As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 2010

Securities Act Registration No. 333-168898

Investment Company Registration No. 811-22455

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

 

 

 

  x    REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   
  x    Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2   
  ¨    Post-Effective Amendment No.        

and/or

 

  x    REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   
  x    Amendment No. 2   

 

 

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(212) 832-3232

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 

 

Tina M. Payne, Esq.

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(212) 832-3232

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

With Copies to:

 

Stuart H. Coleman, Esq   Sarah E. Cogan, Esq.
Janna Manes, Esq.   Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP   425 Lexington Avenue
180 Maiden Lane   New York, New York 10017
New York, New York 10038  

 

 

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, as amended (the “Securities Act”), 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)

 

  ¨ when declared effective pursuant to 8(c)

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT

 

 

Title of Securities

Being Registered

  Amount Being
Registered*
  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Unit
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price
  Amount of
Registration Fee

Common Shares, $.001 par value

 

40,000

  $25.00   $1,000,000   $71.30**
 
 

 

* Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
** $71.30 of which has been previously paid.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PROSPECTUS   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 18, 2010
 

             Shares

LOGO

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

Common Shares

$25.00 per Share

 

 

The Fund . Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.

Investment Objectives and Strategies . The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income. The Fund’s secondary objective is capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing at least 80% of its managed assets ( i.e. , net assets plus assets obtained through leverage) in a portfolio of preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies.

No Prior Trading History. Because the Fund is newly organized, its shares of common stock (“Common Shares”) have no history of public trading. The 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 initial public offering.

The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “PSF.”

 

 

Investing in Common Shares involves risks that are described in the “Principal Risks of the Fund” section beginning on page        of this Prospectus.

 

       Per Share        Total(1)

Public offering price

       $25.000         $

Sales load(2)

       $  1.125         $

Estimated offering expenses(3)

       $  0.050         $

Proceeds, after expenses, to Fund

       $23.825         $

 

(1) The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to              additional Common Shares at the public offering price less the sales load within 45 days of the date of this Prospectus, solely to cover overallotments, if any. If such option is exercised in full, the total Public offering price, Sales load, Estimated offering expenses and Proceeds, after expenses, to Fund will be $      , $            , $             and $            , respectively. See “Underwriting.”
(2) The Fund has agreed to pay the underwriters $.00667 per Common Share as a partial reimbursement of expenses incurred in connection with the offering. Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the “Investment Manager”) (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay from its own assets a structuring fee to each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. The Investment Manager (and not the Fund) may also pay certain qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee, or additional compensation in connection with the offering. See “Underwriting.”
(3) Offering expenses paid by the Fund (other than the sales load), estimated to total $             (or $       per Common Share), may include reimbursement to the Investment Manager or its affiliates for expenses incurred in connection with the offering, including compensation to sales personnel. See “Underwriting.” The Investment Manager has agreed to pay all organizational expenses and offering costs (other than the sales load, but including the $.00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters) that exceed $0.05 per Common Share.

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.

The underwriters expect to deliver Common Shares to purchasers on or about November     , 2010.

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities    BofA Merrill Lynch
Deutsche Bank Securities   J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC   Janney Montgomery Scott
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.   Maxim Group LLC   Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
Oppenheimer & Co.   RBC Capital Markets   Stifel Nicolaus Weisel
Wedbush Securities Inc.     Wunderlich Securities

Prospectus dated November     , 2010.


Investment Portfolio. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets in a portfolio of preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including traditional preferred securities; hybrid preferred securities that have investment and economic characteristics of both preferred stock and debt securities; floating rate preferred securities; corporate debt securities; convertible securities; and securities of other open-end, closed-end or exchange-traded funds that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described herein. “Managed Assets” are the Fund’s net assets, plus the principal amount of loans from financial institutions or debt securities issued by the Fund, the liquidation preference of any preferred shares issued by the Fund and the proceeds of any reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund.

The Fund also will invest 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, which is comprised of the banks, diversified financials, real estate (including real estate investment trusts) and insurance industries. From time to time, the Fund may have 25% or more of its Managed Assets invested in any one of these industries. In addition, the Fund also may focus its investments in other sectors or industries, such as (but not limited to) energy, industrials, utilities, pipelines, health care and telecommunications. The Investment Manager retains broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s investments across various sectors and industries.

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in securities of non-U.S. companies, including up to 25% of its Managed Assets in securities issued by companies domiciled in emerging market countries. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its Managed Assets in securities issued by companies domiciled in any one emerging market country. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager may hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure, and will hedge such exposure once it exceeds 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

The Fund may invest in investment grade as well as below investment grade securities and, although not required to do so, will generally seek to maintain a minimum BBB- weighted average senior debt rating of companies in which it invests. Although a company’s senior debt rating may be BBB-, an underlying security issued by such company in which the Fund invests may have a lower rating than BBB-. Below investment grade securities are also known as “high yield” or “junk” securities. The maturities of debt securities in which the Fund will invest generally will be longer-term (ten years or more); however, as a result of changing market conditions and interest rates, the Fund may also invest in shorter-term debt securities.

There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. See “Investment Objectives and Policies” and “Principal Risks of the Fund.”

Leverage. The Fund currently intends to seek to enhance the level of its distributions and total return through the use of leverage. Under current market conditions, the Fund intends to utilize leverage in an amount up to 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets through borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and/or the issuance of debt securities. See “Use of Leverage.”

The Fund expects that its primary use of derivatives will be interest rate hedging transactions designed to reduce the interest rate risk of its leverage. See “Use of Leverage.” The Fund also may hedge its interest rate exposure in its portfolio holdings. Depending on market conditions, the Fund also may, to a limited extent, enter into forward currency contracts to hedge the Fund’s foreign currency exposure in the event the Fund holds non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager would only enter into such transactions to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, and may determine not to hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure. See “Investment Objectives and Policies — Derivatives.”

Investment Manager. Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., a registered investment advisor located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, was formed in 1986, and its clients include pension plans, endowment funds and investment companies, including each of the open-end and closed-end Cohen & Steers funds. As of September 30, 2010, the Investment Manager managed approximately $31.2 billion in assets. The Investment Manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cohen & Steers, Inc., a publicly traded company whose common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNS.”

This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Fund you should know before investing. You should read the Prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest, and should retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated November     , 2010 (the “SAI”), as supplemented from time to time, 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 can review the table of contents of the SAI on page      of this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI by calling (800) 330-7348. You also may call to request the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (when available) or other information about the Fund, and to make stockholder inquires. The Fund makes available the SAI and the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (when available), free of charge, at cohenandsteers.com . You may also obtain the SAI and other information regarding the Fund on the Securities and Exchange Commission website ( http://www.sec.gov ).


TABLE OF C ONTENTS

 

Prospectus Summary

     1   

Summary of Fund Expenses

     22   

The Fund

     23   

Use of Proceeds

     23   

Investment Objectives and Policies

     23   

Use of Leverage

     32   

Principal Risks of the Fund

     36   

Additional Risk Considerations

     46   

How the Fund Manages Risk

     47   

Management of the Fund

     48   

Dividends and Distributions

     50   

Closed-End Structure

     53   

Repurchase of Shares

     53   

Possible Conversion to Open-End Fund Status

     54   

Taxation

     54   

Description of Shares

     57   

Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

     60   

Underwriting

     63   

Custodian, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar

     66   

Reports to Stockholders

     66   

Legal Proceedings

     66   

Validity of the Common Shares

     66   

Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information

     67   

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this Prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this Prospectus. Our business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.

 

i


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This is only a summary. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our Common Shares. You should review the more detailed information contained in this Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), especially the information set forth under the heading “Principal Risks of the Fund.”

 

The Fund

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Throughout this Prospectus, we refer to Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. simply as the “Fund” or as “we,” “us” or “our.” See “The Fund.”

 

The Offering

The Fund is offering                      shares of common stock (“Common Shares”) through a group of underwriters led by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to                  additional Common Shares solely to cover overallotments, if any. The initial public offering price is $25.00 per Common Share. See “Underwriting.” Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the “Investment Manager”) has agreed to pay all of the Fund’s organizational expenses and offering costs (other than the sales load, but including the $0.00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters) that exceed $0.05 per Common Share. You must purchase at least 100 Common Shares ($2,500).

 

Investment Objectives and Policies

Our primary investment objective is high current income. The Fund’s secondary objective is capital appreciation. Unless otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or the SAI, the Fund’s investment objectives and investment policies are considered non-fundamental and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Directors without stockholder approval. However, the Fund’s investment objectives and its policy of investing at least 80% of its Managed Assets (defined below) in preferred and other income securities may only be changed upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Fund’s stockholders. See “Investment Objectives and Policies.”

 

  Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets in a portfolio of preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including traditional preferred securities; hybrid preferred securities that have investment and economic characteristics of both preferred stock and debt securities; floating rate preferred securities; corporate debt securities; convertible securities; and securities of other open-end, closed-end or exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described herein. “Managed Assets” are the Fund’s net assets, plus the principal amount of loans from financial institutions or debt securities issued by the Fund, the liquidation preference of any preferred shares issued by the Fund and the proceeds of any reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund.

 

 

1


  The Fund also will invest 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, which is comprised of the banks, diversified financials, real estate (including real estate investment trusts (“REITs”)) and insurance industries. From time to time, the Fund may have 25% or more of its Managed Assets invested in any one of these industries. In addition, the Fund also may focus its investments in other sectors or industries, such as (but not limited to) energy, industrials, utilities, pipelines, health care and telecommunications. The Investment Manager retains broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s investments across various sectors and industries.

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in securities of non-U.S. companies, including up to 25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets in securities issued by companies domiciled in emerging market countries. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in any one emerging market country. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager may hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure, and will hedge such exposure once it exceeds 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

The Fund may invest in investment grade as well as below investment grade securities and, although not required to do so, will generally seek to maintain a minimum BBB- weighted average senior debt rating of companies in which it invests. Although a company’s senior debt rating may be BBB-, an underlying security issued by such company in which the Fund invests may have a lower rating than BBB-. Below investment grade securities are also known as “high yield” or “junk” securities. The maturities of debt securities in which the Fund will invest generally will be longer-term (ten years or more); however, as a result of changing market conditions and interest rates, the Fund may also invest in shorter-term debt securities. The Fund is non-diversified and as a result may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, changes in the value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in the Fund’s share price than would occur in a more diversified fund.

 

Investment Portfolio

The Fund pursues its investment objectives primarily by investing in issues of preferred and debt securities believed to be undervalued relative to credit quality and other investment characteristics. In making this determination, the Investment Manager evaluates the fundamental characteristics of an issuer, including an issuer’s creditworthiness, and also takes into account prevailing market factors. In analyzing credit quality, the Investment Manager considers not only fundamental analysis, but also an issuer’s corporate and capital structure and the placement of the preferred or debt securities within that structure. In evaluating relative value, the

 

 

2


 

Investment Manager also takes into account call, conversion and other structural security features, in addition to such factors as the likely directions of credit ratings and relative value versus other income security classes.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets in a portfolio of preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including:

 

   

Traditional preferred securities

 

   

Hybrid-preferred securities

 

   

Floating rate preferred securities

 

   

Corporate debt securities

 

   

Convertible securities

 

   

Securities of other open-end funds, closed-end funds or ETFs that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described herein

These securities may be across a wide range of sectors and industries. The Fund’s investments in common stocks, securities of master limited partnerships, government securities, mortgage- and asset-backed securities and municipal securities are not included for purposes of the Fund’s 80% investment policy.

Preferred Securities. There are two basic types of preferred securities. The first, sometimes referred to in this Prospectus as traditional preferred securities, consists of preferred stock issued by an entity taxable as a corporation. Preferred stocks are considered equity securities. The second basic type is referred to in this Prospectus as hybrid-preferred securities. Hybrid-preferred securities may be issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated trust or partnership of the corporation, generally in the form of preferred interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. Hybrid-preferred securities are considered debt securities. The Investment Manager also considers senior debt perpetual issues, as well as exchange-listed senior debt issues that trade with attributes of exchange-listed perpetual and hybrid-preferred securities to be part of the broader preferred securities market. Preferred securities pay fixed or floating dividends to investors and have “preference” over common stock in the payment of dividends and in the liquidation of a company’s assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying dividends on its common stock. Preferred stockholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors or on other matters.

 

 

3


The Fund intends to invest in both over-the-counter (“OTC”) and exchange-traded preferred securities. The Fund intends to invest in both taxable securities ( i.e. , securities that may pay dividends that are not eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction (“DRD”) for corporations or for treatment as qualified dividend income (“QDI”) for individuals) and tax advantaged preferred securities ( i.e. , securities that may pay dividends eligible for the DRD for corporations or for treatment as QDI for individuals), and generally will not be managed to seek tax-advantaged DRD or QDI. Under current law, individuals will generally be taxed at long-term capital gain rates on QDI for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. There can be no assurance that the favorable tax treatment of QDI will continue after December 31, 2010.

Debt Securities. Debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate debt securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. corporations, including U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers and debt obligations denominated in foreign currencies. Such debt obligations include, among others, bonds, notes, debentures and variable rate demand notes, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. Such corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity.

Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities typically consist of debt or perpetual preferred securities that may be converted within a specified period of time into a certain amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer at a predetermined price. In some cases, conversion may be mandatory. They also include debt securities with warrants or common stock attached and hybrid and synthetic securities combining the features of debt securities and equity securities. Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock, until the security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged.

Investment Grade and Below Investment Grade Securities. The Fund may invest in investment grade as well as below investment grade securities and, although not required to do so, will generally seek to maintain a minimum BBB- weighted average senior debt rating of companies in which it invests. A security will be considered to be investment grade if it is rated as such by one of Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”),

 

 

4


 

Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies (“S&P”), Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) or another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, is judged to be investment grade by the Investment Manager.

Although a company’s senior debt rating may be BBB-, an underlying security issued by such company in which the Fund invests may have a lower rating than BBB-. Below investment grade quality securities (below BBB- or Baa3), or securities that are unrated but judged to be below investment grade by the Investment Manager, are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” securities and are regarded as having more speculative characteristics with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of principal.

The maturities of debt securities in which the Fund will invest generally will be longer-term (ten years or more); however, as a result of changing market conditions and interest rates, the Fund may also invest in shorter-term debt securities.

Concentration in Financials Sector. The Fund also will invest 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, which is comprised of the banks, diversified financials, real estate (including REITs) and insurance industries. From time to time, the Fund may have 25% or more of its Managed Assets invested in any one of these industries. In addition, the Fund also may focus its investments in other sectors or industries, such as (but not limited to) energy, industrials, utilities, pipelines, health care and telecommunications. The Investment Manager retains broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s investments across various sectors and industries.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in securities of non-U.S. companies, including up to 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in emerging markets. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in any one emerging market country. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager may hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure, and will hedge such exposure once it exceeds 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

Many foreign companies issue both foreign currency and U.S. dollar-denominated preferred and debt securities. Those securities that are traded in the United States have characteristics that are similar to traditional and hybrid preferred securities. The Fund may also invest in securities of foreign companies in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”). Generally, ADRs in

 

 

5


registered form are dollar denominated securities designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, which represent and may be converted into an underlying foreign security. GDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use outside the United States. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in the European securities markets.

Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds or ETFs, such as other funds that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described herein, to the extent permitted under Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and the rules thereunder, or any exemption granted under the 1940 Act. An investment in the shares of another fund is subject to the risks associated with that fund’s portfolio securities. To the extent the Fund invests in shares of another fund, holders of the Fund’s Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) would indirectly pay a portion of that fund’s expenses, including advisory fees, brokerage and other distribution expenses. These fees and expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations. The securities of other funds may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to similar leverage risks to which the Fund is subject. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in other funds, the Fund will be dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than the Investment Manager.

Derivatives. The Fund expects that its primary use of derivatives will be interest rate hedging transactions designed to reduce the interest rate risk of its leverage. See “Use of Leverage.” The Fund also may hedge its interest rate exposure in its portfolio holdings. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on leverage. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate swap and to the extent that a specified variable rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap.

Depending on market conditions, the Fund also may, to a limited extent, enter into forward currency contracts to hedge the Fund’s foreign currency exposure in the event the Fund holds non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of

 

 

6


days from the date of the contract as agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. The Investment Manager would only enter into such transactions to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, and may determine not to hedge any of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure. See “Investment Objectives and Policies — Derivatives.”

Common Stocks. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in common stocks, which represent residual ownership interest in issuers and include rights or warrants to purchase common stocks. Holders of common stocks are entitled to the income and increase in the value of the assets and business of the issuers after all debt obligations and obligations to preferred stockholders are satisfied. Common stocks generally have voting rights. Common stocks fluctuate in price in response to many factors including historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity.

Securities of Master Limited Partnerships. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in energy-related master limited partnership (“MLP”) securities. MLP securities will be in the form of: (i) equity securities of MLPs, including common units, preferred units and convertible subordinated units; (ii) debt securities of MLPs, including debt securities rated below investment grade; (iii) securities of MLP affiliates; (iv) securities of open-end funds, closed-end funds or ETFs that invest primarily in MLP securities as described herein; and (v) exchange traded notes whose returns are linked to the returns of MLPs or MLP indices. The Fund considers an MLP to be energy-related if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the exploration, development, production, gathering, transportation, processing, storage, refining, distribution, mining or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products, coal or other energy sources. The Fund may also invest in unregistered or otherwise restricted MLP securities. The Fund currently intends to invest primarily in MLP securities issued by entities organized in the United States.

Government Securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or a non-U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities include bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as “stripped” or “zero coupon” U.S. Treasury obligations representing future interest or principal payments on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds.

 

 

7


Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. Mortgage-related securities include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBSs”), mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBSs”) and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in or are secured by and payable from mortgage loans on real property. These securities may be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its sponsored entities or may be issued by private organizations.

Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities, which includes debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal securities are issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. The two major classifications of municipal securities are bonds and notes. Bonds may be further classified as “general obligation” or “revenue” issues. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities, and in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power.

New Issues and Follow-On Offerings. In addition to purchasing securities in the secondary market, the Fund intends to seek investment opportunities in new issues and follow-on or secondary offerings of preferred securities. The Investment Manager, as an institutional investor, may have access to new issues and secondary offerings that may not be fully available to all investors. By investing in such offerings, the Investment Manager may be able to secure favorable terms for the Fund, such as attractive pricing relative to other securities available in the secondary market. The Investment Manager has developed relationships with issuers and underwriters that it believes could afford the Fund competitive advantages in evaluating and managing these investment opportunities in preferred securities.

Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets in restricted securities and other investments that may be illiquid ( i.e. , securities that are not readily marketable). The Board of Directors or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the Federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 25% limitation. The Board of Directors has delegated to the Investment Manager the day-to-day

 

 

8


 

determination of the illiquidity of any security held by the Fund, although it has retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. The Board and/or the Investment Manager will consider factors such as (i) the nature of the market for a security (including the institutional private resale market; the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; the amount of time normally needed to dispose of the security; and the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer), (ii) the terms of certain securities or other instruments allowing for the disposition to a third party or the issuer thereof ( e.g. , certain repurchase obligations and demand instruments) and (iii) other permissible relevant factors.

Defensive Position. For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, and following the offering of the Common Shares pending investment in securities that meet the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in cash, cash equivalents, government securities and short-term fixed income securities. When and to the extent the Fund assumes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not pursue or achieve its investment objectives.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved. For additional information about the Fund’s portfolio composition, see “Investment Objectives and Policies.”

 

Use of Leverage

The Fund currently intends to seek to enhance the level of its distributions and total return through the use of leverage. Under current market conditions, the Fund intends to utilize leverage in an amount up to 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets through borrowings, including loans from certain financial institutions and/or the issuance of debt securities (collectively, “Borrowings”). Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may utilize leverage through (i) Borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to 33  1 / 3 % of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such Borrowings and (ii) the issuance of preferred stock (“Preferred Shares”) in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such issuance. In addition, the Fund may utilize leverage through reverse repurchase agreements (“Reverse Repurchase Agreements”), in which the Fund transfers portfolio securities to a financial institution in exchange for cash with an agreement to repurchase such securities on a future date at a specified price. The Fund may utilize leverage through Reverse Repurchase Agreements in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund has no current intention to issue Preferred Shares or enter into Reverse Repurchase Agreements. See “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk.”

 

 

9


There is no assurance that the Fund will utilize leverage or, if leverage is utilized, that it will be successful in enhancing the level of its distributions or total return. The net asset value of the Fund’s Common Shares may be reduced by the issuance or incurrence costs of any leverage. Through leveraging, the Fund will seek to obtain a higher return for Common Shareholders than if the Fund did not utilize leverage. Leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leverage. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

In order to seek to reduce the interest rate risk of the Fund’s leverage through Borrowings, which typically have a floating rate of interest, the Fund may enter into interest rate swap transactions as to the majority of such leverage. The Fund also may enter into interest rate cap transactions to seek to reduce the interest rate risk of its leverage. The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. We would use interest rate swaps or caps with the intent to reduce or eliminate the risk that an increase in short-term interest rates could have on the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares as a result of leverage. See “Use of Leverage — Interest Rate Transactions.”

So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage will be to cause Common Shareholders to realize higher current net investment income than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, to the extent that the then current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to Common Shareholders will be reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage were to exceed the net return on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. See “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk.”

 

Principal Risks of the Fund

The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

No Operating History. As a newly organized entity, the Fund has no operating history. See “The Fund.”

 

 

10


Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

Market Risk. Your investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the preferred securities, debt securities and other investments owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than what you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions. The Fund may utilize leverage, which magnifies the market risk.

Preferred Securities Risk. There are various risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including those described below.

 

   

Deferral and Omission Risk. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer or omit distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer.

 

   

Credit and Subordination Risk. Credit risk is the risk that a security in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in price or the issuer of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. Preferred securities are generally subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of having priority to corporate income, claims to corporate assets and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that preferred securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall.

 

   

Call and Reinvestment Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to exercise an option to redeem its issue at par earlier than scheduled, which is generally known as call risk. If this occurs, the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding securities.

 

   

Liquidity Risk. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities. Illiquid securities involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Fund or at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.

 

   

Limited Voting Rights Risk. Generally, traditional preferred securities offer no voting rights with respect to the issuer

 

 

11


 

unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a director or directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights. Hybrid-preferred security holders generally have no voting rights.

 

   

Special Redemption Rights. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. As with call provisions, a redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), signed into law in July 2010, and other proposed regulatory changes may increase issuers’ incentives to call or redeem a security prior to a specified date.

 

   

New Types of Securities. From time to time, preferred securities have been, and may in the future be, offered having features other than those described herein. The Fund reserves the right to invest in these securities if the Investment Manager believes that doing so would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Because the market for these instruments would be new, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of them at a suitable price and time. The Dodd-Frank Act and proposed regulations could lead to the issuance of new forms of preferred and hybrid preferred securities with features such as automatic equity conversion and/or write downs from par value under certain circumstances.

See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Preferred Securities Risk.”

Debt Securities Risk. Debt securities generally present two primary types of risk — credit risk, which refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due, and interest rate risk, which is the risk that debt securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. Debt securities also are subject to other similar risks as preferred securities, including call risk, extension risk and liquidity risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Debt Securities Risk.”

Convertible Securities Risk. Although to a lesser extent than with nonconvertible fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the

 

 

12


 

market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock.

Below Investment Grade Securities Risk. The Fund may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade. Lower-rated securities, or equivalent unrated securities, which are commonly known as “junk bonds,” generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of income and principal, and may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher grade securities. Such securities may face major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. It is reasonable to expect that any adverse economic conditions could disrupt the market for lower-rated securities, have an adverse impact on the value of those securities and adversely affect the ability of the issuers of those securities to repay principal and interest on those securities. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Below Investment Grade Securities Risk.”

Risk of Concentration in the Financials Sector. Because the Fund invests 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, it will be more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting this sector, such as changes in interest rates, loan concentration and competition. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Risk of Concentration in the Financials Sector.”

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk. Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments. Securities markets in certain foreign countries are not as developed, efficient or liquid as securities markets in the United States. Therefore, the prices of foreign securities can be volatile. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payments of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. In addition, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with adverse political and economic developments in foreign countries, which could cause the Fund to lose money on its investments in foreign securities. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk.”

Foreign Currency Risk. Although the Fund will report its net asset value and pay dividends in U.S. dollars, foreign securities often are purchased with, and make interest

 

 

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payments in, foreign currencies. Therefore, when the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to foreign currency risk, which means that the Fund’s net asset value could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Foreign Currency Risk.”

Emerging Markets Risk . Because of less developed markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions, the risks of investing in foreign securities can be intensified in the case of investments in issuers domiciled or doing substantial business in emerging market countries. These risks include high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries; political and social uncertainties; over-dependence on exports, especially with respect to primary commodities, making these economies vulnerable to changes in commodity prices; overburdened infrastructure and obsolete or unseasoned financial systems; environmental problems; less developed legal systems; and less reliable custodial services and settlement practices. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Emerging Markets Risk.”

Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies. To the extent the Fund invests a portion of its assets in other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, ETFs and other types of funds, those assets will be subject to the risks of the purchased funds’ portfolio securities, and a stockholder in the Fund will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, but also indirectly the expenses of the purchased funds. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other funds. The Fund’s investments in other funds also are subject to the ability of the managers of those funds to achieve the funds’ investment objectives.

Risks associated with investments in closed-end end funds generally include the risks described in this Prospectus associated with the Fund’s structure as a closed-end fund, including market risk, leverage risk, risk of market price discount from net asset value, risk of anti-takeover provisions and non-diversification. In addition, investments in closed-end funds may be subject to dilution risk, which is the risk that strategies employed by a closed-end fund, such as rights offerings, may, under certain circumstances, have the effect of reducing its share price and the Fund’s proportionate interest.

See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies.”

Derivatives Risk. The Fund’s use of interest rate hedging transactions is subject to various risks associated with

 

 

14


 

derivatives transactions. The use of interest rate hedging transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. The Fund may enter into a swap or cap transaction to attempt to protect itself from increasing dividend or interest expenses resulting from increasing short-term interest rates on any leverage it incurs or securities held in its portfolio. A decline in interest rates may result in a decline in the value of the swap or cap, which may result in a decline in the net asset value of the Fund. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the net asset value of the Fund. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the use of interest rate hedging transactions could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Common Shares. Exchange-traded transactions are subject to clearance on a U.S. national exchange and to regulatory oversight, while other transactions are subject to risks of trading in the OTC markets or on non-U.S. exchanges.

In the event the Fund enters into forward currency contracts for hedging purposes, the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with derivative transactions as well as currency exchange rates risk. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time and also can be affected unpredictably by intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund’s success in these transactions will depend principally on the ability of the Investment Manager to predict accurately future foreign currency exchange rates. Additional risks associated with derivatives trading include counterparty risk, liquidity risk and tracking/correlation risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Derivatives Risk.”

Common Stock Risk. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. Common stocks may be more susceptible to adverse changes in market value due to issuer specific events or general movements in the equities markets. Common stock prices fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or the occurrence of political or economic events affecting issuers. Common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.

 

 

15


MLP Risk. An investment in MLP securities involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP securities have limited control on matters affecting the partnership. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. The Fund’s investments in energy-related MLPs are subject to risks associated with the energy industry. Any benefit derived from the Fund’s investment in MLPs is largely dependent on the MLPs generally not being subject to entity-level Federal income taxes.

Government Securities Risk. Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Any guarantee by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities of a security held by the Fund does not apply to the market value of such security or to the Fund’s Common Shares. In addition, a security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity, but the market prices of such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Government Securities Risk.”

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The risks associated with mortgage-related securities include: (1) credit risk; (2) adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, which are more likely to have an adverse impact on mortgage-related securities secured by loans on certain types of commercial properties than on those secured by loans on residential properties; (3) prepayment risk; (4) loss of all or part of the premium, if any, paid; and (5) decline in the market value of the security. In addition to the risks associated with mortgage-related securities, asset-backed securities do not have the same security interest in the underlying collateral and are more dependent on the borrower’s ability to pay. There is a possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be able to support payments on these securities. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk.”

Municipal Securities Risk. Municipal securities are debt obligations issued by states or by political subdivisions or authorities of states. Municipal securities are long-term fixed rate debt obligations that generally decline in value with increases in interest rates, when an issuer’s financial condition

 

 

16


 

worsens or when the rating on a bond is decreased. Many municipal securities may be called or redeemed prior to their stated maturity. Lower-quality revenue bonds and other credit-sensitive municipal securities carry higher risks of default than general obligation bonds. In addition, the amount of public information available about municipal securities is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes and local and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal securities market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Municipal Securities Risk.”

Illiquid Securities Risk. Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable and may include some restricted securities, which are securities that may not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. Illiquid investments involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Fund or at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.

Leverage Risk. The Fund currently intends to seek to enhance the level of its distributions and total return through leverage of approximately 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets (including the amount obtained from leverage) through the use of Borrowings. However, the Fund could engage in leverage up to the maximum permitted by the 1940 Act through the issuance of Preferred Shares. The Fund also is permitted to enter into Reverse Repurchase Agreements, the proceeds of which may be used for leverage. Leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leveraging. If the Fund utilizes leverage, the fees paid to the Investment Manager for investment advisory and management services will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets, which include the principal amount of outstanding Borrowings, the liquidation preference of Preferred Shares, if any, and the proceeds of any Reverse Repurchase Agreements. For a more detailed description of the risks associated with leverage, see “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk.”

Risk of Market Price Discount from Net Asset Value . Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that net asset value could

 

 

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decrease as a result of investment activities and may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. We cannot predict whether the Common Shares will trade at, above or below net asset value. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering of the Common Shares by the sales load and the amount of organizational and offering expenses paid by the Fund. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Risk of Market Price Discount From Net Asset Value.”

Given the risks described above, an investment in the Fund’s Common Shares may not be appropriate for all investors. You should carefully consider your ability to assume these risks before making an investment in the Fund.

 

Additional Risk Considerations

Management Risk. As an actively managed investment portfolio, the Fund is subject to management risk. The Investment Manager and each individual portfolio manager may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may engage in portfolio trading when considered appropriate, but short-term trading will not be used as the primary means of achieving the Fund’s investment objectives. There are no limits on portfolio turnover, and investments may be sold without regard to length of time held when, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, investment considerations warrant such action. A higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund and, when distributed to Common Shareholders, would be taxable as dividend income. See “Additional Risk Considerations — Portfolio Turnover Risk.”

Non-Diversified Status. Because the Fund, as a non-diversified investment company, may invest in a smaller number of individual issuers than a diversified investment company, an investment in the Fund presents greater risk to you than an investment in a diversified company. See “Additional Risk Considerations — Non-Diversified Status.”

Anti-Takeover Provisions. Certain provisions of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to modify the Fund’s structure. The provisions may have the effect of depriving you of an opportunity to sell your shares at a premium over prevailing market prices and may have the effect of inhibiting conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. See “Certain

 

 

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Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws” and “Additional Risk Considerations — Anti-Takeover Provisions.”

Market Disruption Risk. Global financial markets have recently experienced periods of unprecedented turmoil. The debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world were negatively impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to subprime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broader market, among other things. These events, along with the deterioration of the housing market, the failure of major financial institutions and the concerns that other financial institutions as well as the global financial system were also experiencing severe economic distress materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial firms in particular.

The instability in the financial markets has led governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable.

The current financial market situation, as well as various social, political, and psychological tensions in the United States and around the world, may continue to contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets; and may cause further economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. The prolonged continuation or further deterioration of the current U.S. and global economic downturn could adversely impact the Fund’s portfolio. See “Additional Risk Considerations — Market Disruption Risk.”

 

Investment Manager

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. is the investment manager of the Fund pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement. The Investment Manager was formed in 1986, and as of September 30, 2010 had $31.2 billion in assets under management. Its clients include pension plans, endowment funds and registered investment companies, including some of the largest open-end and closed-end real estate funds. The Investment Manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cohen & Steers, Inc., a publicly traded company whose common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNS.” The Investment Manager will be responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Manager will have responsibility for providing administrative services

 

 

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and assisting the Fund with operational needs pursuant to an Administration Agreement. The Fund also has entered into an agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) to perform certain administrative functions subject to the supervision of the Investment Manager. See “Management of the Fund — Administration and Co-Administration Agreement.”

 

Fees and Expenses

The Fund will pay the Investment Manager a monthly fee computed at the annual rate of 0.70% of average daily Managed Assets. See “Management of the Fund — Investment Manager.” If the Fund utilizes leverage, the fees paid to the Investment Manager for investment advisory and management services will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets, which include the principal amount of outstanding Borrowings, the liquidation preference of Preferred Shares, if any, and the proceeds of any Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund’s investment management fees and other expenses are paid only by the Common Shareholders, and not by holders of Preferred Shares, if any. See “Use of Leverage.”

 

Listing and Symbol

The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “PSF.”

 

Dividends and Distributions

Depending on the size of the offering and existing market conditions, the Fund may make a special distribution in December 2010 in order for the Fund to avoid incurring excise tax liability for its 2010 operations.

 

 

Subject to the determination of the Fund’s Board of Directors to implement a Managed Dividend Policy (as defined below), commencing with the Fund’s first regular distribution, the Fund intends to make regular monthly cash distributions to Common Shareholders at a level rate based on the projected performance of the Fund, which rate is a fixed dollar amount which may be adjusted from time to time (a “Level Rate Distribution Policy”). The tax treatment and characterization of the Fund’s distributions may vary significantly from time to time because of the varied nature of the Fund’s investments. Although the Fund intends to make distributions monthly, the ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined finally until after the end of that taxable year. In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all of its net realized capital gains. The Fund expects to declare the initial monthly dividend on the Common Shares within approximately 45 days, and to pay approximately 60 to 90 days, from the completion of this offering depending on market conditions. At times, to maintain a stable level of distributions, the Fund may pay out less than

 

 

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all of its net investment income or pay out accumulated undistributed income, or return capital, in addition to current net investment income.

The Fund may rely on an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission received by the Investment Manager and certain closed-end funds managed by the Investment Manager to implement a dividend policy that would permit the Fund to include long-term capital gains in Fund distributions more frequently than is permitted under the 1940 Act (a “Managed Dividend Policy”). If, for any distribution, net investment income and net realized capital gains were less than the amount of the distribution, the difference would be distributed from the Fund’s assets and may constitute a return of capital, which is tax-free to the Common Shareholders, up to the amount of the stockholder’s tax basis in the applicable Common Shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of such Common Shares.

A Level Rate Distribution Policy or a Managed Dividend Policy would result in the payment of distributions in approximately the same amount or percentage to Common Shareholders each month. If the source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital contribution of the Common Shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to that effect. Nevertheless, Common Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of a dividend or other distribution may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Common Shareholders should read any written disclosure regarding dividends or other distributions carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution from the Fund is net profits. See “Dividends and Distributions.”

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Fund has a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each Common Shareholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares. Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash. Shareholders whose Common Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan. See “Dividends and Distributions — Dividend Reinvestment Plan” and “Taxation.”

 

Custodian, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar

State Street will act as custodian, and The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) will act as transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the Fund. See “Custodian, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar.”

 

 

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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

The purpose of the following table is to help you understand the 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, unless otherwise indicated, and assume that the Fund issues                      Common Shares. If the Fund issues fewer Common Shares, these expenses generally would increase as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares. The table also assumes the use of leverage in the form of Borrowings in an amount equal to 33  1 / 3 % of the Fund’s Managed Assets, 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%   

Expenses borne by the Fund (as a percentage of offering price)

     0.20% (1) 

Dividend reinvestment plan fees

     None   

 

     Percentage of
Net Assets  Attributable to
Common Shares(3)
 

Annual Expenses

  

Investment management fee

     1.05

Other expenses

     0.40

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     0.98

Acquired fund fees and expenses(2)

     Non

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     2.43

 

(1) The Investment Manager also has agreed to pay all organizational expenses and offering costs (other than the sales load but including the $.00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters) that exceed $0.05 per Common Share (0.20% of the offering price).
(2) Fund investors will bear indirectly the fees and expenses (including investment advisory fees and other operating expenses) of any investment companies in which the Fund invests. For purposes of this calculation, the Investment Manager assumed that 0% of the Fund’s portfolio will be invested in acquired funds, although such percentage may vary over time.
(3) If the Fund does not borrow from financial institutions or otherwise use leverage, the Fund’s estimated annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Shares) would be:

 

Investment management fee

     0.70%   

Other expenses

     0.23%   

Interest payments on borrowed funds

     None   

Acquired fund fees and expenses(4)

     None   

Total annual fund operating expenses

     0.93%   

 

  (4) See footnote (2) above.

The following example illustrates the hypothetical expenses (including the sales load of $45, estimated offering expenses of this offering of $2 and the estimated costs of Borrowings assuming the Fund utilizes leverage representing 33  1 / 3 % of the Fund’s total capital (after incurrence) of $                    ) that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Shares, assuming (1) total net annual expenses of 2.43% of net assets attributable to Common Shares and (2) a 5% annual return:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years  

Total Expenses Incurred

   $ 70       $ 119       $ 170       $ 311   

The examples above should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower. The example assumes that the estimated “Other Expenses” set forth in the Annual Expenses table is accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. Assuming the Fund does not use leverage, including through the use of Borrowings, the illustrated expenses in the example above would be $56, $75, $96 and $156 for years 1, 3, 5 and 10, respectively.

 

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THE FUND

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was organized as a Maryland corporation on August 16, 2010 and is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a newly organized entity, we have no operating history. Our principal office is located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, and our telephone number is (212) 832-3232.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting organizational expenses and offering costs (other than the sales load but including the $ .00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters) that do not exceed $ 0.05 per Common Share, to be $                    , or $                     assuming exercise of the overallotment option in full. The net proceeds will be invested in accordance with the policies set forth under “Investment Objectives and Policies.” A portion of the organizational and offering expenses of the Fund has been advanced by the Investment Manager and will be repaid by the Fund upon closing of this offering. The Investment Manager will incur and be responsible for all of the Fund’s organizational expenses and offering costs (other than the sales load but including the $ .00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters) that exceed $0.05 per Common Share.

The Fund estimates that the net proceeds of this offering will be fully invested in accordance with its investment objectives and policies within 60 days of the initial public offering. Pending such investments, those proceeds may be invested in cash, cash equivalents, government securities and short-term fixed income securities. See “Investment Objectives and Policies.”

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

General

The Fund’s primary investment object is high current income. The Fund’s secondary objective is capital appreciation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund pursues its investment objectives primarily by investing in issues of preferred and debt securities believed to be undervalued relative to credit quality and other investment characteristics. In making this determination, the Investment Manager evaluates the fundamental characteristics of an issuer, including an issuer’s creditworthiness, and also takes into account prevailing market factors. In analyzing credit quality, the Investment Manager considers not only fundamental analysis, but also an issuer’s corporate and capital structure and the placement of the preferred or debt securities within that structure. In evaluating relative value, the Investment Manager also takes into account call, conversion and other structural security features, in addition to such factors as the likely directions of credit ratings and relative value versus other income security classes.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets in a portfolio of preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including:

 

   

Traditional preferred securities

 

   

Hybrid-preferred securities

 

   

Floating rate preferred securities

 

   

Corporate debt securities

 

   

Convertible securities

 

   

Securities of other open-end funds, closed-end funds or ETFs that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described herein

 

23


These securities may be across a wide range of sectors and industries. The Fund’s investments in common stocks, securities of MLPs, government securities, mortgage- and asset-backed securities and municipal securities are not included for purposes of the Fund’s 80% investment policy.

The Fund also will invest 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, which is comprised of the banks, diversified financials, real estate (including REITs) and insurance industries. From time to time, the Fund may have 25% or more of its Managed Assets invested in any one of these industries. In addition, the Fund also may focus its investments in other sectors or industries, such as (but not limited to) energy, industrials, utilities, pipelines, health care and telecommunications. The Investment Manager retains broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s investments across various sectors and industries.

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in securities of non-U.S. companies, including up to 25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets in securities issued by companies domiciled in emerging market countries. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in any one emerging market country. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager may hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure, and will hedge such exposure once it exceeds 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

The Fund may invest in investment grade as well as below investment grade securities and, although not required to do so, will generally seek to maintain a minimum BBB- weighted average senior debt rating of companies in which it invests. Although a company’s senior debt rating may be BBB-, an underlying security issued by such company in which the Fund invests may have a lower rating than BBB-. Below investment grade securities are also known as “high yield” or “junk” securities. The maturities of debt securities in which the Fund will invest generally will be longer-term (ten years or more); however, as a result of changing market conditions and interest rates, the Fund may also invest in shorter-term debt securities.

The Fund is non-diversified and as a result may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. As a result, changes in the value of a single investment could cause greater fluctuations in the Fund’s share price than would occur in a more diversified fund.

Investment Portfolio

Our portfolio will be composed principally of the following investments. A more detailed description of our investment policies and restrictions and more detailed information about our portfolio investments are contained in the SAI.

Preferred Securities

There are two basic types of preferred securities. The first, sometimes referred to in this Prospectus as traditional preferred securities, consists of preferred stock issued by an entity taxable as a corporation. Preferred stocks are considered equity securities. The second basic type is referred to in this Prospectus as hybrid-preferred securities. Hybrid-preferred securities may be issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated trust or partnership of the corporation, generally in the form of preferred interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The hybrid-preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. Hybrid-preferred securities are considered debt securities. The Investment Manager also considers senior debt perpetual issues, as well as exchange-listed senior debt issues that trade with attributes of exchange-listed perpetual and hybrid-preferred securities to be part of the broader preferred securities market.

 

24


Traditional Preferred Securities . Traditional preferred securities pay fixed or floating dividends to investors and have “preference” over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a company’s assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. In order to be payable, distributions on such preferred securities must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Income payments on certain preferred securities currently outstanding are cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accumulate even if not declared by the board of directors or otherwise made payable. In such a case, all accumulated dividends must be paid before any dividend on the common stock can be paid. However, some traditional preferred stocks are non-cumulative, in which case dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. The Fund may invest in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its stockholders. Should an issuer of a non-cumulative preferred stock held by the Fund determine not to pay dividends on such stock, the amount of dividends the Fund pays may be adversely affected. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on the traditional preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. Preferred stockholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors or on other matters. Shares of traditional preferred securities have a liquidation preference that generally equals the original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market value of preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting companies in the utilities and financial services sectors, which are prominent issuers of preferred securities, and by actual and anticipated changes in tax laws, such as changes in corporate income tax rates. Because the claim on an issuer’s earnings represented by traditional preferred securities may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer may redeem the securities. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Fund’s holdings of higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities of comparable credit quality paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.

Floating rate preferred securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the securities. The terms of such securities provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event-based, such as a change in the short-term interest rate. Because of the interest rate reset feature, floating rate securities provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rising interest rates, although the interest rates of floating rate securities will participate in any declines in interest rates as well.

Pursuant to the DRD, corporations may generally deduct 70% of the income they receive from dividends on traditional preferred securities that are paid out of earnings and profits of the issuer. Corporate stockholders of a regulated investment company like the Fund generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their distributions attributable to amounts received by the regulated investment company that qualify for the DRD. However, not all traditional preferred securities pay dividends that are eligible for the DRD, including preferred securities issued by REITs described below. Under current law, individuals will generally be taxed at long-term capital gain rates on qualified dividend income for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. Individual stockholders of a regulated investment company like the Fund generally may be eligible to treat as qualified dividend income that portion of their distributions attributable to QDI received and designated as such by the regulated investment company. However, not all traditional preferred securities will provide significant benefits under the rules relating to QDI, including preferred securities issued by REITs described below. Within the category of traditional preferred securities, the Fund may invest in traditional preferred securities issued by real estate companies, including REITs. REIT preferred securities are generally perpetual in nature, although REITs often have the ability to redeem the preferred securities after a specified period of time. The market value of REIT preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting a particular REIT. While sharing characteristics that make them similar to traditional preferred securities, dividends from REIT preferred

 

25


securities do not provide any DRD benefit (and generally do not provide significant benefits under the rules relating to qualified dividend income). The Fund may invest in REITs of any market capitalization; however, even the larger REITs tend to be small- to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Hybrid-Preferred Securities. Hybrid-preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The hybrid-preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates.

Hybrid-preferred securities are typically junior and fully subordinated liabilities of an issuer or the beneficiary of a guarantee that is junior and fully subordinated to the other liabilities of the guarantor. In addition, hybrid-preferred securities typically permit an issuer to defer the payment of income for eighteen months or more without triggering an event of default. Generally, the maximum deferral period is five years. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer payments for extended periods of time without default consequences to the issuer, and certain other features (such as restrictions on common dividend payments by the issuer or ultimate guarantor when full cumulative payments on the trust preferred securities have not been made), these hybrid-preferred securities are often treated as close substitutes for traditional preferred securities, both by issuers and investors. Hybrid-preferred securities have many of the key characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure and because their quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability of the issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. Hybrid-preferred securities include, but are not limited to, trust originated preferred securities; monthly income preferred securities; quarterly income bond securities; quarterly income debt securities; quarterly income preferred securities; corporate trust securities; public income notes; and other hybrid-preferred securities.

Hybrid-preferred securities are typically issued with a final maturity date, although some are perpetual in nature. In certain instances, a final maturity date may be extended and/or the final payment of principal may be deferred at the issuer’s option for a specified time without default. No redemption can typically take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met, although issuers may be able to engage in open-market repurchases without regard to whether all payments have been paid.

Many hybrid-preferred securities are issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are not a direct obligation of an operating company. At the time the trust or special purpose entity sells such preferred securities to investors, it purchases debt of the operating company (with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities), which enables the operating company to deduct for tax purposes the interest paid on the debt held by the trust or special purpose entity. The trust or special purpose entity is generally required to be treated as transparent for Federal income tax purposes such that the holders of the trust preferred securities are treated as owning beneficial interests in the underlying debt of the operating company. Accordingly, payments on the hybrid-preferred securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for Federal income tax purposes and, as such, are not eligible for the DRD or the reduced rates of tax that may apply to QDI. The trust or special purpose entity in turn would be a holder of the operating company’s debt and would have priority with respect to the operating company’s earnings and profits over the operating company’s common stockholders, but would typically be subordinated to other classes of the operating company’s debt. Typically a preferred share has a rating that is slightly below that of its corresponding operating company’s senior debt securities.

Within the category of hybrid-preferred securities are senior debt instruments that trade in the broader preferred securities market. These debt instruments, which are sources of long-term capital for the issuers, have structural features similar to preferred stock such as maturities ranging from 30 years

 

26


to perpetuity, call features, exchange listings and the inclusion of accrued interest in the trading price. Similar to other hybrid-preferred securities, these debt instruments usually do not offer equity capital treatment. CORTS ® and PINES ® are two examples of senior debt instruments which are structured and trade as hybrid-preferred securities.

Debt Securities

Debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate debt securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. corporations, including U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations, U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers and debt obligations denominated in foreign currencies. Such debt obligations include, among others, bonds, notes, debentures and variable rate demand notes, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. Such corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations. The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The majority of debt securities purchased by the Fund will be rated, but the Fund reserves the right to purchase debt securities that are unrated by an NRSRO.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities typically consist of debt or perpetual preferred securities that may be converted within a specified period of time into a certain amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer at a predetermined price. In some cases, conversion may be mandatory. They also include debt securities with warrants or common stock attached and hybrid and synthetic securities combining the features of debt securities and equity securities. Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock, until the security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged.

Investment Grade and Below Investment Grade Securities

The Fund may invest in investment grade as well as below investment grade securities and, although not required to do so, will generally seek to maintain a minimum BBB- weighted average senior debt rating of companies in which it invests. A security will be considered to be investment grade if it is rated as such by one of Moody’s, S&P, Fitch or another NRSRO or, if unrated, are judged to be investment grade by the Investment Manager. Although a company’s senior debt rating may be BBB-, an underlying security issued by such company in which the Fund invests may have a lower rating than BBB-. Below investment grade quality securities (below BBB- or Baa3), or securities that are unrated but judged to be below investment grade by the Investment Manager, are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” securities and are regarded as having more speculative characteristics with respect to the payment of interest and repayment of principal. The maturities of debt securities in which the Fund will invest generally will be longer-term (ten years or more); however, as a result of changing market conditions and interest rates, the Fund may also invest in shorter-term debt securities.

Concentration in Financials Sector

The Fund also will invest 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, which is comprised of the banks, diversified financials, real estate (including REITs) and insurance industries. From time to time, the Fund may have 25% or more of its Managed Assets invested in any one of these industries. In addition, the Fund also may focus its investments in other sectors or industries, such as (but not limited to) energy, industrials, utilities, pipelines, health care and telecommunications. The Investment Manager retains broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s investments across various sectors and industries.

 

27


Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in securities of non-U.S. companies, including up to 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in emerging markets. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in any one emerging market country. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager may hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure, and will hedge such exposure once it exceeds 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

Many foreign companies issue both foreign currency and U.S. dollar-denominated preferred and debt securities. Those securities that are traded in the United States have characteristics that are similar to traditional and hybrid preferred securities. The Fund may also invest in securities of foreign companies in the form of ADRs, GDRs and EDRs. Generally, ADRs in registered form are dollar denominated securities designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, which represent and may be converted into an underlying foreign security. GDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use outside the United States. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in the European securities markets. Depending on market conditions, the Fund also may, to a limited extent, enter into forward currency contracts to hedge the Fund’s foreign currency exposure in the event the Fund holds non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager would only enter into such transactions to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, and may determine not to hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds or ETFs, such as other funds that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described herein, to the extent permitted under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, or any exemption granted under the 1940 Act. The Fund also may invest in other funds 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 during periods when there is a shortage of attractive opportunities in the market.

An investment in the shares of another fund is subject to the risks associated with that fund’s portfolio securities. To the extent the Fund invests in shares of another fund, Common Shareholders would indirectly pay a portion of that fund’s expenses, including advisory fees, brokerage and other distribution expenses. These fees and expenses are in addition to the direct expenses of the Fund’s own operations. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other funds. The securities of other funds may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to similar leverage risks to which the Fund is subject. As described in the sections entitled “Use of Leverage” and “Use of Leverage—Leverage Risk,” 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. Other funds may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in other funds, the Fund will be dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than the Investment Manager.

Derivatives

The Fund expects that its primary use of derivatives will be interest rate hedging transactions, primarily interest rate swap or cap transactions, designed to reduce the interest rate risk of its leverage. The Fund also may engage in interest rate transactions to hedge its interest rate exposure in its portfolio holdings. In an interest rate swap, the Fund would agree to pay to the other party to the interest rate swap (which is known as the “counterparty”) a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay the Fund a variable rate payment that is intended to approximate the Fund’s variable rate payment obligation on the preferred shares or any variable rate borrowing. The payment obligation would be based on the notional amount of the swap. In an interest rate cap, the Fund would pay a premium to the counterparty to the interest rate swap, and to the extent that a specified variable

 

28


rate index exceeds a predetermined fixed rate, would receive from the counterparty payments of the difference based on the notional amount of such cap. The Fund would use interest rate swaps or caps only with the intent to reduce or eliminate the risk that an increase in short-term interest rates could have on the performance on the Fund’s portfolio holdings or of the Fund’s Common Shares as a result of leverage.

Depending on market conditions, the Fund also may, to a limited extent, enter into forward currency contracts to hedge the Fund’s foreign currency exposure in the event the Fund holds non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are entered into in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks and brokers) and their customers.

Foreign currency transactions may involve, for example, the Fund’s purchase of foreign currencies for U.S. dollars or the maintenance of short positions in foreign currencies. A short position would involve the Fund agreeing to exchange an amount of a currency it did not currently own for another currency at a future date in anticipation of a decline in the value of the currency sold relative to the currency the Fund contracted to receive. The Fund’s success in these transactions will depend principally on the ability of the Investment Manager to predict accurately future foreign currency exchange rates. The Investment Manager would only enter into such transactions to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives, and may determine not to hedge any of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure.

In addition, the Fund may write (sell) index and stock covered call and put options on securities (including securities of ETFs), stock indices or custom baskets of securities that are traded on U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter. An option on a security is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to buy a specified security (in the case of a call option) from the writer of the option at a designated price during the term of the option. An option on a securities index or basket of securities gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to receive from the seller cash equal to the difference between the closing price of the index or basket of securities and the exercise price of the option. The Fund may write a call or put option on a security (other than securities of ETFs) only if the option is “covered.” A call option on a security written by the Fund is covered if the Fund owns the underlying security covered by the call. The Fund will cover options on ETFs, stock indices or custom baskets by owning securities whose price changes, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, are expected to be similar to those of the ETF, index or basket, or in such other manner as may be in accordance with the rules of any exchange on which the option is traded and other applicable laws and regulations. The Fund may enter into these options transactions with the intention of earning option premiums that generate current income and may help to increase distributable income, although there can be no assurance that this will be achieved. The Fund also may engage in these transactions to seek to facilitate portfolio management and mitigate risks.

Common Stock

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in common stocks, which represent residual ownership interest in issuers and include rights or warrants to purchase common stocks. Holders of common stocks are entitled to the income and increase in the value of the assets and business of the issuers after all debt obligations and obligations to preferred stockholders are satisfied. Common stocks generally have voting rights. Common stocks fluctuate in price in response to many factors including historical and prospective earnings of the issuer, the value of its assets, general economic conditions, interest rates, investor perceptions and market liquidity. The value of common stocks purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. Their value also may decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and

 

29


competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.

Securities of Master Limited Partnerships

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in energy-related MLP securities. MLP securities will be in the form of: (i) equity securities of MLPs, including common units, preferred units and convertible subordinated units; (ii) debt securities of MLPs, including debt securities rated below investment grade; (iii) securities of MLP affiliates; (iv) securities of open-end funds, closed-end funds or ETFs that invest primarily in MLP securities as described herein and (v) exchange traded notes whose returns are linked to the returns of MLPs or MLP indices. The Fund considers an MLP to be energy-related if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the exploration, development, production, gathering, transportation, processing, storage, refining, distribution, mining or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products, coal or other energy sources. The Fund may also invest in unregistered or otherwise restricted MLP securities. The Fund currently intends to invest primarily in MLP securities issued by entities organized in the United States.

Government Securities

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or a non-U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities include bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as “stripped” or “zero coupon” U.S. Treasury obligations representing future interest or principal payments on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds. Stripped securities are sold at a discount to their “face value,” and may exhibit greater price volatility than interest-bearing securities because investors receive no payment until maturity. Other obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer were to default, the Fund might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. Government.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. Mortgage-related securities include mortgage pass-through securities, CMOs, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, SMBSs and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in or are secured by and payable from mortgage loans on real property. These securities may be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its sponsored entities or may be issued by private organizations. One type of SMBS has one class receiving all of the interest from the mortgage assets (the interest-only, or IO class), while the other class will receive the entire principal (the principal only, or PO class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities.

Other asset-backed securities may be structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements and from sales of personal property. Regular payments received in respect of such securities include both interest and principal. Asset-backed securities typically have no U.S. Government backing. Additionally, the ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited.

 

30


Municipal Securities

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in municipal securities, which includes debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal securities are issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include the refunding of outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities.

The two major classifications of municipal securities are bonds and notes. Bonds may be further classified as “general obligation” or “revenue” issues. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities, and in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Most notes are general obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. There are, of course, variations in the risks associated with municipal securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications. The Fund does not anticipate meeting the requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) to pass through income from municipal securities as tax free to Common Shareholders.

Other Transactions, Techniques and Investments

New Issues and Follow-On Offerings

In addition to purchasing securities in the secondary market, the Fund intends to seek investment opportunities in new issues and follow-on or secondary offerings of preferred securities. The Investment Manager, as an institutional investor, may have access to new issues and secondary offerings that may not be fully available to all investors. By investing in such offerings, the Investment Manager may be able to secure favorable terms for the Fund, such as attractive pricing relative to other securities available in the secondary market. The Investment Manager has developed relationships with issuers and underwriters that it believes could afford the Fund competitive advantages in evaluating and managing these investment opportunities in preferred securities.

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its Managed Assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, illiquid securities include, among others, securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Securities that have legal or contractual restrictions on resale but have a readily available market are not deemed illiquid for purposes of this limitation.

Historically, illiquid securities have included securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale because they have not been registered under the Securities Act, and securities which are otherwise not readily marketable. Securities which have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Securities that do not have a readily available market may include certain small cap securities, such as small-sized REITs, or certain unrated securities. Illiquid securities have the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven days. The Fund might also have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

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In recent years, however, a large institutional market has developed for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments.

Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a safe harbor from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers, which generally creates a more liquid market for securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A than other types of restricted securities.

The Investment Manager will monitor the liquidity of restricted securities in the Fund’s portfolio, under the supervision of the Board of Directors. In reaching liquidity decisions, the Investment Manager will consider, among other things, the following factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers wishing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential purchasers; (3) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (4) the nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades ( e.g. , the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of the transfer).

Defensive Position

For temporary defensive purposes or to keep cash on hand fully invested, and following the offering of the Common Shares pending investment in securities that meet the Fund’s investment objectives, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in cash, cash equivalents, government securities and short-term fixed income securities. When and to the extent the Fund assumes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not pursue or achieve its investment objectives.

Other Investments

The Fund’s cash reserves, held to provide sufficient flexibility to take advantage of new opportunities for investments and for other cash needs, will be invested in money market instruments. Money market instruments in which we may invest our cash reserves will generally consist of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and such obligations which are subject to repurchase agreements and commercial paper. See “Investment Objectives and Policies” in the SAI.

Certain of the Fund’s investment strategies may limit the amount of dividend income the Fund receives from qualifying for the reduced Federal income tax rates that may apply to qualified dividends under the Code. As a result, there can be no assurance as to what portion of the Fund’s distributions will be designated as QDI.

USE OF LEVERAGE

The Fund currently intends to seek to enhance its level of distributions and total return through the use of leverage. Under current market conditions, the Fund intends to utilize leverage in an amount up to 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets through Borrowings. The Fund also may borrow money 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. Although it has no current intention of doing so, the Fund may utilize additional forms of leverage through the issuance of Preferred Shares or through the use of proceeds from Reverse Repurchase Agreements, as discussed herein.

 

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There is no assurance that the Fund will utilize leverage or, if leverage is utilized, that it will be successful in enhancing the level of its distributions or total return. The net asset value of the Fund’s Common Shares will be reduced by the issuance or incurrence costs of any leverage. Through leveraging, the Fund will seek to obtain a higher return for Common Shareholders than if the Fund did not utilize leverage. Leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leverage. There can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund generally is not permitted to borrow money if the principal amount of such Borrowings exceeds 33  1 / 3 % of the Fund’s assets less liabilities other than the Borrowings ( i.e. , the value of the Fund’s assets must be at least 300% of the principal amount of any Borrowings). 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 assets, less liabilities other than the Borrowings, is at least 300% of such principal amount. If the Fund borrows, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to prepay all or a portion of the principal amount of the Borrowing to the extent necessary in order to maintain the required asset coverage. Failure to maintain certain asset coverage requirements could result in an event of default and entitle the debt holders to elect a majority of the Board of Directors.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue Preferred Shares if, immediately after such issuance, the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares exceeds 50% of the Fund’s assets (including the proceeds from the issuance) less liabilities other than Borrowings ( i.e. , the value of the Fund’s assets must be at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Shares). 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 assets less liabilities other than Borrowings is at least 200% of such liquidation value. If the Fund issues Preferred Shares, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem Preferred Shares from time to time to the extent necessary in order to maintain coverage of any Preferred Shares of at least 200%. If the Fund has Preferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s Directors will be elected by the holders of Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining Directors of the Fund will be elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class. In the event the Fund failed to pay dividends on Preferred Shares for two years, holders of Preferred Shares would be entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund. See “Description of Shares — Preferred Shares.” The Fund has no current intention to issue Preferred Shares.

The Fund may enter into Reverse Repurchase Agreements involving the transfer by the Fund of portfolio securities to a financial institution with an agreement to repurchase such securities on a future date at a specified price. In return, the financial institution provides financing to the Fund equal to the discounted value of such securities. The use by the Fund of Reverse Repurchase Agreements effects a form of economic leverage, because the proceeds derived from such Reverse Repurchase Agreements may be invested in additional securities. At the time the Fund enters into a Reverse Repurchase Agreement, it will designate on its books and records liquid instruments having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). As a result, a Reverse Repurchase Agreement will not be considered a Borrowing by the Fund. The amount of financing the Fund may obtain through Reverse Repurchase Agreements may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund has no current intention to use Reverse Repurchase Agreements for leverage.

The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by either guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for leverage or, if the Fund borrows from a lender, by the lender. These restrictions may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those currently imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. With respect to any Borrowings, the Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default under its lending arrangements. The Fund expects that any Borrowings would contain customary covenants that, among other things, likely would limit the Fund’s

 

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ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations.

