As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2003
1933 Act File No. 333-_____
1940 Act File No. 811-21449
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-2
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
[X] REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
[_] Pre-Effective Amendment No. _
[ ] Post-Effective Amendment No. _
and
[X] REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
[_] Amendment No. _
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust
333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
Address of Principal Executive Offices (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)
(800) 257-8787
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code
Jessica R. Droeger
Vice President and Secretary
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Name and Address (Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code) of Agent for Service
Copies of Communications to:
Stacy H. Winick Eric F. Fess Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC Chapman and Cutler LLP 70 W. Madison St. 111 W. Monroe Chicago, IL 60602 Chicago, IL 60603 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement
If any of the securities being registered on this form are offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. [ ]
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[X] when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
====================================================================================================================
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities Being Amount Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Amount of
Registered Being Registered Offering Price Per Unit Price (1) Registration Fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Shares, $0.01 par value 1,000 Shares $15.00 $15,000 $1.21
====================================================================================================================
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
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 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 dates as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated October 17, 2003
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO] Nuveen Logo
Shares
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund
Common Shares $15.00 per share
Investment Objectives. The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company.
. The Fund's primary investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income tax.
. The Fund's secondary investment objective is to seek attractive total return consistent with its primary objective.
No Prior History. Because the Fund is newly organized, its common shares have no history of public trading. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period after completion of the public offering.
(continued on following page)
Investing in common shares involves certain risks. See "Risks" beginning on page 24.
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.
Per Share Total
--------- -----
Public Offering Price $15.000 $
Sales Load/(1)/ $ 0.675 $
Estimated Offering Expenses /(2)/ $ 0.030 $
Proceeds to the Fund $14.295 $
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The underwriters expect to deliver the common shares to purchasers on or about 2003.
Nuveen Investments, LLC
, 2003
Portfolio Contents. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest its Managed Assets (as defined on page 5 of the Prospectus) in a portfolio of municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to be fully invested in such tax-exempt municipal securities. Up to 30% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment are investment grade quality, meaning securities rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the four highest grades or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund's investment adviser. Investment quality municipal securities may include municipal securities that are rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization and lower by another. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that are rated below investment grade quality or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund's investment adviser; provided, that no more than 5% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated below B-/B3 or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund's investment adviser. Municipal securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and are commonly referred to as junk bonds. The Fund cannot assure you that it will achieve its investment objectives.
The common shares have been approved for listing on the Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The trading or "ticker" symbol of the common shares is " ".
You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund, before deciding whether to invest and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated , 2003 and as it may be supplemented, containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page of this Prospectus, by calling (800) 257-8787 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy (and other information regarding the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission web site (http://www.sec.gov).
The Fund's common shares do not represent a deposit or obligation of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and are 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 or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The Fund has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Fund is not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Prospectus Summary........................................... 4
Summary of Fund Expenses..................................... 13
The Fund..................................................... 15
Use of Proceeds.............................................. 15
The Fund's Investments....................................... 15
MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage............................ 21
Risks........................................................ 24
How the Fund Manages Risk.................................... 30
Management of the Fund....................................... 31
Net Asset Value.............................................. 33
Distributions................................................ 33
Dividend Reinvestment Plan................................... 34
Description of Shares........................................ 35
Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust............... 37
Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund....... 39
Tax Matters.................................................. 39
Underwriting................................................. 42
Custodian and Transfer Agent................................. 45
Legal Opinions............................................... 45
Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information 46
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Until , 2003 (25 days after the date of this Prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade the common shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This is only a summary. You should review the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information to understand the offering fully.
The Fund.............. Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (the
"Fund") is a newly organized, diversified,
closed-end management investment company. See "The
Fund."
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The Offering.......... The Fund is offering common shares of beneficial interest at $15.00 per share through a group of underwriters (the "Underwriters") led by , Nuveen Investments LLC ("Nuveen"), and . The common shares of beneficial interest are called "Common Shares" in the rest of this Prospectus. You must purchase at least 100 Common Shares in this offering. The Fund has given the Underwriters an option to purchase up to additional Common Shares to cover orders in excess of Common Shares. See "Underwriting." Nuveen has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses and (ii) offering costs (other than sales load) that exceed $0.03 per Common Share.
Investment Objectives. TheFund's primary investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund's secondary investment objective is to seek attractive total return consistent with its primary objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in municipal securities that are underrated and undervalued. The Fund cannot assure you that it will attain its investment objectives.
See "The Fund's Investments" and "Risks."
Undernormal circumstances, the Fund will invest its
Managed Assets in a portfolio of municipal
securities that pay interest that is exempt from
regular federal income tax. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund expects to be fully invested
in such tax-exempt municipal securities. Up to 30%
of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in
municipal securities that pay interest that is
taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax
applicable to individuals.
. The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that at the time of investment are investment grade quality. Investment grade quality bonds are bonds rated by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO") within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Corporation, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies ("S&P") or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch")), or bonds that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund's investment adviser. Investment grade municipal securities may include securities that, at the time of
investment, are rated below investment grade by
Moody's, S&P or Fitch, so long as at least one
NRSRO rates such bonds within the four highest
grades (such bonds are called "split-rated
securities").
. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed
Assets in municipal securities that, at the
time of investment, are rated below investment
grade or that are unrated but judged to be of
comparable quality by the Fund's investment
adviser; provided, that no more than 5% of the
Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in
municipal securities rated below B-/B3 or that
are unrated but judged to be of comparable
quality by Nuveen Advisory. This means that the
Fund may invest in municipal securities that
are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings or are experiencing other financial
difficulties at the time of acquisition (such
securities commonly referred to as distressed
securities).
Bonds of below investment grade quality are regarded
as having predominately speculative characteristics
with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay
principal, and are commonly referred to as junk
bonds. The Fund cannot assure you that it will
attain its investment objectives. See "The Fund's
Investments" and "Risks-- Below Investment Grade
Risk."
The Fund may invest in municipal securities in the
form of notes, which are generally used to provide
for short-term capital needs in anticipation of an
issuer's receipt of other revenues or financing, and
typically have maturities of up to three years. Such
instruments may include tax anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes,
tax and revenue anticipation notes and construction
loan notes. In addition, the Fund may invest in
municipal leases, certificates of participation and
"moral obligation" bonds. The Fund also may invest
in municipal securities in the form of tender option
bonds. See "The Fund's Investments."
The Fund's assets (including assets attributable to
any MuniPreferred(R) Shares (as defined below) that
may be outstanding are called "Managed Assets."
Special Considerations The Fund may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in
municipal securities that pay interest that is
taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax
applicable to individuals. If you are, or as a
result of investment in the Fund would become,
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the
Fund may not be a suitable investment for you. In
addition, distributions of ordinary taxable income
(including any net short-term capital gain) will be
taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, and
capital gain dividends will be subject to capital
gains taxes. See "Tax Matters."
5
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Proposed Offering of
MuniPreferred(R) Shares Subject to market conditions, approximately one and
one-half to two months after completion of this
offering, the Fund intends to offer preferred shares
of beneficial interest ("MuniPreferred Shares")
representing approximately 33% of the Fund's capital
after their issuance. The issuance of MuniPreferred
Shares will leverage your investment in Common
Shares. Leverage involves special risks. There is no
assurance that the Fund will issue MuniPreferred
Shares or that, if issued, the Fund's leveraging
strategy will be successful. See "Risks--Leverage
Risk." The money the Fund obtains by selling the
MuniPreferred Shares will be invested in long-term
municipal bonds, which generally will pay fixed
rates of interest over the life of the bond. The
MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends at rates
determined over short- or intermediate-term periods
(ranging from seven days to up to five years) by
providing for periodic redetermination of the
dividend through an auction or remarketing
procedure. So long as the rate of return, net of
applicable Fund expenses, on the long-term bonds
purchased by the Fund exceeds MuniPreferred Share
dividend rates as reset periodically, the investment
of the proceeds of the MuniPreferred Shares will
generate more income than will be needed to pay
dividends on the MuniPreferred Shares. If so, the
excess will be used to pay higher dividends to
holders of Common Shares ("Common Shareholders").
However, the Fund cannot assure you that the
issuance of MuniPreferred Shares will result in a
higher yield on your Common Shares. Once
MuniPreferred Shares are issued, the net asset value
and market price of the Common Shares and the yield
to Common Shareholders will be more volatile. In
order to mitigate the impact on Common Share net
income resulting from changes in MuniPreferred Share
dividend rates that are based on short-term rates,
which would reset frequently, the Fund presently
intends that initially, if market conditions
[are/remain] favorable, a substantial portion of the
MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends based on
intermediate-term rates of between one and five
years. See "MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage" and
"Description of Shares--MuniPreferred Shares."
Investment Adviser.... Nuveen Advisory Corp. ("Nuveen Advisory") will be the
Fund's investment adviser. Nuveen Advisory will
receive an annual fee, payable monthly, in a maximum
amount equal to % of the Fund's average daily
Managed Assets (as previously defined, Managed
Assets include assets attributable to any
MuniPreferred Shares that may be outstanding), with
lower fee levels for assets that exceed $125
million. Nuveen Advisory has contractually agreed to
reimburse the Fund for fees and expenses in the
amount of % of average daily Managed Assets of the
Fund for the first five full years of the Fund's
operations (through , 2008), and for a
declining amount for an additional three years
(through , 2011). Nuveen
6
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Advisory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nuveen
Investments, Inc. See "Management of the Fund."
Distributions......... Commencing with the Fund's first dividend, the Fund
intends to make regular monthly cash distributions
to Common Shareholders at a level rate (stated in
terms of a fixed cents per Common Share dividend
rate) based on the projected performance of the
Fund. The Fund's ability to maintain a level Common
Share dividend rate will depend on a number of
factors, including dividends payable on the
MuniPreferred Shares. As portfolio and market
conditions change, the rate of dividends on the
Common Shares and the Fund's dividend policy could
change. Over time, the Fund will distribute all of
its net investment income (after it pays accrued
dividends on any outstanding MuniPreferred Shares).
In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to
distribute net capital gain and taxable ordinary
income, if any, to you so long as the net capital
gain and taxable ordinary income are not necessary
to pay accrued dividends on, or redeem or liquidate,
any MuniPreferred Shares. Your initial distribution
is expected to be declared approximately 45 days,
and paid approximately 60 to 90 days, from the
completion of this offering, depending on market
conditions. You may elect to automatically reinvest
some or all of your distributions in additional
Common Shares under the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment
Plan. See "Distributions" and "Dividend Reinvestment
Plan."
Listing............... The Common Shares have been approved for listing on
the Stock Exchange subject to notice of
issuance. See "Description of Shares--Common
Shares." The trading or "ticker" symbol of the
Common Shares is . Because of this exchange
listing, the fund may sometimes be referred to in
public communications as a "closed-end
exchange-traded fund" or "exchange-traded fund."
Custodian............. State Street Bank and Trust Company will serve as
custodian of the Fund's assets. See "Custodian and
Transfer Agent."
Market Price of Shares Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently
trade at prices lower than net asset value. Shares
of closed-end investment companies like the Fund
have during some periods traded at prices higher
than net asset value and have during other periods
traded at prices lower than net asset value. The
Fund cannot assure you that Common Shares will trade
at a price higher than net asset value in the
future. Net asset value will be reduced immediately
following the offering by the sales load and the
amount of organization and offering expenses paid by
the Fund. See "Use of Proceeds." In addition to net
asset value, market price may be affected by such
factors as dividend levels (which are in turn
affected by expenses), call protection, dividend
stability, portfolio credit quality and liquidity
and market supply and demand. See "MuniPreferred
Shares and Leverage," "Risks," "Description of
Shares," "Repurchase of Fund
7
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Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund" and the
Statement of Additional Information under
"Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End
Fund." The Common Shares are designed primarily for
long-term investors, and you should not view the
Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.
Special Risk
Considerations........ No Operating History. The Fund is a newly organized,
diversified, closed-end management investment
company with no history of operations.
Credit and Below Investment Grade Risk. Credit risk
is the risk that one or more municipal securities in
the Fund's portfolio will decline in price, or the
issuer thereof will fail to pay interest or
principal when due, because the issuer experiences a
decline in its financial status. The Fund may invest
up to 50% (measured at the time of investment) of
its Managed Assets in municipal securities that are
rated below investment grade or that are unrated but
judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen
Advisory; provided, that no more than 5% of the
Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal
securities rated below B-/B3 or that are unrated but
judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen
Advisory. This means that the Fund may invest in
municipal securities that are involved in bankruptcy
or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other
financial difficulties at the time of acquisition
(such securities commonly referred to as distressed
securities). Municipal securities of below
investment grade quality are predominately
speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to
pay interest and repay principal when due, and are
susceptible to default or decline in market value
due to adverse economic and business developments.
The market values for municipal securities of below
investment grade quality tend to be volatile, and
these securities are less liquid than investment
grade municipal securities. For these reasons, an
investment in the Fund is subject to the following
specific risks:
. increased price sensitivity resulting from
changing interest rates and/or a deteriorating
economic environment;
. greater risk of loss due to default or
declining credit quality;
. adverse issuer specific events that are more
likely to render the issuer unable to make
interest and/or principal payments; and
. the possibility that a negative perception of
the below investment grade market develops,
resulting in the price and liquidity of below
investment grade securities becoming depressed,
and this negative perception could last for a
significant period of time.
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Adversechanges in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of a below investment grade issuer to make principal payments and interest payments compared to an investment grade issuer. The principal amount of below investment grade securities outstanding has proliferated in the past decade as an increasing number of issuers have used below investment grade securities for financing. An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity.
Thesecondary market for below investment grade securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor that may have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for below investment grade municipal securities than in the market for investment grade municipal securities. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and ask price is generally much larger for below investment grade municipal securities than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund's net asset value.
Issuersof distressed securities may be in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged or troubled, or potentially troubled, and may be or have recently been involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation. These characteristics of these companies can cause their securities to be particularly risky, although they also may offer the potential for high returns. These companies' securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of the companies to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific developments within the companies. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding and may require the Fund to bear certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investments. See "Risks--Credit and Below Investment Grade Risk."
Interest Rate Risk. Generally, when market interest rates fall, bond prices rise, and vice versa. Interest rate risk is the risk that the municipal securities in the Fund's portfolio will decline in value
because of increases in market interest rates. The prices of longer-term bonds fluctuate more than prices of shorter-term bonds as interest rates change. Conversely, the values of lower-rated and comparable unrated debt securities are less likely than those of investment grade and comparable unrated debt securities to fluctuate inversely with changes in interest rates. Because the Fund will invest primarily in long-term bonds, the Common Share net asset value and market price per share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested primarily in shorter-term bonds. The Fund's use of leverage, as described below, will tend to increase Common Share interest rate risk. See "Risks--Interest Rate Risk."
Municipal Securities Market Risk. The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Fund's portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Nuveen Advisory than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade bonds in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund's ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund's portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the portfolio's current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares' market price or their overall returns.
TaxRisk. The value of the Fund's investments and its net asset value may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect the Fund's net asset value and ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal tax consequences of their investments.
Leverage Risk. The use of leverage through the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares creates an opportunity for increased Common
Share net income and returns, but also creates special risks for Common Shareholders. There is no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful. It is anticipated that MuniPreferred dividends will be based on short-or intermediate term municipal bond rates of return (which would be redetermined periodically, pursuant to an auction or remarketing process), and that the Fund will invest the proceeds of the MuniPreferred Shares offering in long-term, typically fixed rate, municipal bonds. Initially, if market conditions [are/remain] favorable, the Fund intends that a substantial portion of the MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends based on intermediate-term rates of between one and five years. So long as the Fund's municipal bond portfolio provides a higher rate of return (net of Fund expenses) than the MuniPreferred dividend rate, as reset periodically, the leverage will cause Common Shareholders to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. If, however, intermediate and/or short-term rates rise, the MuniPreferred dividend rate could exceed the rate of return on long-term bonds held by the Fund that were acquired during periods of generally lower interest rates, reducing return to Common Shareholders. In addition, the Fund will pay (and Common Shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the MuniPreferred Shares (for example, distribution related expenses such as a participation fee paid at what the Fund expects will be an annual rate of 0.25% of MuniPreferred Share liquidation preference to broker-dealers participating in MuniPreferred Share auctions).
Leverage creates two major types of risks for Common Shareholders:
. the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of Common Shares, because changes in the value of the Fund's bond portfolio (including bonds bought with the proceeds of the MuniPreferred Shares offering) are borne entirely by the Common Shareholders; and
. the possibility either that Common Share income will fall if the MuniPreferred dividend rate rises, or that Common Share income will fluctuate because the MuniPreferred dividend rate varies.
See "Risks--Leverage Risk."
Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, MuniPreferred Share dividend rates would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common Shareholders.
Market Disruption Risk. Certain events have a disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist attacks (including the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001), war and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy. Below investment grade securities tend to be more volatile than higher rated securities so that these events and any actions resulting from them may have a greater impact on the prices and volatility of below investment grade securities than on higher rated securities.
Anti-Takeover Provisions. The Fund's Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration") includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. The provisions of the Declaration described above could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares. See "Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust" and "Risks--Anti-Takeover Provisions."
SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES
The Annual Expenses table below assumes the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares in an amount equal to 33% of the Fund's capital (after their issuance), and shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares.
Shareholder Transaction Expenses Sales Load Paid by You (as a percentage of offering price)..................... 4.50% Offering Expenses Borne by the Fund (as a percentage of offering price)/(1)(2)/ % Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees................................................ None/(3)/ |
Percentage of Net
Assets Attributable
to Common Shares/(4)/
--------------------
Annual Expenses
Management Fees.......................... %
Other Expenses........................... %
--------
Total Annual Expenses.................... %
Fee and Expense Reimbursement (Years 1-5) /(5)/
--------
Total Net Annual Expenses (Years 1-5).... %/(5)/
========
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(2)If the Fund offers MuniPreferred Shares, costs of that offering, estimated to be approximately % of the total amount of the MuniPreferred Share offering, will effectively be borne by the Common Shareholders and result in a reduction of the net asset value of the Common Shares. Assuming the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares in the amount equal to 33% of the Fund's total capital (after issuance), those offering costs are estimated to be approximately $ per Common Share ( % of the estimated proceeds from the Fund's Common Share offering, after deducting offering costs).
(3)You will be charged a $2.50 service charge and pay brokerage charges if you direct State Street Bank and Trust Company, as agent for the Common Shareholders (the "Plan Agent") to sell your Common Shares held in a dividend reinvestment account.
(4)Stated as percentages of net assets attributable to Common Shares. Assuming no issuance of MuniPreferred Shares, the Fund's expenses would be estimated to be as follows:
Percentage of Net
Assets Attributable
to Common Shares
-------------------
Annual Expenses
Management Fees....................................................... %
Other Expenses........................................................ %
-------
Total Annual Expenses................................................. %
Fees and Expense Reimbursement (Years 1-5)............................ %/(5)/
-------
Total Net Annual Expenses (Years 1-5)................................. /(5)/
=======
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(5)Nuveen Advisory has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for fees and expenses in the amount of % of average daily Managed Assets for the first 5 full years of the Fund's operations, % of average daily Managed Assets in year 6, % in year 7 and % in year 8. Assuming the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares in an amount equal to 33% of the Fund's total assets (including the amount obtained from leverage) and calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares, those amounts would be % for the first 5 years, % in year 6, % in year 7 and % in year 8. Without the reimbursement, "Total Annual Expenses" would be estimated to be % of average daily net assets attributable to Common Shares (or, assuming no issuance of MuniPreferred Shares, % of average daily net assets).
The purpose of the table above is to help you understand all fees and expenses that you, as a Common Shareholder, would bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table are based on estimated amounts for the Fund's first year of operations and assume that the Fund issues approximately Common Shares. See "Management of the Fund" and "Dividend Reinvestment Plan."
The following example illustrates the expenses (including the sales load of $45, estimated offering expenses of this offering of $ and the estimated MuniPreferred Share offering costs assuming MuniPreferred Shares are issued representing 33% of the Fund's total capital (after issuance) of $ ) that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) total net annual expenses of % of net assets attributable to Common Shares in years 1 through 5, increasing to % in years 9 and 10 and (2) a 5% annual return:/(1)/
THE FUND
The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 8, 2003, pursuant to a Declaration governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As a newly organized entity, the Fund has no operating history. The Fund's principal office is located at 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (800) 257-8787.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the offering of Common Shares will be approximately $ ($ if the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) after payment of the estimated organization and offering costs. Nuveen has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses and (ii) offering costs (other than sales load) that exceed $0.03 per Common Share. The Fund will invest the net proceeds of the offering in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and policies as stated below. It is presently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in municipal bonds that meet those investment objectives and policies within three months after the completion of the offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in short-term, tax-exempt securities in accordance with the Fund's investment policies.
THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS
Investment Objectives and Policies
The Fund's primary investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund's secondary investment objective is to seek attractive total return consistent with its primary objective.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in municipal securities that are underrated and undervalued. Underrated municipal securities are those whose ratings do not, in Nuveen Advisory's opinion, reflect their true creditworthiness. Undervalued municipal securities are securities that, in Nuveen Advisory's opinion, are worth more than the value assigned to them in the marketplace. Nuveen Advisory may at times believe that securities associated with a particular municipal market sector (for example, electric utilities), or issued by a particular municipal issuer, are undervalued. Nuveen Advisory may purchase such a security for the Fund's portfolio because it represents a market sector or issuer that Nuveen Advisory considers undervalued, even if the value of the particular securities appears to be consistent with the value of similar securities. Municipal securities of particular types (e.g., hospital bonds, industrial revenue bonds or bonds issued by a particular municipal issuer) may be undervalued because there is a temporary excess of supply in that market sector, or because of a general decline in the market price of municipal securities of the market sector for reasons that do not apply to the particular municipal securities that are considered undervalued. The Fund's investment in underrated or undervalued municipal securities will be based on Nuveen Advisory's belief that their yield is higher than that available on securities bearing equivalent levels of interest rate risk, credit risk and other forms of risk, and that their prices will ultimately rise (relative to the market) to reflect their true value. The Fund attempts to increase its portfolio value relative to the municipal security market by prudent selection of municipal securities regardless of the direction the market may move. Any capital appreciation realized by the Fund will generally result in the distribution of taxable capital gains to Common Shareholders.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest its Managed Assets in a portfolio of municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax. It is a fundamental policy of the Fund that its investment in municipal securities paying interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax will, under normal circumstances, comprise at least 80% of the Fund's Managed Assets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to be fully invested (at least 95% of its Managed Assets) in such tax-exempt municipal securities. Up to 30% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
. The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets in investment grade quality municipal securities. Investment grade quality means that such bonds are rated, at the time of investment, within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody's, S&P or Fitch) or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory. Investment grade municipal securities may include split-rated securities.
. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that are rated below investment grade; provided, that no more than 5% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated below B-/B3 or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory. This means that the Fund may invest in municipal securities that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the time of acquisition (such securities commonly referred as distressed securities).
Municipal securities of below investment grade quality are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as junk bonds. The foregoing credit quality policies apply only at the time a security is purchased, and the Fund is not required to dispose of a security in the event that a rating agency downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issue. In determining whether to retain or sell such a security, Nuveen Advisory may consider such factors as Nuveen Advisory's assessment of the credit quality of the issuer of such security, the price at which such security could be sold and the rating, if any, assigned to such security by other rating agencies. A general description of Moody's, S&P's and Fitch's ratings of municipal securities is set forth in Appendix A to the Statement of Additional Information. The Fund may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. See "--Other Investment Companies" and "--Initial Portfolio Composition."
The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are additionally secured by insurance, bank credit agreements, or escrow accounts. The credit quality of companies which provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Although the insurance feature reduces certain financial risks, the premiums for insurance and the higher market price paid for insured obligations may reduce the Fund's income. The Fund may use any insurer, regardless of its rating. A municipal security will be deemed to have the rating of its insurer. The insurance feature does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligations or the net asset value of the Common Shares.
Upon Nuveen Advisory's recommendation, during temporary defensive periods and in order to keep the Fund's cash fully invested, including the period during which the net proceeds of the offering of Common Shares or MuniPreferred Shares are being invested, the Fund may deviate from its investment objectives and invest up to 100% of its net assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. The Fund intends to invest in
taxable short-term investments only in the event that suitable tax-exempt short-term investments are not available at reasonable prices and yields. Investment in taxable short-term investments would result in a portion of your dividends being subject to regular federal income taxes. For more information, see the Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund cannot change its investment objectives without the approval of the holders of a "majority of the outstanding" Common Shares and, if issued, MuniPreferred Shares voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a "majority of the outstanding" MuniPreferred Shares voting as a separate class. When used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, a "majority of the outstanding" shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less. See "Description of Shares--MuniPreferred Shares--Voting Rights" and the Statement of Additional Information under "Description of Shares--MuniPreferred Shares--Voting Rights" for additional information with respect to the voting rights of holders of MuniPreferred Shares.
If you are, or as a result of investment in the Fund would become, subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for you because the Fund expects that a substantial portion of its investments will pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax. Special rules apply to corporate holders. In addition, capital gain dividends will be subject to capital gains taxes. See "Tax Matters."
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities are either general obligation or revenue bonds and typically are issued to finance public projects (such as roads or public buildings), to pay general operating expenses, or to refinance outstanding debt. Municipal securities may also be issued for private activities, such as housing, medical and educational facility construction, or for privately owned industrial development and pollution control projects. General obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit, or taxing authority, of the issuer and may be repaid from any revenue source; revenue bonds may be repaid only from the revenues of a specific facility or source. The Fund also may purchase municipal bonds that represent lease obligations. These carry special risks because the issuer of the securities may not be obligated to appropriate money annually to make payments under the lease. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only purchase municipal bonds representing lease obligations where Nuveen Advisory believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.
The municipal securities in which the Fund will invest are generally issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico and Guam), and pay interest that, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer (or on the basis of other authority believed by Nuveen Advisory to be reliable), is exempt from regular federal income tax, although the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
The yields on municipal securities depend on a variety of factors, including prevailing interest rates and the condition of the general money market and the municipal bond market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The market value of municipal securities will vary with changes in interest rate levels and as a result of changing evaluations of the ability of their issuers to meet interest and principal payments.
The Fund will primarily invest in municipal securities with long-term maturities in order to maintain a weighted average maturity of 15-30 years, but the weighted average maturity of obligations held by the Fund may be shortened, depending on market conditions.
Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation
The Fund may invest in municipal leases and certificates of participation in such leases. A municipal lease is an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase which is issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment and facilities. Income from such obligations is generally exempt from state and local taxes in the state of issuance. Municipal leases frequently involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or revenue obligations. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of "non-appropriation" clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment or facilities. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and result in a delay in recovering, or the failure to fully recover, the Fund's original investment. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
A certificate of participation represents an undivided interest in an unmanaged pool of municipal leases, an installment purchase agreement or other instruments. The certificates are typically issued by a municipal agency, a trust or other entity that has received an assignment of the payments to be made by the state or political subdivision under such leases or installment purchase agreements. Such certificates provide the Fund with the right to a pro rata undivided interest in the underlying municipal securities. In addition, such participations generally provide the Fund with the right to demand payment, on not more than seven days' notice, of all or any part of the Fund's participation interest in the underlying municipal securities, plus accrued interest.
Municipal Notes
Municipal securities in the form of notes generally are used to provide for short-term capital needs, in anticipation of an issuer's receipt of other revenues or financing, and typically have maturities of up to three years. Such instruments may include tax anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes and construction loan notes. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance the working capital needs of governments. Generally, they are issued in anticipation of various tax revenues, such as income, sales, property, use and business taxes, and are payable from these specific future taxes. Revenue anticipation notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other kinds of revenue, such as federal revenues available under federal revenue sharing programs. Bond anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing until long-term bond financing can be arranged. In most cases, the long-term bonds then provide the funds needed for repayment of the bond
anticipation notes. Tax and revenue anticipation notes combine the funding sources of both tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes. Construction loan notes are sold to provide construction financing. Mortgage notes insured by the Federal Housing Authority secure these notes; however, the proceeds from the insurance may be less than the economic equivalent of the payment of principal and interest on the mortgage note if there has been a default. The anticipated revenues from taxes, grants or bond financing generally secure the obligations of an issuer of municipal notes. An investment in such instruments, however, presents a risk that the anticipated revenues will not be received or that such revenues will be insufficient to satisfy the issuer's payment obligations under the notes or that refinancing will be otherwise unavailable.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities
The principal of and interest on pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer.
