (the Defaulted Securities), the Representatives shall have the
right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting
Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted
Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however,
the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:
(a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal
amount of the Securities to be purchased hereunder, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall
be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions
that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of
all non-defaulting Underwriters, or
(b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the
Securities to be purchased hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part
of any non-defaulting Underwriter.
No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from
liability in respect of its default.
In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement,
either the Representatives or the Fund shall have the right to postpone Closing Time for a period
21
not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement
or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term Underwriter
includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.
SECTION 11.
Tax Disclosure
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
immediately upon commencement of discussions with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby,
the Fund and the Investment Adviser (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Fund)
may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax
structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind
(including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Fund relating to such tax
treatment and tax structure. For purposes of the foregoing, the term tax treatment is the
purported or claimed federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the
term tax structure includes any fact that may be relevant to understanding the purported or
claimed federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 12.
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 Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at
Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 4 World Financial Center,
New York, New York 10080, attention of
l
; and notices to the Fund or the Investment Adviser
shall be directed to it c/o The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, New York
10580-1422, attention of the Legal Department.
SECTION 13.
No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship
. The Fund acknowledges and agrees
that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the
determination of the public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and
commissions, is an arms-length commercial transaction between the Fund, on the one hand, and the
several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby
and the process leading to such transaction each 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, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will 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 such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the
Fund on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Fund with respect to the
offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the
Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that
involve interests that differ from those of the Fund, and (e) the Underwriters have 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 14.
Integration
. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings (whether written or oral) between the Fund and the Underwriters, or any of them,
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
SECTION 15.
Parties
. This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Underwriters, the Investment Adviser and the Fund and their respective successors.
22
Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any
person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Investment Adviser and the Fund and
their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in
Sections 6 and 7 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
Underwriters, the Investment Adviser and the Fund 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 Securities from any
Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.
SECTION 16.
GOVERNING LAW
. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 17.
TIME
. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.
SECTION 18.
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 19.
Effect of Headings
. The Section headings herein are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.
23
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 among the Underwriters, the Fund and the Investment Adviser in
accordance with its terms.
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Very truly yours,
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The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
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By
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Title:
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Gabelli Funds, LLC
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By
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Title:
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24
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:
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By:
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CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
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By
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By: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.
25
SCHEDULE A
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Number of
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Name of Underwriter
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Shares
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
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Total
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Sch A-1
SCHEDULE B
The
purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities
shall be $
per share.
Sch B-1
SCHEDULE C
Oral information, if any, included as part of the General Disclosure Package.
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Dividend Rate (cumulative from _____)
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%
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Settlement Date
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Sch C-1