Effects of Leverage

Assuming that leverage will represent approximately 33  1 / 3 % of the Fund’s Managed Assets and charge interest or involve payment at a rate set by an interest rate transaction at an annual average rate of 2.35%, the income generated by the Fund’s portfolio (net of estimated expenses) must exceed 0.78% in order to cover such interest payments or payment rates and other expenses specifically related to leverage. Of course, these numbers are merely estimates, used for illustration. Actual dividend rates, interest, or payment rates may vary frequently and may be significantly higher or lower than the rate estimated 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 investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) 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 assumes leverage in an aggregate amount equal to 33  1 / 3 % of the Fund’s Managed Assets. See “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk.”

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return

     -10     -5     0     5     10

Common Share Total Return

     -16.2     -8.7     -1.2     6.3     13.8

If the Fund utilizes leverage, the investment management fees paid to the Investment Manager for investment advisory and management services will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets, including the proceeds from leverage. Only the Fund’s Common Shareholders bear the cost of the Fund’s fees and expenses, including the costs associated with any leverage, which will be borne immediately by Common Shareholders. See “Summary of Fund Expenses.”

Leverage Risk

Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to Common Shareholders. These include the possibility of higher volatility of the net asset value of and distributions on the Common Shares and potentially more volatility in the market value of the Common Shares. So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage will be to cause Common Shareholders to realize higher current net investment income than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, to the extent that the then current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to Common Shareholders will be reduced, and if the then current cost of any leverage were to exceed the net return on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to Common Shareholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged. 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. To the extent that the Fund is required or elects to redeem any Preferred Shares or prepay any Borrowings or Reverse Repurchase Agreements, the Fund may need to liquidate investments to fund such redemptions or prepayments. Liquidation at times of adverse economic conditions may result in capital loss and reduce returns to Common Shareholders.

In addition, such redemption or prepayment would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transaction and could result in a termination payment by or to the Fund. See “Use of Leverage — Interest Rate Transactions.”

 

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The use by the Fund of leverage through Reverse Repurchase Agreements would involve the risk that the market value of the securities acquired with the proceeds of the Reverse Repurchase Agreement may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase. Also, Reverse Repurchase Agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by the Fund in connection with the Reverse Repurchase Agreement may decline in price. If the buyer of securities under a Reverse Repurchase Agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities, and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision. The use by the Fund of leverage through Reverse Repurchase Agreements also would involve the risk that the Fund could be required to sell securities at inopportune times or prices in order to repay leverage and the risk that the counterparty does not return the securities to the Fund.

Interest Rate Transactions

In order to seek to reduce the interest rate risk of the Fund’s leverage through Borrowings, which typically have a floating rate of interest, the Fund expects to enter into interest rate swap transactions as to the majority of such leverage. The Fund also may enter into interest rate cap transactions to reduce the interest rate risk of its leverage or its portfolio holdings.

The use of interest rate swaps and caps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, our use of interest rate swaps or caps could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Common Shares. To the extent there is a decline in interest rates, the value of the interest rate swap or cap could decline, and could result in a decline in the net asset value of the Common Shares. In addition, if short-term interest rates are lower than our rate of payment on the interest rate swap, this will reduce the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. If, on the other hand, short-term interest rates are higher than our rate of payment on the interest rate swap, this will enhance the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. Buying interest rate caps could enhance the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares by providing a maximum leverage expense. Buying interest rate caps could also decrease the net income of the Fund’s Common Shares in the event that the premium paid by the Fund to the counterparty exceeds the additional amount the Fund would have been required to pay had it not entered into the cap agreement. The Fund has no current intention of selling an interest rate swap or cap. The Fund would not enter into interest rate swap or cap transactions with an aggregate notional amount that exceeds the outstanding amount of the Fund’s leverage.

Interest rate swaps and caps do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. In addition, if the counterparty to an interest rate swap or cap defaults, the Fund would not be able to use the anticipated net receipts under the swap or cap to offset dividend or interest payments. Depending on whether the Fund would be entitled to receive net payments from the counterparty on the swap or cap, which in turn would depend on the general state of short-term interest rates at that point in time, such default could negatively impact the performance of the Fund’s Common Shares. Although this will not guarantee that the counterparty does not default, the Fund will not enter into an interest rate swap or cap transaction with any counterparty that the Investment Manager believes does not have the financial resources to honor its obligation under the interest rate swap or cap transaction. Further, the Investment Manager will continually monitor the financial stability of a counterparty to an interest rate swap or cap transaction in an effort to proactively protect the Fund’s investments. In addition, at the time an interest rate swap or cap transaction reaches its scheduled termination date, there is a risk that the Fund will not be able to obtain a replacement transaction or that the terms of the replacement will not be as favorable as on the expiring transaction. If this occurs, it could have a negative impact on the performance of the Common Shares.

The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund

 

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receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund intends to maintain in a segregated account with its custodian cash or liquid securities having a value at least equal to the Fund’s net payment obligations under any swap transaction, marked to market daily.

The Fund may choose or be required to prepay any Borrowings or principal amounts of Reverse Repurchase Agreements, or redeem some or all of any outstanding Preferred Shares. This prepayment or redemption would likely result in the Fund seeking to terminate early all or a portion of any swap or cap transaction. Such early termination could result in termination payment by or to the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND

We are a non-diversified, closed-end fund designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that we will achieve our investment objectives.

No Operating History

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no operating history.

Investment Risk

An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest.

Market Risk

Your investment in Common Shares represents an indirect investment in the preferred securities, debt securities and other assets owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Your Common Shares at any point in time may be worth less than what you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions. The Fund may utilize leverage, which magnifies the market risk. See “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk.”

Preferred Securities Risk

There are special risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including:

 

   

Deferral and Omission Risk. Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer or omit distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. In certain cases, deferring or omitting distributions may be mandatory. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes although it has not yet received such income.

 

   

Credit and Subordination Risk. Credit risk is the risk that a security in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in price or the issuer of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. Preferred securities are generally subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of having priority to corporate income, claims to corporate assets and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that preferred securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. Preferred securities with longer periods before maturity may be more sensitive to interest rate changes.

 

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Call and Reinvestment Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to exercise an option to redeem its issue at par earlier than scheduled which is generally known as call risk. If this occurs, the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding securities. This is known as reinvestment risk. Preferred securities frequently have call features that allow the issuer to repurchase the security prior to its stated maturity. An issuer may redeem an obligation if the issuer can refinance the debt at a lower cost due to declining interest rates or an improvement in the credit standing of the issuer.

 

   

Liquidity Risk. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. Government securities. Illiquid securities involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Fund or at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.

 

   

Limited Voting Rights Risk. Generally, traditional preferred securities offer no voting rights with respect to the issuer unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a director or directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights. Hybrid-preferred security holders generally have no voting rights.

 

   

Special Redemption Rights. In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in U.S. Federal income tax or securities laws. As with call provisions, a redemption by the issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Fund. The Dodd-Frank Act and other proposed regulatory changes may increase issuers’ incentives to call or redeem a security prior to a specified date.

 

   

New Types of Securities. From time to time, preferred securities, including hybrid-preferred securities, have been, and may in the future be, offered having features other than those described herein. The Fund reserves the right to invest in these securities if the Investment Manager believes that doing so would be consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. Since the market for these instruments would be new, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of them at a suitable price and time. In addition to limited liquidity, these instruments may present other risks, such as high price volatility. The Dodd-Frank Act and proposed regulations could lead to the issuance of new forms of preferred and hybrid preferred securities with features such as automatic equity conversion and/or write downs from par value under certain circumstances.

The Dodd-Frank Act contains provisions which will make certain hybrid preferred securities less attractive for issuing banks, which is believed to be likely to result in a significant reduction in the issuance and, over time, availability of these types of securities and potentially in many outstanding issues being redeemed. These changes may negatively impact the prices of some securities, particularly those trading above their par values as the new legislation may make near-term redemptions at par possible. However, other securities may be positively affected, particularly those trading at discounts to par value. Such securities may experience an increase in market value from issuers’ redemption activity. A longer-term consequence of the relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, which are to be phased in over a period of a few years, is the potential for some types of preferred securities in which the Fund intends to invest to become more scarce and potentially less liquid. In addition, proposals of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to update capital requirements for banks globally, if finalized and adopted in the United States, would further limit the attractiveness to issuing banks of a broader range of preferred security types and possibly have more significant consequences, including a smaller market of issues and less liquidity. It is not possible to predict the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and these proposals on the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategy. Although it is expected that over time new types of preferred securities in which the Fund may invest will be issued the availability of such investments cannot be determined.

 

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Debt Securities Risk

There are special risks associated with investing in debt securities, including:

 

   

Credit Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. Debt securities with longer periods before maturity may be more sensitive to interest rate changes.

 

   

Call Risk. Call risk is the risk that, during a period of falling interest rates, the issuer may redeem a security by repaying it early, which may reduce the Fund’s income if the proceeds are reinvested at lower interest rates.

 

   

Extension Risk. When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these securities to fall.

 

   

Liquidity Risk. Certain debt securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. Government securities. Illiquid securities involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Fund or at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.

 

   

Prepayment Risk. When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.

Convertible Securities Risk

Although to a lesser extent than with nonconvertible fixed-income securities, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stock. A unique feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock.

Below Investment Grade Securities Risk

The Fund may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and these bonds are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.” These securities are subject to a greater risk of default. The prices of these lower grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher grade securities. Lower grade securities tend to be less liquid than investment grade securities. The market values of lower grade securities tend to be more volatile than investment grade securities.

Lower-rated securities, or equivalent unrated securities, may be considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of lower-rated securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities, and our ability to achieve our investment objectives may, to the extent we are

 

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invested in lower-rated securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if we were investing in higher quality securities. An issuer of these securities has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default and the issuer may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

The secondary markets in which lower-rated securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading markets could adversely affect the price at which we could sell a particular lower-rated security when necessary to meet liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer, and could adversely affect and cause large fluctuations in the net asset value of our shares. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield securities.

It is reasonable to expect that any adverse economic conditions could disrupt the market for lower-rated securities, have an adverse impact on the value of those securities and adversely affect the ability of the issuers of those securities to repay principal or interest on those securities. New laws and proposed new laws may adversely impact the market for lower-rated securities.

Risk of Concentration in the Financials Sector

Because the Fund invests 25% or more of its Managed Assets in the financials sector, it will be more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting this sector, such as changes in interest rates, loan concentration and competition. In many countries, companies in the financials sector are regulated by governmental entities, which can increase costs for new services or products and make it difficult to pass increased costs on to consumers. In certain areas, deregulation of financial companies has resulted in increased competition and reduced profitability for certain companies. The profitability of many types of financial companies may be adversely affected in certain market cycles, including periods of rising interest rates, which may restrict the availability and increase the cost of capital, and declining economic conditions, which may cause credit losses due to financial difficulties of borrowers. Because many types of financial companies are vulnerable to these economic cycles, the Fund’s investments in these companies may lose significant value during such periods.

The financial services industries also are subject to relatively rapid changes as a result of industry consolidation trends which may result in distinctions between different financial service segments (for example, banking, insurance and brokerage businesses) becoming less clear. In the recent past, the financial services industries have experienced considerable financial distress, which has led to the implementation of government programs designed to ease that distress.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities Risk

Investments in foreign securities involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments. Securities markets in certain foreign countries are not as developed, efficient or liquid as securities markets in the United States. Therefore, the prices of foreign securities can be volatile. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payments of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. In addition, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with adverse political and economic developments in foreign countries, which could cause the Fund to lose money on its investments in foreign securities. Furthermore, certain investments in foreign securities also may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, and dividend income the Fund receives from foreign securities may not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation that may be applicable to QDI.

Investing in these foreign securities involves certain risks not involved in domestic investments, including, but not limited to:

 

   

future foreign economic, financial, political and social developments;

 

39


   

different legal systems;

 

   

the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions;

 

   

less governmental supervision;

 

   

regulation changes;

 

   

changes in currency exchange rates;

 

   

less publicly available information about companies due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards or regulatory practices;

 

   

high and volatile rates of inflation;

 

   

fluctuating interest rates; and

 

   

different accounting, auditing and financial record-keeping standards and requirements.

In addition, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as:

 

   

growth of gross domestic product;

 

   

rates of inflation;

 

   

capital reinvestment;

 

   

resources;

 

   

self-sufficiency; and

 

   

balance of payments position.

To the extent the Fund has significant investments in a geographic region or country, the Fund will be subject to the risks of adverse changes in that region or country.

As a result of these potential risks, the Investment Manager may determine that, notwithstanding otherwise favorable investment criteria, it may not be practicable or appropriate to invest in a particular country. The Fund may invest in countries in which foreign investors, including the Investment Manager, have had no or limited prior experience.

Foreign Currency Risk

Although the Fund will report its net asset value and pay dividends in U.S. dollars, foreign securities often are purchased with, and make interest payments in, foreign currencies. Therefore, when the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to foreign currency risk, which means that the Fund’s net asset value could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

Emerging Markets Risk

Because of less developed markets and economies and, in some countries, less mature governments and governmental institutions, the risks of investing in foreign securities can be intensified in the case of investments in issuers domiciled or doing substantial business in emerging market countries. These risks include high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries; political and social uncertainties; over-dependence on exports, especially with respect to primary commodities, making these economies vulnerable to changes in

 

40


commodity prices; overburdened infrastructure and obsolete or unseasoned financial systems; environmental problems; less developed legal systems; and less reliable custodial services and settlement practices.

Investing in securities of companies in emerging markets also may entail risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, the lack of hedging instruments, and on repatriation of capital invested. Emerging securities markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets. The limited size of emerging securities markets and limited trading value compared to the volume of trading in U.S. securities could cause prices to be erratic for reasons apart from factors that affect the quality of the securities. For example, limited market size may cause prices to be unduly influenced by traders who control large positions.

Adverse publicity and investors’ perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of portfolio securities, especially in these markets. Many emerging market countries have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty and instability.

Risks of Investing in Other Investment Companies

To the extent the Fund invests a portion of its assets in other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, ETFs and other types of funds, those assets will be subject to the risks of the purchased funds’ portfolio securities, and a stockholder in the Fund will bear not only his or her proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, but also indirectly the expenses of the purchased funds. Common Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other funds. Risks associated with investments in closed-end funds also generally include the risks described in this Prospectus associated with the Fund’s structure as a closed-end fund, including market risk, leverage risk, risk of market price discount from net asset value, risk of anti-takeover provisions and non-diversification. The Fund’s investments in other funds also are subject to the ability of the managers of those funds to achieve the funds’ investment objectives.

In addition, investments in closed-end funds may be subject to the following risks:

 

   

Dilution Risk . Strategies employed by a closed-end fund, such as rights offerings, may, under certain circumstances, have the effect of reducing its share price and the Fund’s proportionate interest.

 

   

Foreign Closed-End Fund Risk . Risks associated with investments in closed-end funds registered under foreign law may be different than those of investments in U.S. registered closed-end funds. Foreign registered funds are subject to a different regulatory regime that may be less rigorous than in the United States in areas such as governance and financial reporting requirements. There also may be less publicly available information about such funds, and investments in these funds may carry special tax consequences. In addition, foreign closed-end funds are generally subject to the risks of investing in other types of foreign securities.

An ETF that is based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the index. An ETF also incurs certain expenses not incurred by its applicable index. The market value of an ETF share may differ from its net asset value; the share may trade at a premium or discount to its net asset value, which may be due to, among other things, differences in the supply and demand in the market for the share and the supply and demand in the market for the underlying assets of the ETF. In addition, certain securities that are part of the index tracked by an ETF may, at times, be unavailable, which may impede the ETF’s ability to track its index. An ETF that utilizes leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, which can affect whether its share price approximates net asset value. As a result of using leverage, an ETF is subject to the risk of failure in the

 

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futures and options markets it uses to obtain leverage and the risk that a counterparty will default on its obligations, which can result in a loss to the Fund.

Derivatives Risk

The Fund’s use of interest rate hedging transactions, forward currency contracts and covered call and put options is subject to various risks associated with derivatives transactions. The use of interest rate hedging transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. The Fund may enter into a swap or cap transaction to attempt to protect itself from increasing dividend or interest expenses resulting from increasing short-term interest rates on any leverage it incurs or any securities it holds. A decline in interest rates may result in a decline in the value of the swap or cap, which may result in a decline in the net asset value of the Fund. A sudden and dramatic decline in interest rates may result in a significant decline in the net asset value of the Fund. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the use of interest rate hedging transactions could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Common Shares. For specific risks associated with interest rate hedging transactions, see “Use of Leverage — Interest Rate Transactions.”

In the event the Fund enters into forward currency contracts for hedging purposes, the Fund will be subject to currency exchange rates risk. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. They generally are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investments in different countries, actual or perceived changes in interest rates and other complex factors, as seen from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates also can be affected unpredictably by intervention of U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund’s success in these transactions will depend principally on the ability of the Investment Manager to predict accurately future foreign currency exchange rates.

There are various risks associated with writing covered put and call options. In effect, the Fund forgoes, during the life of the option, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security or securities held by the Fund with respect to which the option was written above the sum of the premium and the exercise price. For index options, this will depend, in part, on the extent of correlation of the performance of the Fund’s portfolio securities with the performance of the relevant index. Although this strategy will generally limit the Fund’s ability to benefit from the full appreciation potential of its stock investments underlying the options, the Fund retains the risk of loss (less premiums received) if the value of these stock invests declines. This combination of potentially limited appreciation and full depreciation over time may lead to erosion in the value of the Fund’s portfolio, and the Fund’s performance may be lower than it otherwise would have been if it did not write covered put and call options.

Additional risks associated with derivatives trading include:

Counterparty Risk. Because derivative transactions in which the Fund may engage may involve instruments that are not traded on an exchange but are instead traded between counterparties based on contractual relationships, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will not perform its obligations under the related contracts. Although the Fund intends to enter into transactions only with counterparties which the Investment Manager believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurance that a counterparty will not default and that the Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result.

In the event of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency, the Fund’s collateral may be subject to the conflicting claims of the counterparty’s creditors, and the Fund may be exposed to the risk of a court treating the Fund as a general unsecured creditor of the counterparty, rather than as the owner of the collateral.

The Fund is subject to the risk that issuers of the instruments in which it invests and trades may default on their obligations under those instruments, and that certain events may occur that have an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of those instruments. There can be no assurance

 

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that an issuer of an instrument in which the Fund invests will not default, or that an event that has an immediate and significant adverse effect on the value of an instrument will not occur, and that the Fund will not sustain a loss on a transaction as a result.

Liquidity Risk. Derivative instruments, especially when traded in large amounts, may not be liquid in all circumstances, so that in volatile markets the Fund may not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which the Fund may conduct its transactions in derivative instruments may prevent profitable liquidation of positions, subjecting the Fund to the potential of greater losses.

Over-the-Counter Trading Risk. The derivative instruments that may be purchased or sold by the Fund may include instruments not traded on an exchange. The risk of nonperformance by the counterparty to an instrument may be greater than, and the ease with which the Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to an instrument may be less than, the risk associated with an exchange traded instrument. In addition, significant disparities may exist between “bid” and “asked” prices for derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Derivative instruments not traded on exchanges also are not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange traded instruments, and many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with the transactions.

Tracking/Correlation Risk. When used for hedging purposes, an imperfect or variable degree of correlation between price movements of the derivative instrument and the underlying investment sought to be hedged may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedging effect or expose the Fund to risk of loss.

Common Stock Risk

Although common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed-income securities over the long-term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in returns. Common stocks may be more susceptible to adverse changes in market value due to issuer specific events or general movements in the equities markets. A drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks held by the Fund. Common stock prices fluctuate for many reasons, including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or the occurrence of political or economic events affecting issuers. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of common stock in which the Fund has invested; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks held by the Fund. Also, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. The common stocks in which the Fund will invest are structurally subordinated to preferred securities, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and assets, and, therefore, will be subject to greater risk than the preferred securities or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, common stock prices may be sensitive to rising interest rates as the costs of capital rise and borrowing costs increase.

MLP Risk

An investment in MLP securities involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Holders of MLP securities have limited control on matters affecting the partnership. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or a particular geographic region are subject to risks associated

 

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with such industry or region. The benefit derived from the Fund’s investment in MLPs is largely dependent on the MLPs generally not being subject to entity-level Federal income taxes.

The Fund’s investments in energy-related MLPs are subject to risks associated with energy companies and the energy industry generally. Energy companies can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, the success of exploration projects, tax and other government regulations, weather or meteorological events, world events and economic conditions. Energy companies also may be affected by fluctuations in energy prices, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, government regulations, weather, world events and economic conditions.

Government Securities Risk

Not all obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Any guarantee by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities of a security held by the Fund does not apply to the market value of such security or to the Fund’s Common Shares. A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. In addition, because many types of U.S. government securities trade actively outside the United States, their prices may rise and fall as changes in global economic conditions affect the demand for these securities.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risk

The risks associated with mortgage-related securities include: (1) credit risk associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties and of the borrowers owning these properties; (2) adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, which are more likely to have an adverse impact on mortgage-related securities secured by loans on certain types of commercial properties than on those secured by loans on residential properties; (3) prepayment risk, which can lead to significant fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related security; (4) loss of all or part of the premium, if any, paid; and (5) decline in the market value of the security, whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments on the underlying mortgage collateral.

Asset-backed securities involve certain risks in addition to those presented by mortgage-related securities: (1) primarily, these securities do not have the benefit of the same security interest in the underlying collateral as mortgage-related securities and are more dependent on the borrower’s ability to pay; (2) credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and Federal consumer credit laws, many of which give debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due; and (3) most issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If these obligations are sold to another party, there is a risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of the related automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have an effective security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables. There is a possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be able to support payments on these securities.

Municipal Securities Risk

Municipal securities are debt obligations issued by states or by political subdivisions or authorities of states. Municipal securities are typically designated as general obligation bonds, which are general obligations of a governmental entity that are backed by the taxing power of such entity, or revenue bonds, which are payable from the income of a specific project or authority and are not supported by the issuer’s power to levy taxes. Municipal securities are long-term fixed rate debt obligations that

 

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generally decline in value with increases in interest rates, when an issuer’s financial condition worsens or when the rating on a bond is decreased. Many municipal securities may be called or redeemed prior to their stated maturity. Lower-quality revenue bonds and other credit-sensitive municipal securities carry higher risks of default than general obligation bonds. In addition, the amount of public information available about municipal securities is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds. Special factors, such as legislative changes and local and business developments, may adversely affect the yield and/or value of the Fund’s investments in municipal securities. Other factors include the general conditions of the municipal securities market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue.

Many municipal securities are subject to continuing requirements as to the actual use of the bond proceeds or manner of operation of the project financed from those proceeds that may affect the exemption of interest on such securities from U.S. Federal income taxation. The market for municipal securities is generally less liquid than for other securities, and therefore the price of municipal securities may be more volatile and subject to greater price fluctuations than securities with greater liquidity. In addition, an issuer’s ability to make income distributions generally depends on several factors including the financial condition of the issuer and general economic conditions.

Illiquid Securities Risk

Illiquid securities are securities that are not readily marketable and may include some restricted securities, which are securities that may not be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or, if they are unregistered, may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. Illiquid investments involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Fund or at prices approximating the value at which the Fund is carrying the securities on its books.

Leverage Risk

The Fund currently intends to seek to enhance the level of its distributions and total return through leverage of approximately 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets (including the amount obtained from leverage) through the use of Borrowings. However, the Fund could engage in leverage up to the maximum permitted by the 1940 Act through the issuance of Preferred Shares. The Fund also is permitted to enter into Reverse Repurchase Agreements, the proceeds of which may be used for leverage. See “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk.” Leverage is a speculative technique and there are special risks and costs associated with leveraging. If the Fund utilizes leverage, the fees paid to the Investment Manager for investment advisory and management services will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets, which include the principal amount of outstanding Borrowings the liquidation preference of Preferred Shares, if any, and the proceeds of any Reverse Repurchase Agreements.

Risk of Market Price Discount from Net Asset Value

Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This characteristic is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that net asset value could decrease as a result of investment activities and may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering of the Common Shares by the sales load and the amount of organizational and offering expenses paid by the Fund. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the shares will depend not upon the Fund’s net asset value but entirely upon whether the market price of the shares at the time of sale is above or below the investor’s purchase price for the shares. Because the market price of the shares will be determined by factors such as relative supply of and demand for shares in the market, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, we cannot predict whether the shares will trade at, above or below net asset value, or at below or above the initial public offering price.

 

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ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS

Management Risk

As an actively managed investment portfolio, the Fund is subject to management risk. The Investment Manager and each individual portfolio manager may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities or investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

Portfolio Turnover Risk

The techniques and strategies contemplated by the Fund might result in a high degree of portfolio turnover. Although the Fund cannot accurately predict its annual portfolio turnover rate, it may be greater than 100%. There are no limits on the rate of portfolio turnover, and investments may be sold without regard to length of time held when the Fund’s investment strategy so dictates. Higher portfolio turnover rates would result in corresponding increases in brokerage commissions and may generate short-term capital gains taxable as ordinary income.

Non-Diversified Status

The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act, which means we are not limited by the 1940 Act in the proportion of our assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. However, we intend to conduct our operations so as to qualify as a regulated investment company for purposes of the Code, which generally will relieve the Fund of any liability for Federal income tax to the extent our earnings are distributed to stockholders. See “Taxation” in the SAI. To so qualify, among other requirements, we will limit our investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) not more than 25% of the value of our Managed Assets will be invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of a single issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or any one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships and (ii) at least 50% of the value of our Managed Assets will be invested in cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities; provided, however, that with respect to such other securities, not more than 5% of the value of our Managed Assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and we will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer. Because we, as a non-diversified investment company, may invest in a smaller number of individual issuers than a diversified investment company, an investment in the Fund presents greater risk to you than an investment in a diversified company.

Risk of Anti-Takeover Provisions

Certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or to modify our structure. The provisions may have the effect of depriving you of an opportunity to sell your shares at a premium over prevailing market prices and may have the effect of inhibiting conversion of the Fund to an open-end investment company. These include provisions for staggered terms of office for Directors, super-majority voting requirements for merger, consolidation, liquidation, termination and asset sale transactions, amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and conversion to open-end status. See “Description of Shares” and “Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.”

Market Disruption Risk

Global financial markets have recently experienced periods of unprecedented turmoil. The debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world were negatively impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to subprime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broader market, among other things. These events, along with the deterioration of

 

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the housing market, the failure of major financial institutions and the concerns that other financial institutions as well as the global financial system were also experiencing severe economic distress materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial firms in particular. These events contributed to severe market volatility and caused severe liquidity strains in the credit markets. Volatile financial markets can expose the Fund to greater market and liquidity risk. Risks to a robust resumption of growth persist: a weak consumer weighed down by too much debt and increasing joblessness, the growing size of the Federal budget deficit and national debt, and the threat of inflation.

The instability in the financial markets has led governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable.

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The long-term implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

The aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the continuing occupation of those countries, instability in the Middle East and terrorist attacks around the world have resulted in recent market volatility and may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and may cause further economic uncertainties in the United States and worldwide. The Fund does not know how long the securities markets will continue to be affected by these events and cannot predict the effects of the occupation, terrorism or similar events in the future on the U.S. economy and securities markets.

The current financial market situation, as well as various social, political, and psychological tensions in the United States and around the world, may continue to contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets; and may cause further economic uncertainties or deterioration in the United States and worldwide. The prolonged continuation or further deterioration of the current U.S. and global economic downturn could adversely impact the Fund’s portfolio.

HOW THE FUND MANAGES RISK

Investment Limitations

The Fund has adopted certain investment limitations designed to limit investment risk that are fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” (as defined below) Common Shares and, if issued, Preferred Shares voting as a single class, and the approval of the holders of a majority of the Preferred Shares voting as a separate class. Under these limitations, the Fund may not: (1) issue senior securities (including borrowing money for other than temporary purposes) except in conformity with the limits set forth in the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief therefrom, or pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets other than to secure such issuances or borrowings or in connection with permitted investment strategies; (2) act as an underwriter of securities issued by other persons; (3) generally purchase or sell real estate or mortgages on real estate; (4) make loans to other persons except through the lending of securities held by it; or (5) invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of issuers in any one industry. Further information about and exceptions to these limitations are contained in the SAI under “Investment Objectives and Policies.” For these purposes, a “majority of the outstanding” shares means the lesser of (a) 67% of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities present at a stockholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.

 

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The Fund may become subject to guidelines that are more limiting than its investment restrictions in order to obtain and maintain ratings from NRSROs on any Preferred Shares that it issues. 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 and Policies” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies of the Fund.

Management of Investment Portfolio and Capital Structure to Limit Leverage Risk

The Fund may take certain actions if short-term interest rates increase or market conditions otherwise change (or the Fund anticipates such an increase or change) and the Fund has incurred leverage which 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 attempt to shorten the average maturity of its overall investment portfolio or may reduce its Borrowings or any Reverse Repurchase Agreements or extend the maturity of any outstanding Preferred Shares. The Fund may also attempt to reduce the leverage by redeeming or otherwise purchasing any Preferred Shares. As explained above under “Use of Leverage — Leverage Risk,” the success of any such attempt to limit leverage risk depends on the Investment Manager’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 in this paragraph.

Derivative Transactions

The Fund may enter into derivative transactions to manage risk. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Derivatives Risk.”

Limitations on Borrowings, Preferred Shares and Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Fund is limited under Section 18 of the 1940 Act in the level of Borrowings it may incur and the amount of Preferred Shares it may issue to 33  1 / 3 % and 50%, respectively, of its total assets. See “Description of Shares — Limited Issuance of Preferred Shares and Borrowings.” A Reverse Repurchase Agreement would not be subject to the limitations imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act. As a result, if the Fund enters into Reverse Repurchase Agreements, it would be permitted to leverage more of its assets than would be permissible through the use of Borrowings and/or the issuance of Preferred Shares. The Fund’s financing, however, obtainable through Reverse Repurchase Agreements may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s total assets. To the extent the Fund enters into Reverse Repurchase Agreements, the Fund will designate on its books and records liquid instruments having a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The Fund has no current intention to utilize leverage through the issuance of Preferred Shares or the use of Reverse Repurchase Agreements. See “Use of Leverage.”

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Directors approve all significant agreements between the Fund and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the Fund’s agreement with its Investment Manager, co-administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The management of the Fund’s day-to-day operations is delegated to its officers, the Investment Manager and the Fund’s co-administrator, subject always to the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Directors. The names and business addresses of the Directors 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 SAI.

Investment Manager

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., with offices located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, has been retained to provide investment advice, and, in general, to conduct the management and investment program of the Fund under the overall supervision and control of the

 

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Directors of the Fund. The Investment Manager, a registered investment adviser, was formed in 1986, and as of September 30, 2010 had $31.2 billion of assets under management. Its clients include pension plans, endowment funds and registered investment companies, including some of the largest open-end and closed-end real estate funds. The Cohen & Steers Funds invest in U.S. and non-U.S. real estate investment trusts and other real estate securities, infrastructure securities, preferred and other fixed income securities and dividend paying large-cap value securities. The Investment Manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cohen & Steers, Inc., a publicly traded company whose common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNS.”

Investment Management Agreement

Under its Investment Management Agreement with the Fund, the Investment Manager furnishes a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, makes the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund, and generally manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund. The Investment Manager will be responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio. The Investment Manager also performs certain administrative services for the Fund and provides persons satisfactory to the Directors of the Fund to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers, as well as certain other employees and Directors of the Fund, may be directors, officers or employees of the Investment Manager.

For its services under the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund will pay the Investment Manager a monthly investment management fee computed at the annual rate of 0.70% of average daily Managed Assets. In addition to the monthly management fee, the Fund pays all other costs and expenses of its operations, including compensation of its Directors, custodian, transfer agency and dividend disbursing expenses, legal fees, expenses of independent auditors, expenses of repurchasing shares, expenses of issuing any preferred shares, listing expenses, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing stockholder reports, notices, proxy statements and reports to governmental agencies and taxes, if any. If the Fund utilizes leverage, the fees paid to the Investment Manager for investment advisory and management services will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees paid will be calculated based on the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the net asset value of the Common Shares, the principal amount of loans from financial institutions or debt securities issued by the Fund, the liquidation preference of any Preferred Shares issued by the Fund and the proceeds of any Reverse Repurchase Agreements entered into by the Fund. The Fund’s investment management fees and other expenses are paid only by the Common Shareholders and not by holders of the Preferred Shares. See “Use of Leverage.”

Portfolio Managers

The Fund’s portfolio managers are:

Martin Cohen — Mr. Cohen is a director and co-chairman of the Fund. He is co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of the Investment Manager and CNS.

Robert H. Steers — Mr. Steers is a director and co-chairman of the Fund. He is co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of the Investment Manager and CNS.

Joseph M. Harvey — Mr. Harvey is a vice president of the Fund. He joined the Investment Manager in 1992 and currently serves as president of the Investment Manager and CNS. Mr. Harvey also is the Investment Manager’s global chief investment officer.

William F. Scapell — Mr. Scapell is a vice president of the Fund. He joined the Investment Manager in 2003 and currently serves as senior vice president of the Investment Manager and CNS. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, Mr. Scapell was a director in the fixed-income research department of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., where he also was its chief strategist for preferred securities. He was previously in bank supervision and monetary policy roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for five years. Mr. Scapell is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

 

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The Investment Manager utilizes a team-based approach in managing the Fund. Messrs. Cohen, Steers and Harvey lead the team. Mr. Scapell directs and supervises the execution of the Fund’s investment strategy, and leads and guides the other members of the investment team.

See “Management of the Fund — Compensation of Directors and Certain Officers” and “Investment Management and Other Services” in the SAI for further information about the Fund’s portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

Administration and Co-Administration Agreement

Under its Administration Agreement with the Fund, the Investment Manager will have responsibility for providing administrative services and assisting the Fund with operational needs, including providing administrative services necessary for the operations of the Fund and furnishing office space and facilities required for conducting the business of the Fund.

In accordance with the Administration Agreement and with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund, the Fund has entered into an agreement with State Street as co-administrator under a fund accounting and administration agreement (the “Co-Administration Agreement”). Under the Co-Administration Agreement, State Street has assumed responsibility for certain fund administration services.

Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Manager an amount equal to, on an annual basis, 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. Under the Co-Administration Agreement, the Fund pays State Street a monthly co-administration fee. The co-administration fee paid by the Fund to State Street is computed on the basis of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund at an annual rate equal to 0.03% of the first $2.2 billion in assets, 0.02% of the next $2.2 billion, and 0.01% of assets in excess of $4.4 billion, with a minimum fee of $120,000. The aggregate fee paid by the Fund and the other funds in the Cohen & Steers fund complex to State Street is computed by calculating the effective rate for all the funds and multiplying the monthly average net assets of each respective fund in the complex by that effective rate. For those funds with preferred shares or borrowings outstanding, the monthly average net assets will be adjusted by the monthly average liquidation preference of the preferred shares. The Fund is then responsible for its pro rata amount of the aggregate administration fee. State Street also serves as the Fund’s custodian and BNY Mellon has been retained to serve as the Fund’s transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar. See “Custodian, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Registrar.”

DIVIDENDS A ND DISTRIBUTIONS

Depending on the size of the offering and existing market conditions, the Fund may make a special distribution in December 2010 in order for the Fund to avoid incurring excise tax liability for its 2010 operations.

Level Rate Distribution Policy

Subject to the determination of the Board of Directors to implement a Managed Distribution Policy, as discussed below, commencing with the Fund’s first regular distribution, the Fund intends to implement a Level Rate Distribution Policy, pursuant to which the Fund intends to make regular monthly cash distributions to Common Shareholders at a level rate based on the projected performance of the Fund, which rate is a fixed dollar amount which may be adjusted from time to time. The tax treatment and characterization of the Fund’s distributions may vary significantly from time to time because of the varied nature of the Fund’s investments. Although the Fund intends to make distributions monthly, the ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined finally until after the end of that taxable year.

Distributions can only be made from net investment income after making any required payments on any interest rate transactions. The Fund’s ability to maintain a level distribution rate will depend on a

 

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number of factors, including the stability of income received from its investments. Over time, the Fund will distribute all of its net investment income. In addition, at least annually, the Fund intends to distribute all of its net realized capital gains, if any, to stockholders. The Fund expects to declare the initial monthly distribution on the Common Shares within approximately 45 days, and paid approximately 60 to 90 days, from the completion of this offering, depending on market conditions. The net income of the Fund consists of all income accrued on portfolio assets less all expenses of the Fund. Expenses of the Fund are accrued each day. At times, to maintain a stable level of distributions, the Fund may pay out less than all of its net investment income or pay out accumulated undistributed income, or return capital, in addition to current net investment income. To permit the Fund to maintain a more stable monthly distribution, the Fund may 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. See “Taxation.”

Managed Distribution Policy

The Fund may rely on an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission received by the Investment Manager and certain closed-end funds managed by the Investment Manager to implement a Managed Distribution Policy. If, for any distribution, net investment income and net realized capital gains were less than the amount of the distribution, the difference would be distributed from the Fund’s assets and may constitute a return of capital. The Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year would include any remaining net investment income and net realized capital gain undistributed during the year. In the event the Fund distributed in any calendar year amounts in excess of net investment income and net realized capital gain (such excess, the “Excess”), such distribution would decrease the Fund’s assets and, therefore, have the likely effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. There is a risk that the Fund would not eventually realize capital gains in an amount corresponding to a distribution of the Excess. In addition, in order to make such distributions, the Fund may have to sell a portion of its investment portfolio at a time when independent investment judgment might not dictate such action.

A Managed Distribution Policy may require certain distributions that may be deemed a return of capital for tax purposes. For each taxable year, the Excess generally will be treated as a return of capital that is tax-free to the Common Shareholders, up to the amount of the stockholder’s tax basis in the applicable Common Shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of such Common Shares. In certain instances, the Fund may make distributions exceeding net capital gains for that year (as reduced by capital loss carryforwards) but not exceeding current earnings and profits, in which case those distributions will be taxable as ordinary income.

There is no guarantee that the Board of Directors will determine to implement a Managed Distribution Policy. The Board of Directors reserves the right to change the distribution policy from time to time and to amend or terminate a Level Rate Distribution Policy or a Managed Distribution Policy at any time without prior notice to Common Shareholders.

A Level Rate Distribution Policy or a Managed Distribution Policy would result in the payment of distributions in approximately the same amount or percentage to Common Shareholders each month. If the source of the distribution were the original capital contribution of the Common Shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to that effect. Nevertheless, Common Shareholders who periodically receive the payment of a distribution may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Common Shareholders should read any written disclosure regarding distributions carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution from the Fund is net profits.

 

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Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The Fund has a dividend reinvestment plan commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each Common Shareholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares by BNY Mellon Shareholder Services, P.O. Box 358035, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035, as agent (the “Plan Agent”). Common Shareholders who elect not to participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the stockholder of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Plan Agent, as dividend disbursing agent. Common Shareholders whose Common Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan.

The Plan Agent serves as agent for the Common Shareholders in administering the Plan. After the Fund declares a dividend, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the stockholders, either (i) receive the cash payment and use it to buy Common Shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts or (ii) distribute newly issued Common Shares of the Fund on behalf of the participants. The Plan Agent will receive cash from the Fund with which to buy Common Shares in the open market if, on the distribution payment date, the net asset value per share exceeds the market price per Common Share plus estimated brokerage commissions on that date. The Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in newly issued Common Shares of the Fund if, on the payment date, the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Fund on that date. The number of shares to be issued will be computed at a per share rate equal to the greater of (i) the net asset value or (ii) 95% of the closing market price per Common Share on the payment date.

Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the plan upon notice to the Plan Agent. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if received not less than ten days prior to a distribution record date; otherwise, it will be effective for all subsequent distributions. When a participant withdraws from the Plan or upon termination of the Plan as provided below, certificates for whole Common Shares credited to his or her account under the Plan will be issued and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a Common Share credited to such account. If any participant elects to have the Plan Agent sell all or part of his or her shares and remit the proceeds, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $15.00 fee plus $0.10 per share brokerage commissions.

In the case of stockholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, which hold Common Shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Common Shares certified from time to time by the record stockholders as representing the total amount registered in the record stockholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are participants in the Plan. Common Shares may be purchased through any of the underwriters, acting as broker or, after the completion of this offering, acting as dealer.

The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of reinvestment of dividends and other distributions will be paid by the Fund. Each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of distributions. There are no other charges to participants for reinvesting dividend distributions. Purchases and/or sales are usually made through a broker affiliated with BNY Mellon.

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to all stockholders of the Fund at least 90 days before the record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days’ written notice to all stockholders of the Fund. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent by telephone at (866) 227-0757.

The automatic reinvestment of dividends will not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on such dividends or distributions. See “Taxation.”

 

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CLOSED-END STRUCTURE

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. Closed-end investment companies differ from open-end investment companies (open-end funds or mutual funds) in that closed-end investment companies generally list their shares for trading on a stock exchange and do not redeem their shares at the request of the stockholder. This means that if you wish to sell your shares of a closed-end investment company you must trade them on the market like any other stock at the prevailing market price at that time. In an open-end fund, if the stockholder wishes to sell shares, the fund will redeem or buy back the shares at “net asset value.” Open-end funds generally offer new shares on a continuous basis to new investors, and closed-end investment companies generally do not. The continuous inflows and outflows of assets in an open-end fund can make it difficult to manage the fund’s investments. By comparison, closed-end investment companies are generally able to stay fully invested in securities that are consistent with their investment objectives, and also have greater flexibility to make certain types of investments, and to use certain investment strategies, such as leverage and investments in illiquid securities.

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. See “Principal Risks of the Fund — Risk of Market Price Discount From Net Asset Value.” Because of this possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the best interest of stockholders, the Fund’s Board of Directors might consider from time to time engaging in open market repurchases, tender offers for shares at net asset value or other programs intended to reduce the discount. We cannot guarantee or assure, however, that the Fund’s Board will decide to engage in any of these actions. Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in shares trading at a price equal or close to net asset value per share. See “Repurchase of Shares.” The Board of Directors may also consider converting the Fund to an open-end fund, which would require a vote of the stockholders of the Fund. See “Possible Conversion to Open-End Fund Status.”

REPURCHAS E OF SHARES

Shares of closed-end investment companies often trade at a discount to net asset value, and the Fund’s shares may also trade at a discount to their net asset value, although it is possible that they may trade at a premium above net asset value. The market price of the Common Shares will be determined by such factors as relative demand for and supply of shares in the market, the Fund’s net asset value, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund.

Although Common Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their shares, the Fund may take action to repurchase shares in the open market or make tender offers for its shares at net asset value. During the pendency of any tender offer, the Fund will publish how Common Shareholders may readily ascertain the net asset value. For more information see “Repurchase of Shares” in the SAI. Repurchase of the Common Shares may have the effect of reducing any market discount to net asset value.

There is no assurance that, if action is undertaken to repurchase or tender for shares, such action will result in the shares trading at a price which approximates their net asset value. Although share repurchases and tenders could have a favorable effect on the market price of the shares, you should be aware that the acquisition of shares by the Fund will decrease the total assets of the Fund and, therefore, have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio and may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objectives. To the extent the Fund may need to liquidate investments to fund repurchases of shares, this may result in portfolio turnover which will result in additional expenses being borne by the Fund. The Board of Directors currently considers the following factors to be relevant to a potential decision to repurchase shares: the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action on the Fund or its stockholders and market considerations. Any share repurchases or tender offers will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act. See “Taxation” for a description of the potential tax consequences of a share repurchase.

 

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POSSIBLE CONVERSION TO OPEN-END FUND STATUS

The Fund may be converted to an open-end fund at any time by a vote of the outstanding shares. See “Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws” for a discussion of voting requirements applicable to conversion of the Fund to an open-end fund. If the Fund converted to an open-end fund, it would be required to redeem all of its Preferred Shares, if any, then outstanding (requiring in turn that it liquidate a portion of its investment portfolio), if any, and the Fund’s Common Shares would no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Conversion to open-end status could also require the Fund to modify certain investment restrictions and policies. Shareholders of an open-end fund may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by or permitted 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 funds typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end funds are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management. The Board of Directors may at any time propose conversion of the Fund to open-end status, depending upon its judgment regarding the advisability of such action in light of circumstances then prevailing.

TAXA TION

The following discussion offers only a brief outline of the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund and is based on the U.S. Federal tax laws in effect on the date hereof. Such tax laws are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. Investors should consult their own tax advisers for more detailed information and for information regarding the impact of state, local and foreign taxes on an investment in the Fund.

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as, and intends to qualify annually as, a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. For each taxable year that the Fund otherwise qualifies as a RIC, it will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on that part of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code, but without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to its stockholders, if it distributes at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income and any net tax-exempt interest income for that year (the “Distribution Requirement”). The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions of its investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt interest income, if any, each taxable year to meet the Distribution Requirement.

The Fund also currently intends to distribute all realized net capital gain each year. If, however, the Fund’s Board of Directors determines for any taxable year to retain all or a portion of the Fund’s net capital gain, that decision will not affect the Fund’s ability to qualify for treatment as a RIC, but will subject the Fund to a maximum tax rate of 35% of the amount retained. In that event, the Fund expects to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its stockholders, who (i) will be required to include their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount in their gross income as long-term capital gain, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the Fund against their U.S. Federal income tax liabilities. For U.S. Federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a Fund stockholder will be increased by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the stockholder’s gross income.

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. Federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) convert dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income into ordinary income, (ii) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the DRD as ineligible for such treatment, (iii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (iv) convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (v) convert an ordinary loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more

 

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limited), (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (vii) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (viii) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (ix) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the income requirement that applies to RICs.

The Fund’s transactions in non-U.S. currencies, non-U.S. currency-denominated debt obligations and certain non-U.S. currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

The Fund’s investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by countries outside the United States. In that case, the Fund’s yield on those securities would be decreased. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the Fund’s assets at year-end consists of the stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit stockholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign stock or securities the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, stockholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes. It is anticipated that stockholders of the Fund generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes.

The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for that calendar year (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that calendar year (or for the calendar year if the Fund elects to use a calendar year) and (iii) any ordinary income and capital gains from previous years that were not distributed during those years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. Federal income tax. For this and other purposes, a distribution will be treated as paid by the Fund and received by the stockholders on December 31 if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December of such year, made payable to stockholders of record on a date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following year. Any such distribution thus will be taxable to stockholders whose taxable year is the calendar year in the year the distribution is declared, rather than the year in which the distribution is received. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.

If a portion of the Fund’s income consists of qualifying dividends paid by U.S. corporations, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund to corporate stockholders, if properly designated, may qualify for the DRD, provided holding period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and the stockholder. In addition, for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, distributions of investment company taxable income designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met by both the Fund and the stockholder. However, even if income received in the form of ordinary income is taxed at the same rates as long-term capital gains, such income will not be considered long-term capital gains for other Federal income tax purposes. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain “qualified foreign corporations” ( e.g. , generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualifying comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which and with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States), but not including a foreign corporation which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a “passive foreign investment company,” as defined in the Code. There can be no assurance of what portion, if any, of the Fund’s distributions will be entitled to the lower tax rates that apply to qualified dividend income.

 

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Distributions of net capital gain that are designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends will be treated as long-term capital gains in the hands of holders regardless of the holders’ respective holding periods for their Common Shares. Distributions, if any, in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a stockholder’s shares and, after that basis has been reduced to zero, will constitute a capital gain to the stockholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset).

Distributions are taxable whether stockholders receive cash or reinvest them in additional Common Shares through the Plan. Stockholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. Federal tax status of distributions.

The sale or other disposition of the Common Shares generally will be a taxable transaction for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Selling holders of Common Shares generally will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in exchange therefor and their respective bases in such Common Shares. If the Common Shares are held as a capital asset, the gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss. Similarly, a redemption (including a redemption resulting from liquidation of the Fund), if any, of the Common Shares by the Fund generally will give rise to capital gain or loss if the holder does not own (and is not regarded under certain tax law rules of constructive ownership as owning) any Common Shares in the Fund and provided that the redemption proceeds do not represent declared but unpaid dividends.

Generally, a holder’s gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Capital gains of individuals are generally taxed at a maximum rate of tax of 15% for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010 (after which time the maximum rate will increase to 20%). However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Common Shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the holder (or amounts credited to the holder as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such shares. Also, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Common Shares may be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date the original shares are disposed of. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected by an upward adjustment to the basis of the shares acquired. Capital losses may be subject to other limitations imposed by the Code.

The Fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. Federal income taxes, a portion of all taxable dividends and redemption proceeds payable to stockholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or who otherwise fail to make required certifications, or if the Fund or a stockholder has been notified by the IRS that such stockholder is subject to backup withholding. Certain stockholders specified in the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the stockholder’s Federal income tax liability if the appropriate information is provided to the IRS.

Foreign stockholders, including stockholders who are nonresident aliens, will generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% on distributions of investment company taxable income (or lower treaty rate, except in the case of any excess inclusion income allocated to the stockholders), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. Capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by the Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the foreign stockholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182-day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% tax.

 

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In the case of a foreign stockholder, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax on distributions of net capital gain unless the foreign stockholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8BEN).

If any distributions received by a foreign stockholder from the Fund (or amounts which are designated as undistributed capital gains) are effectively connected to a trade or business within the United States, the rules described in the preceding paragraph would not apply, and such foreign stockholder would generally be taxed on such amounts at the same rates applicable to U.S. stockholders. Also, such distributions (or undistributed capital gains) may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a foreign stockholder that is a corporation.

If the Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or would be but for the operation of certain exclusions, distributions by the Fund that are both attributable to gains from “U.S. real property interests” and realized on account of certain capital gain dividends from REITs, will generally cause a foreign stockholder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected to a trade or business within the United States. Foreign stockholders would thus generally be taxed at the same rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals. Also, such gain may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a foreign stockholder that is a corporation. Such distributions will be subject to U.S. withholding tax and will generally give rise to an obligation on the part of the foreign stockholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return. The treatment of distributions by the Fund attributable to gains from U.S. real property interests derived through REITs described above does not apply if the foreign stockholder-recipient has not owned more than 5% of the Fund’s shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. In that case, the distribution generally is treated as an ordinary dividend subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate).

Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the application to their own circumstances of the above-described general taxation rules and with respect to the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences to them of an investment in the Common Shares.

The SAI summarizes further Federal income tax considerations that may apply to the Fund and its stockholders and may qualify the considerations discussed herein. Fund distributions also may be subject to state and local taxes. You should consult with your own tax adviser regarding the particular consequences of investing in the Fund.

DESCRIPTION O F SHARES

Common Shares

The Fund is authorized to issue 250,000,000 shares of common stock, $.001 par value. The Board of Directors, with the approval of 50% of the Directors and without action by the Fund’s stockholders, may amend the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation to increase or decrease the total number of shares of stock of the Fund or the number of shares of any class that the Fund has authority to issue. The Common Shares have no preemptive, conversion, exchange or redemption rights. Each share has equal voting, dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. The Common Shares outstanding are, and those offered hereby when issued will be, fully paid and nonassessable. Common Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share. All voting rights for the election of Directors are noncumulative, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the Common Shares can elect 100% of the Directors then nominated for election if they choose to do so and, in such event, the holders of the remaining Common Shares will not be able to elect any Directors. Whenever Preferred Shares and Borrowings are outstanding, Common Shareholders will not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Fund unless all accrued dividends on the Preferred Shares and interest and principal payments on Borrowings have been paid, and unless the applicable asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act would be satisfied after giving effect to the distribution. See “—Preferred Shares” and “—Limited Use of Borrowings” below. The Fund’s

 

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Common Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “PSF.” Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange applicable to listed companies, the Fund will be required to hold an annual meeting of stockholders in each year. The foregoing description and the description below under “Certain Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws” and above under “Possible Conversion to Open-End Fund Status” are subject to the provisions contained in the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

Net asset value will be reduced immediately following the offering by the amount of the sales load and offering expenses paid by the Fund. The Investment Manager has agreed to pay all organizational expenses and offering costs (other than sales load, but including the $.00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters) that exceed $0.05 per Common Share. See “Use of Proceeds.”

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Investment Manager owned of record and beneficially shares of the Fund’s Common Shares constituting 100% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and thus, until the public offering of the shares is completed, will control the Fund.

Fund Net Asset Value

The Fund will determine the net asset value of its shares daily on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. New York time) at the end of each day. Net asset value of our Common Shares is computed by dividing the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends and current and deferred income tax assets), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses, distributions payable, any Borrowings, and liabilities under Reverse Repurchase Agreements) and less the liquidation preference of any outstanding Preferred Shares, by the total number of Common Shares outstanding. Any interest rate swap transaction that the Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have a positive or negative value for purposes of calculating net asset value. Any cap transaction that the Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have no value or a positive value. In addition, accrued payments to the Fund under such transactions will be assets of the Fund and accrued payments by the Fund will be liabilities of the Fund.

For purposes of determining the net asset value per share of the Fund, readily marketable portfolio securities principally traded on any exchange or similar regulated market reporting contemporaneous transaction prices are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on such principal market on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, or if no asked price is available, the bid price may be used. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security is valued by such method as the Fund’s Board of Directors shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined as reflected on the tape at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities.

Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by the Investment Manager to be over-the-counter are valued at the official closing prices as reported by sources as the Fund’s Board of Directors deem appropriate to reflect their fair market value. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, or if no asked price is available, at the bid price. However, certain fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed by the Fund’s Board of Directors to reflect the fair market value of such securities.

Securities for which market prices are unavailable, or securities for which the Investment Manager determines that bid and/or ask price does not reflect market value, will be valued at fair value pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Circumstances in which market prices may

 

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be unavailable include, but are not limited to, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange on which the security is traded is subject to an unscheduled close or disruption or material events occur after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded. In these circumstances, the Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security and developments in the markets.

The Fund’s use of fair value pricing may cause the net asset value of the Fund’s Common Shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. Short-term debt securities, which have a maturity date of 60 days or less, are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing net asset value.

Because the Fund may hold securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of securities held in the Fund may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell Fund shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

Preferred Shares

The Fund’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of Directors, without approval of the Fund’s Common Shareholders, to classify any unissued shares of the Fund’s common stock into preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share, in one or more classes or series, with rights as determined by the Board of Directors. The Fund has no current intention to issue Preferred Shares.

Limited Issuance of Preferred Shares and Borrowings

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund could issue Preferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of up to one-half of the value of the Fund’s Managed Assets less liabilities other than Borrowings, measured immediately after issuance of the Preferred Shares. “Liquidation preference” 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 preference of the Preferred Shares is less than one-half of the value of the Fund’s assets less liabilities other than Borrowings (determined after deducting the amount of such dividend or distribution) immediately after the distribution. Under the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Fund, immediately after any Borrowings, must have an asset coverage of at least 300%. With respect to such Borrowings, asset coverage means the ratio which the value of the assets of the Fund, less liabilities other than Borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of such Borrowings represented by senior securities issued by the Fund. Certain types of Borrowings may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverages or portfolio composition or otherwise.

The Fund intends to leverage approximately 33  1 / 3 % of its Managed Assets (including the amount obtained from leverage), through the use of Borrowings, and may leverage in an amount up to the maximum extent permitted by the 1940 Act through the issuance of Preferred Shares. The Fund also could enter into Reverse Repurchase Agreements for leverage. 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 any Preferred Shares and/or reduce outstanding Borrowings if necessary to maintain required asset coverage.

In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more NRSROs which may issue ratings for Preferred Shares, if any, or commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

 

59


Distribution Preference

Preferred Shares, if any, would have complete priority over the Fund’s Common Shares. Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue Preferred Shares.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, holders of Preferred Shares, if any, 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

Preferred 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 SAI and except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Preferred Shares will vote together with Common Shareholders as a single class.

Holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two of the Fund’s Directors. The remaining Directors will be elected by Common Shareholders and holders of Preferred Shares, voting together as a single class. In the unlikely event that two full years of accrued dividends are unpaid on the Preferred Shares, the holders of all outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect a majority of the Fund’s Directors 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 Preferred Shares will be required, in addition to the combined single class vote of the holders of Preferred Shares and Common Shares.

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Shares

The terms of the Preferred Shares may provide that they are redeemable at certain times, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price per share plus accumulated dividends. The terms may also state that the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Shares and resell any shares so tendered. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Shares by the Fund will reduce the leverage applicable to Common Shares, while any resale of shares by the Fund will increase such leverage. See “Use of Leverage.”

The discussion above describes the Board of Directors’ present intention with respect to a possible offering of Preferred Shares. If the Board of Directors determines to authorize such an offering, the terms of the Preferred Shares may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INC ORPORATION AND BY-LAWS

The Fund has provisions in its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders, and if at such time, the number of Directors shall be three (3) or more but not more than twelve (12), the Board of Directors will be divided into three classes, having initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At the annual meeting of stockholders in each year thereafter, the term of one class will expire and Directors will be elected to serve in that class for terms of three years. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board of Directors. A Director may be removed from office only for cause and only by a vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote on the matter. The affirmative vote of at least 75% of

 

60


the entire Board of Directors is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end fund. Such conversion also requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the Common Shareholders unless it is approved by a vote of at least 75% of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), in which event such conversion requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund.

A “Continuing Director” is any member of the Board of Directors of the Fund who (i) is not a person or affiliate of a person who enters or proposes to enter into a Business Combination (as defined below) with the Fund (an “Interested Party”) and (ii) who has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Fund for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since the Fund’s initial public offering of Common Shares, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors of the Fund. The affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders of the Fund will be required to amend the Articles of Incorporation to change any of the provisions in this paragraph and the preceding paragraph.

The affirmative votes of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and the holders of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund and (ii) in the case of a Business Combination, 66  2 / 3 % of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund other than votes held by an Interested Party who is (or whose affiliate is) a party to a Business Combination or an affiliate or associate of the Interested Party, are required to authorize any of the following transactions:

(i)    merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with or into any other entity;

(ii)    issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12-month period) of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding (a) issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, (b) sales of securities of the Fund in connection with a public offering, (c) issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, (d) issuances of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and (e) portfolio transactions effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of business;

(iii)    sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12 month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with Borrowings) effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business (transactions within clauses (i) and (ii) and this clause (iii) above being known individually as a “Business Combination”);

(iv)    any voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or an amendment to the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation to terminate the Fund’s existence; or

(v)    any stockholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which stockholder approval is required under Federal or Maryland law.

However, the stockholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those set forth in (v) above) if they are approved by a vote of at least 75% of the Continuing Directors. In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority of votes entitled to be cast thereon shall be required and if Maryland law does not require stockholder approval, no stockholder approval will be required. The Fund’s By-Laws contain provisions the effect of which is to prevent matters, including nominations of Directors, from being considered at a

 

61


stockholders’ meeting where the Fund has not received notice of the matters generally no earlier than the 150 th day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the 120 th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the notice for the preceding year’s annual meeting; however, for the 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, the notice must be given not earlier than December 31, 2010 and not later than the close of business on January 31, 2011.

The Board of Directors has determined that the foregoing voting requirements, which are generally greater than the minimum requirements under Maryland law and the 1940 Act, are in the best interest of the Fund’s stockholders generally.

Reference is made to the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Fund, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for the full text of these provisions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. On the other hand, these provisions may require persons seeking control of a Fund to negotiate with its management regarding the price to be paid for the shares required to obtain such control, they promote continuity and stability and they enhance the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with its investment objectives.

 

62


UNDER WRITING

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as the representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of the final Prospectus, each underwriter named below has agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to that underwriter, the number of Common Shares set forth opposite the underwriter’s name.

 

Underwriter

   Number of
        Common Shares         
 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC

  

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

  

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

  

Maxim Group LLC

  

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

  

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

  

RBC Capital Markets Corporation

  

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

  

Wedbush Securities Inc.

  

Wunderlich Securities, Inc.

  
        

    Total

  
        

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Common Shares included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all the Common Shares (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) shown above if any of the Common Shares are purchased.

The underwriters 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 dealers at the public offering price less a concession not to exceed $             per share. The sales load the investors in the Fund will pay of $1.125 per share is equal to 4.5% of the initial offering price. 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             , 2010. 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.

Additional Compensation

The Investment Manager (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay to each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated from its own assets, a structuring fee for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares in the amount of $             and $            , respectively. If the over-allotment option is not exercised, the structuring fee paid to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will not exceed      % and       %, respectively, of the total public offering price.

The Investment Manager (and not the Fund) may pay certain qualifying underwriters a structuring fee, sales incentive fee or additional compensation in connection with the offering.

The total amount of the underwriters’ additional compensation payments by the Investment Manager described above will not exceed 4.5% of the total public offering price of the Common Shares

 

63


offered hereby. The sum total of all compensation to the underwriters in connection with this public offering of Common Shares, including sales load and all forms of additional compensation or structuring or sales incentive fee payments, if any, to the underwriters and other expenses, will be limited to not more than 9.0% of the total public offering price of the Common Shares sold in this offering.