Private Activity Bonds
Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. The Fund's distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
Tender Option Bonds
A tender option bond is a municipal security (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, which grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the bond's fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the
security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, an institution will not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. The Fund intends to invest in tender option bonds the interest on which will, in the opinion of bond counsel, counsel for the issuer of interests therein or counsel selected by Nuveen Advisory, be exempt from regular federal income tax. However, because there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such counsel's opinion in any particular case, there is a risk that the Fund will not be considered the owner of such tender option bonds and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from such tax. Additionally, the federal income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the proper tax treatment of tender option bonds and the associated fees in relation to various regulated investment company tax provisions, is unclear. The Fund intends to manage its portfolio in a manner designed to eliminate or minimize any adverse impact from the tax rules applicable to these investments.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions
The Fund may buy and sell municipal bonds on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15 to 45 days of the trade date. This type of transaction may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and, because bonds are subject to market fluctuations, the value of the bonds at time of delivery may be less (or more) than cost. A separate account of the Fund will be established with its custodian consisting of cash, cash equivalents, or liquid securities having a market value at all times at least equal to the amount of the commitment.
Zero Coupon Bonds
A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligation. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. A zero coupon bond is normally issued and traded at a deep discount from face value. Zero coupon bonds allow an issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater credit risk than bonds that pay interest currently or in cash. The Fund would be required to distribute the income on any of these instruments as it accrues, even though the Fund will not receive all of the income on a current basis or in cash. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments, including when it may not be advisable to do so, to make income distributions to its shareholders.
Structured Notes
The Fund may utilize structured notes and similar instruments for investment purposes and also for hedging purposes. Structured notes are privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an "embedded index"), such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. The terms of such structured instruments normally provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but not ordinarily below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending upon a variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded
index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index(es) or other asset(s). Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund generally expects that it may invest in other investment companies either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Shares or MuniPreferred Shares, or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high-yielding municipal securities available in the market. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company's expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund's advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. Nuveen Advisory will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in the investment company relative to available municipal security investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the section entitled "Risks," the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to Common Shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares. [In addition, the Fund may invest up to % of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles other than investment companies. Initially, the Fund does not expect to invest more than % of its Managed Assets in other investment companies and such pooled investment vehicles.]
Initial Portfolio Composition
If current market conditions persist, the Fund expects that approximately 50% of its initial portfolio will consist of investment grade quality municipal securities, rated as such at the time of investment, meaning that such securities are rated by at least one NRSRO within the four highest grades or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory (approximately % in Aaa/AAA; % in Aa/AA; % in A; and % in Baa/BBB). Investment grade municipal securities may include split-rated securities. The Fund also expects that approximately 50% of its initial portfolio will consist of below investment grade quality municipal securities, rated as such at the time of investment or unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory (approximately % in BB; % in B; and % in CCC). The Fund will generally select obligations which may not be redeemed at the option of the issuer for approximately seven to eight years from the date of purchase by the Fund. See the Statement of Additional Information under "Other Investment Policies and Techniques--Portfolio Trading and Turnover Rate." See "--Investment Objectives and Policies."
MUNIPREFERRED SHARES AND LEVERAGE
Subject to market conditions, approximately one and one-half to two months after the completion of the offering of the Common Shares, the Fund intends to offer MuniPreferred Shares representing approximately 33% of the Fund's capital immediately after the issuance of the MuniPreferred Shares.
The MuniPreferred Shares will have seniority over the Common Shares. The issuance of MuniPreferred Shares will leverage the Common Shares. Leverage involves special risks. There is no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful. Although the timing and other terms of the offering of the MuniPreferred Shares will be determined by the Fund's Board of Trustees, the Fund expects to invest the proceeds of the MuniPreferred Shares offering in long-term municipal bonds. The MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends at rates based on short- or intermediate-term periods (ranging from seven days to five years) (which would be redetermined periodically by an auction or remarketing procedure). So long as the Fund's portfolio is invested in securities that provide a higher rate of return than the dividend rate of the MuniPreferred Shares (after taking expenses into consideration), the leverage will cause you to receive a higher current rate of return than if the Fund were not leveraged. In order to mitigate the impact on Common Share net income resulting from changes in MuniPreferred Share dividend rates that are based on short-term rates, which would reset frequently, the Fund presently intends that initially, if market conditions [are/remain] favorable, a substantial portion of the MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends based on intermediate-term rates of between one and five years.
Changes in the value of the Fund's bond portfolio (including bonds bought with the proceeds of the MuniPreferred Shares offering) will be borne entirely by the Common Shareholders. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Fund's investment portfolio, the leverage will decrease (or increase) the net asset value per Common Share to a greater extent than if the Fund were not leveraged. During periods in which the Fund is using leverage, the fees paid to Nuveen Advisory for advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund's total net assets, including the proceeds from the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares.
For tax purposes, the Fund is currently required to allocate net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, between the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year in which the net capital gain or other taxable income is realized. If net capital gain or other taxable income is allocated to MuniPreferred Shares (instead of solely tax-exempt income), the Fund will likely have to pay higher total dividends to MuniPreferred Shareholders or make special payments to MuniPreferred Shareholders to compensate them for the increased tax liability. This would reduce the total amount of dividends paid to the Common Shareholders, but would increase the portion of the dividend that is tax-exempt. On an after-tax basis, Common Shareholders may still be better off than if they had been allocated all of the Fund's net capital gain or other taxable income (resulting in a higher amount of total dividends), but received a lower amount of tax-exempt income. If the increase in dividend payments or the special payments to MuniPreferred Shareholders are not entirely offset by a reduction in the tax liability of, and an increase in the tax-exempt dividends received by, the Common Shareholders, the advantage of the Fund's leveraged structure to Common Shareholders will be reduced.
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue preferred shares unless immediately after such issuance, the value of the Fund's asset coverage is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding preferred shares (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund's asset coverage). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Fund's asset coverage is at least 200% of such liquidation value. If MuniPreferred Shares are issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem MuniPreferred Shares from time to time to the extent necessary in
order to maintain coverage of any MuniPreferred Shares of at least 200%. If the Fund has MuniPreferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund's trustees will be elected by the holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining trustees of the Fund will be elected by holders of Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares voting together as a single class. In the event the Fund failed to pay dividends on MuniPreferred Shares for two years, MuniPreferred Shareholders would be entitled to elect a majority of the trustees of the Fund.
The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for MuniPreferred Shares issued by the Fund. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede Nuveen Advisory from managing the Fund's portfolio in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and policies.
The Fund may also borrow money for repurchase of its shares or as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Fund securities.
Assuming that the MuniPreferred Shares will represent in the aggregate 33% of the Fund's capital and pay dividends at an annual average rate of %, the incremental income generated by the Fund's portfolio (net of estimated expenses) must exceed % in order to cover such dividend payments and other expenses specifically related to the MuniPreferred Shares. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates, used for illustration. Actual MuniPreferred Share dividend rates may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate assumed above.
The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of bonds held in the Fund's portfolio net of expenses) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns expected to be experienced by the Fund. The table further reflects the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares representing 33% of the Fund's total capital and the Fund's currently projected annual MuniPreferred Share dividend rate of %. See "Risks" and "MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage."
Assumed Portfolio Total Return (10.00)% (5.00)% 0.00 % 5.00% 10.00% Common Share Total Return..... ( )% ( )% ( )% % % |
Common Share total return is composed of two elements--the Common Share dividends paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying dividends on MuniPreferred Shares) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the table assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0%, the Fund must assume that the tax-exempt interest it receives on its municipal bond investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those bonds.
Unless and until MuniPreferred Shares are issued, the Common Shares will not be leveraged and this section will not apply.
RISKS
The net asset value of the Common Shares will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, interest rate risk, credit and below investment grade risk, interest rate risk, municipal securities market risk, reinvestment risk, tax risk, leverage risk, inflation risk, market disruption risk and special risks related to certain municipal obligations, and an investment in Common Shares will be subject to, among other things, market discount risk, each of which is more fully described below.
Newly Organized. The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company and has no operating history.
Market Discount Risk. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value.
Credit and Below Investment Grade Risk. Credit risk is the risk that one or more municipal bonds in the Fund's portfolio will decline in price, or the issuer thereof will fail to pay interest or principal when due, because the issuer of the bond experiences a decline in its financial status. In general, lower-rated municipal bonds carry a greater degree of risk that the issuer will lose its ability to make interest and principal payments, which could have a negative impact on the Fund's net asset value or dividends. The Fund may invest in split-rated securities and may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that are rated below investment grade or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory; provided, that no more than 5% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated below B-/B3 or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory. This means that the Fund may invest in municipal securities that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the time of acquisition (such securities commonly referred as distressed securities). Municipal securities of below investment grade quality, commonly referred to as junk bonds, are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due, and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments. The market values for municipal securities of below investment grade quality tend to be volatile, and these securities are less liquid than investment grade municipal securities. For these reasons, an investment in the Fund is subject to the following specific risks:
. increased price sensitivity resulting from changing interest rates and/or a deteriorating economic environment;
. greater risk of loss due to default or declining credit quality;
. adverse issuer specific events that are more likely to render the issuer unable to make interest and/or principal payments; and
. the possibility that a negative perception of the below investment grade market develops, resulting in the price and liquidity of below investment grade securities becoming depressed, and this negative perception could last for a significant period of time.
Adverse changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of a below investment grade issuer to make principal payments and interest payments compared to an investment grade issuer. The principal amount of below investment grade securities outstanding has proliferated in the past decade as an increasing number of issuers have used below investment grade securities for
financing. An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. If the national economy enters into a recessionary phase during 2003 or 2004, potentially decreasing the tax and other revenue of municipal issuers, or interest rates rise sharply, increasing the interest cost on variable rate instruments and negatively impacting economic activity, the number of defaults by below investment grade municipal issuers is likely to increase. Similarly, down-turns in profitability in specific industries could adversely affect private activity bonds. The market values of lower quality debt securities tend to reflect individual developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower quality securities may have an adverse impact on the Fund's net asset value and the market value of its Common Shares. In addition, the Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In certain circumstances, the Fund may be required to foreclose on an issuer's assets and take possession of its property or operations. In such circumstances, the Fund would incur additional costs in disposing of such assets and potential liabilities from operating any business acquired.
The secondary market for below investment grade securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor that may have an adverse effect on the Fund's ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for below investment grade municipal securities than the market for investment grade municipal securities. The prices quoted by different dealers for below investment grade municipal securities may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and ask price is generally much larger for below investment grade municipal grade municipal securities than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for below investment grade securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become illiquid. As a result, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such securities were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund's net asset value.
Issuers of such below investment grade securities are highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with higher rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of below investment grade securities may experience financial stress. During such periods, such issuers may not have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuer's ability to service its debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific developments, the issuer's inability to meet specific projected forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss from default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of below investment grade securities because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. Prices and yields of below investment grade securities will fluctuate over time and, during periods of economic uncertainty, volatility of below investment grade securities may adversely affect the Fund's net asset value. In addition, investments in below investment grade zero coupon bonds rather than income-bearing below investment grade securities, may be more speculative and may be subject to greater fluctuations in value due to changes in interest rates.
The Fund may invest in distressed securities, which are securities issued by companies that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the
time of acquisition by the Fund. The issuers of such securities may be in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged or troubled, or potentially troubled, and may be or have recently been involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation. These characteristics of these companies can cause their securities to be particularly risky, although they also may offer the potential for high returns. These companies' securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of the companies to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific developments within the companies. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding and may require the Fund to bear certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investment.
Investments in lower rated or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these securities default on their obligations pertaining thereto. The I.R.C. is not entirely clear regarding the federal income tax consequences of the Fund's taking certain positions in connection with ownership of such distressed securities.
Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that bonds (and the Fund's net assets) will decline in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, municipal securities will decrease in value when interest rates rise and increase in value when interest rates decline. This means that the net asset value of the Common Shares will fluctuate with interest rate changes and the corresponding changes in the value of the Fund's municipal bond holdings. The value of the longer-term bonds in which the Fund generally invests fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than does the value of shorter-term bonds. Conversely, the values of lower-rated and comparable unrated debt securities are less likely than those of investment grade and comparable unrated debt securities to fluctuate inversely with changes in interest rates. Because the Fund will invest primarily in long-term bonds, the Common Share net asset value and market price per share will fluctuate more in response to changes in market interest rates than if the Fund invested primarily in shorter-term bonds. The Fund's use of leverage, as described below, will tend to increase Common Share interest rate risk.
Municipal Securities Market Risk. Investing in the municipal securities market involves certain risks. The amount of public information available about the municipal securities in the Fund's portfolio is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds, and the investment performance of the Fund may therefore be more dependent on the analytical abilities of Nuveen Advisory than if the Fund were a stock fund or taxable bond fund. The secondary market for municipal securities, particularly the below
investment grade bonds in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less well-developed or liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund's ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices or at prices approximating those at which the Fund currently values them.
The ability of municipal issuers to make timely payments of interest and principal may be diminished during general economic downturns and as governmental cost burdens are reallocated among federal, state and local governments. In addition, laws enacted in the future by Congress or state legislatures or referenda could extend the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or impose other constraints on enforcement of such obligations, or on the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Fund could experience delays in collecting principal and interest and the Fund may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in the payment of interest or repayment of principal, or both, the Fund may take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer's obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund's operating expenses. Any income derived from the Fund's ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt.
Reinvestment Risk. Reinvestment risk is the risk that income from the Fund's portfolio will decline if and when the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called bonds at market interest rates that are below the portfolio's current earnings rate. A decline in income could affect the Common Shares' market price or their overall returns.
Tax Risk. The value of the Fund's investments and its net asset value may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the tax-exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect the Fund's net asset value and ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels. Additionally, the Fund is not a suitable investment for individual retirement accounts, for other tax-exempt or tax-deferred accounts or for investors who are not sensitive to the federal tax consequences of their investments.
Leverage Risk. Leverage risk is the risk associated with the issuance of the MuniPreferred Shares to leverage the Common Shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful. Once the MuniPreferred Shares are issued, the net asset value and market value of Common Shares will be more volatile, and the yield to Common Shareholders will tend to fluctuate with changes in the short- or intermediate-term dividend rates on the MuniPreferred Shares. Long-term municipal bond rates of return are typically, although not always, higher than short- or intermediate-term municipal bond rates of return. If the dividend rate on the MuniPreferred Shares approaches the net rate of return on the Fund's investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to Common Shareholders would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the MuniPreferred Shares exceeds the net rate of return on the Fund's portfolio, the leverage will result in a lower rate of return to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not leveraged. Because the long-term bonds included in the Fund's portfolio will typically pay fixed rates of interest while the dividend rate on the MuniPreferred Shares will be adjusted periodically, this could occur even when both long-term and short- or intermediate-term municipal rates rise. In addition, the Fund will pay (and Common Shareholders will bear) any costs and expenses relating to the
issuance and ongoing maintenance of the MuniPreferred Shares (for example, distribution related expenses such as a participation fee paid at what it expects will be an annual rate of 0.25% of MuniPreferred Share liquidation preference to broker-dealers participating in MuniPreferred Share auctions). Accordingly, the Fund cannot assure you that the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares will result in a higher yield or return to Common Shareholders.
Similarly, any decline in the net asset value of the Fund's investments will be borne entirely by Common Shareholders. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund's portfolio declines, the leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not leveraged. Such greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the Common Shares. The Fund might be in danger of failing to maintain the required 200% asset coverage or of losing its expected AAA/Aaa ratings on the MuniPreferred Shares or, in an extreme case, the Fund's current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the MuniPreferred Shares. In order to counteract such an event, the Fund might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the MuniPreferred Shares. Liquidation at times of low municipal bond prices may result in capital loss and may reduce returns to Common Shareholders.
While the Fund may from time to time consider reducing leverage in response to actual or anticipated changes in interest rates in an effort to mitigate the increased volatility of current income and net asset value associated with leverage, there can be no assurance that the Fund will actually reduce leverage in the future or that any reduction, if undertaken, will benefit the Common Shareholders. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately. If the Fund were to reduce leverage based on a prediction about future changes to interest rates, and that prediction turned out to be incorrect, the reduction in leverage would likely operate to reduce the income and/or total returns to Common Shareholders relative to the circumstance where the Fund had not reduced leverage. The Fund may decide that this risk outweighs the likelihood of achieving the desired reduction to volatility in income and share price if the prediction were to turn out to be correct, and determine not to reduce leverage as described above.
The Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies. Such securities may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the leverage risks described above. Such additional leverage may in certain market conditions serve to reduce the net asset value of the Fund's Common Shares and the returns to Common Shareholders.
Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investment will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Shares and distributions can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, MuniPreferred Share dividend rates would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common Shareholders.
Market Disruption Risk. Certain events have a disruptive effect on the securities markets, such as terrorist attacks (including the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001), war and other geopolitical events. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy. Below investment grade securities tend to be more volatile than higher rated securities so that these events and any actions resulting from them may have a greater impact on the prices and volatility of below investment grade securities than on higher rated securities.
Special Risks Related to Certain Municipal Obligations. The Fund may invest in municipal leases and certificates of participation in such leases. Municipal leases and certificates of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations or revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in many leases or contracts of "non-appropriation" clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary abatement of payments in the event the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time consuming and costly, and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully recover the Fund's original investment. In the event of non-appropriation, the issuer would be in default and taking ownership of the assets may be a remedy available to the Fund, although the Fund does not anticipate that such a remedy would normally be pursued. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases, the credit quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on an ongoing basis. Certificates of participation, which represent interests in unmanaged pools of municipal leases or installment contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority issuing the certificates of participation to exercise remedies with respect to the underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or bankruptcy, both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate of participation.
Certain Affiliations. Certain broker-dealers may be considered to be affiliated persons of the Fund, Nuveen Advisory and/or Nuveen. Absent an exemption from the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory relief, the Fund is generally precluded from effecting certain principal transactions with affiliated brokers, and its ability to purchase securities being underwritten by an affiliated broker or a syndicate including an affiliated broker, or to utilize affiliated brokers for agency transactions, is subject to restrictions. This could limit the Fund's ability to engage in securities transactions and take advantage of market opportunities. In addition, unless and until the underwriting syndicate is broken in connection with the initial public offering of the Common Shares, the Fund will be precluded from effecting principal transactions with brokers who are members of the syndicate.
Industry Risk. The Fund may invest in municipal securities that are collateralized by the proceeds from class action or other litigation against the tobacco industry. Payment by tobacco industry participants of such proceeds is spread over several years, and the collection and distribution of such proceeds to the issuers of municipal securities is dependent upon the financial health of such tobacco industry participants, which cannot be assured. Additional litigation, government regulation or prohibition on the sales of tobacco products, or the seeking of protection under the bankruptcy laws by companies in the tobacco industry, could adversely affect the tobacco industry which, in turn, could have an adverse affect on tobacco-related municipal securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to limit its investment in tobacco settlement bonds to approximately 10% of the Fund's Managed Assets.
Anti-Takover Provisions. The Fund's Declaration includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status. These provisions could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares.
HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK
Investment Limitations
The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk and maintain portfolio diversification. These limitations are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a "majority of the outstanding" Common Shares and, if issued, MuniPreferred Shares voting together as a single class, and the approval of the holders of a "majority of the outstanding" MuniPreferred Shares voting as a separate class. When used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, a "majority of the outstanding" shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less.
The Fund may become subject to guidelines which are more limiting than the investment restriction set forth above in order to obtain and maintain ratings from Moody's, S&P or Fitch on the MuniPreferred Shares that it intends to issue. The Fund does not anticipate that such guidelines would have a material adverse effect on the Fund's Common Shareholders or the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objectives. See "Investment Objectives" in the Statement of Additional Information for information about these guidelines and a complete list of the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies of the Fund.
Limited Issuance of MuniPreferred Shares
Under the 1940 Act, the Fund could issue MuniPreferred Shares having a total liquidation value (original purchase price of the shares being liquidated plus any accrued and unpaid dividends) of up to one-half of the value of the asset coverage of the Fund. If the total liquidation value of the MuniPreferred Shares was ever more than one-half of the value of the Fund's asset coverage, the Fund would not be able to declare dividends on the Common Shares until the liquidation value, as a percentage of the Fund's assets, was reduced. The Fund intends to issue MuniPreferred Shares representing approximately 33% of the Fund's total capital immediately after the time of issuance. This higher than required margin of net asset value provides a cushion against later fluctuations in the value of the Fund's portfolio and will subject Common Shareholders to less income and net asset value volatility than if the Fund were more leveraged. The Fund intends to purchase or redeem MuniPreferred Shares, if necessary, to keep the liquidation value of the MuniPreferred Shares below one-half of the value of the Fund's asset coverage.
Management of Investment Portfolio and Capital Structure to Limit Leverage Risk
The MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends at rates determined over short- or intermediate-term periods (ranging from seven days to up to five years) by providing for periodic redetermination of the dividend through an auction or remarketing procedure. In order to mitigate the impact on Common Share net income resulting from changes in MuniPreferred Share dividend rates that are based on short-term rates, which would be reset frequently, the Fund presently intends that initially, if market conditions [are/remain] favorable, a substantial portion of the MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends based on intermediate-term rates of between one and five years. The Fund may take certain actions if short- or intermediate-term interest rates increase or market conditions otherwise change (or the Fund anticipates such an increase or change) and the Fund's leverage begins (or is expected) to adversely
affect Common Shareholders. In order to attempt to offset such a negative impact of leverage on Common Shareholders, the Fund may shorten the average maturity of its investment portfolio (by investing in short-term, high quality securities) or may extend the maturity of outstanding MuniPreferred Shares. The Fund may also attempt to reduce the leverage by redeeming or otherwise purchasing MuniPreferred Shares. As explained above under "Risks--Leverage Risk," the success of any such attempt to limit leverage risk depends on Nuveen Advisory's ability to accurately predict interest rate or other market changes. Because of the difficulty of making such predictions, the Fund may never attempt to manage its capital structure in the manner described above.
If market conditions suggest that additional leverage would be beneficial, the Fund may sell previously unissued MuniPreferred Shares or MuniPreferred Shares that the Fund previously issued but later repurchased.
Currently, the Fund may not invest in inverse floating rate securities, which are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax-exempt interest rates and which represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security. This restriction is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund that may be changed by vote of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Hedging Strategies
The Fund may use various investment strategies designed to limit the risk of bond price fluctuations and to preserve capital. These hedging strategies include using financial futures contracts, options on financial futures or options based on either an index of long-term municipal securities or on taxable debt securities whose prices, in the opinion of Nuveen Advisory, correlate with the prices of the Fund's investments. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies would generate taxable income.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Trustees and Officers
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of the Fund, including supervision of the duties performed by Nuveen Advisory. The names and business addresses of the trustees and officers of the Fund and their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years are set forth under "Management of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional Information.
Investment Adviser
Nuveen Advisory, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. In this capacity, Nuveen Advisory is responsible for the selection and on-going monitoring of the municipal bonds in the Fund's investment portfolio, managing the Fund's business affairs and providing certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services. Nuveen Advisory serves as investment adviser to investment portfolios with more than $ billion in assets under management. See the Statement of Additional Information under "Investment Adviser."
Nuveen Advisory is responsible for execution of specific investment strategies and day-to-day investment operations. Nuveen Advisory manages the Fund using a team of analysts and portfolio managers that focus on a specific group of funds. John V. Miller is the portfolio manager of the Fund and will provide daily oversight for, and execution of, the Fund's investment activities. He became
a Vice President of Nuveen Advisory in . Prior thereto, he was a credit analyst with Nuveen. Mr. Miller currently manages investments for Nuveen-sponsored investment companies.
Nuveen Advisory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. Founded in 1898, Nuveen and its affiliates had over $ billion of net assets under management or surveillance as of , 2003. Nuveen Investments, Inc. is a publicly traded company and is a majority-owned subsidiary of The St. Paul Companies, Inc., a publicly-traded company which is principally engaged in providing property-liability insurance through subsidiaries.
Investment Management Agreement
Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Advisory and the Fund, the Fund has agreed to pay for the services and facilities provided by Nuveen Advisory an annual management fee, payable on a monthly basis, according to the following schedule:
Management
Average Daily Managed Assets Fee
---------------------------- ----------
Up to $125 million......................................... %
$125 million to $250 million............................... %
$250 million to $500 million............................... %
$500 million to $1 billion................................. %
$1 billion to $2 billion................................... %
$2 billion and over........................................ %
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If the Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares in an amount equal to 33% of the Fund's total assets (including the amount obtained from leverage), the management fee calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares would be as follows:
Management
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares Fee
---------------------------------------- ----------
Up to $125 million......................................... %
$125 million to $250 million............................... %
$250 million to $500 million............................... %
$500 million to $1 billion................................. %
$1 billion to $2 billion................................... %
$2 billion and over........................................ %
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In addition to the fee of Nuveen Advisory, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with Nuveen Advisory), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of issuing any MuniPreferred Shares, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies, and taxes, if any.
For the first eight full years of the Fund's operation, Nuveen Advisory has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for fees and expenses in the amounts, and for the time periods, set forth below:
Percentage Percentage
Reimbursed Reimbursed
(as a percentage (as a percentage
of Managed of Managed
Year Ending Assets) Year Ending Assets)
----------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
2003/(1)/.. % 2008.... %
2004....... % 2009.... %
2005....... % 2010.... %
2006....... % 2011.... %
2007....... %
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Nuveen Advisory has not agreed to reimburse the Fund for any portion of its fees and expenses beyond 2011.
NET ASSET VALUE
The Fund's net asset value per share is determined as of the close of regular session trading (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. Net asset value is calculated by taking the fair value of the Fund's total assets, including interest or dividends accrued but not yet collected, less all liabilities, and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding. The result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the net asset value per share.
In determining net asset value, expenses are accrued and applied daily and securities and other assets for which market quotations are available are valued at market value. The prices of municipal bonds are provided by a pricing service and based on the mean between the bid and asked price. When price quotes are not readily available (which is usually the case for municipal bonds), the pricing service establishes a fair market value based on prices of comparable municipal bonds. All valuations are subject to review by the Fund's Board of Trustees or its delegate, Nuveen Advisory.
DISTRIBUTIONS
Commencing with the first dividend, the Fund intends to make regular monthly cash distributions to Common Shareholders at a level rate (stated in terms of a fixed cents per Common Share dividend rate) that reflects the past and projected performance of the Fund. Distributions can only be made from net investment income after paying any accrued dividends to MuniPreferred Shareholders. The Fund's ability to maintain a level dividend rate will depend on a number of factors, including the rate at which dividends are payable on the MuniPreferred Shares. The net income of the Fund consists of all interest income accrued on portfolio assets less all expenses of the Fund. Expenses of the Fund are accrued each day. Over time, all the net investment income of the Fund will be distributed. At least annually, the Fund also intends to distribute net capital gain and ordinary taxable income, if any, after paying any accrued dividends or making any liquidation payments to MuniPreferred Shareholders. Initial distributions to Common Shareholders are expected to be declared approximately 45 days, and paid
approximately 60 to 90 days, from the completion of this offering, depending on market conditions. Although it does not now intend to do so, the Board of Trustees may change the Fund's dividend policy and the amount or timing of the distributions, based on a number of factors, including the amount of the Fund's undistributed net investment income and historical and projected investment income and the amount of the expenses and dividend rates on the outstanding MuniPreferred Shares.