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 the 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 must purchase a number of additional Common Shares approximately proportionate to that underwriter’s initial purchase commitment.

The Fund and the Investment Manager have agreed, for a period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus, that they will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, on behalf of the underwriters, with certain exceptions, dispose of or hedge any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Shares, provided that the Fund may issue and sell Common Shares pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

To meet the New York Stock Exchange distribution requirements for trading, the underwriters have undertaken to sell Common Shares in a manner such that Common Shares are held by a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in lots of 100 or more, the minimum stock price will be at least $4.00 at the time of listing on the New York Stock Exchange, at least 1,100,000 Common Shares will be publicly held in the United States and the aggregate market value of publicly held shares in the United States will be at least $60 million. The Fund’s Common Shares have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to notice of issuance, under the symbol “PSF.”

The following table shows the sales load that investors in the Fund will 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 shares of Common Shares.

 

     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per Common Share

   $ 1.125       $ 1.125   

Total

   $         $     

The Fund and the Investment Manager have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

Certain underwriters may make a market in the Common Shares after trading in the Common Shares has commenced on the New York Stock Exchange. No underwriter is, however, obligated to conduct market-making activities and any such activities may be discontinued at any time without notice, at the sole discretion of the underwriters. 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 offering, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, on behalf of itself and the other underwriters, may purchase and sell the Common Shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of Common Shares in excess of the number of Common Shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of Common Shares made in an amount up to the number of Common Shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of Common Shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of

 

64


Common Shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase Common Shares through the over-allotment option.

Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short position involve either purchases of Common Shares in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of Common Shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing Common Shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of Common Shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of Common Shares in the open market while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids allow the underwriting syndicate to reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing Common Shares in this offering if the syndicate repurchases Common Shares to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the purchase price of the Common Shares.

Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of Common Shares. They may also cause the price of Common Shares to be higher than the price that would otherwise exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

A Prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters. Other than this Prospectus in electronic format, the information on any such underwriter’s website is not part of this Prospectus. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of Common Shares to 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 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.

Certain underwriters may, from time to time, engage in transactions with or perform investment banking and advisory services for the Investment Manager and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which such underwriters have received, and may expect to receive, customary fees and expenses.

The Investment Manager has purchased Common Shares from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act.

The principal business address of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is 375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152. The principal business address of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated is One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036.

 

65


CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND D ISBURSING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

State Street Bank and Trust Company whose principal business address is One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 21111 has been retained to act as custodian of the Fund’s investments, and The Bank of New York Mellon, whose principal business address is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, has been retained to serve as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent and registrar.

Neither State Street nor BNY Mellon has any part in deciding the Fund’s investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold for the Fund’s portfolio.

REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

The Fund will send unaudited semi-annual and audited annual reports to its stockholders, including a list of investments held.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The boards of directors of three Cohen & Steers leveraged closed-end funds (not including the Fund) each received a letter from a law firm on behalf of purported holders of the fund’s common shares demanding that the boards of directors take action against the Investment Manager and the funds’ directors and officers to recover, for the benefit of the funds, alleged damages related to such parties’ alleged breaches of fiduciary duties related to the redemption of the funds’ auction preferred shares at their liquidation preference. In response to the demand letters, the funds’ boards of directors established a committee of independent directors to investigate the claims, and the committee retained independent counsel to assist it in conducting its investigation (the “Special Committee”).

Subsequently, two of the funds that received demand letters (not the Fund) were named as nominal defendants in putative shareholder derivative actions captioned Gammon v. Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., et al. and Livson v. Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., et al. filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York on August 26, 2010 and September 8, 2010, respectively (together, the “Complaints”). The Complaints, filed purportedly on behalf, and for the benefit, of the respective funds, name as defendants the Investment Manager, Cohen & Steers, Inc., the Investment Manager’s parent company, and the funds’ current officers (collectively, the “Defendants”), and name the respective funds as nominal defendants. The Complaints contain the same basic allegations contained in the demand letters and seek a declaration that the Investment Manager and fund officers have breached their fiduciary duties, indeterminate monetary damages in favor of the funds and an award of plaintiffs’ costs and disbursements in pursuing the action. The Defendants believe that the Complaints are without merit, and intend to defend vigorously against these charges. The Investment Manager believes that the Complaints will not have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under its investment advisory agreement with any of the leveraged closed-end funds and other funds that it advises, including the Fund.

On November 1, 2010, after an extensive investigation conducted with the assistance of independent counsel, the Special Committee determined that the funds should not pursue claims based on the allegations in the demand letters and rejected the demands made in the letters.

VALIDITY OF T HE COMMON SHARES

The validity of the Common Shares offered hereby is being passed on for the Fund by Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, New York, New York, and certain other legal matters will be passed on for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Venable LLP will opine on certain matters pertaining to Maryland law. Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of Venable LLP.

 

66


TABLE OF CONTE NT S FOR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

3

Investment Objectives and Policies

 

3

Investment Restrictions

 

19

Management of the Fund

 

20

Principal Stockholders

 

31

Investment Management and Other Services

 

31

Proxy Voting

 

35

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

 

35

Determination of Net Asset Value

 

35

Repurchase of Shares

 

36

Taxation

 

38

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

47

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

48

Appendix A: Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines

 

A-1

Appendix B: Ratings of Investments

 

B-1

 

67


Until                      , 2010 (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.

Cohen & Steers

Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

Common Shares

$25.00 Per Share

LOGO

 

 

PROSPECTUS

                                 , 2010

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities

BofA Merrill Lynch

Deutsche Bank Securities

J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC

Janney Montgomery Scott

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc.

Maxim Group LLC

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

Oppenheimer & Co.

RBC Capital Markets

Stifel Nicolaus Weisel

Wedbush Securities Inc.

Wunderlich Securities


SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 18, 2010

LOGO

280 PARK AVENUE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017

(800) 330-7348

S TATEMENT OF ADDI TIONAL INFORMATION

THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS, BUT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OF COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC., DATED              , 2010, AS SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE “PROSPECTUS”).

THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN ITS ENTIRETY INTO THE PROSPECTUS. COPIES OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PROSPECTUS MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY WRITING OR CALLING THE ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER SHOWN ABOVE.

Privacy Policy

The Fund is committed to maintaining the privacy of its stockholders and to safeguarding their nonpublic personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information the Fund collects, how we protect that information, and why in certain cases we may share this information with others.

The Fund does not receive any nonpublic personal information relating to the stockholders who purchase shares through an intermediary that acts as the record owner of the shares. In the case of stockholders who are record owners of the Fund, we receive nonpublic personal information on account applications or other forms. With respect to these stockholders, the Fund also has access to specific information regarding their transactions in the Fund.

The Fund does not disclose any nonpublic personal information about its stockholders or former stockholders to anyone, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to service stockholder accounts. The Fund restricts access to nonpublic personal information about its stockholders to Cohen & Steers employees with a legitimate business need for the information.

 

THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (“STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION”) IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL NOR DOES IT SEEK AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


TABLE OF CO NTENTS

 

Statement of Additional Information

     3   

Investment Objectives and Policies

     3   

Investment Restrictions

     19   

Management of the Fund

     20   

Principal Stockholders

     31   

Investment Management and Other Services

     31   

Proxy Voting

     35   

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

     35   

Determination of Net Asset Value

     35   

Repurchase of Shares

     36   

Taxation

     38   

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     47   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     48   

Appendix A: Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines

     A-1   

Appendix B: Ratings of Investments

     B-1   

 

2


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation on August 16, 2010. Much of the information contained in this Statement of Additional Information expands on subjects discussed in the Prospectus. Defined terms used herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. No investment in the shares of the Fund should be made without first reading the Prospectus.

INVESTMENT OBJECTI VES AND POLICIES

The following descriptions supplement the descriptions of the principal investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks as set forth in the Prospectus. Except as otherwise provided, the Fund’s investment policies are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of the stockholders.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets in a portfolio of preferred and other income securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies, including traditional preferred securities; hybrid preferred securities that have investment and economic characteristics of both preferred stock and debt securities; floating rate preferred securities; corporate debt securities; convertible securities; and securities of other open-end, closed-end or exchange-traded funds that invest primarily in preferred and/or debt securities as described in the Prospectus and herein. “Managed Assets” are the Fund’s net assets plus the principal amount of loans from financial institutions or debt securities issued by the Fund, the liquidation preference of any preferred shares issued by the Fund and the proceeds of any reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund.

These securities may be across a wide range of sectors and industries. The Fund’s investments in common stocks, securities of master limited partnerships, government securities, mortgage-and asset-backed securities and municipal securities are not included for purposes of the Fund’s 80% investment policy.

Preferred Securities

There are two basic types of preferred securities, traditional and hybrid-preferred securities. Traditional preferred securities consist of preferred stock issued by an entity taxable as a corporation. Preferred stocks, which may offer fixed or floating rate dividends, are perpetual instruments and considered equity securities. Alternatively, hybrid-preferred securities may be issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated trust or partnership of the corporation, generally in the form of preferred interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The hybrid-preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates. Hybrid-preferred securities are considered debt securities. Due to their similar attributes, the Investment Manager also considers senior debt perpetual issues, certain securities with convertible features as well as exchange-listed senior debt issues that trade with attributes of exchange-listed perpetual and hybrid-preferred securities to be part of the broader preferred securities market.

Traditional Preferred Securities . Traditional preferred securities pay fixed or floating dividends to investors and have “preference” over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a company’s assets. This means that a company must pay dividends on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. In order to be payable, distributions on such preferred securities must be declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Income payments on preferred securities may be cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accumulate even if not declared by the board of directors or otherwise made payable. In such a case, all accumulated dividends must be paid before any dividend on the common stock can be paid. However, many traditional preferred stocks are non-cumulative, in which case dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be

 

3


paid. The Fund may invest in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any missed payments to its stockholders. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on the traditional preferred securities in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. Preferred securities may also contain provisions under which payments must be stopped ( i.e. , stoppage is compulsory, not discretionary). The conditions under which this occurs may relate to, for instance, capitalization levels. Hence, if a company incurs significant losses that deplete retained earnings automatic payment stoppage could occur. In some cases the terms of the preferred securities provide that the issuer would be obligated to attempt to issue common shares to raise funds for the purpose of making the preferred payments. However, there is no guarantee that the issuer would be successful in placing common shares.

Preferred stockholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors or on other matters. Shares of traditional preferred securities have a liquidation preference that generally equals the original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market value of preferred securities may be affected by, among other factors, favorable and unfavorable changes impacting the issuer or industries in which they operate, movements in interest rates and inflation, and the broader economic and credit environments, and by actual and anticipated changes in tax laws, such as changes in corporate and individual income tax rates. Because the claim on an issuer’s earnings represented by traditional preferred securities may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer may redeem the securities. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, the Fund’s holdings of higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced, and the Fund may be unable to acquire securities of comparable credit quality paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.

Pursuant to the dividends received deduction (the “DRD”), corporations may generally deduct 70% of the income they receive from dividends on traditional preferred securities issued by domestic corporations that are paid out of earnings and profits of the issuer. However, not all traditional preferred securities pay dividends that are eligible for the DRD, including preferred securities issued by real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). Under current law, individuals will generally be taxed at long-term capital gain rates on qualified dividend income (“QDI”) for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. There can be no assurance that the favorable tax treatment of QDI will continue following December 31, 2010. Further, not all traditional preferred securities will provide significant benefits under the rules relating to QDI, including preferred securities issued by REITs.

Hybrid-preferred Securities . Hybrid-preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The hybrid-preferred securities market consists of both fixed and adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have stated maturity dates.

Hybrid-preferred securities are typically junior and fully subordinated liabilities of an issuer or the beneficiary of a guarantee that is junior and fully subordinated to the other liabilities of the guarantor. In addition, hybrid-preferred securities typically permit an issuer to defer the payment of income for eighteen months or more without triggering an event of default. Generally, the maximum deferral period is five years. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer payments for extended periods of time without default consequences to the issuer, and certain other features (such as restrictions on common dividend payments by the issuer or ultimate guarantor when full cumulative payments on the hybrid preferred securities have not been made), these hybrid-preferred securities are often treated as close substitutes for traditional preferred securities, both by issuers and investors. Hybrid-preferred securities have many of the key characteristics of equity due to their subordinated position in an issuer’s capital structure and because their quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability of the issuer rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. Hybrid-preferred securities include, but are not limited to, trust preferred securities (TRUPS ® ); enhanced trust preferred securities (Enhanced TRUPS ® ); trust-originated preferred securities (TOPrS ® ); monthly-income preferred securities (MIPS ® ); quarterly-income bond securities (QUIBS ® );

 

4


quarterly-income debt securities (QUIDS ® ); quarterly-income preferred securities (QUIPS SM ); corporate trust securities (CorTS ® ); public income notes (PINES ® ); and other hybrid-preferred securities. (1)

Hybrid-preferred securities are typically issued with a final maturity date. In certain instances, a final maturity date may be extended and/or the final payment of principal may be deferred at the issuer’s option for a specified time without default. No redemption can typically take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met, although issuers may be able to engage in open-market repurchases without regard to whether all payments have been paid.

Many hybrid-preferred securities are issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are not a direct obligation of an operating company. At the time the trust or special purpose entity sells such preferred securities to investors, it purchases debt of the operating company (with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities), which enables the operating company to deduct for tax purposes the interest paid on the debt held by the trust or special purpose entity. The trust or special purpose entity is generally required to be treated as transparent for U.S. Federal income tax purposes such that the holders of the trust preferred securities are treated as owning beneficial interests in the underlying debt of the operating company. Accordingly, payments on the hybrid-preferred securities are generally treated as interest rather than dividends for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and, as such, are not eligible for the DRD or the reduced rates of tax that may apply to QDI. The trust or special purpose entity in turn would be a holder of the operating company’s debt and would have priority with respect to the operating company’s earnings and profits over the operating company’s common stockholders, but would typically be subordinated to other classes of the operating company’s debt. Typically a preferred security has a credit rating that is lower than that of its corresponding operating company’s senior debt securities.

Within the category of hybrid-preferred securities are senior debt instruments that trade in the broader preferred securities market. These debt instruments, which are sources of long-term capital for the issuers, have structural features similar to other preferred securities such as maturities ranging from 30 years to perpetuity, call features, quarterly payments, exchange listings and the inclusion of accrued interest in the trading price.

In some cases traditional and hybrid securities may include loss absorption provisions that make the securities more equity like. This is particularly true in the financials sector, the largest preferred issuer segment. Events in global financial markets in recent periods have caused regulators to review the function and structure of preferred securities more closely. While loss absorption language is relatively rare in the preferred market today, it may become much more prevalent.

In one version of a preferred security with loss absorption characteristics, the liquidation value of the security may be adjusted downward to below the original par value under certain circumstances. This may occur, for instance, in the event that business losses have eroded capital to a substantial extent. The write down of the par value would occur automatically and would not entitle the holders to seek bankruptcy of the company. Such securities may provide for circumstances under which the liquidation value may be adjusted back up to par, such as an improvement in capitalization and/or earnings.

Another preferred structure with loss absorption characteristics is the contingent convertible security (sometimes referred to as “CoCo’s”). These securities provide for mandatory conversion into common shares of the issuer under certain circumstances. The mandatory conversion might relate, for instance, to maintenance of a capital minimum, whereby falling below the minimum would trigger automatic conversion. Since the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in these instruments could experience a reduced income

 

 

(1) TOPrS is a registered service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. MIPS and QUIDS are registered services marks, and QUIPS is a service mark, owned by Goldman, Sachs & Co. QUIBS is a registered service mark owned by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. CorTS and PINES are registered service marks owned by Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

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rate, potentially to zero; and conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, hence worsening standing in a bankruptcy. In addition, some such instruments have a set stock conversion rate that would cause an automatic write-down of capital if the price of the stock is below the conversion price on the conversion date.

Floating Rate Securities . The Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in floating rate preferred securities, which provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the securities. The terms of such securities provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event-based, such as a change in the prime rate. Because of the interest rate reset feature, floating rate securities provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although the interest rates of floating rate securities will participate in any declines in interest rates as well.

Convertible Preferred Securities. Some preferred securities, generally known as convertible preferred securities, provide for an investor option to convert their holdings into common shares of the issuer. These securities may have lower rates of income than other preferred securities, and the conversion option may cause them to trade more like equities than typical fixed income instruments.

Debt Securities

In addition to investing in preferred securities, the Fund may invest in corporate debt securities. Other debt securities in which the Fund may invest include investments in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or a non-U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and municipal securities. Debt securities may pay fixed or variable rates of interest. Bonds and other debt securities generally are issued by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors.

Corporate Debt Obligations . The Fund may invest in investment grade or below investment grade U.S. dollar-denominated debt obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations or U.S. commercial banks, U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers and debt obligations of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currencies. Such debt obligations include, among others, bonds, notes, debentures and variable rate demand notes. In choosing corporate debt securities on behalf of the Fund, the Investment Manager may consider (i) general economic and financial conditions; (ii) the specific issuer’s (a) business and management, (b) cash flow, (c) earnings coverage of interest and dividends, (d) ability to operate under adverse economic conditions, (e) fair market value of assets, and (f) in the case of foreign issuers, unique political, economic or social conditions applicable to such issuer’s country; and, (iii) other considerations deemed appropriate.

U.S. Government Obligations . The Fund may invest in U.S. Government obligations. Obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities include bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as “stripped” or “zero coupon” U.S. Treasury obligations representing future interest or principal payments on U.S. Treasury notes or bonds. Stripped securities are sold at a discount to their “face value,” and may exhibit greater price volatility than interest-bearing securities because investors receive no payment until maturity.

Other obligations are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer were to default, the Fund might not be able to recover their investment from the U.S. Government.

Mortgage-Backed and Asset-Backed Securities . Mortgage-backed securities are mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or issued by non-government entities. Mortgage-related securities represent pools of mortgage loans assembled for sale to investors by various

 

6


government agencies, as well as by non-government issuers such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers and private mortgage insurance companies. Although certain mortgage-related securities are guaranteed by a third party or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not so secured.

Other asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements and from sales of personal property. Regular payments received in respect of such securities include both interest and principal. Asset-backed securities typically have no U.S. Government backing. Additionally, the ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited.

If the Fund purchases a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security at a premium, that portion may be lost if there is a decline in the market value of the security whether resulting from changes in interest rates or prepayments in the underlying collateral. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. Although the value of a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since in periods of declining interest rates the mortgages and loans underlying the securities are prone to prepayment, thereby shortening the average life of the security and shortening the period of time over which income at the higher rate is received.

When interest rates are rising, the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the period of time over which income at the lower rate is received. For these and other reasons, a mortgage-backed or other asset-backed security’s average maturity may be shortened or lengthened as a result of interest rate fluctuations and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the security’s return.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). The Fund may invest in CMOs. A CMO is a hybrid between a mortgage-backed bond and a mortgage pass-through security. A CMO is a type of mortgage-backed security that creates separate classes with varying maturities and interest rates, called tranches. Similar to a bond, interest and prepaid principal is paid, in most cases, semi-annually.

CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans, but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and their income streams. CMOs are structured into multiple classes, each bearing a different stated maturity. Actual maturity and average life will depend upon the prepayment experience of the collateral. CMOs provide for a modified form of call protection through a de facto breakdown of the underlying pool of mortgages according to how quickly the loans are repaid. Monthly payment of principal received from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments, is first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class. Investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the first class has been retired. An investor is partially guarded against a sooner than desired return of principal because of the sequential payments.

In a typical CMO transaction, an issuer issues multiple series ( e.g. , Series A, B, C and Z) of CMO bonds (“Bonds”). Proceeds of the Bond offering are used to purchase mortgages or mortgage pass-through certificates (“Collateral”). The Collateral is pledged to a third party trustee as security for the Bonds. Principal and interest payments from the Collateral are used to pay principal on the Bonds in the following order: Series A, B, C and Z. The Series A, B, and C Bonds all bear current interest. Interest on a Series Z Bond is accrued and added to principal and a like amount is paid as principal on the Series A, B, or C Bond currently being paid off. Only after the Series A, B, and C Bonds are paid in full does the Series Z Bond begin to receive payment. With some CMOs, the issuer serves as a conduit to allow loan originators (primarily builders or savings and loan associations) to borrow against their loan portfolios.

 

7


Municipal Securities . The Fund may invest in “Municipal Securities,” which includes debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal Securities are issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works.

Other public purposes for which Municipal Securities may be issued include the refunding of outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated housing facilities, airport, mass transit, industrial, port or parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas, electricity or sewage or solid waste disposal. The principal and interest payments for industrial development bonds or pollution control bonds are often the sole responsibility of the industrial user and therefore may not be backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. The interest paid on such bonds may be exempt from Federal income tax, although current Federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the purposes and size of such issues. Such obligations are considered to be Municipal Securities provided that the interest paid thereon, in the opinion of bond counsel, qualifies as exempt from Federal income tax. However, interest on Municipal Securities may give rise to a Federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) liability and may have other collateral Federal income tax consequences.

The two major classifications of Municipal Securities are bonds and notes. Bonds may be further classified as “general obligation” or “revenue” issues. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities, and in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general taxing power. Tax exempt industrial development bonds are in most cases revenue bonds and do not generally carry the pledge of the credit of the issuing municipality. Notes are short term instruments which usually mature in less than two years. Most notes are general obligations of the issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. There are, of course, variations in the risks associated with Municipal Securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications. The Fund does not anticipate meeting the requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) to pass through income from municipal securities as tax free to the Fund stockholders.

Floating Rate Loans. The Fund may invest in senior secured floating rate loans (“Senior Loans”). Senior Loans generally are made to corporations, partnerships and other business entities (“Borrowers”) which operate in various industries and geographical regions. Senior Loans, which typically hold the most senior position in a Borrower’s capital structure, pay interest at rates that are re-determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, such as the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus a premium. This floating rate feature should help to minimize changes in the principal value of the Senior Loans resulting from interest rate changes. The Fund may invest in Senior Loans that are below investment grade quality and are speculative investments that are subject to credit risk.

Senior Loans in which the Fund may invest may not be rated by a rating agency, will not be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission and generally will not be listed on any national securities exchange. Therefore, the amount of public information available about Senior Loans will be limited, and the performance of the Fund’s investments in Senior Loans will be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the Investment Manager than would be the case for investments in more widely rated, registered or exchange-listed securities. In evaluating the creditworthiness of Borrowers, the Investment Manager may consider, and may rely in part, on analyses performed by others. Moreover, certain Senior Loans will be subject to contractual restrictions on resale and, therefore, will be illiquid.

 

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Bank Instruments . The Fund may invest in certificates of deposits, time deposits, and bankers’ acceptances from U.S. or foreign banks. A bankers’ acceptance is a bill of exchange or time draft drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. A certificate of deposit is a negotiable interest-bearing instrument with a specific maturity. Certificates of deposit are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds, and normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. A time deposit is a non-negotiable receipt issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, it earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market.

The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (Eurodollar CDs) and time deposits (Eurodollar time deposits) of foreign branches of domestic banks. Accordingly, an investment in a Fund may involve risks that are different in some respects from those incurred by an investment company which invests only in debt obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits and the possible imposition of foreign country withholding taxes on interest income.

Below Investment Grade Securities

The Fund will, although it is not required to do so, seek to maintain a minimum BBB– weighted average senior debt rating of companies in which it invests. Although a company’s senior debt rating may be BBB–, an underlying security issued by such company in which the Fund invests may have a lower rating than BBB–. Credit risk is the risk that a security in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in price or the issuer of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status. Preferred securities are subordinated to senior debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income and claim to corporate assets, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than debt instruments.

The Fund may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade. Securities rated below investment grade are regarded as having predominately speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal, and these bonds are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” securities. These securities are subject to a greater risk of default. The prices of these lower-grade securities are more sensitive to negative developments, such as a decline in the issuer’s revenues or a general economic downturn, than are the prices of higher-grade securities. Lower-grade securities tend to be less liquid than investment grade securities. The market values of lower-grade securities tend to be more volatile than investment grade securities. A security will be considered to be investment grade if it is rated as such by one of Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies (“S&P”), Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”) or another NRSRO nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, are judged to be investment grade by the Investment Manager.

Lower-rated securities, or equivalent unrated securities, may be considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of lower-rated securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-quality debt securities, and the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives may, to the extent the Fund is invested in lower-rated securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher quality securities. An issuer of these securities has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default and the issuer may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest. The secondary markets in which lower-rated securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading markets could adversely affect the price at which the Fund could sell a particular lower-rated security when necessary to meet liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer, and could adversely affect and cause large fluctuations in the net asset value of our shares. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions may decrease the values and liquidity of high yield securities.

 

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It is reasonable to expect that any adverse economic conditions could disrupt the market for lower-rated securities, have an adverse impact on the value of those securities and adversely affect the ability of the issuers of those securities to repay principal or interest on those securities. New laws and proposed new laws may adversely impact the market for lower-rated securities.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Securities

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its Managed Assets in securities of foreign (non-U.S.) companies, including up to 25% of its Managed Assets in securities issued by companies domiciled in emerging market countries. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its Managed Assets in securities of companies domiciled in any one emerging market country. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its Managed Assets in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. The Investment Manager may hedge some or all of the Fund’s foreign currency exposure, and will hedge such exposure once it exceeds 20% of the Fund’s Managed Assets.

Investing in securities issued by foreign companies involves considerations and possible risks not typically associated with investing in securities issued by domestic corporations. The values of foreign investments are affected by changes in currency rates or exchange control regulations, application of foreign tax laws, including withholding taxes, changes in governmental administration or economic or monetary policy (in the United States or abroad) or changed circumstances in dealings between nations. Costs are incurred in connection with conversions between various currencies. In addition, foreign brokerage commissions are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than in the United States. Investments in foreign countries could be affected by other factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations which could extend settlement periods. Dividend income the Fund receives from foreign securities may not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation that may be applicable to QDI. See “Taxation.”

Investments in foreign securities, especially in emerging market countries, will expose the Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities or in which the issuers are located. Certain countries in which the Fund may invest, especially emerging market countries, have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of external debt, balance of payments and trade difficulties, and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty and instability. The cost of servicing external debt will generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates because many external debt obligations bear interest at rates that are adjusted based upon international interest rates. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a risk of:

 

   

the possibility of expropriation of assets;

 

   

confiscatory taxation;

 

   

difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment;

 

   

economic, political or social instability; and

 

   

diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries.

The Fund may also invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and similar depositary receipts. ADRs, typically issued by a financial institution (a depositary), evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by a foreign company and deposited with the depositary. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars, and ADRs are traded in the United States. GDRs are receipts issued outside the United States, typically by non-United States banks and trust companies that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic securities. Generally, GDRs are designated for use outside the United States. Ownership of ADRs and GDRs entails similar investment risks to direct ownership of foreign securities traded outside the U.S., including increased market liquidity, currency, political, information and other risks.

 

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Real Estate Companies

The Fund may invest significantly in the securities of real estate companies and may be susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting that sector. Real property investments are subject to varying degrees of risk. The yields available from investments in real estate depend on the amount of income and capital appreciation generated by the related properties. Income and real estate values may also be adversely affected by such factors as applicable laws ( e.g ., Americans with Disabilities Act and tax laws), interest rate levels and the availability of financing. If the properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, including, where applicable, debt service, ground lease payments, tenant improvements, third-party leasing commissions and other capital expenditures, the income and ability of the real estate company to make payments of any interest and principal on its debt securities will be adversely affected. In addition, real property may be subject to the quality of credit extended and defaults by borrowers and tenants. The performance of the economy in each of the regions and countries in which the real estate owned by a portfolio company is located affects occupancy, market rental rates and expenses and, consequently, has an impact on the income from such properties and their underlying values.

The financial results of major local employers also may have an impact on the cash flow and value of certain properties. In addition, real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, the ability of real estate companies to vary their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions is limited. A real estate company also may have joint venture investments in certain of its properties and, consequently, its ability to control decisions relating to these properties may be limited.

Real property investments are also subject to risks which are specific to the investment sector or type of property in which the real estate companies are investing.

 

   

Retail Properties . Retail properties are affected by the overall health of the applicable economy and may be adversely affected by the growth of alternative forms of retailing, bankruptcy, departure or cessation of operations of a tenant, a shift in consumer demand due to demographic changes, spending patterns and lease terminations.

 

   

Office Properties . Office properties are affected by the overall health of the economy and other factors such as a downturn in the businesses operated by their tenants, obsolescence and non-competitiveness.

 

   

Hotel Properties . The risks of hotel properties include, among other things, the necessity of a high level of continuing capital expenditures, competition, increases in operating costs which may not be offset by increases in revenues, dependence on business and commercial travelers and tourism, increases in fuel costs and other expenses of travel and adverse effects of general and local economic conditions.

 

   

Healthcare Properties . Healthcare properties and healthcare providers are affected by several significant factors, including Federal, state and local laws governing licenses, certification, adequacy of care, pharmaceutical distribution, medical rates, equipment, personnel and other factors regarding operations; continued availability of revenue from government reimbursement programs (primarily Medicaid and Medicare); and competition on a local and regional basis.

 

   

Multifamily Properties . The value and successful operation of a multifamily property may be affected by a number of factors such as the location of the property, the ability of the management team, the level of mortgage rates, presence of competing properties, adverse economic conditions in the locale, oversupply and rent control laws or other laws affecting such properties.

 

   

Insurance Issues . Certain real estate companies may carry comprehensive liability, fire, flood, earthquake extended coverage and rental loss insurance with various policy specifications, limits and deductibles.

 

   

Credit Risk . REITs may be highly leveraged, and financial covenants may affect the ability of REITs to operate effectively.

 

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Environmental Issues.  In connection with the ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances, a portfolio company may be considered an owner, operator or responsible party of such properties and, therefore, may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other costs, including governmental fines and liabilities for injuries to persons and property.

 

   

Smaller Companies . Even the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small- to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole. REIT shares, therefore, can be more volatile than, and perform differently from, larger company stocks.

 

   

REIT Tax Issues . REITs are subject to a highly technical and complex set of provisions in the Code. It is possible that the Fund may invest in a real estate company which purports to be a REIT and that the company could fail to qualify as a REIT. In the event of any such unexpected failure to qualify as a REIT, the company would be subject to corporate-level taxation, significantly reducing the return to the Fund on its investment in such company.

REITs are sometimes informally characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. An equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings and derives its income primarily from rental income. An equity REIT may also realize capital gains (or losses) by selling real estate properties in its portfolio that have appreciated (or depreciated) in value. A mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans. A mortgage REIT generally derives its income primarily from interest payments on the credit it has extended. A hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real estate. It is anticipated, although not required, that under normal circumstances a majority of the Fund’s investments in REITs will consist of securities issued by equity REITs.

In addition to the risks of securities linked to the real estate industry, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, U.S. REITs could possibly fail to qualify for pass-through of income under the Code, or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.

Utility Companies

Utility companies in which the Fund may invest generally are involved in the generation, transmission, sale or distribution of electric energy; distribution, purification and treatment of water; or production, transmission or distribution of oil or natural gas. The Fund may invest significantly in securities of utility companies and may be susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting that sector. Investing in the utility sector includes the following risks:

 

   

high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs;

 

   

difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets;

 

   

governmental regulation of rates charged to customers;

 

   

costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations;

 

   

effects of economic slowdowns and surplus capacity;

 

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increased competition from other providers of utility services;

 

   

inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment;

 

   

costs associated with reduced availability of certain types of fuel, occasionally reduced availability and high costs of natural gas for resale and the effects of energy conservation policies, and the potential that costs incurred by the utility, such as the cost of fuel, change more rapidly than the rate the utility is permitted to charge its customers;

 

   

effects of a national energy policy and lengthy delays and greatly increased costs and other problems associated with the design, construction, licensing, regulation and operation of nuclear facilities for electric generation, including, among other considerations, the problems associated with the use of radioactive materials and the disposal of radioactive wastes;

 

   

technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete; and

 

   

potential impact of terrorist activities on utility companies and their customers and the impact of natural or man-made disasters, including events such as the blackout that affected electric utility companies in many Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states in 2003.

Issuers in the utility sector may be subject to regulation by various governmental authorities and may be affected by the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards. In addition, there are substantial differences between the regulatory practices and policies of various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, grant rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on preferred or common stocks. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues of an electric or gas utility as well as its expenses.

Telecommunications and Media Companies

Telecommunications companies in which the Fund may invest include companies principally engaged in the development, manufacture, or sale of communications services or communications equipment or provision of communications services, including cable television, satellite, microwave, radio, telephone and other communications media. Media companies invest create, own, and distribute various forms of printed, visual, audio, and interactive content, as well as information databases that they sell or lease to others. Examples include the Internet, newspaper, magazine, and book publishers, movie and television studios, advertising agencies, radio and television broadcasters, as well as cable television and direct satellite broadcast system operators. Risks of investing in the telecommunications and media sector includes many of the risks of investing in the utilities sector, including government regulation of rates of return and services that may be offered. Telecommunications products and services also may be subject to rapid obsolescence resulting from changes in consumer tastes, intense competition and strong market reactions to technological development.

Energy Companies

Energy companies in which the Fund may invest include companies in the discovery, development, production or distribution of energy or other natural resources, the development of technologies for the production or efficient use of energy and other natural resources, or the furnishing of related supplies or services. The energy industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, the success of exploration projects, tax and other government regulations, weather or meteorological events, world events and economic conditions. The energy industries also may be affected by fluctuations in energy prices, energy conservation, exploration and production spending, government regulations, weather, world events and economic conditions.

 

13


Healthcare Companies

Healthcare companies in which the Fund may invest encompass two main groups. The first group includes companies that manufacture health care supplies or provide health care-related services, including distributors of products, providers of basic health care services and owners and operators of care facilities and organizations. The second group includes companies in the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products. Events affecting the health care industries include technological advances that make existing products and services obsolete, and changes in regulatory policies concerning approvals of new drugs, medical devices or procedures. In addition, changes in governmental payment systems and private payment systems, such as increased use of managed care arrangements, are risks in investing in the health care industries.

Industrial Companies

Industrial companies that the Fund may invest in include companies involved in the research, development, manufacture, distribution, supply or sale of industrial products, services or equipment. These companies may include manufacturers of civil or military aerospace and defense equipment, building components and home improvement products and equipment, civil engineering firms and large-scale contractors, companies producing electrical components or equipment, manufacturers of industrial machinery and industrial components and products, providers of commercial printing services, and companies providing transportation services. A company is in industrial products, services or equipment industries if at the time of investment it is determine that at least 50% of the company’s assets, revenues or profits are derived from these industries.

The industrial products, services and equipment industries can be significantly affected by general economic trends, changes in consumer sentiment and spending, commodity prices, technological obsolescence, labor relations, legislation, government regulations and spending, import controls, and worldwide competition, and can be subject to liability for environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control.

Derivative Instruments

Except as described in the Prospectus, the Fund has no current intention of entering into Derivatives Transactions (as defined below).

The Fund may, but is not required to, use, without limit, various strategic transactions described below to seek to increase return, facilitate portfolio management or mitigate risks. Although the Investment Manager may seek to use these kinds of transactions to further the Fund’s investment objectives, no assurance can be given that they will achieve this result. The Fund may enter into exchange-listed and over-the-counter (“OTC”) put and call options on securities (including securities of investment companies and baskets of securities), indexes, and other financial instruments; purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon; enter into various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars or credit transactions; equity index, total return and credit default swaps; forward contracts; and structured investments. In addition, the Fund may enter into various currency transactions, such as forward currency contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures. The Fund also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. The Fund may invest in other types of derivatives, structured and similar instruments which are not currently available but which may be developed in the future. Collectively, all of the above are referred to as Derivatives Transactions.

Derivatives Transactions can be highly volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon the characteristics of the particular derivative, including the imperfect correlation between the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default of the other party to the transaction and illiquidity of the derivative instruments. Derivatives Transactions may entail investment exposures that are greater than their

 

14


cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on the Fund’s performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on the Fund’s portfolio. In certain types of Derivatives Transactions the Fund could lose the entire amount of its investment; in other types of Derivatives Transactions the potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

The market for many derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for Derivatives Transactions. The Fund could experience losses if it were unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. Successful use of Derivatives Transactions also is subject to the ability of the Investment Manager to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant market and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the derivatives. Derivatives Transactions entered into to seek to manage the risks of the Fund’s portfolio of securities may have the effect of limiting gains from otherwise favorable market movements. The use of Derivatives Transactions may result in losses greater than if they had not been used (and a loss on a Derivatives Transaction position may be larger than the gain in a portfolio position being hedged), may require the Fund to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. Amounts paid by the Fund as premiums and cash or other assets held as collateral with respect to Derivatives Transactions may not otherwise be available to the Fund for investment purposes.

The use of currency transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result of the imposition of exchange controls, political developments, government intervention or failure to intervene, suspension of settlements or the inability of the Fund to deliver or receive a specified currency.

Structured notes and other related instruments carry risks similar to those of more traditional derivatives such as futures, forward and option contracts. However, structured instruments may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.

The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to certain Derivatives Transactions entered into by the Fund. Derivatives may be purchased on established exchanges or through privately negotiated transactions referred to as OTC derivatives. Exchange-traded derivatives generally are guaranteed by the clearing agency which is the issuer or counterparty to such derivatives. However, many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day and once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended. There also is no assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist at any particular time and no such secondary market may exist or may cease to exist. Each party to an OTC derivative bears the risk that the counterparty will default. OTC derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives because the other party to the transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

The Fund will not be a commodity pool ( i.e ., a pooled investment vehicle which trades in commodity futures contracts and options thereon and the operator of which is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission). In addition, the Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of commodity pool operator and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

15


Cash Reserves

The Fund’s cash reserves, held to provide sufficient flexibility to take advantage of new opportunities for investments and for other cash needs, will be invested in money market instruments and generally will not exceed 15% of total assets. If the Investment Manager has difficulty finding an adequate number of undervalued equity securities, all or any portion of the Fund’s assets may also be invested temporarily in money market instruments. Cash reserves in excess of 20% of total assets will be maintained for defensive purposes only.

Money market instruments in which the Fund may invest its cash reserves will generally consist of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and such obligations which are subject to repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which an investor, such as the Fund, purchases a U.S. Government security from a counterparty, with an agreement by the vendor to repurchase the security at the same price, plus interest at a specified rate. In such a case, the security is held by the Fund, in effect, as collateral for the repurchase obligation.

Repurchase agreements may be entered into with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or primary dealers (as designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) in U.S. Government securities. Other acceptable money market instruments include commercial paper rated by any nationally recognized rating agency, such as Moody’s or S&P, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances issued by domestic banks having total assets in excess of one billion dollars and money market mutual funds.

In entering into any repurchase agreement for the Fund, the Investment Manager will evaluate and monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparty. In the event that a counterparty should default on its repurchase obligation, the Fund might suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from the sale of the collateral were less than the repurchase price. If the counterparty becomes bankrupt, the Fund might be delayed, or may incur costs or possible losses of principal or income, in selling the collateral.

Securities Lending

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker/dealers or other institutions. The borrower must maintain with the Fund cash or equivalent collateral equal to at least 100% of the market value of the securities loaned. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on the securities. The Fund may invest the collateral and earn additional income or receive an agreed upon amount of interest income from the borrower. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan. The Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, but would terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that were considered important with respect to the investment. The Fund may lose money if a borrower defaults on its obligation to return securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund is insufficient to replace the loaned securities. In addition, the Fund is responsible for any loss that might result from its investment of the borrower’s collateral.

Short Sales

The Fund may, but does not currently plan to, enter into short sales, provided the dollar amount of short sales at any one time would not exceed 25% of the Managed Assets of the Fund, and the value of securities of any one issuer in which the Fund is short would not exceed the lesser of 2% of the value of the Fund’s Managed Assets or 2% of the securities of any class of any issuer. The Fund must designate collateral consisting of cash or liquid portfolio securities with a value equal to the current market value of the shorted securities, which is marked-to-market daily. If the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, without payment of any further consideration, securities of the same issuer as, and equal in amount to, the securities sold short (which sales are commonly referred to as short sales against the box), the above requirements are not applicable.

 

16


Master Limited Partnerships

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in equity securities of MLPs. An MLP generally has two classes of partners, the general partner and the limited partners. The general partner normally controls the MLP through an equity interest plus units that are subordinated to the common (publicly traded) units for an initial period and then only converting to common if certain financial tests are met. As a motivation for the general partner to successfully manage the MLP and increase cash flows, the terms of most MLPs typically provide that the general partner receives a larger portion of the net income as distributions reach higher target levels. As cash flow grows, the general partner receives a greater interest in the incremental income compared to the interest of limited partners. The general partner’s incentive compensation typically increases to up to 50% of incremental income. Nevertheless, the aggregate amount distributed to limited partners will increase as MLP distributions reach higher target levels. Given this incentive structure, the general partner has an incentive to streamline operations and undertake acquisitions and growth projects in order to increase distributions to all partners.

MLP common units represent an equity ownership interest in a partnership, providing limited voting rights and entitling the holder to a share of the company’s success through distributions and/or capital appreciation. Unlike stockholders of a corporation, common unit holders do not elect directors annually and generally have the right to vote only on certain significant events, such as mergers, a sale of substantially all of the assets, removal of the general partner or material amendments to the partnership agreement. MLPs are required by their partnership agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. Common unit holders generally have first right to a minimum quarterly distribution prior to distributions to the convertible subordinated unit holders or the general partner (including incentive distributions). Common unit holders typically have arrearage rights if the minimum quarterly distribution is not met. In the event of liquidation, MLP common unit holders have first right to the partnership’s remaining assets after bondholders, other debt holders, and preferred unit holders have been paid in full. MLP common units trade on a national securities exchange or over-the-counter. Some limited liability companies (“LLCs”) may be treated as MLPs for Federal income tax purposes. Similar to MLPs, LLCs typically do not pay Federal income tax at the entity level and are required by their operating agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. In contrast to MLPs, LLCs have no general partner and there are no incentives that entitle management or other unit holders to increased percentages of cash distributions as distributions reach higher target levels. In addition, LLC common unit holders typically have voting rights with respect to the LLC, whereas MLP common units have limited voting rights. MLP common units and other equity securities can be affected by macroeconomic and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or a MLP’s business sector, changes in a particular issuer’s financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common units of individual MLPs and other equity securities can also be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including earnings power and coverage ratios.

MLP convertible subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to the MLP, and institutional investors, and may be purchased in direct placements from such persons. The purpose of the convertible subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed to common unit holders. Convertible subordinated units generally are not entitled to distributions until holders of common units have received specified minimum quarterly distributions, plus any arrearages, and may receive less in distributions upon liquidation. Convertible subordinated unit holders generally are entitled to a minimum quarterly distribution prior to the payment of incentive distributions to the general partner, but are not entitled to arrearage rights. Therefore, they generally entail greater risk than MLP common units. They are generally convertible automatically into the senior common units of the same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage of time or the satisfaction of certain financial tests. These units do not trade on a national exchange or over-the-counter, and there is no active market for convertible subordinated units. The value of a convertible security is a function of its worth if converted into the underlying common units. Convertible subordinated units generally have similar voting rights

 

17


to MLP common units. Because convertible subordinated units generally convert to common units on a one-to-one ratio, the price that the Fund could be expected to pay upon purchase or to realize upon resale is generally tied to the common unit price less a discount. The size of the discount varies depending on a variety of factors including the likelihood of conversion, and the length of time remaining to conversion, and the size of the block purchased.

MLP I-Shares represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. I-units are equity securities issued to affiliates of MLPs, typically a limited liability company, that own an interest in and manage the MLP. The issuer has management rights but is not entitled to incentive distributions. The I-Share issuer’s assets consist exclusively of MLP I-units. Distributions by MLPs to I-unit holders are made in the form of additional I-units, generally equal in amount to the cash received by common unit holders of MLPs. Distributions to I-Share holders are made in the form of additional I-Shares, generally equal in amount to the I-units received by the I-Share issuer. The price of I-Shares and their volatility tend to be correlated to the price of common units, although the price correlation is not precise.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in other investment companies, including shares of open-end, management investment companies (commonly called mutual funds), closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The Fund also 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 during periods when there is a shortage of attractive opportunities in the market. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s investment management and other fees and expenses 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. The securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks to which the Fund is subject. As described in the Prospectus in the sections entitled “Use of Leverage” and “Use of Leverage—Leverage Risk,” the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to stockholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares. Investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies, the Fund will be dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than the Investment Manager.

In accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may be limited in the amount the Fund and its affiliates can invest in any one fund (a “Portfolio Fund”) to 3% of the Portfolio Fund’s total outstanding stock. As a result, the Fund may hold a smaller position in a Portfolio Fund than if it were not subject to this restriction. To comply with provisions of the 1940 Act, on any matter upon which Portfolio Fund stockholders are solicited to vote the Investment Manager may be required to vote Portfolio Fund shares in the same general proportion as shares held by other stockholders of the Portfolio Fund.

ETFs are open-end investment companies whose shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market System. ETF shares such as iShares and SPDRs provide investment results that generally are intended to correspond to the price and yield performance of the component stocks of a widely recognized index such as the S&P 500 ® Index. There can be no assurance, however, that this can be accomplished as it may not be possible for an ETF to replicate the composition and relative weightings of the securities of its corresponding index. ETFs are subject to the risks of an investment in a broadly based portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of such investment. Individual shares of an ETF are generally not redeemable at their net asset value, but trade on an exchange during the day at prices that are normally close to, but not the same as, their net asset value. There is no assurance that an active trading market will be maintained for the shares of an ETF or that market prices of the shares of an ETF will be close to their net asset values.

 

18


INVESTME NT RESTRICTIONS

The investment objectives and the general investment policies and investment techniques of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. The Fund has also adopted certain investment restrictions limiting the following activities except as specifically authorized.

The Fund may not:

1. Issue senior securities (including borrowing money for other than temporary purposes) except in conformity with the limits set forth in the 1940 Act or pursuant to exemptive relief therefrom; or pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets other than to secure such issuances or borrowings or in connection with permitted investment strategies; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes;

2. Act as an underwriter of securities issued by other persons, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the disposition of securities;

3. Purchase or sell real estate or mortgages on real estate, except that the Fund may invest in securities of companies that deal in real estate or are engaged in the real estate business, including REITs and securities secured by real estate or interests therein, and the Fund may hold and sell real estate or mortgages on real estate acquired through default, liquidation, or other distributions of an interest in real estate as a result of the Fund’s ownership of such securities;

4. Make loans to other persons except through the lending of securities held by it (but not to exceed a value of one-third of total assets), through the use of repurchase agreements, and by the purchase of debt securities;

5. Invest more than 25% of its Managed Assets in securities of issuers in any one industry; provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities; or

6. Acquire or retain securities of any investment company other than (a) in accordance with the limits permitted by Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, or any exemption granted under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, and (b) through the acquisition of securities of any investment company as part of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

The Fund may:

7. Purchase and sell commodities or commodity contracts, including futures contracts, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

The investment restrictions numbered 1 through 5 and number 7 in this Statement of Additional Information have been adopted as fundamental policies of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class, and of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding” Preferred 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.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue Preferred Shares unless immediately after the issuance the value of the Fund’s total assets 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 total assets less liabilities other than borrowing). 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 total assets less liabilities other than borrowing is at least 200% of such liquidation value. If Preferred Shares are issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem Preferred Shares from time to time to the extent necessary in order to

 

19


maintain coverage of any Preferred Shares of at least 200%. If the Fund has Preferred Shares outstanding, two of the Fund’s Directors will be elected by the holders of Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class. The remaining Directors of the Fund will be elected by holders of Common Shares and Preferred Shares voting together as a single class. In the event the Fund failed to pay dividends on Preferred Shares for two years, Preferred Shareholders would be entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Directors approve all significant agreements between the Fund and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the Fund’s agreements with its Investment Manager, administrator, sub-administrator, custodian and transfer agent. The management of the Fund’s day-to-day operations is delegated to its officers, the Investment Manager and the Fund’s administrator, subject always to the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Directors.

Basic information about the identity and experience of each Director and officer is set forth in the charts below. The Investment Manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cohen & Steers, Inc., a publicly traded company whose common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNS.”

The Directors of the Fund, their addresses, their ages, the length of time served, their principal occupations for at least the past five years, the number of portfolios they oversee within the fund complex, and other directorships held by the Director are set forth below.

 

Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held
with Fund

   Term of
Office(2)
   

Principal Occupation

During At Least The Past Five

Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

   Number of Funds
Within Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
(Including the Fund)
     Length of
Time
Served(4)
 

Interested Directors (5)

             

Robert H. Steers

Age: 57

   Director and Co-Chairman      (3)      Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Manager since 2003 and its parent, Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS), since 2004. Prior to that, Chairman of the Investment Manager; Vice President of Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.      18        
 
Since
1991
  
  

Martin Cohen(6)

Age: 61

   Director and Co-Chairman      (3)      Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Manager since 2003 and CNS since 2004. Prior to that, President of the Investment Manager; Vice President of Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.      18        
 
Since
1991
  
  

 

20


Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held
with Fund

   Term of
Office(2)
 

Principal Occupation

During At Least The Past Five

Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

   Number of Funds
Within Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
(Including the Fund)
   Length of
Time
Served(4)
Independent Directors           

Bonnie Cohen(6)(7)

Age: 67

   Director    (3)   Consultant; Board Member, Global Heritage Fund since 2002; Advisory Board member, Posse Foundation since 2004; President, H. Rubenstein Foundation since 1996; Trustee, District of Columbia Public Libraries since 2004; Board member, U.S. Department of Defense Business Board since 2010; Board member, Washington National Opera since 2007; Former Director, Reis, Inc. (real estate analytics firm) from 2003 to 2009; Former member of the Investment Committee, The Moriah Fund from 2002 to 2008; Former Board member, Foundation for Arts and Preservations in Embassies from 2001 to 2009; Former Under Secretary of State for Management, United States Department of State, 1996-2000.    18    Since
2001

George Grossman

Age: 56

   Director    (3)   Attorney-at-law.    18    Since
1993

 

21


Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held
with Fund

   Term of
Office(2)
 

Principal Occupation

During At Least The Past Five

Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

   Number of Funds
Within Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
(Including the Fund)
   Length of
Time Served(4)

Richard E. Kroon

Age: 67

   Director    (3)   Member of Investment Committee, Monmouth University since 2004; Former Director, AmComp (workers’ compensation insurance company) from 1996 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2005; Former Director, Finlay Enterprises (fine jewelry retailing) from 2003 to 2006; Former Director, Prominence Networks (telecom equipment) from 2003 to 2005; Retired Chairman and Managing Partner of Sprout Group venture capital funds, then an affiliate of Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities Corporation from 1981 to 2001. Former chairman of the National Venture Capital Association for the year 2000.    18    Since
2004

 

22


Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held
with Fund

   Term of
Office(2)
 

Principal Occupation

During At Least The Past Five

Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

   Number of Funds
Within Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
(Including the Fund)
   Length of
Time Served(4)

Richard J. Norman

Age: 66

   Director    (3)   Private Investor. Member, District of Columbia Department of Corrections Chaplains Corps since 2008; Member, Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Corrections Chaplains Corps since 2010; Special Representative, Salvation Army World Service Organization (SAWSO) since 2010; Advisory Board Member, The Salvation Army since 1985; Former President, Executive Committee, Chair of Investment Committee, The Foundation Board of Maryland Public Television from 1997 to 2008. Prior thereto, Investment Representative of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter from 1966 to 2000.    18    Since
2004

 

23


Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held
with Fund

   Term of
Office(2)
 

Principal Occupation

During At Least The Past Five

Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

   Number of Funds
Within Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
(Including the Fund)
   Length of
Time Served(4)

Frank K. Ross(7)

Age: 66

   Director    (3)   Visiting Professor of Accounting, Howard University School of Business since 2004; Board member and Audit Committee Chair and Human Resources and Compensation Committee Member, Pepco Holdings, Inc. (electric utility) since 2004; Former Board Member of NCRIC Group, Inc. (insurance) from 2004 to 2006; Formerly, Midatlantic Area Managing Partner for Assurance Services at KPMG LLP and Managing Partner of its Washington DC offices from 1977 to 2003.    18    Since
2004

Willard H. Smith Jr.

Age: 73

   Director    (3)   Board member, Essex Property Trust, Inc. since 1996; Former Board member, Realty Income Corporation from 1996 to 2009; Former Board member, Highwoods Property Trust from 1996 to 2005; Former Board member, Crest Net Lease, Inc. from 1999 to 2009; Formerly, Managing Director at Merrill Lynch & Co., Equity Capital Markets Division, from 1983 to 1995.    18    Since
1996

 

24


Name, Address and Age(1)

  

Position(s) Held
with Fund

   Term of
Office(2)
 

Principal Occupation

During At Least The Past Five

Years

(Including Other

Directorships Held)

   Number of Funds
Within Fund Complex
Overseen by Director
(Including the Fund)
   Length of
Time Served(4)

C. Edward Ward, Jr.

Age: 63

      (3)   Member of The Board of Trustees of Manhattan College, Riverdale, New York since 2004; Formerly Director of closed-end fund management for the New York Stock Exchange where he worked from 1979 to 2004.    18    Since
2004

 

(1) The address for all Directors is 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
(2) The Board of Directors has adopted a mandatory retirement policy stating a Director must retire from the Board on December 31st of the year in which he or she turns 75 years of age.
(3) Beginning with the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Fund held after the initial public offering of the Fund’s Common Shares, and if at such time, the number of Directors shall be three (3) or more but not more than twelve (12), the Board shall be divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. At the first annual meeting, Directors of Class I shall be elected to the Board for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, Directors of Class II shall be elected to the Board for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and Directors of Class III shall be elected to the Board for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. At each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, the Directors chosen to succeed those whose terms are expiring shall be identified as being of the same class as the Directors whom they succeed and shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders subsequent to their election, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are elected and qualified.
(4) The length of time served represents the year in which the Director was first elected or appointed to any fund in the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex.
(5) “Interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund because of the affiliation with the Investment Manager (“Interested Directors”).
(6) Martin Cohen and Bonnie Cohen are unrelated.
(7) Solely as a result of her or his ownership of securities of one of the underwriters, Ms. Cohen and Mr. Ross an technically “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, until completion of this offering of Common Shares. After completion of this offering, Ms. Cohen and Mr. Ross will be Independent Directors (defined below).

Each Director has been a Director of the Fund since its inception. Additional information about each Independent Director (as defined below) follows (supplementing the information provided in the table above) that describes some of the specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills that each Director possesses which the Board believes has prepared them to be effective Directors.

Bonnie Cohen —In addition to her tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Ms. Cohen served as the funds’ lead Independent Director for one year. She has also served in high ranking positions within the Federal government for the past 14 years. In addition, Ms. Cohen has served on the boards of several not-for-profit companies and charitable foundations and founded her own consulting firm. She also served on the board of a firm that analyzes the trends of commercial real estate.

George Grossman —In addition to his tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Mr. Grossman has practiced commercial and residential real estate law, real estate development, zoning and complex financing for over 30 years, managing his own law firm. Mr. Grossman also serves as the Chairman of the boards’

 

25


Contracts Review Committees since 2004, coordinating the information presented to the boards in connection with the renewal of the funds’ management contracts as well as interacting with the independent third party service provider.

Richard E. Kroon —In addition to his tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Mr. Kroon has served as the complex’s lead Independent Director since 2006, acting as liaison between the boards and the Independent Directors. Mr. Kroon has over 30 years of business experience. In addition, he has served on the boards of several public and private companies, and charitable foundations.

Richard J. Norman —In addition to his tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Mr. Norman has served as the Chairman of the boards’ Governance Committees since 2004, acting as liaison between the boards and the Investment Company Institute. Mr. Norman has over 34 years of investment experience. He served as the Investment Chair of Maryland Public Television for over 10 years, administering various investment opportunities. He serves on various boards of several charitable foundations, including the Salvation Army, where he coordinates and oversees numerous fundraising efforts.

Frank K . Ross —In addition to his tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Mr. Ross has served as the Chairman of the boards’ Audit Committees since 2004, acting as liaison between the boards and the funds’ independent registered public accountants. Mr. Ross has over 35 years of public accounting and auditing experience. In addition, he is a visiting professor, teaching accounting, auditing and ethics courses at a private university, and serves as the audit committee chairman and a member of the human resources and compensation committees of a public utility company. He was on the board of NCRIC, Inc. from 2004 to 2006, at which point the company was sold. While on NCRIC’s board, he served on the audit and governance committees.

Willard H . Smith Jr. —In addition to his tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Mr. Smith has over 45 years of business experience. He currently serves as a board member of a publicly traded real estate investment trust.

C. Edward Ward, Jr. —In addition to his tenure as a Director of various Cohen & Steers funds, Mr. Ward has over 31 years of industry experience with closed-end investment companies, previously serving as Director of Closed-End Fund Management at the New York Stock Exchange. He also earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard University and currently serves as a trustee of a private university.

The Board believes that the significance of each Director’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Director may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the board level, with no single Director, or particular factor, being indicative of board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Directors need to have the ability to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Fund management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties; the Board believes that their members satisfy this standard. Experience relevant to having this ability may be achieved through a Director’s educational background; business, professional training or practice ( e.g ., accountancy or law), public service or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the boards of other funds in the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. The charter for the Board’s Nominating Committee contains certain other specific requirements and factors considered by the Committee in identifying and selecting Director candidates (please see below).

To assist them in evaluating matters under Federal and state law, the Directors are counseled by their own independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Manager, and also may benefit from information provided by the Fund’s and the Investment Manager’s counsel; both Board and Fund counsel have significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.

 

26


Board Composition and Leadership Structure. The 1940 Act requires that at least 40% of the Fund’s directors not be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and as such are not affiliated with the Investment Manager (“Independent Directors”). To rely on certain exemptive rules under the 1940 Act, a majority of the Fund’s Directors must be Independent Directors, and for certain important matters, such as the approval of investment management agreements or transactions with affiliates, the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder require the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. Currently, over 75% of the Fund’s Directors are Independent Directors. The Chairmen of the Board are interested persons of the Fund, and the Independent Directors have designated a lead Independent Director who chairs meetings or executive sessions of the Independent Directors, reviews and comments on Board meeting agendas, represents the views of the Independent Directors to management and facilitates communication among the Independent Directors and their counsel. The Board has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Independent Directors have designated a lead Independent Director to function as described above is appropriate in light of the services that the Investment Manager and its affiliates provide to the Fund and potential conflicts of interest that could arise from these relationships.

The officers of the Fund (other than Messrs. Cohen & Steers, whose biographies are provided above), their addresses, their ages and their principal occupations for at least the past five years are set forth below.

 

Name, Address and Age(1)

   Position(s) Held
with Fund(2)
  

Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The
Past Five Years

   Length of
Time  Served(3)

Adam M. Derechin

Age: 45

   President and
Chief Executive
Officer
   Chief Operating Officer of the Investment Manager since 2003 and prior to that, Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager.    2005

Joseph M. Harvey

Age: 46

   Vice President    President and Chief Investment Officer of the Investment Manager (since 2003) and President of CNS (since 2004).    2004

William F. Scapell

Age: 43

   Vice President    Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager since 2003. Prior to joining the Investment Manager, he was the chief strategist for preferred securities at Merrill Lynch & Co.    2004

Francis C. Poli

Age: 47

   Secretary    Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Investment Manager since March 2007. Prior thereto, General Counsel of Allianz Global Investors of America LP.    2007

James Giallanza

Age: 44

   Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
   Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager since 2006. Prior thereto, Deputy Head of the US Funds Administration and Treasurer & CFO of various mutual funds within the Legg Mason (formerly Citigroup Asset Management) fund complex from August 2004 to September 2006;    2006

 

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Name, Address and Age(1)

   Position(s) Held
with Fund(2)
  

Principal Occupation(s) During At Least The
Past Five Years

   Length of
Time  Served(3)

Tina M. Payne

Age: 35

   Assistant Secretary    Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Investment Manager since January 2010. Prior thereto, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Investment Manager since June 2007. Prior thereto, Vice President and Counsel at PFPC Inc. (financial services company) from 2003 to 2007.    2007

Lester Lay

Age: 47

   Assistant Treasurer    Vice President of the Investment Manager since 2005. Prior thereto, Vice President of Morgan Stanley Investment Managers Inc.    2005

Neil Bloom

Age: 39

   Assistant Treasurer    Vice President of the Investment Manager since August 2008. Prior thereto, Senior Tax Manager at KPMG, LLP (accounting firm) since 2004.    2009

Lisa Phelan

Age: 41

   Chief Compliance
Officer
   Senior Vice President and Director of Compliance of the Investment Manager since 2007 and prior to that Vice President since 2006. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2004, she was Chief Compliance Officer of Avatar Associates and Overture Asset Managers from 2003 to 2004.    2006

 

(1) The address for all officers is 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
(2) Each appointed by the Board of Directors and serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
(3) The length of time served represents the year in which the officer was first appointed to any fund in the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex.