To permit the Fund to maintain a more stable monthly distribution, the Fund will initially distribute less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in a particular period. The undistributed net investment income would be available to supplement future distributions. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular monthly period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income actually earned by the Fund during the period. Undistributed net investment income will be added to the Fund's net asset value and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed net investment income will be deducted from the Fund's net asset value.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
If the Common Shares are registered directly with the Fund or if you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that participates in the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan"), you may elect to have all dividends, including any capital gain dividends, on your Common Shares automatically reinvested by the Plan Agent in additional Common Shares under the Plan. You may elect to participate in the Plan by completing the Dividend Reinvestment Plan Application Form. If you do not participate, you will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to you or your brokerage firm by State Street Bank and Trust Company as dividend paying agent.
If you decide to participate in the Plan, the number of Common Shares you will receive will be determined as follows:
(1) If Common Shares are trading at or above net asset value at the time of valuation, the Fund will issue new shares at the then current market price; or
(2) If Common Shares are trading below net asset value at the time of valuation, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase Common Shares in the open market, on the Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants' accounts. It is possible that the market price for the Common Shares may increase before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases. Therefore, the average purchase price per share paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the market price at the time of valuation, resulting in the purchase of fewer shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Fund. The Plan Agent will use all dividends and distributions received in cash to purchase Common Shares in the open market within 30 days of the valuation date. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments.
You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Agent. If you withdraw or the Plan is terminated, you will receive whole shares in your account under the Plan and you will receive a cash payment for any fraction of a share in your account. If you wish, the Plan Agent will sell your shares and send you the proceeds, minus brokerage commissions and a $2.50 service fee.
The Plan Agent maintains all shareholders' accounts in the Plan and gives written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information you may need for tax records. Common Shares in
your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all Common Shares you have received under the Plan.
There is no brokerage charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Shares. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions.
If you hold your Common Shares with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial advisor for more information.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if in the judgment of the Board of Trustees the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from State Street Bank and Trust Company, Attn: Equiserve Nuveen Investments, P.O. Box 43071, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3071, (800) 257-8787.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Common Shares
The Declaration authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to the rights of holders of MuniPreferred Shares, if issued, have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed in "Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust," non-assessable, and will have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting. Whenever MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding, Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on MuniPreferred Shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to MuniPreferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to the distributions. See "--MuniPreferred Shares" below.
The Common Shares have been approved for listing on the Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. The Fund will not issue share certificates.
The Fund's net asset value per share generally increases when interest rates decline, and decreases when interest rates rise, and these changes are likely to be greater because the Fund, if market conditions are deemed favorable, likely will have a leveraged capital structure. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering by the amount of the sales load and offering expenses paid by the Fund. Nuveen has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses and (ii) offering costs (other than sales load) that exceed $0.03 per Common Share. See "Use of Proceeds."
Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds like the Fund do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a shareholder determines to buy additional Common Shares or sell shares already held, the shareholder may conveniently do so by trading on the exchange through a broker or otherwise. Shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than net asset value. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund have during some periods traded at prices higher than net asset value and have during other periods traded at prices lower than net asset value. Because the market value of the Common Shares may be influenced by such factors as dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit quality, net asset value, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot assure you that Common Shares will trade at a price equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. The Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and investors in the Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See "MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage" and the Statement of Additional Information under "Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund."
MuniPreferred Shares
The Declaration authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of MuniPreferred Shares in one or more classes or series, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees, by action of the Board of Trustees without the approval of the Common Shareholders.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has authorized an offering of MuniPreferred Shares (representing approximately 33% of the Fund's capital immediately after the time the MuniPreferred Shares are issued) that the Fund expects will likely be issued within approximately one and one-half to two months after completion of the offering of Common Shares. Any final decision to issue MuniPreferred Shares is subject to market conditions and to the Board of Trustee's continuing belief that leveraging the Fund's capital structure through the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares is likely to achieve the benefits to the Common Shareholders described in this Prospectus. The Board has determined that a substantial portion of the MuniPreferred Shares, at least initially if market conditions [are/remain] favorable, would pay cumulative dividends at rates determined over intermediate term periods (of between one and five years, which will reset periodically), through an auction or remarketing procedure. The Board of Trustees has indicated that the preference on distribution, liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the MuniPreferred Shares will be as stated below.
Limited Issuance of MuniPreferred Shares. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund could issue MuniPreferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation value of up to one-half of the value of the Fund's total net assets, measured immediately after issuance of the MuniPreferred Shares. "Liquidation value" means the original purchase price of the shares being liquidated plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless the liquidation value of the MuniPreferred Shares is less than one-half of the value of the Fund's total net assets (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution) immediately after the distribution. If the Fund sells all the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares discussed in this Prospectus, the liquidation value of the MuniPreferred Shares is expected to be approximately 33% of the value of the Fund's total net assets. The Fund intends to purchase or redeem MuniPreferred Shares, if necessary, to keep that percentage below 50%.
Distribution Preference. The MuniPreferred Shares have complete priority over the Common Shares as to distribution of assets.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of MuniPreferred Shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) before any distribution of assets is made to Common Shareholders.
Voting Rights. MuniPreferred Shares are required to be voting shares and to have equal voting rights with Common Shares. Except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of MuniPreferred Shares will vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.
Holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund's trustees (following the establishment of the Fund by an initial trustee, the Declaration provides for a total of no less than two and no more than 12 trustees). The remaining trustees will be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In the unlikely event that two full years of accrued dividends are unpaid on the MuniPreferred Shares, the holders of all outstanding MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund's trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In order for the Fund to take certain actions or enter into certain transactions, a separate class vote of holders of MuniPreferred Shares will be required, in addition to the single class vote of the holders of MuniPreferred Shares and Common Shares. See the Statement of Additional Information under "Description of Shares--MuniPreferred Shares--Voting Rights."
Redemption, Purchase and Sale of MuniPreferred Shares. The terms of the MuniPreferred Shares provide that they may be redeemed by the issuer at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends. Any redemption or purchase of MuniPreferred Shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any issuance of shares by the Fund will increase such leverage. See "MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage."
The discussion above describes the Board of Trustees' present intention with respect to an offering of MuniPreferred Shares. The terms of the MuniPreferred Shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the Fund's Declaration.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for debts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such limited liability be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the trustees. The Declaration further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the Fund for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.
The Declaration includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. Specifically, the Declaration requires a vote by holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Fund's assets (other than in the regular course of the Fund's investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, or (5) a removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund's Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, is required; provided, however, that where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), only the required vote by the applicable class or series will be required. Approval of shareholders is not required, however, for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Fund issues Shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of MuniPreferred Shares, the action in question will also require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, or, if such action has been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By-laws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class. None of the foregoing provisions may be amended except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of MuniPreferred Shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that the provisions of the Declaration relating to such higher votes are in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. See the Statement of Additional Information under "Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust."
The provisions of the Declaration described above could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over the then current market price of the Common Shares 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 third party. They provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund's investment objectives and policies. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.
Reference should be made to the Declaration on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the full text of these provisions.
REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND
The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), net asset value, call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit quality, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Because shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value, the Fund's Board of Trustees has currently determined that, at least annually, it will consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of Common Shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at net asset value, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. The Fund cannot assure you that its Board of Trustees will decide to take any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers will actually reduce market discount.
If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, it would be required to redeem all MuniPreferred Shares then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio), and the Common Shares would no longer be listed on the Stock Exchange. In contrast to a closed-end investment company, shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less any redemption charge that is in effect at the time of redemption. See the Statement of Additional Information under "Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust" for a discussion of the voting requirements applicable to the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company.
Before deciding whether to take any action if the Common Shares trade below net asset value, the Board would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund's portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders, and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund's shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Trustees may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken. See the Statement of Additional Information under "Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund" for a further discussion of possible action to reduce or eliminate such discount to net asset value.
TAX MATTERS
The following discussion of federal income tax matters is based on the advice of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC, special counsel to the Fund.
The discussions below and in the Statement of Additional Information provide general tax information related to an investment in the Common Shares. Because tax laws are complex and often change, you should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and intends to distribute substantially all of its net income and gains to its shareholders. Therefore, it is not expected that the Fund will be subject to any federal income tax.
The Fund primarily invests in municipal securities issued by states, cities and local authorities and certain possessions and territories of the United States (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) or in municipal securities whose income is otherwise exempt from regular federal income tax. Thus, substantially all of the Fund's dividends to you will qualify as "exempt-interest" dividends. A shareholder treats an exempt-interest dividend as interest on state and local bonds exempt from regular federal income tax. Some or all of an exempt-interest dividend, however, may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax imposed on the shareholder. Different federal alternative minimum tax rules apply to individuals and to corporations. If you are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, a portion of your regular monthly dividends may be taxable.
Although the Fund does not seek to realize taxable income or capital gains, the Fund may realize and distribute taxable income or capital gains from time to time as a result of the Fund's normal investment activities. The Fund will distribute at least annually any ordinary taxable income or net capital gain. Distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are taxable as long-term capital gains regardless of how long you have owned your investment. The Fund will allocate distributions to shareholders that are treated as tax-exempt interest and as long-term capital gain and ordinary income, if any, among the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year. As long as the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations.
The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (the "Act") reduced the maximum rate of tax on long-term capital gains of noncorporate investors from 20% to 15%. The Act also reduced to 15% the maximum rate of tax on "qualified dividend income" received by noncorporate shareholders who satisfy certain holding period requirements. None of the Fund's distributions are expected to be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. Without further legislative change, the rate reductions enacted by the Act will lapse, and the previous rates will be reinstated, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009.
Each year, you will receive a year-end statement that describes the tax status of dividends paid to you during the preceding year, including the source of investment income by state and the portion of income that is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. You will receive this statement from the firm where you purchased your Common Shares if you hold your investment in street name; the Fund will send you this statement if you hold your shares in registered form.
The tax status of your dividends is not affected by whether you reinvest your dividends or receive them in cash.
In order to avoid corporate taxation of its earnings and to pay tax-free dividends, the Fund must meet certain Internal Revenue Service ("I.R.S.") requirements that govern the Fund's sources of income, diversification of assets and distribution of earnings to shareholders. The Fund intends to meet these requirements. If the Fund failed to do so, the Fund would be required to pay corporate taxes on its earnings and all your distributions would be taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits. In particular, in order for the Fund to pay exempt-interest dividends, at least 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets must consist of tax-exempt obligations at the close of each quarter of its taxable year. The Fund intends to meet this requirement. If the Fund failed to do so, it would not be able to pay exempt-interest dividends and your distributions attributable to interest received by the Fund from any source would be taxable as ordinary income.
The sale or other disposition of Common Shares will result in capital gain or loss to you if you hold such Common Shares as capital assets. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, long-term capital gains are eligible for reduced rates of taxation.
The Fund may be required to withhold a percentage of certain of your dividends if you have not provided the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number (normally your Social Security number) and certain certifications, or if you are otherwise subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding percentage is 28% for amounts paid through 2010, after which time the rate will increase to 31% absent legislative change. If you receive Social Security benefits, you should be aware that exempt-interest dividends are taken into account in calculating the amount of these benefits that may be subject to federal income tax. If you borrow money to buy Fund shares, you may not deduct the interest on that loan. Under I.R.S. rules, Fund shares may be treated as having been bought with borrowed money even if the purchase of the Fund shares cannot be traced directly to borrowed money.
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date hereof, each Underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to such Underwriter, the number of Common Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter.
Number of
Underwriters Shares
------------ ---------
Nuveen Investments, LLC...............................................
-
Total..............................................................
=
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the Common Shares included in this offering are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to purchase all the Common Shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if they purchase any of the Common Shares. The representatives have advised the Fund that the Underwriters do not intend to confirm any sales to any accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
The Underwriters, for whom Nuveen Investments, LLC and are acting as representatives, propose to offer some of the Common Shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus and some of the Common Shares to certain dealers at the public offering price less a concession not in excess of $0.45 per Common Share. The sales load the Fund will pay of $0.675 per share is equal to 4.5% of the initial offering price. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $ per Common Share on sales to certain other dealers. If all of the Common Shares are not sold at the initial offering price, the representatives may change the public offering price and other selling terms. Investors must pay for any Common Shares purchased on or before , 2003. In connection with this offering, Nuveen may perform clearing services without charge for brokers and dealers for whom it regularly provides clearing services that are participating in the offering as members of the selling group.
The Fund has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to additional Common Shares at the public offering price less the sales load. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, in connection with this offering. To the extent such option is exercised, each Underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase a number of additional Common Shares approximately proportionate to such Underwriter's initial purchase commitment.
The Fund and Nuveen Advisory have agreed that, for a period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus, they will not, without the prior written consent of , on behalf of the Underwriters, dispose of or hedge any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares. , in its sole discretion may release any of the securities subject to these agreements at any time without notice.
Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the Common Shares. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the Common Shares was determined by negotiation among the Fund, Nuveen Advisory and the representatives. There can be no assurance, however, that the price at which
the Common Shares will sell in the public market after this offering will not be lower than the price at which they are sold by the Underwriters or that an active trading market in the Common Shares will develop and continue after this offering. The Common Shares have been approved for listing on the Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
The following table shows the sales load that the Fund is to pay to the Underwriters in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the Underwriters' option to purchase additional Common Shares:
Paid by Fund
-----------------
No Full
Exercise Exercise
-------- --------
Per share $ $
Total.... $ $
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The Fund and Nuveen Advisory have each agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters or to contribute to losses arising out of certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Nuveen has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses and (ii) offering costs (other than sales load) that exceed $0.03 per share.
In addition, the Fund has agreed to reimburse the Underwriters for certain expenses incurred by the Underwriters in the offering.
Certain Underwriters participating in the Common Share offering may be invited, some period of time after completion of this offering, to participate in the offering of the MuniPreferred Shares and will receive compensation for their participation in that MuniPreferred Share offering. The number of Common Shares purchased by each Underwriter in this offering may be a factor in determining (i) whether that Underwriter is selected to participate in the offering of the MuniPreferred Shares, (ii) the number of MuniPreferred Shares allocated to that Underwriter in that offering, and (iii) the amount of certain additional MuniPreferred Share underwriting compensation available to that Underwriter. The offering costs associated with the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares are currently estimated to be approximately % of the total amount of the MuniPreferred Share offering. These costs will effectively be borne by the Common Shareholders.
Certain Underwriters may make a market in the Common Shares after trading in the Common Shares has commenced on the Stock Exchange. No Underwriter, however, is obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the Underwriter. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, the Common Shares as a result of any market-making activities undertaken by any Underwriter. This Prospectus is to be used by any Underwriter in connection with the offering and, during the period in which a prospectus must be delivered, with offers and sales of the Common Shares in market-making transactions in the over-the-counter market at negotiated prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.
In connection with the requirements for listing the Fund's Common Shares on the Stock Exchange, the Underwriters have undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more Common Shares to a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in the United States. The minimum investment requirement is 100 Common Shares.
The Underwriters have advised the Fund that, pursuant to Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions, including stabilizing bids, covering transactions or the imposition of penalty bids, which may have the effect of stabilizing or maintaining the market price of the Common Shares on the Stock Exchange at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. A "stabilizing bid" is a bid for or purchase of the Common Shares on behalf of an Underwriter for the purpose of fixing or maintaining the price of the Common Shares. A "covering transaction" is a bid for or purchase of the Common Shares on behalf of an Underwriter to reduce a short position incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the offering. A "penalty bid" is a contractual arrangement whereby if, during a specified period after the issuance of the Common Shares, the Underwriters purchase Common Shares in the open market for the account of the underwriting syndicate and the Common Shares purchased can be traced to a particular Underwriter or member of the selling group, the underwriting syndicate may require the Underwriter or selling group member in question to purchase the Common Shares in question at the cost price to the syndicate or may recover from (or decline to pay to) the Underwriter or selling group member in question any or all compensation (including, with respect to a representative, the applicable syndicate management fee) applicable to the Common Shares in question. As a result, an Underwriter or selling group member and, in turn, brokers may lose the fees that they otherwise would have earned from a sale of the Common Shares if their customer resells the Common Shares while the penalty bid is in effect. The Underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and any such activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
The underwriting agreement provides that it may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the representatives without liability on the part of the Underwriters to the Fund or Nuveen Advisory if, prior to the delivery of and payment for the Common Shares, (i) trading in the Fund's Common Shares shall have been suspended by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Stock Exchange or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices for trading in securities generally shall have been established on either of such Exchanges, (ii) a commercial banking moratorium shall have been declared by either federal or New York state authorities or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets in the United States is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Common Shares as contemplated by the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).
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 Common Shares to the Underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. The representatives will allocate Common Shares to Underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, Common Shares may be sold by the Underwriters to securities dealers who resell Common Shares to online brokerage account holders.
The Fund anticipates that from time to time certain of the Underwriters may act as brokers or dealers in connection with the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions after they have ceased to be Underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as brokers while they are Underwriters.
Prior to the public offering of Common Shares, Nuveen Advisory purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act. As of the
date of this Prospectus, Nuveen Advisory owned 100% of the outstanding Common Shares. Nuveen Advisory may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Shares, which is expected to occur as of the completion of the offering of Common Shares.
Nuveen, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60606, one of the representatives of the Underwriters, is the parent company of Nuveen Advisory.
The principal business address of is , , .
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. The Custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Fund's transfer, shareholder services and dividend paying agent is also State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares will be passed upon for the Fund by Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC, Chicago, Illinois, and for the Underwriters by . Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC and may rely as to certain matters of Massachusetts law on the opinion of Bingham McCutchen LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Page
----
Use of Proceeds.................................................. 3
Investment Objectives............................................ 5
Investment Policies and Techniques............................... 10
Other Investment Policies and Techniques......................... 18
Management of the Fund........................................... 21
Investment Adviser............................................... 27
Portfolio Transactions........................................... 28
Distributions.................................................... 29
Description of Shares............................................ 30
Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust................... 33
Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund........... 34
Tax Matters...................................................... 37
Experts.......................................................... 41
Custodian........................................................ 41
Additional Information........................................... 41
Report of Independent Auditors................................... 43
Financial Statements............................................. 44
Appendices
Appendix A--Ratings of Investments............................ A-1
Appendix B--Taxable Equivalent Yield Tables................... B-1
Appendix C--Hedging Strategies and Risks...................... C-1
Appendix D--Performance Related and Comparative Information... D-1
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Shares
Nuveen Municipal High
Income Opportunity Fund
Common Shares
PROSPECTUS
, 2003
Nuveen Investments, LLC
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (the "Fund") is a newly organized, diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized on October 8, 2003 as Nuveen Municipal High Yield Opportunity Fund, but changed its name to Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund effective October 15, 2003.
This Statement of Additional Information relating to common shares of the Fund ("Common Shares") does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund's Prospectus relating thereto dated ____________, 2003 (the "Prospectus"). This Statement of Additional Information does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Shares. Investors should obtain and read the Fund's Prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Fund's Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling (800) 257-8787. You may also obtain a copy of the Fund's Prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commission's web site (http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
--------
Use of Proceeds 3
Investment Objectives 5
Investment Policies and Techniques 10
Other Investment Policies and Techniques 18
Management of the Fund 21
Investment Adviser 27
Portfolio Transactions 28
Distributions 29
Description of Shares 30
Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust 33
Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund 34
Tax Matters 37
Experts 41
Custodian 41
Additional Information 41
Report of Independent Auditors 43
Financial Statements 44
Ratings of Investments (Appendix A) A-1
Taxable Equivalent Yield Tables (Appendix B) B-1
Hedging Strategies and Risks (Appendix C) C-1
Performance Related and Comparative Information (Appendix D) D-1
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This Statement of Additional Information is dated ____________, 2003
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the offering of Common Shares of the Fund will be approximately: $__________ ($__________ if the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) after payment of organization and offering costs.
For the Fund, Nuveen Advisory has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses and (ii) offering costs (other than sales load) that exceed $0.03 per Common Share.
Pending investment in municipal securities that meet the Fund's investment objectives and policies, the net proceeds of the offering will be invested in high quality, short-term tax-exempt money market securities or in high quality municipal securities with relatively low volatility (such as pre-refunded and intermediate-term bonds), to the extent such securities are available. If necessary to invest fully the net proceeds of the offering immediately, the Fund may also purchase, as temporary investments, short-term taxable investments of the type described under "Investment Policies and Techniques--Investment in Municipal Securities--Portfolio Investments," the income on which is subject to regular federal income tax and securities of other open or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the type in which the Fund may invest directly.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The Fund's primary investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income tax. The Fund's secondary investment objective is to seek attractive total return consistent with its primary objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in municipal securities that are underrated and undervalued.
The Fund's investment in underrated or undervalued municipal securities will be based on Nuveen Advisory's belief that their yield is higher than that available on securities bearing equivalent levels of interest rate risk, credit risk and other forms of risk, and that their prices will ultimately rise (relative to the market) to reflect their true value. The Fund attempts to increase its portfolio value relative to the municipal securities market by prudent selection of municipal securities regardless of the direction the market may move. Any capital appreciation realized by the Fund will
generally result in the distribution of taxable capital gains to holders of Common Shares. The Fund's investment objectives are fundamental policies of the Fund.
The Fund may invest up to 30% of it's Managed Assets in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. Common Shares therefore may not be a suitable investment for investors who are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax or who would become subject to such tax by purchasing Common Shares. The suitability of Common Shares as an investment for you will depend upon a comparison of the after-tax yield likely to be provided from the Fund with that from comparable tax-exempt investments not subject to the alternative minimum tax, and from comparable fully taxable investments, in light of your tax position. Special considerations apply to corporate investors. See "Tax Matters."
Investment Restrictions
Except as described below, the Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and, if issued, MuniPreferred Shares (as hereinafter defined) voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a majority of the outstanding MuniPreferred Shares voting as a separate class:
(1) Under normal circumstances, invest less than 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal income tax;
(2) Issue senior securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, other than MuniPreferred Shares, except to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and except as otherwise described in the Prospectus;
(3) Borrow money, except as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and exemptive orders granted under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(4) Act as underwriter of another issuer's securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities;
(5) Invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry; provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to municipal securities other than those municipal securities backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users;
(6) Purchase or sell real estate, but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in municipal securities secured by real estate or interests therein or foreclosing upon and selling such security;
(7) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts, derivative instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities);
(8) Make loans, except as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and exemptive orders granted under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(9) With respect to 75% of the value of the Fund's total assets, purchase any securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States government or by its agencies or instrumentalities), if as a result more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would then be invested in securites of a single issuer or if as a result the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any single issuer; and
(10) Invest in securities other than municipal securities and short-term securities, as described in the Prospectus, except the Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in tax-exempt or taxable fixed-income or equity securities for the purpose of acquiring control of an issuer whose municipal securities (a) the Fund already owns and (b) have deteriorated or are expected shortly to deteriorate significantly in credit quality, provided Nuveen Advisory determines such investment should enable the Fund to better maximize its existing investment in such issuer.
For purposes of the foregoing and "Description of Shares--MuniPreferred Shares--Voting Rights" below, "majority of the outstanding," when used with respect to particular shares of the Fund, means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the shares, whichever is less.
For the purpose of applying the limitation set forth in subparagraph (9) above, an issuer shall be deemed the sole issuer of a security when its assets and revenues are separate from other governmental entities and its securities are backed only by its assets and revenues. Similarly, in the case of a non- governmental issuer, such as an industrial corporation or a privately owned or operated hospital, if the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental issuer, then such non-governmental issuer would be deemed to be the sole issuer. Where a security is also backed by the enforceable obligation of a superior or unrelated governmental or other entity (other than a bond insurer), it shall also be included in the computation of securities owned that are issued by such governmental or other entity. Where a security is guaranteed by a governmental entity or some other facility, such as a bank guarantee or letter of credit, such a guarantee or letter of credit would be considered a separate security and would be treated as an issue of such government, other entity or bank. When a municipal security is insured by bond insurance, it shall not be considered a security that is issued or guaranteed by the insurer; instead, the issuer of such municipal security will be determined in accordance with the principles set forth above. The foregoing restrictions do not limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in municipal securities insured by any given insurer.
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may invest only up to 10% of its Managed Assets in the aggregate in shares of other investment companies and only up to 5% of its Managed Assets in any one investment company, provided the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the acquired investment company at the time such shares are purchased. As a stockholder in any investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of
that investment company's expenses, and will remain subject to payment of the Fund's management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Holders of Common Shares would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the Prospectus in the section entitled "Risks", the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.
In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed by the Board of Trustees. The Fund may not:
(1) Sell securities short, unless the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
(2) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any exemptive relief obtained thereunder.
(3) Enter into futures contracts or related options or forward contracts, if more than 30% of the Fund's net assets would be represented by futures contracts or more than 5% of the Fund's net assets would be committed to initial margin deposits and premiums on futures contracts and related options.
(4) Purchase securities when borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets if and so long as MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding.
(5) Purchase securities of companies for the purpose of exercising control.
(6) Invest in inverse floating rate securities (which are securities that pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in prevailing short-term tax-exempt interest rates and which represent a leveraged investment in an underlying municipal security).
The restrictions and other limitations set forth above will apply only at the time of purchase of securities and will not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of an acquisition of securities.
The Fund intends to apply for ratings for its preferred shares (called "MuniPreferred Shares" herein) from Moody's and/or S&P. In order to obtain and maintain the required ratings, the Fund may be required to comply with investment quality, diversification and other guidelines established by Moody's or S&P. Such guidelines will likely be more restrictive than the restrictions set forth above. The Fund does not anticipate that such guidelines would have a material
adverse effect on its Common Shareholders or its ability to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund presently anticipates that any MuniPreferred Shares that it intends to issue would be initially given the highest ratings by Moody's ("Aaa") or by S&P ("AAA"), but no assurance can be given that such ratings will be obtained. No minimum rating is required for the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares by the Fund. Moody's and S&P receive fees in connection with their ratings issuances.
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund's investment objectives, policies, and techniques that are described in the Fund's Prospectus.
Investment in Municipal Securities
Portfolio Investments
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest its Managed Assets in a portfolio of municipal securities that pay interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax. It is a fundamental policy of the Fund that its investment in municipal securities paying interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax will, under normal circumstances, comprise at least 80% of the Fund's Managed Assets.
Under normal circumstances, and except for the temporary investments described below, the Fund expects to be fully invested (at least 95% of its Managed Assets) in such tax-exempt municipal securities described above. Up to 30% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities that pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
. The Fund will invest at least 50% of its Managed Assets in investment grade quality municipal securities. Investment grade quality means that such bonds are rated, at the time of investment, within the four highest grades (Baa or BBB or better by Moody's, S&P or Fitch) or are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory. Investment grade municipal securities may include securities that, at the time of investment, are rated below investment grade by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, so long as at least one NRSRO rates such bonds within the four highest grades (such bonds are called "split-rated securities").
. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities that are rated below investment grade; provided, that no more than 5% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities rated below B-/B3 or that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by Nuveen Advisory. This means that the Fund may invest in municipal securities that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the time of acquisition (such securities commonly referred to as distressed securities).
Municipal securities of below investment grade quality (Ba/BB or below) are commonly referred to as junk bonds. Issuers of securities rated Ba/BB or B are regarded as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial or economic conditions which could adversely affect such payment capacity. Municipal securities rated Baa or BBB are considered "investment grade" securities; municipal securities rated Baa are considered medium grade obligations which lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics, while municipal securities rated BBB are regarded as having adequate capacity to pay principal and interest. Municipal securities rated AAA in which the Fund may invest may have been so rated on the basis of the existence of insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of all principal and interest. Municipal securities rated below investment grade quality are obligations of issuers that are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Municipal securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated municipal securities is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly and the Fund may have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The Fund will be more dependent on Nuveen Advisory's research and analysis when investing in these securities.