All of the Fund’s officers are officers or employees of the Investment Manager their affiliations are provided under their principal business occupations.

The following table provides information concerning the dollar range of the Fund’s equity securities owned by each Director and the aggregate dollar range of securities owned in the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex.

 

     Dollar Range of Equity
     Securities in the Fund as    
of June 30, 2010
       Aggregate Dollar Range    
of Equity Securities in
the Cohen & Steers
Fund Complex as of
June 30, 2010*

Robert H. Steers

   None    Over $100,000

Martin Cohen

   None    Over $100,000

Bonnie Cohen

   None    Over $100,000

George Grossman

   None    Over $100,000

Richard E. Kroon

   None    Over $100,000

 

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     Dollar Range of Equity
     Securities in the Fund as    
of June 30, 2010
       Aggregate Dollar Range    
of Equity Securities in
the Cohen & Steers
Fund Complex as of
June 30, 2010*

Richard J. Norman

   None    Over $100,000

Frank K. Ross

   None    $50,001-$100,000

Willard H. Smith Jr.

   None    Over $100,000

C. Edward Ward, Jr.

   None    $10,001-$50,000

 

* Valued as of September 30, 2010.

Conflicts of Interest . None of the Independent Directors and none of their immediate family members, own any securities issued by the Investment Manager, or any person or entity (other than the Fund and other funds in the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager.

Board’s Role in Fund Governance

Committees. The Fund’s Board of Directors has four standing committees of the Board, the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Contract Review Committee and the Governance Committee. Each Committee is composed solely of Independent Directors. All of the Independent Directors are members of the Nominating and Contract Review Committees. The members of the Governance Committee are Messrs. Norman, Ward and Smith. The members of the Audit Committee are Ms. Cohen and Messrs. Ross, Kroon and Grossman.

The function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its oversight of the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting process. The functions of the Nominating Committee are to identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors in the event that a position is vacated or created, to select the Director nominees for any future meeting of stockholders and to set any necessary standards or qualifications for service on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees properly recommended by the Fund’s stockholders. Stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations that include, among other things, biographical data and the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the Fund’s Secretary. The main functions of the Contract Review Committee are to make recommendations to the Board of Directors after reviewing investment management and other contracts that the Fund has with the Investment Manager and to select third parties to provide evaluative reports and other information regarding the services provided by the Investment Manager to the Board. The main function of the Governance Committee is to assist the Board in the oversight of appropriate and effective governance of the Fund. The Governance Committee will oversee, among other things, the structure and composition of the Board committees, the size of the Board, including the number of Independent Directors, and the compensation of Independent Directors for service on the Board and any Board committee.

Board’s Oversight Role in Management. The Board’s role in management of the Fund is oversight. As is the case with virtually all investment companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service providers to the Fund, primarily the Investment Manager and its affiliates, have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund, which includes responsibility for risk management (including management of investment performance and investment risk, valuation risk, issuer and counterparty credit risk, compliance risk and operational risk). As part of its oversight, the Board, acting at its scheduled meetings, or the lead Independent Director, acting between Board meetings, regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including the Fund’s and the Investment Manager’s Chief Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel. The Board’s Audit Committee meets during its scheduled meetings, and between meetings the Audit Committee Chairman maintains contact, with the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the Fund’s Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. The Board also receives periodic presentations from senior personnel of the Investment Manager or its affiliates regarding risk management generally, as well as periodic presentations regarding specific operational, compliance or investment areas such

 

29


as business continuity, anti-money laundering, personal trading, valuation, credit, investment research and securities lending. The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed to address certain risks to the Fund. In addition, the Investment Manager and certain service providers to the Fund have adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund. However, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks to the Fund. The Board also receives reports from counsel to the Fund and the Investment Manager and the Board’s own independent legal counsel regarding regulatory compliance and governance matters. The Board’s oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Fund’s investments or activities.

Compensation of Directors and Certain Officers

The following table sets forth estimated information regarding compensation expected to be paid to Directors by the Fund for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010 and the aggregate compensation paid by the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex for the calendar year ended December 31, 2009. Officers of the Fund and Interested Directors do not receive any compensation from the Fund or any other fund in the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex except for the Chief Compliance Officer, who receives less than $60,000 any one fund. Prior to October 1, 2009, each Independent Director was paid an annual retainer of $4,500 per fund, and a fee of $500 per fund for each meeting attended and is reimbursed for the expenses of attendance at such meetings. In addition, the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex paid the chairs of the Governance Committee and the Contract Review Committee each an annual fee of $10,000, the chair of the Audit Committee an annual fee of $15,000 and the lead Independent Director an annual fee of $50,000. As of October 1, 2009, the Independent Directors are paid by the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex an annual base retainer of $95,000, paid quarterly and a $10,000 per meeting fee per quarter ($40,000 annually), and such fees are allocated over the Fund Complex based on average net assets of each fund. Additionally, the Audit Committee Chairman is paid $15,000 per year in the aggregate for his service as Chairman of the Audit Committees of the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex, the Contract Review and Governance Committee Chairmen are paid $10,000 per year in the aggregate for their work in connection with the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex and the lead Independent Director is paid $50,000 per year in the aggregate for his service as lead Independent Director of the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex. In the column headed “Total Compensation Paid to Directors By Fund Complex,” the compensation paid to each Director represents the twenty-one funds that each Director serves in the fund complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 2009. The Directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits from the Cohen & Steers Fund Complex.

 

Name of Person, Position

   Aggregate
Compensation
From Fund
     Total
Compensation
From Fund and
Fund Complex
Paid to  Directors*
 

Bonnie Cohen, Director

   $ 255       $ 136,125   

Martin Cohen(1), Director and Co-Chairman

     0         0   

George Grossman, Director and Contract Review Committee Chairman

     274         146,005   

Richard E. Kroon, Director and Lead Independent Director

     350         185,526   

Richard J. Norman, Director and Governance Committee Chairman

     274         146,005   

Frank K. Ross, Director and Audit Committee Chairman

     284         150,946   

Willard H. Smith Jr., Director

     255         136,125   

Robert H. Steers(1), Director and Co-Chairman

     0         0   

C. Edward Ward, Jr., Director

     255         136,125   

 

* As of September 18, 2009, one of the Cohen & Steers open-end funds was liquidated. As of December 18, 2009, two of the Cohen & Steers closed-end funds were merged into a third, surviving closed-end fund. The liquidation and the mergers resulted in eighteen funds remaining in the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2009. As of March 12, 2010, two of the Cohen & Steers closed-end funds were merged into two separate, surviving closed-end funds, resulting in 16 funds (not including the Fund) remaining in the Fund Complex as of the date of this SAI.
(1) Interested Director.

 

30


PRINCIP AL STOCKHOLDERS

As of the date of this SAI, no Director or officer owned any Common Shares. The Investment Manager owned of record and beneficially 4,200 shares of the Fund’s Common Shares, constituting 100% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and thus, until the public offering of the shares is completed, will control the Fund.

INVESTME NT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Manager

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., with offices located at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, is the Investment Manager to the Fund. The Investment Manager, a registered investment adviser, was formed in 1986. Its current clients include pension plans of leading corporations, endowment funds and mutual funds, including each of the open-end and closed-end Cohen & Steers funds. Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers are “controlling persons” of the Investment Manager on the basis of their ownership of the stock of CNS.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager furnishes a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio, makes the day-to-day investment decisions for the Fund, executes the purchase and sale orders for the portfolio transactions of the Fund and generally manages the Fund’s investments in accordance with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the general supervision of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Manager a monthly management fee computed at the annual rate of 0.70% of the average daily value of the Managed Assets of the Fund.

The Investment Manager also provides the Fund with such personnel as the Fund may from time to time request for the performance of clerical, accounting and other office services, such as coordinating matters with the sub-administrator, the transfer agent and the custodian. The personnel rendering these services, who may act as officers of the Fund, may be employees of the Investment Manager or its affiliates.

Portfolio Managers

Portfolio Managers . The Fund’s portfolio managers (each referred to as a “portfolio manager”) are listed below. Each portfolio manager manages other investment companies and/or investment vehicles and accounts in addition to the Fund. The following tables show, as of June 30, 2010 the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets in the accounts managed within each category.

Martin Cohen

   

Number of

        All Accounts        

        

      Total Assets of All      
Accounts

Registered Investment Companies

  14          $11,297,199,000  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

  37*        $  8,377,112,000*

Other Accounts

  36*        $  2,955,279,000*

Robert Steers

        
   

Number of

All Accounts

        

Total Assets of All
Accounts

Registered Investment Companies

  14          $11,297,199,000  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

  37*        $  8,377,112,000*

Other Accounts

  36*        $  2,955,279,000*

 

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Joseph Harvey

        
   

Number of

        All Accounts        

        

      Total Assets of All      
Accounts

Registered Investment Companies

  14          $11,297,199,000  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

  37*        $  8,377,112,000*

Other Accounts

  36*        $  2,955,279,000*

William Scapell

        
   

Number of
All Accounts

        

Total Assets of All
Accounts

Registered Investment Companies

  5          $4,819,588,000  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

  2          $     38,833,000  

Other Accounts

  6          $   441,918,000  

 

* Two Other Pooled Investment Vehicles, with total assets of $41,941,000, and four Other Accounts, with total assets of $362,347,000, are subject to performance-based fees.

Share Ownership. The Fund is a newly organized investment company. Accordingly, as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, none of the portfolio managers beneficially owns any securities issued by the Fund.

Conflicts of Interest. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the portfolio managers’ management of the Fund’s investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts or vehicles for which the portfolio managers are responsible on the other. For example, the portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and the other accounts or vehicles he advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions among the Fund and the other accounts, the portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may provide more revenue to the Investment Manager. While this may appear to create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities, the Investment Manager strives to ensure that the portfolio manager endeavors to exercise his discretion in a manner that is equitable to all interested persons. In this regard, in the absence of specific account-related impediments (such as client-imposed restrictions or lack of available cash), it is the policy of the Investment Manager to allocate investment ideas pro rata to all accounts with the same primary investment objectives.

In addition, the portfolio managers may from time to time manage one or more accounts on behalf of the Investment Manager and its affiliated companies (the “CNS Accounts”). Certain securities held and traded in the CNS Accounts also may be held and traded in one or more client accounts. It is the policy of the Investment Manager however not to put the interests of the CNS Accounts ahead of the interests of client accounts. The Investment Manager may aggregate orders of client accounts with those of the CNS Accounts; however, under no circumstances will preferential treatment be given to the CNS Accounts. For all orders involving the CNS Accounts, purchases or sales will be allocated prior to trade placement, and orders that are only partially filled will be allocated across all accounts in proportion to the shares each account, including the CNS Accounts, was designated to receive prior to trading. As a result, it is expected that the CNS Accounts will receive the same average price as other accounts included in the aggregated order. Shares will not be allocated or re-allocated to the CNS Accounts after trade execution or after the average price is known. In the event so few shares of an order are executed that a pro-rata allocation is not practical, a rotational system of allocation may be used; however, the CNS Accounts will never be part of that rotation or receive shares of a partially filled order other than on a pro-rata basis.

Because certain CNS Accounts are managed with a cash management objective, it is possible that a security will be sold out of the CNS Accounts but continue to be held for one or more client accounts. In situations when

 

32


this occurs, such security will remain in a client account only if the Applicant, acting in its reasonable judgment and consistent with its fiduciary duties, believes this is appropriate for, and consistent with the objectives and profile of, the client account.

Investment Manager Compensation Structure. Compensation of the Investment Manager’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting generally of restricted stock units of the Investment Manager’s parent, CNS. The Investment Manager’s investment professionals, including the portfolio managers, also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to all of its employees. Compensation of the Investment Manager’s investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis.

Method to Determine Compensation. The Investment Manager compensates its portfolio managers based, in part, on the total return performance of funds and accounts managed by the portfolio manager versus appropriate peer groups or benchmarks. In evaluating the performance of a portfolio manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on one- and three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer periods of time. Performance is evaluated on a pre-tax and pre-expense basis. In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds and value-oriented benchmarks, including the Fund’s primary benchmark, the BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index, on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to risk-adjusted performance. For portfolio managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis. The Investment Manager also may use other broader market measurements and blended benchmarks, including a blended benchmark of 50% BofA Merrill Lynch Fixed Rate Preferred Securities Index and 50% BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. Capital Securities Index, to assist in determining portfolio manager compensation. Portfolio managers are also evaluated on the basis of their success in managing their dedicated team of analysts. Base compensation for portfolio managers of the Investment Manager varies in line with the portfolio manager’s seniority and position with the firm.

Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of the Investment Manager and CNS. While the annual salaries of the Investment Manager’s portfolio managers are fixed, cash bonuses and stock based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors.

Administrative Services

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement, the Investment Manager also performs certain administrative and accounting functions for the Fund, including: (i) providing office space, telephone, office equipment and supplies for the Fund; (ii) paying compensation of the Fund’s officers for services rendered as such; (iii) authorizing expenditures and approving bills for payment on behalf of the Fund; (iv) supervising preparation of the periodic updating of the Fund’s registration statement, including Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, for the purpose of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities administrators and monitoring and maintaining the effectiveness of such filings, as appropriate; (v) supervising preparation of periodic reports to the Fund’s stockholders and filing of these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Forms N-SAR filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, notices of dividends, capital gains distributions and tax credits, and attending to routine correspondence and other communications with individual stockholders; (vi) supervising the daily pricing of the Fund’s investment portfolio and the publication of the net asset value of the Fund’s shares, earnings reports and other financial data; (vii) monitoring relationships with organizations providing services to the Fund, including the custodian, transfer agent and printers; (viii) providing trading desk facilities for the Fund; (ix) supervising compliance by the Fund with record-keeping requirements under the Act and regulations thereunder, maintaining books and records for the Fund (other than those maintained by the custodian and transfer agent) and preparing and filing of tax reports other than the Fund’s income tax returns; and (x) providing executive, clerical and secretarial help needed to carry out these responsibilities. Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays the Investment Manager an amount equal to, on an annual basis, 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.

 

33


In accordance with the terms of the Administration Agreement and with the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors, the Investment Manager has caused the Fund to retain State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) as co-administrator under a fund accounting and administration agreement (the “Co-Administration Agreement”). Under the Co-Administration Agreement, State Street has assumed responsibility for performing certain of the foregoing administrative functions, including (i) determining the Fund’s net asset value and preparing these figures for publication; (ii) maintaining certain of the Fund’s books and records that are not maintained by the Investment Manager, custodian or transfer agent; (iii) preparing financial information for the Fund’s income tax returns, proxy statements, stockholder reports, and Securities and Exchange Commission filings; and (iv) responding to stockholder inquiries.

Under the terms of the Co-Administration Agreement, the Fund pays State Street a monthly co-administration fee. The co-administration fee paid by the Fund to State Street is computed on the basis of the average daily Managed Assets of the Fund at an annual rate equal to 0.03% of the first $2.2 billion in assets, 0.02% of the next $2.2 billion and 0.01% of assets in excess of $4.4 billion, with a minimum fee of $120,000. The aggregate fee paid by the Fund and the other funds advised by the Investment Manager to State Street is computed by multiplying the total number of funds by each break point in the above schedule in order to determine the aggregate break points to be used in calculating the total fee paid by the Cohen & Steers family of funds. The Fund is then responsible for its pro rata amount of the aggregate administration fee.

The Investment Manager remains responsible for monitoring and overseeing the performance by State Street, and The Bank of New York Mellon as custodian and transfer and disbursing agent, of their obligations to the Fund under their respective agreements with the Fund, subject to the overall authority of the Fund’s Board of Directors.

Custodian and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company, which has its principal business office at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 21111, has been retained to act as custodian of the Fund’s investments and The Bank of New York Mellon which has its principal business office at One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286, as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Neither State Street nor The Bank of New York Mellon has any part in deciding the Fund’s investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold for the Fund’s portfolio.

Code of Ethics

The Fund and the Investment Manager have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The code of ethics of the Fund and the Investment Manager, among other things, prohibits management personnel from investing in REITs and real estate securities, preferred securities and initial public offerings and requires pre-approval for investments in Cohen & Steers closed-end funds and private placements. In addition, the Fund’s Independent Directors are prohibited from purchasing or selling any security if they knew or reasonably should have known at the time of the transaction that the security is being considered for purchase or sale by the Fund, or is being purchased or sold by the Fund. The code of ethics can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. (information on the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-202-551-5850), is available on the EDGAR Database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at http:\\www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov or writing the Securities and Exchange Commission at Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

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PROX Y VOTING

The Fund’s Board of Directors has delegated to the Investment Manager the responsibility for voting proxies on behalf of the Fund, and has determined that the Investment Manager will vote proxies with respect to those portfolio securities for which they have investment responsibility. A summary of the Investment Manager’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is set forth in Appendix A.

The Fund is required to file Form N-PX, with its complete proxy voting record for the 12 months ended June 30th, no later than August 31st of each year. The Fund’s Form N-PX filings are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund toll-free at (800) 437-9912 and (ii) on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) .

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIO NS AND BROKERAGE

Subject to the supervision of the Directors, decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund and negotiation of its brokerage commission rates are made by the Investment Manager. Transactions on U.S. stock exchanges involve the payment by the Fund of negotiated brokerage commissions. There is generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter market but the price paid by the Fund usually includes an undisclosed dealer commission or markup. In certain instances, the Fund may make purchases of underwritten issues at prices which include underwriting fees.

In selecting a broker to execute each particular transaction, the Investment Manager will take the following into consideration: the best net price available; the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker; the size and difficulty in executing the order; and the value of the expected contribution of the broker to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. Accordingly, the cost of the brokerage commissions to the Fund in any transaction may be greater than that available from other brokers if the difference is reasonably justified by other aspects of the portfolio execution services offered. Subject to such policies and procedures as the Directors may determine, the Investment Manager shall not be deemed to have acted unlawfully or to have breached any duty solely by reason of its having caused the Fund to pay a broker that provides research services to the Investment Manager an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Investment Manager determines in good faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the research service provided by such broker viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the Investment Manager’s ongoing responsibilities with respect to the Fund. Research and investment information is provided by these and other brokers at no cost to the Investment Manager and is available for the benefit of other accounts advised by the Investment Manager and its affiliates, and not all of the information will be used in connection with the Fund. While this information may be useful in varying degrees and may tend to reduce the Investment Manager’s expenses, it is not possible to estimate its value and in the opinion of the Investment Manager it does not reduce the Investment Manager’s expenses in a determinable amount. The extent to which the Investment Manager makes use of statistical, research and other services furnished by brokers is considered by the Investment Manager in the allocation of brokerage business but there is no formula by which such business is allocated. The Investment Manager does so in accordance with its judgment of the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. The Investment Manager may also take into account payments made by brokers effecting transactions for the Fund to other persons on behalf of the Fund for services provided to it for which it would be obligated to pay (such as custodial and professional fees).

DETERMINATION O F NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund will determine the net asset value of its shares daily on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. New York time) at the end of each day. Net asset value of the Fund’s Common Shares is computed by dividing

 

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the value of all assets of the Fund (including accrued interest and dividends), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses, dividends, any borrowings from financial institutions and liabilities under reverse repurchase agreements) and less the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares, by the total number of shares outstanding. Any interest rate swap transaction that the Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have a positive or negative value for purposes of calculating net asset value. Any cap transaction that the Fund enters into may, depending on the applicable interest rate environment, have no value or a positive value. In addition, accrued payments to the Fund under such transactions will be assets of the Fund and accrued payments by the Fund will be liabilities of the Fund.

For purposes of determining the net asset value per share of the Fund, readily marketable portfolio securities principally traded on any exchange or similar regulated market reporting contemporaneous transaction prices are valued, except as indicated below, at the last sale price reflected on such principal market on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, or if no asked price is available, the bid price may be used. If no bid or asked prices are quoted on such day, then the security is valued by such method as the Fund’s Board of Directors shall determine in good faith to reflect its fair market value. Portfolio securities traded on more than one securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the business day as of which such value is being determined as reflected on the tape at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities.

Readily marketable securities traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed securities whose primary market is believed by the Investment Manager to be over-the-counter are valued at the official closing prices as reported by sources as the Fund’s Board of Directors deem appropriate to reflect their fair market value. If there has been no sale on such day, the securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, or if no asked price is available, at the bid price. However, certain fixed-income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are believed by the Fund’s Board of Directors to reflect the fair market value of such securities.

Securities for which market prices are unavailable, or securities for which the Investment Manager determines that bid and/or ask price does not reflect market value, will be valued at fair value pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Circumstances in which market prices may be unavailable include, but are not limited to, when trading in a security is suspended, the exchange on which the security is traded is subject to an unscheduled close or disruption or material events occur after the close of the exchange on which the security is principally traded. In these circumstances, the Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security and developments in the markets.

The Fund’s use of fair value pricing may cause the net asset value of the Fund’s Common Shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. Short-term debt securities, which have a maturity date of 60 days or less, are valued at amortized cost, which approximates value. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing net asset value.

Because the Fund may hold securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of securities held in the Fund may change on days when you will not be able to buy or sell Fund shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

REPURCH AS E OF SHARES

The Fund is a closed-end investment company and as such its stockholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their shares. Instead the Fund’s shares will trade in the open market at a price that will be a

 

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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, 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 Directors may consider action that might be taken to reduce or eliminate any material discount from net asset value in respect of shares, which may include the repurchase of such shares in the open market, 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 Board of Directors may not decide to take any of these actions. During the pendency of a tender offer, the Fund will publish how Common Shareholders may readily ascertain the net asset value. In addition, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tender offers, if undertaken, will reduce market discount.

Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may use the accumulation of cash to finance 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 income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board of Directors would have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations under each of those Acts.

Although the decision to take action in response to a discount from net asset value will be made by the Board of Directors at the time it considers the 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 delisting of the Common Shares from the New York Stock Exchange, or (b) impair the Fund’s status 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 New York Stock Exchange, (c) declaration of a banking moratorium by Federal or state authorities or a suspension of payment by U.S. 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 institutions or on the exchange of foreign currency, (e) commencement of armed hostilities or other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or material escalation of ongoing conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan or (f) other event or condition which would have a material adverse effect (including any adverse tax effect) on the Fund or its stockholders if shares were repurchased. The Board may in the future modify these conditions in light of experience.

The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value will result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or 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 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 investment company, may reduce any spread between market price and net asset value that might otherwise exist.

In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common 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 Preferred Shares are outstanding will increase the leverage applicable to the outstanding Common Shares then remaining.

Before deciding whether to take any action, the Fund’s Board of Directors would likely consider all relevant factors, including the extent and duration of the discount, the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio, the impact of any action on the Fund or its stockholders and market considerations. Based on the considerations, even if the Fund’s shares should trade at a discount, the Board may determine that, in the interest of the Fund and its stockholders, no action should be taken.

 

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TAX A TION

Set forth below is a discussion of certain U.S. Federal income tax issues concerning the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund shares. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of Federal income taxation that may be relevant to shareholders in light of their particular circumstances. This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the Federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Fund shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country, or other taxing jurisdiction.

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund intends to elect to be treated as and intends to qualify annually as, a regulated investment company under the Code.

To qualify for the favorable U.S. Federal income tax treatment generally accorded to a regulated investment company, the Fund must, among other things, (i) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from: (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gain from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each, a Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership); and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year: (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by (I) cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other regulated investment companies and (II) other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities and the securities of other regulated investment companies) of (I) any one issuer, (II) any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or (III) any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.

As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (which includes among other items, dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, but determined without regard to the deduction for dividend paid) and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if any, that it distributes to stockholders, provided that it distributes at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income and any net tax-exempt income for such taxable year. The Fund intends to distribute to its stockholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gains. Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement, described below, are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund generally must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) 98% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, unless the Fund elects to use a calendar year, and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income for previous years that was not distributed during those years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. Federal income tax. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.

If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company or satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) will be subject to U.S. Federal

 

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income tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to stockholders, and such distributions will be taxable to stockholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

Distributions

Dividends paid out of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, except in the case of QDI and capital gain dividends described below, be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as ordinary income. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010 (which date may be extended by future legislation), QDI received by individual stockholders is taxed at rates equivalent to long-term capital gain tax rates, which reach a maximum of 15%. QDI generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from “qualified foreign corporations.” Dividends paid by REITs will not generally be eligible to qualify as QDI. A foreign corporation is a “qualified foreign corporation” if it is (1) incorporated in a possession of the United States or is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the United States Treasury Department determines is satisfactory for this purpose and that includes an exchange of information program or (2) any other foreign corporation with respect to any dividend paid by such corporation if the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. A “qualified foreign corporation” does not include any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. The Fund generally can pass the tax treatment of QDI it receives through to Fund stockholders. For the Fund to receive qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet certain holding period requirements for the stock on which the otherwise qualified dividend is paid. In addition, the Fund cannot be obligated to make payments (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) with respect to substantially similar or related property. The same provisions, including the holding period requirements, apply to each stockholder’s investment in the Fund. The provisions of the Code applicable to QDI and the 15% maximum individual tax rate on long-term capital gains are currently effective through 2010. Thereafter, QDI will no longer be taxed at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, and the maximum individual tax rate on long-term capital gains will increase to 20%, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise. The Fund cannot predict at this time what portion, if any, of the Fund’s distributions will be entitled to the lower tax rates that apply to QDI.

Distributions of net capital gain, if any, designated as capital gain dividends are taxable to a stockholder as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the stockholder has held its Common Shares. Long-term capital gain rates for individuals have been temporarily reduced to 15% (with lower rates for individuals in the 10% and 15% rate brackets) for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010. The income tax rates described herein may be extended or modified for some or all taxpayers by future legislation.

A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to stockholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received.

A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a stockholder as a return of capital which is applied against and reduces the stockholder’s basis in his or her shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the stockholder’s basis in his or her shares, the excess will be treated by the stockholder as gain from a sale or exchange of the shares.

Dividends designated by the Fund and received by corporate stockholders of the Fund will qualify for the dividends received deduction (the “DRD”) to the extent of the amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations (other than REITs) for the taxable year. For this purpose, a dividend received by the Fund will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (i) if the stock on which the dividend is paid is considered to be “debt-financed” (generally, acquired with borrowed funds), (ii) if the Fund fails to meet certain holding period requirements for the stock on which the dividend is paid or (iii) to the extent that the Fund is

 

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under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the DRD may be disallowed or reduced if the corporate stockholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or by application of the Code.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, recently enacted legislation will generally impose a tax on the net investment income of certain individuals and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include, among other things, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to our Common Shares to the extent paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. Federal income tax principles) and net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares of our Common Shares), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Common Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the additional taxation of net investment income.

Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional shares of the Fund.

The Fund may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its stockholders who will be treated as if each received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each stockholder will (i) be required to report his or her pro rata share of such gain on his or her tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for his or her pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for his or her shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

Stockholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. Federal tax status of distributions.

Sale or Exchange of Fund Shares

A stockholder generally will recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on the sale and the stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. In general, any such gain or loss will be considered capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets, and gain or loss will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the stockholder’s holding period for the shares. Generally, a stockholder’s gain or loss will be a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. However, any capital loss arising from the sale of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the stockholder (or amounts credited to the stockholder as undistributed capital gains) with respect to such shares. Also, any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced (including through reinvestment of dividends) with other substantially identical shares within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. In such case, the tax basis of the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. The ability to otherwise deduct capital losses may be subject to other limitations imposed by the Code.

If a stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more for an individual stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the stockholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Significant penalties may be imposed upon a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, stockholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to stockholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these reporting requirements does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s

 

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treatment of the loss is proper. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Nature of Fund’s Investments

Certain of the Fund’s investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. Federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (i) convert dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income into ordinary income, (ii) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the DRD as ineligible for such treatment, (iii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (iv) convert long-term capital gain into short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (v) convert an ordinary loss or deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (vi) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (vii) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (viii) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (ix) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement that applies to regulated investment companies.

Original Issue Discount Securities

Investments by the Fund in zero coupon, payment-in-kind, or other discount or accrual securities will result in income to the Fund equal to a portion of the excess of the face value of the securities (as well as certain interest that is not unconditionally payable in every accrual period) over their issue price (the “original issue discount”) each year that the securities are held, even though the Fund may not receive concurrent cash interest payments. Similarly, the Fund may be required to accrue income with respect to certain redeemable preferred securities. This original issue discount and other accrued income is included in determining the amount of income which the Fund must distribute to maintain its status as a regulated investment company and to avoid the payment of Federal income tax and the 4% excise tax. Because such income may not be matched by a corresponding cash distribution to the Fund, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of other securities to be able to make distributions to its stockholders.

Market Discount Bonds

Gains derived by the Fund from the disposition of any market discount bonds ( e.g. , bonds purchased other than at original issue, where the face value of the bonds (or, in the case of bonds issued with original issue discount, their revised issue price) exceeds their purchase price) held by the Fund will be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of the accrued market discount of the bonds, unless the Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues.

Certain Higher-Risk and High-Yield Securities

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or are in default present special tax issues. The tax rules are not entirely clear on the treatment of such debt obligations, including as to whether and to what extent a holder of such obligations should recognize market discount on the debt obligations, when the holder may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a holder may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities, and how a holder should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and interest. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund as part of the Fund’s efforts to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Investment in Non-U.S. Securities

Investment income that may be received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign

 

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countries, which may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, taxes on such income. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s stockholders the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each stockholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against Federal income tax (but not both). For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules of the Code, each stockholder would treat as foreign source income his or her pro rata share of such foreign taxes plus the portion of dividends received from the Fund representing income derived from foreign sources. No deduction for foreign taxes could be claimed by an individual stockholder who does not itemize deductions. In certain circumstances, a stockholder that (i) has held shares of the Fund for less than a specified minimum period during which it is not protected from risk of loss or (ii) is obligated to make payments related to the dividends will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares. Additionally, the Fund must also meet this holding period requirement with respect to its foreign stocks and securities in order for “creditable” taxes to flow-through. The Fund does not anticipate meeting the requirements under the Code to pass through foreign taxes to its stockholders.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

If the Fund purchases shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), the Fund may be subject to U.S. Federal income tax, at ordinary income rates, on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. If the Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elected to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), then in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Fund would be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if not distributed to the Fund. However, the Fund will be unable to make a QEF election unless certain information is received from the PFIC, and there can be no assurance the PFIC will provide such information. Alternatively, the Fund can, in certain cases, elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year its shares in a PFIC; in this case, the Fund would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases included in income. Under either election, the Fund might be required to recognize in a year income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income would nevertheless be subject to the 90% distribution requirement and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described above). Dividends paid by PFICs will not be treated as QDI.

A PFIC is any foreign corporation: (1) 75% or more of the gross income of which for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets of which (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active businesses and certain income received from related persons.

Options and Hedging Transactions

The taxation of equity options and over-the-counter options on debt securities is governed by Section 1234 of the Code. Pursuant to Section 1234 of the Code, the premium received by the Fund for selling a put or call option is not included in income at the time of receipt. If the option expires, the premium is short-term capital gain to the Fund. If the Fund enters into a closing transaction, the difference between the premium received and the amount paid to close out its position is short-term capital gain or loss. If a call option written by the Fund is

 

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exercised, thereby requiring the Fund to sell the underlying security, the premium will increase the amount realized upon the sale of such security, and any resulting gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term depending upon the holding period of the security. With respect to a put or call option that is purchased by the Fund, if the option is sold, any resulting gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss, and will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the holding period of the option. If the option expires, the resulting loss is a capital loss and is long-term or short-term depending upon the holding period of the option. If the option is exercised, the cost of the option, in the case of a call option, is added to the basis of the purchased security and, in the case of a put option, reduces the amount realized on the underlying security in determining gain or loss.

Certain options, futures contracts and forward contracts in which the Fund may invest are “Section 1256 contracts” governed by Section 1256 of the Code. Gains or losses on Section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses; however, foreign currency gains or losses (as discussed below) arising from certain Section 1256 contracts may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Also, Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, generally, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on October 31, unless the Fund elects to use a calendar year) are “marked-to-market” (that is, treated as sold at fair market value), resulting in unrealized gains or losses being treated as though they were realized.

Generally, the hedging transactions undertaken by the Fund may result in “straddles” for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by the Fund. In addition, losses realized by the Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. The tax consequences to the Fund of engaging in hedging transactions are not entirely clear. Hedging transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by the Fund which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to stockholders.

The Fund may make one or more of the elections available under the Code which are applicable to straddles. If the Fund makes any of the elections, the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of the elections may operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.

Because the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which may be distributed to stockholders, and which will be taxed to them as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Fund may recognize gain (but not loss) from a constructive sale of certain “appreciated financial positions” if the Fund enters into a short sale, offsetting notional principal contract, or futures or forward contract transaction with respect to the appreciated position or substantially identical property. Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are interests (including options, futures and forward contracts and short sales) in stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to certain transactions closed prior to the end of the 30th day after the close of the taxable year, if certain conditions are met.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.

 

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Investments in Securities of Uncertain Tax Character

The Fund may invest in preferred securities or other securities the U.S. Federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by the Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.

Investments in Mortgage Entities

Special tax rules may apply to investments by the Fund in entities which invest in or finance mortgage debt. Such investments include residual interests in “real estate mortgage investment conduits” (“REMICs”) and interests in a “real estate investment trust” (“REIT”) which qualifies as a taxable mortgage pool under the Code or has a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool under the Code.

Such investments may result in the Fund receiving “excess inclusion income,” which will be subject to tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as the Fund, will be allocated to stockholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such stockholders, with the same consequences as if the stockholders held the related mortgage entity directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to stockholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on unrelated business income (“UBTI”), thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. Federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (as defined in the Code) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the highest U.S. Federal income tax rate imposed on corporations. Certain reporting requirements apply to regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. The Investment Manager does not intend on behalf of the Fund to invest in mortgage entities that generate excess inclusion income for the Fund.

Tax-Exempt Stockholders

Under current law, the Fund serves to “block” (that is, prevent the attribution to stockholders of) UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt stockholders (including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt stockholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Common Shares if those shares constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt stockholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. As noted above, a tax-exempt stockholder may also recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools. If a charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Section 664 of the Code) has UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.

Borrowings

If the Fund utilizes leverage through borrowing, it may be restricted by loan covenants with respect to the declaration of, and payment of, dividends in certain circumstances. Limits on the Fund’s payments of dividends may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements, described above, and may, therefore,

 

44


jeopardize the Fund’s qualification for taxation as a regulated investment company and possibly subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund will endeavor to avoid restrictions on its ability to make dividend payments.

Backup Withholding

If a stockholder fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, or fails to make required certifications or has been notified by the IRS that the stockholder is subject to “backup withholding,” the stockholder may be subject to a “backup withholding” tax with respect to (1) dividends and (2) the proceeds of any sales or repurchases of Common Shares. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is generally his or her social security number. Certain stockholders specified in the Code or the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder generally are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amounts withheld will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a taxpayer’s U.S. Federal income tax liability if the appropriate information is provided to the IRS.

Foreign Stockholders

U.S. taxation of a stockholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation (“foreign stockholder”) as defined in the Code, depends on whether the income of the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the stockholder.

Income Not Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the foreign stockholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will generally be subject to a U.S. tax of 30% (or lower treaty rate, except in the case of any excess inclusion income allocated to the stockholders (see “Taxation—Investment in Mortgage Entities” above)), which tax is generally withheld from such distributions. Capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by the Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains will not be subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) unless the foreign stockholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements. However, this 30% tax on capital gains of nonresident alien individuals who are physically present in the United States for more than the 182 day period only applies in exceptional cases because any individual present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year is generally treated as a resident for U.S. income tax purposes; in that case, he or she would be subject to U.S. income tax on his or her worldwide income at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, rather than the 30% tax. In the case of a foreign stockholder, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. income tax on distributions of net capital gain unless the foreign stockholder certifies his or her non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8BEN).

If the Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation,” or would be but for the operation of certain exclusions, distributions by the Fund that are both attributable to gains from “U.S. real property interests” and realized on account of certain capital gain dividends from REITs, will generally cause the foreign stockholder to be treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected to a trade or business within the United States (subject to the rules described below for effectively connected income). Generally, the Fund is required to withhold at a 35% rate on a distribution to a foreign stockholder attributable to such gains, and such a distribution may subject a foreign stockholder to a U.S. tax filing obligation and may create a branch profits tax liability for foreign corporate stockholders. Under a de minimis exception to the rule described above, if a foreign stockholder has not held more than 5% of the Fund’s shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution, the foreign stockholder is not treated as receiving a distribution attributable to gains from U.S. real property interests derived through REITs, but is, instead, treated as receiving an ordinary distribution subject to U.S. tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate).

Any gain that a foreign stockholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of such stockholder’s shares of the Fund will ordinarily be exempt from U.S. tax unless (i) in the case of a stockholder that is a nonresident alien individual, the gain is U.S. source income and such stockholder is physically present in the United States for

 

45


more than 182 days during the taxable year and meets certain other requirements, or (ii) at any time during the shorter of the period during which the foreign stockholder held such shares of the Fund and the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of those shares, the Fund was a U.S. real property holding corporation and the foreign stockholder actually or constructively held more than 5% of the Fund’s shares. In the latter event the gain would be subject to withholding tax and otherwise taxed in the same manner as for a U.S. stockholder, as discussed above. A corporation is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United States plus any other assets used or held for use in a business. In the case of the Fund, U.S. real property interests include interests in stock in U.S. real property holding corporations (other than stock of a REIT controlled by U.S. persons and holdings of 5% or less in the stock of publicly traded U.S. real property holding corporations) and certain participating debt securities.

Foreign stockholders that engage in certain “wash sale” and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions from the Fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a United States trade or business may be treated as having received such distributions. All stockholders of the Fund should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rule.

Income Effectively Connected. If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign stockholder, then distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Fund which are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. income tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents and domestic corporations. Foreign corporate stockholders may also be subject to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.

The tax consequences to a foreign stockholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein.

Foreign stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act

Under recently enacted legislation that is generally effective in respect of payments made after December 31, 2012, certain payments of U.S. source interest, dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income, as well as gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of property of a type that can produce U.S. source dividends and interest (all such payments, “withholdable payments”), which are made to a “foreign financial institution,” which term may include certain foreign stockholders, may be subject to a 30% withholding tax, if the foreign financial institution does not, among other things, comply with prescribed due diligence requirements necessary to determine which of its accounts (including equity interests in the foreign financial institution) are held by specified United States persons or United States owned foreign entities (such accounts, “United States accounts”), and prescribed reporting requirements in respect of its United States accounts. Further, a 30% withholding tax may apply in respect of payments by a foreign financial institution to certain account holders that do not comply with reasonable information requests aimed at enabling the foreign financial institution to identify its United States accounts and meet applicable reporting obligations. The legislation further imposes a 30% withholding tax on certain payments to non-financial foreign entities. The scope of this new legislation is not entirely clear and no assurance can be given that some or all of the income of the Fund and certain of its stockholders will not be subject to any of the new withholding taxes or that information will not be required to be reported to the IRS in respect of a stockholder’s interest in the Fund. To comply with the requirements of the new legislation, the Fund may, in appropriate circumstances, require stockholders to provide information and tax documentation regarding their direct and indirect owners.

 

46


The new legislation also imposes information reporting requirements on individuals (and, to the extent provided in future regulations, certain domestic entities) that hold any interest in a “specified foreign financial asset” if the aggregate value of all such assets held by such individual exceed $50,000. Significant penalties can apply upon a failure to make the required disclosure and in respect of understatements of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets. This information reporting requirement is generally applicable for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The scope of this reporting requirement is not entirely clear and all stockholders should consult their own tax advisers as to whether reporting may be required in respect of their indirect interests in the investments of the Fund.

Possible Legislative Changes

The tax consequences described herein may be affected (possibly with retroactive effect) by various legislative bills and proposals that have been, and in the future may be, initiated in Congress. For example, several provisions of the Code relating to the taxation of regulated investment companies and their foreign stockholders expired at the end of 2009, and it is possible that those provisions could be legislatively extended, with potential retroactive applications to the beginning of 2010. Similarly, several preferential tax provisions discussed herein (including the taxation to individuals of qualified dividend income at capital gains rates, as well as certain preferential tax rates) are set to expire at the end of 2010, but may, through legislative action be extended or otherwise modified. It is not possible to predict at this time the extent to which any bills and/or proposals before Congress will be enacted and signed into law, and, if enacted, what their final form and effective dates will be. In addition, other bills and proposals could be enacted that would change the tax consequences described herein of an investment in the Fund. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of proposed legislation and the effect, if any, on their investment in the Fund.

Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans

Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Stockholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

Other Taxation

Fund stockholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions. Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT R EGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP serves as counsel to the Fund, and is located at 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, located at 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017, have been appointed as independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund. The statement of assets and liabilities of the Fund as of October 6, 2010 included in this Statement of Additional Information has been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of the firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

as of October 6, 2010

 

Assets:

  

Cash

   $ 100,296   
        

Total Assets

   $ 100,296   

Liabilities:

  

Total Liabilities

     —    
        

Net Assets applicable to 4,200 shares of $.001 par value common stock outstanding

   $ 100,296   
        

Net asset value per Common Shares outstanding ($100,296 divided by 4,200 Common Shares outstanding)

   $ 23.88   
        

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Note 1: Organization

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on August 16, 2010 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a non-diversified closed-end management investment company. The Fund has been inactive since that date except for matters relating to the Fund’s establishment, designation, registration of the Fund’s shares of common stock (“Shares”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the sale of 4,200 Shares (“Initial Shares”) for $100,296 to Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the “Investment Manager”). The proceeds of such Initial Shares in the Fund were held in cash. There are 250,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock authorized.

The Investment Manager has agreed to pay all organization expenses (approximately $50,000) and pay all offering costs (other than the sales load but including $.00667 per Common Share partial reimbursement of expenses to the underwriters as well as commissions paid by the Investment Manager to its internal sales associates) that exceed $0.05 per Common Share. The total offering costs of the Fund are expected to be approximately $1,122,000, of which the Fund is expected to bear $400,000.

Note 2: Accounting Policies

The preparation of the financial statement in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statement. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Note 3: Investment Management Agreement

The Fund has entered into an Investment Management Agreement with the Investment Manager, pursuant to which the Investment Manager will provide general investment advisory services for the Fund. For providing these services, the Investment Manager will receive a fee from the Fund, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate equal to 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets ( i.e ., the net asset value of the Common shares plus the principal amount of loans from financial institutions or debt securities issued by the Fund, the liquidation preference of any preferred shares issued by the Fund and the proceeds of any reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund).

 

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The Fund has entered into an Administration Agreement with the Investment Manager under which the Investment Manager performs certain administrative functions for the Fund, including providing administrative services necessary for the operations of the Fund and furnishing office space and facilities required for conducting the business of the Fund. For its services under the Administration Agreement, the Investment Manager receives a monthly fee from the Fund at the annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholder and Board of Directors of

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at October 6, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We conducted our audit of this financial statement in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP        

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

October 19, 2010

 

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APPENDIX A: PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

Voting rights are an important component of corporate governance. The Investment Manager has three overall objectives in exercising voting rights:

A. Responsibility. The Investment Manager shall seek to ensure that there is an effective means in place to hold companies accountable for their actions. While management must be accountable to its board, the board must be accountable to a company’s shareholders. Although accountability can be promoted in a variety of ways, protecting shareholder voting rights may be among our most important tools.

B. Rationalizing Management and Shareholder Concerns. The Investment Manager seeks to ensure that the interests of a company’s management and board are aligned with those of the company’s shareholders. In this respect, compensation must be structured to reward the creation of shareholder value.

C. Shareholder Communication. Since companies are owned by their shareholders, the Investment Manager seeks to ensure that management effectively communicates with its owners about the company’s business operations and financial performance. It is only with effective communication that shareholders will be able to assess the performance of management and to make informed decisions on when to buy, sell or hold a company’s securities.

In exercising voting rights, the Investment Manager follows the general principles set forth below.

 

   

The ability to exercise a voting right with respect to a security is a valuable right and, therefore, must be viewed as part of the asset itself.

 

   

In exercising voting rights, the Investment Manager shall engage in a careful evaluation of issues that may materially affect the rights of shareholders and the value of the security.

 

   

Consistent with general fiduciary principles, the exercise of voting rights shall always be conducted with reasonable care, prudence and diligence.

 

   

In exercising voting rights on behalf of clients, the Investment Manager shall conduct itself in the same manner as if the Investment Manager was the constructive owner of the securities.

 

   

To the extent reasonably possible, the Investment Manager shall participate in each shareholder voting opportunity.

 

   

Voting rights shall not automatically be exercised in favor of management-supported proposals.

 

   

The Investment Manager, and its officers and employees, shall never accept any item of value in consideration of a favorable proxy voting decision.

Set forth below are general guidelines followed by the Investment Manager in exercising proxy voting rights:

Prudence . In making a proxy voting decision, the Investment Manager shall give appropriate consideration to all relevant facts and circumstances, including the value of the securities to be voted and the likely effect any vote may have on that value. Since voting rights must be exercised on the basis of an informed judgment, investigation shall be a critical initial step.

Third Party Views . While the Investment Manager may consider the views of third parties, except in cases when material conflicts of interest have been identified, the Investment Manager shall not base a proxy voting decision solely on the opinion of a third party. Rather, decisions shall be based on a reasonable and good faith determination as to how best to maximize shareholder value.

 

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Shareholder Value. Just as the decision whether to purchase or sell a security is a matter of judgment, determining whether a specific proxy resolution will increase the market value of a security is a matter of judgment as to which informed parties may differ. In determining how a proxy vote may affect the economic value of a security, the Investment Manager shall consider both short-term and long-term views about a company’s business and prospects, especially in light of its projected holding period on the stock (e.g., the Investment Manager may discount long-term views on a short-term holding).

Set forth below are guidelines as to how specific proxy voting issues shall be analyzed and assessed by the Investment Manager. While these guidelines will provide a framework for the Investment Manager decision making process, the mechanical application of these guidelines can never address all proxy voting decisions. When new issues arise or old issues present nuances not encountered before, the Investment Manager must be guided by its reasonable judgment to vote in a manner that the Investment Manager deems to be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In addition, because the regulatory framework and the business cultures and practices vary from region to region, the below general guidelines may be inconsistent in certain circumstances for proxies of issuers of securities in Europe and Asia.

Uncontested Director Elections

Votes on director nominees should be made on a case-by-case basis using a “mosaic” approach, where all factors are considered in director elections and where no single issue is deemed to be determinative. For example, a nominee’s experience and business judgment may be critical to the long-term success of the portfolio company, notwithstanding the fact that he or she may serve on the board of more than four public companies. In evaluating nominees, the Investment Manager considers the following factors:

 

   

Whether the nominee attended less than 75 percent of the board and committee meetings without a valid excuse for the absences;

 

   

Whether the nominee is an inside or affiliated outside director and sits on the audit, compensation, or nominating committees;

 

   

Whether the nominee ignored a significant shareholder proposal that was approved by a (i) majority of the shares outstanding or (ii) majority of the votes cast for two consecutive years;

 

   

Whether the nominee, without shareholder approval, to the Investment Manager’s knowledge instituted a new poison pill plan, extended an existing plan, or adopted a new plan upon the expiration of an existing plan during the past year;

 

   

Whether the nominee is an inside or affiliated outside director and the full board serves as the audit, compensation, or nominating committee or the company does not have one of these committees;

 

   

Whether the nominee is an insider or affiliated outsider on boards that are not at least majority independent;

 

   

Whether the nominee is the CEO of a publicly-traded company who serves on more than two public boards;

 

   

Whether the nominee serves on more than four public company boards;

 

   

Whether the nominee serves on the audit committee where there is evidence (such as audit reports or reports mandated under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) that there exists material weaknesses in the company’s internal controls;

 

   

Whether the nominee serves on the compensation committee if that director was present at the time of the grant of backdated options or options the pricing or the timing of which Investment Manager believes may have been manipulated to provide additional benefits to executives;

 

   

Whether the nominee is believed by the Investment Manager to have a material conflict of interest with the portfolio company; and

 

A-2


   

Whether the nominee (or the overall board) in the Investment Manager’s view has a record of making poor corporate or strategic decisions or has demonstrated an overall lack of good business judgment.

The Investment Manager votes on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals requesting companies to amend their bylaws in order to create access to the proxy so as to nominate candidates for directors. Investment Manager recognizes the importance of shareholder access to the ballot process as a means to ensure that boards do not become self-perpetuating and self-serving. However, the Investment Manager is also aware that some proposals may promote certain interest groups and could be disruptive to the nomination process. Special attention will be paid to companies that display a chronic lack of shareholder accountability.

Proxy Contests

Director Nominees in a Contested Election . By definition, this type of board candidate or slate runs for the purpose of seeking a significant change in corporate policy or control. Therefore, the economic impact of the vote in favor of or in opposition to that director or slate must be analyzed using a higher standard such as is normally applied to changes in control. Criteria for evaluating director nominees as a group or individually should also include: the underlying reason why the new slate (or individual director) is being proposed; performance; compensation; corporate governance provisions and takeover activity; criminal activity; attendance at meetings; investment in the company; interlocking directorships; inside, outside and independent directors; number of other board seats; and other experience. It is impossible to have a general policy regarding director nominees in a contested election.

Reimbursement of Proxy Solicitation Expenses. Decisions to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Ratification of Auditors

The Investment Manager votes for proposals to ratify auditors, unless an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and are therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position. Generally, the Investment Manager votes against auditor ratification and withhold votes from audit committee members if non-audit fees exceed audit fees. The Investment Manager votes on a case-by-case basis on auditor rotation proposals. Criteria for evaluating the rotation proposal include, but are not limited to: tenure of the audit firm; establishment and disclosure of a renewal process whereby the auditor is regularly evaluated for both audit quality and competitive price; length of the rotation period advocated in the proposal; and any significant audit related issues. Generally, the Investment Manager votes against auditor indemnification and limitation of liability; however the Investment Manager recognizes there may be situations where indemnification and limitations on liability may be appropriate.

Takeover Defenses

While the Investment Manager recognizes that a takeover attempt can be a significant distraction for the board and management to deal with, the simple fact is that the possibility of a corporate takeover keeps management focused on maximizing shareholder value. As a result, the Investment Manager opposes measures that are designed to prevent or obstruct corporate takeovers because they can entrench current management. The following are the Investment Manager’s guidelines on change of control issues:

Shareholder Rights Plans . The Investment Manager acknowledges that there are arguments for and against shareholder rights plans, also known as “poison pills.” Companies should put their case for rights plans to shareholders. The Investment Manager reviews on a case-by-case basis management proposals to ratify a poison pill. The Investment Manager generally looks for shareholder friendly features including a two- to three-year sunset provision, a permitted bid provision and a 20 percent or higher flip-in provision.

 

A-3


Greenmail . The Investment Manager votes for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restricts a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

Unequal Voting Rights . Generally, the Investment Manager votes against dual-class recapitalizations as they offer an effective way for a firm to thwart hostile takeovers by concentrating voting power in the hands of management or other insiders.

Classified Boards . The Investment Manager generally votes in favor of shareholder proposals to declassify a board of directors, although the Investment Manager acknowledges that a classified board may be in the long-term best interests of a company in certain situations. In voting on shareholder proposals to declassify a board of directors, the Investment Manager evaluates all facts and circumstances surrounding such proposal, including whether the shareholder proposing the de-classification has an agenda in making such proposal that may be at odds with the long-term best interests of the company or whether it would be in the best interests of the company to thwart a shareholder’s attempt to control the board of directors.

Cumulative Voting . Having the ability to cumulate votes for the election of directors—that is, cast more than one vote for a director about whom they feel strongly—generally increases shareholders’ rights to effect change in the management of a corporation. The Investment Manager generally supports, therefore, proposals to adopt cumulative voting.

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meeting . The Investment Manager votes on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals requesting companies to amend their governance documents (bylaws and/or charter) in order to allow shareholders to call special meetings. The Investment Manager recognizes the importance of shareholder ability to call a special meeting, however, The Investment Manager is also aware that some proposals are put forth in order to promote the agenda(s) of certain special interest groups and could be disruptive to the management of the company.

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent . The Investment Manager generally votes against proposals to allow or facilitate shareholder action by written consent. The requirement that all shareholders be given notice of a shareholders’ meeting and matters to be discussed therein seems to provide a reasonable protection of minority shareholder rights.

Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board . The Investment Manager generally votes for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board and vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval. While the Investment Manager recognizes the importance of such proposals, the Investment Manager is however also aware that these proposals are sometimes put forth in order to promote the agenda(s) of certain special interest groups and could be disruptive to the management of the company.

Miscellaneous Board Provisions

Board Committees . Boards should delegate key oversight functions, such as responsibility for audit, nominating and compensation issues, to independent committees. The chairman and members of any committee should be clearly identified in the annual report. Any committee should have the authority to engage independent investment advisers where appropriate at the company’s expense. Audit, nominating and compensation committees should consist solely of non-employee directors, who are independent of management.

Separate Chairman and CEO Positions . The Investment Manager will generally vote for proposals looking to separate the CEO and Chairman roles. The Investment Manager does acknowledge, however, that under certain circumstances, it may be reasonable for the CEO and Chairman roles to be held by a single person.

Lead Directors and Executive Sessions. In cases where the CEO and Chairman roles are combined, the Investment Manager will vote for the appointment of a “lead” (non-insider) director and for regular “executive” sessions (board meetings taking place without the CEO/Chairman present).

 

A-4


Majority of Independent Directors. The Investment Manager votes for proposals that call for the board to be composed of a majority of independent directors. The Investment Manager believes that a majority of independent directors can be an important factor in facilitating objective decision making and enhancing accountability to shareholders.

Independent Committees. The Investment Manager votes for shareholder proposals requesting that the board’s audit, compensation, and nominating committees consist exclusively of independent directors.

Stock Ownership Requirements. The Investment Manager supports measures requiring senior executives to hold a minimum amount of stock in a company (often expressed as a percentage of annual compensation), requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain minimum amount of time and issuing restricted stock awards instead of options.

Term of Office. The Investment Manager votes against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors. Term limits pose artificial and arbitrary impositions on the board and could harm shareholder interests by forcing experienced and knowledgeable directors off the board.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection. Proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Board Size. The Investment Manager generally votes for proposals to limit the size of the board to 15 members or less.

Majority Vote Standard. The Investment Manager generally votes for proposals asking for the board to initiate the appropriate process to amend the company’s governance documents (charter or bylaws) to provide that director nominees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders. The Investment Manager would generally review on a case-by-case basis proposals that address alternative approaches to a majority vote requirement.

Confidential Voting. The Investment Manager votes for shareholder proposals requesting that companies adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators, and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived. The Investment Manager also votes for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

Bundled Proposals. The Investment Manager reviews on a case-by-case basis bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, the Investment Manager examines the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances where the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests, The Investment Manager votes against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, the Investment Manager supports such proposals.

Date/Location of Meeting. The Investment Manager votes against shareholder proposals to change the date or location of the shareholders’ meeting. No one site will meet the needs of all shareholders.

Adjourn Meeting if Votes are Insufficient. Open-ended requests for adjournment of a shareholder meeting generally will not be supported. However, where management specifically states the reason for requesting an adjournment and the requested adjournment is necessary to permit a proposal that would otherwise be supported under this policy to be carried out; the adjournment request will be supported.

Disclosure of Shareholder Proponents. The Investment Manager votes for shareholder proposals requesting that companies disclose the names of shareholder proponents. Shareholders may wish to contact the proponents of a shareholder proposal for additional information.

 

A-5


Capital Structure

Increase Additional Common Stock. The Investment Manager generally votes for increases in authorized shares, provided that the increase is not greater than three times the number of shares outstanding and reserved for issuance (including shares reserved for stock-related plans and securities convertible into common stock, but not shares reserved for any poison pill plan). Votes generally are cast in favor of proposals to authorize additional shares of stock except where the proposal:

 

   

creates a blank check preferred stock; or

 

   

establishes classes of stock with superior voting rights.

Blank Check Preferred Stock. Votes generally are cast in opposition to management proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecific voting, conversion, distribution and other rights, and management proposals to increase the number of authorized blank check preferred shares. The Investment Manager may vote in favor of this type of proposal when it receives assurances to its reasonable satisfaction that (i) the preferred stock was authorized by the board for the use of legitimate capital formation purposes and not for anti- takeover purposes, and (ii) no preferred stock will be issued with voting power that is disproportionate to the economic interests of the preferred stock. These representations should be made either in the proxy statement or in a separate letter from the company to the Investment Manager.

Preemptive Rights. Votes regarding shareholder proposals seeking preemptive rights are determined on a case-by-case basis after evaluating:

 

   

the size of the company;

 

   

the shareholder base; and

 

   

the liquidity of the stock.

For example, it would be difficult to support a shareholder proposal that would require an S&P 500 company with over $1 billion in equity held by thousands of shareholders (with no single shareholder owning a significant percentage of outstanding shares) to implement preemptive rights each time it conducted a new offering. Such a requirement would be impractical and extremely costly. Moreover, at companies with that large of a shareholder base and the ease with which shareholders could preserve their relative interest through purchases of shares on the open market, the cost of implementing preemptive rights does not seem justifiable in relation to the benefits.

Dual Class Capitalizations. Because classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, the Investment Manager votes against adoption of a dual or multiple class capitalization structure.

Restructurings/Recapitalizations . The Investment Manager review proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan on a case-by-case basis. In voting, the Investment Manager considers the following issues:

 

   

dilution—how much will ownership interest of existing shareholders be reduced, and how extreme will dilution to any future earnings be?

 

   

change in control—will the transaction result in a change in control of the company?

 

   

bankruptcy—generally, approve proposals that facilitate debt restructurings unless there are clear signs of self-dealing or other abuses.

Share Repurchase Programs . Boards may institute share repurchase or stock buy-back programs for a number of reasons. The Investment Manager will generally vote in favor of such programs where the repurchase

 

A-6


would be in the long-term best interests of shareholders, and where the company is not thought to be able to use the cash in a more useful way. The Investment Manager will vote against such programs when shareholders’ interests could be better served by deployment of the cash for alternative uses, or where the repurchase is a defensive maneuver or an attempt to entrench management.

Targeted Share Placements . These shareholder proposals ask companies to seek shareholder approval before placing 10% or more of their voting stock with a single investor. The proposals are typically in reaction to the placement by various companies of a large block of their voting stock in an ESOP, parent capital fund or with a single friendly investor, with the aim of protecting themselves against a hostile tender offer. These proposals are voted on a case-by-case basis after reviewing the individual situation of the company receiving the proposal.

Executive and Director Compensation

Stock-based Incentive Plans . Votes with respect to compensation plans should be determined on a case-by-case basis. The analysis of compensation plans focuses primarily on the transfer of shareholder wealth (the dollar cost of pay plans to shareholders).

Other matters included in the analysis are the amount of the company’s outstanding stock to be reserved for the award of stock options or restricted stock, whether the exercise price of an option is less than the stock’s fair market value at the date of the grant of the options, and whether the plan provides for the exchange of outstanding options for new ones at lower exercise prices. Every award type is valued. An estimated dollar cost for the proposed plan and all continuing plans is derived. This cost, dilution to shareholders’ equity, will also be expressed as a percentage figure for the transfer of shareholder wealth and will be considered along with dilution to voting power. Once the cost of the plan is estimated, it is compared to an allowable industry-specific and market cap-based dilution cap. If the proposed plan cost is above the allowable cap, an against vote is indicated. If the proposed cost is below the allowable cap, a vote for the plan is indicated unless the plan violates the repricing guidelines. If the company has a history of repricing options or has the express ability to reprice underwater stock options without first securing shareholder approval under the proposed plan, the plan receives an against vote—even in cases where the plan cost is considered acceptable based on the quantitative analysis. The Investment Manager votes against equity plans that have high average three year burn rates, unless the company has publicly committed to reduce the burn rate to a rate that is comparable to its peer group (as determined by the Investment Manager).

Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans . The Investment Manager votes for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from limits on deductibility under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Executive Compensation . Executive compensation should be tied to the performance of the executive and the company as well as relevant market conditions. The Investment Manager feels that the performance criteria and specific amounts and types of executive compensation are best decided by a company’s board of directors and/or its compensation committee and fully disclosed to shareholders. The Investment Manager will, however, vote for shareholder proposals that call for shareholders to vote, in a non-binding manner, on executive pay since such vote is non-binding and is merely informative for the board of directors and/or compensation committee. Further, the Investment Manager generally votes for shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information.

Reload/Evergreen Features . The Investment Manager will generally vote against plans that enable the issuance of reload options and that provide an automatic share replenishment (“evergreen”) feature.