The Fund may invest in distressed securities, which are securities issued by companies that are involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or are experiencing other financial difficulties at the time of acquisition by the Fund. The issuers of such securities may be in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged or troubled, or potentially troubled, and may be or have recently been involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation. These characteristics of these companies can cause their securities to be particularly risky, although they also may offer the potential for high returns. These companies' securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of the companies to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific developments within the companies. Distressed securities frequently do not produce income while they are outstanding and may require the Fund to bear certain extraordinary expenses in order to protect and recover its investment.
Investments in lower rated or unrated securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these securities default on their obligations pertaining thereto. The Internal Revenue Code is not entirely clear regarding the federal income tax consequences of the Fund's taking certain positions in connection with ownership of such distressed securities.
A general description of Moody's, S&P's and Fitch's ratings of municipal securities is set forth in Appendix A hereto. The ratings of Moody's, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal securities they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.
The Fund will primarily invest in municipal securities with long-term maturities in order to maintain a weighted average maturity of 15-30 years, but the average weighted maturity of obligations held by the Fund may be shortened, depending on market conditions. As a result, the Fund's portfolio at any given time may include both long-term and intermediate-term municipal securities. Moreover, during temporary defensive periods (e.g., times when, in Nuveen Advisory's opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the tax-exempt securities market adversely affect the price at which long-term or intermediate-term municipal securities are available), and in order to keep the Fund's cash fully invested, including the period during which the net proceeds of the offering are being invested, the Fund may invest any percentage of its net assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable and up to 10% of its net assets in securities of other open or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the type in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund intends to invest in taxable short-term investments only in the event that suitable tax-exempt short-term investments are not available at reasonable prices and yields. Tax-exempt short-term investments include various obligations issued by state and local governmental issuers, such as tax-exempt notes (bond anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes and revenue anticipation notes or other such municipal bonds maturing in three years or less from the date of issuance) and municipal commercial paper. The Fund will invest only in taxable short-term investments which are U.S. Government securities or securities rated within the highest grade by Moody's, S&P or Fitch, and which mature within one year from the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest. See Appendix A for a general description of Moody's, S&P's and Fitch's ratings of securities in such categories. Taxable short-term investments of the Fund may include certificates of deposit issued by U.S. banks with assets of at least $1 billion, or commercial paper or corporate notes, bonds or debentures with a remaining maturity of one year or less, or repurchase agreements. See "Other Investment Policies and Techniques--Repurchase Agreements." To the extent the Fund invests
in taxable investments, the Fund will not at such times be in a position to achieve its investment objective of tax-exempt income.
The foregoing policies as to ratings of portfolio investments will apply only at the time of the purchase of a security, and the Fund will not be required to dispose of securities in the event Moody's, S&P or Fitch downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issuer.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in tax-exempt municipal securities that it believes are underrated or undervalued or that represent municipal market sectors that are undervalued. Underrated municipal bonds are those whose ratings do not, in Nuveen Advisory's opinion, reflect their true creditworthiness. Undervalued municipal securities are securities that, in Nuveen Advisory's opinion, are worth more than the value assigned to them in the marketplace. Nuveen Advisory may at times believe that securities associated with a particular municipal market sector (for example, electric utilities), or issued by a particular municipal issuer, are undervalued. Nuveen Advisory may purchase such a security for the Fund's portfolio because it represents a market sector or issuer that Nuveen Advisory considers undervalued, even if the value of the particular security is consistent with the value of similar securities. Municipal securities of particular types or purposes (e.g., hospital bonds, industrial revenue bonds or bonds issued by a particular municipal issuer) may be undervalued because there is a temporary excess of supply in that market sector, or because of a general decline in the market price of municipal securities of the market sector for reasons that do not apply to the particular municipal securities that are considered undervalued. The Fund's investment in underrated or undervalued municipal securities will be based on Nuveen Advisory's belief that their yield is higher than that available on securities bearing equivalent levels of interest rate risk, credit risk and other forms of risk, and that their prices will ultimately rise (relative to the market) to reflect their true value.
Up to 30% of the Fund's Managed Assets may be invested in municipal securities subject to the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. Special federal alternative minimum tax rules apply to corporate investors. See "Tax Matters."
Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation
Also included within the general category of municipal securities described in the Fund's Prospectus are municipal leases, certificates of participation in such lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (hereinafter collectively called "Municipal Lease Obligations") of municipal authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality for which the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal Lease Obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the case of a "non-appropriation" lease, the Fund's ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property might prove difficult. In order to reduce this risk, the Fund will only
purchase Municipal Lease Obligations where Nuveen Advisory believes the issuer has a strong incentive to continue making appropriations until maturity.
Upon Nuveen Advisory's recommendation, during temporary defensive periods and in order to keep the Fund's cash fully invested, including the period during which the net proceeds of the offering of Common Shares or MuniPreferred Shares are being invested, the Fund may deviate from its investment objectives and invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in short-term investments including high quality, short-term securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable. To the extent the Fund invests in taxable short-term investments, the Fund will not at such times be in a position to achieve that portion of its investment objective of seeking current income exempt from regular federal income tax. For further information, see, "Short-Term Investments" below.
Obligations of issuers of municipal securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of such issuers may become subject to the laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures or referenda extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon municipalities to levy taxes. There is also the possibility that, as a result of legislation or other conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its municipal securities may be materially affected.
The Fund also may invest up to 10% of its net assets in securities of other open or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the type in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund will generally select obligations which may not be redeemed at the option of the issuer for approximately [seven to nine years].
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities
The principal of and interest on pre-refunded municipal securities are no longer paid from the original revenue source for the securities. Instead, the source of such payments is typically an escrow fund consisting of U.S. government securities. The assets in the escrow fund are derived from the proceeds of refunding bonds issued by the same issuer as the pre-refunded municipal securities. Issuers of municipal securities use this advance refunding technique to obtain more favorable terms with respect to securities that are not yet subject to call or redemption by the issuer. For example, advance refunding enables an issuer to refinance debt at lower market interest rates, restructure debt to improve cash flow or eliminate restrictive covenants in the indenture or other governing instrument for the pre-refunded municipal securities. However, except for a change in the revenue source from which principal and interest payments are made, the pre-refunded municipal securities remain outstanding on their original terms until they mature or are redeemed by the issuer.
Private Activity Bonds
Private activity bonds, formerly referred to as industrial development bonds, are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit or port facilities, sewage disposal, solid waste disposal or hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas or electricity. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. The Fund's distributions of its interest income from private activity bonds may subject certain investors to the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals.
Tender Option Bonds
A tender option bond is a municipal security (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, which grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the bond's fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. However, an institution will not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrade in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. The Fund intends to invest in tender option bonds the interest on which will, in the opinion of bond counsel, counsel for the issuer of interests therein or counsel selected by Nuveen Advisory, be exempt from regular federal income tax. However, because there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such counsel's opinion in any particular case, there is a risk that the Fund will not be considered the owner of such tender option bonds and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from such tax. Additionally, the federal income tax treatment of certain other aspects of these investments, including the proper tax treatment of tender option bonds and the associated fees in relation to various regulated investment company tax provisions, is unclear. The Fund intends to manage its portfolio in a manner designed to eliminate or minimize any adverse impact from the tax rules applicable to these investments.
Short-Term Investments
Short-Term Taxable Fixed Income Securities
For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in cash equivalents and short- term taxable fixed-income securities, although the Fund intends to invest in taxable short-term investments only in the event that suitable tax-exempt short- term investments are not available at reasonable prices and yields. Short-term taxable fixed income investments are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
(1) U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds
differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. government agencies or
instrumentalities. U.S. government agency securities include securities
issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home
Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business
Administration, and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose
securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States;
(b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the
Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of
the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National
Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the discretionary
authority of the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the
agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association,
whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S.
government provides financial support to such U.S. government-sponsored
agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always
will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. government, its
agencies, and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their
securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.
(2) Certificates of Deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current FDIC regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $100,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.
(3) Repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities. At the time the Fund purchases securities pursuant to a repurchase agreement, it simultaneously agrees to resell and redeliver such securities to the seller, who also simultaneously agrees to buy back the securities at a fixed price and time. This assures a predetermined yield for the Fund during its holding period, since the resale price is always greater than the purchase price and reflects an agreed-upon market rate. Such actions afford an opportunity for the Fund to invest
temporarily available cash. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements only with respect to obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposit; or bankers' acceptances in which the Fund may invest. Repurchase agreements may be considered loans to the seller, collateralized by the underlying securities. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the seller to pay the agreed-upon sum on the repurchase date; in the event of default, the repurchase agreement provides that the Fund is entitled to sell the underlying collateral. If the seller defaults under a repurchase agreement when the value of the underlying collateral is less than the repurchase price, the Fund could incur a loss of both principal and interest. The investment adviser monitors the value of the collateral at the time the action is entered into and at all times during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Fund's investment adviser does so in an effort to determine that the value of the collateral always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price to be paid to the Fund. If the seller were to be subject to a federal bankruptcy proceeding, the ability of the Fund to liquidate the collateral could be delayed or impaired because of certain provisions of the bankruptcy laws.
(4) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. Nuveen Advisory will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity measures) and will continuously monitor the corporation's ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund's liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Securities
Short-term tax-exempt municipal securities are securities that are exempt from regular federal income tax and mature within three years or less from the date of issuance. Short-term tax-exempt municipal income securities are defined to include, without limitation, the following:
Bond Anticipation Notes ("BANs") are usually general obligations of state and local governmental issuers which are sold to obtain interim financing for projects that will eventually be funded through the sale of long-term debt obligations or bonds. The ability of an issuer to meet its obligations on its BANs is primarily dependent on the issuer's access to the long-term municipal bond market and the likelihood that the proceeds of such bond sales will be used to pay the principal and interest on the BANs.
Tax Anticipation Notes ("TANs") are issued by state and local governments to finance the current operations of such governments. Repayment is generally to be derived from specific future tax revenues. TANs are usually general obligations of the issuer. A weakness in an issuer's capacity to raise taxes due to, among other things, a decline in its tax base or a rise in delinquencies, could adversely affect the issuer's ability to meet its obligations on outstanding TANs.
Revenue Anticipation Notes ("RANs") are issued by governments or governmental bodies with the expectation that future revenues from a designated source will be used to repay the notes. In general, they also constitute general obligations of the issuer. A decline in the receipt of projected revenues, such as anticipated revenues from another level of government, could adversely affect an issuer's ability to meet its obligations on outstanding RANs. In addition, the possibility that the revenues would, when received, be used to meet other obligations could affect the ability of the issuer to pay the principal and interest on RANs.
Construction Loan Notes are issued to provide construction financing for specific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with funds obtained from the Federal Housing Administration.
Bank Notes are notes issued by local government bodies and agencies, such as those described above to commercial banks as evidence of borrowings. The purposes for which the notes are issued are varied but they are frequently issued to meet short-term working capital or capital-project needs. These notes may have risks similar to the risks associated with TANs and RANs.
Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper ("Municipal Paper") represents very short-term unsecured, negotiable promissory notes issued by states, municipalities and their agencies. Payment of principal and interest on issues of municipal paper may be made from various sources, to the extent the funds are available therefrom. Maturities of municipal paper generally will be shorter than the maturities of TANs, BANs or RANs. There is a limited secondary market for issues of Municipal Paper.
Certain municipal securities may carry variable or floating rates of interest whereby the rate of interest is not fixed but varies with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as a bank prime rate or a tax-exempt money market index.
While the various types of notes described above as a group represent the major portion of the short-term tax-exempt note market, other types of notes are available in the marketplace and the Fund may invest in such other types of notes to the extent permitted under its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Such notes may be issued for different purposes and may be secured differently from those mentioned above.
Hedging Strategies
The Fund may periodically engage in hedging transactions. Hedging is a term used for various methods of seeking to preserve portfolio capital value by offsetting price changes in one investment through making another investment whose price should tend to move in the opposite direction. It may be desirable and possible in various market environments to partially hedge the portfolio against fluctuations in market value due to interest rate fluctuations by investment in
financial futures and index futures as well as related put and call options on such instruments. Both parties entering into an index or financial futures contract are required to post an initial deposit of 1% to 5% of the total contract price. Typically, option holders enter into offsetting closing transactions to enable settlement in cash rather than take delivery of the position in the future of the underlying security. The Fund will only sell covered futures contracts, which means that the Fund segregates assets equal to the amount of the obligations.
These transactions present certain risks. In particular, the imperfect correlation between price movements in the futures contract and price movements in the securities being hedged creates the possibility that losses on the hedge by a Fund may be greater than gains in the value of the securities in the Fund's portfolio. In addition, futures and options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances. As a result, in volatile markets, the Fund may not be able to close out the transaction without incurring losses substantially greater than the initial deposit. Finally, the potential deposit requirements in futures contracts create an ongoing greater potential financial risk than do options transactions, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. Losses due to hedging transactions will reduce yield. Net gains, if any, from hedging and other portfolio transactions will be distributed as taxable distributions to shareholders. The Fund will not make any investment (whether an initial premium or deposit or a subsequent deposit) other than as necessary to close a prior investment if, immediately after such investment, the sum of the amount of its premiums and deposits would exceed 5% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund will invest in these instruments only in markets believed by Nuveen Advisory to be active and sufficiently liquid. Successful implementation of most hedging strategies would generate taxable income, and the Fund has no present intention to use these strategies. For further information regarding these investment strategies and risks presented thereby, see Appendix C to this Statement of Additional Information.
The Fund may utilize structured notes and similar instruments for investment purposes and also for hedging purposes. Structured notes are privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate (an "embedded index"), such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. The terms of such structured instruments normally provide that their principal and/or interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but not ordinarily below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured instruments are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending upon a variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index(es) or other asset(s). Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss.
OTHER INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES
Illiquid Securities
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that are not readily marketable), including, but not limited to, restricted securities (securities the disposition of which is restricted under the federal securities laws), securities that may be resold only pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); and repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days.
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act. Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Illiquid securities will be priced at a fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or its delegate.
Portfolio Trading and Turnover Rate
Portfolio trading may be undertaken to accomplish the investment objectives of the Fund in relation to actual and anticipated movements in interest rates. In addition, a security may be sold and another of comparable quality purchased at approximately the same time to take advantage of what Nuveen Advisory believes to be a temporary price disparity between the two securities. Temporary price disparities between two comparable securities may result from supply and demand imbalances where, for example, a temporary oversupply of certain bonds may cause a temporarily low price for such bonds, as compared with other bonds of like quality and characteristics. The Fund may also engage to a limited extent in short-term trading consistent with its investment objectives. Securities may be sold in anticipation of a market decline (a rise in interest rates) or purchased in anticipation of a market rise (a decline in interest rates) and later sold, but the Fund will not engage in trading solely to recognize a gain.
Subject to the foregoing, the Fund will attempt to achieve its investment objectives by prudent selection of municipal bonds with a view to holding them for investment. While there can be no assurance thereof, the Fund anticipates that its annual portfolio turnover rate will generally not exceed [100%]. However, the rate of turnover will not be a limiting factor when the Fund deems it desirable to sell or purchase securities. Therefore, depending upon market conditions, the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed [100%] in particular years.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in securities of other open or closed-end investment companies that invest primarily in municipal securities of the types in which the Fund may invest directly. The Fund generally expects to invest in other investment companies either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Shares or MuniPreferred Shares, or during periods when there is a shortage of attractive, high-yielding municipal securities available in the market. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company's expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Fund's management, advisory and administrative fees with respect to assets so invested. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. Nuveen Advisory will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in the investment company relative to available municipal security investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the Fund's Prospectus in the section entitled "Risks," the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more
volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares. [In addition, the Fund may invest up to __% of its Managed Assets in pooled investment vehicles other than investment companies. Initially, the Fund does not expect to invest more than __% of its Managed Assets in other investment companies and such pooled investment vehicles.]
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions
The Fund may buy and sell municipal securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, making payment or taking delivery at a later date, normally within 15-45 days of the trade date. On such transactions the payment obligation and the interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Beginning on the date the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund is required under rules of the Commission to maintain in a separate account liquid assets, consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities having a market value at all times of at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Income generated by any such assets which provide taxable income for federal income tax purposes is includable in the taxable income of the Fund. The Fund may enter into contracts to purchase municipal securities on a forward basis (i.e., where settlement will occur more than 60 days from the date of the transaction) only to the extent that the Fund specifically collateralizes such obligations with a security that is expected to be called or mature within sixty days before or after the settlement date of the forward transaction. The commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward basis may involve an element of risk because no interest accrues on the bonds prior to settlement and at the time of delivery the market value may be less than cost.
Repurchase Agreements
As temporary investments, the Fund may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a contractual agreement whereby the seller of securities (U.S. Government securities or municipal securities) agrees to repurchase the same security at a specified price on a future date agreed upon by the parties. The agreed-upon repurchase price determines the yield during the Fund's holding period. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by the underlying security that is the subject of the repurchase contract. Income generated from transactions in repurchase agreements will be taxable. See "Tax Matters" for information relating to the allocation of taxable income between Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares, if any. The Fund will only enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic banks that, in the opinion of Nuveen Advisory, present minimal credit risk. The risk to the Fund is limited to the ability of the issuer to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the delivery date; however, although the value of the underlying collateral at the time the transaction is entered into always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price, if the value of the collateral declines there is a risk of loss of both principal and interest. In the event of default, the collateral may be sold but the Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines, and might incur disposition costs or experience delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization upon the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited. Nuveen Advisory will monitor the value of the collateral at the time the transaction is entered into and at all times subsequent during the term of the repurchase agreement in an effort to determine that such value always equals or exceeds the agreed-upon repurchase price. In the event the value of the collateral declines below the repurchase price, Nuveen Advisory will
demand additional collateral from the issuer to increase the value of the collateral to at least that of the repurchase price, including interest.
Zero Coupon Bonds
The Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds. A zero coupon bond is a bond that does not pay interest for its entire life. When held to its maturity, its return comes from the difference between the purchase price and its maturity value. The market prices of zero coupon bonds are affected to a greater extent by changes in prevailing levels of interest rates and thereby tend to be more volatile in price than securities that pay interest periodically and may be more speculative than such securities. In addition, because the Fund accrues income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of such interest, it may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to obtain cash needed to pay income dividends in amounts necessary to avoid unfavorable tax consequences.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Trustees and Officers
The management of the Fund, including general supervision of the duties performed for the Fund under the Management Agreement, is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The number of trustees of the Fund is currently set at twelve. None of the trustees who are not "interested" persons of the Fund has ever been a director or employee of, or consultant to, Nuveen or its affiliates. The names and business addresses of the trustees and officers of the Fund, their principal occupations and other affiliations during the past five years, the number of portfolios each oversees and other directorships they hold are set forth below.
Name, Birthdate Positions and Principal Occupations Number of
--------------- ------------- --------------------- ---------
and Address Offices with the Including Other Directorships Portfolios in
----------- ---------------- ----------------------------- -------------
Fund and Year During Past Five Years Fund Complex
------------- ---------------------- ------------
First Elected Overseen by
------------- -----------
or Appointed Trustee
------------ -------
Trustee who is an interested person of the Fund:
-----------------------------------------------
Timothy R. Schwertfeger* Chairman of the Chairman and Director (since 1996) of 140
3/28/49 Board and Nuveen Investments, Inc., Nuveen Investments,
333 West Wacker Drive Trustee 2003 LLC, Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen Institutional
Chicago, IL 60606 Advisory Corp.; Chairman and Director (since
1997) of Nuveen Asset Management Inc.;
Director (since 1996) of Institutional Capital
Corporation; Chairman and Director (since 1999)
of
|
* Mr. Schwertfeger is an "interested person" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, because he is an officer and director of Nuveen Advisory.
Name, Birthdate Positions and Principal Occupations Number of
--------------- ------------- --------------------- ---------
and Address Offices with the Including Other Directorships Portfolios in
----------- ---------------- ----------------------------- -------------
Fund and Year During Past Five Years Fund Complex
------------- ---------------------- ------------
First Elected Overseen by
------------- -----------
or Appointed Trustee
------------ -------
Rittenhouse Asset Management, Inc.;
Chairman (since 2002) of Nuveen Investment
Advisers Inc.
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund:
---------------------------------------------------
William E. Bennett Trustee Private Investor; previously, President and 140
10/16/46 2003 Chief Executive Officer, Draper & Kramer, Inc.,
333 West Wacker Drive a private company that handles mortgage banking,
Chicago, IL 60606 real estate development, pension advisory and
real estate management (1995-1998). Prior thereto,
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
of First Chicago Corporation and its principal
subsidiary, The First National Bank of Chicago.
Robert P. Bremner Trustee Private Investor and Management Consultant. 134
8/22/40 2003
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Lawrence H. Brown Trustee Retired (August 1989) as Senior Vice President 134
7/29/34 2003 of The Northern Trust Company; Director of the
333 West Wacker Drive United Way Highland Park-Highwood (since 2002).
Chicago, IL 60606
Jack B. Evans Trustee President, The Hall-Perrine Foundation, a 70
10/22/48 2003 private philanthropic corporation (since 1996);
333 West Wacker Drive Director, Alliant Energy; Director and Vice
Chicago, IL 60606 Chairman, United Fire & Casualty Company; Director,
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; formerly,
President and Chief Operating Officer, SCI Financial
Group, Inc., a regional financial services firm.
Anne E. Impellizzeri Trustee Retired; formerly, Executive Director (1998-2001) 134
1/26/33 2003 of Manitoga (Center for Russel Wright's
333 West Wacker Drive Design with Nature); formerly, President and
Chicago, IL 60606 Executive Officer of Blanton-Peale Institutes
of Religion and Health (since 1990); prior thereto,
Vice President, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
William L. Kissick Trustee Professor Emeritus, School of Medicine and the 70
7/29/32 2003 Wharton School of Management and former Chairman,
333 West Wacker Drive Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics,
Chicago, IL 60606 University of Pennsylvania; Adjunct Professor,
Health Policy and Management, Yale University.
Thomas E. Leafstrand Trustee Retired; previously, Vice President in charge of 70
11/11/31 2003 Municipal Underwriting and Dealer Sales at The
333 West Wacker Drive Northern Trust Company.
Chicago, IL 60606
Peter R. Sawers Trustee Adjunct Professor of Business and Economics, 134
4/3/33 2003 University of Dubuque, Iowa; formerly
333 West Wacker Drive (1991-2000) Adjunct Professor, Lake Forest
Chicago, IL 60606 Graduate School of Management, Lake Forest,
Illinois; prior thereto, Executive Director,
Towers Perrin Australia, a management consulting
firm; Chartered Financial Analyst; Director,
Executive Service Corps. of Chicago, a not-for-
profit organization; Certified Management Consultant.
William J. Schneider Trustee Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer, 134
9/24/44 2003 Miller-Valentine Group, Vice President,
333 West Wacker Drive Miller-Valentine Realty, a construction company;
Chicago, IL 60606 Chair, Miami Valley Hospital; Chair, Dayton
Development Coalition; formerly, Member, Community
Advisory Board, National City Bank, Dayton, Ohio
and Business Advisory Council, Cleveland Federal
Reserve Bank.
Judith M. Stockdale Trustee Executive Director, Gaylord and Dorothy 134
12/29/47 2003 Donnelley Foundation (since 1994); prior
333 West Wacker Drive thereto, Executive Director, Great Lakes
Chicago, IL 60606 Protection Fund (from 1990 to 1994).
Sheila W. Wellington Trustee President (since 1993) of Catalyst (a not- 70
2/24/32 2003 for-profit organization focusing on women's
333 West Wacker Drive leadership development in business and the
Chicago, IL 60606 professions).
|
** As a result of his ownership of fixed-income securities issued by ___________ ___________________, one of the principal underwriters of the Fund, the Fund believes that __________ may be deemed to be an interested person for as long as __________________________ serves as principal underwriter to the Fund and, therefore, for purposes of this offering he is being treated as an interested person. ___________ owns less than 1% of such securities outstanding and has abstained from voting on any items involving the appointment of ________________ _________________ as principal underwriter to the Fund.
*** As a result of his ownership of securities issued by ___________, the parent company of _______________________, one of the principal underwriters of the Fund, the Fund believes that _______________ may be deemed to be an interested person for as long as ______________________ serves as principal underwriter to the Fund and, therefore, for purposes of this offering he is being treated as an interested person. _________________ owns less than 1% of such securities outstanding.
Name, Birthdate Positions and Principal Occupations Number of
--------------- ------------- ---------------------------- ---------
and Address Offices with the Including Other Directorships Portfolios in
----------- ---------------- ----------------------------- -------------
Fund and Year During Past Five Years Fund Complex
------------- ---------------------- ------------
First Elected Overseen by
------------- -----------
or Appointed Officer
------------ -------
Officers of the Fund:
--------------------
Gifford R. Zimmerman Chief Administrative Managing Director (since 2002), Assistant 140
9/9/56 Officer Secretary and Associate General Counsel, formerly,
333 W. Wacker Drive 2003 Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, of
Chicago, IL 60606 Nuveen Investments, LLC; Managing Director (since
2002), General Counsel (since 1998) and Assistant
Secretary, formerly, Vice President of Nuveen
Advisory Corp. and Nuveen Institutional Advisory
Corp.; Managing Director (since 2002) and Assistant
Secretary and Associate General Counsel, formerly,
Vice President (since 2000) of Nuveen Asset
Management, Inc.; Assistant Secretary of Nuveen
Investments, Inc. (since 1994); Assistant Secretary
of NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (since
2002); Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
Nuveen Investments Advisers Inc. (since 2002);
Managing Director, Associate General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary of Rittenhouse Asset Management,
Inc. (since May 2003); Chartered Financial Analyst;
Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of Symphony Asset
Management LLC.
Michael T. Atkinson Vice President and Vice President (since 2002), formerly, Assistant 140
2/3/66 Assistant Secretary Vice President (since 2000), previously, Associate
333 W. Wacker Drive 2003 of Nuveen Investments.
Chicago, IL 60606
Paul L. Brennan Vice President Vice President (since 2002), formerly, Assistant 122
11/10/66 2003 Vice President (since 1997), of Nuveen Advisory
333 W. Wacker Drive Corp.; Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified
Chicago, IL 60606 Public Accountant.
Peter H. D'Arrigo Vice President and Vice President of Nuveen Investments, LLC (since 140
11/28/67 Treasurer 1999), prior thereto, Assistant Vice President
333 W. Wacker Drive 2003 (from 1997); Vice President and Treasurer
Chicago, IL 60606 (since 1999) of Nuveen Investments, Inc.; Vice
President and Treasurer (since 1999) of Nuveen
Advisory Corp. and Nuveen Institutional Advisory
Corp.; Vice President and Treasurer of Nuveen
Asset Management, Inc. (since 2002) and of Nuveen
Investment Advisers Inc. (since 2002); Assistant
Treasurer of NWQ Investment Management Company,
LLC (since 2002); Treasurer (since 2003) of
Symphony Asset Management LLC; Chartered Financial
Analyst.
Susan M. DeSanto Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp. (since 140
9/8/54 2003 2001); previously, Vice President of Van Kampen
333 W. Wacker Drive Investment Advisory Corp. (since 1998).
Chicago, IL 60606
Jessica R. Droeger Vice President and Vice President (since 2002) and Assistant 140
9/24/64 Assistant Secretary Secretary and Assistant General Counsel (since
333 W. Wacker Drive 2003 1998); formerly, Assistant Vice President (since
Chicago, IL 60606 1998) of Nuveen Investments, LLC; Vice President
(since 2002) and Assistant Secretary
(since 1998), formerly, Assistant Vice President
of Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen Institutional
Advisory Corp.
Lorna C. Ferguson Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Investments, LLC; Vice 140
10/24/45 2003 President (since 1998) of Nuveen Advisory Corp.
333 W. Wacker Drive and Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.
Chicago, IL 60606
William M. Fitzgerald Vice President Managing Director (since 2002), formerly, Vice 140
3/2/64 2003 President of Nuveen Investments; Managing Director
333 W. Wacker Drive (since 1997), of Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen
Chicago, IL 60606 Institutional Advisory Corp.; Managing Director of
Nuveen Asset Management, Inc. (since 2001); Vice
President of Nuveen Investments Advisers Inc.
(since 2002); Chartered Financial Analyst.