Golden Parachutes. The Investment Manager opposes the use of accelerated employment contracts that result in cash grants of greater than three times annual compensation (salary and bonus) in the event of termination of employment following a change in control of a company. In general, the guidelines call for voting

 

A-7


against “golden parachute” plans because they impede potential takeovers that shareholders should be free to consider. The Investment Manager generally withholds its votes at the next shareholder meeting for directors whom to its knowledge approved golden parachutes.

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans . The Investment Manager votes for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans . The Investment Manager supports employee stock purchase plans, although the Investment Manager generally believes the discounted purchase price should be at least 85% of the current market price.

Option Expensing . The Investment Manager votes for shareholder proposals to expense fixed-price options.

Vesting . The Investment Manager believes that restricted stock awards normally should vest over at least a two-year period.

Option Repricing . The Investment Manager believes that stock options generally should not be re-priced, and never should be re-priced without shareholder approval. In addition, companies should not issue new options, with a lower strike price, to make up for previously issued options that are substantially underwater. The Investment Manager will vote against the election of any slate of directors that, to its knowledge, has authorized a company to re-price or replace underwater options during the most recent year without shareholder approval.

Stock Holding Periods . The Investment Manager generally votes against all proposals requiring executives to hold the stock received upon option exercise for a specific period of time.

Transferable Stock Options . The Investment Manager reviews on a case-by-case basis proposals to grant transferable stock options or otherwise permit the transfer of outstanding stock options, including cost of proposal and alignment with shareholder interests.

Recoup Bonuses . The Investment Manager votes on a case-by-case on shareholder proposals to recoup unearned incentive bonuses or other incentive payments made to senior executives if it is later determined that fraud, misconduct, or negligence significantly contributed to a restatement of financial results that led to the awarding of unearned incentive compensation.

Incorporation

Reincorporation Outside of the United States . Generally, the Investment Manager will vote against companies looking to reincorporate outside of the U.S.

Voting on State Takeover Statutes . The Investment Manager reviews on a case-by-case basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions). In voting on these shareholder proposals, The Investment Manager evaluates all facts and circumstances surrounding such proposal, including whether the shareholder proposing such measure has an agenda in making such proposal that may be at odds with the long-term best interests of the company or whether it would be in the best interests of the company to thwart a shareholder’s attempt to control the board of directors.

Voting on Reincorporation Proposals . Proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation are examined on a case-by-case basis. In making its decision, the Investment Manager reviews management’s rationale for the proposal, changes to the charter/bylaws, and differences in the state laws governing the companies.

 

A-8


Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

Mergers and Acquisitions . Votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors including the following: anticipated financial and operating benefits; offer price (cost vs. premium); prospects of the combined companies; how the deal was negotiated; and changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights. The Investment Manager votes against proposals that require a super-majority of shareholders to approve a merger or other significant business combination. The Investment Manager supports proposals that seek to lower supermajority voting requirements.

Nonfinancial Effects of a Merger or Acquisition . Some companies have proposed a charter provision which specifies that the board of directors may examine the nonfinancial effect of a merger or acquisition on the company. This provision would allow the board to evaluate the impact a proposed change in control would have on employees, host communities, suppliers and/or others. The Investment Manager generally votes against proposals to adopt such charter provisions. The Investment Manager feels it is the directors’ fiduciary duty to base decisions solely on the financial interests of the shareholders.

Corporate Restructuring . Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including minority squeeze outs, leveraged buyouts, “going private” proposals, spin-offs, liquidations, and asset sales, should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Spin-offs . Votes on spin-offs should be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

Asset Sales . Votes on asset sales should be made on a case-by-case basis after considering the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.

Liquidations . Votes on liquidations should be made on a case-by-case basis after reviewing management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

Appraisal Rights . The Investment Manager votes for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal. Rights of appraisal provide shareholders who are not satisfied with the terms of certain corporate transactions the right to demand a judicial review in order to determine a fair value for their shares.

Changing Corporate Name . The Investment Manager votes for changing the corporate name.

Social Issues

The Investment Manager believes that it is the responsibility of the board and management to run a company on a daily basis. With this in mind, in the absence of unusual circumstances, the Investment Manager does not believe that shareholders should be involved in determining how a company should address broad social and policy issues. As a result, the Investment Manager generally votes against these types of proposals, which are generally initiated by shareholders, unless the Investment Manager believes the proposal has significant economic implications.

 

A-9


APPENDIX B: RATINGS OF INVESTMENTS

The following is a description of certain ratings assigned by S&P and Moody’s.

S&P

An S&P issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P’s view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

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 rating addresses 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 S&P’s analysis of the following considerations:

 

   

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;

 

   

nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

 

   

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.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

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.

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.

 

B-1


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.

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.

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.

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.

An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

A “C” rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the “C” rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

Note: 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.

An “NR” indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings

A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P. 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.

 

B-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 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.

A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of “B-1,” “B-2,” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the “B” category. 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.

A short-term obligation rated “B-1” is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

A short-term obligation rated “B-2” is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

A short-term obligation rated “B-3” is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.

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.

A short-term obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P 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.

Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings Definitions

An S&P U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P’s opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P analysis will review the following considerations:

 

   

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.

 

B-3


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.

Moody’s

Long-Term Obligations Ratings and Definitions

Moody’s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

Obligations rated “A” are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

Obligations rated “B” are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Obligations rated “Caa” are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Obligations rated “Ca” are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to 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 Ratings

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

B-4


P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

B-5


PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

1. Financial Statements

Part A—None

Part B—Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

Statement of Assets and Liabilities*

 

2. Exhibits

 

(a)

   Articles of Amendment and Restatement(1)

(b)

   By-Laws (1)

(c)

   Not applicable

(d)(i)

   Form of specimen share certificate*

(d)(ii)

   The rights of security holders are defined in the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation (Article FIFTH, SEVENTH and EIGHTH) and the Registrant’s By-Laws (Article II and Article VI).

(e)

   Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan*

(f)

   Not applicable

(g)

   Form of Investment Management Agreement(1)

(h)(i)

   Form of Underwriting Agreement*

(h)(ii)

   Form of Master Selected Dealer Agreement*

(h)(iii)

   Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters*

(i)

   Not applicable

(j)

   Form of Custodian Agreement*

(k)(i)

   Form of Stock Transfer Agency Agreement*

(k)(ii)

   Form of Administration Agreement*

(k)(iii)

   Form of Co-Administration Agreement*

(k)(iv)

   Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC*

(k)(v)

   Form of Structuring Fee Agreement with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*

(l)(i)

   Opinion and Consent of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP*

(l)(ii)

   Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP*

(m)

   Not applicable

(n)

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

(o)

   Not applicable

(p)

   Form of Investment Representation Letter*

(q)

   Not applicable

(r)

   Code of Ethics of the Fund and the Investment Manager*

(s)

   Power of Attorney(1)

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 (333-168898; 811-22455) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2010.
* Filed herewith.

 

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

See Exhibits 2(h)(i) - (iii).

 

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the expenses to be incurred in connection with the offer described in this Registration Statement:

 

SEC Registration and Filing Fees

   $ —        

FINRA Fees

     —        

New York Stock Exchange Fees

     60,000      

Costs of Printing and Engraving

     800,000      

Accounting Fees and Expenses

     40,000      

Legal Fees and Expenses

     250,000      
           

Total

   $ —        
           


Item 28. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

None.

 

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

Set forth below is the number of record holders as of November 18, 2010, of each class of securities of the Registrant:

 

Title of Class

   Number of Record Holders     

Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share

   1   

 

Item 30. Indemnification

It is the Registrant’s policy to indemnify its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Section 2-418 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland as set forth in Article NINTH of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, and Article VIII of the Registrant’s By-Laws. The liability of the Registrant’s directors and officers is dealt with in Article NINTH of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation. The liability of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., the Registrant’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), for any loss suffered by the Registrant or its shareholders is set forth in Section 5 of the Investment Management Agreement.

The Registrant has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters of the Registrant’s common stock to the extent set forth in Exhibit 2(h)(i).

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may be permitted to the directors and officers, 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 and is therefore unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities under the Securities Act (other than for expenses incurred in a successful defense) is asserted against the Registrant by the directors or officers in connection with the shares, 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 of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Item 31. Business and other Connections of Investment Manager

This information, with respect to the Investment Manager, is set forth under the caption “Management of the Fund” in the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information, constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement.

The following is a list of the directors and officers of the Investment Manager. Unless otherwise indicated, none of the persons listed below has had other business connections of a substantial nature during the past two fiscal years other than as stated in the Prospectus forming Part A of this Registration Statement.

 

Name

  

Title

  

Other Business/Position Held/Dates

Robert H. Steers

   Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Director    *

Martin Cohen

   Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Director    *

Joseph M. Harvey

   President    *

Adam M. Derechin

   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer    *

Matthew S. Stadler

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer    *

Frank Poli

   Executive Vice President, General Counsel   

Quantum Sphere, Inc., Board of

Directors, 2006 -present

Douglas R. Bond

   Executive Vice President    *


Name

  

Title

  

Other Business/Position Held/Dates

William J. Frischling

   Executive Vice President    *

Stephen Dunn

   Executive Vice President    *

William F. Scapell

   Senior Vice President, Director of Fixed Income Investments    *

Robert Becker

   Senior Vice President    *

Thomas Bohjalian

   Senior Vice President    *

Yigal Jhirad

   Senior Vice President    *

James Giallanza

   Senior Vice President    *

Bernard Doucette

   Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer    *

Richard E. Helm

   Senior Vice President    *

Norbert Berrios

   Senior Vice President    *

Salvatore Rappa

   Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel    *

Lisa Phelan

   Senior Vice President and Director of Compliance    *

Tina M. Payne

   Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel    *

Michele Nolty

   Senior Vice President    *

Terrance R. Ober

   Senior Vice President    *

Robert Tisler

   Senior Vice President    *

Frank Zukowski

   Senior Vice President    *

David Edlin

   Senior Vice President    AllianceBernstein Investments, National Sales Manager, 2006 -2008

Steven Buckridge

   Senior Vice President    Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., Senior Managing Director, 2000 - 2008

Stephen Coyle

   Senior Vice President    Citigroup Property Investors, Managing Director, 2002 - 2008

Scott Crowe

   Senior Vice President    *

Brooks Hamblett

   Senior Vice President    *

Christopher Henderson

   Senior Vice President   

Bear Stearns, Managing Director,

2005 -2008

James McAdams

   Senior Vice President    *

Charles McKinley

   Senior Vice President    *

Nancy Norton

   Senior Vice President    *

Matthew Pace

   Senior Vice President   

Pace Metals, Inc., Vice President.

1996 -present; Pace Glass, Inc., Vice President, 1996 - present

Edward Rieger

   Senior Vice President    *

Shui Seto

   Senior Vice President    *

Todd Voigt

   Senior Vice President    Cliffwood Partners LLC, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, 1997 -2008

Ben Morton

   Senior Vice President    *

Matthew Karcic

   Senior Vice President    *


Name

  

Title

  

Other Business/Position Held/Dates

John Cheigh

   Senior Vice President    *

Anthony Ialeggio

   Senior Vice President    Alliance Bernstein Investments, Managing Director, 2000 - 2010

James MacPherson

   Senior Vice President    Financial Products Group, Inc., Founder/Consultant, 2009-2010, Nuveen Investments, Managing Director, 2003-2008

Brendan Murray

   Vice President    American Century Investments, Vice President, 2003-2010

Sandra Morgan

   Vice President    *

Neil Bloom

   Vice President    KPMG LLP, Senior Tax Manager, 2004 - 2008

Anatoliy Cheravach

   Vice President    *

Austin Fagan

   Vice President    *

Julie Fordyce

   Vice President    *

Mary Gordon

   Vice President    JPMorgan Chase & Co., Vice President, 1998 - 2008

Janet Haley

   Vice President    *

Stephen Lavine

   Vice President    Credit Suisse, Consultant, 2009 - 2010 Goldman Sachs, Vice President, 2005 - 2008

Theodore Holder

   Vice President    Principal Global Investors, Director, Senior Investment Specialist, Mid-Atlantic, 2008 - 2009 Nuveen Investments, Vice President, Advisor Consultant, 1998 - 2008

Andrew Humble

   Vice President    *

Jason Williams

   Vice President    WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc., Regional Director, 2007 - 2010

Joseph Williams

   Vice President    Evergreen Investments, Regional Vice President, 2008 - 2009

Adam Johnson

   Vice President    *

Stephen Joslin

   Vice President    Merrill Lynch, Vice President, 2000 - 2008

Joanna Kennedy

   Vice President    *

Lester Lay

   Vice President    *

Jamelah Leddy

   Vice President    *

Michael Loftus

   Vice President    *

Kevin Lotti

   Vice President    *

Mark Miness

   Vice President    Wellington Management Company, Associate Director, 2004 - 2008

Erica Piserchia

   Vice President    *

Ronald Pucillo

   Vice President    *

Kim Spellman

   Vice President    *


Name

  

Title

  

Other Business/Position Held/Dates

Dev Subhash

   Vice President    Citigroup, Inc., Vice President, Assistant Portfolio Manager, 1999 - 2008

Stephen Tone

   Vice President    *

Thomas Watkins

   Vice President    *

Pascal van Garderen

   Vice President    *

Elaine Zaharis-Nikas

   Vice President    *

Luis Polit

   Vice President    *

Ted Valenti

   Vice President    *

Antonia Montanari

   Vice President    *

Michael DeGroff

   Vice President    *

Scott Dwyer

   Vice President    *

Jonathan Geurkink

   Vice President    *

Gary Kessler

   Vice President    *

Deborah Krisbergh

   Vice President    *

Jiang Xin

   Vice President    *

Jason Yablon

   Vice President    *

Samantha Yablon

   Vice President    *

Jamie Zimmerman

   Vice President    *

Patrick Evans

   Vice President    BlackRock, Inc., Vice President,
2006 - 2009

Matthew McAvoy

   Vice President    Forum Securities LLC, Vice President, 2009 Citi Property Investors, A Division of Citi Alternative Investments, Vice President, 2005 - 2009

Mark Dickinson

   Vice President    Legg Mason, Inc., Vice President,
2001 - 2009

Michael Miller

   Vice President    Denver Investment Advisors, LLC, Vice President, 1998 -2008 Legg Mason, Inc., Vice President, 2008 - 2009

Damien Porras

   Vice President    AllianceBernstein, Vice President,
2004 - 2010

Julia Chin

   Vice President    *

Gustaf Colliander

   Vice President    *

Colleen Dean

   Vice President    *

Judy Diaz

   Vice President    Truesoft, Inc., President, 2006 - present

William Formosa

   Vice President    *

Heather Kaden

   Vice President   

*

Matthew Kirschner

   Vice President    *

Yue Zhang

   Vice President    *


Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

The majority of the accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder will be maintained as follows: journals, ledgers, securities records and other original records will be maintained principally at the offices of the Registrant’s Sub-Administrator and Custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company. All other records so required to be maintained will be maintained at the offices of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

 

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.

 

Item 34. Undertakings

(1) Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if, subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement, its net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the Registration Statement or its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) Not applicable.

(4) Not applicable.

(5) Registrant hereby undertakes that:

(a) for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(b) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(6) Registrant undertakes to send by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of New York, State of New York, on the 18 th day of November, 2010.

 

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.
By:   / S /    A DAM M. D ERECHIN        
Name:   Adam M. Derechin
Title:   President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/ S /    A DAM M. D ERECHIN        

Adam M. Derechin

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    J AMES G IALLANZA        

James Giallanza

  

Treasurer (Principal Financial and

Accounting Officer)

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    M ARTIN C OHEN        

Martin Cohen

  

Co-Chairman and Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    R OBERT H. S TEERS        

Robert H. Steers

  

Co-Chairman and Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    B ONNIE C OHEN *        

Bonnie Cohen

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    G EORGE G ROSSMAN *        

George Grossman

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    R ICHARD E. K ROON *        

Richard E. Kroon

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    R ICHARD J. N ORMAN *        

Richard J. Norman

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    F RANK K. R OSS *        

Frank K. Ross

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    W ILLARD H. S MITH , J R .*        

Willard H. Smith Jr.

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

/ S /    C. E DWARD W ARD , J R .*        

C. Edward Ward, Jr.

  

Director

  November 18, 2010

 

*By:   / S /    M ARTIN C OHEN        
  Attorney-in-Fact


Index of Exhibits

 

(d)(i)

   Form of specimen share certificate

(e)

   Form of dividend reinvestment plan

(h)(i)

   Form of Underwriting Agreement

(h)(ii)

   Form of Master Selected Dealer Agreement

(h)(iii)

   Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters

(j)

   Form of Custodian Agreement

(k)(i)

   Form of Stock Transfer Agency Agreement

(k)(ii)

   Form of Administration Agreement

(k)(iii)

   Form of Co-Administration Agreement

(k)(iv)

   Form of Structuring Fee Agreement-Wells Fargo

(k)(v)

   Form of Structuring Fee Agreement-Merrill Lynch

(l)(i)

   Opinion and Consent of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

(l)(ii)

   Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP

(n)

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(p)

   Form of Investment Representation Letter

(r)

   Code of Ethics

Exhibit (d)(i)

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

Incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland

 

NUMBER    SHARES
Common Stock    CUSIP
This certificate is transferable in    See reverse side for certain definitions
New York, NY   

This is to Certify that                                                                                                                                                         is the owner of                              fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. hereinafter called the “Corporation”, transferable on the books of the said Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this Certificate duly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and all amendments thereto, copies of which are on file in the offices of the Corporation, to all of which the holder of acceptance hereof assents.

The Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of capital stock. The Corporation will furnish a full statement of the designation and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation is authorized to issue to any stockholder upon request without charge.

This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.

Witness, the seal of the Corporation and the signatures of its duly authorized officers.

Dated:

           
Secretary     President


Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the back of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement of any change whatever.

The Corporation may issue more than one class of stock. Upon the request of a stockholder, and without charge, the Corporation will provide a description of each class of stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue, including the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class, and, with respect to any preferred or special class in series, the differences in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of each series to the extent they have been set and the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of subsequent series.

The following abbreviations when used in the inscription on the face of the Certificate shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws.

 

TEN COM    — as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT                 Custodian             
TEN ENT    — as tenants by the entireties       (Cust)                     (Minor)
JT TEN    — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenant in common      

Under Uniform Gifts to Minors

Act                                                              

                                 (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

For value received,              hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

(Please insert social security or other identification number of assignee)

 

 

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee)

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Shares

of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                                                                                                                              Attorney to transfer the said Shares on the books of the within-named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated                     

In presence of                                                                                                                                                                             

Exhibit (e)

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

REINVESTMENT PLAN

The fund has a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) commonly referred to as an “opt-out” plan. Each common shareholder who participates in the Plan will have all distributions of dividends and capital gains (“Dividends”) automatically reinvested in additional common shares by The Bank of New York Mellon as agent (the “Plan Agent”). Shareholders who elect not to participate in the plan will receive all Dividends in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Plan Agent, as dividend disbursing agent. Shareholders whose common shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan.

The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the plan. After the fund declares a Dividend, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the shareholders, either (i) receive the cash payment and use it to buy common shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts or (ii) distribute newly issued common shares of the Fund on behalf of the participants.

 

A. The Plan Agent will receive cash from the fund with which to buy common shares in the open market if, on the Dividend payment date, the net asset value (“NAV”) per share exceeds the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions on that date. The Plan Agent will receive the Dividend in newly issued common shares of the fund if, on the Dividend payment date, the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions equals or exceeds the NAV per share of the fund on that date. The number of shares to be issued will be computed at a per share rate equal to the greater of (i) the NAV or (ii) 95% of the closing market price per share on the payment date.

 

B. If the market price per share is less than the NAV on a Dividend payment date, the Plan Agent will have until the last business day before the next ex-dividend date for the common stock, but in no event more than 30 days after the Dividend payment date (as the case may be, the “Purchase Period”), to invest the Dividend amount in shares acquired in open market purchases. If at the close of business on any day during the Purchase Period on which NAV is calculated the NAV on Dividend payment date equals or is less than the market price per share on such day plus estimated brokerage commissions, the Plan Agent will cease making open market purchases and the uninvested portion of such Dividends shall be filled through the issuance of new shares of common stock from the Fund at the price set forth in paragraph A above.

Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the plan upon notice to the Plan Agent. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if received not less than ten days prior to a Dividend record date; otherwise, it will be effective for all subsequent Dividends. When a participant withdraws from the Plan or upon termination of the Plan as provided below, certificates for whole common shares credited to his or her account under the Plan will be issued and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a common share credited to such account. If any participant elects to have the Plan Agent sell all or part of his or her shares and remit the proceeds, the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct a $15.00 fee plus $0.10 per share brokerage commissions.

The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of reinvestment of Dividends will be paid by the fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of Dividends. The automatic reinvestment of Dividends will not relieve participants of any income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on such Dividends.

The fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at 800-432-8224.

Board approved:                      , 2010

Exhibit (h)(i)

 

 

 

[FUND]

             Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

$20.00 per Share

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

Dated: [ ], 2010

 

 


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties

     2   

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing

     13   

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Fund and the Adviser

     15   

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses

     17   

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations

     18   

SECTION 6. Indemnification

     22   

SECTION 7. Contribution

     24   

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery

     25   

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement

     26   

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters

     26   

SECTION 11. Notices

     27   

SECTION 12. Parties

     27   

SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW

     27   

SECTION 14. Effect of Headings

     27   

SECTION 15. Definitions

     28   

SECTION 16. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship

     30   

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A           Initial Securities to be Sold
Exhibit B           Form of Opinion of Fund Counsel
Exhibit C           Form of Opinion of Adviser Counsel
Exhibit D           Price-Related Information

 

i


[FUND]

[ ] Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[ ], 2010

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

[UNDERWRITERS]

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

listed on Exhibit A hereto

c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

375 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10152

Ladies and Gentlemen:

[FUND], a [TYPE OF ENTITY] (the “ Fund ”) and [ADVISER], a [TYPE OF ENTITY] (the “ Adviser ”), confirm their respective agreements with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“ Wells Fargo ”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “ Underwriters ,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Wells Fargo, [REPRESENTATIVES] are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “ Representatives ”), with respect to the issue and sale by the Fund of a total of [ ] common shares of beneficial interest, par value $[0.01] per share (the “ Initial Securities ”), and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of Initial Securities set forth in said Exhibit A hereto, and with respect to the grant by the Fund to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of [ ] additional common shares of beneficial interest, par value $[0.01] per share (the “ Option Securities ”), to cover over-allotments, if any. The Initial Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the Option Securities are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Securities .” Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 15 hereof.

The Fund understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

The Fund has entered into (i) an Investment Management Agreement with the Adviser dated as of [ ], 2010, (ii) a Custodian Services Agreement with [ ] dated as of [ ], 2010, (iii) a Transfer Agency Services Agreement with [ ] dated as of [ ], 2010 and (iv) an Administration and Accounting Services Agreement with [ ] dated as of [ ], 2010, and such agreements are herein referred to as the “ Investment Management Agreement ,” the “ Custodian Agreement, ” the “ Transfer Agency Agreement, ” and the “ Administration Agreement ”, respectively. Collectively, the Investment Management Agreement, the Custodian Agreement, the Transfer Agency Agreement and the Administration Agreement are herein referred to as the “ Fund Agreements .”

 

1


The Adviser has entered into a Structuring Fee Agreement with Wells Fargo dated as of [ ], 2010[  ,] [and] [Additional Compensation Agreement to be inserted] and such agreements are herein referred to as and the “ Fee Agreements .” In addition, the Fund has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to which holders of common shares of beneficial interest shall have their dividends automatically reinvested in additional common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund unless they elect to receive such dividends in cash, and such plan is herein referred to as the “ Dividend Reinvestment Plan .”

The Fund has prepared and filed with the Commission a registration statement (File Nos. 333-[ ] and 811-[ ]) on Form N-2, including a related preliminary prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein), for registration under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. The Fund may have filed one or more amendments thereto, including a related preliminary prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein), each of which has previously been furnished to you.

The Fund will next file with the Commission one of the following: either (1) prior to the effective date of the registration statement, a further amendment to the registration statement (including the form of final prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein)) or (2) after the effective date of the registration statement, a final prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein) in accordance with Rules 430A and 497. In the case of clause (2), the Fund has included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, as amended at the effective date, all information (other than Rule 430A Information) required by the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations to be included in the registration statement and the Prospectus. As filed, such amendment and form of final prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein), or such final prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein), shall contain all Rule 430A Information, together with all other such required information, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Applicable Time or, to the extent not completed at the Applicable Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the latest preliminary prospectus) as the Fund has advised you, prior to the Applicable Time, will be included or made therein.

SECTION 1.  Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Fund and the Adviser. The Fund and the Adviser, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agree with each Underwriter, as follows:

(1) Compliance with Registration Requirements . The Securities have been duly registered under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, pursuant to the Registration Statement. Each of the Initial Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and has been filed under the 1940

 

2


Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act, and no proceedings for any such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus complied when filed with the Commission in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities each was identical to the electronically transmitted copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

At the respective times the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became or become effective and at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement will, and the 1940 Act Notification when originally filed with the Commission and any amendments and supplements thereto did or will, comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto, as of its date, at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), and at any time when a prospectus is required by applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of Securities, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Preliminary Prospectus and the information included on Exhibit D hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”) did not or will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Fund makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Fund by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

The Fund’s registration statement on Form 8-A under the 1934 Act is effective.

(2) Independent Accountants . [ACCOUNTANT] who certified and audited the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus is an independent public accountant as required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations.

 

3


(3) Financial Statements . The financial statements of the Fund included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Fund at the dates indicated and the results of operations and cash flows of the Fund for the periods specified; and all such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and comply with all applicable accounting requirements under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the information required to be stated therein, and the other financial and statistical information and data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are accurately derived from such financial statements and the books and records of the Fund.

(4) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no Fund Material Adverse Effect, (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Fund which are material with respect to the Fund other than those in the ordinary course of its business as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Fund on any class of its Common Stock.

(5) Good Standing of the Fund . The Fund has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a [business trust] under the laws of [JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION] and has the full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements; and the Fund is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires qualification.

(6) No Subsidiaries . The Fund has no subsidiaries.

(7) Investment Company Status. The Fund is duly registered as a closed-end, diversified management investment company under the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, and the 1940 Act Notification has been duly filed with the Commission. The Fund has not received any notice from the Commission pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act with respect to the 1940 Act Notification or the Registration Statement.

(8) Officers and Trustees . No person is serving or acting as an officer, trustee or investment adviser of the Fund except in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations and the Advisers Act. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, no trustee of the Fund is (A) an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or (B) an “affiliated person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any Underwriter. For purposes of this Section 1(a)(8), the Fund and the Adviser shall be entitled to rely on representations from such officers and trustees.

 

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(9) Capitalization . The authorized, issued and outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and in the Prospectus. All issued and outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and have been offered and sold or exchanged by the Fund in compliance with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, federal and state securities laws); none of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the Fund was issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Fund; the Securities have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and nonassessable; and the certificates for the Securities, if any, are in valid and sufficient form.

(10) Power and Authority . The Fund has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Fund Agreements; the execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Fund of its obligations under this Agreement and the Fund Agreements have been duly and validly authorized by the Fund; and this Agreement and the Fund Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Fund and constitute the valid and legally binding agreements of the Fund, enforceable against the Fund in accordance with their terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Fund’s obligations hereunder and thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

(11) Approval of Investment Management Agreement . The Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Fund’s sole shareholder have approved the Investment Management Agreement in accordance with Section 15 of the 1940 Act.

(12) Agreements’ Compliance with Law . This Agreement and each of the Fund Agreements comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations.

(13) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts . The Fund is not (i) in violation of its Organizational Documents, (ii) in breach or default in the performance of the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, declaration of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject or (iii) in violation of any law, ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation applicable to the Fund or of any decree of the Commission, FINRA, any state securities commission, any foreign securities commission, any national securities exchange, any arbitrator, any court or any other governmental, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative agency or any official having jurisdiction over the Fund.

 

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(14) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Fund, threatened, against or affecting the Fund which is required to be disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Fund Material Adverse Effect, or that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the Fund or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Fund of its obligations under this Agreement or the Fund Agreements; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Fund is a party or of which any of its property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Fund Material Adverse Effect.

(15) Accuracy of Descriptions and Exhibits . The statements set forth under the headings “[Description of Shares],” “[Certain Provisions in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws]” and “[Federal Tax Matters]” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and “Federal Income Tax Matters” in the Statement of Additional Information, insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the 1940 Act, [JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATRION] law, the Fund’s Organizational Documents, U.S. federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, fairly and accurately summarize such provisions in all material respects; all descriptions in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus of any Fund documents are accurate in all material respects; and there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations which have not been so described and filed as required.

(16) Absence of Further Requirements . (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, and (B) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the performance by the Fund of its obligations under this Agreement or the Fund Agreements, for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities hereunder, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Fund Agreements, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except such as have been already obtained and under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Rules and Regulations, the rules and regulations of FINRA and the NYSE and such as may be required under state securities laws.

(17) Non-Contravention . Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Fund Agreements nor the consummation by the Fund of the transactions herein or therein contemplated (i) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes

 

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or will constitute a breach of the Organizational Documents of the Fund, (ii) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of or a default under, any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or (iii) violates or will violate any statute, law, regulation or filing or judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to the Fund or any of its properties or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Fund pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Fund is a party or by which the Fund may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Fund is subject.

(18) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Fund has such licenses, permits and authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities (“Permits”) as are necessary to own its property and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; the Fund has fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such Permits and no event has occurred which allows or, after notice or lapse of time, would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of the rights of the Fund under any such Permit, subject in each case to such qualification as may be set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; and, except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, none of such Permits contains any restriction that is materially burdensome to the Fund.

(19) Distribution of Offering Material . The Fund has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) completion of the distribution of the Securities, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Sales Material (as defined below) or other materials permitted by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations.

(20) Absence of Registration Rights . There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) (A) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or (B) otherwise registered by the Fund under the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act. There are no persons with tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities by the Fund pursuant to this Agreement.

(21) NYSE . The Securities are duly listed and admitted and authorized for trading, subject to official notice of issuance and evidence of satisfactory distribution, on the NYSE.

(22) FINRA Matters . All of the information provided to the Underwriters or to counsel for the Underwriters by the Fund, its officers and trustees in connection with letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA’s conduct rules is true, complete and correct.

 

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(23) Tax Returns . The Fund has filed all tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and except for such taxes, assessments, fines or penalties the nonpayment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Fund Material Adverse Effect.

(24) Subchapter M . The Fund is currently in compliance with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and intends to direct the investment of the net proceeds of the offering of the Securities in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code.

(25) Insurance . The Fund is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which it is engaged and which the Fund deems adequate; all policies of insurance insuring the Fund or its business, assets, employees, officers and trustees, including its fidelity bond required by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations and the Fund’s trustees and officers/errors and omissions insurance policy, are in full force and effect; the Fund is in compliance with the terms of such fidelity bond and policy in all material respects; and there are no claims by the Fund under any such fidelity bond or policy as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; the Fund has not been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Fund has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Fund Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

(26) Accounting Controls and Disclosure Controls . The Fund maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations and with the investment objectives, policies and restrictions of the Fund and the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations and the Code; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP, to calculate net asset value, to maintain accountability for assets and to maintain material compliance with the books and records requirements under the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Fund employs “internal control over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the 1940 Act) and such internal control over financial reporting is and shall be effective as required by the 1940 Act and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations. The Fund is not aware of any material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting. The Fund employs “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the 1940 Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

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(27) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Fund or any of the Fund’s trustees or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

(28) Fund Compliance with Policies and Procedures . The Fund has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Federal Securities Laws (as that term is defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) by the Fund, including policies and procedures that provide oversight of compliance for each investment adviser, administrator and transfer agent of the Fund.

(29) Absence of Manipulation . The Fund has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities, and the Fund is not aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Fund, other than such actions as taken by the Underwriters that are affiliates of the Fund, so long as such actions are in compliance with all applicable law.

(30) Statistical, Demographic or Market-Related Data . Any statistical, demographic or market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus is based on or derived from sources that the Fund believes to be reliable and accurate and all such data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus accurately reflects the materials upon which it is based or from which it was derived.

(31) Advertisements . All advertising, sales literature or other promotional material (including “prospectus wrappers”, “broker kits”, “road show slides” and “road show scripts”), whether in printed or electronic form, authorized in writing by or prepared by or at the direction of the Fund or the Adviser for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities (collectively, “Sales Material”) complied and comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and interpretations of FINRA and if required to be filed with FINRA under FINRA’s conduct rules were so filed. No Sales Material contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(32) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Fund nor, to the knowledge of the Fund, any trustee, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Fund is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “FCPA”),

 

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including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, and the Fund and, to the knowledge of the Fund, its other affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(33) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Fund are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar applicable rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Fund with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Fund, threatened.

(34) OFAC . Neither the Fund nor, to the knowledge of the Fund, any trustee, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Fund is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Fund will not directly or indirectly use any of the proceeds received by the Fund from the sale of Securities contemplated by this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Adviser . The Adviser represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date and as of each Option Closing Date (if any), and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(1) Adviser Status . The Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is not prohibited by the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations or the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations from acting under the Investment Management Agreement or the Fee Agreements as contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(2) Capitalization . The Adviser has the financial resources available to it necessary for the performance of its services and obligations as contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and under this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement and the Fee Agreements.

 

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(3) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no Adviser Material Adverse Effect and (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Adviser which are material with respect to the Adviser other than those in the ordinary course of its business as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(4) Good Standing . The Adviser has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of [JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION] and has the full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fee Agreements; and the Adviser is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires qualification.

(5) Power and Authority . The Adviser has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement and the Fee Agreements; the execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Adviser of its obligations under this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement and the Fee Agreements have been duly and validly authorized by the Adviser; and this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement and the Fee Agreements have been duly executed and delivered by the Adviser and constitute the valid and legally binding agreements of the Adviser, enforceable against the Adviser in accordance with their terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution may be limited by federal or state securities laws and subject to the qualification that the enforceability of the Adviser’s obligations hereunder and thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

(6) Description of the Adviser . The description of the Adviser and its business and the statements attributable to the Adviser in the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus complied and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(7) Non-Contravention . Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement or the Fee Agreements nor the consummation by the Fund or the Adviser of the transactions herein or therein contemplated (i) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of the Organizational Documents of the Adviser, (ii) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach of or a default under, any agreement, indenture, lease or other instrument to which the Adviser is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or (iii) violates or will violate any statute, law, regulation or filing or judgment, injunction, order or decree applicable to the Adviser or any of its properties or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Adviser pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Adviser is a party or by which the Adviser may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Adviser is subject.

 

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(8) Agreements’ Compliance with Laws . This Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement and the Fee Agreements comply in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations, the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Rules and Regulations.

(9) Absence of Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, threatened, against or affecting the Adviser which is required to be disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or that could reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect, or that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Adviser of its obligations under this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement or the Fee Agreements; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Adviser is a party or of which any of its property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in an Adviser Material Adverse Effect.

(10) Absence of Further Requirements . (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, and (B) no authorization, approval, vote or other consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the performance by the Adviser of its obligations under this Agreement, the Investment Management Agreement, or the Fee Agreements, except such as have been already obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Rules and Regulations, the rules and regulations of FINRA and the NYSE and such as may be required under state securities laws.

(11) Possession of Permits . The Adviser has such Permits as are necessary to own its property and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; the Adviser has fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such Permits and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of the rights of the Adviser under any such Permit.

(12) Adviser Compliance with Policies and Procedures . The Adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures under Rule 206(4)-7 of the Advisers Act reasonably designed to prevent violation of the Advisers Act and the Advisers Act Rules by the Adviser and its supervised persons.

 

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(13) Absence of Manipulation . The Adviser has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities, and the Adviser is not aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Adviser, other than such actions as taken by the Underwriters that are affiliates of the Adviser, so long as such actions are in compliance with all applicable law.

(14) Promotional Materials . In the event that the Fund or the Adviser makes available any promotional materials related to the Securities or the transactions contemplated hereby intended for use only by registered broker-dealers and registered representatives thereof by means of an Internet web site or similar electronic means, the Adviser will install and maintain, or will cause to be installed and maintained, pre-qualification and password-protection or similar procedures which are reasonably designed to effectively prohibit access to such promotional materials by persons other than registered broker-dealers and registered representatives thereof.

(15) Internal Controls . The Adviser maintains a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions effectuated by it under the Investment Management Agreement are executed in accordance with its management’s general or specific authorization; and (ii) access to the Fund’s assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization.

(16) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Adviser and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Adviser or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Adviser, threatened.

(c) Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Fund or the Adviser and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Fund or the Adviser, as the case may be, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2.  Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) Initial Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Fund agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Fund, at a purchase price of $              per share, the amount of the Initial Securities set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Exhibit A hereto. The Fund is advised that the Underwriters intend to (i) make a public offering of their respective portions of the Securities as soon after the Applicable Time as is advisable and (ii) initially to offer the Securities upon the terms set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(b) Option Securities. Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Fund hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to              Option Securities at the same

 

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purchase price per share as the Underwriters shall pay for the Initial Securities. Said option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters. Said option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before the 45th day after the date of the Prospectus upon written or telegraphic notice by the Representatives to the Fund setting forth the number of shares of the Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option and the settlement date. The number of Option Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the same percentage of the total number of shares of the Option Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters as such Underwriter is purchasing of the Initial Securities, subject to such adjustments as you in your absolute discretion shall make to eliminate any fractional shares. Any such time and date of delivery (an “ Option Closing Date ”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Date, as hereinafter defined.

(c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities, and delivery of the related closing certificates therefor, shall be made at the offices of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Fund, at 9:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on [ ], 2010 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Fund (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “ Closing Date ”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Fund, on each Option Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Fund.

Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Fund by Federal Funds wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Fund. Delivery of the Initial Securities and the Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct. Wells Fargo, individually and not as Representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(d) Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representatives in The City of New York not later than noon (Eastern time) on the business day prior to the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

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SECTION 3.  Covenants of the Fund and the Adviser . The Fund and the Adviser, jointly and severally, covenant with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Fund, subject to Section 3(a)(ii), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Fund becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Fund will use its best efforts in connection with the offering of the Securities to prevent the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of any such qualification and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

(b) Filing of Amendments. The Fund will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement (including any filing under Rule 462(b)) or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act or otherwise, or will furnish the Representatives with copies of any such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Fund has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by
Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Fund has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus prepared prior to the date of this Agreement as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Fund hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Fund will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, such number of copies of the documents constituting the General Disclosure Package prepared on or after the date of this Agreement and the Prospectus (and any amendments or supplements thereto) as such

 

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Underwriter may reasonably request. The Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters is or will be, as the case may be, identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Fund will comply with the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the Rules and Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 172), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Fund, to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations, the Fund will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Fund will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Fund will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify, if necessary, the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of states of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a period of not less than one year from the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Fund shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Rule 158. The Fund will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(h) Use of Proceeds . The Fund will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

 

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(i) Reporting Requirements. The Fund, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations within the time periods required by the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or the Rules and Regulations.

(j) Subchapter M. The Fund will comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code.

(k) Absence of Manipulation . The Fund and the Adviser have not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities, and the Fund and the Adviser are not aware of any such action taken or to be taken by any affiliates of the Fund or the Adviser, other than such actions as taken by the Underwriters that are affiliates of the Fund or the Adviser, so long as such actions are in compliance with all applicable law.

(l) Restriction on Sale of Securities. The Fund will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund or any person in privity with the Fund, directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any other Securities or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, Securities; or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction for a period of 180 days following the Applicable Time, provided , however , that the Fund may issue and sell Securities pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan of the Fund in effect at the Applicable Time.

SECTION 4.  Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses. The Fund will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the word processing, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates or evidence of book-entry notation for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Fund, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, the documents constituting the General Disclosure

 

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Package, the Prospectus and the 1940 Act Notification, any Sales Material and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (viii) the fees and expenses of the custodian and the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities, (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (x) the transportation and other expenses incurred in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities, (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the NYSE and (xii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Fund of its obligations hereunder. To the extent that the foregoing costs and expenses incidental to the performance of the obligations of the Fund under this Agreement exceed $0.04 per share, the Adviser will pay all such costs and expenses.

(b) Termination of Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(a)(i) hereof, the Fund and the Adviser, jointly and severally, agree that they shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

SECTION 5.  Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, as the case may be, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Fund and the Adviser contained herein as of the Applicable Time, the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date pursuant to Section 2 hereof, to the accuracy of the statements of the Fund and the Adviser made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Fund and the Adviser of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at the Closing Date (or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or any notice objecting to its use or order pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act shall have been issued and proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Fund or the Adviser, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 497 or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for Fund. At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of [FUND’S COUNSEL], counsel for the Fund (“ Fund Counsel ”), in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request. Insofar as the opinion expressed above related to or is dependent upon matters governed by [ ] law, [ ] will be permitted to rely on the opinion of [SPECIAL COUNSEL].

 

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(c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of [UNDERWRITERS COUNSEL], counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives. Insofar as the opinion expressed above relates to or is dependent upon matters governed by [ ] law, [UNDERWRITERS COUNSEL] will be permitted to rely on the opinion of [SPECIAL COUNSEL].

(d) Certificate of the Fund. At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any Fund Material Adverse Effect, and, at the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or an Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of the Fund and of the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Fund, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such Fund Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Fund in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Fund has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or order of suspension or revocation of registration pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act has been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission.

(e) Opinion of Counsel for the Adviser. At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of [ADVISER COUNSEL], counsel for the Adviser, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit C hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(f) Certificate of the Adviser . At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any Adviser Material Adverse Effect, and, at the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or an Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of the Adviser and of the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the Adviser, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such Adviser Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Adviser in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made

 

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at and as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Adviser has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or order of suspension or revocation of registration pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1940 Act has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, are contemplated by the Commission.

(g) Accountant’s Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from [ACCOUNTANT] a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Fund contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus.

(h) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received from [ACCOUNTANT] a letter, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (g) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(i) Fee Agreements. At the Applicable Time, the Adviser shall deliver to each of the other parties to the Fee Agreements copies of the Fee Agreements, executed by the Adviser and dated the date of this Agreement, together with reproduced copies of such agreements executed by the Adviser for each of the other parties thereto.

(j) No Objection. Prior to the date of this Agreement, FINRA shall have confirmed that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

(k) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities. In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities on any Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the applicable Option Securities shall be subject to the conditions specified in the introductory paragraph of this Section 5 and to the further condition that, at the applicable Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received:

(1) Officers’ Certificate of the Fund . A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed by two of the officers specified in, Section 5(d) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.

 

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(2) Opinion of Counsel for Fund . The favorable opinion of Fund Counsel in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

(3) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . The favorable opinion of [UNDERWRITERS COUNSEL], counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(4) Opinion of Counsel for the Adviser . The favorable opinion of [ADVISER COUNSEL], counsel for the Adviser, dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(e) hereof.

(5) Certificate of the Adviser . A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed by two of the officers specified in, Section 5(f) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.

(6) Bring-down Comfort Letter . A letter from [ACCOUNTANT], in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(h) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than five days prior to such Option Closing Date.

(l) Additional Documents. At the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement; and all proceedings taken by the Fund and the Adviser in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

(m) Delivery of Documents . The documents required to be delivered by this Section 5 shall be delivered at the office of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, at 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, on the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date.

 

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(n) Termination of Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Fund.

SECTION 6.  Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification by the Fund and the Adviser. The Fund and the Adviser, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriters, affiliates of each Underwriter, directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter, and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, any Sales Material, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Fund and the Adviser; and

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Wells Fargo), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above,

provided , however , that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund or the Adviser by any Underwriter through Wells Fargo expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any preliminary prospectus, any Sales Material, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

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(b) Indemnification by the Underwriters . Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Fund and the Adviser, each of their directors, trustees, members, each of their officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 6, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or any preliminary prospectus, any Sales Material, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund or the Adviser by such Underwriter through Wells Fargo expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus, any Sales Material, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The Fund and the Adviser acknowledge that (i) the statements set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page regarding the expected delivery of the Securities and, under the heading “Underwriting”, (ii) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of the Securities, (iii) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (iv) the paragraphs related to stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus.

(c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. Counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected as follows: counsel to the Underwriters and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by Wells Fargo; counsel to the Fund, its directors, trustees, members, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Fund; and counsel to the Adviser and each person, if any, who controls such Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Adviser. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Underwriters and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Fund, each of their directors, trustees, members, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act

 

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or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Adviser and the fees and expenses of more than one counsel, in each case in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(e) Other Agreements with Respect to Indemnification and Contribution . The provisions of this Section 6 and in Section 7 hereof shall not affect any agreements among the Fund and the Adviser with respect to indemnification of each other or contribution between themselves.

SECTION 7.  Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Fund and the Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Fund and the Adviser on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

The relative benefits received by the Fund and the Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses)

 

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received by the Fund and the Adviser and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on such cover.

The relative fault of the Fund and the Adviser on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Fund, by the Adviser or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each trustee, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contributions as such Underwriters, and each person who controls the Fund or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, each officer of the Fund and the Adviser and each trustee, director or member of the Fund and the Adviser shall have the same rights to contribution as the Fund and the Adviser. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A hereto and not joint.

SECTION 8.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Fund or signed by or on behalf of the Adviser submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Fund, or by or on behalf of the Adviser, and shall survive delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters.

 

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SECTION 9.  Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination; General. The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Fund or the Adviser, at any time on or prior to the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are to be purchased on an Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the Representatives may terminate the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase such Option Securities, by notice to the Fund, at any time on or prior to such Option Closing Date) (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus or the General Disclosure Package, any Fund Material Adverse Effect or Adviser Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Fund has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the NYSE, or if trading generally on the NYSE or in the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities.

(b) Liabilities. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10.  Default by One or More of the Underwriters . If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “ Defaulted Securities ”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(a) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or

 

26


(b) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Fund to sell the Option Securities that were to have been purchased and sold on such Option Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Fund to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11.  Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152, Attention: Equity Syndicate; notices to the Fund and the Adviser shall be directed to them at [              ], [ ], Attention: [ ].

SECTION 12.  Parties . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Fund and the Adviser and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Fund and the Adviser and their respective successors and the controlling persons and directors, officers, members and trustees referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Fund and the Adviser and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and trustees and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings . The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

27


SECTION 15.  Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

Advisers Act ” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

Advisers Act Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Advisers Act.

Adviser Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Adviser, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.

Applicable Time ” means the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EDGAR ” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Fund Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles.

Initial Registration Statement ” means the Fund’s registration statement (File Nos. 333- [ ] and 811-[ ]) on Form N-2 (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein), as amended (if applicable), at the time it became effective, including the Rule 430A Information.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Organizational Documents ” means (a) in the case of a corporation, its charter and by-laws; (b) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its partnership agreement; (c) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; (d) in the case of a trust, its declaration of trust, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its trust agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity.

preliminary prospectus ” means any prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein) used in connection with the offering of the Securities that was so used before the Initial Registration Statement became effective, or that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or that omitted the Rule 430A Information or that was captioned “Subject to Completion”.

 

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Preliminary Prospectus ” shall mean the preliminary prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein) dated [ ], 2010 and any preliminary prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein) included in the Registration Statement at the Applicable Time that omits Rule 430A Information.

Prospectus ” shall mean the prospectus (including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein) relating to the Securities that is first filed pursuant to Rule 497 after the Applicable Time.

Registration Statement ” means the Initial Registration Statement; provided that, if a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed with the Commission, then the term “Registration Statement” shall also include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement.

Rule 172 ,” “ Rule 497 ,” “ Rule 430A ,” “ Rule 433 ” and “ Rule 462(b) ” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act.

Rule 430A Information ” means the information included in the Prospectus that was omitted from the Initial Registration Statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be a part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430A.

Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ” means a registration statement filed by the Fund pursuant to Rule 462(b) for the purpose of registering any of the Securities under the 1933 Act, including the Rule 430A Information.

Rules and Regulations ” means, collectively, the 1933 Act Rules and Regulations and the 1940 Act Rules and Regulations.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.

1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

1933 Act Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act.

1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

1934 Act Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act.

1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

29


1940 Act Notification ” means a notification of registration of the Fund as an investment company under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A, as the 1940 Act Notification may be amended from time to time.

1940 Act Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1940 Act.

All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR.

SECTION 16.  Absence of Fiduciary Relationship . Each of the Fund and the Adviser acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) Each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the public offering of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Fund or the Adviser, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been or will be created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not any of the Underwriters have advised or is advising the Fund or the Adviser on other matters and none of the Underwriters has any obligation to the Fund or the Adviser with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;

(b) the public offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Fund following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives;

(c) it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(d) in connection with each transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the process leading to such transactions, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as principal and not as fiduciary, advisor or agent of the Fund or the Adviser or any of their respective affiliates; provided however, that in its capacity as an independent contractor, an Underwriter may be providing advice to the Adviser as to the structure, design and organization of the Fund pursuant to the Fee Agreements;

(e) none of the Underwriters has provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice to the Fund or the Adviser with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and it has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisers to the extent it has deemed appropriate;

(f) it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Fund and the Adviser, and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Fund or the Adviser by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

 

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(g) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or on behalf of the Fund or the Adviser.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

31


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Fund and the Adviser a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Fund and the Adviser in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
[FUND]
By    
  Name:
  Title:
[ADVISER]
By    
  Name:
  Title:

 

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written:

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC [REPRESENTATIVES]

By:   WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

For themselves and as Representatives of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto.

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

Name of Underwriter

   Number of Initial
Securities
 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

[other Underwriters]

  
        

Total

  
        

 

A-1


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF OPINION OF FUND COUNSEL

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF OPINION OF ADVISER’S COUNSEL

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

PRICE-RELATED INFORMATION

[FUND]

Shares offered:             

Over-allotment option:             

 

D-1

Exhibit (h)(ii)

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

MASTER SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT

July 6, 2009

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

375 Park Avenue – 4 th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. General . We understand that you are entering into this Master Selected Dealers Agreement (this Agreement ) in counterparts with us and other firms, which may include any Underwriters (as defined below), who may participate as dealers (such other firms collectively with us being referred to herein as the Selected Dealers ) in connection with offerings of Securities (as defined below) that are managed solely by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ( Wells Fargo ) or by Wells Fargo with one or more co-managers, and which may include offerings registered in whole or in part under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act ), and offerings other than registered offerings. The term “ Manager ” means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acting in such capacity as manager. Irrespective of whether we have executed this Agreement, this Agreement shall apply to any offering of Securities as to which Wells Fargo has invited us to participate, and we have elected to participate, as a Selected Dealer.

The following information, to the extent applicable to the offering of the Securities, will be supplied to us at or prior to the time of such offering: (i) the expected offering date; (ii) the expected closing date; (iii) the initial public offering price; (iv) the interest or dividend rate (or the method by which such rate is to be determined); (v) the conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate, (vi) the redemption or liquidation price, (vii) the selling concession; (viii) the reallowance; (ix) the time of release of Securities for sale to the public; (x) the time at which subscription books will be opened; (xi) the amount, if any, of Securities reserved for purchase by Selected Dealers; (xii) the period of such reservation and the amount of Securities to be allotted to us; and (xiii) a statement that our participation as a Selected Dealer in the offering shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement. The foregoing information shall be deemed to form a part of this Agreement and this Agreement shall become binding with respect to our participation as a Selected Dealer in an offering of Securities following our receipt of such information. If we have not previously executed this Agreement, by our purchase of Securities in an offering covered by this Agreement we shall be deemed to be a signatory hereto with respect to such offering of Securities.

The securities to be purchased in any offering of securities in which we agree to participate as a Selected Dealer pursuant to this Agreement, including any guarantees relating to such securities or any other securities into which such securities are convertible or for which such securities are exercisable or exchangeable and any securities that may be purchased upon exercise of any over-allotment option, are hereinafter referred to as the “ Securities .” The issuer or issuers of the Securities are hereinafter referred to as the “ Issuer .” The underwriters or initial purchasers, as the case may be, on whose behalf the Manager executes the underwriting or


purchase agreement and any associated terms agreement, pricing agreement or similar agreement with the Issuer or any selling securityholders or any amendment or supplement thereto (collectively, the Underwriting Agreement ) with respect to an offering of Securities in which we agree to participate as a Selected Dealer pursuant to this Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the Underwriters. The provisions of this Agreement set forth below shall apply separately to each offering of Securities in which we agree to participate as a Selected Dealer.

2. Acceptance and Purchase . The offer of Securities to Selected Dealers will be made on the basis of a reservation of Securities and an allotment against subscriptions. Any application for additional Securities will be subject to rejection in whole or in part. Subscription books may be closed by the Manager at any time in its discretion without notice and the right is reserved to reject any subscription in whole or in part. We agree to purchase as principal the amount of Securities allotted to us by the Manager.

3. Offering Materials . (a) We understand and acknowledge that if registration of the offer and sale of the Securities as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement is required under the 1933 Act, the Manager will, at our request, furnish to us, as soon as practicable after sufficient quantities thereof are made available to the Manager by the Issuer, copies of the Prospectus (as defined below) (excluding any documents incorporated by reference therein) to be used in connection with the offering of the Securities in such number of copies as we may reasonably request. As used herein, Prospectus means the form of prospectus (including any supplements and any documents incorporated by reference therein) authorized for use in connection with the offering of such Securities.

(b) We understand and acknowledge that, if the offer and sale of the Securities are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, no registration statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission ). In such case, the Manager will, at our request, furnish to us, as soon as practicable after sufficient quantities thereof are made available to the Manager by the Issuer, copies, in such number as we may reasonably request of any Offering Circular (as defined below) (excluding any documents incorporated by reference therein) or other offering materials to be used in connection with the offering of the Securities. As used herein, Offering Circular means the form of offering circular, offering memorandum or other offering materials (including any supplements and any documents incorporated by reference therein) authorized for use in connection with the offering of such Securities. The Prospectus or Offering Circular, as the case may be, relating to an offering of Securities is herein referred to as the Offering Document .”

(c) We acknowledge and agree that in purchasing Securities we will rely upon no statement whatsoever, written or oral, other than the statements in the Offering Document delivered to us by the Manager, including any documents incorporated by reference therein. We understand and acknowledge that we are not authorized to give any information or make any representation not contained in the Offering Document, including in any document incorporated by reference therein, in connection with the offering of the Securities. Our purchase of Securities shall constitute our agreement that, if requested by the Manager, we will furnish a copy of any amendment or supplement to any preliminary or final Offering Document to each person to whom we have furnished a previous preliminary or final Offering Document. Our purchase of Securities registered under the 1933 Act or in any other offering to which the provisions of Rule

 

2


15c2-8 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act ), are made applicable by notice from the Manager to us or otherwise, shall constitute our confirmation that we have delivered, and our agreement that we will deliver, all preliminary and final Prospectuses required for compliance with Rule 15c2-8 (or any successor provision) under the 1934 Act. Our purchase of Securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act shall constitute our confirmation that we have delivered, and our agreement that we will deliver, all preliminary and final Offering Circulars required for compliance with the applicable Federal and state laws and the applicable rules and regulations of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder governing the use and distribution of offering circulars by underwriters or initial purchasers.

4. Offering of the Securities . (a) The offering of the Securities is made subject to the conditions referred to in the Offering Document and to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. After the public offering of the Securities has commenced, the Manager may change the public offering price, public offering size, the selling concession and the reallowance. Any of the Securities purchased by us pursuant to this Agreement are to be reoffered by us, subject to their receipt and acceptance by the Manager, to investors at the initial public offering price, subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Offering Document. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Securities shall not be offered or sold by us below the initial public offering price before the termination of the effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to the offering of the Securities, except that a reallowance from the initial public offering price of not in excess of the amount set forth in the invitation wire, telex, facsimile or electronic data transmission or other written communication (the Invitation ) from the Manager inviting us to participate as a Selected Dealer in an offering of Securities pursuant to this Agreement may be allowed to any Selected Dealer that (i) agrees that such amount is to be retained and not reallowed in whole or in part, (ii) makes the representations contained in Section 13, and (iii) unless the Securities are “exempted securities” as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act or are such other securities as may be sold from time to time by a “bank” as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the 1934 Act (a Bank ), is not a Bank.

(b) The Manager as such and, with the Manager’s consent, any Underwriter may purchase Securities from, or sell Securities to, any of the Selected Dealers or any of the Underwriters, and any Selected Dealer may buy Securities from, or sell Securities to, any other Selected Dealer or any Underwriter, at the initial public offering price less all or any part of the concession to Selected Dealers.

(c) If we have received or been credited with the Selected Dealers’ concession as to any Securities purchased by us pursuant to this Agreement which, prior to the later of (i) the termination of the effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to the offering of such Securities and (ii) the covering by the Manager of any short position created by the Manager in connection with the offering of such Securities, the Manager may have purchased or contracted to purchase for the account of any Underwriter (whether such Securities have been sold or loaned by us), then we agree to pay the Manager on demand for the accounts of the several Underwriters an amount equal to the Selected Dealers’ concession and, in addition, the Manager may charge us with any broker’s commission and transfer tax paid in connection with such purchase or contract to purchase. Securities delivered on such repurchases need not be represented by the identical certificates originally purchased. With respect to any such repurchased Securities as to which we

 

3


have not yet received or been credited with the Selected Dealers’ concession, we shall be responsible for any such broker’s commission and transfer tax and the Manager shall not be obligated to pay any Selected Dealers’ concession as to such Securities.

(d) No expenses shall be charged to Selected Dealers. A single transfer tax upon the sale of the Securities by the respective Underwriters to us will be paid by such Underwriters when such Securities are delivered to us. However, we shall pay any transfer tax on sales of Securities by us and shall pay our proportionate share of any transfer tax or other tax (other than the single transfer tax described above) in the event that any such tax shall from time to time be assessed against us and other Selected Dealers as a group or otherwise.

5. Stabilization and Over-Allotment . The Manager may, with respect to the offering of the Securities, over-allot, purchase and sell Securities or any other securities that may, in whole or in significant part, determine the value of the Securities for long or short account, on such terms as the Manager may deem advisable, and stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities. We agree that upon the Manager’s request at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to an offering of Securities, we will report the amount of Securities purchased by us pursuant to such offering which then remain unsold by us and will, upon the Manager’s request at any such time, sell to the Manager for the account of one or more Underwriters such amount of such unsold Securities as the Manager may designate at the initial public offering price less an amount to be determined by the Manager not in excess of the Selected Dealers’ concession.

6. Compliance with Regulation M .

Unless the Securities are “exempted securities” as defined in Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act, we represent that, at all times since we were invited to participate in the offering of the Securities, we have complied with the provisions of Regulation M applicable to such offering, in each case as interpreted by the Commission and after giving effect to any applicable exemptions. If we have been notified by the Manager that the Underwriters may conduct passive market making in compliance with Rule 103 of Regulation M in connection with the offering of the Securities, we represent that, at all times since our receipt of such notice, we have complied with the provisions of such Rule applicable to such offering, as interpreted by the Commission and after giving effect to any applicable exemptions.

If the Securities are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock and such common stock is subject to options traded on a securities exchange, we represent and warrant that we have not, since the day following the date of the Invitation, entered into a discount or parity opening uncovered writing transaction in options to acquire shares of such common stock for our account or for the account of any customer and we agree that we will not enter into any such transaction prior to the termination of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to such offering of Securities. The term “discount or parity opening uncovered writing transaction” means an opening sale transaction where the seller is the writer of an option to purchase shares of such common stock which he does not then own or have the right to acquire upon exercise of conversion option rights, which option is sold at a price (exclusive of commissions) per optioned share which, when added to the amount per share payable upon exercise of the option, shall be equal to or less than the last reported sales price (exclusive of commissions) per share immediately prior to the time such option is sold.

 

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7. Net Capital . We represent and warrant that the incurrence by us of our obligations hereunder in connection with the offering of the Securities will not place us in violation of Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act, if such requirements are applicable to us, or, if we are a financial institution subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, will not place us in violation of the capital requirements of such regulator or any other regulator to which we are subject.

8. Payment and Delivery . We agree that Securities purchased by us pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid for in an amount equal to the initial public offering price therefor or, if the Manager shall so advise us, at such initial public offering price less the Selected Dealers’ concession with respect thereto, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the date on which the Underwriters are required to purchase the Securities, by delivery to the Manager, at its office, of payment in the manner and type of funds and currency specified in the payment instructions of the Manager given to us, payable to the order of “Wells Fargo Securities, LLC” If payment is made for Securities purchased by us at the initial public offering price, the Selected Dealers’ concession to which we may be entitled will be paid to us upon termination of the effectiveness of this Agreement with respect to the offering of such Securities.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, if transactions in the Securities can be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company ( DTC ), if we are a member of DTC, we authorize you, in your discretion, to make appropriate arrangements for payment and/or delivery through the facilities of DTC of the Securities to be purchased by us, or, if we are not a member of DTC, settlement may be made through a correspondent that is a member of DTC pursuant to our timely instructions.

9. Blue Sky and Other Qualifications . It is understood and agreed that the Manager assumes no responsibility or obligation with respect to the right of any Selected Dealer or other person to sell the Securities in any jurisdiction, notwithstanding any information the Manager may furnish in that connection.

10. Termination; Amendment . (a) The terms and conditions set forth in (i) Section 4, (ii) the second sentence of Section 5 and (iii) Section 6 of this Agreement (collectively, the Offering Provisions ) will terminate with respect to each offering of Securities pursuant to this Agreement at the close of business on the 45th day after the date of the initial public offering of the Securities or at the close of business on the day of the closing of the purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, whichever is later, unless in either such case the effectiveness of such Offering Provisions is extended or sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. The Manager may extend the effectiveness of such Offering Provisions up to an additional 15 days by notice to us to the effect that the Offering Provisions of this Agreement are extended to the date or by the number of days indicated in the notice. The Manager may terminate such Offering Provisions, other than Section 4(c), at any time by notice to us to the effect that the Offering Provisions of this Agreement are terminated and the Manager may terminate the provisions of Section 4(c) at any time at or subsequent to the termination of

 

5


the other Offering Provisions by notice to us to the effect that the penalty bid provisions of this Agreement are terminated. All other provisions of this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect with respect to the offering of such Securities.

(b) This Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto upon five business days’ written notice to the other party; provided, however, that with respect to any particular offering of Securities, if you receive any such notice from us after you have notified us of the amount of Securities allotted to us in such offering, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as to such offering and shall terminate with respect to such offering and all previous offerings only in accordance with and to the extent provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

(c) This Agreement may be supplemented or amended by you by notice to us from you and, except for supplements or amendments set forth in the information relating to a particular offering of Securities, any such supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective with respect to any offering to which this Agreement applies after the date of such supplement or amendment. Each reference to “this Agreement” herein shall, as appropriate, be to this Agreement as so supplemented and amended.

11. Role of the Manager; Role of the Selected Dealers; Legal Responsibility . (a) Wells Fargo is acting as representative of each of the Underwriters in all matters in connection with the offering of the Securities and the Underwriters’ purchases of the Securities. Any action to be taken, authority that may be exercised or determination to be made by the Manager or any co-managers hereunder may be taken, exercised or made by Wells Fargo on behalf of the Manager and all of the co-managers. The rights and liabilities of each Underwriter of Securities and each Selected Dealer shall be several and not joint.

(a) The Manager, as such, shall have full authority to take such action as it may deem necessary or advisable in all matters in pertaining to the offering of Securities or arising under this Agreement. The Manager will have no liability to any Selected Dealer for any act or omission except for obligations expressly assumed by the Manager herein, and no obligations on the part of the Manager shall be implied hereby or inferred herefrom.

(b) We understand and agree that we are to act as principal in purchasing Securities and we are not authorized to act as agent for the Issuer, any selling securityholder or any of the Underwriters in offering the Securities to the public or otherwise.

(c) Nothing herein contained shall cause us to constitute an association, or partners, with the other Selected Dealers, the Underwriters, the Manager or any co-managers, or, except as otherwise provided herein, render us liable for the obligations of any other Selected Dealers, the Underwriters, the Manager or any co-managers. If the Selected Dealers among themselves or with the Underwriters or the Manager or any co-managers are deemed to constitute a partnership for Federal income tax purposes, then each Selected Dealer hereby elects to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and agrees not to take any position inconsistent with such election. The Manager is authorized, in its discretion, to execute on behalf of the Selected Dealers such evidence of such election as may be required by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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12. Notices . Except as otherwise set forth herein, any notices from the Manager to us shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, hand-delivered, delivered by overnight courier, telephoned (and confirmed in writing), telegraphed, telexed or telecopied to us at the address set forth at the foot of this Agreement or at such other address we shall have advised you by notice in writing. Any notice from us to the Manager shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, hand-delivered, delivered by overnight courier, telephoned (and confirmed in writing), telegraphed or telecopied to:

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

375 Park Avenue 4 th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Attention: David Herman

Telephone: (212) 214-6161

Telecopy: (212) 214-5918

(or to such other address, telephone, telecopy or telex as we shall be notified by Wells Fargo). Communications by telegram, telex, telecopy, wire or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to be “written” communications.

13. NASD Matters; Other Laws . We represent and warrant that we are (a) a member of good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD ), (b) a Bank that is not a member of the NASD, or (c) a foreign bank or dealer not eligible for membership in the NASD. In making sales of Securities, if we are such a member in good standing of the NASD, we agree that we will comply with all applicable interpretive materials ( IM ) and rules of the NASD, including without limitation, IM-2110-1 (the NASD’s interpretation with respect to free-riding and withholding) and Rule 2740 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules, or, if we are such a foreign bank or dealer, we agree to comply with IM-2110-1 and Rules 2730, 2740 and 2750 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules as though we were such a member and Rule 2420 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules as it applies to a nonmember broker or dealer in a foreign country. If we are a Bank, we agree, to the extent required by applicable law or the Conduct Rules of the NASD, that we will not, in connection with the public offering of any Securities that do not constitute “exempted securities” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act or such other securities as from time to time may be sold by a Bank, purchase any Securities at a discount from the offering price from any Underwriter or Selected Dealer or otherwise accept any selling concession, discount or other allowance, or any portion of any management fee, global coordinator’s fee, or other similar fee, from any Underwriter or Selected Dealer, and we will comply with Rule 2420 of the NASD’s Conduct Rules as though we were a member. Without limitation to the other provisions of this Agreement, we agree that, in selling Securities and otherwise acting as Selected Dealer in any offering of Securities, we will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to all applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and 1934 Act and all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, the NASD and any applicable securities exchange or other applicable regulatory authority.

 

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14. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

15. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Very truly yours,

 

(Name of Firm)

By:

 

 

Print Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Address:

 

 

Telephone:

 

 

Telecopy:

 

 

Telex:

 

 

 

Confirmed as of the date first above written:

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

By:

 

LOGO

Name:   David H. Herman
Title:   Director

 

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Exhibit (h)(iii)

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

MASTER AGREEMENT AMONG UNDERWRITERS

REGISTERED SEC OFFERINGS

(INCLUDING MULTIPLE SYNDICATE OFFERINGS)

AND

EXEMPT OFFERINGS

(OTHER THAN OFFERINGS OF MUNICIPAL SECURITIES)

July 6, 2009

This Master Agreement Among Underwriters (this “ Master AAU ”), dated as of July 6, 2009, is by and between Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“Wells Fargo Securities,” “we” or “us”) and the party named on the signature page hereof (an “ Underwriter ,” as defined in Section 1.1 hereof, or “ you ”). From time to time we or one or more of our affiliates may invite you (and others) to participate on the terms set forth herein as an underwriter or an initial purchaser, or in a similar capacity, in connection with certain offerings of securities that are managed solely by us or with one or more other co-managers. If we invite you to participate in a specific offering and sale of securities (an “ Offering ”) to which this Master AAU will apply, we will send the information set forth in Section 1.1 hereof to you by one or more wires, telexes, telecopy or electronic data transmissions, or other written communications (each, a “ Wire ,” and collectively, an “ AAU ”), unless you are otherwise deemed to have accepted an AAU with respect to such Offering pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof. Each Wire will indicate that it is a Wire pursuant to this Master AAU. The Wire inviting you to participate in an Offering is referred to herein as an “ Invitation Wire .” You and we hereby agree that by the terms hereof the provisions of this Master AAU automatically will be incorporated by reference in each AAU, except that any such AAU may also exclude or revise such provisions of this Master AAU in respect of the Offering to which such AAU relates, and may contain such additional provisions as may be specified in any Wire relating to such AAU. You and we further agree as follows:

I. GENERAL

1.1. Terms of AAU; Certain Definitions; Construction . Each AAU will relate to an Offering, and will identify: (i) the securities to be offered in the Offering (the “ Securities ”), their principal terms, the issuer or issuers (each, an “ Issuer ”) and any guarantor (each, a “ Guarantor ”) thereof, and, if different from the Issuer, the seller or sellers (each, a “ Seller ”) of the Securities, (ii) the underwriting agreement, purchase agreement, standby underwriting agreement, distribution agreement, or similar agreement (as identified in such AAU and as amended or supplemented, including a terms agreement or pricing agreement pursuant to any of the foregoing, collectively, the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) providing for the purchase, on a several and not joint basis, of the Securities by the several underwriters, initial purchasers, or others acting in a similar capacity (the “ Underwriters ”) on whose behalf the Manager (as


defined below) executes the Underwriting Agreement, and whether such agreement provides for: (x) an option to purchase Additional Securities (as defined below) to cover over-allotments, or (y) an offering in multiple jurisdictions or markets involving two or more syndicates (an “ International Offering ”), each of which will offer and sell Securities subject to such restrictions as may be specified in any Intersyndicate Agreement (as defined below) referred to in such AAU, (iii) the price at which the Securities are to be purchased by the several Underwriters from any Issuer or Seller thereof (the “ Purchase Price ”), (iv) the offering terms, including, if applicable, the price or prices at which the Securities initially will be offered by the Underwriters (the “ Offering Price ”), any selling concession to dealers (the “ Selling Concession ”), reallowance (the “ Reallowance ”), management fee, global coordinators’ fee, praecipium, or other similar fees, discounts, or commissions (collectively, the “ Fees and Commissions ”) with respect to the Securities, and (v) other principal terms of the Offering, which may include, without limitation: (A) the proposed or actual pricing date (“ Pricing Date ”) and settlement date (the “ Settlement Date ”), (B) any contractual restrictions on the offer and sale of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, Intersyndicate Agreement, or otherwise, (C) any co-managers for such Offering (the “ Co-Managers ”), (D) your proposed participation in the Offering, and (E) any trustee, fiscal agent, or similar agent (the “ Trustee ”) for the indenture, trust agreement, fiscal agency agreement, or similar agreement (the “ Indenture ”) under which such Securities will be issued.

Manager ” means Wells Fargo Securities, except as set forth in Section 9.9 hereof. “ Representative ” means the Manager and any Co-Manager that signs the applicable Underwriting Agreement on behalf of the Underwriters or is identified as a Representative in the applicable Underwriting Agreement. “ Underwriters ” includes the Representative(s), the Manager, and the Co-Managers. “ Firm Securities ” means the number or amount of Securities that the several Underwriters are initially committed to purchase under the Underwriting Agreement (which may be expressed as a percentage of an aggregate number or amount of Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters, as in the case of a standby Underwriting Agreement). “ Additional Securities ” means the Securities, if any, that the several Underwriters have an option to purchase under the Underwriting Agreement to cover over-allotments. The number, amount, or percentage of Firm Securities set forth opposite each Underwriter’s name in the Underwriting Agreement plus any additional Firm Securities which such Underwriter has made a commitment to purchase, irrespective of whether such Underwriter actually purchases or sells such number, amount, or percentage of Securities under the Underwriting Agreement or Article XI hereof, is hereinafter referred to as the “ Original Underwriting Obligation ” of such Underwriter, and the ratio which such Original Underwriting Obligation bears to the total of all Firm Securities set forth in the Underwriting Agreement (or, in the case of a standby Underwriting Agreement, to 100%) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Underwriting Percentage ” of such Underwriter. For the avoidance of doubt, each Underwriter acknowledges and agrees that, for all purposes under this Agreement and otherwise (including, to the extent applicable, for purposes of Section 11(e) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “ 1933 Act ”)), each Underwriter’s Underwriting Percentage of the total number, amount, or percentage of Securities offered and sold in the Offering (including any Additional Securities), and only such number,

 

2


amount, or percentage, constitutes the securities underwritten by such Underwriter and distributed to investors. 1

References herein to laws, statutory and regulatory sections, rules, regulations, forms, and interpretive materials will be deemed to include any successor provisions.

1.2. Acceptance of AAU . You will have accepted an AAU for an Offering if: (a) we receive your acceptance, prior to the time specified in the Invitation Wire for such Offering, by wire, telex, telecopy or electronic data transmission, or other written communication (any such communication being deemed “ In Writing ”) or orally (if promptly confirmed In Writing), in the manner specified in the Invitation Wire, of our invitation to participate in the Offering, or (b) notwithstanding that we did not send you an Invitation Wire or you have not otherwise responded In Writing to any such Wire, you: (i) agree (orally or by a Wire) to be named as an Underwriter in the relevant Underwriting Agreement executed by us as Manager, or (ii) receive and retain an economic benefit for participating in the Offering as an Underwriter. Your acceptance of the invitation to participate will cause such AAU to constitute a valid and binding contract between us. Your acceptance of the AAU as provided above or an Invitation Wire will also constitute acceptance by you of the terms of subsequent Wires to you relating to the Offering unless we receive In Writing, within the time and in the manner specified in such subsequent Wire, a notice from you to the effect that you do not accept the terms of such subsequent Wire, in which case you will be deemed to have elected not to participate in the Offering.

1.3. Underwriters’ Questionnaire . Your acceptance of the Invitation Wire for an Offering or your participation in an Offering as an Underwriter will confirm that you have no exceptions to the Underwriters’ Questionnaire attached as Exhibit A hereto (or to any other questions addressed to you in any Wires relating to the Offering previously sent to you), other than exceptions noted by you In Writing in connection with the Offering and received from you by us before the time specified in the Invitation Wire or any subsequent Wire.

II. OFFERING MATERIALS; OFFERING AGREEMENTS

2.1. Registered Offerings . In the case of an Offering that will be registered in whole or in part (a “ Registered Offering ”) under the 1933 Act, you acknowledge that the Issuer has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement, including a prospectus relating to the Securities. “ Registration Statement ” means such registration statement as amended to the effective date of the Underwriting Agreement and, in the event that the Issuer files an abbreviated registration statement to register additional Securities pursuant to Rule 462(b) or 462(e) under the 1933 Act, such abbreviated registration statement. “ Prospectus ” means the prospectus, together with the final prospectus supplement, if any, containing the final terms of the Securities and, in the case of a Registered Offering that is an International Offering, “ Prospectus ” means, collectively, each prospectus or offering circular,

 

 

1

Meant to clarify mechanics of underwriting for purposes of Section 11(e), and rebut footnote 8 of the WorldCom decision. See In re: Worldcom, Inc. Securities Litigation , U.S. Dist. Ct. (SDNY), slip-op 02 Civ 3288, March 14, 2005 (unpublished).

 

3


together with each final prospectus supplement or final offering circular supplement, if any, relating to the Offering, in the respective forms containing the final terms of the Securities. “ Preliminary Prospectus ” means any preliminary prospectus relating to the Offering or any preliminary prospectus supplement together with a prospectus relating to the Offering and, in the case of a Registered Offering that is an International Offering, “ Preliminary Prospectus ” means, collectively, each preliminary prospectus or preliminary offering circular relating to the Offering or each preliminary prospectus supplement or preliminary offering circular supplement, together with a prospectus or offering circular, respectively, relating to the Offering. “ Free Writing Prospectus ” means, in the case of a Registered Offering, a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act. As used herein the terms “ Registration Statement ,” “ Prospectus ,” “ Preliminary Prospectus ,” and “ Free Writing Prospectus ” will include in each case the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein, and as used herein, the term “ Registration Statement ” includes information deemed to be part thereof pursuant to, and as of the date and time specified in, Rules 430A, 430B, or 430C under the 1933 Act, while the terms “ Prospectus ” and “ Preliminary Prospectus ” include information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act, but only as of the actual time that information is first used or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act. The Manager will furnish, make available to you, or make arrangements for you to obtain copies (which may, to the extent permitted by law, be in electronic form) of each Prospectus and Preliminary Prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if applicable, but excluding, for this purpose, unless otherwise required pursuant to rules or regulations under the 1933 Act, documents incorporated therein by reference) as soon as practicable after sufficient quantities thereof have been made available by the Issuer.

As used herein, in the case of an Offering that is an offering of asset-backed securities, the term “ ABS Underwriter Derived Information ” means any analytical or computational materials as described in clause (5) of footnote 271 of Commission Release No. 33-8591, issued July 19, 2005 (Securities Offering Reform) (the “ Securities Offering Reform Release ”).

2.2. Non-Registered Offerings . In the case of an Offering other than a Registered Offering, you acknowledge that no registration statement has been filed with the Commission. “ Offering Circular ” means the final offering circular or memorandum, if any, or any other final written materials authorized by the Issuer to be used in connection with an Offering that is not a Registered Offering. “ Preliminary Offering Circular ” means any preliminary offering circular or memorandum, if any, or any other written preliminary materials authorized by the Issuer to be used in connection with such an Offering. As used herein, the terms “ Offering Circular ” and “ Preliminary Offering Circular ” include the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein. We will either, as soon as practicable after the later of the date of the Invitation Wire or the date made available to us by the Issuer, furnish to you (or make available for your review) a copy of any Preliminary Offering Circular or any proof or draft of the Offering Circular. In any event, in any Offering involving an Offering Circular, the Manager will furnish, make available to you, or make arrangements for you to obtain, as soon as practicable after sufficient quantities thereof are made available by the Issuer, copies (which may, to the extent permitted by law, be in electronic form) of the Preliminary Offering Circular and Offering Circular, as amended or supplemented, if applicable (but excluding, for this purpose, documents incorporated therein by reference).

 

4


2.3. Authority to Execute Underwriting and Intersyndicate Agreements . You authorize the Manager, on your behalf: (a) to determine the form of the Underwriting Agreement and to execute and deliver to the Issuer, Guarantor, or Seller the Underwriting Agreement to purchase: (i) up to the number, amount, or percentage of Firm Securities set forth in the applicable AAU, and (ii) if the Manager elects on behalf of the several Underwriters to exercise any option to purchase Additional Securities, up to the number, amount, or percentage of Additional Securities set forth in the applicable AAU, subject, in each case, to reduction pursuant to Article IV; and (b) to determine the form of any agreement or agreements, including, but not limited to, underwriting agreements, between or among the syndicates participating in the Offering or International Offering, respectively (each, an “ Intersyndicate Agreement ”), and to execute and deliver any such Intersyndicate Agreement.

III. MANAGER’S AUTHORITY

3.1. Terms of Offering . You authorize the Manager to act as manager of the Offering of the Securities by the Underwriters (the “ Underwriters’ Securities ”) or by the Issuer or Seller pursuant to delayed delivery contracts (the “ Contract Securities ”), if any, contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement. You authorize the Manager: (i) to purchase any or all of the Additional Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) to agree, on your behalf and on behalf of the Co-Managers, to any addition to, change in, or waiver of any provision of, or the termination of, the Underwriting Agreement or any Intersyndicate Agreement (other than an increase in the Purchase Price or in your Original Underwriting Obligation to purchase Securities, in either case from that contemplated by the applicable AAU), (iii) to add prospective or remove existing Underwriters from the syndicate, (iv) to exercise, in the Manager’s discretion, all of the authority vested in the Manager in the Underwriting Agreement, (v) except as described below in this Section 3.1, to take any other action as may seem advisable to the Manager in respect of the Offering (including, in the case of an Offering of asset-backed securities, the preparation and delivery of ABS Underwriter Derived Information), including actions and communications with the Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ,” formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and NASD, Inc., or “ NASD ”), state blue sky or securities commissions , stock exchanges, and other regulatory bodies or organizations. Furthermore, the Manager will have exclusive authority, on your behalf and on behalf of the Co-Managers, to exercise powers and pursue enforcement of the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement and any Intersyndicate Agreement, whether or not actually exercised, except as otherwise specified herein or therein. If, in accordance with the terms of the applicable AAU, the Offering of the Securities is at varying prices based on prevailing market prices, or prices related to prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, you authorize the Manager to determine, on your behalf in the Manager’s discretion, any Offering Price and the Fees and Commissions applicable to the Offering from time to time. You authorize the Manager on your behalf to arrange for any currency transactions (including forward and hedging currency transactions) as the Manager may deem necessary to facilitate settlement of the purchase of the Securities, but you do not authorize the Manager on your behalf to engage in any other forward or hedging transactions (including interest rate hedging transactions) in connection with the Offering unless such transactions are specified in an applicable AAU or are otherwise consented to by you. You further authorize the Manager, subject to the provisions of Section 1.2 hereof: (i) to vary the offering terms of the Securities in effect at any time, including, if applicable, the Offering Price, Fees, and

 

5


Commissions set forth in the applicable AAU, (ii) to determine, on your behalf, the Purchase Price, and (iii) to increase or decrease the number, amount, or percentage of Securities being offered. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.1, the Manager will notify the Underwriters, prior to the signing of the Underwriting Agreement, of any provision in the Underwriting Agreement that could result in an increase in the number, amount, or percentage of Firm Securities set forth opposite each Underwriter’s name in the Underwriting Agreement by more than 25% (or such other percentage as will have been specified in the applicable Invitation Wire or otherwise consented to by you) as a result of the failure or refusal of another Underwriter or Underwriters to perform its or their obligations thereunder. The Manager may, at its discretion, delegate to any Underwriter any and all authority vested in the applicable AAU, including, but not limited to, the powers set forth in Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof.

3.2. Offering Date . The Offering is to be made on or about the time the Underwriting Agreement is entered into by the Issuer, Guarantor, or Seller and the Manager as in the Manager’s judgment is advisable, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, and the applicable AAU. You will not sell any Securities prior to the time the Manager releases such Securities for sale to purchasers. The date on which such Securities are released for sale is referred to herein as the “ Offering Date .”

3.3. Communications . Any public announcement or advertisement of the Offering will be made by the Manager on behalf of the Underwriters on such date as the Manager may determine. You will not announce or advertise the Offering prior to the date of the Manager’s announcement or advertisement thereof without the Manager’s consent. If the Offering is made in whole or in part in reliance on any applicable exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, you will not engage in any general solicitation, announcement, or advertising in connection with the Offering, and will abide by any other restrictions in the AAU or the Underwriting Agreement in connection therewith relating to any announcement, advertising, or publicity. Any announcement or advertisement you may make of the Offering after such date will be your own responsibility, and at your own expense and risk. In addition to your compliance with restrictions on the Offering pursuant to Sections 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, and 10.12 hereof, you will not, in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities in the Offering, without the consent of the Manager, give, send, or otherwise convey to any prospective purchaser or any purchaser of the Securities or other person not in your employ any written communication (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) other than:

(i) any Preliminary Prospectus, Prospectus, Preliminary Offering Circular, or Offering Circular,

(ii) (A) written confirmations and notices of allocation delivered to your customers in accordance with Rules 172 or 173 under the 1933 Act, and written communications based on the exemption provided by Rule 134 under the 1933 Act, and (B) in the case of Offerings not registered under the 1933 Act, such written communications (1) as would be permitted by Section 3.3(v)(D)(1) below were such Offering registered under the 1933 Act, or (2) that the Manager or Underwriting Agreement may permit; provided, however , that such written communication under this clause (B) would not have otherwise constituted “ Issuer Information ” as defined below, or would have qualified for the exemption provided by Rule 134 under the 1933 Act, in each case, if such communication had been furnished in the context of a Registered Offering (“ Supplemental Materials ”),

 

6


(iii) any “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433(h) under the 1933 Act, an “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ”), so long as such issuance or use has been permitted or consented to by the Issuer and the Manager,

(iv) information contained in any computational materials, or in the case of an Offering of asset backed securities, the ABS Underwriter Derived Information, or any other offering materials not constituting a Free Writing Prospectus concerning the Offering, the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller, in each case, prepared by or with the permission of the Manager for use by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, and, in the case of a Registered Offering, filed (if required) with the Commission or FINRA, as applicable, and

(v) a Free Writing Prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used or referred to by, an Underwriter in connection with the Offering, so long as: (A) such Free Writing Prospectus is not required to be filed with the Commission, (B) the proposed use of such Free Writing Prospectus is permitted by the Underwriting Agreement, (C) such Free Writing Prospectus complies with the legending condition of Rule 433 under the 1933 Act, and you comply with the record-keeping condition of Rule 433, and (D) (1) such Free Writing Prospectus contains only information describing the preliminary terms of the Securities and other pricing data 2 that is not “ Issuer Information ” (as defined in Rule 433(h) under the 1933 Act, including footnote 271 of the Securities Offering Reform Release), or (2) the Issuer has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to file a final term sheet under Rule 433 within the time period necessary to avoid a requirement for any Underwriter to file the Free Writing Prospectus to be used by such Underwriter, and the Free Writing Prospectus used by such Underwriter contains only information describing the terms of the Securities or their offering that is included in such final term sheet of the Issuer and other pricing data that is not Issuer Information (a Free Writing Prospectus meeting the requirements of (A) through (D) above used, or referred to by you, is referred to herein as an “ Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus ” of yours). Without limiting the foregoing, any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus that you use or refer to will not be distributed by you or on your behalf in a manner reasonably designed to lead to its broad unrestricted dissemination. You will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder in connection with your use of any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus.

Any advertisement or written information published, given, sent, or otherwise conveyed by you in violation of this Section 3.3 is referred to as “ Unauthorized Material .”

3.4. Institutional and Retail Sales . You authorize the Manager to sell to institutions and retail purchasers such Securities purchased by you pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement as the Manager will determine. The Selling Concession on any such sales will be credited to the accounts of the Underwriters as the Manager will determine.

 

 

2

Meant to permit disclosure of non-Issuer related information, such as benchmark Treasury rate, in preliminary term sheets or price talk.

 

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3.5. Sales to Dealers . You authorize the Manager to sell to Dealers (as defined below) such Securities purchased by you pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement as the Manager will determine. A “ Dealer ” will be a person who is: (a) a broker or dealer (as defined by FINRA) actually engaged in the investment banking or securities business, and (i) a member in good standing of FINRA, or (ii) a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer, or other institution not eligible for membership in FINRA that, in the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii), makes the representations and agreements applicable to such institutions contained in Section 10.5 hereof, or (b) in the case of Offerings of Securities that are exempt securities under Section 3(a)(12) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ 1934 Act ”), and such other Securities as from time to time may be sold by a “bank” (as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the 1934 Act (a “ Bank ”)), a Bank that is not a member of FINRA and that makes the representations and agreements applicable to such institutions contained in Section 10.5 hereof. If the price for any such sales by the Manager to Dealers exceeds an amount equal to the Offering Price less the Selling Concession set forth in the applicable AAU, the amount of such excess, if any, will be credited to the accounts of the Underwriters as the Manager will determine.

3.6. Direct Sales . The Manager will advise you promptly, on the Offering Date, as to the Securities purchased by you pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement that you will retain for direct sale. At any time prior to the termination of the applicable AAU, any such Securities that are held by the Manager for sale but not sold may, on your request and at the Manager’s discretion, be released to you for direct sale, and Securities so released to you will no longer be deemed held for sale by the Manager. You may allow, and Dealers may reallow, a discount on sales to Dealers in an amount not in excess of the Reallowance set forth in the applicable AAU. You may not purchase Securities from, or sell Securities to, any other Underwriter or Dealer at any discount or concession other than the Reallowance, except with the prior consent of the Manager.

3.7. Release of Unsold Securities . From time to time prior to the termination of the applicable AAU, at the request of the Manager, you will advise the Manager of the number or amount of Securities remaining unsold which were retained by or released to you for direct sale, and of the number or amount of Securities and Other Securities (as defined below) purchased for your account remaining unsold which were delivered to you pursuant to Article V hereof or pursuant to any Intersyndicate Agreement, and, on the request of the Manager, you will release to the Manager any such Securities and Other Securities remaining unsold: (a) for sale by the Manager to institutions, Dealers, or retail purchasers, (b) for sale by the Issuer or Seller pursuant to delayed delivery contracts, or (c) if, in the Manager’s opinion, such Securities or Other Securities are needed to make delivery against sales made pursuant to Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement.

3.8. International Offerings . In the case of an International Offering, you authorize the Manager: (i) to make representations on your behalf as set forth in any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (ii) to purchase or sell for your account pursuant to the Intersyndicate Agreement: (a) Securities, (b) any other securities of the same class and series, or any securities into which the Securities may be converted or for which the Securities may be exchanged or

 

8


exercised, and (c) any other securities designated in the applicable AAU or applicable Intersyndicate Agreement (the securities referred to in clauses (b) and (c) above being referred to collectively as the “ Other Securities ”).

IV. DELAYED DELIVERY CONTRACTS

4.1. Arrangements for Sales . Arrangements for sales of Contract Securities will be made only through the Manager acting either directly or through Dealers (including Underwriters acting as Dealers), and you authorize the Manager to act on your behalf in making such arrangements. The aggregate number or amount of Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters will be reduced by the respective number or amounts of Contract Securities attributed to such Underwriters as hereinafter provided. Subject to the provisions of Section 4.2 hereof, the aggregate number or amount of Contract Securities will be attributed to the Underwriters as nearly as practicable in proportion to their respective Underwriting Percentages, except that, as determined by the Manager in its discretion: (a) Contract Securities directed and allocated by a purchaser to specific Underwriters will be attributed to such Underwriters, and (b) Contract Securities for which arrangements have been made for sale through Dealers will be attributed to each Underwriter approximately in the proportion that Securities of such Underwriter held by the Manager for sales to Dealers bear to all Securities so held. The fee with respect to Contract Securities payable to the Manager for the accounts of the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement will be credited to the accounts of the respective Underwriters in proportion to the Contract Securities attributed to such Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.1, less, in the case of each Underwriter, the concession to Dealers on Contract Securities sold through Dealers and attributed to such Underwriter.

4.2. Excess Sales . If the number or amount of Contract Securities attributable to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof would exceed such Underwriter’s Original Underwriting Obligation reduced by the number or amount of Underwriters’ Securities sold by or on behalf of such Underwriter, such excess will not be attributed to such Underwriter, and such Underwriter will be regarded as having acted only as a Dealer with respect to, and will receive only the concession to Dealers on, such excess.

V. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES

5.1. Facilitation of Distribution . In order to facilitate the distribution and sale of the Securities, you authorize the Manager to buy and sell Securities and any Other Securities, in addition to Securities sold pursuant to Article III hereof, in the open market or otherwise (including, without limitation, pursuant to any Intersyndicate Agreement), for long or short account, on such terms as it may deem advisable, and to over-allot in arranging sales. Such purchases and sales and over-allotments will be made for the accounts of the several Underwriters as nearly as practicable to their respective Underwriting Percentages or, in the case of an International Offering, such purchases and sales will be for such accounts as set forth in the applicable Intersyndicate Agreement. Any Securities or Other Securities which may have been purchased by the Manager for stabilizing purposes in connection with the Offering prior to the acceptance of the applicable AAU will be treated as having been purchased pursuant to this Section 5.1 for the accounts of the several Underwriters or, in the case of an International Offering, for such accounts as are set forth in the applicable Intersyndicate Agreement. Your net

 

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commitment pursuant to the foregoing authorization will not exceed at the close of business on any day an amount equal to 20% of your Underwriting Percentage of the aggregate initial Offering Price of the Firm Securities, it being understood that, in calculating such net commitment, the initial Offering Price will be used with respect to the Securities so purchased or sold and, in the case of all Other Securities, will be the purchase price thereof. For purposes of determining your net commitment for short account ( i.e. , “naked short”), any short position that can be covered with: (a) Securities that may be purchased upon exercise of any over-allotment option then exercisable, (b) in the case of an International Offering, any Securities or Other Securities that the Manager has agreed to purchase for your account pursuant to any applicable Intersyndicate Agreement, and (c) Securities that may be purchased pursuant to a forward sale contract or similar arrangement with the Issuer or any selling security holder in the Offering, will be disregarded. On demand you will take up and pay for any Securities or Other Securities so purchased for your account and any Securities released to you pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof, and will deliver to the Manager against payment any Securities or Other Securities so sold or over-allotted for your account or released to you. The Manager will notify you if it engages in any stabilization transaction in accordance with Rule 17a-2 under the 1934 Act, and will notify you of the date of termination of stabilization. You will not stabilize or engage in any syndicate covering transaction (as defined in Rule 100 of Regulation M under the 1934 Act (“ Regulation M ”)) in connection with the Offering without the prior consent of the Manager. You will provide to the Manager any reports required of you pursuant to Rule 17a-2 under the 1934 Act not later than the date specified therein.

5.2. Penalty With Respect to Securities Repurchased by the Manager . If pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.1 hereof and prior to the termination of the Manager’s authority to cover any short position incurred under the applicable AAU or such other date as the Manager may specify in a Wire, either: (a) the Manager purchases or contracts to purchase for the account of any Underwriter in the open market or otherwise any Securities which were retained by, or released to, you for direct sale or any Securities sold pursuant to Section 3.4 hereof for which you received a portion of the Selling Concession set forth in the applicable AAU, or any Securities which may have been issued on transfer or in exchange for such Securities, and which Securities were therefore not effectively placed for investment, or (b) if the Manager has advised you by Wire that trading in the Securities will be reported to the Manager pursuant to the “Initial Public Offering Tracking System” of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) and the Manager determines, based on notices from DTC, that your customers sold a number or amount of Securities during any day that exceeds the number or amount previously notified to you by Wire, then you authorize the Manager either to charge your account with an amount equal to such portion of the Selling Concession set forth in the applicable AAU received by you with respect to such Securities or, in the case of clause (b), such Securities as exceed the number or amount specified in such Wire, or to require you to repurchase such Securities or, in the case of clause (b), such Securities as exceed the number or amount specified in such Wire, at a price equal to the total cost of such purchase, including transfer taxes, accrued interest, dividends, and commissions, if any.

5.3. Compliance with Regulation M . You represent that, at all times since you were invited to participate in the Offering, you have complied with the provisions of Regulation M applicable to the Offering, in each case as interpreted by the Commission and after giving effect to any applicable exemptions. If you have been notified in a Wire that the Underwriters may

 

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conduct passive market making in compliance with Rule 103 of Regulation M in connection with the Offering, you represent that, at all times since your receipt of such Wire, you have complied with the provisions of such Rule applicable to such Offering, as interpreted by the Commission and after giving effect to any applicable exemptions. You will comply with any additional provisions of Regulation M if and to the extent set forth in the Invitation Wire or other Wire.

5.4. Standby Underwritings . You authorize the Manager in its discretion, at any time on, or from time to time prior to, the expiration of the conversion right of convertible securities identified in the applicable AAU in the case of securities called for redemption, or the expiration of rights to acquire securities in the case of rights offerings, for which, in either case, standby underwriting arrangements have been made: (i) to purchase convertible securities or rights to acquire Securities for your account, in the open market or otherwise, on such terms as the Manager determines, and to convert convertible securities or exercise rights so purchased; and (ii) to offer and sell the underlying common stock or depositary shares for your account, in the open market or otherwise, for long or short account (for purposes of such commitment, such common stock or depositary shares being considered the equivalent of convertible securities or rights), on such terms consistent with the terms of the Offering set forth in the Prospectus or Offering Circular as the Manager determines. On demand, you will take up and pay for any securities so purchased for your account or you will deliver to the Manager against payment any securities so sold, as the case may be. During such period, you may offer and sell the underlying common stock or depositary shares, but only at prices set by the Manager from time to time, and any such sales will be subject to the Manager’s right to sell to you the underlying common stock or depositary shares as above provided and to the Manager’s right to reserve your securities purchased, received, or to be received upon conversion. You agree not to otherwise bid for, purchase, or attempt to induce others to purchase or sell, directly or indirectly, any convertible securities or rights or underlying common stock or depositary shares, provided , however , that no Underwriter will be prohibited from: (a) selling underlying common stock owned beneficially by such Underwriter on the day the convertible securities were first called for redemption, (b) converting convertible securities owned beneficially by such Underwriter on such date or selling underlying common stock issued upon conversion of convertible securities so owned, (c) exercising rights owned beneficially by such Underwriter on the record date for a rights offering, or selling the underlying common stock or depositary shares issued upon exercise of rights so owned, or (d) purchasing or selling convertible securities or rights or underlying common stock or depositary shares as a broker pursuant to unsolicited orders.

VI. PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT

You will deliver to the Manager on the date and at the place and time specified in the applicable AAU (or on such later date and at such place and time as may be specified by the Manager in a subsequent Wire) the funds specified in the applicable AAU, payable to the order of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, for: (a) an amount equal to the Offering Price plus (if not included in the Offering Price) accrued interest, amortization of original issue discount or dividends, if any, specified in the Prospectus or Offering Circular, less the applicable Selling Concession in respect of the Firm Securities to be purchased by you, (b) an amount equal to the Offering Price plus (if not included in the Offering Price) accrued interest, amortization of original issue discount or dividends, if any, specified in the Prospectus or Offering Circular, less the applicable Selling Concession in respect of such of the Firm Securities to be purchased by

 

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you as will have been retained by or released to you for direct sale as contemplated by Section 3.6 hereof, or (c) the amount set forth or indicated in the applicable AAU, as the Manager will advise. You will make similar payment as the Manager may direct for Additional Securities, if any, to be purchased by you on the date specified by the Manager for such payment. The Manager will make payment to the Issuer or Seller against delivery to the Manager for your account of the Securities to be purchased by you, and the Manager will deliver to you the Securities paid for by you which will have been retained by or released to you for direct sale. If the Manager determines that transactions in the Securities are to be settled through DTC or another clearinghouse facility and payment in the settlement currency is supported by such facility, payment for and delivery of Securities purchased by you will be made through such facilities, if you are a participant, or, if you are not a participant, settlement will be made through your ordinary correspondent who is a participant.

VII. EXPENSES

7.1. Management Fee . You authorize the Manager to charge your account as compensation for the Manager’s and Co-Managers’ services in connection with the Offering, including the purchase from the Issuer or Seller of the Securities, as the case may be, and the management of the Offering, the amount, if any, set forth as the management fee, global coordinators’ fee, praecipium, or other similar fee in the applicable AAU. Such amount will be divided among the Manager and any Co-Managers named in the applicable AAU as they may determine. Each Underwriter acknowledges that such fees are being paid by the Underwriters, and are not a benefit received directly or indirectly from the Issuer of the type referred to in Section 11(e) of the 1933 Act.

7.2. Offering Expenses . You authorize the Manager to charge your account with your Underwriting Percentage of all expenses agreed to be paid by the Underwriters in the Underwriting Agreement and all expenses of a general nature incurred by the Manager and Co-Managers under the applicable AAU in connection with the Offering, including the negotiation and preparation thereof, or in connection with the purchase, carrying, marketing, sale and distribution of any securities under the applicable AAU and any Intersyndicate Agreement, including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses, transfer taxes, costs associated with approval of the Offering by FINRA, and the costs of currency transactions (including forward and hedging currency transactions) or, if permitted pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, any other forward or hedging transactions (including interest rate swaps) entered into to facilitate settlement of the purchase of Securities permitted hereunder.

VIII. MANAGEMENT OF SECURITIES AND FUNDS

8.1. Advances; Loans; Pledges . You authorize the Manager to advance the Manager’s own funds for your account, charging current interest rates, and to arrange loans for your account for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the applicable AAU and any Intersyndicate Agreement, and in connection therewith, to hold or pledge as security therefor all or any securities which the Manager may be holding for your account under the applicable AAU and any Intersyndicate Agreement, to execute and deliver any notes or other instruments evidencing such advances or loans, and to give all instructions to the lenders with respect to any such loans and the proceeds thereof. The obligations of the Underwriters under loans arranged on their

 

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behalf will be several in proportion to their respective Original Underwriting Obligations, and not joint. Any lender is authorized to accept the Manager’s instructions as to the disposition of the proceeds of any such loans. In the event of any such advance or loan, repayment thereof will, in the discretion of the Manager, be effected prior to making any remittance or delivery pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, or 9.2 hereof.

8.2. Return of Amount Paid for Securities . Out of payment received by the Manager for Securities sold for your account which have been paid for by you, the Manager will remit to you promptly an amount equal to the price paid by you for such Securities.

8.3. Delivery and Redelivery of Securities for Carrying Purposes . The Manager may deliver to you from time to time prior to the termination of the applicable AAU pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof against payment, for carrying purposes only, any Securities or Other Securities purchased by you under the applicable AAU or any Intersyndicate Agreement which the Manager is holding for sale for your account but which are not sold and paid for. You will redeliver to the Manager against payment any Securities or Other Securities delivered to you for carrying purposes at such times as the Manager may demand.

IX. TERMINATION; INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION; SETTLEMENT

9.1. Termination . Each AAU will terminate at the close of business on the later of: (a) the date on which the Underwriters pay the Issuer or Seller for the Securities, and (b) 45 calendar days after the applicable Offering Date, unless sooner terminated by the Manager. The Manager may at its discretion by notice to you prior to the termination of such AAU alter any of the terms or conditions of the Offering to the extent permitted by Articles III and IV hereof, or terminate or suspend the effectiveness of Article V hereof, or any part thereof. No termination or suspension pursuant to this paragraph will affect the Manager’s authority under Section 3.1 hereof to take actions in respect of the Offering or under Article V hereof to cover any short position incurred under such AAU or in connection with covering any such short position to require you to repurchase Securities as specified in Section 5.2 hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise agreed in a Wire or an Intersyndicate Agreement, the Manager’s authority to purchase Securities or Other Securities, for long account, pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, will terminate or be suspended upon the termination or suspension, as the case may be, of the applicable AAU (or any provision and or term thereof in respect of trading, price or offering restrictions as set forth in a Wire that is sent by the Manager following the time the Securities are released for sale to purchasers) or Article V or Section 5.1 hereof pursuant to this paragraph.

9.2. Delivery or Sale of Securities; Settlement of Accounts . Upon termination of each AAU, or prior thereto at the Manager’s discretion, the Manager will deliver to you any Securities paid for by you pursuant to Article VI hereof and held by the Manager for sale pursuant to Section 3.4 or 3.5 hereof but not sold and paid for and any Securities or Other Securities that are held by the Manager for your account pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the termination of such AAU, if the aggregate initial Offering Price of any such Securities and the aggregate purchase price of any Other Securities so held and not sold and paid for does not exceed an amount equal to 20% of the aggregate initial Offering Price of the Securities, the Manager may, in its discretion, sell such Securities and Other Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters, at such prices, on

 

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such terms, at such times, and in such manner as it may determine. Within the period specified by applicable FINRA Rules or, if no period is so specified, as soon as practicable after termination of such AAU, your account will be settled and paid. The Manager may reserve from distribution such amount as the Manager deems advisable to cover possible additional expenses. The determination by the Manager of the amount so to be paid to or by you will be final and conclusive. Any of your funds under the Manager’s control may be held with the Manager’s general funds without accountability for interest.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Master AAU other than Section 10.11 hereof, upon termination of each AAU, or prior thereto at the Manager’s discretion, the Manager may: (i) allocate to the accounts of the Underwriters the expenses described in Section 7.2 hereof and any losses incurred upon the sale of Securities or Other Securities pursuant to the applicable AAU or any Intersyndicate Agreement (including any losses incurred upon the sale of securities referred to in Section 5.4(ii) hereof), (ii) deliver to the Underwriters any unsold Securities or Other Securities purchased pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (iii) deliver to the Underwriters any unsold Securities purchased pursuant to the applicable Underwriting Agreement, in each case in the Manager’s discretion. The only limitations on such discretion will be as follows: (a) no Underwriter that is not the Manager or a Co-Manager will bear more than its share of such expenses, losses, or Securities (such share will not exceed such Underwriter’s Underwriting Percentage and will be determined pro rata among all such Underwriters based on their Underwriting Percentages), (b) no such Underwriter will receive Securities that, together with any Securities purchased by such Underwriter pursuant to Article VI (but excluding any Securities that such Underwriter is required to repurchase pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof) exceed such Underwriter’s Original Underwriting Obligation, and (c) no Co-Manager will bear more than its share of such expenses, losses, or Securities (such share to be determined pro rata among the Manager and all Co-Managers based on their Underwriting Percentages). If any Securities or Other Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above were not paid for by you pursuant to Article VI hereof, you will pay to the Manager an amount per security equal to the amount set forth in clause (i) of Article VI, in the case of Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (iii) above, or the purchase price of such securities, in the case of Securities or Other Securities returned to you pursuant to clause (ii) above.

9.3. Certain Other Expenses . You will pay your Underwriting Percentage of: (i) all expenses incurred by the Manager in investigating, preparing to defend, and defending against any action, claim, or proceeding which is asserted, threatened, or instituted by any party, including any governmental or regulatory body (each, an “ Action ”), relating to: (A) the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Offering Circular or Offering Circular (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Supplemental Materials, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and any ABS Underwriter Derived Information used by any Underwriter other than the Manager, (B) the violation of any applicable restrictions on the offer, sale, resale, or purchase of Securities or Other Securities imposed by U.S. Federal or state laws or non-U.S. laws and the rules and regulations of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder or pursuant to the terms of the applicable AAU, the Underwriting Agreement, or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (C) any claim that the Underwriters constitute a partnership, an association, or an unincorporated business or other separate entity, and (ii) any Losses (as defined in Section 9.4 hereof) incurred by the Manager in respect of any such Action, whether such Loss will be the result of a judgment

 

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or arbitrator’s determination or as a result of any settlement agreed to by the Manager. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you will not be required to pay your Underwriting Percentage of any such expense or liability: (1) to the extent that such expense or liability was caused by the Manager’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; (2) as to which, and to the extent, the Manager actually receives (a) indemnity pursuant to Section 9.4 hereof, (b) contribution pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, (c) indemnity or contribution pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, or (d) damages from an Underwriter for breach of its representations, warranties, agreements, or covenants contained in the applicable AAU; or (3) of the Manager (other than fees of Syndicate Counsel) that relates to a settlement entered into by the Manager on a basis that results in a settlement of such Action against it and fewer than all the Underwriters . None of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.3 will relieve any defaulting or breaching Underwriter from liability for its defaults or breach. Failure of any party to give notice under Section 9.10 hereof will not relieve any Underwriter of an obligation to pay expenses pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.3.

9.4. Indemnification . Notwithstanding any settlement or the termination of the applicable AAU, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless each other Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), to the extent and upon the terms which you agree to indemnify and hold harmless any of the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller, any person controlling the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller, its directors, and, in the case of a Registered Offering, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and, in the case of an Offering other than a Registered Offering, its officers, in each case as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement. You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses not reimbursed pursuant to Section 9.3 hereof (collectively, “ Losses ”) related to, arising out of, or in connection with the breach or violation by you of the terms of Section 3.3 hereof, including any and all Losses under Section 5 of the 1933 Act, and any litigation, investigation, and proceeding (collectively, “ Litigation ”) relating to any of the foregoing. You will also reimburse each such Indemnified Party upon demand for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any of the foregoing. You will indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses related to, arising out of, or in connection with, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus or Supplemental Material of yours or Unauthorized Material used by you, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and any Litigation relating to any of the foregoing, and to reimburse each such Indemnified Party upon demand for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any of the foregoing. In addition, you will indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses related to, arising out of, or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any ABS Underwriter Derived Information used by you, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and any Litigation relating to any of the foregoing, and to reimburse each such Indemnified Party upon demand for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any of the foregoing;

 

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provided , however , that any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon any ABS Underwriter Derived Information which was used only by such Underwriter, or in connection with the preparation of which an Underwriter is found to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, will be paid solely by such Underwriter.

Each Underwriter will further indemnify and hold harmless any investment banking firm identified in a Wire as the qualified independent underwriter as defined in NASD Conduct Rule 2720 or any FINRA successor rule thereto (in such capacity, a “ QIU ”) for an Offering and each person, if any, who controls such QIU within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, from and against any and all Losses related to, arising out of, or in connection with such investment banking firm’s activities as QIU for the Offering. Each Underwriter will reimburse such QIU for all expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, in connection with investigating, preparing for, and defending any Action related to, arising out of, or in connection with such QIU’s activities as a QIU for the Offering. Each Underwriter will be responsible for its Underwriting Percentage of any amount due to such QIU on account of the foregoing indemnity and reimbursement. Such QIU will have no additional liability to any Underwriter or otherwise as a result of its serving as QIU in connection with the Offering. To the extent the indemnification provided to a QIU under this Section 9.4 is unavailable to such QIU or is insufficient in respect of any Losses related thereto, whether as a matter of law or public policy or as a result of the default of any Underwriter in performing its obligations under this Section 9.4, each other Underwriter will contribute to the amount paid or payable by such QIU as a result of such Losses related thereto in proportion to its Underwriting Percentage.

9.5. Contribution . Notwithstanding any settlement on the termination of the applicable AAU, you will pay upon request of the Manager, as contribution, your Underwriting Percentage of any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter to any person other than an Underwriter, arising out of or in connection with the breach or violation of the terms of Section 3.3 hereof, including any and all Losses under Section 5 of the 1933 Act, and any Litigation relating to the foregoing. Further, you will pay upon request of the Manager, your Underwriting Percentage of any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter to any person other than an Underwriter, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Offering Circular or Offering Circular (and any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Supplemental Materials, any other materials prepared or used by an Underwriter in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, or any Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus of yours or Unauthorized Material used by you, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (other than an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company In Writing by the Underwriter on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made expressly for use therein), or any act or omission to act or any alleged act or omission to act by the Manager or, if applicable, a Representative, as the Manager or a Representative, in connection with any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or undertaken in preparing for the purchase, sale, and delivery of the Securities (provided, that you will not be required to pay

 

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in any such case to the extent that any such Loss resulted from the Manager’s or such Representative’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), and your Underwriting Percentage of any legal or other expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, reasonably incurred by the Underwriter (with the approval of the Manager) on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or any action in respect thereof; provided , however , that no request will be made on behalf of any Underwriter guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) from any Underwriter who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act); provided , further , that any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon such Underwriter’s Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus that does not breach Section 3.3 hereof, will be paid by only the Underwriters that used such Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus (the “ Contributing Underwriters ”), and the amount to be paid by each Contributing Underwriter will be determined pro rata among the Contributing Underwriters based on their Underwriting Percentages. None of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.5 will relieve any defaulting or breaching Underwriter from liability for its defaults or breach.

In addition, you will pay your Underwriting Percentage of any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter to any person other than an Underwriter, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any ABS Underwriter Derived Information, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (other than an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company In Writing by the Underwriter on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made expressly for use therein) and your Underwriting Percentage of any expenses, including fees and expenses of counsel, as they are incurred, reasonably incurred by the Underwriter (with the approval of the Manager) on whose behalf the request for contribution is being made in connection with investigating, preparing for, or defending any such Loss or any action in respect thereof; provided , however , that any Losses, joint or several, paid or incurred by any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon any ABS Underwriter Derived Information which was used only by such Underwriter, or in connection with the preparation of which the Underwriter is found to have acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, will be paid solely by the Underwriter.

9.6. Separate Counsel . If any Action is asserted or commenced pursuant to which the indemnity provided in Section 9.4 hereof or the right of contribution provided in Section 9.5 hereof may apply, the Manager may take such action in connection therewith as it deems necessary or desirable, including retention of counsel for the Underwriters (“ Syndicate Counsel ”), and in its discretion separate counsel for any particular Underwriter or group of Underwriters, and the fees and disbursements of any counsel so retained will be allocated among the several Underwriters as determined by the Manager. Any such Syndicate Counsel retained by the Manager will be counsel to the Underwriters as a group and, in the event that: (a) the Manager settles any Action on a basis that results in the settlement of such Action against it and fewer than all the Underwriters, or (b)(i) a conflict develops between the Manager and the other Underwriters, or (ii) differing defenses are available to the other Underwriters and not available

 

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to the Manager, and as a result of either (b)(i) or (b)(ii) such Syndicate Counsel concludes that it is unable to continue to represent the Manager and the other Underwriters, then in each such case, after notification to the Manager and the other Underwriters, Syndicate Counsel will remain counsel to the other Underwriters and will withdraw as counsel to the Manager. The Manager hereby consents to such arrangement and undertakes to take steps to: (i) ensure that any engagement letters with Syndicate Counsel are consistent with such arrangement; (ii) issue a notice to all other Underwriters promptly following receipt of any advice (whether oral or written) from Syndicate Counsel regarding its inability to represent the Manager and the other Underwriters jointly; and (iii) facilitate Syndicate Counsel’s continued representation of the other Underwriters. Any Underwriter may elect to retain at its own expense its own counsel and, on advice of such counsel, may settle or consent to the settlement of any such Action, but only in compliance with Section 9.7 hereof, and in each case, only after notification to every other Underwriter. The Manager may settle or consent to the settlement of any such Action, but only in compliance with Section 9.7 hereof.

9.7. Settlement of Actions . Neither the Manager nor any other Underwriter party to this Master AAU may settle or agree to settle any Action related to or arising out of the Offering, nor may any other Underwriter settle or agree to settle any such Action without the consent of the Manager, nor may any other Underwriter seek the Manager’s consent to any such settlement agreement, nor may the Manager consent to any such settlement agreement, unless: (A) the Manager, together with such other Underwriters as constitute a majority in aggregate interest based on the Underwriting Percentage of the Underwriters as a whole (including the Manager’s interest), approve the settlement of such Action, in which case the Manager is authorized to settle for all Underwriters, provided , however , that the settlement agreement results in the settlement of the Action against all Underwriters raised by the plaintiffs party thereto; or (B) (i) such settlement agreement expressly provides that the non-settling Underwriters will be given a judgment credit (or credit in settlement) with respect to all such Actions for which the non-settling Underwriters may be found liable (or will pay in subsequent settlement), in an amount that is the greatest of: (x) the dollar amount paid in such initial settlement to settle such Actions, (y) the proportionate share of the settling Underwriter’s fault in respect of common damages arising in connection with such Actions as proven at trial, if applicable, or (z) the amount by which the settling Underwriter would have been required to make contribution had it not settled, under Sections 9.5 and 11.2 hereof in respect of the final non-appealable judgment (or settlement) subsequently entered into by the non-settling Underwriters (such greatest amount of either (x), (y), or (z), the “ Judgment Credit ”); 3 (ii) such settlement agreement expressly

 

 

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Seeks to ensure that there is no harm to non-settling Underwriter due to settlement. For example, assume that plaintiffs have suffered $1,000 in damage in a case in which the Underwriters are 50% at fault and other defendants, all of whom are insolvent, are 50% at fault. Further assume that there were two Underwriters, each which underwrote 50% of the offering, and they were equally at fault. If neither Underwriter settles, then each would be required to pay $500 to satisfy the $1,000 verdict for which they are jointly and severally liable (or, if one paid $1,000, Section 9.5 would obligate the other to contribute $500 towards such payment). If the first Underwriter settles for $100, then the second Underwriter will obtain a judgment credit of $500, being equal to the greater of: (a) settlement amount ($100), (b) the first Underwriter’s fault ($250), and (c) the amount which the settling Underwriters would have been required to contribute under the

 

18


provides that in the event that the applicable court does not approve the Judgment Credit as part of the settlement, the settlement agreement will automatically terminate; and (iii) the final judgment entered with respect to the settlement agreement contains the Judgment Credit.

9.8. Survival . Except as set forth in the last sentence of Section 9.1, your agreements contained in Article V and Sections 3.1, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, and 11.2 hereof will remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any termination of an AAU and: (a) any termination of the Underwriting Agreement, (b) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Guarantor, the Seller, its directors or officers, or any person controlling the Issuer, the Guarantor or the Seller, and (c) acceptance of any payment for any Securities.

9.9. Replacement of Manager . If at any time after any Action is brought the Manager settles the Action on a basis that results in the settlement of such Action against it and fewer than all the Underwriters (whether or not such settlement complies with Section 9.7 hereof), the Manager will, at such time, for purposes of Sections 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, and 9.7 hereof, cease to be the Manager. The non-settling Underwriters will, by vote of holders of a majority of the Underwriting Percentage of such non-settling Underwriters, select a new Manager, which will become the new “ Manager ” for all purposes of Sections 9.3, 9.4., 9.5, 9.6, and 9.7 hereof as well as this section; provided that the non-settling Underwriter(s) with the largest Underwriting Percentage will act as Manager until such vote occurs and a new Manager is selected. 4

Notwithstanding such a settlement, the Manager and the other settling Underwriters will remain obligated to the non-settling Underwriters to assist and cooperate fully, in good faith, and at their own expense, in the defense of any Actions, including, without limitation, by providing, upon reasonable request of any non-settling Underwriter, and without the necessity of court process, access to or copies of all relevant records, and reasonable access to all witnesses under control of the Manager or the other settling Underwriters, for the purpose of interviews, depositions, and testimony at trial, subject in each case to the applicable legal and procedural obligations of such Manager and such other settling Underwriter.

In addition, if at any time, the Manager is unwilling or unable for any reason to assume or discharge its duties as Manager under the applicable AAU, whether resulting from its insolvency (voluntary or involuntary), resignation or otherwise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the remaining Underwriters will, by vote of holders of a majority of the Underwriting Percentage

 

 

  contribution provisions ($500). This formula ensures that the second Underwriter is not harmed by the settlement. By contrast, the judgment credit applied in WorldCom ignored clause (c), resulting in a credit of only $250 and leading the non-settling Underwriter to pay $750, or $250 more than had the first Underwriter not settled.

 

4

Permits new Manager to replace settling Manager and manage the litigation–related provisions of this Agreement.

 

19


of such Underwriters, be entitled to select a new Manager, which will become the new Manager for all purposes under this Agreement. 5

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Manager replaced pursuant to this Section 9.9 shall continue to benefit from and be subject to all other terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to an Underwriter.

9.10. Notice . When the Manager receives notice of the assertion of any Action to which the provisions of Sections 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, or 9.7 hereof would apply, it will give prompt notice thereof to each Underwriter, and whenever an Underwriter receives notice of the assertion of any claim or commencement of any Action to which the provisions of Sections 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, or 9.7 hereof would apply, such Underwriter will give prompt notice thereof to the Manager. The Manager also will furnish each Underwriter with periodic reports, at such times as it deems appropriate, as to the status of such Action, and the actions taken by it in connection therewith. If the Manager or any other Underwriter engages in any settlement discussion that involves or contemplates settlement on any basis other than settlement of all Actions against all Underwriters on a pro rata basis according to their Underwriting Percentages, the Manager (or other Underwriter engaging in such discussions) will notify all other Underwriters promptly and provide reasonable details about such discussions.

X. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF UNDERWRITERS

10.1. Knowledge of Offering . You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to examine the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, any amendment or supplement thereto relating to the Offering, any Preliminary Prospectus or Preliminary Offering Circular, and the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Supplemental Materials, and any ABS Underwriter Derived Information, and you will familiarize yourself with the terms of the Securities, any applicable Indenture, and the other terms of the Offering thereof which are to be reflected in the Prospectus or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, and the applicable AAU and Underwriting Agreement. The Manager is authorized, with the advice of counsel for the Underwriters, to approve on your behalf any amendments or supplements to the documents described in the preceding sentence.

10.2. Accuracy of Underwriters’ Information . You confirm that the information that you have given and are deemed to have given in response to the Underwriters’ Questionnaire attached as Exhibit A hereto (and to any other questions addressed to you in the Invitation Wire or other Wires), which information has been furnished to the Issuer for use in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, or Offering Circular, as the case may be, or has otherwise been relied upon in connection with the Offering, is complete and accurate. You will notify the Manager immediately of any development before the termination of the applicable AAU which makes untrue or incomplete any information that you have given or are deemed to have given in response to the Underwriters’ Questionnaire (or such other questions).

 

 

5

Permits new Manager to replace insolvent Manager and manage all aspects of this Master AAU.

 

20


10.3. Name; Address . Unless you have promptly notified the Manager In Writing otherwise, your name as it should appear in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or Offering Circular and any advertisement, if different, and your address, are as set forth on the signature pages hereof.

10.4. Compliance with Capital Requirements . You represent that your commitment to purchase the Securities will not result in a violation of the financial responsibility requirements of Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act or of any similar provision of any applicable rules of any securities exchange to which you are subject or, if you are a financial institution subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, or the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, will not place you in violation of any applicable capital requirements or restrictions of such regulator or any other regulator to which you are subject.

10.5. FINRA Requirements . You represent that you are a member in good standing of FINRA, or a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer, or institution not eligible for membership in FINRA or a Bank. If you are a member of FINRA, you will comply with all applicable rules of FINRA, including, without limitation: (a) the requirements of FINRA Rule 5130, and (b) the requirements of NASD Conduct Rule 2740 or any FINRA successor rule thereto, and you will not grant any concessions, discounts, or other allowances which are not permitted by that Rule. If you are a non-U.S. bank, broker, dealer, or institution not eligible for membership in FINRA, you will not make any sales of the Securities in, or to nationals or residents of, the United States, its territories, or its possessions, except to the extent permitted by Rule 15a-6 or any successor rule thereto, and that in making any sales of the Securities you will comply, as though you are a member of FINRA, with the requirements of the following rules (including any FINRA successor rules thereto): (a) FINRA Rule 5130, (b) NASD Conduct Rules 2730, 2740, and 2750, and (c) NASD Conduct Rule 2420, as that Rule applies to a non-member broker/dealer in a non-U.S. country. If you are a Bank, you will not accept any portion of the management fee paid by the Underwriters with respect to any Offering or, in connection with any Offering of Securities that do not constitute “exempted securities” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(12) of the 1934 Act, purchase any Securities at a discount from the offering price from any Underwriter or Dealer or otherwise accept any Fees and Commissions from any Underwriter or Dealer, which in any such case is not permitted under NASD’s Rules of Fair Practice (or any FINRA successor rules thereto), and you will comply with NASD Conduct Rule 2420 (or any FINRA successor rule thereto) as though you were a member.