Stephen D. Foy Vice President and Vice President (since 1993) and Funds Controller 140
5/31/54 Controller (since 1998) of Nuveen Investments, LLC;
333 W. Wacker Drive 2003 Certified Public Accountant.
Chicago, IL 60606
J. Thomas Futrell Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp.; 122
7/5/55 2003 Chartered Financial Analyst.
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
|
Name, Birthdate Positions and Principal Occupations Number of
--------------- ------------- --------------------- ---------
and Address Offices with the Including Other Directorships Portfolios in
----------- ---------------- ----------------------------- -------------
Fund and Year During Past Five Years Fund Complex
------------- ---------------------- ------------
First Elected Overseen by
------------- -----------
or Appointed Officer
------------ -------
Richard A. Huber Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Institutional Advisory 122
3/26/63 2003 Corp. (since 1998) and Nuveen Advisory Corp.
333 W. Wacker Drive (since 1997); prior thereto, Vice President
Chicago, IL 60606 and Portfolio Manager of Flagship Financial, Inc.
Steven J. Krupa Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp. 122
8/21/57 2003
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
David J. Lamb Vice President Vice President (since 2000) of Nuveen 140
3/22/63 2003 Investments, LLC, previously Assistant Vice
333 W. Wacker Drive President (since 1999); prior thereto,
Chicago, IL 60606 Associate of Nuveen Investments; Certified
Public Accountant.
Tina M. Lazar Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Investments, LLC (since 140
8/27/61 2003 1999); prior thereto, Assistant Vice President
333 W. Wacker Drive (since 1993).
Chicago, IL 60606
Larry W. Martin Vice President and Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant 140
7/27/51 Assistant Secretary General Counsel of Nuveen Investments, LLC; Vice
333 W. Wacker Drive 2003 President and Assistant Secretary of Nuveen
Chicago, IL 60606 Advisory Corp. and Nuveen Institutional Advisory
Corp.; Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Investments
Inc.; Assistant Secretary of Nuveen Asset
Management, Inc., (since 1997); Vice President
(since 2000), Assistant Secretary and Assistant
General Counsel (since 1998) of Rittenhouse Asset
Management, Inc.; Vice President and Assistant
Secretary of Nuveen Investments Advisers Inc.
(since 2002); Assistant Secretary of NWQ
Investment Management Company, LLC (since 2002);
Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of Symphony
Asset Management LLC.
John V. Miller Vice President Vice President (since 2003), previously, credit 136
4/10/67 2003 analyst (since 1996), of Nuveen Advisory Corp.;
333 W. Wacker Drive Chartered Financial Analyst.
Chicago, IL 60606
Edward F. Neild, IV Vice President Managing Director (since 2002), formerly, Vice 140
7/7/65 2003 President of Nuveen Investments; Managing Director
333 W. Wacker Drive (since 1997) of Nuveen Advisory Corp. and Nuveen
Chicago, IL 60606 Institutional Advisory Corp.; Managing Director of
Nuveen Asset Management, Inc. (since 1999);
Chartered Financial Analyst.
Thomas J. O'Shaughnessy Vice President Vice President (since January 2002), 122
9/4/60 2003 formerly, Assistant Vice President (since 1998),
333 W. Wacker Drive of Nuveen Advisory Corp.; prior thereto,
Chicago, IL 60606 portfolio manager.
|
Name, Birthdate Positions and Principal Occupations Number of
--------------- ------------- --------------------- ---------
and Address Offices with the Including Other Directorships Portfolios in
----------- ---------------- ----------------------------- -------------
Fund and Year During Past Five Years Fund Complex
------------- ---------------------- ------------
First Elected Overseen by
------------- -----------
or Appointed Officer
------------ -------
Thomas C. Spalding Vice President Vice President of Nuveen Advisory Corp. and 122
7/31/51 2003 Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.; Chartered
333 W. Wacker Drive Financial Analyst.
Chicago, IL 60606
|
The Board of Trustees has five standing committees: the executive committee, the audit committee, the nominating and governance committee, the dividend committee and the valuation committee. Because the Fund is newly organized, none of the committees have met during the Fund's last fiscal year. The executive committee met once prior to the commencement of the Fund's operations.
Robert P. Bremner, Anne E. Impellizzeri and Timothy R. Schwertfeger, Chair, serve as members of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The executive committee, which meets between regular meetings of the Board of Trustees, is authorized to exercise all of the powers of the Board of Trustees.
The audit committee monitors the accounting and reporting policies and practices of the Funds, the quality and integrity of the financial statements of the Funds, compliance by the Funds with legal and regulatory requirements and the independence and performance of the external and internal auditors. The members of the audit committee are William J. Schneider, Chair, William E. Bennett, Robert P. Bremner, Lawrence H. Brown, Jack B. Evans, Thomas E. Leafstrand and Peter R. Sawers.
The nominating and governance committee is responsible for Board selection and tenure; selection and review of committees; and Board education and operations. In addition, the committee monitors performance of legal counsel and other service providers; periodically reviews and makes recommendations about any appropriate changes to trustee compensation; and has the resources and authority to discharge its responsibilities--including retaining special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Fund. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, the nominating and governance committee receives suggestions from various sources as to suitable candidates. Suggestions should be sent in writing to Lorna Ferguson, Vice President for Board Relations, Nuveen Investments, LLC, 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. The nominating and governance committee sets appropriate standards and requirements for nominations for new trustees and reserves the right to interview all candidates and to make the final selection of any new trustees. The members of the nominating and governance committee are Robert P. Bremner, Lawrence H. Brown, Jack B. Evans, Anne E. Impellizzeri, William L. Kissick, Thomas E. Leafstrand, Peter R. Sawers, William J. Schneider, Judith M. Stockdale and Sheila W. Wellington.
The dividend committee is authorized to declare distributions on the Fund's shares including, but not limited to regular and special dividends, capital gains and ordinary income distributions. The members of the dividend committee are Timothy R. Schwertfeger, Chair, Lawrence H. Brown, Jack B. Evans and Thomas E. Leafstrand.
The valuation committee oversees the Fund's Pricing Procedures including, but not limited to, the review and approval of fair value pricing determinations made by Nuveen's Valuation Group. The members of the valuation committee are Lawrence H. Brown, Thomas E. Leafstrand and Judith M. Stockdale.
Trustees Evans, Kissick, Leafstrand and Wellington are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 30 Nuveen open-end funds and 22 Nuveen closed-end funds managed by Nuveen Advisory and 6 open-end funds and 12 closed-end funds managed by Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. Trustees Bremner, Brown, Impellizzeri, Sawyers, Schneider and Stockdale are also directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 30 open-end and 92 closed-end funds managed by Nuveen Advisory and 6 open-end funds and 6 closed-end funds managed by Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. Mr. Schwertfeger and Mr. Bennett are directors or trustees, as the case may be, of 30 open-end funds and 92 closed-end advised by Nuveen Advisory and 6 open-end and 12 closed-end funds advised by Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp.
None of the independent trustees, nor any of their immediate family members, has ever been a director, officer, or employee of, or a consultant to, Nuveen Advisory, Nuveen or their affiliates. In addition, none of the independent trustees owns beneficially or of record, any security of Nuveen Advisory, Nuveen or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with Nuveen Advisory or Nuveen.
The Common Shareholders of the Fund will elect trustees at the next annual meeting of Common Shareholders, unless any MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding at that time, in which event holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will elect two trustees and the remaining trustees shall be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class. Holders of MuniPreferred Shares will be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund's trustees under certain circumstances. See "Description of Shares - MuniPreferred Shares - Voting Rights."
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of December 31, 2002:
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Dollar Range of Equity Companies Overseen by
Securities in the Trustee in Family of
Name of Trustee Fund Investment Companies
--------------- ---------------------- -------------------------
Timothy R. Schwertfeger.. $ 0 Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William E. Bennett....... $ 0 $50,001-$100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert P. Bremner........ $ 0 $10,001-$50,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence H. Brown........ $ 0 $50,001-$100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack B. Evans............ $ 0 Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anne E. Impellizzeri..... $ 0 $10,001-$50,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William L. Kissick....... $ 0 $50,001-$100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas E. Leafstrand..... $ 0 Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter R. Sawers.......... $ 0 Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William S. Schneider..... $ 0 Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judith M. Stockdale...... $ 0 $10,001-$50,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheila W. Wellington..... $ 0 Over $100,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
No trustee who is not an interested person of the Fund owns beneficially or of record, any security of Nuveen Advisory, Nuveen, __________ or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with Nuveen Advisory, Nuveen or ________.
The following table sets forth estimated compensation to be paid by the Fund projected during the Fund's first full fiscal year after commencement of operation. The Fund does not have a retirement or pension plan. The officers and trustees affiliated with Nuveen serve without any compensation from the Fund. The Fund has a deferred compensation plan (the "Plan") that permits any trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Fund to elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her compensation as a trustee. The deferred compensation of a participating trustee is credited to a book reserve account of the Trust when the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the trustee. The value of the trustee's deferral account at any time is equal to the value that the account would have had if contributions to the account had been invested and reinvested in shares of one or more of the eligible Nuveen funds. At the time for commencing distributions from a trustee's deferral account, the trustee may elect to receive distributions in a lump sum or over a period of five years. The Fund will not be liable for any other fund's obligations to make distributions under the Plan.
Amount of Total
Estimated Aggregate Total Compensation Compensation that
Compensation From from Fund and Has Been
Name of Trustee the Fund* Fund Complex** Deferred
--------------- ------------------ ------------------ -----------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy R. Schwertfeger $ - $ - $ -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William E. Bennett $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert P. Bremner $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence H. Brown $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack B. Evans $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anne E. Impellizzeri $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William L. Kissick $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas E. Leafstrand $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter R. Sawers $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William J. Schneider $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judith M. Stockdale $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheila W. Wellington $ $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
* Based on the estimated compensation to be earned by the independent trustees for the twelve-month period ending _________, representing the Fund's first full fiscal year, for services to the Fund.
**Based on the compensation paid to the trustees for the one year period ending 12/31/02 for services to the Nuveen open-end and closed-end funds.
The Fund has no employees. Its officers are compensated by Nuveen Investments, Inc. or its affiliates.
Nuveen Investments, Inc. maintains charitable contributions programs to encourage the active support and involvement of individuals in the civic activities of their community. These programs include a matching contributions program and a direct contributions program. The Independent Board Members of the funds managed by NIAC are eligible to participate in the charitable contributions program of Nuveen Investments, Inc. Under the matching program, Nuveen Investments, Inc. will match the personal contributions of a Board Member to Section 501(c)(3) organizations up to an aggregate maximum amount of $10,000 during any calendar year. Under its direct (non-matching) program, Nuveen Investments, Inc. makes contributions to qualifying Section 501(c)(3) organizations, as approved by the Corporate Contributions Committee of Nuveen Investments, Inc. The Independent Board Members are also eligible to submit proposals to the committee requesting that contributions be made under this program to Section 501(c)(3) organizations identified by the Board member, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000 during any calendar year. Any contribution made by Nuveen Investments, Inc. under the direct program is made solely at the discretion of the Corporate Contributions Committee.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
Nuveen Advisory acts as investment adviser to the Fund, with responsibility for the overall management of the Fund. Its address is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Advisory is also responsible for managing the Fund's business affairs and providing day-to-day administrative services to the Fund. For additional information regarding the management services performed by Nuveen Advisory, see "Management of the Fund" in the Fund's Prospectus.
Nuveen Advisory is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nuveen Investments, Inc. Founded in 1898, Nuveen Investments brings over a century of expertise to the municipal bond market. According to data from Thomson Wealth Management, Nuveen Investments, Inc. is the leading sponsor of exchange-traded municipal bond funds as measured by number of funds ( ) and fund assets under management ($ billion) as of , 2003. Overall, Nuveen and its affiliates had over $ billion in assets under management or surveillance as of , 2003. Nuveen Investments, Inc. is a publicly-traded company that is approximately 79% owned by The St. Paul Investments, Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul"). St. Paul is a publicly-traded company
located in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is principally engaged in providing property-liability insurance through subsidiaries.
Nuveen Investments, Inc. provides high-quality investment services that are essential to building balanced core investment portfolios. Nuveen Investments serves financial advisors, and their high-net-worth clients, as well as a growing number of institutional clients. The Company today markets its capabilities under four distinct brands: Nuveen, NWQ, Rittenhouse and Symphony. In total, the Company now manages approximately $__ billion in assets. Nuveen Investments, Inc. is listed on The New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol "JNC."
Pursuant to an investment management agreement between Nuveen Advisory and the Fund, the Fund has agreed to pay for the services and facilities provided by Nuveen Advisory an annual management fee, payable on a monthly basis, according to the following schedule:
Average Daily Managed Assets Management Fee ---------------------------- ------------------ Up to $125 million ...................................... % $125 million to $250 million ............................ % $250 million to $500 million ............................ % $500 million to $1 billion .............................. % $1 billion to $2 billion ................................ % $2 billion and over ..................................... % |
If the Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares in an amount equal to 33% of the Fund's total assets (including the amount obtained from leverage), the management fee calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares would be as follows:
Net Assets Attributable to Common Shares Management Fee ---------------------------------------- ------------------ Up to $125 million....................................... % $125 million to $250 million............................. % $250 million to $500 million............................. % $500 million to $1 billion............................... % $1 billion to $2 billion................................. % $2 billion and over...................................... % |
In addition to the fee of Nuveen Advisory, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its trustees (other than those affiliated with Nuveen Advisory), custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of issuing MuniPreferred Shares, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing shareholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies and taxes, if any. All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before payment of dividends to investors.
For the first eight full years of the Fund's operation, Nuveen Advisory has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for fees and expenses in the amounts, and for the time periods, set forth below:
Percentage Percentage
Reimbursed Reimbursed
Year Ending (as a percentage of Year Ending (as a percentage of
Managed Assets) Managed Assets)
------------- ------------------- ------------- -------------------
2008
2003(1) 2009
2004 2010
2005 2011
2006
2007
|
(1) From the commencement of operations.
Reducing Fund expenses in this manner will tend to increase the amount of income available for the Common Shareholders. Nuveen Advisory has not agreed to reimburse the Fund for any portion of its fees and expenses beyond , 2011.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Fund's investment management agreement with Nuveen Advisory (the "management agreement") will remain in effect until August 1, 2005. The management agreement continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually by (1) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and (2) a majority of the trustees who are not interested persons of any party to the investment management agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The investment management agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by either the Fund or Nuveen Advisory upon 60 days written notice, and is automatically terminated in the event of its assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
The management agreement has been approved by a majority of the independent trustees of the Fund and the sole shareholder of the Fund. The independent trustees have determined that the terms of the Fund's management agreement are fair and reasonable and that the agreement is in the Fund's best interests. The independent trustees believe that the management agreement will enable the Fund to obtain high quality investment management services at a cost that they deem appropriate, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In making such determination, the independent trustees met independently from the interested trustee of the Fund and any officers of Nuveen Advisory and its affiliates. The independent trustees also relied upon the assistance of counsel to the independent trustees.
In evaluating the investment management agreement, the independent trustees reviewed materials furnished by Nuveen Advisory at the annual contract renewal meeting held in May 2003, including information regarding Nuveen Advisory, its affiliates and its personnel, operations and financial condition. The independent trustees discussed with representatives of Nuveen Advisory the Fund's operations and Nuveen Advisory's ability to provide advisory and other services to the Fund. The independent trustees also reviewed, among other things, the nature and quality of services to be provided by Nuveen Advisory, the proposed fees to be charged by Nuveen Advisory for investment management services, the profitability to Nuveen Advisory of its relationship with the Fund, fall-out benefits to Nuveen Advisory from that relationship, economies of scale achieved by Nuveen Advisory, the experience of the investment advisory and other personnel providing services to the Fund, the historical quality of the services provided by Nuveen Advisory and comparative fees and expense ratios of investment companies with similar objectives and strategies managed by other investment advisers, and other factors that the independent trustees deemed relevant.
The Fund, Nuveen Advisory, Nuveen, and other related entities have adopted codes of ethics which essentially prohibit certain of their personnel, including the Nuveen fund portfolio manager, from engaging in personal investments which compete or interfere with, or attempt to take advantage of a client's, including the Fund's, anticipated or actual portfolio transactions, and are designed to assure that the interests of clients, including Fund shareholders, are placed before the interests of personnel in connection with personal investment transactions. Text-only versions of the codes of ethics of the Fund, Nuveen Advisory and Nuveen can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR Database on the SEC's internet web site at www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy those documents by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202-942-8090. In addition, copies of the codes of ethics may be obtained, after mailing the appropriate duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 450 5th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549-0102 or by e-mail request at publicinfo@sec.gov.
Proxy Voting Policies
The Fund invests primarily in municipal securities. On rare occasions the Fund may acquire, directly or through a special purpose vehicle, equity securities of a municipal bond issuer whose bonds the Fund already owns when such bonds have deteriorated or are expected shortly to deteriorate significantly in credit quality. The purpose of acquiring equity securities generally will be to acquire control of the municipal bond issuer and to seek to prevent the credit deterioration of facilitate the liquidation or other workout of the distressed issuer's credit problem. In the course of exercising control of a distressed municipal issuer, Nuveen Advisory may pursue the Fund's interests in a variety of ways, which may entail negotiating and executing consents, agreements and other arrangements, and otherwise influencing the management of the issuer. Nuveen Advisory does not consider such activities proxy voting for purposes of Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, but nevertheless provides reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees on its control activities on a quarterly basis.
In the rare event that a municipal issuer were to issue a proxy, Nuveen Advisory would either engage an independent third party to determine how the proxy should be voted or vote the proxy with the consent, or based on the instructions, of the Fund's Board of Trustees or its representative. A member of Nuveen Advisory's legal department would oversee the administration of the voting, and ensure that records were maintained in accordance with Rule 206(4)-6, reports were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-PX, and the results provided to the Fund's Board of Trustees and made available to shareholders as required by applicable rules.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Nuveen Advisory is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for
the Fund and for the placement of the Fund's securities business, the
negotiation of the prices to be paid for principal trades and the allocation of
its transactions among various dealer firms. Portfolio securities will normally
be purchased directly from an underwriter or in the over-the-counter market from
the principal dealers in such securities, unless it appears that a better price
or
execution may be obtained through other means. Portfolio securities will not be purchased from Nuveen or its affiliates except in compliance with the 1940 Act.
The Fund expects that substantially all portfolio transactions will be effected on a principal (as opposed to an agency) basis and, accordingly, does not expect to pay any brokerage commissions. Purchases from underwriters will include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers will include the spread between the bid and asked price. On occasion, the Fund may clear portfolio transactions through Nuveen. It is the policy of Nuveen Advisory to seek the best execution under the circumstances of each trade. Nuveen Advisory evaluates price as the primary consideration, with the financial condition, reputation and responsiveness of the dealer considered secondary in determining best execution. Given the best execution obtainable, it will be Nuveen Advisory's practice to select dealers which, in addition, furnish research information (primarily credit analyses of issuers and general economic reports) and statistical and other services to Nuveen Advisory. It is not possible to place a dollar value on information and statistical and other services received from dealers. Since it is only supplementary to Nuveen Advisory's own research efforts, the receipt of research information is not expected to reduce significantly Nuveen Advisory's expenses. While Nuveen Advisory will be primarily responsible for the placement of the business of the Fund, the policies and practices of Nuveen Advisory in this regard must be consistent with the foregoing and will, at all times, be subject to review by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
Nuveen Advisory may manage other investment accounts and investment companies for other clients which have investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. Subject to applicable laws and regulations, Nuveen Advisory seeks to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are made to purchase or sell securities by the Fund and another advisory account. In making such allocations the main factors to be considered will be the respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment and the size of investment commitments generally held. While this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of the Board of Trustees that the benefits available from Nuveen Advisory's organization will outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
DISTRIBUTIONS
As described in the Fund's Prospectus, initial distributions to Common Shareholders are expected to be declared approximately 45 days, and paid approximately 60 to 90 days, from the completion of the offering of the Common Shares, depending on market conditions. To permit the Fund to maintain a
more stable monthly distribution, the Fund will initially (prior to its first distribution), and may from time to time thereafter, distribute less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in a particular period. Such undistributed net investment income would be available to supplement future distributions, including distributions that might otherwise have been reduced by a decrease in the Fund's monthly net income due to fluctuations in investment income or expenses, or due to an increase in the dividend rate on the Fund's outstanding MuniPreferred Shares. As a result, the distributions paid by the Fund for any particular period may be more or less than the amount of net investment income actually earned by the Fund during such period. Undistributed net investment income will be added to the Fund's net asset value and, correspondingly, distributions from undistributed net investment income will be deducted from the Fund's net asset value.
For tax purposes, the Fund is currently required to allocate net capital gain and other taxable income, if any, between Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares in proportion to total dividends paid to each class for the year in which such net capital gain or other taxable income is realized. For information relating to the impact of the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares on the distributions made by a Fund to Common Shareholders, see the Fund's Prospectus under "MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage."
While any MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund may not declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless at the time of such declaration (1) all accumulated dividends on the MuniPreferred Shares have been paid and (2) the net asset value of the Fund's portfolio (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or other distribution) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of any outstanding MuniPreferred Shares. This latter limitation on the Fund's ability to make distributions on its Common Shares could under certain circumstances impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company. See "Tax Matters."
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Common Shares
The Fund's Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration") authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of Common Shares. The Common Shares being offered have a par value of $0.01 per share and, subject to the rights of holders of MuniPreferred Shares, if issued, have equal rights as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation of the Fund. The Common Shares being offered will, when issued, be fully paid and, subject to matters discussed in "Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust," non-assessable, and will have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting. At any time when the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding, Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any cash distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on MuniPreferred Shares have been paid, and unless asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) with respect to MuniPreferred Shares would be at least 200% after giving effect to such distributions. See "MuniPreferred Shares" below.
The Common Shares have been approved for listing on the Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders so long as the Common Shares are listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. The Fund will not issue share certificates.
Shares of closed-end investment companies may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value. Shares of closed-end investment companies like the Fund have during some periods traded at prices higher than net asset value and during other periods have traded at prices lower than net asset value. There can be no assurance that Common Shares or shares of other municipal funds will trade at a price higher than net asset value in the future. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering after payment of the sales load and organization and offering expenses. Net asset value generally increases when interest rates decline, and decreases when interest rates rise, and these changes are likely to be greater in the case of a fund having a leveraged capital structure. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of Common Shares will not depend upon a Fund's net asset value but will depend entirely upon whether the market price of the Common Shares at the time of sale is above or below the original purchase price for the shares. Since the market price of the Fund's Common Shares will be determined by factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the Common Shares will trade at, below, or above net asset value or at, below or above the initial public offering price. Accordingly, the Common Shares are designed primarily for long-term investors, and investors in the Common Shares should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See "Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to Open-End Fund" and the Fund's Prospectus under "MuniPreferred Shares and Leverage" and "The Fund's Investments--Municipal Securities."
MuniPreferred Shares
The Declaration authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of MuniPreferred Shares in one or more classes or series, with rights as determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, by action of the Board of Trustees without the approval of the Common Shareholders.
The Fund's Board of Trustees has authorized an offering of MuniPreferred Shares (representing approximately 33% of the Fund's capital immediately after the time the MuniPreferred Shares are issued) that the Fund expects will likely be issued within approximately one and one-half to two months after completion of the offering of Common Shares. Any final decision to issue MuniPreferred Shares is subject to market conditions and to the Board of Trustee's continuing belief that leveraging the Fund's capital structure through the issuance of MuniPreferred Shares is likely to achieve the benefits to the Common Shareholders described in the Prospectus. The Board has determined that a substantial portion of the MuniPreferred Shares, at least initially if market conditions [are/remain] favorable, would pay cumulative dividends at rates determined over intermediate-term periods (of between one and five years, which will reset periodically), through an auction or remarketing procedure. In order to mitigate the impact on Common Shares net income resulting from changes in MuniPreferred Share dividend rates that are based on short-term rates, which would be reset frequently, the Fund presently intends that initially, if market conditions [are/remain] favorable, a substantial portion of the MuniPreferred Shares will pay dividends based on intermediate-term rates of between one and five years. The Board of Trustees has indicated that the liquidation preference, preference on distribution, voting rights and redemption provisions of the MuniPreferred Shares will be as stated below.
Limited Issuance of MuniPreferred Shares. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund could issue MuniPreferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation value of up to one-half of the value of the Fund's total net assets, measured immediately after issuance of the MuniPreferred Shares. "Liquidation value" means the original purchase price of the shares being liquidated plus any accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Shares unless the liquidation value of the MuniPreferred Shares is less than one-half of the value of the Fund's total net assets (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution) immediately after the distribution. If the Fund sells all the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares discussed in this Prospectus, the liquidation value of the MuniPreferred Shares is expected to be approximately 33% of the value of the Fund's total net assets. The Fund intends to purchase or redeem MuniPreferred Shares, if necessary, to keep that percentage below 50%.
Distribution Preference. The MuniPreferred Shares have complete priority over the Common Shares as to distribution of assets.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of MuniPreferred Shares will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Shares. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, holders of MuniPreferred Shares will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund. A consolidation or merger of the Fund with or into any Massachusetts business trust or corporation or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Fund shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund.
Voting Rights. In connection with any issuance of MuniPreferred Shares, the Fund must comply with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act which requires, among other things, that MuniPreferred Shares be voting shares and have equal voting rights with Common Shares. Except as otherwise indicated in this Statement of Additional Information and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of MuniPreferred Shares will vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.
In connection with the election of the Fund's trustees, holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund's trustees, and the remaining trustees shall be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In addition, if at any time dividends on the Fund's outstanding MuniPreferred Shares shall be unpaid in an amount equal to two full years' dividends thereon, the holders of all outstanding MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund's trustees until all dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding MuniPreferred Shares of any class or series, as the case may be, voting as a separate class, will be required to, among other things, (1) take certain actions which would affect the preferences, rights, or powers of such class or series or (2) authorize or issue any class or series ranking prior to the MuniPreferred Shares. Except as may otherwise be required by law, (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, will be required to approve any conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company and (2) the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, shall be required to approve any plan of reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) adversely affecting such shares, provided however, that such separate class vote shall be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By-laws. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding MuniPreferred Shares, voting as a separate class, shall be required to approve any action not described in the preceding sentence requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act including, among other things, changes in a Fund's investment objectives or changes in the investment restrictions described as fundamental policies under "Investment Objectives and Policies--Investment Restrictions." The class or series vote of holders of MuniPreferred Shares described
above shall in each case be in addition to any separate vote of the requisite percentage of Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares necessary to authorize the action in question.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply with respect to the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares if, at or prior to the time when a vote is required, such shares shall have been (1) redeemed or (2) called for redemption and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust to effect such redemption.
Redemption, Purchase and Sale of MuniPreferred Shares by the Fund. The terms of the MuniPreferred Shares provide that they are redeemable at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends, that the Fund may tender for or purchase MuniPreferred Shares and that the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of MuniPreferred Shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any resale of shares by the Fund will increase such leverage.
The discussion above describes the Fund's Board of Trustees' present intention with respect to an offering of MuniPreferred Shares. The terms of the MuniPreferred Shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the Fund's Declaration.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. However, the Declaration contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for debts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such limited liability be given in each agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the trustees. The Declaration further provides for indemnification out of the assets and property of the Fund for all loss and expense of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Fund believes that the likelihood of such circumstances is remote.