10.6. Further State Notice . The Manager will file a Further State Notice with the Department of State of New York, if required.

10.7. Compliance with Rule 15c2-8 . In the case of a Registered Offering and any other Offering to which the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 under the 1934 Act are made applicable pursuant to the AAU or otherwise, you will comply with such Rule in connection with the Offering. In the case of an Offering other than a Registered Offering, you will comply with applicable Federal and state laws and the applicable rules and regulations of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder governing the use and distribution of offering circulars by underwriters.

 

21


10.8. Discretionary Accounts . In the case of a Registered Offering of Securities issued by an Issuer that was not, immediately prior to the filing of the Registration Statement, subject to the requirements of Section 13(d) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, you will not make sales to any account over which you exercise discretionary authority in connection with such sale, except as otherwise permitted by the applicable AAU for such Offering.

10.9. Offering Restrictions . You will not make any offers or sales of Securities or any Other Securities in jurisdictions outside the United States except under circumstances that will result in compliance with (i) applicable laws, including private placement requirements, in each such jurisdiction and (ii) the restrictions on offers or sales set forth in any AAU or the Prospectus, Preliminary Prospectus, Offering Circular, or Preliminary Offering Circular, as the case may be.

It is understood that, except as specified in the Prospectus or Offering Circular or applicable AAU, no action has been taken by the Manager, the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller to permit you to offer Securities in any jurisdiction other than the United States, in the case of a Registered Offering, where action would be required for such purpose.

10.9. Representations , Warranties, and Agreements . You will make to each other Underwriter participating in an Offering the same representations, warranties, and agreements, if any, made by the Underwriters to the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller in the applicable Underwriting Agreement or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and you authorize the Manager to make such representations, warranties, and agreements to the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller on your behalf.

10.11. Limitation on the Authority of the Manager to Purchase and Sell Securities for the Account of Certain Underwriters . Notwithstanding any provision of this AAU authorizing the Manager to purchase or sell any Securities or Other Securities (including arranging for the sale of Contract Securities) or over-allot in arranging sales of Securities for the accounts of the several Underwriters, the Manager may not, in connection with the Offering of any Securities, make any such purchases, sales, and/or over-allotments for the account of any Underwriter that, not later than its acceptance of the Invitation Wire relating to such Offering, has advised the Manager that, due to its status as, or relationship to, a bank or bank holding company such purchases, sales, and/or over-allotments are prohibited by applicable law. If any Underwriter so advises the Manager, the Manager may allocate any such purchases, sales, and over-allotments (and the related expenses) which otherwise would have been allocated to your account based on your respective Underwriting Percentage to your account based on the ratio of your Original Underwriting Obligation to the Original Underwriting Obligations of all Underwriters other than the advising Underwriter or Underwriters, or in such other manner as the Manager will determine.

10.12. Electronic Distribution . By participating in the Offering or accepting the Invitation Wire, you will be deemed to be representing that either: (a) you are not making an online distribution; or (b) if you are making an online distribution, you are following procedures for online distributions previously reviewed by members of the Staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, such members raised no objections to the procedures reviewed, and there have been no material changes to your procedures since that review.

 

22


10.13. Agreement Regarding Oral Due Diligence . By participating in an Offering, each Underwriter agrees that it, each of its affiliates participating in an Offering as Underwriter or financial intermediary and each controlling person of it and each such participating affiliate are bound by the Agreement Regarding Oral Due Diligence currently in effect between Wells Fargo Securities and the accounting firm or firms that participate in oral due diligence in such offering.

XI. DEFAULTING UNDERWRITERS

11.1. Effect of Termination . If the Underwriting Agreement is terminated as permitted by the terms thereof, your obligations hereunder with respect to the Offering of the Securities will immediately terminate except: (a) as set forth in Section 9.8 hereof, (b) that you will remain liable for your Underwriting Percentage (or such other percentage as may be specified pursuant to Section 9.2 hereof) of all expenses, and for any purchases or sales which may have been made for your account pursuant to the provisions of Article V hereof or any Intersyndicate Agreement, and (c) that such termination will not affect any obligations of any defaulting or breaching Underwriter.

11.2. Sharing of Liability . If any Underwriter defaults in its obligations: (a) pursuant to Section 5.1, 5.2 or 5.4 hereof, (b) to pay amounts charged to its account pursuant to Section 7.1, 7.2, or 8.1 hereof, or (c) pursuant to Section 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, or 11.1 hereof, you will assume your proportionate share (determined on the basis of the respective Underwriting Percentages of the non-defaulting Underwriters) of such obligations, but no such assumption will relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability to the non-defaulting Underwriters, the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller for its default.

11.3. Arrangements for Purchases . The Manager is authorized to arrange for the purchase by others (including the Manager or any other Underwriter) of any Securities not purchased by any defaulting Underwriter in accordance with the terms of the applicable Underwriting Agreement or, if the applicable Underwriting Agreement does not provide arrangements for defaulting Underwriters, in the discretion of the Manager. If such arrangements are made, the respective amounts of Securities to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters and such other person or persons, if any, will be taken as the basis for all rights and obligations hereunder, but this will not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

XII. MISCELLANEOUS

12.1. Obligations Several . Nothing contained in this Master AAU or any AAU constitutes you partners with the Manager or with the other Underwriters, and the obligations of you and each of the other Underwriters are several and not joint. Each Underwriter elects to be excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Each Underwriter authorizes the Manager, on behalf of such Underwriter, to execute such evidence of such election as may be required by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

12.2. Liability of Manager . The Manager will not be liable to you for any act or omission, except for obligations expressly assumed by the Manager in the applicable AAU.

 

23


12.3. Termination of Master AAU . This Master AAU may be terminated by either party hereto upon five business days’ written notice to the other party; provided, however, that with respect to any Offering for which an AAU was sent prior to such notice, this Master AAU as it applies to such Offering will remain in full force and effect and will terminate with respect to such Offering in accordance with Section 9.1 hereof.

12.4. Governing Law . This Master AAU and each AAU will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. You hereby irrevocably: (a) submit to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York located in the City of New York or the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of the State of New York for the purpose of any suit, action, or other proceeding arising out of this Master AAU, or any of the agreements or transactions contemplated hereby (each, a “ Proceeding ”), (b) agree that all claims in respect of any Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, (c) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any immunity from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process therein, (d) agree not to commence any Proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claim that such Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum.

12.5. Amendments . This Master AAU may be amended from time to time by consent of the parties hereto. Your consent will be deemed to have been given to an amendment to this Master AAU, and such amendment will be effective, five business days following written notice to you of such amendment if you do not notify us In Writing prior to the close of business on such fifth business day that you do not consent to such amendment. Upon effectiveness, the provisions of this Master AAU as so amended will apply to each AAU thereafter entered into, except as otherwise specifically provided in any such AAU.

12.6. Notices . Any notice to any Underwriter will be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, sent by wire, telecopy or electronic transmission or other written communication, or delivered in person to such Underwriter at the address set forth in its Underwriters’ Questionnaire, or if no address is provided in an Underwriters’ Questionnaire, then at the address set forth in reports filed by such Underwriter with FINRA. Any such notice will take effect upon receipt thereof.

12.7. Severability . In case any provision in this Master AAU is deemed invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

12.8. Counterparts . This Master AAU may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which taken together constitute one and the same instrument. Transmission by telecopy of an executed counterpart of this Master AAU will constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart.

 

   

Please confirm your acceptance of this Master AAU

by signing and returning to us the enclosed

duplicate copy hereof.

 

24


WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

  (Authorized Officer)

 

Confirmed and accepted

as of July 6, 2009

 

(Legal Name of Underwriter)

 

(Address)

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

  (Authorized Officer)

(If person signing is not an officer

or a partner, please attach instrument

of authorization)

 

25


GUIDE TO DEFINED TERMS

 

Term

   Section Reference  

1933 Act

     1.1   

1934 Act

     3.5   

AAU

     Foreword   

ABS Underwriter Derived Information

     2.1   

Additional Securities

     1.1   

Bank

     3.5   

Co-Managers

     1.1   

Commission

     2.1   

Contract Securities

     3.1   

Contributing Underwriters

     9.5   

Dealer

     3.5   

DTC

     5.2   

Fees and Commissions

     1.1   

FINRA

     3.1   

Firm Securities

     1.1   

Free Writing Prospectus

     2.1   

Guarantor

     1.1   

In Writing

     1.2   

Indemnified Party

     9.4   

Indenture

     1.1   

International Offering

     1.1   

Intersyndicate Agreement

     2.3   

Invitation Wire

     Foreword   

Issuer

     1.1   

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus

     3.3   

Issuer Information

     3.3, 3.3   

Judgment Credit

     9.7   

Litigation

     9.4   

Losses

     9.4   

Manager

     9.9, 1.1   

Master AAU

     Foreward   

NASD

     3.1   

Offering

     Foreword   

Offering Circular

     2.2, 2.2   

Offering Date

     3.2   

Offering Price

     1.1   

Original Underwriting Obligation

     1.1   

Preliminary Offering Circular

     2.2   

Preliminary Prospectus

     2.1   

Pricing Date

     1.1   

Proceeding

     12.4   

Prospectus

     2.1   

Purchase Price

     1.1   


Term

   Section Reference  

QIU

     9.4   

Reallowance

     1.1   

Registered Offering

     2.1   

Registration Statement

     2.1   

Regulation M

     5.1   

Representative

     1.1   

Securities

     1.1   

Securities Offering Reform Release

     2.1   

Seller

     1.1   

Selling Concession

     1.1   

Settlement Date

     1.1   

Supplemental Materials

     3.3   

Syndicate Counsel

     9.6   

Trustee

     1.1   

Unauthorized Material

     3.3   

Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus

     3.3   

Underwriters

     1.1, 1.1   

Underwriters’ Securities

     3.1   

Underwriting Agreement

     1.1   

Underwriting Percentage

     1.1   

Wire

     Foreword   

 

27


EXHIBIT A

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

UNDERWRITERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE

In connection with each Offering governed by the Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters dated July 6, 2009 except as indicated in a timely acceptance of the Invitation Wire pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Master Agreement Among Underwriters (“ Master AAU ”), each Underwriter participating in such Offering severally advises the Issuer that, other than as disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus or Preliminary Offering Circular, as the case may be (capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings given to them in the Master AAU):

(a) neither such Underwriter nor any of its directors, officers, or partners have a material relationship, as “material” is defined in Regulation C under the 1933 Act, with the Issuer, the Guarantor, or the Seller;

(b) if the Registration Statement is on Form S-1, neither such Underwriter nor any “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of which such Underwriter is aware is the beneficial (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) owner of more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Issuer or Guarantor, nor does such Underwriter have any knowledge that more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Issuer or the Guarantor is held or to be held subject to any voting trust or other similar agreement, nor does such Underwriter have any knowledge that more than 5% of any class of voting securities of the Issuer or the Guarantor is held or to be held subject to any voting trust or other similar agreement;

(c) other than as may be stated in the Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Master Agreement Among Underwriters dated July 6, 2009, the applicable AAU, the Intersyndicate Agreement or dealer agreement, if any, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Offering Circular, such Underwriter does not know and has no reason to believe that there is an intention to over-allot or that the price of any security may be stabilized to facilitate the offering of the Securities;

(d) other than as may be stated in the Prospectus or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, or the Invitation Wire, such Underwriter does not know of any other discounts or commissions to be allowed or paid to the Underwriters or of any other items that would be deemed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) to constitute underwriting compensation for purposes of FINRA Rule 5110, and such Underwriter does not know of any discounts or commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers, including all cash, securities, contracts, or other consideration to be received by any dealer in connection with the sale of the Securities;

(e) such Underwriter has not prepared any report or memorandum for external use in connection with the Offering;

 


(f) if the offer and sale of the Securities are to be registered under the 1933 Act pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 or Form F-1, such Underwriter has not within the past 12 months prepared or had prepared for such Underwriter any engineering, management, or similar report or memorandum relating to broad aspects of the business, operations, or products of the Issuer or the Guarantor. The immediately preceding sentence does not apply to reports solely comprised of recommendations to buy, sell, or hold the Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s securities, unless such recommendations have changed within the past six months, or to information already contained in documents filed with the Commission;

(g) such Underwriter is not an “affiliate” of the Issuer or the Guarantor for purposes of the NASD Conduct Rule 2720 (or any FINRA successor rule thereto). Such Underwriter understands that under Rule 2720 (except as provided in Rule 2720(b)(1)(C) thereof) two entities are “affiliates” of each other if one entity controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the second entity and that “control” is presumed to exist if one entity (or, in the case of a FINRA member, the entity and all “persons associated with” it (as defined by FINRA)) beneficially owns 10% or more of the second entity’s outstanding voting securities or, if the second entity is a partnership, if the first entity has a partnership interest in 10% or more of the second entity’s distributable profits or losses;

(h) in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, and if the Securities are not investment grade debt securities or preferred stock, or equity securities for which there exists a “bona fide independent market” (as defined in NASD Conduct Rule 2720(b)(3) or any FINRA successor rule thereto) or otherwise exempted under NASD Conduct Rule 2720(b)(7)(D) (or any FINRA successor rule thereto), such Underwriter does not have a “conflict of interest” with the Issuer or the Guarantor under NASD Conduct Rule 2720 (or any FINRA successor rule thereto). In that regard, such Underwriter specifically confirms that such Underwriter, the “parent” of (as defined in Rule 2720), affiliates, and “persons associated with” such Underwriter (as defined by FINRA), in the aggregate do not: (a) beneficially own 10% or more of the Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s “common equity,” “preferred equity,” or “subordinated debt” (as each such term is defined in Rule 2720), or (b) in the case of an Issuer or Guarantor which is a partnership, beneficially own a general, limited, or special partnership interest in 10% or more of the Issuer’s or Guarantor’s distributable profits or losses;

(i) other than as may be stated in the Prospectus or the Offering Circular, as the case may be, in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, neither such Underwriter nor any of its directors, officers, partners, or “persons associated with” such Underwriter (as defined by FINRA) nor, to such Underwriter’s knowledge, any “related person” (defined by FINRA to include counsel, financial consultants and advisors, finders, members of the selling or distribution group, any FINRA member participating in the offering, and any other persons associated with or related to and members of the immediate family of any of the foregoing) or any other broker-dealer: (A) within the last six months have purchased in private transactions, or intend before, at, or within six months after the commencement of

 

2


the public offering of the Securities to purchase in private transactions, any securities of the Issuer, the Guarantor, or any Issuer Related Party (as hereinafter defined), (B) within the last 6 months have had any dealings with the Issuer, the Guarantor, any Seller, or any subsidiary or controlling person thereof (other than relating to the proposed Underwriting Agreement) as to which documents or information are required to be filed with FINRA, or (C) during the 6 months immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement (or, if there is none, the Offering Circular), have entered into any arrangement which provided or provides for the receipt of any item of value (including, but not limited to, cash payments and expense reimbursements) and/or the transfer of any warrants, options, or other securities from the Issuer, the Guarantor, or any Issuer Related Party to you or any related person;

(j) in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, there is no association or affiliation between such Underwriter and; (A) any officer or director of the Issuer, the Guarantor or, any Issuer Related Party, or (B) any securityholder of 5% or more (or, in the case of an initial public offering of equity securities, any securityholder) of any class of securities of the Issuer, the Guarantor, or an Issuer Related Party; it being understood that for purposes of paragraph (i) above and this paragraph (j), the term “Issuer Related Party” includes any Seller, any affiliate of the Issuer, the Guarantor, or a Seller, and the officers or general partners, directors, employees, and securityholders thereof;

(k) in the case of Registered Offerings and Offerings of Securities exempt under Section 3 of the 1933 Act, and if the Securities are not issued by a real estate investment trust, no portion of the net offering proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be paid to such Underwriter or any of its affiliates or “persons associated with” such Underwriter (as defined by FINRA) or members of the immediate family of any such person; and

(l) in the case of Securities which are debt securities whose offer and sale is to be registered under the 1933 Act, such Underwriter is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 0-2 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939) of the Trustee for the Securities or of its parent, if any. Neither the Trustee nor its parent, if any, nor any of their directors or executive officers is a “director, officer, partner, employee, appointee, or representative” of such Underwriter (as those terms are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or in the relevant instructions to Form T-1). Such Underwriter and its directors, partners, and executive officers, taken as a group, did not on the date specified in the Invitation, and do not, own beneficially 1% or more of the shares of any class of voting securities of the Trustee or of its parent, if any. If such Underwriter is a corporation, it does not have outstanding and has not assumed or guaranteed any securities issued otherwise than in its present corporate name.

If an Underwriter notes an exception with respect to material of the type referred to in clauses (e) and (f), such underwriter will send three copies of each item of such material, together with a statement as to distribution, identifying classes of recipients and the number of copies distributed to each such class, and, if relevant, the number of equity securities or the face value of debt securities owned by such person, the date such securities were acquired, and the price paid for such securities to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, at the address noted in the Invitation Wire.

 

3

Exhibit (j)

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

September 15, 2010

State Street Bank and Trust Company

2 Avenue de Lafayette

Boston, MA 02111

 

  Re: Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that the undersigned Fund has been incorporated and registered as a management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

In accordance with Section 18.5, the Additional Funds provision, of the Master Custodian Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2001 by and between each management investment company party thereto and State Street Bank and Trust Company, the undersigned Fund hereby requests that your bank act as Custodian for the Fund under the terms of the aforementioned contract. In connection with such request, the undersigned Fund hereby confirms to you, as of the date hereof, its representations and warranties set forth in Section 18.7 of the aforementioned contract.

 

Sincerely,
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.
By:    
Name:   Francis C. Poli
Title:   Secretary

 

Agreed and Accepted:
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Effective Date:                      , 2010


M ASTER C USTODIAN A GREEMENT

This Agreement is made as of March 9, 2001 by and among each investment company identified on Appendix A hereto (each such investment company and each investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 18.5 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as (the “ Fund ”), and S TATE S TREET B ANK and T RUST C OMPANY , a Massachusetts trust company (the “ Custodian ”),

W ITNESSETH :

W HEREAS , each Fund may or may not be authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series (“ Shares ”), with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;

W HEREAS , each Fund so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series set forth on Appendix A hereto (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 18.6 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the “ Portfolio(s) ”).

W HEREAS , each Fund not so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to it and all references hereinafter to one or more “Portfolio(s)” shall be deemed to refer to such Fund(s); and

N OW , T HEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

S ECTION  1.     E MPLOYMENT OF C USTODIAN AND P ROPERTY TO BE H ELD BY I T

Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of assets of the Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States (“ domestic securities ”) and securities it desires to be held outside the United States (“ foreign securities ”). The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio which is not received by it or which is delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions including, without limitation, Portfolio property (i) held by brokers, private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Portfolio (each a “ Local Agent ”), (ii) held by Special Sub-Custodians (as such term is defined in Section 5 hereof), (iii) held by entities which have advanced monies to or on behalf of the Portfolio and which have received Portfolio property as security for such advance(s) (each a “ Pledgee ”), or (iv) delivered or otherwise removed from the custody of the Custodian pursuant to Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 7 hereof). With respect to uncertificated shares (the “ Underlying Shares ”) of registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ 1940 Act ”)), whether in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ Underlying Portfolios ”) the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.


Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors of the Fund (as appropriate, and in each case, the “ Board ”) on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), and provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to any Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian. The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for each Fund’s foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof.

S ECTION  2.     D UTIES OF THE C USTODIAN WITH R ESPECT TO P ROPERTY OF THE P ORTFOLIOS TO BE H ELD IN THE U NITED S TATES

S ECTION  2.1 H OLDING S ECURITIES . The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a “ U.S. Securities System ”) and (b) Underlying Shares owned by each Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (the “ Underlying Transfer Agent ”).

S ECTION  2.2 D ELIVERY OF S ECURITIES . The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

 

  1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor;

 

  2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;

 

  3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;

 

  4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;

 

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  5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with “street delivery” custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;

 

  8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio (a) against receipt of collateral as agreed from time to time by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian’s account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral or (b) to the lending agent, or the lending agent’s custodian, in accordance with written Proper Instructions (which may not provide for the receipt by the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund;

 

  11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

 

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  12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “ NASD ”), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;

 

  13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “ CFTC ”) and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;

 

  14) Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to a Special Sub-Custodian), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “ Free Trade ”), provided that such Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;

 

  15) Upon receipt of instructions from the Fund’s transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”) for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the Portfolio (the “Prospectus”), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;

 

  16) In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent or Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof; and

 

  17) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

S ECTION  2.3 R EGISTRATION OF S ECURITIES . Domestic securities held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered investment companies having

 

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the same investment advisor as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. If, however, a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in “street name”, the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

S ECTION  2.4 B ANK A CCOUNTS . The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

S ECTION  2.5 C OLLECTION OF I NCOME . Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14) or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio’s custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.

 

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S ECTION  2.6 P AYMENT OF F UND M ONIES . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

 

  1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the applicable Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio; or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;

 

  2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;

 

  3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 6 hereof;

 

  4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

 

  5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the Fund’s articles of incorporation or organization and by-laws or agreement or declaration trust, as applicable, and Prospectus (collectively, “ Governing Documents ”);

 

  6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

 

  7) Upon the purchase of domestic investments and prior to receipt of such investments, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery, along with delivery in advance of payment made in accordance with Section 2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “ Free Trade ”), provided that such Proper Instructions shall also set forth (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person(s) to whom such payment is made; and

 

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  8) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

S ECTION  2.7 A PPOINTMENT OF A GENTS . The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or subcustodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other provision of this Agreement.

S ECTION  2.8 D EPOSIT OF F UND A SSETS IN U.S. S ECURITIES S YSTEMS . The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System subject to the following provisions:

 

  1) The Custodian may keep securities of the Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System provided that such securities are represented in an account of the Custodian in the U.S. Securities System (the “ U.S. Securities System Account ”) which account shall not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;

 

  2) The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the Portfolio which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;

 

  3) The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the Portfolio upon (a) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that such securities have been transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account and (b) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Portfolio. Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian and be provided to the Fund at its request. Upon request, the Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day’s transactions in the U.S. Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;

 

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  4) The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System’s accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities System; and

 

  5) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, the Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from use of the U.S. Securities System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S. Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claim against the U.S. Securities System or any other person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

S ECTION  2.9 S EGREGATED A CCOUNT . The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (a) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (b) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (c) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (d) for any other purpose in accordance with Proper Instructions.

S ECTION  2.10 D EPOSIT OF F UND A SSETS WITH THE U NDERLYING T RANSFER A GENT . Underlying Shares shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall be deemed to be acting as if it is a “securities depository” for purposes of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act. Each Fund hereby directs the Custodian to deposit and/or maintain such securities with the Underlying Transfer Agent, subject to the following provisions:

 

  1) The Custodian shall keep Underlying Shares owned by a Portfolio with the Underlying Transfer Agent provided that such securities are maintained in an account or accounts on the books and records of the Underlying Transfer Agent in the name of the Custodian as custodian for the Portfolio.

 

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  2) The records of the Custodian with respect to Underlying Shares which are maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent shall identify by book-entry those Underlying Shares belonging to each Portfolio;

 

  3) The Custodian shall pay for Underlying Shares purchased for the account of a Portfolio upon (a) receipt of advice from the Portfolio’s investment adviser that such Underlying Shares have been purchased and will be transferred to the account of the Custodian, on behalf of the Portfolio, on the books and records of the Underlying Transfer Agent and (b) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian shall receive confirmation from the Underlying Transfer Agent of the purchase of such securities and the transfer of such securities to the Custodian’s account with the Underlying Transfer Agent only after such payment is made. The Custodian shall transfer Underlying Shares redeemed for the account of a Portfolio (i) upon receipt of an advice from the Portfolio’s investment adviser that such securities have been redeemed and that payment for such securities will be transferred to the Custodian and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Portfolio. The Custodian will receive confirmation from the Underlying Transfer Agent of the redemption of such securities and payment therefor only after such securities are redeemed. Copies of all advices from the Portfolio’s investment adviser of purchases and sales of Underlying Shares for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by the Custodian, and be provided to the Portfolio’s investment adviser at its request; and

 

  4) The Custodian shall be not be liable to any Fund or any Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio resulting from maintenance of Underlying Shares with Underlying Transfer Agent except for losses resulting directly from the negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees.

S ECTION  2.11 O WNERSHIP C ERTIFICATES FOR T AX P URPOSES . The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

S ECTION  2.12 P ROXIES . Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), the Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered

 

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holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.

S ECTION  2.13 C OMMUNICATIONS R ELATING TO P ORTFOLIO S ECURITIES . Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund for each Portfolio all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If a Fund desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action.

S ECTION  3.     P ROVISIONS R ELATING TO R ULES 17 F -5 AND 17 F -7

S ECTION  3.1. D EFINITIONS . As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

Country Risk ” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

Eligible Foreign Custodian ” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

Eligible Securities Depository ” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

Foreign Assets ” means any of the Portfolios’ investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios’ transactions in such investments.

 

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Foreign Custody Manager ” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

Rule 17f-5 ” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

Rule 17f-7 ” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

S ECTION  3.2. T HE C USTODIAN AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER .

3.2.1 D ELEGATION TO THE C USTODIAN AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER . Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.

3.2.2 C OUNTRIES C OVERED . The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by any Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such Fund’s Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by each Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country.

The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian’s acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

 

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3.2.3 S COPE OF D ELEGATED R ESPONSIBILITIES :

(a) S ELECTION OF E LIGIBLE F OREIGN C USTODIANS . Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

(b) C ONTRACTS W ITH E LIGIBLE F OREIGN C USTODIANS . The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

(c) M ONITORING . In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.

3.2.4 G UIDELINES FOR THE E XERCISE OF D ELEGATED A UTHORITY . For purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

3.2.5 R EPORTING R EQUIREMENTS . The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.

 

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3.2.6 S TANDARD OF C ARE AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER OF A P ORTFOLIO . In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.

3.2.7 R EPRESENTATIONS WITH R ESPECT TO R ULE 17 F -5 . The Foreign Custody Manager represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

3.2.8 E FFECTIVE D ATE AND T ERMINATION OF THE C USTODIAN AS F OREIGN C USTODY M ANAGER . Each Board’s delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.

S ECTION  3.3 E LIGIBLE S ECURITIES D EPOSITORIES .

3.3.1 A NALYSIS AND M ONITORING . The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.

3.3.2 S TANDARD OF C ARE . The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.

S ECTION  4.     D UTIES OF THE C USTODIAN WITH R ESPECT TO P ROPERTY OF THE P ORTFOLIOS TO BE H ELD O UTSIDE THE U NITED S TATES

S ECTION  4.1 D EFINITIONS . As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

Foreign Securities System ” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.

Foreign Sub-Custodian ” means a foreign banking institution serving as an Eligible Foreign Custodian.

 

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S ECTION  4.2. H OLDING S ECURITIES . The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

S ECTION  4.3. F OREIGN S ECURITIES S YSTEMS . Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

S ECTION  4.4. T RANSACTIONS IN F OREIGN C USTODY A CCOUNT .

4.4.1. D ELIVERY OF F OREIGN A SSETS . The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

 

  (i) Upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;

 

  (ii) In connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign securities;

 

  (iii) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;

 

  (iv) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;

 

  (v) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;

 

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  (vi) To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case, the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such foreign securities prior to receiving payment for such foreign securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;

 

  (vii) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;

 

  (viii) In the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;

 

  (ix) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;

 

  (x) In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

 

  (xi) Upon the sale or other delivery of such foreign securities (including, without limitation, to a Special Sub-Custodian) as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery shall be made;

 

  (xii) In connection with the lending of foreign securities; and

 

  (xiii) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

4.4.2. P AYMENT OF P ORTFOLIO M ONIES . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

 

  (i) Upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;

 

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  (ii) In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Portfolio;

 

  (iii) For the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses;

 

  (iv) For the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;

 

  (v) In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;

 

  (vi) Upon the purchase of foreign securities as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom payment shall be made;

 

  (vii) For payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

 

  (viii) In connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities; and

 

  (ix) For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

4.4.3. M ARKET C ONDITIONS . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.

The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.

 

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S ECTION  4.5. R EGISTRATION OF F OREIGN S ECURITIES . The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

S ECTION  4.6 B ANK A CCOUNTS . The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the applicable Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

S ECTION  4.7. C OLLECTION OF I NCOME . The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.

S ECTION  4.8 S HAREHOLDER R IGHTS . With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of such Fund to exercise shareholder rights.

S ECTION  4.9. C OMMUNICATIONS R ELATING TO F OREIGN S ECURITIES . The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose

 

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tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power.

S ECTION  4.10. L IABILITY OF F OREIGN S UB -C USTODIANS . Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s performance of such obligations. At a Fund’s election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.

S ECTION  4.11 T AX L AW . The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on any Fund, the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of each Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on such Fund with respect to the Portfolios or the Custodian as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which such Fund has provided such information.

S ECTION  4.12. L IABILITY OF C USTODIAN . The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.

S ECTION  5.     S PECIAL S UB -C USTODIANS

Upon receipt of Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 7 hereof), the Custodian shall, on behalf of one or more Portfolios, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for purposes of: (a) effecting third-party repurchase transactions with banks, brokers, dealers or other entities through the use of a

 

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common custodian or sub-custodian; (b) establishing a joint trading account for the applicable Portfolio(s) and other registered open-end management investment companies for which Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser, through which such Portfolios and such other investment companies shall collectively participate in certain repurchase transactions; and (c) effecting any other transactions designated by a Fund in Special Instructions. Each such designated sub-custodian is referred to herein as a “ Special Sub-Custodian .” Each such duly-appointed Special Sub-Custodian shall be listed on Schedule D hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by a Fund, with the acknowledgment of the Custodian. In connection with the appointment of any Special Sub-Custodian, and in accordance with Special Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into a subcustodian agreement with the Fund and the Special Sub-Custodian in form and substance approved by such Fund, provided that such agreement shall in all events comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

S ECTION  6.     P AYMENTS FOR S ALES OR R EPURCHASES OR R EDEMPTIONS OF S HARES

The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

From such funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by a Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between such Fund and the Custodian.

S ECTION  7.     P ROPER I NSTRUCTIONS AND S PECIAL I NSTRUCTIONS

Proper Instructions , as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the applicable Board shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved; each Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Proper Instructions may include communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices

 

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provided that the applicable Fund and the Custodian agree to security procedures including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by such Fund via the form of Funds Transfer Addendum hereto. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.

Special Instructions ,” as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the applicable Fund or any other person designated in writing by the Treasurer of such Fund, which countersignature or confirmation shall be (a) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or on a separate instrument clearly relating thereto and (b) delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian agree in writing.

Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified by such Fund’s Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, a certificate setting forth: (i) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund and (ii) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to give Special Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.

S ECTION  8.     E VIDENCE OF A UTHORITY

The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of any Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the applicable Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.

S ECTION  9.     A CTIONS P ERMITTED WITHOUT E XPRESS A UTHORITY

The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:

 

  1) Make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement; provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio;

 

  2) Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;

 

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  3) Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

 

  4) In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.

 

S ECTION  10.     D UTIES OF C USTODIAN WITH R ESPECT TO THE B OOKS OF A CCOUNT AND C ALCULATION OF N ET A SSET V ALUE AND N ET I NCOME

The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the applicable Board to keep the books of account of each Portfolio and/or compute the net asset value per Share of the outstanding Shares or, if directed in writing to do so by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio, shall itself keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value per Share. If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net income of the Portfolio as described in the Prospectus and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net income among its various components. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 10 and in Section 11 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. The calculations of the net asset value per Share and the daily income of each Portfolio shall be made at the time or times described from time to time in the Prospectus. Each Fund acknowledges that, in keeping the books of account of the Portfolio and/or making the calculations described herein with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund’s counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.

S ECTION  11.     R ECORDS

The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers,

 

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employees or agents of such Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at a Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. Each Fund acknowledges that, in creating and maintaining the records as set forth herein with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund’s counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.

S ECTION  12.     O PINION OF F UND S I NDEPENDENT A CCOUNTANT

The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-1A or Form N-2, as applicable, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.

S ECTION  13.     R EPORTS TO F UND BY I NDEPENDENT P UBLIC A CCOUNTANTS

The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios at such times as such Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System, relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.

S ECTION  14.     C OMPENSATION OF C USTODIAN

The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.

S ECTION  15.     R ESPONSIBILITY OF C USTODIAN

So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any

 

22.


notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to any Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund or Portfolio for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything which is part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.

Except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by any Fund or its duly authorized investment manager or investment advisor in their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any act or omission of a Special Sub-Custodian including, without limitation, reliance on reports prepared by a Special Sub-Custodian; (v) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (vi) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vii) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and (viii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.

The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (as such term is defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.

If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, such Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.

 

23.


If a Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

Except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct, each Fund shall indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and liabilities which may be asserted against the Custodian (a) acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction or Special Instruction including, without limitation, any Proper Instruction with respect to Free Trades including, but not limited to, cost, expense, loss, damage, liability, tax, charge, assessment or claim resulting from (i) the failure of the applicable Fund to receive income with respect to purchased investments, (ii) the failure of the applicable to recover amounts invested on maturity of purchased investments, (iii) the failure of the Custodian to respond to or be aware of notices or other corporate communications with respect to purchased investments, or (iv) the Custodian’s reliance upon information provided by the applicable Fund, such Fund’s counterparty(ies) or the agents of either of them with respect to Fund property released, delivered or purchased pursuant to either of Section 2.2(14) or Section 2.6(7) hereof; (b) for the acts or omissions of any Special Sub-Custodian; or (c) for the acts or omissions of any Local Agent or Pledgee.

In no event shall the Custodian be liable for indirect, special or consequential damages.

S ECTION  16.     E FFECTIVE P ERIOD , T ERMINATION AND A MENDMENT

This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however, that no Fund shall amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of such Fund’s Governing Documents, and further provided, that any Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

 

24.


Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio.

Upon termination of the Agreement, the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.

S ECTION  17.     S UCCESSOR C USTODIAN

If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.

If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such resolution.

In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.

In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of any Fund to provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

 

25.


S ECTION  18.     G ENERAL

S ECTION  18.1 M ASSACHUSETTS L AW TO A PPLY . This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

S ECTION  18.2 P RIOR A GREEMENTS . This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior Agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and the Custodian relating to the custody of such Fund’s assets.

S ECTION  18.3 A SSIGNMENT . This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) by the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund.

S ECTION  18.4 I NTERPRETIVE AND A DDITIONAL P ROVISIONS . In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by all parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of a Fund’s Governing Documents. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.

S ECTION  18.5 A DDITIONAL F UNDS . In the event that any investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A hereto desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 18.7 below.

S ECTION  18.6 A DDITIONAL P ORTFOLIOS . In the event that any Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition to those set forth on Appendix A hereto with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.

S ECTION  18.7 T HE P ARTIES . All references herein to the “Fund” are to each of the investment companies listed on Appendix A hereto, and each investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 18.5 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series corporation, trust or other entity, all references herein to the “Portfolio” are to the individual series or portfolio of such corporation, trust or other entity, or to such corporation, trust or other entity on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as appropriate. Any reference in this Agreement to “the parties” shall

 

26.


mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its Governing Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement; and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it.

S ECTION  18.8 R EMOTE A CCESS S ERVICES A DDENDUM . The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.

S ECTION  18.9 N OTICES . Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

 

To any Fund:

c/o C OHEN  & S TEERS C APITAL M ANAGEMENT , I NC .
  757 Third Avenue
  New York, New York 10017
  Attention: Adam M. Derechin, Senior Vice President
  Telephone: 212-832-3232
  Telecopy: 212-750-0713

 

To the Custodian:

S TATE S TREET B ANK AND T RUST C OMPANY
  1776 Heritage Drive, AFB3
  Quincy, MA 02171
  Attention: Michael E. Prendergast, Vice President
  Telephone: 617-985-0387
  Telecopy: 617-537-2498

Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence of posting.

S ECTION  18.10 C OUNTERPARTS . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

27.


S ECTION  18.11 R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS . This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

S ECTION  18.12 S HAREHOLDER C OMMUNICATIONS E LECTION . SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian “no,” the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund’s protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

 

YES  ¨ The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

 

NO   x The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

 

28.


S IGNATURE P AGE

I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the date first above-written.

 

F UND S IGNATURE A TTESTED TO B Y :     EACH OF THE ENTITIES SET FORTH ON APPENDIX A HERETO
By:         By:    
Name:         Name:    
Title:*   [ Secretary/Ass’t Secretary ]     Title:    

 

S IGNATURE A TTESTED TO B Y :     S TATE S TREET B ANK AND T RUST C OMPANY
By:         By:    
  Stephanie L. Poster       Ronald E. Logue
  Vice President       Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer

 

29.


APPENDIX A

TO

M ASTER C USTODIAN A GREEMENT

I NVESTMENT C OMPANIES AND P ORTFOLIOS , I F A NY

C OHEN  & S TEERS E QUITY I NCOME F UND , I NC .

C OHEN  & S TEERS I NSTITUTIONAL R EALTY S HARES , I NC .

C OHEN  & S TEERS R EALTY I NCOME F UND , I NC .

C OHEN  & S TEERS R EALTY S HARES , I NC .

C OHEN  & S TEERS S PECIAL E QUITY F UND , I NC .

C OHEN  & S TEERS T OTAL R ETURN R EALTY F UND , I NC .


SCHEDULE D

TO

M ASTER C USTODIAN A GREEMENT

S PECIAL S UB -C USTODIANS

None

Exhibit (k)(i)

STOCK TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, made as of November 23, 2010, by and between COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (hereinafter referred to as the “Customer”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York trust company (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

That for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

1. “Business Day” shall be deemed to be each day on which the Bank is open for business.

2. “Certificate” shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Bank by the Customer which is signed by any Officer, as hereinafter defined, and actually received by the Bank.

3. “Officer” shall be deemed to be the Customer’s Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Treasurer, and any Assistant Secretary duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Customer to execute any Certificate, instruction, notice or other instrument on behalf of the Customer and named in a Certificate, as such Certificate may be amended from time to time.

4. “Shares” shall mean all or any part of each class of the shares of capital stock of the Customer which from time to time are authorized and/or issued by the Customer and identified in a Certificate of the Secretary of the Customer under corporate seal, as such Certificate may be amended from time to time, with respect to which the Bank is to act hereunder.


ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT OF BANK

1. The Customer hereby constitutes and appoints the Bank as its agent to perform the services described herein and as more particularly described in Schedule I attached hereto (the “Services”), and the Bank hereby accepts appointment as such agent and agrees to perform the Services in accordance with the terms hereinafter set forth.

2. In connection with such appointment, the Customer shall deliver the following documents to the Bank:

 

  (a) A certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation or other document evidencing the Customer’s form of organization (the “Charter”) and all amendments thereto;

 

  (b) A certified copy of the By-Laws of the Customer;

 

  (c) A certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Customer appointing the Bank to perform the Services and authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement;

 

  (d) A Certificate signed by the Secretary of the Customer specifying: the number of authorized Shares, the number of such authorized Shares issued and currently outstanding, and the names and specimen signatures of all persons duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Customer to execute any Certificate on behalf of the Customer, as such Certificate may be amended from time to time;

 

  (e) If applicable, a Specimen Share certificate for each class of Shares in the form approved by the Board of Directors of the Customer, together with a Certificate signed by the Secretary of the Customer as to such approval and covenanting to supply a new such Certificate and specimen whenever such form shall change;

 

  (f) An opinion of counsel for the Customer, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the validity of the authorized and outstanding Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable law or regulation ( i.e. , if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefor);

 

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  (g) If applicable, a list of the name, address, social security or taxpayer identification number of each Shareholder, number of Shares owned, certificate numbers, and whether any “stops” have been placed;

 

  (h) If applicable, an opinion of counsel for the Customer, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the due authorization by the Customer and the validity and effectiveness of the use of facsimile signatures by the Bank in connection with the countersigning and registering of Share certificates of the Customer;

 

  (i) A completed Internal Revenue Service Form 2678 for the Customer; and

 

  (j) A completed Form W-9 for the Customer.

3. If applicable, the Customer shall furnish the Bank with a sufficient supply of blank Share certificates and from time to time will renew such supply upon request of the Bank. Such blank Share certificates shall be properly signed, by facsimile or otherwise, by Officers of the Customer authorized by law or by the By-Laws to sign Share certificates, and, if required, shall bear the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof.

4. Customer acknowledges that the Bank is subject to the customer identification program (“Customer Identification Program”) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, and that the Bank must obtain, verify and record information that allows the Bank to identify Customer. Accordingly, prior to opening an account hereunder the Bank may request information (including but not limited to the Customer’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information) that will help the Bank to identify the organization such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or any other information that will allow the Bank to identify Customer. Customer agrees that the Bank cannot open an account hereunder unless and until the Bank verifies Customer’s identity in accordance with its Customer Identification Program.

ARTICLE III

AUTHORIZATION AND ISSUANCE OF SHARES

1. The Customer shall deliver to the Bank the following documents on or before the effective date of any increase, decrease or other change in the total number of Shares authorized to be issued:

 

  (a) A certified copy of the amendment to the Charter giving effect to such increase, decrease or change;

 

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  (b) An opinion of counsel for the Customer, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal law or regulations ( i.e. , if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefor); and

 

  (c) In the case of an increase, if the appointment of the Bank was theretofore expressly limited, a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Customer increasing the authority of the Bank.

2. Prior to the issuance of any additional Shares pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits or otherwise, and prior to any reduction in the number of Shares outstanding, the Customer shall deliver the following documents to the Bank:

 

  (a) A certified copy of the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors and/or the shareholders of the Customer authorizing such issuance of additional Shares of the Customer or such reduction, as the case may be;

 

  (b) A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance or reduction of such Shares, as the case may be, and an opinion of counsel for the Customer that no other order or consent is required; and

 

  (c) An opinion of counsel for the Customer, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the validity of the Shares, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable law or regulation ( i.e. , if subject to registration, that they have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective, or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefor).

 

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ARTICLE IV

RECAPITALIZATION OR CAPITAL ADJUSTMENT

1. In the case of any negative stock split, recapitalization or other capital adjustment requiring a change in the form of Share certificates, the Bank will issue Share certificates in the new form in exchange for, or upon transfer of, outstanding Share certificates in the old form, upon receiving:

 

  (a) A Certificate authorizing the issuance of Share certificates in the new form;

 

  (b) A certified copy of any amendment to the Charter with respect to the change;

 

  (c) Specimen Share certificates for each class of Shares in the new form approved by the Board of Directors of the Customer, with a Certificate signed by the Secretary of the Customer as to such approval;

 

  (d) A certified copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law as a prerequisite to the issuance of the Shares in the new form, and an opinion of counsel for the Customer that the order or consent of no other governmental or regulatory authority is required; and

 

  (e) An opinion of counsel for the Customer, in a form satisfactory to the Bank, with respect to the validity of the Shares in the new form, the obtaining of all necessary governmental consents, whether such Shares are fully paid and non-assessable and the status of such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable law or regulation ( i.e. , if subject to registration, that the Shares have been registered and that the Registration Statement has become effective or, if exempt, the specific grounds therefor).

2. The Customer shall furnish the Bank with a sufficient supply of blank Share certificates in the new form, and from time to time will replenish such supply upon the request of the Bank. Such blank Share certificates shall be properly signed, by facsimile or otherwise, by Officers of the Customer authorized by law or by the By-Laws to sign Share certificates and, if required, shall bear the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER OF SHARES

1. If applicable, the Bank will issue and transfer Shares in certificated form as follows:

(a) The Bank will issue Share certificates upon receipt of a Certificate from an Officer, but shall not be required to issue Share certificates after it has received from an appropriate federal or state authority written notification that the sale of Shares has been suspended or discontinued, and the Bank shall be entitled to rely upon such written notification. The Bank shall not be responsible for the payment of any original issue or other taxes required to be paid by the Customer in connection with the issuance of any Shares.

(b) Shares will be transferred upon presentation to the Bank of Share certificates in form deemed by the Bank properly endorsed for transfer, accompanied by such documents as the Bank deems necessary to evidence the authority of the person making such transfer, and bearing satisfactory evidence of the payment of applicable stock transfer taxes. In the case of small estates where no administration is contemplated, the Bank may, when furnished with an appropriate surety bond, and without further approval of the Customer, transfer Shares registered in the name of the decedent where the current market value of the Shares being transferred does not exceed such amount as may from time to time be prescribed by the various states. The Bank reserves the right to refuse to transfer Shares until it is satisfied that the endorsements on Share certificates are valid and genuine, and for that purpose it may require, unless otherwise instructed by an Officer of the Customer, a guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Bank, which requirements include membership or participation in STAMP or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Bank in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Bank also reserves the right to refuse to transfer Shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer is legally authorized, and it shall incur no liability for the refusal in good faith to make transfers which the Bank, in its judgment, deems improper or unauthorized, or until it is satisfied that there is no basis to any claims adverse to such transfer. The Bank may, in effecting transfers of Shares, rely upon those provisions of the Uniform Act for the Simplification of Fiduciary Security Transfers or the Uniform Commercial Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, applicable to the transfer of securities, and the Customer shall indemnify the Bank for any act done or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such laws.

(c) All certificates representing Shares that are subject to restrictions on transfer ( e.g. , securities acquired pursuant to an investment representation, securities held by controlling persons, securities subject to stockholders’ agreement, etc.), shall be stamped with a legend describing the extent and conditions of the restrictions or referring to the source of such restrictions. The Bank assumes no responsibility with respect to the transfer of restricted securities where counsel for the Customer advises that such transfer may be properly effected.

 

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2. The Bank will issue and transfer Shares in book-entry form as follows:

(a) Shares may be maintained by the Bank in book-entry form known as the “Direct Registration System” (“DRS”) through the Profile Modification System (“Profile”). DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the Bank may register the ownership of uncertificated Shares, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Bank to the Registered Owners entitled thereto. Upon issuance of Shares, the Shares of each Registered Owner will be credited to the account of each such Registered Owner. The Registered Owner of Shares is referred to herein as, or, if there are more than one Registered Owner of the same Shares, such Registered Owners are collectively referred to herein as, the “Registered Owner”.

(b) Customer understands that Profile is a required feature of DRS. Profile allows a DTC participant claiming to act on behalf of the Registered Owner of Shares, to direct the Bank to register a transfer of such Shares to such DTC participant or its nominee without receipt by the Bank of such prior written authorization from the Registered Owner to register such transfer.

(c) Customer understands the Bank will not verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of a Registered Owner in requesting registration of transfer and delivery described in subsection (b) has the actual authority to act on behalf of the Registered Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Article VIII, Sections 5 and 6 shall apply to the matters arising from the use of DRS/Profile System. The parties agree that the Bank’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Bank through the DRS/Profile System in accordance with this Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Bank.

 

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ARTICLE VI

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

1. The Customer shall furnish to the Bank a copy of a resolution of its Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of the declaration of a dividend or distribution, the date of accrual or payment, as the case may be, the record date as of which shareholders entitled to payment, or accrual, as the case may be, shall be determined, the amount per Share of such dividend or distribution, the payment date on which all previously accrued and unpaid dividends are to be paid, and the total amount, if any, payable to the Bank on such payment date, or (ii) authorizing the declaration of dividends and distributions on a periodic basis and authorizing the Bank to rely on a Certificate setting forth the information described in subsection (i) of this paragraph.

2. Prior to the payment date specified in such Certificate or resolution, as the case may be, the Customer shall, in the case of a cash dividend or distribution, pay to the Bank an amount of cash, sufficient for the Bank to make the payment, specified in such Certificate or resolution, to the shareholders of record as of such payment date. The Bank will, upon receipt of any such cash, (i) in the case of shareholders who are participants in a dividend reinvestment and/or cash purchase plan of the Customer, reinvest such cash dividends or distributions in accordance with the terms of such plan, and (ii) in the case of shareholders who are not participants in any such plan, make payment of such cash dividends or distributions to the shareholders of record as of the record date by mailing a check, payable to the registered shareholder, to the address of record or dividend mailing address. The Bank shall not be liable for any improper payment made in accordance with a Certificate or resolution described in the preceding paragraph. If the Bank shall not receive sufficient cash prior to the payment date to make payments of any cash dividend or distribution pursuant to subsections (i) and (ii) above to all shareholders of the Customer as of the record date, the Bank shall, upon notifying the Customer, withhold payment to all shareholders of the Customer as of the record date until sufficient cash is provided to the Bank.

3. It is understood that the Bank shall in no way be responsible for the determination of the rate or form of dividends or distributions due to the shareholders.

4. It is understood that the Bank shall file such appropriate information returns concerning the payment of dividends and distributions with the proper federal, state and local authorities as are required by law to be filed by the Customer but shall in no way be responsible for the collection or withholding of taxes due on such dividends or distributions due to shareholders, except and only to the extent required of it by applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE VII

CONCERNING THE CUSTOMER

1. The Customer shall promptly deliver to the Bank written notice of any change in the Officers authorized to sign Share certificates, Certificates, notifications or requests, together with a specimen signature of each new Officer. In the event any Officer who shall have signed manually or whose facsimile signature shall have been affixed to blank Share certificates shall die, resign or be removed prior to issuance of such Share certificates, the Bank may issue such Share certificates as the Share certificates of the Customer notwithstanding such death, resignation or removal, and the Customer shall promptly deliver to the Bank such approvals, adoptions or ratifications as may be required by law.

2. Each copy of the Charter of the Customer and copies of all amendments thereto shall be certified by the Secretary of State (or other appropriate official) of the state of incorporation, and if such Charter and/or amendments are required by law also to be filed with a county or other officer or official body, a certificate of such filing shall be filed with a certified copy submitted to the Bank. Each copy of the By-Laws and copies of all amendments thereto, and copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Customer, shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Customer under the corporate seal.

3. Customer hereby represents and warrants:

 

  (a) It is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of Maryland.

 

  (b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered on its behalf and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Customer. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Customer do not and will not violate any applicable law or regulation and do not require the consent of any governmental or other regulatory body except for such consents and approvals as have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING THE BANK

1. The Bank shall not be liable and shall be fully protected in acting upon any oral instruction, writing or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been given, signed or made by the proper person or persons and shall not be held to have any notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of written notice thereof from an Officer of the Customer. It shall also be protected in processing Share certificates which it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the duly authorized Officer or Officers of the Customer and the proper countersignature of the Bank.

2. The Bank may establish such additional procedures, rules and regulations governing the transfer or registration of Share certificates as it may deem advisable and consistent with such rules and regulations generally adopted by bank transfer agents.

3. The Bank may keep such records as it deems advisable but not inconsistent with resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Customer. The Bank may deliver to the Customer from time to time at its discretion, for safekeeping or disposition by the Customer in accordance with law, such records, papers, Share certificates which have been cancelled in transfer or exchange and other documents accumulated in the execution of its duties hereunder as the Bank may deem expedient, other than those which the Bank is itself required to maintain pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, and the Customer shall assume all responsibility for any failure thereafter to produce any record, paper, cancelled Share certificate or other document so returned, if and when required. The records maintained by the Bank pursuant to this paragraph which have not been previously delivered to the Customer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall be considered to be the property of the Customer, shall be made available upon request for inspection by the Officers, employees and auditors of the Customer, and shall be delivered to the Customer upon request and in any event upon the date of termination of this Agreement, as specified in Article IX of this Agreement, in the form and manner kept by the Bank on such date of termination or such earlier date as may be requested by the Customer.

4. The Bank may employ agents or attorneys-in-fact at the expense of the Customer, so long as the Bank acts in good faith and without negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the selection of such agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be liable for any loss or expense arising out of, or in connection with, the actions or omissions to act of its agents or attorneys-in-fact.

 

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5. The Bank shall only be liable for any loss or damage arising out of its own negligence or willful misconduct; provided, however, that the Bank shall not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages.

6. The Customer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank from and against any and all claims (whether with or without basis in fact or law), costs, demands, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorney’s fees, which the Bank may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Bank except for any liability which the Bank has assumed pursuant to the immediately preceding section. Nothing contained herein shall limit or in any way impair the right of the Bank to indemnification under any other provision of this Agreement.

7. Specifically, but not by way of limitation, the Customer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Bank from and against any and all claims (whether with or without basis in fact or law), costs, demands, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorney’s fees, of any and every nature which the Bank may sustain or incur or which may be asserted against the Bank in connection with the genuineness of a Share certificate, the Bank’s due authorization by the Customer to issue Shares and the form and amount of authorized Shares.

8. The Bank shall not incur any liability hereunder if by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, it, or its employees, officers or directors shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed or by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed.

9. In connection with the provision of services under this Agreement, the Customer may direct the Bank to release information, including non-public personal information (“NPPI”), as defined in Title V of the Gramm Leach Bliley Act and the regulations issued thereunder, including but not limited to Regulation S-P of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, to agents or other third party service providers, including, without limitation, broker/dealers, custodians, and depositories. In addition to the foregoing, Customer consents to the release of information, including NPPI, to one or more providers of escheatment services for the purpose of escheatment of unclaimed funds in accordance with the laws of the various states. The Bank shall not incur any liability for the release of information in accordance with the foregoing provisions; and to the extent the Bank incurs any liability as a result of such release of information, the Customer shall indemnify and hold the Bank harmless in accordance with Article VIII, Section 6, it being understood that the release of such information shall not constitute negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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10. At any time the Bank may apply to an Officer of the Customer for written instructions with respect to any matter arising in connection with the Bank’s duties and obligations under this Agreement, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank in good faith in accordance with such instructions. Such application by the Bank for instructions from an Officer of the Customer may, at the option of the Bank, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Bank with respect to its duties or obligations under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken, and the Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified therein unless, prior to taking or omitting to take any such action, the Bank has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted. The Bank may consult counsel to the Customer or its own counsel, at the expense of the Customer, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

11. When mail is used for delivery of non-negotiable Share certificates, the value of which does not exceed the limits of the Bank’s Mail Insurance coverage, the Bank shall send such non-negotiable Share certificates by first class mail, and such deliveries will be covered while in transit. Non-negotiable Share certificates, the value of which exceed the limits of the Bank’s Mail Insurance policy, will be sent by registered courier and will be covered by either the Bank’s Mail Insurance policy or the Blanket Bond while in transit. Negotiable Share certificates will be sent by insured registered mail. The Bank shall advise the Customer of any Share certificates returned as undeliverable after being mailed as herein provided for.

12. The Bank may issue new Share certificates in place of Share certificates represented to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receiving instructions in writing from an Officer and indemnity satisfactory to the Bank. Such instructions from the Customer shall be in such form as approved by the Board of Directors of the Customer in accordance with applicable law or the By-Laws of the Customer governing such matters. If the Bank receives written notification from the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed Share certificate within a reasonable time after he has notice of it, the Bank shall promptly notify the Customer and shall act pursuant to written instructions signed by an Officer. If the Customer receives such written notification from the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed Share certificate within a reasonable time after he has notice of it, the Customer shall promptly notify the Bank and the Bank shall act pursuant to written instructions signed by an Officer. The Bank shall not be liable for any act done or omitted by it pursuant to the written instructions described herein. The Bank may issue new Share certificates in exchange for, and upon surrender of, mutilated Share certificates.

 

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13. The Bank will issue and mail subscription warrants for Shares, Shares representing stock dividends, exchanges or splits, or act as conversion agent upon receiving written instructions from an Officer and such other documents as the Bank may deem necessary.

14. The Bank will supply shareholder lists to the Customer from time to time upon receiving a request therefor from an Officer of the Customer.

15. In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of the shareholder records of the Customer, the Bank will notify the Customer and endeavor to secure instructions from an Officer as to such inspection. The Bank reserves the right, however, to exhibit the shareholder records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Bank will be held liable for the failure to exhibit the shareholder records to such person.

16. At the request of an Officer, the Bank will address and mail such appropriate notices to shareholders as the Customer may direct.

17. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Bank shall be under no duty or obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

 

  (a) The legality of the issue, sale or transfer of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be received in connection therewith, or the authority of the Customer to request such issuance, sale or transfer;

 

  (b) The legality of the purchase of any Shares, the sufficiency of the amount to be paid in connection therewith, or the authority of the Customer to request such purchase;

 

  (c) The legality of the declaration of any dividend by the Customer, or the legality of the issue of any Shares in payment of any stock dividend; or

 

  (d) The legality of any recapitalization or readjustment of the Shares.

18. The Bank shall be entitled to receive and the Customer hereby agrees to pay to the Bank for its performance hereunder (i) Other Services expenses (as defined in Schedule I) (including legal expenses and attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with this Agreement and its performance hereunder, and (ii) the compensation for services as set forth in Schedule I.

 

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19. The Bank shall not be responsible for any money, whether or not represented by any check, draft or other instrument for the payment of money, received by it on behalf of the Customer, until the Bank actually receives and collects such funds.

20. The Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against the Bank in connection with this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

Either of the parties hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than 60 days after the date of receipt of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Customer, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Customer, certified by its Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the event such notice is given by the Bank, the Customer shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Bank a copy of a resolution of its Board of Directors certified by its Secretary designating a successor transfer agent or transfer agents. In the absence of such designation by the Customer, the Bank may designate a successor transfer agent. If the Customer fails to designate a successor transfer agent and if the Bank is unable to find a successor transfer agent, the Customer shall, upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and delivery of the records maintained hereunder, be deemed to be its own transfer agent and the Bank shall thereafter be relieved of all duties and responsibilities hereunder. Upon termination hereof, the Customer shall pay to the Bank such compensation as may be due to the Bank as of the date of such termination, and shall reimburse the Bank for any disbursements and expenses made or incurred by the Bank and payable or reimbursable hereunder.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The indemnities contained herein shall be continuing obligations of the Customer, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Customer shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Customer and mailed or delivered to it at 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, or at such other place as the Customer may from time to time designate in writing.

 

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3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Bank shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Bank and mailed or delivered to it at its office at 101 Barclay Street (11E), New York, New York 10286 or at such other place as the Bank may from time to time designate in writing.

4. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement duly authorized and executed by both parties. Any duly authorized Officer may amend any Certificate naming Officers authorized to execute and deliver Certificates, instructions, notices or other instruments, and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary may amend any Certificate listing the Shares.

5. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the prior written consent of the other party; and provided, further, that (a) the foregoing proviso shall not apply to assignments by the Bank to an affiliate or subsidiary of the Bank and (b) any reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other form of business combination by the Bank shall not be deemed to constitute an assignment of this Agreement.

6. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The parties agree that, all actions and proceedings arising out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be brought in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or in a New York State Court in the County of New York and that, in connection with any such action or proceeding, submit to the jurisdiction of, and venue in, such court. Each of the parties hereto also irrevocably waives all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

7. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts, together, shall constitute only one instrument.

8. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only the Bank and the Customer, and no rights shall be granted to any other person by virtue of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective corporate officers, thereunto duly authorized and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

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Attest:     COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.
      By:    
Tina Payne, Asst Secretary       Name:   Adam Derechin
        Title:   President
Attest:     THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
      By:    
        Name:  
        Title:  

 

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SCHEDULE I


LOGO

 

 

STOCK TRANSFER AGENCY AGREEMENT

between

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

Dated as of November 23, 2010

 

 

Exhibit (k)(ii)

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

September 15, 2010

COHEN & STEERS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Dear Sirs:

Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2010 (the “Agreement”), between Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company (the “Company”), and Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the “Administrator”).

In consideration of the mutual agreements made herein, the Company and the Administrator understand and agree as follows:

1. The Administrator agrees, during the term of this Agreement, to be responsible for:

 

  (a) providing office space, telephone, office equipment and supplies for the Company;

 

  (b) paying compensation of the Company’s officers for services rendered as such;

 

  (c) authorizing expenditures and approving bills for payment on behalf of the Company;

 

  (d) supervising preparation of periodic reports to the Company’s shareholders and filing of these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR, Forms N-Q, N-SAR and N-PX filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, notices of dividends, capital gains distributions and tax credits, and attending to routine correspondence and other communications with individual shareholders;

 

  (e) supervising the daily pricing of the Company’s investment portfolio and the publication of the net asset value of the Company’s shares, earnings reports and other financial data;


  (f) monitoring relationships with organizations providing services to the Company, including the Custodian, Transfer Agent and printers;

 

  (g) supervising compliance by the Company with recordkeeping requirements under the Act and regulations thereunder, maintaining books and records for the Company (other than those maintained by the Custodian and Transfer Agent) and preparing and filing of tax reports other than the Company’s income tax returns; and

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may pay for certain costs or expenses including compensation of certain Company officers or other individuals associated with the Administrator, as determined by the Board of Directors.