The Declaration includes provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to convert the Fund to open-end status. Specifically, the Declaration requires a vote by holders of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class, except as described below, to authorize (1) a conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company, (2) a merger or consolidation of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund, (3) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the Fund's assets (other than in the regular course of the Fund's investment activities), (4) in certain circumstances, a termination of the Fund, or a series or class of the Fund or (5) removal of trustees by shareholders, and then only for cause, unless, with respect to (1) through (4), such transaction has already been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By-laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund's Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares
outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, is required, provided, however, that where only a particular class or series is affected (or, in the case of removing a trustee, when the trustee has been elected by only one class), the required vote only by the applicable class or series will be required. Approval of shareholders is not required, however, for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Fund issues shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity. In the case of the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of MuniPreferred Shares, the action in question will also require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, or, if such action has been authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or the By- laws, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class. None of the foregoing provisions may be amended except by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares, voting together as a single class. The votes required to approve the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company or to approve transactions constituting a plan of reorganization which adversely affects the holders of MuniPreferred Shares are higher than those required by the 1940 Act. The Board of Trustees believes that the provisions of the Declaration relating to such higher votes are in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
The provisions of the Declaration described above could have the effect of depriving the Common Shareholders of opportunities to sell their Common Shares at a premium over market value 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 third party. They provide, however, the advantage of potentially requiring persons seeking control of a Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid and facilitating the continuity of the Fund's investment objectives and policies. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has considered the foregoing anti-takeover provisions and concluded that they are in the best interests of the Fund and its Common Shareholders.
Reference should be made to the Declaration on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the full text of these provisions.
The Declaration provides that the obligations of the Fund are not binding upon the trustees of the Fund individually, but only upon the assets and property of the Fund, and that the trustees shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. Nothing in the Declaration, however, protects a trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES; CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND
The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its shareholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead, the Fund's Common Shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a function of several factors, including dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), net asset value, call protection, price, dividend stability, relative demand for and supply of such shares in the market, general market and economic
conditions and other factors. Because shares of a closed-end investment company may frequently trade at prices lower than net asset value, the Fund's Board of Trustees has currently determined that, at least annually, it will consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of Common Shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market or in private transactions, the making of a tender offer for such shares at net asset value, or the conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. There can be no assurance, however, that the Board of Trustees will decide to take any of these actions, or that share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken, will reduce market discount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time when the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding, the Fund may not purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Common Shares unless (1) all accrued MuniPreferred Shares dividends have been paid and (2) at the time of such purchase, redemption or acquisition, the net asset value of the Fund's portfolio (determined after deducting the acquisition price of the Common Shares) is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding MuniPreferred Shares (expected to equal the original purchase price per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon). The staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission currently requires that any tender offer made by a closed-end investment company for its shares must be at a price equal to the net asset value of such shares on the close of business on the last day of the tender offer. Any service fees incurred in connection with any tender offer made by the Fund will be borne by the Fund and will not reduce the stated consideration to be paid to tendering shareholders.
Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund's net income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board of Trustees would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Although the decision to take action in response to a discount from net
asset value will be made by the Board of the Fund at the time it considers such
issue, it is the Board's present policy, which may be changed by the Board, not
to authorize repurchases of Common Shares or a tender offer for such shares if
(1) such transactions, if consummated, would (a) result in the delisting of the
Common Shares from the Stock Exchange, or (b) impair the Fund's status
as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") (which would make the Fund a taxable entity, causing the
Fund's income to be taxed at the corporate level in addition to the taxation of
shareholders who receive dividends from the Fund) or as a registered closed-end
investment company under the 1940 Act; (2) the Fund would not be able to
liquidate portfolio securities in an orderly manner and consistent with the
Fund's investment objectives and policies in order to repurchase shares; or (3)
there is, in the Board's judgment, any (a) material legal action or proceeding
instituted or threatened challenging such transactions or otherwise materially
adversely affecting the Fund, (b) general suspension of or limitation on prices
for trading securities on the Stock Exchange, (c) declaration of a
banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or any suspension of payment
by United States or state banks in which the Fund invests, (d) material
limitation affecting the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities by
Federal or state authorities on the extension of credit by lending institutions
or on the exchange of
foreign currency, (e) commencement of war, armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its shareholders if shares were repurchased. The Board of Trustees of the Fund may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.
Conversion to an open-end company would require the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund's Common Shares and MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting together as a single class, and of the holders of at least two-thirds of the Fund's MuniPreferred Shares outstanding at the time, voting as a separate class, provided however, that such separate class vote shall be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of trustees fixed in accordance with the Declaration or By-laws. See the Prospectus under "Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust" for a discussion of voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end company. If the Fund converted to an open-end company, it would be required to redeem all MuniPreferred Shares then outstanding, and the Fund's Common Shares would no longer be listed on the Stock Exchange. Shareholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares on any business day (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or under the 1940 Act) at their net asset value, less such redemption charge, if any, as might be in effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Trustees of the Fund may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to an open-end company depending upon their judgment as to the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.
The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value will result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below net asset value will result in the Fund's shares trading at a price equal to their net asset value. Nevertheless, the fact that the Fund's shares may be the subject of repurchase or tender offers at net asset value from time to time, or that the Fund may be converted to an open-end company, may reduce any spread between market price and net asset value that might otherwise exist.
In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares will decrease the Fund's total assets which would likely have the effect of increasing the Fund's expense ratio. Any purchase by the Fund of its Common Shares at a time when MuniPreferred Shares are outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding Common Shares then remaining. See the Fund's Prospectus under "Risks--Concentration Risk" and "Risks--Leverage Risk."
Before deciding whether to take any action if the Fund's Common Shares trade below net asset value, the Board of the Fund would consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund's portfolio, the impact of any action that might be taken on the Fund or its shareholders and market considerations. Based on these considerations, even if the Fund's shares should trade at a discount, the Board of Trustees may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its shareholders, no action should be taken.
TAX MATTERS
Federal Income Tax Matters
The following discussion of federal income tax matters is based upon the advice of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC, special counsel to the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify under Subchapter M of the Code for tax treatment as a regulated investment company and to satisfy certain conditions which will enable interest from municipal obligations, which is exempt from regular federal income taxes in the hands of the Fund, to qualify as "exempt- interest dividends" when distributed to the Fund's shareholders. In order to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must satisfy certain requirements relating to the source of its income, diversification of its assets, and distributions of its income to shareholders. First, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies (the "90% gross income test"). Second, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is comprised of cash, cash items, United States Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than United States Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies) or two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses.
As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax in any taxable year with respect to "net investment income" (i.e., its "investment company taxable income," as that term is defined in the Code, determined without reference to the deduction for dividends paid) and "net capital gain" (i.e., the excess of the Fund's net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss), provided that it distributes at least 90% of the sum of (i) its investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, taxable interest, taxable original issue discount and market discount income, income from securities lending, net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, and any other taxable income other than net capital gain and is reduced by deductible expenses) and (ii) its net tax-exempt interest (the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions). The Fund may retain for investment its net capital gain. However, if the Fund retains any net capital gain or any investment company taxable income, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained. If the Fund retains any net capital gain, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who, if subject to federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their share of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. For federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder's gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. The
Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its net tax-exempt interest and any investment company taxable income and net capital gain.
Treasury regulations permit a regulated investment company, in determining its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, to elect (unless it has made a taxable year election for excise tax purposes) to treat all or part of any net capital loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net foreign currency loss incurred after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year.
The Fund intends to qualify to pay "exempt-interest dividends" by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year at least 50% of the value of its total assets consist of tax-exempt municipal obligations. Distributions from the Fund will constitute exempt- interest dividends to the extent of its tax-exempt interest income (net of expenses and amortized bond premium). Exempt-interest dividends distributed to Common Shareholders are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, although they are required to be reported on the Common Shareholders' federal income tax returns. Gain from the sale or redemption of Common Shares, however, will be taxable to the Common Shareholders as capital gain (provided such Common Shares were held as capital assets) even though the increase in value of such Common Shares is attributable to tax-exempt interest income. In addition, gain realized by the Fund from the disposition of a tax-exempt municipal obligation that was purchased at a price less than the principal amount of the bond will be taxable to the Fund's shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of accrued market discount. Under the Code, interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry Common Shares, which interest is deemed to relate to exempt-interest dividends, will not be deductible by Common Shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Moreover, while exempt-interest dividends are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, they may be subject to alternative minimum tax and may have other collateral tax consequences. Distributions derived from interest that is exempt from regular federal income tax may subject corporate shareholders to or increase their liability under the corporate alternative minimum tax. A portion of such distributions may constitute a tax preference item for individual shareholders and may subject them to or increase their liability under the alternative minimum tax applicable to individuals. Taxpayers that may be subject to the alternative minimum tax should consult their advisers before investing in Common Shares.
Distributions by the Fund of net interest received from certain taxable temporary investments (such as certificates of deposit, commercial paper and obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities) and net short-term capital gain realized by the Fund, if any, will be taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary income whether received in cash or additional shares. Any net long-term capital gain realized by the Fund and distributed to Common Shareholders in cash or additional shares will be taxable to Common Shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of the length of time investors have owned shares of the Fund. Taxable distributions will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations. Distributions by the Fund to Common Shareholders that do not constitute ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends or exempt-interest dividends will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the Common Shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares. Any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his or her shares, as discussed below.
The Internal Revenue Service's position in a published revenue ruling indicates that the Fund is required to designate distributions paid with respect to its Common Shares and its MuniPreferred Shares as consisting of a portion of each type of income distributed by the Fund. The portion of each type of income deemed received by the holders of each class of shares will be equal to the portion of total Fund dividends received by such class. Thus, the Fund will designate dividends paid as exempt-interest dividends in a manner that allocates such dividends between the holders of the Common Shares and the holders of MuniPreferred Shares, in proportion to the total dividends paid to each such class during or with respect to the taxable year, or otherwise as required by applicable law. Capital gain dividends and ordinary income dividends will similarly be allocated between the two classes.
If the Fund engages in hedging transactions involving financial futures and options, these transactions will be subject to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer the Fund's losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to Common Shareholders.
Prior to purchasing shares in the Fund, an investor should carefully consider the impact of dividends or distributions which are expected to be or have been declared, but not paid. Any dividend or distribution declared shortly after a purchase of such shares prior to the record date will have the effect of reducing the per share net asset value by the per share amount of the dividend or distribution.
Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of those months and paid during the following January, will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund (and received by the shareholders) on December 31.
The sale or exchange of Common Shares normally will result in capital gain or loss to the Common Shareholders who hold their Common Shares as capital assets. However, any loss on the sale or exchange of a Common Share that has been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any distribution of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such Common Share. Generally, a Common Shareholder's gain or loss will be long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. If a shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of Common Shares before holding them for more than six months, however, any loss on the sale or other disposition of such Common Shares shall be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the Common Shareholder (or amounts credited to the Common Shareholder as an undistributed capital gain) with respect to such Common Shares. Present law taxes both long- and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. For non-corporate taxpayers, however, net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) with respect to securities and "qualified dividend income" is taxed at a maximum rate of 15%, while short-term capital gain and other ordinary income is taxed at a maximum
rate of 35% through 2010, after which time the rate will increase to 39.6% unless amended by Congress. Because of the limitations on itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions applicable to higher income taxpayers, the effective tax rate may be higher in certain circumstances.
The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (the "Act") reduced the maximum rate of tax on long-term capital gains of noncorporate investors from 20% to 15%. The Act also reduced to 15% the maximum rate of tax on "qualified dividend income" received by noncorporate shareholders who satisfy certain holding period requirements. None of the Fund's distributions are expected to be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. Without further legislative change, the rate reductions enacted by the Act will lapse and the previous rates will be reinstated, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009.
All or a portion of a sales charge paid in purchasing Common Shares cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on the redemption or exchange of such shares within 90 days after their purchase to the extent shares of the Fund or another fund are subsequently acquired without payment of a sales charge pursuant to a reinvestment right. Any disregarded portion of such charge will result in an increase in the Common Shareholder's tax basis in the shares subsequently acquired. In addition, no loss will be allowed on the redemption or exchange of Common Shares if the Common Shareholder purchases other shares of the Fund (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) or the Common Shareholder acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire securities that are substantially identical to shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after such redemption or exchange. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired.
In order to avoid a 4% federal excise tax, the Fund must distribute or be deemed to have distributed by December 31 of each calendar year at least 98% of its taxable ordinary income for such year, at least 98% of its capital gain net income (the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses, generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year) and 100% of any taxable ordinary income and any excess of realized capital gains over realized capital losses for the prior year that was not distributed during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. For purposes of the excise tax, a regulated investment company may reduce its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by the amount of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year. The Fund intends to make timely distributions in compliance with these requirements and consequently it is anticipated that it generally will not be required to pay the excise tax.
If in any year the Fund should fail to qualify under Subchapter M for tax treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund would incur a regular corporate federal income tax upon its income for that year, and distributions to its Common Shareholders would be taxable to Common Shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits.
The Fund is required in certain circumstances to withhold a percentage of taxable dividends and certain other payments paid to non-corporate holders of shares who have not furnished to the Fund their correct taxpayer identification numbers (in the case of individuals, their Social Security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. The backup withholding percentage is 28% for amounts paid through 2010, after which time the rate will increase to 31% absent legislative change, when the percentage will revert to 31% unless amended by Congress. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's federal income tax liability.
The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations presently in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its Common Shareholders. For complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and Treasury Regulations. The Code and Treasury Regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive with respect to Fund transactions. Common Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax
advisors for more detailed information concerning the federal taxation of the Fund and the income tax consequences to its Common Shareholders.
Under recently promulgated Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Common Shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder of $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Common Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
EXPERTS
The Financial Statements of the Fund as of ___________, 2003, appearing in this Statement of Additional Information have been audited by _________________, _______________________________________________, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and is included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. ____________________ provides accounting and auditing services to the Fund.
CUSTODIAN
The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. The custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares of the Fund offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), Washington, D.C. The Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund's Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund's Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not
necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the Commission.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Trustees and Shareholder
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund Statement of Assets and Liabilities _____________, 2003
[TO COME]
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund Statement of Operations Period from October 8, 2003 (date of organization) through ____________, 2003
[TO COME]
APPENDIX A
Ratings of Investments
Standard & Poor's Corporation--A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor's Corporation, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies ("Standard & Poor's" or "S&P") rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:
A Standard & Poor's issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program. It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation. The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.
Issue credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligors or obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any credit rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. Credit ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.
Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days - including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term ratings address the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Long-term Issue Credit Ratings
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
1. Likelihood of payment - capacity and willingness of the obligor
to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance
with the terms of the obligation;
2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
3. Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation
in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement
under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors'
rights.
The issue ratings definitions are expressed in terms of default risk. As such, they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.
AAA
An obligation rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA
An obligation rated `AA' differs from the highest-rated obligations only in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A
An obligation rated `A' is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB
An obligation rated `BBB' exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, CC, And C
Obligations rated `BB', `B', `CCC', `CC', and `C' are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. `BB' indicates the least degree of speculation and `C' the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB
An obligation rated `BB' is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B
An obligation rated `B' is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated `BB', but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC
An obligation rated `CCC' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC
An obligation rated `CC' is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C The `C' rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.
D An obligation rated `D' is in payment default. The `D' rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The `D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-) The ratings from `AA' to `CCC' may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
c The `c' subscript is used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long-term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer's bonds are deemed taxable.
p The letter `p' indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.
* Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor's receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows.
r The `r' highlights derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that Standard & Poor's believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns as a result of noncredit risks. Examples of such obligations are securities with principal or interest return indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest-only and principal-only mortgage securities. The absence of an `r' symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.
N.R. Not rated.
Debt obligations of issuers outside the United States and its territories are rated on the same basis as domestic corporate and municipal issues. The ratings measure the creditworthiness of the obligor but do not take into account currency exchange and related uncertainties.
Bond Investment Quality Standards Under present commercial bank regulations issued by the Comptroller of the Currency, bonds rated in the top four categories (`AAA', `AA', `A', `BBB', commonly known as investment-grade ratings) generally are regarded as eligible for bank investment. Also, the laws of various states governing legal investments impose certain rating or other standards for obligations eligible for investment by savings banks, trust companies, insurance companies, and fiduciaries in general.
Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
Notes
A Standard & Poor's note ratings reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:
. Amortization schedule -- the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
. Source of payment -- the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1 Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.
SP-2 Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3 Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
A note rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances.
Commercial Paper
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days.
Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from `A-1' for the highest quality obligations to `D' for the lowest. These categories are as follows:
A-1 A short-term obligation rated `A-1' is rated in the highest category by
Standard & Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment
on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are
designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity
to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2 A short-term obligation rated `A-2' is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3 A short-term obligation rated `A-3' exhibits adequate protection
parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation.
B A short-term obligation rated `B' is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet
its financial commitment on the obligation.
C A short-term obligation rated `C' is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and
is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions
for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D A short-term obligation rated `D' is in payment default. The `D' rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard &
Poor's believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.
The `D' rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition
or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are
jeopardized.
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A commercial rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances.
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.--A brief description of the applicable Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody's) follows:
Municipal Bonds
Aaa Bonds which 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 edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an
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 which 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 which make the long-term risks appear somewhat
larger than in `Aaa' securities.
A Bonds which 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 which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future.
Baa Bonds which 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 which 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 which 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.
Caa Bonds which are rated `Caa' are of poor standing. Such issues may be in
default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to
principal or interest.
Ca Bonds which are rated `Ca' represent obligations which are speculative in a
high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked
shortcomings.
C Bonds which 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.
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Issues that are secured by escrowed funds held in trust, reinvested in direct, non-callable U.S. government obligations or non-callable obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. Government or Resolution Funding Corporation are identified with a # (hatchmark) symbol, e.g., #Aaa.
Con. (...): Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition attaches. The parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of the basis of the condition.
Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
Short-Term Loans
MIG 1/VMIG 1 This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent
protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable
liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the
market for refinancing.
MIG 2/VMIG 2 This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of
protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding
group.
MIG 3/VMIG 3 This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and
cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for
refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt
instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of
protection.
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Commercial Paper
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
-- Leading market positions in well-established industries.
-- High rates of return on funds employed.
-- Conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.
-- Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.
-- Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Fitch Ratings--A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows:
Long-Term Credit Ratings
Investment Grade
AAA Highest credit quality. `AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of
credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is
highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA Very high credit quality. `AA' ratings denote a very low expectation of
credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable events.
A High credit quality. `A' ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk.
The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered
strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in
circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher
ratings.
BBB Good credit quality. `BBB' ratings indicate that there is currently a low
expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial
commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances
and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This
is the lowest investment-grade category.
|
Speculative Grade
BB Speculative. `BB' ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or
financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
B Highly speculative. `B' ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC, CC, C High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A `CC' rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. `C' ratings signal imminent default.
DDD, DD, and D Default. The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. `DDD' obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. `DD' indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90%, and `D' the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%. Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated `DDD' have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated `DD' and `D' are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated `DD' are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated `D' have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.
Short-Term Credit Ratings
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1 Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2 Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F3 Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.
B Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.
Notes:
"+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the `AAA' long-term rating category, to categories below `CCC', or to short-term ratings other than `F1'.
'NR' indicates that Fitch does not rate the issuer or issue in question.
`Withdrawn': A rating is withdrawn when Fitch deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.
Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as "Positive", indicating a potential upgrade, "Negative", for a potential downgrade, or "Evolving", if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.
A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable, or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, companies whose outlooks are `stable' could be downgraded before an outlook moves to positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.
APPENDIX B
TAXABLE EQUIVALENT YIELD TABLES
The taxable equivalent yield is the current yield you would need to earn on a taxable investment in order to equal a stated tax-free yield on a municipal investment. To assist you to more easily compare municipal investments like the Fund with taxable alternative investments, the table below presents the taxable equivalent yields for a range of hypothetical tax-free yields assuming the stated marginal Federal tax rates for 2003 listed below:
Taxable Equivalent of Tax-Free Yields
Tax Free Yields
Tax Rate 4.00% 4.50% 5.00% 5.50% 6.00% 6.50% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [TO COME] |
APPENDIX C
HEDGING STRATEGIES AND RISKS
Set forth below is additional information regarding the various defensive hedging techniques.
Futures and Index Transactions
Financial Futures
A financial future is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a security for a set price on a future date. They have been designed by boards of trade which have been designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC").
The purchase of financial futures is for the purpose of hedging the Fund's existing or anticipated holdings of long-term debt securities. When the Fund purchases a financial future, it deposits in cash or securities an "initial margin" of between 1% and 5% of the contract amount. Thereafter, the Fund's account is either credited or debited on a daily basis in correlation with the fluctuation in price of the underlying future or other requirements imposed by the exchange in order to maintain an orderly market. The Fund must make additional payments to cover debits to its account and has the right to withdraw credits in excess of the liquidity, the Fund may close out its position at any time prior to expiration of the financial future by taking an opposite position. At closing a final determination of debits and credits is made, additional cash is paid by or to the Fund to settle the final determination and the Fund realizes a loss or gain depending on whether on a net basis it made or received such payments.
The sale of financial futures is for the purpose of hedging the Fund's existing or anticipated holdings of long-term debt securities. For example, if the Fund owns long-term bonds and interest rates were expected to increase, it might sell financial futures. If interest rates did increase, the value of long-term bonds in the Fund's portfolio would decline, but the value of the Fund's financial futures would be expected to increase at approximately the same rate thereby keeping the net asset value of the Fund from declining as much as it otherwise would have.
Among the risks associated with the use of financial futures by the Fund as a hedging device, perhaps the most significant is the imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the financial futures and movements in the price of the debt securities which are the subject of the hedge.
Thus, if the price of the financial future moves less or more than the price of the securities which are the subject of the hedge, the hedge will not be fully effective. To compensate for this imperfect correlation, the Fund may enter into financial futures in a greater dollar amount than the dollar amount of the securities being hedged if the historical volatility of the prices of such securities has been greater than the historical volatility of the financial futures. Conversely, the Fund may enter into fewer financial futures if the historical volatility of the price of the securities being hedged is less than the historical volatility of the financial futures.
The market prices of financial futures may also be affected by factors other than interest rates. One of these factors is the possibility that rapid changes in the volume of closing transactions, whether due to volatile markets or movements by speculators, would temporarily distort the normal relationship between the markets in the financial future and the chosen debt securities. In these circumstances as well as in periods of rapid and large price movements. The Fund might find it difficult or impossible to close out a particular transaction.
Options on Financial Futures
The Fund may also purchase put or call options on financial futures which are traded on a U.S. Exchange or board of trade and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. Currently, options can be purchased with respect to financial futures on U.S. Treasury Bonds on The Chicago Board of Trade. The purchase of put options on financial futures is analogous to the purchase of put options by the Fund on its portfolio securities to hedge against the risk of rising interest rates. As with options on debt securities, the holder of an option may terminate his position by selling an option of the Fund. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
Index Contracts
Index Futures
A tax-exempt bond index which assigns relative values to the tax-exempt bonds included in the index is traded on the Chicago Board of Trade. The index fluctuates with changes in the market values of all tax-exempt bonds included rather than a single bond. An index future is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash-rather than any security-equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index future was originally written. Thus, an index future is similar to traditional financial futures except that settlement is made in cash.
Index Options
The Fund may also purchase put or call options on U.S. Government or tax- exempt bond index futures and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. Options on index futures are similar to options on debt instruments except that an option on an index future gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in an index contract rather than an underlying security at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance of the writer's futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the index futures contract, at exercise, is less than the exercise price of the option on the index future.
Bond index futures and options transactions would be subject to risks similar to transactions in financial futures and options thereon as described above. No series will enter into transactions in index or financial futures or related options unless and until, in the Adviser's opinion, the market for such instruments has developed sufficiently.
APPENDIX D
PERFORMANCE RELATED AND COMPARATIVE INFORMATION
The Fund may be a suitable investment for a shareholder that is thinking of adding bond investments to his portfolio to balance the appreciated stocks that the shareholder is holding. Because the Fund expects that a portion of its investments will pay interest that is taxable under the federal alternative minimum tax, the Fund may not be a suitable investment for shareholders that are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
The Fund may quote certain performance-related information and may compare certain aspects of its portfolio and structure to other substantially similar closed-end funds as categorized by Lipper, Inc. ("Lipper"), Morningstar or other independent services. Comparison of the Fund to an alternative investment should be made with consideration of differences in features and expected performance. The Fund may obtain data from sources or reporting services, such as Bloomberg Financial ("Bloomberg") and Lipper, that the Fund believes to be generally accurate. According to Thomson Wealth Management, Nuveen is the leading sponsor of municipal closed-end exchange-traded bond funds measured by the number of funds (__) and fund assets under management ($__ billion) as of _________, 2003.
[TO COME]
Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund _________ Common Shares |
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
____________, 2003
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24: Financial Statements and Exhibits
1. Financial Statements:
Registrant has not conducted any business as of the date of this filing, other than in connection with its organization. Financial Statements indicating that the Registrant has met the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act will be filed with a Pre-effective Amendment to the Registration Statement.
2. Exhibits:
a. Declaration of Trust dated October 8, 2003, as amended on October 15, 2003.
b. By-Laws of Registrant.
c. None.
d. Not Applicable.
e. Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.*
f. None.
g. Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and Nuveen Advisory
Corp. dated _________, 2003.*
h.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
h.2 Form of ______________________ Master Selected Dealer Agreement.*
h.3 Form of Nuveen Master Selected Dealer Agreement.*
h.4 Form of ______________________ Master Agreement Among Underwriters.*
h.5 Form of Dealer Letter Agreement.*
i. Nuveen Open-End and Closed-End Funds Deferred Compensation Plan for
Independent Directors and Trustees.*
j. Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and
Trust Company dated August 19, 2002.*
k.1 Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street
Bank and Trust Company dated October 7, 2002.*
k.2 Expense Reimbursement Agreement between Registrant and Nuveen Advisory
Corp. dated __________, 2003.*
C-1
|
l.1 Opinion and consent of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC.* l.2 Opinion and consent of Bingham McCutchen LLP.* m. None. n. Consent of ____________.* o. None. p. Subscription Agreement of Nuveen Advisory Corp. dated ____________, 2003.* q. None. r. Code of Ethics of Nuveen Advisory Corp.* s. Power of Attorney. ___________________ |
* Previously filed.
Item 25: Marketing Arrangements
See Sections 2, 3 and 5(n) of the Form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit h.1 to this Registration Statement.
See the Introductory Paragraph and Sections 2 and 3(d) of the Form of __________ Master Selected Dealer Agreement to be filed as Exhibit h.2 to this Registration Statement and the Introductory Paragraph and Sections 2 and 3(d) of the Form of Nuveen Master Selected Dealer Agreement to be filed as Exhibit h.3 to this Registration Statement.
See Introductory Paragraph and Sections 1.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4-3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1-5.4, 6.1, 10.9 and 10.10 of the Form of _____________ Master Agreement Among Underwriters to be filed as Exhibit h.4 to this Registration Statement.
See Paragraph e of the Form of Dealer Letter Agreement between Nuveen and the Underwriters to be filed as Exhibit h.5 to this Registration Statement.
Item 26: Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
Securities and Exchange Commission fees $ 1.21
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. fees 501.50
Printing and engraving expenses *
Legal Fees *
Exchange listing fees *
Accounting expenses *
Blue Sky filing fees and expenses *
Underwriter's reimbursement *
Miscellaneous expenses *
---------
Total $ *
=========
|
*To be completed by amendment. Nuveen Advisory has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for fees and expenses in the amount of ____% of average daily Managed Assets for the first 5 full years of the Fund's operations, ____% of average daily Managed Assets in year 6, ____% in year 7 and ____% in year 8. Without the reimbursement, "Total Net Annual Expenses" would be estimated to be ____% of average daily net assets attributable to Common Shares. Nuveen has agreed to pay (i) all organizational expenses and (ii) offering costs (other than sales load) that exceed $0.03 per Common Share (.20% of offering price).
Item 27: Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
Not applicable.
Item 28: Number of Holders of Securities
At October __, 2003
Number of
Title of Class Record Holders
-------------- --------------
Common Shares, $0.01 par value 0
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Item 29: Indemnification
Section 4 of Article XII of the Registrant's Declaration of Trust provides as follows:
Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person"), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.
No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;
(b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or
(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not engage in such conduct:
(i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or
(ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action,
suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4
shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is
ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this
Section 4, provided that either:
(a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or
(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 4, a "Disinterested Trustee" is one (x) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.
As used in this Section 4, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include without limitation, attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
The trustees and officers of the Registrant are covered by Investment Trust Directors and Officers and Errors and Omission policies in the aggregate amount of $50,000,000 against liability and expenses of claims of wrongful acts arising out of their position with the Registrant, except for matters which involve willful acts, bad faith, gross negligence and willful disregard of duty (i.e., where the insured did not act in good faith for a purpose he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest of Registrant or where he or she had reasonable cause to believe this conduct was unlawful). The policy has a $500,000 deductible, which does not apply to individual trustees or officers.
Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit h.1 to this Registration Statement provides for each of the parties thereto, including the Registrant and the Underwriters, to indemnify the others, their trustees, directors, certain of their officers, trustees, directors and persons who control them against certain liabilities in connection with the offering described herein, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in 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, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Item 30: Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser [UPDATE]
Nuveen Advisory Corp. serves as investment adviser to the following open- end management type investment companies: Nuveen Multistate Trust I, Nuveen Multistate Trust II, Nuveen Multistate Trust III, Nuveen Multistate Trust IV and Nuveen Municipal Trust. Nuveen Advisory Corp. also serves as investment adviser to the following closed-end management type investment companies other than the Registrant: Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Advantage Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Nuveen New Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Nuveen Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Texas Quality Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen California Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured California Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund, Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Florida Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund 4, Inc., Nuveen Insured California Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Insured New York Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Georgia Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Massachusetts Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Virginia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Pennsylvania Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Michigan Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Virginia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Insured Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund, Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Pennsylvania Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 and Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3.
Nuveen Advisory Corp. has no other clients or business at the present time. For a description of other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which any director or officer of the investment adviser has engaged during the last two years for his account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, see the descriptions under "Management of the Fund" in Part A of this Registration Statement. Such information for the remaining senior officers of Nuveen Advisory Corp. appears below:
Other Business Profession, Vocation or
Name and Position with NAC Employment During Past Two Years
-------------------------- --------------------------------------
John P. Amboian, President.................... President, formerly Executive Vice President
of The John Nuveen Company, Nuveen Investments,
Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp., Nuveen Asset
Management, Inc. and Nuveen Senior Loan Asset
Management, Inc. and Executive Vice President
and Director of Rittenhouse Financial Services, Inc.
Alan G. Berkshire, Senior Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel................. Senior Vice President and General Counsel (since
1997) and Secretary (since 1998) of The John Nuveen
Company, Nuveen Investments, and Nuveen Institutional
Advisory Corp. Senior Vice President and Secretary
(since 1999) of Nuveen Senior Loan Asset Management
Inc., prior thereto, Partner in the law firm of
Kirkland & Ellis.
Margaret E. Wilson, Senior Vice President,
Finance....................................... Senior Vice President, Finance, of the John Nuveen
Company, Nuveen Investments and Nuveen Institutional
Advisory Corp. and Senior Vice President and Controller
of Nuveen Senior Loan Asset Management, Inc.;
formerly CFO of Sara Lee Corp., Bakery Division.
|
Item 31: Location of Accounts and Records
Nuveen Advisory Corp., 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, maintains the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, minutes of trustees and shareholders meetings and contracts of the Registrant and all advisory material of the investment adviser.
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, maintains all general and subsidiary ledgers, journals, trial balances, records of all portfolio purchases and sales, and all other required records not maintained by Nuveen Advisory Corp.
Item 32: Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 33: Undertakings
1. Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its shares until it
amends its prospectus if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its
Registration Statement, the net asset value declines more than 10 percent from
its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, or
(2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as
stated in the prospectus.
2. Not applicable.
3. Not applicable.
4. Not applicable.
5. The Registrant undertakes that:
a. For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
b. For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
6. The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in this City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 17th day of October, 2003.
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH
INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
/s/ Jessica R. Droeger ______________________________________ Jessica R. Droeger, Vice President and Secretary |
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 date indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Stephen D. Foy Vice President and Controller October 17, 2003
-------------------- (Principal Financial and
Stephen D. Foy Accounting Officer)
Chairman of the Board and
Timothy R. Schwertfeger* Trustee (Principal Executive By: /s/ Jessica R. Droeger
Officer) ------------------------
Jessica R. Droeger
Attorney-In-Fact
October 17, 2003
|
*An original power of attorney authorizing Jessica R. Droeger and Gifford R. Zimmerman, among others, to execute this Registration Statement, and Amendments thereto, for the sole trustee of Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed, has been executed and filed as an exhibit.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
a. Declaration of Trust dated October 8, 2003, as amended on October 15, 2003.
b. By-Laws of Registrant.
c. None.
d. Not Applicable.
e. Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.*
f. None.
g. Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and Nuveen
Advisory Corp. dated ____________, 2003.*
h.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
h.2 Form of __________ Master Selected Dealer Agreement.*
h.3 Form of Nuveen Master Selected Dealer Agreement.*
h.4 Form of __________ Master Agreement Among Underwriters.*
h.5 Form of Dealer Letter Agreement.*
i. Nuveen Open-End and Closed-End Funds Deferred Compensation Plan for
Independent Directors and Trustees.*
j. Master Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street
Bank and Trust Company dated August 19, 2002.*
k.1 Shareholder Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and
State Street Bank and Trust Company dated September 20, 2002.*
k.2 Expense Reimbursement Agreement between Registrant and Nuveen
Advisory Corp. dated ___________, 2003.*
l.1 Opinion and consent of Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC.*
l.2 Opinion and consent of Bingham McCutchen LLP.*
m. None.
n. Consent of __________.*
o. None.
p. Subscription Agreement of Nuveen Advisory Corp. dated __________, 2003.*
q. None.
r. Code of Ethics of Nuveen Advisory Corp.*
s. Power of Attorney.
___________________
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* To be filed by amendment.
This Declaration of Trust establishing the Nuveen Municipal High Yield Opportunity Fund, made on the 8th day of October, 2003 by the initial Trustee hereunder, is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as of this 15th day of October, 2003 in order to change the name of the Trust from Nuveen Municipal High Yield Opportunity Fund to Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund.
WHEREAS, the Trustee desires to establish a trust fund for the purposes of carrying on the business of a management investment company; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such purposes, the Trustee and any successor Trustees elected in accordance with Article V hereof are acquiring and may hereafter acquire assets and properties which they will hold and manage as trustees of a Massachusetts business trust with transferable shares in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees and any successor Trustees elected in accordance with Article V hereof hereby declare that they will hold all cash, securities and other assets and properties, which they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder, IN TRUST, that they will manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for the pro rata benefit of the holders from time to time of shares of beneficial interest in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.
Section 1. Name. This Trust shall be known as the "Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund," and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.
Section 2. Definitions. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:
(a) The "Trust" refers to the Massachusetts voluntary association established by this Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 182;
(b) "Trustee" or "Trustees" refers to each signatory to this Declaration of Trust so long as such signatory shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other individuals who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with Article V hereof and are then in office;
(c) "Shares" mean the shares of beneficial interest described in Article IV hereof and include fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(d) "Shareholder" means a record owner of Shares;
(e) The "1940 Act" refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (and any successor statute) and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;
(f) The terms "Affiliated Person", "Assignment", "Commission", "Interested Person", "Principal Underwriter" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act;
(g) "Declaration of Trust" or "Declaration" shall mean this Declaration of Trust as amended or restated from time to time; and
(h) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-laws of the Trust as amended from time to time.
The Trust is a voluntary association (commonly known as a business trust) of the type referred to in Chapter 182 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trust is not intended to be, shall not be deemed to be, and shall not be treated as, a general or a limited partnership, joint venture, corporation or joint stock company, nor shall the Trustees or Shareholders or any of them for any purpose be deemed to be, or be treated in any way whatsoever as though they were, liable or responsible hereunder as partners or joint venturers. The purpose of the Trust is to engage in, operate and carry on the business of a closed-end management investment company and to do any and all acts or things as are necessary,
convenient, appropriate incidental or customary in connection therewith, including, without limitation, the following:
to hold, invest, and reinvest its funds, and in connection therewith to hold part of all of its funds in cash, and to purchase or otherwise sell, assign, negotiate, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of or turn to account or realize upon securities and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations and evidences of indebtedness created or issued by any person, firms, associations, corporations, syndicates, combinations, and other negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligation and evidences of indebtedness; and to exercise, as owner or holder of any securities or other instruments, all rights, powers, and privileges in respect thereof; and to do any and all acts and things for the preservation, protection and improvement of any and all such securities or other instruments, and, in general, to conduct the business of a closed-end investment company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act; and
To engage in any lawful act or activity for which business trusts may be organized under Massachusetts law.
The Trust set forth in this instrument shall be deemed made in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a business trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust. No provision of this Declaration shall be effective to require a waiver of compliance with any provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the 1940 Act, or of any valid rule, regulation or order of the Commission thereunder.
The enumeration herewith of the objects and purposes of the Trust shall be construed as powers as well as objects and purposes and shall not be deemed to exclude by inference any powers, objects or purposes which the Trust may lawfully pursue or exercise.
The name of the registered agent of the Trust is CT Corporation System at 101 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts. The principal place of business of the Trust is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The
Trustees may, without the approval of Shareholders, change the registered agent of the Trust and the principal place of business of the Trust.
Section 1. Shares of Beneficial Interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided into such transferable Shares of beneficial interest, of such classes or series, and of such designations and par values (if any), and with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as shall be determined by the Trustees in their sole discretion, without Shareholder approval, from time to time. The number of Shares is unlimited and each Share shall be fully paid and nonassessable. There shall be no cumulative voting. Subject to any provision in a Statement (as defined in Section 2 below) to the contrary, the Trustees shall have full power and authority, in their sole discretion and without obtaining any prior authorization or vote of the Shareholders of the Trust or of the Shareholders of any series or class of Shares, to create and establish (and to change in any manner) Shares or any series or classes thereof with such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges as the Trustees may from time to time determine; to divide or combine the Shares or the Shares of any series or classes thereof into a greater or lesser number including, without limitation, such a division or combination accomplished by means of a stock split or a reverse stock split, without thereby changing their proportionate beneficial interest in the Trust; to classify or reclassify any issued Shares into one or more series or classes of Shares; to abolish any one or more series or classes of Shares; and to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may deem desirable. The Shares shall initially be divided into one class, a class of an unlimited number of common Shares, $0.01 par value (the "Common Shares") having the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions described below. The Trust may also, from time to time, issue a class of an unlimited number of preferred Shares, $0.01 par value (the "Preferred Shares"), having the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions described below.
(a) Common Shares.
(i) Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares, if any, in the event of the termination of the Trust the holders of the Common Shares shall be entitled to receive pro rata the net distributable assets of the Trust.
(ii) The holders of the Common Shares shall not, as such holders, have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Common Shares or securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue
or sell, other than such right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine.
(iii) Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares, if any, dividends or other distributions, when, as and if declared by the Trustees, shall be shared equally by the holders of Common Shares on a share for share basis. The Trustees may direct that any dividends or other distributions or any portion thereof as declared and distributed shall be paid in cash to the holder, or, alternatively, may direct that any such dividends be reinvested in full and fractional Shares of the Trust [if such holder elects to have them reinvested.]
(iv) The Trustees may hold as treasury shares (of the same or some other series), reissue for such consideration and on such terms as they may determine, or cancel any Common Shares of any series reacquired by the Trust at their discretion from time to time. Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust.
(v) Common Shares may be issued from time to time, without the vote of the Shareholders (or, if the Trustees in their sole discretion deem advisable, with a vote of Shareholders), either for cash or for such other consideration (which may be in any one or more instances a certain specified consideration or certain specified considerations) and on such terms as the Trustees, from time to time, may deem advisable, and the Trust may in such manner acquire other assets (including the acquisition of assets subject to, and in connection with the assumption of liabilities).
(vi) The Trust may issue Common Shares in fractional denominations to the same extent as its whole Shares, and Shares in fractional denominations shall be Common Shares having proportionately to the respective fractions represented thereby all the rights of whole Shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote, the right to receive dividends and distributions and the right to participate upon termination of the Trust, but excluding the right to receive a certificate representing fractional Shares.
(b) Preferred Shares. If the Trust issues Preferred Shares, such Shares shall be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series with such distinctive serial designations and (i) may have such voting powers, full or limited; (ii) may be subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices; (iii) may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or noncumulative) at such rate or rates, on such conditions, and
at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the
dividends payable on any other class or classes of Shares; (iv) may have such
rights upon the termination of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the
Trust; (v) may be made convertible into, or exchangeable for, Shares of any
other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or
classes of Shares of the Trust, at such price or prices or at such rates of
exchange and with such adjustments; and (vi) shall have such other relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, all as shall hereafter be stated and expressed in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such Preferred Shares from
time to time adopted by the Trustees (or a Committee thereof) in accordance with
Section 2 of this Article IV. Any of such matters may be made dependent upon
facts ascertainable outside this Declaration of Trust, or outside the resolution
or resolutions providing for the issue of such Preferred Shares.
Section 2. Establishment of Class or Series of Shares. The establishment and designation of any class or series of Shares, including any Preferred Shares issued hereunder, shall be effective upon the adoption of a resolution by a majority of the then Trustees (or a Committee thereof) setting forth such establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of the Shares of such class or series as set forth in a written statement either executed by the President or a Vice President of the Trust, or executed by a majority of the Trustees then in office (the "Statement"). At any time that there are no Shares outstanding of any particular class or series previously established and designated, the Trustees (or a Committee thereof) may by a majority vote abolish that class or series and the establishment and designation thereof. Notwithstanding any provision of this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, no such Statement establishing and designating any class or series of Shares shall constitute an amendment to or a part of this Declaration of Trust.
Section 3. Ownership Of Shares. The ownership and transfer of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or its transfer or similar agent. No certificates certifying the ownership of Preferred Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust, as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent of the Trust, shall be conclusive as to who are the holders of the Shares and as to the number of Shares held from time to time by each Shareholder.
Section 4. No Preemptive Rights, Etc. The holders of Shares of any class or series shall not, as such holders, have any right to acquire, purchase or subscribe for any Shares or securities of the Trust which it may hereafter issue or sell, other than such right, if any, as the Trustees in their discretion may determine. The holders of Shares of any class or series shall have no appraisal rights with respect to their Shares and, except as otherwise determined by resolution of the Trustees in their sole discretion, shall have no exchange or conversion rights with respect to their Shares.
Section 5. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this instrument. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration of Trust and to have become a party thereto. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the same nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the rights of said decedent under this Trust. Ownership of property shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting. Neither the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind any Shareholder personally or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay by way of subscription for any Shares or otherwise.
Section 1. Management of the Trust. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary and desirable to carry out that responsibility.
Section 2. Qualification and Number. Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By the vote or consent of the initial Trustee, or by a majority vote or consent of the Trustees as may subsequently then be in office, the Trustees may fix the number of Trustees at a number not less than two (2) nor more than twelve (12) and may fill the vacancies created by any such increase in the number of Trustees. Except as determined from time to time by resolution of the Trustees, no decrease in the number of Trustees shall have the effect of removing any Trustee from office prior to the expiration of his term, but the number of Trustees may be
decreased in conjunction with the removal of a Trustee pursuant to Section 4 of Article V.
Section 3. Term and Election. Each Trustee shall hold office until the next meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee or of a successor to such Trustee, and until his successor is elected and qualified, and any Trustee who is appointed by the Trustees in the interim to fill a vacancy as provided hereunder shall have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor, if any, or such term as the Trustees may determine. Any vacancy resulting from a newly created Trusteeship or the death, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of a Trustee may be filled by the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the Trustees then in office.
Section 4. Resignation and Removal. Any Trustee may resign his trust or retire as a Trustee (without need for prior or subsequent accounting except in the event of removal) by an instrument in writing signed by him and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, if any, the President or the Secretary and such resignation or retirement shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the instrument. Any Trustee may be removed from office only for "Cause" (as hereinafter defined) and only (i) by action of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Shares of the class or classes of Shares that elected such Trustee, or (ii) by written instrument, signed by at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the remaining Trustees, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective. "Cause" shall require willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud or a felony conviction.
Section 5. Vacancies. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity, of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided herein, or the number of Trustees as fixed is reduced, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees, and during the period during which any such vacancy shall occur, only the Trustees then in office shall be counted for the purposes of the existence of a quorum or any action to be taken by such Trustees.
Section 6. Ownership of Assets of the Trust. The assets of the Trust shall be held separate and apart from any assets now or hereafter held in any capacity other than as Trustee hereunder by the Trustees or any successor Trustees. All of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as automatically vested in the Trustees as shall be from time to time in office.
Upon the resignation, retirement, removal, incapacity or death of a Trustee, such Trustee shall automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective without the execution or delivery of any conveyancing or other instruments. No Shareholder shall be deemed to have a severable ownership in any individual asset of the Trust or any right of partition or possession thereof.
Section 7. Voting Requirements. In addition to the voting requirements imposed by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, the provisions set forth in this Article V may not be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent with this Article V be adopted, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, provided however that if there are then Preferred Shares outstanding, then such vote shall be by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In the event the holders of Common Shares or the holders of Preferred Shares, as the case may be, are required by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust to approve such an action by a class vote of such holders, such action must be approved by the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of such holders or such lower percentage as may be required by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust.
Section 1. Powers. The Trustees in all instances shall have full, absolute and exclusive power, control and authority over the Trust assets and the business and affairs of the Trust to the same extent as if the Trustees were the sole and absolute owners thereof in their own right. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts and instruments that they may consider necessary or appropriate in connection with the management of the Trust. The enumeration of any specific power herein shall not be construed as limiting the aforesaid powers. In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, there shall be a presumption in favor of the grant of power and authority to the Trustees. Subject to any applicable limitation in this Declaration or any Statement relating to the issuance of Preferred Shares, the Trustees shall have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest in, to buy or otherwise acquire, to hold, for investment or otherwise, to sell or otherwise dispose of, to lend or to pledge, to trade in or deal in securities or interests of all kinds, however evidenced, or obligations of all kinds, however evidenced, or rights, warrants, or contracts to acquire such securities, interests, or obligations, of any private or public company, corporation, association, general or limited partnership, trust or other enterprise or organization, foreign or domestic, or issued or guaranteed by any national or state government, foreign or domestic, or their agencies, instrumentalities or subdivisions (including but not limited to, bonds, debentures, bills, time notes and all other evidences of indebtedness); negotiable or non-negotiable instruments; any and all options and futures contracts; derivatives or structured securities; government securities and money market instruments (including but not limited to, bank certificates of deposit, finance paper, commercial paper, bankers acceptances, and all kinds of repurchase agreements) and, without limitation, all kinds and types of financial instruments;
(b) To adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and to amend and repeal them to the extent that they do not reserve that right to the Shareholders;
(c) To elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate;
(d) To employ one or more banks or trust companies as custodian of any assets of the Trust subject to any conditions set forth in this Declaration of Trust or in the By-Laws;
(e) To retain one or more transfer agents and shareholder servicing agents;
(f) To provide for the distribution of interests of the Trust either through a principal underwriter in the manner hereinafter provided for or by the Trust itself or both;
(g) To set record dates for any purposes;
(h) To delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officers of the Trust and to any investment adviser, investment subadviser, transfer agent, custodian or underwriter or other independent contractor of agent;
(i) Subject to Article IX, Section 1 hereof, to merge, or consolidate the Trust with any other corporation, association, trust or other organization;
or to sell, convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust;
(j) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(k) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(l) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form; or either in their or the Trust's name or in the name of a custodian or a nominee or nominees;
(m) To authorize the issuance from time to time of one or more classes or series of Shares, and to issue, sell, repurchase, retire, cancel, acquire, hold, resell, reissue, dispose of, transfer and otherwise deal in Shares and in any options, warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or any other interests in the Trust other than Shares;
(n) To set apart, from time to time, out of any funds of the Trust a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose, and to abolish any such reserve;
(o) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security or property of which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(p) To compromise, arbitrate, or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy including, but not limited to, claims for taxes;
(q) To make distributions of income and of capital gains to shareholders;
(r) To borrow money; to issue notes, paper or other evidences of indebtedness; to pay interest or other fees in connection with any borrowing or indebtedness; and to pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate the assets of the Trust;
(s) To lend money or other assets of the Trust;
(t) To establish, from time to time, a minimum total investment for shareholders, and to require the redemption of the Shares of any shareholders whose investment is less than such minimum upon such terms as shall be established by the Trustees;
(u) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(v) To purchase and pay for out of Trust property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Trust, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers or managers, principal underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser or manager, principal underwriter, or independent contractor, whether or not any such action may be determined to constitute negligence, and whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability; and
(w) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust.
Any determination made by or pursuant to the direction of the Trustees in good faith and consistent with the provisions of this Declaration of Trust shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Trust and every holder at any time of Shares, including, but not limited to the following matters: the amount of the assets, obligations, liabilities and expenses of the Trust; the amount of the net income of the Trust from dividends, capital gains, interest or other sources for any period and the amount of assets at
any time legally available for the payment of dividends or distributions; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges were created shall have been paid or discharged); the market value, or any quoted price to be applied in determining the market value, of any security or any other asset owned or held by the Trust; the fair value of any security for which quoted prices are not readily available, or of any other asset owned or held by the Trust; the number of Shares of the Trust issued or issuable; the net asset value per Share; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and depositing of securities and other assets by the Trust; any question as to whether any transaction constitutes a purchase of securities on margin, a short sale of securities, a borrowing, or an underwriting of the sale of, or participation in any underwriting or selling group in connection with the public distribution of, any securities, and any matter relating to the issue, sale, redemption, repurchase, and/or other acquisition or disposition of Shares of the Trust. No provision of this Declaration of Trust shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability to the Trust or to its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Section 2. Manner of Acting, By-Laws. The By-Laws shall make provision from time to time for the manner in which the Trustees may take action, including, without limitation, at meetings within or without Massachusetts, including meetings held by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment, or by written consents, the quorum and notice, if any, that shall be required for any meeting or other action, and the delegation of some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees to any one or more committees which they may appoint from their own number, and terminate, from time to time.
The Trustees shall have the power to reimburse themselves from the Trust property for their expenses and disbursements, to pay reasonable compensation to themselves from the Trust property, and to incur and pay out of the Trust property any other expenses which in the opinion of the Trustees are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of this
Declaration of Trust, or to exercise any of the powers of the Trustees hereunder.
Section 1. Investment Adviser. The Trust may enter into a written contract with one or more persons (which term shall include any firm corporation, trust or association), hereinafter referred to as the "Investment Adviser", to act as investment adviser to the Trust and as such to perform such functions as the Trustees may deem reasonable and proper, including, without limitation, investment advisory, management, research, valuation of assets, clerical and administrative functions. Any such contract shall be subject to the approval of those persons required by the 1940 Act to approve such contract, and shall be terminable at any time upon not more than 60 days' notice by resolution of the Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Article VIII, any such contract may be made with any firm or corporation in which any Trustee of the Trust may be interested. The compensation of the Investment Adviser may be based upon a percentage of the net proceeds of the initial public offering of the Shares after payment of underwriting discounts and organization and offering costs, a percentage of the income or gross realized or unrealized gain of the Trust, or a combination thereof, or otherwise, as may be provided in such contract.
Upon the termination of any contract with Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. or any corporation affiliated with Nuveen Investments, acting as investment adviser or manager, the Trustees are hereby authorized to promptly change the name of the Trust to a name which does not include "Nuveen" or any approximation or abbreviation thereof.
The Trustees may, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, including those relating to shareholder approval, authorize the investment adviser to employ one or more sub-advisers from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the investment adviser, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the investment adviser and sub-adviser.
Section 2. Principal Underwriter. The Trust may enter into a written contract or contracts with an underwriter or underwriters or distributor or distributors whereby the Trust may either agree to sell Shares to the other
party or parties to the contract or appoint such other party or parties its sales agent or agents for such Shares. Any such contract may provide that the Trust shall pay such other party or parties such amounts as the Trustees may in their discretion deem reasonable and proper, and may also provide that such other party or parties may enter into selected dealer agreements with registered securities dealers to further the purpose of the distribution of the Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 4 of this Article VIII, any such contract may be made with any firm or corporation, including, without limitation, the Investment Adviser or an affiliate of the Investment Advisor, or any firm or corporation in which any Trustee of the Trust or the Investment Adviser may be interested.
Section 3. Transfer Agent. The Trustees may in their discretion from time to time enter into one or more transfer agency and shareholder service contract(s,) whereby the other party shall undertake, to furnish the Trustees with transfer agency and shareholder services. The contract shall be on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may in their discretion determine not inconsistent with the provisions of this Declaration or Trust or of the By-Laws. Such services may be provided by one or more entities.
Section 4. Parties To Contract. Any contract of the character described in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article VIII or in Article X hereof may be entered into with any corporation, firm, partnership, trust or association, including, without limitation, the investment adviser, any investment sub-adviser or an affiliate of the investment adviser or investment sub-adviser, although one or more of the Trustees or officers of the Trust may be an officer, director, trustee, shareholder, or member of such other party to the contract, or otherwise interested in such contract and no such contract shall be invalidated or rendered voidable by reason of the existence of any such relationship, nor shall any person holding such relationship be liable merely by reason of such relationship for any loss or expense to the Trust under or by reason of said contract or accountable for any profit realized directly or indirectly therefrom, provided that the contract when entered into was not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VIII, Article X, or the By-Laws. The same person (including a firm, corporation, partnership, trust or association) may be the other party to contracts entered into pursuant to Sections 1, 2 and 3 above or Article X, and any individual may be financially interested or otherwise affiliated with persons who are parties to any or all of the contracts mentioned in this Section 4.
Section 1. Voting Powers. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only: (a) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article V, (b) with respect to any investment advisory or management contract as provided in Article VIII, Sections 1 and 5, (c) with respect to any termination of the Trust or any series or class thereof to the extent and as provided in Article XIII, Section 1, (d) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the extent and as provided in Article XIII, Section 4, (e) with respect to a merger or consolidation of the Trust or any series or class thereof with any corporation, association, trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Trust or class or series thereof, or a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any series thereof (other than in the regular course of the Trust's investment activities) to the extent and as provided in this Article IX, Section 1, (f) to the same extent as the shareholders of a Massachusetts business corporation as to whether or not a court action, proceeding or claim should be brought or maintained derivatively or as a class action on behalf of the Trust or the shareholders, provided, however that a shareholder of a particular class or series shall not be entitled to bring any derivative or class action on behalf of any other class or series of the Trust, and (g) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, the 1940 Act, this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws of the Trust, any Statement relating to the issuance of classes or series of shares, or any registration of the Trust with the Commission or any State, or otherwise as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable.
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares shall be required to approve, adopt or authorize (i) a conversion of the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Trust or a series or class of the Trust with any corporation, association, Trust or other organization or a reorganization of the Trust or a series of class of the Trust, (iii) a sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust (other than in the regular course of the Trust's investment activities), or (iv) a termination of the Trust or a class or a series of the Trust (other than a termination by the Trustees as provided for in Section 1 of Article XIII hereof), unless in each and every case such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares shall be required, provided however, that if there are then Preferred Shares outstanding, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, shall be required
unless in each and every case such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, shall be required; provided further, that where only a particular class or series is effected, only the required vote by the applicable class or series shall be required, and provided further that except as may otherwise be required by law, if there are then Preferred Shares outstanding, in the case of the conversion of the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company, or in the case of any of the foregoing transactions constituting a plan or reorganization (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) which adversely affects the Preferred Shares within the meaning of Section 18(a)(2)(D) of the 1940 Act, approval, adoption or authorization of the action in question will also require the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Preferred Shares voting as a separate class; provided, however, that such separate class vote shall be a majority vote if the action in question has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring approval of Shareholders for any transaction, whether deemed a merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise whereby the Trust issues Shares in connection with the acquisition of assets (including those subject to liabilities) from any other investment company or similar entity).
In addition to the voting requirements imposed by law or by any other provision of this Declaration of Trust, the provisions set forth in this Article IX may not be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision inconsistent with this Article IX be adopted, unless such action is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, or if there are then outstanding Preferred Shares, by the affirmative vote of the holders or at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, and outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a single class. In the event the holders of Common Shares or the holders of Preferred Shares, as the case may be, are required by law to approve such an action by a class vote of such holders, such action must be approved by the, holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of (such holders or such lower percentage as may be required by law. Any series of a class which is adversely affected in a manner different from other series of the same class shall together with any other series of the same class adversely affected in the same manner, be treated as a separate class under this Section 1.
Section 2. Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called and held from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. Meetings of the Shareholders shall be held at such place within the United States as shall be fixed by the Trustees, and stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called by the Trustees and shall be called by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders owning at least one-tenth of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote. Shareholders shall be entitled to at least ten days' written notice of any meeting, except where the meeting is an adjourned meeting and the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at the time of the adjournment.
Section 3. Quorum and Action. (a) The Trustees shall set in the By-Laws the quorum required for the transaction of business by the Shareholders at a meeting, which quorum shall in no event be less than thirty percent (30%) of the Shares entitled to vote at such meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to elect any of the Trustees by class vote of such holders, the holders of 33 1/3% of such Shares entitled to vote at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such an election.
(b) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which shall only require a plurality, of the Shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by, any provision of this Declaration of Trust, any resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares, or the By-Laws.
Section 4. Voting. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote, except that Shares held in the treasury of the Trust shall not be voted. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees or on any other matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. Until Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action required or permitted by law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws of the Trust to be taken by Shareholders.
Section 5. Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken without a meeting by written action signed by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote on that action. The written action is effective when it has been signed by all of those Shareholders, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action.
All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held by one or more custodians and subcustodians, each meeting the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act, or shall otherwise be held in accordance with the 1940 Act. The Trustees may also authorize the custodian to employ one or more sub-custodians from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the custodian, and upon such terms and conditions, as may be agreed upon between the custodian and such sub-custodians, and approved by the Trustees, provided that in every case such sub-custodian shall meet the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and in any applicable state Securities or blue sky laws.
The Trustees may in their sole discretion from time to time declare and pay such dividends and distributions to shareholders as they may deem necessary or desirable, after providing for actual and accrued expenses and liabilities (including such reserves as the Trustees may establish) determined in accordance with this Declaration of Trust and good accounting practices.
Section 1. Limitation of Liability. No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Trustee of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, a Trustee shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, investment adviser, sub-adviser, principal underwriter or custodian of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible or liable for the act or omission of any other Trustee. Nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross, negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, Share or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to their or his capacity as Trustees or Trustee and neither such Trustees or Trustee nor the Shareholders shall be personally liable thereon.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees or by any officers or officer shall give notice that this Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall recite that the same was executed or made by or on behalf of the Trust by them as Trustees or Trustee or as officers or officer and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust, and may contain such further recitals as they or he may deem appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustees or Trustee or officers or officer or Shareholders or Shareholder individually.
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.
Section 2. Trustees' Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable only for his own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust and their duties as Trustees hereunder, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. In discharging their duties, the Trustees, when acting in good faith, shall be entitled to rely upon the books of account of the Trust and upon written reports made to the Trustees by any officer appointed by them, any independent public accountant and (with respect to the subject matter of the contract involved) any officer, partner or responsible employee of any
other party to any contract entered into hereunder. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 3. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.
Section 4. Indemnification. Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section 4, every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a "Covered Person"), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof.
No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:
(a) against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of a final adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that he engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;
(b) with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interests of the Trust; or
(c) in the event of a settlement or other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b)) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he did not engage in such conduct:
(i) by a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or
(ii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel.
The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.
Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action,
suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under this Section 4
shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is
ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification under this
Section 4, provided that either:
(a) such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or
(b) a majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
As used in this Section 4, a "Disinterested Trustee" is one (x) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustee, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (y) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending.
As used in this Section 4, the words "claim," "action," "suit" or "proceeding" shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall include without limitation,
attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.
Section 5. Shareholders. No personal liability for any debt or obligation of the Trust shall attach to any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder of the Trust shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions, or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the Trust to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability; provided, however, there shall be no liability or obligation of the Trust arising hereunder to reimburse any Shareholder for taxes paid by reason of such Shareholder's ownership of any Share or for losses suffered by reason of any changes in value of any Trust assets. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon.
Section 1. Termination of Trust. (a) Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue, without limitation of time. Except as may be set forth in any Statement relating to the issuance of Preferred Shares, the Trust, or any class or series thereof may be terminated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders without a vote of the shareholders of the Trust, or the class or series as the case may be, or by the affirmative vote of the shareholders entitled to vote at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares, in the case of the termination of the Trust, or by the effected class or series as the case may be in the event of the termination of a class or series, unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares or the applicable class or series as the case may be, shall be required, provided however that if there are then outstanding Preferred Shares, such vote with respect to the termination of the Trust shall be by the affirmative vote of the shareholders entitled to vote at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, unless such action has previously been approved, adopted or
authorized by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the total number of Trustees fixed in accordance with this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, in which case the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting as a single class shall be required.
Upon termination of the Trust or any series or class thereof, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets of the Trust or the applicable series or class to distributable form in cash or other securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the holders of Preferred Shares, if any, in the manner set forth by resolution of the Trustees, and to the holders of Common Shares held by such holders on the date of termination in the event of a termination of the Trust, or to Shareholders of the applicable series or class, as the case may be.
Section 2. Filing of Copies, References, Headings. The original or a copy of this instrument, each amendment hereto and any Statement authorized by Article III, Section 2 hereof shall be kept in the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. A copy of this Declaration and of each amendment and Statement shall be filed by the Trustees with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as any other governmental office where such filing may from time to time be required, provided, however, that the failure to so file will not invalidate this Declaration or an properly authorized amendment or Statement. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer or Trustee of the Trust as to whether or not any such amendments have been made or Statements authorized and as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer or Trustee of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such amendments or Statements. In this instrument or in any such amendment, references to this instrument, and all expressions like "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as a whole and as amended or affected by any such amendment. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only, and in case of any conflict, the text of this instrument, rather than the headings, shall control. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.
Section 3. Trustees May Resolve Ambiguities. The Trustees may construe any of the provisions of this Declaration insofar as the same may appear to be ambiguous or inconsistent with any other provisions hereof, and any such
construction hereof by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive as to the meaning to be given to such provisions.
Section 4. Amendments. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Declaration of Trust, this Declaration of Trust may be amended at any time by an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the then Trustees with the consent of shareholders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of Shares entitled to vote. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary contained in this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may amend this Declaration of Trust without the vote or consent of shareholders (i) at any time if the Trustees deem it necessary in order for the Trust or any series or class thereby to meet the requirements of applicable Federal or State laws or regulations, or the requirements of the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) change the name of the Trust or to supply any omission, cure any ambiguity or cure, correct or supplement any defective or inconsistent provision contained herein, or (iii) for any reason at any time before a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the initial public offering of Shares has become effective.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the initial Trustee of the Trust, has executed this instrument as of the date first written above.
/s/ Timothy R. Schwertfeger -------------------------------- Timothy R. Schwertfeger, Trustee 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, IL 60606 |
STATE OF ILLINOIS )
) SS.
COUNTY OF COOK )
Then personally appeared the above-named Timothy R. Schwertfeger known to me to be the Trustee of the Trust, who acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be his free act and deed, before me this _15th day of October 2003.
"OFFICIAL SEAL"
Virginia L. Corcoran /s/ Virginia L. Corcoran Notary Public, State of Illinois ------------------------ My Commission Expires: 10/27/05 Notary Public |
BY-LAWS
OF
NUVEEN LEVERAGED MUNICIPAL CLOSED-END FUNDS
ORGANIZED AS
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS TRUSTS
(Amended and Restated as of October 22, 2002)
ARTICLE I
DECLARATION OF TRUST
AND
OFFICES
Section 1.1. The Trust; Declaration of Trust. These are the By-Laws of each Nuveen Leveraged Municipal Closed-End Fund listed on Exhibit A, each a Massachusetts business trust established by its own Declaration of Trust (each such fund being referred to individually as the "Trust"). The Trust shall be subject to the Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the "Declaration of Trust").
Section 1.2. Registered Agent. The registered agent of the Trust in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be CT Corporation System, 150 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts, or such other agent as may be fixed by the Board of Trustees.
Section 1.3 Other Offices. The Trust may have such other offices and places of business within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Board of Trustees shall determine.
ARTICLE II
SHAREHOLDERS
Section 2.1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders may be held at such place or places within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.2. Regular Meeting. Regular meetings of the Shareholders for the election of Trustees and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held on an annual or other less frequent periodic basis at such date and time as the Board of Trustees by resolution shall designate, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
Section 2.3. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the Shareholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Administrative Officer or two or more Trustees, and must be called at the written request stating the purpose or purposes of the meeting, of Shareholders entitled to cast at least l0 percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.
Section 2.4. Notice of Meetings. Notice stating the time and place of the meeting and in the case of a special meeting the purpose or purposes thereof and by whom called, shall be delivered to each Shareholder not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting, except where the meeting is an adjourned meeting and the date, time and place of the meeting were announced at the time of the adjournment.
Section 2.5. Quorum and Action. (a) The holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust (the "Shares") entitled to vote at a meeting are a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Shareholders present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Shareholders originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when the holders of Preferred Shares are entitled to elect any of the Trust's Trustees by class vote of such holders, the holders of 33 1/3% of the Shares entitled to vote at a meeting shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of such an election.
(b) The Shareholders shall take action by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority, except in the case of the election of Trustees which shall
only require a plurality, of the voting power of the Shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present, except as may be otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), the Declaration of Trust or any resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares.
Section 2.6. Voting. At each meeting of the Shareholders, every, holder of Shares then entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy and, except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or any resolution of the Trustees which authorizes the issuance of Preferred Shares, shall have one vote for each Share registered in his name.
Section 2.7. Proxy Representation. A Shareholder may cast or authorize the casting of a vote by filing a written appointment of a proxy with an officer of the Trust at or before the meeting at which the appointment is to be effective. The placing of a Shareholder's name on a proxy pursuant to telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions obtained pursuant to procedures which are reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such Shareholder, shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such Shareholder. The appointment of a proxy is valid for eleven months, unless a longer period is expressly provided in the appointment. No appointment is irrevocable unless the appointment is coupled with an interest in the Shares or in the Trust. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of a proxy may be substituted for or used in lieu of the original proxy for any and all purposes for which the original proxy could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original proxy.
Section 2.8. Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of Shareholders may by announcement thereat, be adjourned to a designated time and place by the vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares present and entitled to vote thereat even though less than a quorum is so present. An adjourned meeting may reconvene as designed, and when a quorum is present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.
Section 2.9. Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting of Shareholders. See Section 6.3 of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE III
TRUSTEES
Section 3.1. Qualifications and Number: Vacancies. Each Trustee shall be a natural person. A Trustee need not be a Shareholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The number of Trustees of the Trust, their term and election and the filling of vacancies, shall be as provided in the Declaration of Trust.
Section 3.2. Powers. The business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Trustees. All powers of the Trust may be exercised by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees, except those conferred on or reserved to the Shareholders by statute, the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws.
Section 3.3. Investment Policies. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to ensure that the purchase, sale, retention and disposal of portfolio securities and the other investment practices of the Trust are at all times consistent with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions with respect to securities investments and otherwise of the Trust filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as required by the 1940 Act, unless such duty is delegated to an investment adviser pursuant to a written contract, as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The Trustees, however, may delegate the duty of management of the assets of the Trust and may delegate such other of their powers and duties to the Executive Committee or any other committee, or to an individual or corporate investment adviser to act as investment adviser or subadviser pursuant to a written contract.
Section 3.4. Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without notice at such times as the Trustees shall fix. Special meetings of the Trustees may be called by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Administrative Officer, and shall be called at the written request of two or more Trustees. Unless waived by each Trustee, three days' notice of special meetings shall be given to each Trustee in person, by mail, by telephone, or by telegram or cable, or by any other means that reasonably may be expected to provide similar notice. Notice of special meetings need not state the purpose or purposes thereof. Meetings of the Trustees may be held at any place within or outside the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A conference among Trustees by any means of communication through which the Trustees may simultaneously hear each other during the conference constitutes a meeting of the Trustees or of a committee of the Trustees, if the notice requirements have been met (or waived) and if the number of Trustees participating in the conference would be sufficient to constitute a quorum at such meeting. Participation in such meeting by that means constitutes presence in person at the meeting.
Section 3.5. Quorum and Action. A majority of the Trustees currently holding office, or in the case of a meeting of a committee of the Trustees, a
majority of the members of such committee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting. If a quorum is present when a duly called or held meeting is convened, the Trustees present may continue to transact business until adjournment, even though the withdrawal of a number of Trustees originally present leaves less than the proportion or number otherwise required for a quorum. At any duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the Trustees present shall be the act of the Trustees or the committee, as the case may be, on any question, except where the act of a greater number is required by these By-Laws or by the Declaration of Trust.
Section 3.6. Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meetings of Trustees. See
Section 6.3 of these By-Laws.
Section 3.7. Committees. The Trustees, by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees, may designate from their members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee (whose function shall be to advise the Trustees as to the selection of and review of the work of the independent public accountants of the Trust) and any other committee or committees, each such committee to consist of two or more Trustees and to have such powers and authority (to the extent permitted by law) as may be provided in such resolution. Any such committee may be terminated at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 4.1. Number and Qualifications. The officers of the Trust shall include a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Administrative Officer, a Controller, one or more Vice Presidents (one of whom may be designated Executive Vice President), a Treasurer, and a Secretary. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Unless otherwise determined by the Trustees, each officer shall be appointed by the Trustees for a term which shall continue until the meeting of the Trustees following the next regular meeting of Shareholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until his death, or until he shall have resigned or have been removed, as hereinafter provided in these By-Laws. The Trustees may from time to time elect, or delegate to the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Administrative Officer, or both, the power to appoint, such officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries) and such agents as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Trust. Such other officers shall hold office for such terms as may be prescribed by the Trustees or by the appointing authority.
Section 4.2. Resignations. Any officer of the Trust may resign at any time by giving written notice of his resignation to the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Administrative Officer or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if the time when it shall become effective shall not be specified therein, immediately upon its receipt, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 4.3. Removal. An officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present at a duly convened meeting of the Trustees.
Section 4.4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause, may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Trustees, or in the manner determined by the Trustees.
Section 4.5. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be elected from among the Trustees. He shall:
(a) when present, preside at all meetings of the Trustees and of the Shareholders;
(b) see that all orders and resolutions of the Trustees are carried into effect; and
(c) maintain records of and, whenever necessary, certify all proceedings of the Trustees and the Shareholders.
In the absence of the Chief Administrative Officer or in the event of his disability, or inability to act or to continue to act, the Chairman of the Board shall perform the duties of the Chief Administrative Officer and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.6. The Chief Administrative Officer. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be the chief executive and operating officer of the Trust and, subject to the Chairman of the Board, he shall have general authority over and general management and control of the business and affairs of the Trust. In general, he shall discharge all duties incident to the office of the chief executive and operating officer of the Trust and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees from time to time. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be
authorized to do or cause to be done all things necessary or appropriate, including preparation, execution and filing of any documents, to effectuate the registration from time to time of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. He shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Administrative Officer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees or by these By-Laws. Despite the fact that he/she is not a Trustee, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or in the event of his disability, or inability to act or to continue to act, the Chief Administrative Officer shall perform the duties of the Chairman of the Board and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chairman of the Board.
Section 4.7. Executive Vice-President. In the case of the absence or inability to act of the Chief Administrative Officer and the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Vice-President shall perform the duties of the Chief Administrative Officer and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the Chief Administrative Officer. The Executive Vice-President shall perform all duties incident to the office of Executive Vice-President and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chief Administrative Officer or these By-Laws.
Section 4.8. Vice Presidents. Each Vice-President shall perform all such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.9. Controller. The Controller shall:
(a) keep accurate financial records for the Trust;
(b) render to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Administrative Officer and the Trustees, whenever requested, an account of all transactions by and of the financial condition of the Trust; and
(c) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Controller and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
(a) have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all the funds and securities of the Trust, except those which the Trust has placed
in the custody of a bank or trust company pursuant to a written agreement designating such bank or trust company as custodian of the property of the Trust, as required by Section 6.6 of these By-Laws;
(b) deposit all money, drafts, and checks in the name of and to the credit of the Trust in the banks and depositories designated by the Trustees;
(c) endorse for deposit all notes, checks, and drafts received by the Trust making proper vouchers therefor:
(d) disburse corporate funds and issue checks and drafts in the name of the Trust, as ordered by the Trustees; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.11. Secretary. The Secretary shall:
(a) keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for the purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Trustees, the committees of the Trustees and the Shareholders;
(b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws and as required by statute;
(c) be custodian of the records of the Trust;
(d) see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by statute to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and
(e) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 4.12. Salaries. The salaries of all officers shall be fixed by the Trustees and the Trustees have the authority by majority vote to reimburse expenses and to establish reasonable compensation of all Trustees for services to the Trust as Trustees, officers, or otherwise.
ARTICLE V
SHARES
Section 5.1. Share Certificates. Each owner of Common Shares of the Trust shall be entitled upon request to have a certificate, in such form as shall be approved by the Trustees, representing the number of Common Shares of the Trust owned by him. Certificates representing fractional Common Shares shall not be issued. The certificates representing Common Shares shall be signed in the name of the Trust by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Executive Vice President or a Vice President and by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer (which signatures may be either manual or facsimile, engraved or printed). In case any officer who shall have signed such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificates shall be issued, they may nevertheless be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if such officer were still in office at the date of their issuance. No certificates representing Preferred Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise authorize.
Section 5.2. Books and Records; Inspection. The Trust shall keep at its principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United States determined by the Trustees, a share register not more than one year old, containing the names and addresses of the shareholders and the number of Shares held by each Shareholder. The Trust shall also keep, at its principal executive office, or at another place or places within the United States determined by the Trustees, a record of the dates on which certificates representing Shares were issued.
Section 5.3. Share Transfers. Upon compliance with any provisions restricting the transferability of Shares that may be set forth in the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws, or any resolution or written agreement in respect thereof, transfers of Shares of the Trust shall be made only on the books of the Trust by the registered holder thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with an officer of the Trust, or with a transfer agent or a registrar and on surrender of any certificate or certificates for such Shares properly endorsed and the payment of all taxes thereon. Except as may be otherwise provided by law or these By-Laws, the person in whose name Shares stand on the books of the Trust shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the Trust; provided that whenever any transfer of Shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, such fact, if known to an officer of the Trust, shall be so expressed in the entry of transfer.
Section 5.4. Regulations. The Trustees may make such additional rules and regulations, not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as they may deem
expedient concerning the issue, certification, transfer and registration of Shares of the Trust. They may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents or one or more transfer clerks and one or more registrars and may require all certificates for Shares to bear the signature or signatures of any of them.
Section 5.5. Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any certificate representing Shares of the Trust shall immediately notify the Trust of any loss, destruction or mutilation of such certificate, and the Trust may issue a new certificate in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it which the owner thereof shall allege to have been lost or destroyed or which shall have been mutilated, and the Trustees may, in their discretion, require such owner or his legal representatives to give to the Trust a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties as the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine, to indemnify the Trust against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or the issuance of a new certificate. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may refuse to issue any such new certificate, except as otherwise required by law.
Section 5.6. Record Date; Certification of Beneficial Owner. (a) The Trustees may fix a date not more than ninety (90) days before the date of a meeting of Shareholders as the date for the determination of the holders of Shares entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
(b) The Trustees may fix a date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution or allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares.
(c) In the absence of such fixed record date, (i) the date for determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and entitled to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be the later of the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the thirtieth day before the meeting, and (ii) the date for determining Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution or an allotment of any rights or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of Shares shall be the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Trustees is adopted.
(d) A resolution approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees present may establish a procedure whereby a Shareholder may certify in writing to the Trust that all or a portion of the Shares registered in the name of the Shareholder are held for the account of one or more beneficial owners.
Upon receipt by the Trust of the writing, the persons specified as beneficial owners, rather than the actual Shareholders, are deemed the Shareholders for the purposes specified in the writing.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 6.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be as fixed by the Trustees of the Trust.
Section 6.2. Notice and Waiver of Notice. (a) Any notice of a meeting required to be given under these By-Laws to Shareholders or Trustees, or both, may be waived by any such person (i) orally or in writing signed by such person before, at or after the meeting or (ii) by attendance at the meeting in person or, in the case of a Shareholder, by proxy.
(b) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices required by these By-Laws shall be printed or written, and shall be delivered either personally, by telecopy, telegraph or cable, or by mail or courier or delivery service, and, if mailed, shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder or Trustee at his address as it appears on the records of the Trust.
Section 6.3 Action by Written Consent in Lieu of Meeting. (a) An action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Shareholders may be taken without a meeting by written action signed by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote on that action. The written action is effective when it has been signed by all of those Shareholders, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action.
(b) An action which requires Shareholder approval and which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of Trustees may be taken by written action signed by all of the Trustees. An action which does not require Shareholder approval and which is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Trustees or a Committee of the Trustees may be taken by written action signed by the number of Trustees that would be required to take the same action at a meeting of the Trustees or Committee, as the case may be, at which all Trustees were present. The written action is effective when signed by the required number of Trustees, unless a different effective time is provided in the written action. When written action is taken by less than all Trustees, all Trustees shall be notified immediately of this text and effective date.
Section 6.4 Reports to Shareholders. The books of account of the Trust shall be examined by an independent firm of public accountants at the close of each annual period of the Trust and at such other times, if any, as may be directed by the Trustees. A report to the Shareholders based upon such examination shall be mailed to each Shareholder of the Trust of record at his address as the same appears on the books of the Trust. Each such report shall show the assets and liabilities of the Trust as of the annual or other period covered by the report and the securities in which the funds of the Trust were then invested; such report shall also show the Trust's income and expenses for the period from the end of the Trust's preceding fiscal year to the close of the annual or other period covered by the report and any other information required by the 1940 Act, and shall set forth such other matters as the Trustees or such independent firm of public accountants shall determine.
Section 6.5 Approval of Firm of Independent Public Accountants. At any regular meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust there may be submitted, for ratification or rejection, the name of the firm of independent public accountants which has been selected for the fiscal year in which such meeting is held by a majority of those members of the Trustees who are not investment advisers of, or affiliated persons of an investment adviser of, or officers or employees of, the Trust, as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.
Section 6.6 Custodian. All securities and cash of the Trust shall be held by a custodian meeting the requirements for a custodian contained in the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and in any applicable state securities or blue sky laws. The Trust shall enter into a written contract with the custodian regarding the powers, duties and compensation of the custodian with respect to the cash and securities of the Trust held by the custodian. Said contract and all amendments thereto shall be approved by the Trustees of the Trust. The Trust shall upon the resignation or inability to serve of the custodian obtain a successor custodian and require that the cash and securities owned by the Trust be delivered to the successor custodian.
Section 6.7 Prohibited Transactions. No officer or Trustee of the Trust or of its investment adviser shall deal for or on behalf of the Trust with himself, as principal or agent, or with any corporation or partnership in which he has a financial interest. This prohibition shall not prevent: (a) officers or Trustees of the Trust from having a financial interest in the Trust, its principal underwriter or its investment adviser; (b) the purchase of securities for the portfolio of the Trust or the sale of securities owned by the Trust through a securities dealer, one or more of whose partners, officers or directors is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, provided such transactions are handled in the capacity of broker only and provided commission charged do not exceed customary brokerage charges for such service; (c) the purchase or sale of securities for the portfolio of the Trust
pursuant to a rule under the 1940 Act or pursuant to an exemptive order of the Securities and Exchange Commission; or (d) the employment of legal counsel, registrar, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, or custodian having a partner, officer or director who is an officer or Trustee of the Trust, provided only customary fees are charged for services rendered to or for the benefit of the Trust.
Section 6.8 Bonds. The Trustees may require any officer, agent or employee of the Trust to give a bond to the Trust, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties, with one or more sureties and in such amount as may be satisfactory to the Trustee. The Trustees shall, in any event, require the Trust to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company, authorized to do business in the place where the bond is issued, against larceny and embezzlement, covering each officer and employee of the Trust, who may singly, or jointly with others, have access to securities or funds of the Trust, either directly or through authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such securities, such bond or bonds to be in such reasonable form and amount as a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act shall approve not less than once every twelve months, with due consideration to all relevant factors including, but not limited to, the value of the aggregate assets of the Trust to which any such officer or employee may have access, the type and terms of the arrangements made for the custody and safekeeping of such assets, and the nature of the securities in the Trust's portfolio, and as meet all requirements which the Securities and Exchange Commission may prescribe by order, rule or regulation.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
Section 7.1. These By-Laws may be amended or repealed, or new By-Laws may be adopted, by the Trustees at any meeting thereof provided that notice of such meeting shall have been given if required by these By-Laws, which notice, if required, shall state that amendment or repeal of the By-Laws or adoption of new By-Laws, is one of the purposes of such meeting, or by action of the Trustees by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Exhibit A
NUVEEN LEVERAGED CLOSED-END MUNICIPAL FUNDS
(Organized as Massachusetts Business Trusts)
Nuveen Florida Investment Quality Municipal Fund Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund Nuveen Florida Quality Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Texas Quality Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured Florida Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Georgia Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen California Premium Income Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Massachusetts Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Virginia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Pennsylvania Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Michigan Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Virginia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2
Nuveen Insured Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Pennsylvania Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Missouri Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Florida Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Kentucky Dividend Advantage Municipal fund Nuveen Tennessee Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Colorado Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Minnesota Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Massachusetts Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 5 Nuveen California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 5 Nuveen Michigan Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen New Jersey Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 Nuveen Pennsylvania Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Virginia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Insured Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Insured California Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Insured New York Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2 Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 Nuveen Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 Nuveen Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen New York Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured New York Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured Florida Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund Nuveen Insured Massachusetts Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund
DATE ESTABLISHED:
Nuveen Insured Michigan Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-17-02
Nuveen Insured Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured California Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured New York Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Arizona Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Connecticut Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Florida Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Georgia Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Maryland Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Massachusetts Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Michigan Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured New Jersey Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured North Carolina Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Ohio Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Pennsylvania Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 2 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Virginia Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Connecticut Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Georgia Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Michigan Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen North Carolina Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Pennsylvania Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Virginia Tax-Free Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Florida Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Massachusetts Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Michigan Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Insured Ohio Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 10-31-02
Nuveen Arizona Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 10-31-02
Nuveen Connecticut Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 10-31-02
Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 3 10-31-02
Nuveen Maryland Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 10-31-02
|
Nuveen North Carolina Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 4 10-31-02 Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (formerly, Nuveen Municipal High Yield Opportunity Fund) 10-8-03 Nuveen California Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund (formerly, Nuveen California Municipal High Yield Opportunity Fund) 10-8-03 |
NUVEEN MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
NUVEEN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a trustee of the
above-referenced organizations, hereby constitutes and appoints JESSICA R.
DROEGER, LARRY W. MARTIN, GIFFORD R. ZIMMERMAN and ERIC F. FESS, and each of
them (with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, for him on his behalf and in Registration Statements
on Form N-2 under the Securities Act of l933 and the Investment Company Act of
l940, including any amendment or amendments thereto, with all exhibits, and any
and all other documents required to be filed with any regulatory authority,
federal or state, relating to the registration thereof, or the issuance of
shares thereof, without limitation, granting unto said attorneys, and each of
them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to
effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned trustee of the above-referenced organizations has hereunto set his hand this 15th day of October, 2003.
/s/ Timothy R. Schwertfeger --------------------------- Timothy R. Schwertfeger |
STATE OF ILLINOIS )
)SS
COUNTY OF COOK )
|
On this 15th day of October, 2003, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public in and for said County and State, the person named above who is known to me to be the person whose name and signature is affixed to the foregoing Power of Attorney and who acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and deed for the intent and purposes therein set forth.
"OFFICIAL SEAL"
Virginia L. Corcoran /s/ Virginia L. Corcoran Notary Public, State of Illinois ------------------------ My Commission Expires: 10/27/05 Notary Public |