2. In rendering the services specified in paragraph 1 of this Agreement, the Administrator may, subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, cause such services or any portion thereof to be provided by another person pursuant to a co- or sub-administration agreement; provided that in such event the Administrator shall remain responsible for monitoring and overseeing the performance by such person of its obligations to the Company under such sub-administration agreement. Subject to the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, the fees and out-of-pocket expenses charged by such person in performing these services will be paid or reimbursed by the Company.

3. The Company agrees, during the term of this Agreement, to pay to the Administrator, as compensation for the foregoing, a fee equal on an annual basis to 0.05% of the Company’s average daily managed assets (as defined in the Company’s Investment Management Agreement with the Administrator). The Company shall reimburse the Administrator for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement.

4. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until June 30, 2012, and thereafter from year to year, provided such continuance is approved annually by the Board of Directors of the Company, including a majority of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).

 

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5. This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time on sixty (60) days’ written notice without payment of penalty, provided that such termination by the Company shall be approved by the vote of a majority of the Directors of the Company in office at the time or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (as defined in the 1940 Act), and will terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

6. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator, or of reckless disregard of its obligations hereunder, the Administrator shall not be subject to liability for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder; provided, however, that in no event shall the Administrator be subject to liability for any act or omission of any co- or sub-administrator retained by or for the Company in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Agreement.

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their authorized officers as of the date set forth above.

 

COHEN & STEERS SELECT PREFERRED AND INCOME FUND, INC.
By:    
  Name:   Francis C. Poli
  Title:   Secretary
COHEN & STEERS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:    
  Name:   Adam M. Derechin
  Title:   Chief Operating Officer

 

4

Exhibit (k)(iii)

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10017

September 15, 2010

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Federal Street – 9 th Floor

Boston, MA 02111

Attn: Fund Administration Department

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Administration Agreement between us dated as of March 12, 2001 (the “Agreement”). Pursuant to the Agreement, this letter is to provide notice of the creation of an additional investment fund, which is managed by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., namely Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

In accordance with the Additional Funds provisions of Section 1 of the Agreement, we request that you act as Administrator with respect to the Additional Investment Fund and that Exhibit A to the Agreement be amended in its entirety and replaced with a new Exhibit A annexed hereto.

Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing four copies of this Agreement, returning one to the Fund and retaining three copies for your records.

 

Very truly yours,
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.
By:   /s/ Adam M. Derechin
  Name:   Adam M. Derechin
  Title:   President

 

Accepted:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
By:   /s/ Michael Rogers
  Name:   Michael Rogers
  Title:   Executive Vice President


ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT A

(as amended September 15, 2010)

Closed-End Funds

Cohen & Steers Closed-End Opportunity Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Dividend Majors Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers REIT and Preferred Income Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Global Income Builder, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

Open-End Funds

Cohen & Steers Asia Pacific Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Dividend Value Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Institutional Global Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Global Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income Fund, Inc.

The above registered investment companies are each referred to herein as a “Fund” and are collectively referred to herein as the “Funds.”


ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

Agreement dated as of March 12, 2001 by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Administrator”), and the Cohen & Steers Funds listed and defined in Exhibit A (the “Funds”).

WHEREAS, Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc., Cohen & Steers Equity Income Fund, Inc., Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc., and Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc. are registered as open-end management investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc. and the Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. are registered as closed end management investment companies under the 1940 Act; and

WHEREAS, the Funds desire to retain the Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to the Funds, and the Administrator is willing to furnish such services, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. A PPOINTMENT OF A DMINISTRATOR

The Funds hereby appoint the Administrator to act as administrator with respect to the Funds for purposes of providing certain administrative services for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services stated herein.

In the event that the Funds wish to retain the Administrator to act as administrator hereunder with respect to additional portfolios or funds (“Additional Funds”) hereinafter established by the Funds or by other management investment companies that are advised by Cohen & Steers Capital Management Inc., the Administrator shall be notified in writing by the Additional Fund. Upon written acceptance by the Administrator, such Additional Fund shall become subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the existing Funds, except to the extent that such provisions (including those relating to the compensation and expenses payable by the Funds) may be modified with respect to each Additional Fund in writing by the Additional Fund and the Administrator at the time of the addition of the Additional Fund.

 

2. D ELIVERY OF D OCUMENTS

Each Fund will promptly deliver to the Administrator copies of each of the following documents and all future amendments and supplements, if any:

 

  a. The Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and by-laws;


  b. The Fund’s currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act and the Fund’s Prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information relating to all portfolios and all amendments and supplements thereto as in effect from time to time;

 

  c. Certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) authorizing (1) the Fund to enter into this Agreement and (2) certain individuals on behalf of the Fund to (a) give instructions to the Administrator pursuant to this Agreement and (b) sign checks and pay expenses;

 

  d. A copy of the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and its investment adviser; and

 

  e. Such other certificates, documents or opinions which the Administrator may, in its reasonable discretion, deem necessary or appropriate in the proper performance of its duties.

 

3. R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE A DMINISTRATOR

The Administrator represents and warrants to each Fund that:

 

  a. It is a Massachusetts trust company, duly organized and existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

 

  b. It has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

 

  c. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

  d. No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Administrator’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and

 

  e. Its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Administrator or any law or regulation applicable to it.

 

4. R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF E ACH F UND

Each Fund severally represents and warrants to the Administrator that:

 

  a. It is a corporation, duly organized, existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland;

 

  b. It has the corporate power and authority under applicable laws and by its charter and by-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

2


  c. All requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

  d. It is an investment company properly registered under the 1940 Act;

 

  e. A registration statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act has been filed and will be effective and remain effective during the term of this Agreement. Each Fund also warrants to the Administrator that as of the effective date of this Agreement, all necessary filings under the securities laws of the states in which the Fund offers or sells its shares have been made;

 

  f. No legal or administrative proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would impair the Fund’s ability to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement;

 

  g. Its entrance into this Agreement will not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it; and

 

  h. As of the close of business on the date of this Agreement, the Fund is authorized to issue shares of capital stock, and it will initially offer shares, in the authorized amounts as set forth in Schedule A to this Agreement.

 

5. A DMINISTRATION S ERVICES

The Administrator shall provide the following services, in each case, subject to the control, supervision and direction of the respective Funds and the review and comment by such Fund’s auditors and legal counsel and in accordance with procedures which may be established from time to time between the Funds and the Administrator:

 

  a. Oversee the determination and publication of the Fund’s net asset value in accordance with the Fund’s policy as adopted from time to time by the Board;

 

  b. Oversee the maintenance by the Fund’s custodian of certain books and records of the Fund as required under Rule 31a-1(b) of the 1940 Act;

 

  c. Review calculation, submit for approval by officers of the Fund and arrange for payment of the Fund’s expenses;

 

  d. Prepare for review and approval by officers of the Fund financial information for the Fund’s semi-annual and annual reports, proxy statements and other communications required or otherwise to be sent to Fund shareholders, and arrange for the printing and dissemination of such reports and communications to shareholders;

 

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  e. Prepare for review by an officer of and legal counsel for the Fund the Fund’s periodic financial reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-SAR and financial information required by Form N-1A or Form N-2 and such other reports, forms or filings as may be mutually agreed upon;

 

  f. Prepare reports relating to the business and affairs of the Fund as may be mutually agreed upon and not otherwise prepared by the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian, legal counsel or independent accountants;

 

  g. Make such reports and recommendations to the Board concerning the performance of the independent accountants as the Board may reasonably request;

 

  h. Make such reports and recommendations to the Board concerning the performance and fees of the Fund’s custodian and transfer and dividend disbursing agent (“Transfer Agent”) as the Board may reasonably request or deems appropriate;

 

  i. Oversee and review calculations of fees paid to the Fund’s investment adviser, custodian and Transfer Agent;

 

  j. Consult with the Fund’s officers, independent accountants, legal counsel, custodian and Transfer Agent in establishing the accounting policies of the Fund;

 

  k. Respond to, or refer to the Fund’s officers or Transfer Agent, shareholder inquiries relating to the Fund;

 

  l. Provide periodic testing of portfolios to assist the Fund’s investment adviser in complying with Internal Revenue Code mandatory qualification requirements, the requirements of the 1940 Act and Fund prospectus limitations as may be mutually agreed upon;

 

  m. Review and provide assistance on shareholder communications;

 

  n. Maintain copies of the Fund’s charter and by-laws;

 

  o. File annual and semi-annual shareholder reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies; review text of “President’s letters” to shareholders and “Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance” (which shall also be subject to review by the Fund’s legal counsel);

 

  p. Maintain continuing awareness of significant emerging regulatory and legislative developments which may affect the Fund, update the Board and the investment adviser on those developments and provide related planning assistance where requested or appropriate;

 

  q. Develop or assist in developing guidelines and procedures to improve overall compliance by the Fund and its various agents;

 

4


  r. Counsel and assist the Fund in the handling of routine regulatory examinations and work closely with the Fund’s legal counsel in response to any non-routine regulatory matters;

 

  s. Prepare and file with the SEC Rule 24f-2 notices; and

 

  t. Perform Blue Sky services pursuant to the specific instructions of the Fund and as detailed in Schedule B to this Agreement.

The Administrator shall provide the office facilities and the personnel required by it to perform the services contemplated herein.

 

6. F EES ; E XPENSES ; E XPENSE R EIMBURSEMENT

The Administrator shall receive from the Funds such compensation for the Administrator’s services provided pursuant to this Agreement as may be agreed to from time to time in a written fee schedule approved by the parties and initially set forth in the Fee Schedule to this Agreement. The fees are accrued daily and billed monthly and shall be due and payable upon receipt of the invoice. Upon the termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for the part of the month before such termination shall be prorated according to the proportion which such part bears to the full monthly period and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement. In addition, the Funds shall reimburse the Administrator for its out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with this Agreement.

The Funds agree promptly to reimburse the Administrator for any equipment and supplies specially ordered by or for the Funds through the Administrator and for any other expenses not contemplated by this Agreement that the Administrator may incur on the Funds’ behalf at the Funds’ request or with the Funds’ consent.

Each Fund will bear all expenses that are incurred in its operation and not specifically assumed by the Administrator. Expenses to be borne by the Funds, include, but are not limited to: organizational expenses; cost of services of independent accountants and outside legal and tax counsel (including such counsel’s review of a Fund’s registration statement, proxy materials, federal and state tax qualification as a regulated investment company and other reports and materials prepared by the Administrator under this Agreement); cost of any services contracted for by the Funds directly from parties other than the Administrator; cost of trading operations and brokerage fees, commissions and transfer taxes in connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Funds; investment advisory fees; taxes, insurance premiums and other fees and expenses applicable to its operation; costs incidental to any meetings of shareholders including, but not limited to, legal and accounting fees, proxy filing fees and the costs of preparation, printing and mailing of any proxy materials; costs incidental to Board meetings, including fees and expenses of Board members; the salary and expenses of any officer, director\trustee or employee of the Funds; costs incidental to the preparation, printing and distribution of the Funds’ registration statements and any amendments thereto and shareholder reports; cost of typesetting and printing of prospectuses; cost of preparation and filing of the Funds’ tax returns, Form N-1A or N-2 and Form N-SAR, and all notices, registrations and amendments associated with applicable federal and state tax and securities

 

5


laws; all applicable registration fees and filing fees required under federal and state securities laws; fidelity bond and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance; and cost of independent pricing services used in computing each Fund’s net asset value.

The Administrator is authorized to and may employ or associate with such person or persons as the Administrator may deem desirable to assist it in performing its duties under this Agreement; provided, however, that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by the Administrator and that the Administrator shall be as fully responsible to the Funds for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions.

 

7. I NSTRUCTIONS AND A DVICE

At any time, the Administrator may apply to any officer of the respective Fund for instructions and may consult with its own legal counsel or outside counsel for the Fund or the independent accountants for the Fund at the expense of the Fund, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services to be performed by the Administrator under this Agreement. The Administrator shall not be liable, and shall be indemnified by the Funds, for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon any such instructions or advice or upon any paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons. The Administrator shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person until receipt of written notice thereof from the Funds. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as imposing upon the Administrator any obligation to seek such instructions or advice, or to act in accordance with such advice when received.

 

8. L IMITATION OF L IABILITY AND I NDEMNIFICATION

The Administrator shall be responsible for the performance of only such duties as are set forth in this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided under Section 6, shall have no responsibility for the actions or activities of any other party, including other service providers. The Administrator shall have no liability for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss or damage resulting from the performance or nonperformance of its duties hereunder unless solely caused by or resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrator, its officers or employees. The Administrator shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) under any provision of this Agreement or for any such damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder. In any event, the Administrator’s cumulative liability for each calendar year (a “Liability Period”) with respect to the Funds under this Agreement regardless of the form of action or legal theory shall be limited to its total annual compensation earned with respect to the Funds and fees payable hereunder during the preceding Compensation Period, as defined herein, for any liability or loss suffered by any Fund including, but not limited to, any liability relating to qualification of any Fund as a regulated investment company or any liability relating to a Fund’s compliance with any federal or state tax or securities statute, regulation or ruling during such Liability Period. “Compensation Period” shall mean the calendar year ending immediately prior to each Liability Period in which the event(s) giving rise to the Administrator’s liability for that period have occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation Period for purposes of calculating the annual cumulative liability of the Administrator for the Liability Period commencing on the date of Agreement and terminating on December 31, 2001 shall be the date of this Agreement through December 31, 2001.

 

6


The Administrator shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including without limitation, work stoppage, power or other mechanical failure, computer virus, natural disaster, governmental action or communication disruption.

Each Fund shall indemnify and hold the Administrator harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable fees and expenses for counsel, incurred by the Administrator resulting from any claim, demand, action or suit in connection with the Administrator’s acceptance of this Agreement, any action or omission by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, or as a result of acting upon any instructions reasonably believed by it to have been duly authorized by the respective Fund, provided that this indemnification shall not apply to actions or omissions of the Administrator, its officers or employees in cases of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The indemnification contained herein shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

9. C ONFIDENTIALITY

The Administrator agrees that, except as otherwise required by law or in connection with any required disclosure to a banking or other regulatory authority, it will keep confidential all records and information in its possession relating to the Funds or their shareholders or shareholder accounts and will not disclose the same to any person except at the request or with the written consent of the respective Fund.

 

10. C OMPLIANCE WITH G OVERNMENTAL R ULES AND R EGULATIONS ; R ECORDS

The Funds assume full responsibility for complying with all securities, tax, commodities and other laws, rules and regulations applicable to it.

In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Funds shall at all times remain the property of the respective Funds, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Funds pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form.

 

11. S ERVICES N OT E XCLUSIVE

The services of the Administrator to the Funds are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Administrator shall be free to render similar services to others. The Administrator shall be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided herein or authorized by the Funds from time to time, have no authority to act or represent the Funds in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Funds.

 

7


12. T ERM , T ERMINATION AND A MENDMENT

 

  (a) This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its execution and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of two years from the effective date and shall automatically continue in full force and effect after such initial term unless either party terminates this Agreement by written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the initial term.

 

  (b) Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time after the initial term upon at least sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the other party. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any given Fund shall in no way affect the continued validity of this Agreement with respect to any other Fund.

 

  (c) Upon termination of this Agreement, the Funds shall pay to the Administrator such compensation and any reimbursable expenses as may be due under the terms hereof as of the date of such termination, including reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with such termination.

 

  (d) This Agreement may be modified or amended from time to time by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto.

 

13. N OTICES

Any notice or other communication authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to either party shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by confirmed facsimile, or posted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following address (or such other address as a party may specify by written notice to the other): if to the Funds: c/o Cohen & Steers Capital Management Inc., Attn: Adam Derechin, Senior Vice President, fax: (212) 750-0713; if to the Administrator: State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, Attn: Fund Administration Legal Department, fax: 617-662-3805.

 

14. N ON -A SSIGNABILITY

This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior consent in writing of the other party, except that the Administrator may assign this Agreement to a successor of all or a substantial portion of its business, or to a party controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Administrator.

 

15. S UCCESSORS

This Agreement shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Funds and the Administrator and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

8


16. E NTIRE A GREEMENT

This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous representations, warranties or commitments regarding the services to be performed hereunder whether oral or in writing.

 

17. W AIVER

The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver nor shall it deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any term of this Agreement. Any waiver must be in writing signed by the waiving party.

 

18. S EVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the balance of the Agreement shall remain in effect, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.

 

19. G OVERNING L AW

This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

20. R EPRODUCTION OF D OCUMENTS

This Agreement and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the date first written above.

 

Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc.
Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc.
Cohen & Steers Equity Income Fund, Inc.
Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc.
Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc.
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc.
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:    
Name:   Kathleen C. Cuocolo
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

10


ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE A

Listing of Investment Funds and Authorized Shares

 

Fund

   Authorized Shares  

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc.

  

Cohen & Steers Equity Income Fund, Inc.

  

Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc.

  

Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc.

  

Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc.

  

Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc.

  

 

11


ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE B

Notice Filing with

State Securities Administrators

At the specific direction of the Funds, the Administrator will prepare required documentation and make Notice Filings in accordance with the securities laws of each jurisdiction in which Funds shares are to be offered or sold pursuant to instructions given to the Administrator by the Funds.

The Funds shall be solely responsible for the determination (i) of those jurisdictions in which Notice Filings are to be submitted and (ii) the number of Fund shares to be permitted to be sold in each such jurisdiction. In the event that the Administrator becomes aware of (a) the sale of Fund shares in a jurisdiction in which no Notice Filing has been made or (b) the sale of Fund shares in excess of the number of Fund shares permitted to be sold in such jurisdiction, the Administrator shall report such information to the Funds, and it shall be the Fund’s responsibility to determine appropriate corrective action and instruct the Administrator with respect thereto.

The Blue Sky services shall consist of the following:

 

  1. Filing of Fund’s Initial Notice Filings, as directed by each Fund;

 

  2. Filing of Fund’s renewals and amendments as required;

 

  3. Filing of amendments to the Fund’s registration statement where required;

 

  4. Filing Fund sales reports where required;

 

  5. Payment at the expense of the Fund of all Fund Notice Filing fees;

 

  6. Filing the Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and any amendments or supplements thereto where required;

 

  7. Filing of annual reports and proxy statements where required; and

 

  8. The performance of such additional services as the Administrator and the Funds may agree upon in writing.

Unless otherwise specified in writing by the Administrator, Blue Sky services by the Administrator shall not include determining the availability of exemptions under a jurisdiction’s blue sky law. Any such determination shall be made by a Fund or its legal counsel. In connection with the services described herein, each Fund shall issue in favor of the Administrator a power of attorney to submit Notice Filings on behalf of such Fund, which power of attorney shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto.

 

12


EXHIBIT I

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, as of October __, 2000, that Cohen & Steers Equity Income Fund, Inc., Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc., Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc., Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc. Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc. and Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. (each, a “Fund”) with principal offices at 757 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2013, makes, constitutes, and appoints STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the “Administrator”) with principal offices at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts its lawful attorney-in-fact for it to do as if it were itself acting, the following:

 

1. NOTICE FILINGS FOR FUND SHARES. The Power to submit notice filings for the Funds in each jurisdiction in which the Funds’ shares are offered or sold and in connection therewith the power to prepare, execute, and deliver and file any and all the Funds’ applications including without limitation, applications to provide notice for the Funds’ shares, consents, including consents to service of process, reports, including without limitation, all periodic reports, or other documents and instruments now or hereafter required or appropriate in the judgment of the Bank in connection with the notice filings of the Funds’ shares.

 

2. CHECKS. The power to draw, endorse, and deposit checks in the name of the Funds in connection with the notice filings of the Funds’ shares with state securities administrators.

 

3. AUTHORIZED SIGNERS. Pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney, individuals holding the titles of Officer or Blue Sky Manager at the Bank shall have authority to act on behalf of the Funds with respect to items 1 and 2 above.

The execution of this limited power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be revocable only upon receipt by Bank of such termination of authority. Nothing herein shall be construed to constitute the appointment of the Bank as or otherwise authorize the Bank to act as an officer, director or employee of the Funds.

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned Funds severally have caused this agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by and through its duly authorized officer, as of the date first written above.

Cohen & Steers Advantage Income Realty Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Equity Income Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc.

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Subscribed and sworn to before me

this          day of                      , 2001

Notary Public
In and for the County of _______________
My Commission expires _______________

 

14


EXHIBIT A

Closed-End Funds

Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc.

Open-End Funds

Cohen & Steers Equity Income Fund, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc.

Cohen & Steers Special Equity Fund, Inc.

The above registered investment companies are each referred to herein as a “Fund” and are collectively referred to herein as the “Funds.”

Approved as of _________, 2001

 

15

Exhibit (k)(iv)

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT

[•], 2010

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement dated [•], 2010 (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and among [•] (the “ Fund ”), [•] (the “ Investment Manager ”) and each of the Underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), severally, with respect to the issue and sale of the Fund’s common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.001 (the “ Common Shares ”), as described therein (the “ Offering ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

  1. Fee .

In consideration of your services assisting the Investment Manager with respect to the structure and design of the Fund and the organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares, the Investment Manager shall pay a fee to you in the aggregate amount of $[•] (the “ Fee ”). The Fee shall be paid on or before the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement). The Fee shall be paid by wire transfer to the order of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

 

  2. Term .

This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof.

 

  3. Indemnification .

The Investment Manager agrees to the indemnification and other agreements set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

 

  4. Not an Adviser; No Fiduciary Duty .

The Investment Manager acknowledges that you are not providing any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. No provision of this Agreement shall be considered as creating, nor shall any provision create, any obligation on the part of you, and you are not agreeing hereby, to: (i) furnish any advice or make any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities; or (ii) render any opinions, valuations or recommendations of any kind or to perform any such similar services. The Investment Manager hereby acknowledges that your engagement


under this Agreement is as an independent contractor and not in any other capacity, including as a fiduciary. Furthermore, the Investment Manager agrees that it is solely responsible for making its own judgment in connection with the matters covered by this Agreement (irrespective of whether you have advised or are currently advising the Investment Manager on related or other matters).

 

  5. Not Exclusive .

Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting you or your affiliates from acting as an underwriter or financial adviser or in any other capacity for any other persons (including other registered investment companies or other investment advisers).

 

  6. Assignment .

This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent of the other party.

 

  7. Amendment; Waiver .

No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

 

  8. Governing Law .

This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

  9. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

2


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first written above.

 

[•]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Agreed and Accepted:
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
By:    
  Name: Jerry Raio
  Title: Managing Director

 

3


Indemnification Agreement

[•], 2010

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the “ Bank ”) to assist the undersigned, [•], together with its affiliates and subsidiaries (the “ Company ”) with respect to the matters set forth in the Structuring Fee Agreement dated [•], 2010 between the Company and the Bank (the “ Agreement ”), in the event that the Bank, any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling the Bank or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, or the successors or assigns of any of the foregoing persons (the Bank and each such other person or entity being referred to as an “ Indemnified Party ”) becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, litigation, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “ Proceeding ”) with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold each Indemnified Party harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Indemnified Parties, with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review, that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. In addition, in the event that an Indemnified Party becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for its legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection therewith. Promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement. Counsel to the Indemnified Parties shall be selected by the Bank. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided , however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the Indemnified Parties) also be counsel to the Indemnified Party. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any Proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless

 

4


such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such Proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.

If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its stockholders and affiliates, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Parties, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its stockholders and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its stockholders and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, of a transaction as contemplated shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received or paid or contemplated to be received or paid by the Company or its stockholders or affiliates, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the transaction (whether or not consummated) for which the Bank has been retained to perform services bears to the fees paid to the Bank under the Agreement; provided , that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that the Indemnified Parties are not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by the Bank pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to information provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by the Bank, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, an Indemnified Party shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that such Indemnified Party was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not an Indemnified Party is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without the Bank’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at common law or otherwise.

The Company agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Bank in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement.

 

5


THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PERFORMED PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT (“ CLAIM ”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST THE BANK OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH INDEMNIFIED PARTY AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON THE COMPANY AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH THE COMPANY IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.

 

6


The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of the Bank’s engagement under the Agreement. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Very truly yours,
[•]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Agreed and Accepted:
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
By:    
  Name: Jerry Raio
  Title: Managing Director

 

7

Exhibit (k)(v)

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT

STRUCTURING FEE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of [•], 2010 between Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and [•] (“[•]”).

WHEREAS, [•] (the “Fund”) is a newly-organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and its shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

WHEREAS, [•] is the investment manager of the Fund;

WHEREAS, Merrill Lynch is acting as an underwriter in an offering of the Fund’s Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, [•] desires to provide additional compensation to Merrill Lynch for providing the advice and services described below;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual terms and conditions set forth below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. In consideration of Merrill Lynch’s providing advice relating to the structure and design and the organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Common Stock, [•] shall pay Merrill Lynch a fee in the aggregate amount of $[            ], which is equal to [    ]% of the total price to the public of the Fund’s Common Stock sold by Merrill Lynch pursuant to the prospectus dated [    ], 2010 (the “Prospectus”) (the “Fee”). The Fee shall be paid on or before the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement, dated [                    ], 2010, by and among the Fund, [•] and each of the Underwriters named therein (the “Underwriting Agreement”)). The fee hereunder shall not exceed [             ]% of the total price to the public of the Fund’s Common Stock issued by the Fund pursuant to the Prospectus. The sum total of this Fee, plus the structuring fees paid to certain other underwriters in connection with this offering, plus the underwriters’ counsel fees paid by the Fund and commissions paid to certain registered personnel of its broker-dealer affiliates shall not exceed 9.0% of the total price of the Fund’s Common Stock sold by the Fund pursuant to the Prospectus.

 

2. [•] acknowledges that Merrill Lynch did not provide and is not providing any advice hereunder as to the value of securities or regarding the advisability of purchasing or selling any securities for the Fund’s portfolio. No provision of this Agreement shall be considered as creating, nor shall any provision create, any obligation on the part of Merrill Lynch, and Merrill Lynch is not hereby agreeing, to: (i) furnish any advice or make any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of portfolio securities or (ii) render any opinions, valuations or recommendations of any kind or to perform any such similar services in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.


3. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting Merrill Lynch or its affiliates from providing similar or other services to any other clients (including other registered investment companies or other investment advisers).

 

4. This Agreement shall terminate upon the payment of the entire amount of the Fee, as specified in Section 1 hereof or upon the termination of the Underwriting Agreement without common shares having been delivered and paid for. If this Agreement is terminated the Fund shall reimburse Merrill Lynch only for all of its accountable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in connection with this Agreement.

 

5. [•] has furnished Merrill Lynch with such information as Merrill Lynch believes appropriate to its assignment hereunder (all such information so furnished being the “Information”). [•] recognizes and confirms that Merrill Lynch (a) has used and relied primarily on the Information and on information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated by this Agreement without having independently verified the same and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the Information and such other information. The Information furnished by [•], when delivered, was true and correct in all material respects and did not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading. [•] will promptly notify Merrill Lynch if it learns of any material inaccuracy or misstatement in, or material omission from, any Information delivered to Merrill Lynch. Merrill Lynch agrees to keep such Information confidential to the extent permitted by law.

 

6. [•] agrees that Merrill Lynch shall have no liability to [•], or the Fund for any act or omission to act by Merrill Lynch in the course of its performance under this Agreement, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Merrill Lynch. [•] agrees to the terms set forth in the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference and shall survive the termination, expiration or supersession of this Agreement.

 

7. This Agreement and any claim, counterclaim or dispute of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement (“Claim”) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

8. No Claim may be commenced, prosecuted or continued in any court other than the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of such matters, and [•] and Merrill Lynch consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and personal service with respect thereto. Each of Merrill Lynch and [•] waives all right to trial by jury in any proceeding (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement. [•] and Merrill Lynch agree that a final judgment in any proceeding or counterclaim brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon [•] and Merrill Lynch and may be enforced in any other courts to the jurisdiction of which [•] and Merrill Lynch are or may be subject, by suit upon such judgment.


9. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

10. This Agreement (including the attached Indemnification Agreement) embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such determination will not affect such provision in any other respect or any other provision of this Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may not be amended or otherwise modified or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by both Merrill Lynch and [•].

 

11. All notices required or permitted to be sent under this Agreement shall be sent, if to [•]:

[    ]

Attention: [    ]

or if to Merrill Lynch:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                    Incorporated

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

Attention: Stephanie Trell, Director, Global Wealth Management

or such other name or address as may be given in writing to the other parties. Any notice shall be deemed to be given or received on the third day after deposit in the U.S. mail with certified postage prepaid or when actually received, whether by hand, express delivery service or facsimile transmission, whichever is earlier.

 

12. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Structuring Fee Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

[•]     MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
By:         By:    
  Name:       Name:
  Title:       Title:


Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

Indemnification Agreement

November [    ], 2010

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                         Incorporated

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the engagement of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) to advise and assist the undersigned, [•] (together with its affiliates and subsidiaries, referred to as the “Company”) with respect to the matters set forth in the Structuring Fee Agreement dated [    ], 2010 between the Company and Merrill Lynch (the “Agreement”), in the event that Merrill Lynch becomes involved in any capacity in any claim, suit, action, proceeding, investigation or inquiry (including, without limitation, any shareholder or derivative action or arbitration proceeding) (collectively, a “Proceeding”) with respect to services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Merrill Lynch harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses with respect to services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review, that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Merrill Lynch. In addition, in the event that Merrill Lynch becomes involved in any capacity in any Proceeding with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, the Company will reimburse Merrill Lynch for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) as such expenses are incurred by Merrill Lynch in connection therewith. Promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt by Merrill Lynch of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, Merrill Lynch will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made under this paragraph, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the Company (i) will not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and (ii) in any event shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this Indemnification Agreement. Counsel to Merrill Lynch shall be selected by Merrill Lynch. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of Merrill Lynch) also be counsel to Merrill Lynch. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought hereunder (whether or not Merrill Lynch is an actual or potential party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of Merrill Lynch from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a


failure to act by or on behalf of Merrill Lynch. If such indemnification were not to be available for any reason, the Company agrees to contribute to the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses involved (i) in the proportion appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received or sought to be received by the Company and its stockholders and affiliates and other consituencies, on the one hand, and Merrill Lynch, on the other hand, in the matters contemplated by the Agreement or (ii) if (but only if and to the extent) the allocation provided for in clause (i) is for any reason held unenforceable, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and its stockholders and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The Company agrees that for the purposes of this paragraph the relative benefits received, or sought to be received, by the Company and its stockholders and affiliates, on the one hand, and the party entitled to contribution, on the other hand, of a transaction as contemplated shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total value received or paid or contemplated to be received or paid by the Company or its stockholders or affiliates, as the case may be, as a result of or in connection with the transaction (whether or not consummated) for which Merrill Lynch has been retained to perform services bears to the fees paid to Merrill Lynch under the Agreement; provided, that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to assure that Merrill Lynch is not liable for losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by Merrill Lynch pursuant to the Agreement. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any alleged untrue statement or omission or any other alleged conduct relates to information provided by the Company or other conduct by the Company (or its employees or other agents), on the one hand, or by Merrill Lynch, on the other hand. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, Merrill Lynch shall not be entitled to contribution from the Company if it is determined that Merrill Lynch was guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) and the Company was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Company will not settle any Proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, whether or not Merrill Lynch is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding, without Merrill Lynch’s prior written consent. For purposes of this Indemnification Agreement, Merrill Lynch shall include Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, any of its affiliates, each other person, if any, controlling Merrill Lynch or any of its affiliates, their respective officers, current and former directors, employees and agents, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons. The foregoing indemnity and contribution agreement shall be in addition to any rights that any indemnified party may have at common law or otherwise.

The Company agrees that neither Merrill Lynch nor any of its affiliates, directors, agents, employees or controlling persons shall have any liability to the Company or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of the Company with respect to the services performed pursuant to and in accordance with the Agreement, except to the extent that it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a judgment that has become final in that it is no longer subject to appeal or other review that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by the Company resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Merrill Lynch in performing the services that are the subject of the Agreement.


THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, COUNTERCLAIM OR DISPUTE WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PERFORMED PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS AGREEMENT (“CLAIM”), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, NO CLAIM MAY BE COMMENCED, PROSECUTED OR CONTINUED IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, WHICH COURTS SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER THE ADJUDICATION OF SUCH MATTERS, AND THE COMPANY AND MERRILL LYNCH CONSENT TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND PERSONAL SERVICE WITH RESPECT THERETO. THE COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY COURT IN WHICH ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS BROUGHT BY ANY THIRD PARTY AGAINST MERRILL LYNCH OR ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. EACH OF MERRILL LYNCH AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF MERRILL LYNCH AND THE COMPANY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY PROCEEDING OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND BINDING UPON MERRILL LYNCH AND THE COMPANY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER COURTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF WHICH MERRILL LYNCH AND THE COMPANY, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IS OR MAY BE SUBJECT, BY SUIT UPON SUCH JUDGMENT.


The foregoing Indemnification Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any termination of Merrill Lynch’s engagement. This Indemnification Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

Very truly yours,
[•]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Accepted and agreed to as
of the date first written above:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Exhibit (l)(i)

November 18, 2010

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F. Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Re: Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), in connection with the organization of the Fund and the initial public offering of shares of its Common Stock, par value $.001 per share (the “Shares”).

As counsel for the Fund, we are familiar with its Charter and Bylaws. We have examined the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) included in the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File Nos. 333-168898; 811-22455) (the “Registration Statement”), in the form transmitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We also have examined copies of such other documents, records, papers, statutes and authorities as we deemed necessary to form a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed, including resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fund, or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to the issuance of the Shares (the “Resolutions”), certified by an officer of the Fund. In our examination of such material, we have assumed, without independent verification, the genuineness of all signatures on documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to various questions of fact material to such opinion, we have relied upon statements and certificates of officers and representatives of the Fund and others.


Securities and Exchange Commission

November 18, 2010

Page 2

Attorneys involved in the preparation of this opinion are admitted only to the bar of the State of New York. As to various questions arising under the laws of the State of Maryland, we have relied on the opinion of Venable LLP. The assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth in their opinion are deemed incorporated herein.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Fund is a corporation duly formed, existing and in good standing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland.

2. The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor, in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Resolutions, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement, and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to any application made by or on behalf of the Fund or any distributor or dealer in connection with the registration and qualification of the Fund or its shares of Common Stock under the securities laws of any state or jurisdiction. In giving such permission, we do not admit hereby that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/S/ STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP STROOCK & STROOCK & LAVAN LLP

Exhibit (l)(ii)

[Letterhead of Venable LLP]

November 18, 2010

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

180 Maiden Lane

New York, NY 10038

 

  Re: Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have served as special Maryland counsel to Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”) registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), in connection with its offering of shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, in an initial public offering.

In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Documents”):

1. The Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), (Securities Act File No. 333-168898; 1940 Act File No. 811-22455) with respect to the Shares (the “Registration Statement”) and the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) included therein, in the form transmitted to the Commission under the Act;

2. The charter of the Company, as amended and supplemented through the date hereof (the “Charter”), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”);

3. The Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”);

4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;

5. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, relating to the issuance of the Shares (the “Resolutions”), certified by an officer of the Company;


Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

November 18, 2010

Page 2

6. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and

7. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.

In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:

1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.

2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.

3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and the obligations of such party set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.

4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.

5. The number of Shares to be issued will not exceed the number of Shares registered under the Registration Statement.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly formed, existing and in good standing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland.


Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

November 18, 2010

Page 3

2. The Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor, in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Resolutions, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter.

The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.

You may rely on this opinion in rendering your opinion to the Company that is to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP

Exhibit (n)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-2 of our report dated October 19, 2010, relating to the statement of assets and liabilities of Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc., as of October 6, 2010, which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in such Registration Statement.

/s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

November 17, 2010

Exhibit (p)

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

October 6, 2010

Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.

280 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Dear Sirs:

Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) hereby accepts your offer to purchase 4,200 shares of the Fund’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, at a price of $23.875 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $100,296. This agreement is subject to the understanding that you have no present intention of selling or redeeming the shares so acquired.

 

Sincerely,
Cohen & Steers Select Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.
By:    
  Name:   Francis C. Poli
    Secretary

 

Accepted:
Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.
By:    
  Name:   Adam M. Derechin
    President

Exhibit (r)

LOGO

 

 

Code of Ethics

Amended and Restated

October 1, 2009


Table of Contents

 

Overview and Scope

     1   

I.

 

Statement of General Fiduciary Principles

     1   

II.

 

Definitions

     2   

III.

 

Personal Securities Transactions

     4   
 

A.

 

Preclearance Requests

     4   
 

B.

 

Transactions Exempt from Preclearance

     5   
 

C.

 

Managed Accounts

     5   

IV.

 

Restrictions

     5   
 

A.

 

Blackout Periods

     5   
   

1.

  

Real Estate Securities

     5   
   

2.

  

Non-Real Estate Securities

     6   
 

B.

 

Holding Period

     6   
 

C.

 

Excessive Trading

     7   
 

D.

 

Initial Public Offerings

     7   
 

E.

 

Private Placements

     7   
 

F.

 

Cohen & Steers Closed-End Funds

     7   
 

G.

 

Cohen & Steers Open-End Funds

     8   
 

H.

 

Prohibition on Accepting Gifts

     8   
 

I.

 

Investment Clubs

     8   
 

J.

 

Outside Directorships

     8   

V.

 

Reporting

     9   
 

A.

 

Initial Holdings Reports

     9   
 

B.

 

Quarterly Transaction Reports

     9   
 

C.

 

Annual Holdings Reports

     10   
 

D.

 

Compliance Review

     10   
 

E.

 

Exception

     11   
 

F.

 

Annual Certification

     11   
 

G.

 

Independent Directors

     11   
 

H.

 

Confidentiality

     11   
 

I.

 

Disclaimer

     12   


 

VI.

 

Administration of the Code of Ethics

     12   
   

A.

  

Use of Preferred Brokers

     12   
   

B.

  

Duplicate Confirms and Statements

     12   
   

C.

  

Exemptions from the Code

     12   
   

D.

  

Fund Board of Directors Reporting and Approval

     13   
   

E.

  

Violations and Sanctions

     13   
   

F.

  

Acknowledgments

     13   
   

G.

  

Records

     14   
 

Appendix A: Reportable Funds

     A-1   
 

Appendix B: Private Placement Approval Form

     B-1   
 

Appendix C: Initial Holding Report

     C-1   


Overview and Scope

The Cohen & Steers Code of Ethics (the “Code”) applies to Cohen & Steers, Inc. as well as any of its current or future subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “Cohen & Steers”) and the Cohen & Steers U.S. registered investment companies and the provisions of this Code apply to all Cohen & Steers employees, wherever located. In certain non-U.S. countries, local laws or customs may impose requirements in addition to the Code. This Code does not apply to directors of Cohen & Steers who are not also Cohen & Steers employees but sections of this Code do apply to the independent directors of the Cohen & Steers U.S. registered investment companies.

The Code is structured as follows:

 

   

Section I contains a statement of general fiduciary principles

 

   

Section II defines certain terms used in the Code

 

   

Section III describes the preclearance requirements for personal securities transactions, among other things

 

   

Section IV details the limitations and restrictions imposed by the Code

 

   

Section V describes the reporting requirements under the Code

 

   

Section VI details the administration and procedural requirements of the Code

 

I. Statement of General Fiduciary Principles

The following general fiduciary principles shall govern personal investment activities and the interpretation and administration of this Code:

 

   

The interests of clients must be placed first at all times;

 

   

All personal securities transactions must be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the Code and in a way to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility;

 

   

Individuals must not take advantage of their own positions at Cohen & Steers to misappropriate investment opportunities from clients; and

 

   

Individuals must comply with the applicable federal securities laws. 1

 

1

For purposes of this Code, “applicable federal securities laws” is defined as the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, any rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 as it applies to funds and investment advisors, any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury, and any applicable local legislation, including the rules and regulations of the Belgian Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission, the rules and regulations of the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority and the rules and regulations of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.

 

1


When making personal investment decisions, all employees must exercise extreme care to avoid violating the prohibitions of this Code. Furthermore, employees should conduct their personal investing in such a manner that will minimize the employee’s time and attention that are devoted to personal investments at the expense of time and attention that should be devoted to duties at Cohen & Steers.

It is not possible for this policy to address every situation involving Cohen & Steers employees’ personal trading. The Chief Compliance Officer in consultation with the Cohen & Steers Executive Committee is charged with oversight and interpretation of this Code in a manner considered fair and equitable, with a view in all cases of placing Cohen & Steers clients’ interests first. Technical compliance with the Code will not insulate an employee from scrutiny of, or sanctions for, employee abuses of his or her position, fiduciary duty or securities transactions which may potentially conflict with any client of Cohen & Steers.

 

II. Definitions

 

  A. “Access Person” means any employee director, officer, general partner of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. or its affiliated investment advisors. All employees are considered Access Persons.

 

  B. “Automatic Investment Plan” means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are automatically made in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic Investment Plan includes a dividend reinvestment plan.

 

  C. “Beneficial Ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for the purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules thereunder.

 

  D. “Board of Directors” shall mean the directors of the Funds.

 

  E. “Chief Compliance Officer” shall mean the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and the Cohen & Steers Funds.

 

  F. “Code” shall mean this Code of Ethics.

 

  G. “Control” shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act.

 

  H.

“Covered Security” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act. This definition includes, but is not limited to, any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or

 

2


 

subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a “security”, or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.

Covered Security shall not include the following:

 

  1. Direct obligations of the government of the United States or any other sovereign country or supra-national agency; and

 

  2.

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments 2 , including repurchase agreements; and

 

  3. Shares issued by an open-end registered investment company, including Cohen & Steers open-end investment companies, other than shares of Exchange Traded Funds.

 

  I. “Exchange Traded Fund” or “ETF” is a security that tracks an index and represents a basket of stocks or bonds like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange. This definition also includes Exchange Traded Notes or “ETN”s.

 

  J. “Fund” or “Funds” mean the U.S. registered Cohen & Steers open and closed-end investment companies.

 

  K. “Independent Director” means a director of the Funds who is not an “interested person” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, and who would be required to make a report under Section V of this Code solely by reason of being a director of the Funds.

 

  L. “Initial Public Offering” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933 the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

2

High quality short-term debt instrument means any instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and that is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

 

3


  M. “Investment Personnel” refers to any employee who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities on behalf of client accounts. Investment Personnel include portfolio managers and analyst but does not include traders.

 

  N. “Personal Trading System” or “PTA” means the automated personal trading system used by Cohen & Steers for administration of this Code. All employees receive a username and password at the start of their employment with the firm.

 

  O. “Private Placement” means a security offering that is exempt from registration under certain provisions of the U.S. securities laws and/or similar laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement you must consult with the Legal & Compliance Department).

 

  P. “Purchase or sale of a Covered Security” includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a Covered Security.

 

  Q. “Real Estate Security” means any security of a company that derives at least 50% of its revenues from the ownership, construction, financing, management or sale of commercial, industrial or residential real estate, or has at least 50% of its assets in such real estate.

 

  R. “Reportable Fund” means any open-end fund for which Cohen & Steers acts as investment advisor or subadvisor or principal underwriter. See Appendix A for a list of Reportable Funds.

 

  S. “Reportable Security” means any Covered Security and Reportable Fund.

 

III. Personal Securities Transactions

 

  A. Preclearance Requests

Except as specifically exempted in this section, all Access Persons must obtain preclearance approval before effecting a personal transaction in any Covered Security including closed-end funds and ETFs. For U.S. employees, clearance for personal securities transactions will be in effect only for the day of approval. For non-U.S. employees clearance for personal securities transactions will be in effect for the day of approval plus the following business day.

In order to obtain preclearance, an Access Person must complete a preclearance request using PTA whenever possible on the day they intend to trade. Preclearance may be denied for any reason. An Access Person is not entitled to receive an explanation or reason if their preclearance request is denied.

 

4


  B. Transactions Exempt from Preclearance

Preclearance approval is not required for the below list of transactions:

 

   

Purchases or sales of a security that is not a Covered Security.

 

   

Purchases or sales that are not volitional.

 

   

Purchases or sales which are part of an Automatic Investment Plan that has been disclosed to the Compliance Department in advance.

 

   

Trades in an account where investment discretion is delegated to an independent third party (see Managed Accounts below).

 

  C. Managed Accounts

Transactions in personal accounts for which an Access Person does not have direct or indirect influence or control (e.g. a professionally managed account over which the Access Person has authorized complete discretion) are not subject to the preclearance requirements of the Code. If an Access Person has beneficial interest in an account but does not have direct or indirect influence or control, the Access Person must provide compliance with written confirmation of the Access Person’s lack of direct or indirect influence or control over the account. Upon approval from the CCO, transactions in such account will not require preclearance and need not be reported under Section V below

 

IV. Restrictions

Preclearance requests will be denied under the circumstances described below. Please note that the following restrictions are equally applied to the Covered Security and to instruments related to the Covered Security. A related instrument is any security or instrument issued by the same entity as the issuer of the Covered Security, including options, rights, warrants, preferred stock, bonds and other obligations of that issuer, instruments otherwise convertible into securities of that issuer or any other instrument derived from a Covered security (e.g. OTC options) regardless of issuer.

 

  A. Blackout Periods

 

  1. Real Estate Securities

No Access Person shall purchase or sell any Real Estate Security (as defined in Section II ) except that an Access Person may invest in shares of open-end funds, closed-end funds and ETFs that invest in Real Estate Securities, subject to the applicable preclearance and reporting requirements of this Code.

 

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  2. Non-Real Estate Securities

 

  a. No Access Person shall execute any securities transaction on a day during which any client has a pending buy or sell order in that same security unless clearance was granted prior to the initiation of the order or until that order is executed or withdrawn.

 

  b. Investment Personnel are prohibited from trading a security in a personal account for three days before and one day after a transaction in the same or equivalent security in a client portfolio they manage.

 

  B. Holding Period

All Access Persons are prohibited from profiting from the purchase and sale or the sale and purchase of the same security (or equivalent) within thirty (30) calendar days. Any profits realized from the purchase and sale or the sale and purchase of the same security (or equivalent) within thirty day restriction periods shall be disgorged. Transactions that would result in a loss are not subject to the 30-day holding period.

The holding period is calculated using FIFO (first-in-first out) and therefore the holding period rule is violated if there is a profit when:

 

   

The first purchase(s) during the timeframe are followed by a sale at a higher price, or

 

   

The first sale(s) during the timeframe are followed by a purchase at a lower price

The price is calculated by looking at the price of the earliest opposite-side transactions during the thirty day period.

FIFO Example:

If an employee purchased 100 shares of XYZ on March 1 and 100 more on March 15, on April 1 the employee would be permitted to sell at a profit only 100 shares. She/he would have to wait until April 15 to sell the additional 100 shares at a profit.

Certain limited exceptions to this holding period are available on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the Chief Compliance Officer or a designee prior to execution. Exceptions to this policy include, but are not limited to, hardships and extended disability. Non-volitional trades such as automatic investment and withdrawal programs and automatic rebalancing are permitted transactions under this policy.

 

6


Officers and directors of the Cohen & Steers’ closed-end funds are subject to additional holding periods as set forth in Section IV.B.F below and the Cohen & Steers Inside Information Policy.

 

  C. Excessive Trading

Excessive or inappropriate trading is prohibited. The Compliance Department monitors all employees’ trading and provides periodic reports to department heads and supervisors regarding the volume and nature of employee transactions. A pattern of excessive trading may lead to disciplinary action under the Code up to and including termination.

 

  D. Initial Public Offerings

All Access Persons are prohibited from purchasing equity securities in an initial public offering.

 

  E. Private Placements

Access Persons must obtain prior approval from the CCO before directly or indirectly acquiring Beneficial Ownership in a Private Placement. The CCO will consult a member of the executive committee and other appropriate parties in evaluating the request. To request prior approval, Access Persons must provide the CCO with a completed Private Placement Approval Request ( Appendix B) and sufficient supporting documentation.

If the request is approved, the Access Person must report the trade on the Quarterly Transaction Report and report the investment on the Annual Holdings report (see Section V). Subsequent investments in same Private Placement must also be preapproved and reported.

 

  F. Cohen & Steers Closed-End Funds

Additional restrictions regarding the closed-end funds managed by Cohen & Steers, in order to ensure no improper trading takes place, include:

 

  1.

Holding Period: Directors and officers of the Cohen & Steers closed-end Funds are prohibited by the federal securities laws from selling shares of these Funds within six months of purchasing them, or purchasing shares of these Funds within six months of selling them, and must file forms promptly with the SEC regarding their transactions in shares of these Funds. Any violation of this six-month holding period will require disgorgement of any profits. 3

 

3

Pursuant to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the holding period for the closed-end funds is calculated using LIFO (“last in-first out”) whereas the holding period in Section IV.B above is calculated using FIFO.

 

7


  2. Blackout Periods: Independent Directors and Access Persons may not purchase or sell shares of the Cohen & Steers closed-end Funds on certain days prior to board meetings and dividend declarations.

 

  a. For Independent Directors, the blackout period is from the date of the receipt of quarterly board materials through the close of business on the second day of the quarterly meeting and the issuance of a press release declaring quarterly dividends.

 

  b. For Access Persons, the blackout period begins two (2) weeks prior to the quarterly board meeting through the second day of that meeting.

 

  c. The CCO or General Counsel may impose additional blackout periods for trading in the closed-end funds as necessary.

 

  G. Cohen & Steers Open-End Funds

All Access Persons are subject to the same frequent trading policies that apply to the shareholders of the Cohen & Steers open-end Funds. As such, no Access Person or Independent Director shall redeem any shares of the Cohen & Steers open-end Funds unless the shares have been held for at least sixty (60) days. This holding period does not apply to shares acquired through an Automatic Investment Plan.

This holding period applies to all transactions in Cohen & Steers Open-End Funds even though such transactions do not require preclearance.

 

  H. Prohibition on Accepting Gifts

No Access Person shall give or receive any gift in violation of the Cohen & Steers Gifts and Entertainment Policy and Procedures, which permit gifts valued cumulatively at $100 or less per person per calendar year.

 

  I. Investment Clubs

Employee participation in Investment Clubs is permitted but all Investment Club transactions are subject to the restrictions and reporting requirements in this Code.

 

  J. Outside Directorships

No Access Person shall serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company unless approved in advance by a Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Cohen & Steers, Inc. This authorization will be provided only if a Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer concludes that service on the board would not be inconsistent with the interests of Cohen & Steers’ clients. Access Persons who have received this approval shall not trade for a client or their own

 

8


account in the securities of the company while in possession of material, non-public information. Outside business activities, other than service on a board of a publicly traded company, are addressed in the Cohen & Steers Conflicts of Interest Policy.

 

V. Reporting

 

  A. Initial Holdings Reports

Within 10 days of the commencement of employment with Cohen & Steers, each Access Person must provide the Compliance Department with a statement of all Reportable Securities and brokerage accounts as set forth in Appendix C . More specifically, each Access Person must provide the following information:

 

   

The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

   

The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and

 

   

The date the Access Person submits the report.

 

  B. Quarterly Transaction Reports

Within 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter, all Access Persons must report the following information:

 

  1. With respect to transactions during the quarter in any Reportable Security in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Reportable Security:

 

   

The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security involved;

 

   

The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

   

The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;

 

   

The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

 

9


   

The date the Access Person submits the report.

 

  2. With respect to any account established by the Access Person in which any securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:

 

   

the name of the broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person established the account;

 

   

The date the account was established; and

 

   

The date the Access Persons submits the report.

Quarterly transactions are uploaded into the PTA system throughout the quarter. At the end of the quarter, all Access Persons must review their transactions in PTA and complete a certification on PTA or through comparable means.

 

  C. Annual Holdings Reports

Annually, all Access Persons must report the following information (which must be current as of a date no more than 45 days before the report is submitted):

 

   

The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

 

   

The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and

 

   

The date the Access Person submits the report.

Each Access Person shall submit an Annual Holdings Report through the PTA reporting system or an equivalent format within 45 days after the beginning of each calendar year.

 

  D. Compliance Review

The CCO or a designee shall be responsible for reviewing the reports made pursuant to this section.

 

10


  E. Exception

An Access Person need not make a report under this section with respect to securities held in any account over which that person had no direct or indirect influence or control.

 

  F. Annual Certification

Each Access Person must certify annually within sixty (60) days of year-end that he or she has read and understands the Code and recognizes that he or she is subject to the Code. In addition, each Access Person must certify annually that he or she has complied with all the requirements of the Code and that he or she has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.

 

  G. Independent Directors

An Independent Director shall report transactions in Reportable Securities only if the director knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a director should have known, that during the 15-day period immediately preceding or following the date of the transaction (or such period prescribed by applicable law), such security was purchased or sold, or was being considered for purchase or sale, by any Cohen & Steers client.

The “should have known standard” implies no duty of inquiry, does not presume there should have been any deduction or extrapolation from discussions or memoranda dealing with tactics to be employed meeting any Fund’s investment objectives, or that any knowledge is to be imputed because of prior knowledge of any Fund’s portfolio holdings, market considerations, or any Fund’s investment policies, objectives and restrictions.

Independent Directors need not provide an Initial or Annual Holdings Report and they are not subject to the restrictions in Section IV other than F and G.

 

  H. Confidentiality

All reports of securities transactions and any other information filed with the Compliance Department pursuant to this Code shall be treated as confidential. In this regard, no Access Person shall reveal to any other person (except in the normal course of his or her duties on behalf of Cohen & Steers) any information regarding securities transactions made or being considered by or on behalf of any client account.

 

11


  I. Disclaimer

Any such report may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Reportable Security to which the report relates.

 

VI. Administration of the Code of Ethics

 

  A. Use of Preferred Brokers

All Access Persons are strongly encouraged to maintain their personal trading accounts at, and execute all transactions in Covered Securities through, one or more brokers that provide automated feeds to the PTA system. Accounts with brokers who provide account information to PTA electronically may be more accurate and require less reconciliation for the Access Person at certification time. The Compliance Department maintains the list of such brokers.

 

  B. Duplicate Confirmation

All Access Persons must require their brokers to supply to Compliance on a timely basis duplicate confirmations of all personal securities transactions. When possible, the duplicate confirmation requirement will be satisfied by electronic feed directly from the brokers to PTA.

If under local market practice, brokers are restricted by law from delivering duplicate confirmations to the Compliance Department, it is the Access Person’s responsibility to provide promptly to the Compliance Department with a duplicate confirmation (either a photocopy, fax or PDF) for each trade. If a broker is unwilling to deliver duplicate confirmations for any other reason, the employee will not be permitted to maintain an account with that broker.

 

  C. Exemptions from the Code

In cases of hardship, the CCO, the General Counsel or their respective designees can grant exemptions from the personal trading restrictions in this Code. The decision will be based on a determination that a hardship exists and the transaction for which an exemption is requested would not result in a conflict with Cohen & Steers clients’ interests. Other factors that may be considered include: the size and holding period of the Access Person’s position in the security, the market capitalization of the issuer, the liquidity of the security, the amount and timing of client trading in the same or a related security and other relevant factors.

Any Access Persons seeking an exemption should submit a written request setting forth the nature of the hardship along with any pertinent facts and reasons why the Access Person believes the exemption should be granted. Access Persons are cautioned that exemptions are exceptions and repetitive requests for exemptions by an Access Person are not likely to be granted.

 

12


Records of the approval of exemptions and the reasons for granting the exemptions will be maintained by the Compliance Department.

 

  D. Fund Board of Directors Reporting and Approval

The Board of Directors of each Fund, as applicable, including a majority of the Independent Directors, must approve this Code and any material changes to it. This approval shall be based on a determination that this Code contains provisions reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from engaging in any conduct prohibited by Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act or any other applicable rules and regulations,. In connection with this approval, Cohen & Steers shall provide a certification to the Board that Cohen & Steers and the Funds have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating this Code.

No less frequently than annually, Cohen & Steers shall furnish to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors must consider, a written report that:

 

  (1) Describes any issues arising under the Code or procedures since the last report to the Board of Directors, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures or sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and

 

  (2) Certifies that the Funds and Cohen & Steers have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.

 

  E. Violations and Sanctions

Access Persons must report any violations or potential violations of this Code promptly to the CCO or another member of the Legal & Compliance Department.

Upon discovering a violation of this Code, Cohen & Steers may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate, including, among other things, disgorgement of profits, a letter of censure, suspension or termination of the employment of the violator.

 

  F. Acknowledgments

Each Access Person must be provided with a copy of this Code and any amendments. In addition, each Access Person must provide the Compliance Department with a written (or electronic) acknowledgment of their receipt of the Code and any amendments.

 

13


  G. Records

The Compliance Department shall maintain records 4 in the manner and to the extent set forth below, which may be maintained on microfilm or by such other means permissible under the conditions described in Rule 31a-2 of the Investment Company Act and Rule 204-2 the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or under no-action letters or interpretations under these rules, and shall be available for examination by the SEC or any representatives of the SEC.

 

   

A copy of this Code of Ethics shall be preserved in an easily accessible place (including for five (5) years after this Code of Ethics is no longer in effect).

 

   

A record of any violation of this Code of Ethics and of any action taken as a result of such violation shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five (5) years following the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs.

 

   

A copy of each report, including annual reports to the Fund Board of Directors, and any information provided in lieu of a report, made by an Access Person pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be preserved for a period of not less than five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year in which it is made or the information is provided, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

   

A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the acquisition of an IPO (if an exception is made) or Private Placement shall be preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.

 

   

A list of all Access Persons who are, or within the past five (5) years have been, required to make reports or are responsible for reviewing these reports, pursuant to this Code of Ethics shall be maintained in an easily accessible place.

 

   

A record of all written acknowledgments for each Access Person who is currently, or within the past five years was, an Access Person of the investment advisor.

 

4

For Funds, records shall be maintained at the Funds’ principal place of business. For advisors, records shall be maintained at an appropriate office of the investment advisor.

 

14


Appendix A

Reportable Funds

As of October 1, 2009*

Cohen & Steers Open-End Funds

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares

Cohen & Steers Realty Income Fund

Cohen & Steers Global Infrastructure Fund

Cohen & Steers Global Realty Shares

Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund

Cohen & Steers Asia Pacific Realty Shares

Cohen & Steers Institutional Global Realty Shares

Cohen & Steers Dividend Value Fund

Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Shares

Cohen & Steers Subadvised Funds

LVIP Cohen & Steers Global Real Estate Fund

Harbor Large Cap Value Fund

Fidelity Strategic Advisors Value Fund

AST Cohen & Steers Realty Fund

Northern Multi-Manager Global Real Estate Fund

Russell Real Estate Securities Fund

RIF Real Estate Securities Fund

 

* In addition to the list above, Reportable Funds include any future open-end investment companies advised or subadvised by Cohen & Steers.

 

A-1


Appendix B

Private Placement Approval Request

Employee Name:                                                                          

Employee Position:                                                                      

Cohen & Steers Phone Extension:                                            

Name of Company:                                                                                                                                                                                         

Dollar amount of private placement:                                                                                                                                                            

Dollar amount of your intended investment:                                                                                                                                                

Does this company have publicly traded securities?     ¨   Yes     ¨   No

How were you offered the opportunity to invest in this private placement?                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

What is the nature of your relationship with the individual or entity?                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

 

 

 

Was the opportunity because of your position with Cohen & Steers?     ¨   Yes     ¨   No

Would it appear to the SEC or other parties that you are being offered the opportunity to participate in an exclusive, very limited offering as a way to curry favor with you or your colleagues at Cohen & Steers?                                                                                  

If you are Cohen & Steers Investment Personnel, are you inclined to invest in the private placement on behalf of the funds/accounts you manage?     ¨   Yes     ¨   No

Would any other Cohen & Steers Funds/accounts want to invest in this private placement?     ¨   Yes     ¨   No

Date you require an answer:                                                                                                                                                                         

Attachments:     ¨   business summary     ¨   prospectus     ¨   offering memorandum

Compliance Use Only:     ¨   Approved     ¨   Denied

           
Chief Compliance Officer Signature     Date

 

B-1


Appendix C

Initial Holdings Report

Employee Name: ______________________________________________

Employment Start Date: _________________________________________

Social Security Number: _________________________________________

5 Information in the Report Dated as of: ______________________________

Copies of recent brokerage statements will be accepted in place of completing this report if such statements are attached to this signed report and provided that the statements contain all of the information required to be reported herein.

Securities Accounts

 

Name of Broker,

Dealer or Bank

   Account
Number
     Owner(s) of Record      Relationship to Me
(if not under my name)
     Trading Discretion
(y/n)
 
           
           
           
           
           

If you have no securities accounts to report, please check here:             

Securities Holdings

 

Title/Description of Security

(include ticker symbol or CUSIP
number, as applicable)

   Number of Shares
(if applicable)
     Principal Amount, Maturity Date and Interest
Rate

(if applicable)
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

If you have no securities holdings to report, please check here:             

 

5

Information in this report must be current as of a date 45 days prior to your becoming an Access Person.

 

C-1


Please include all securities holdings which include accounts that:

 

   

Involve securities (except government securities, non-CNS open-end mutual funds and money market instruments) in which you have direct or indirect “beneficial ownership”.

 

   

Are held in accounts over which you have direct or indirect influence or control.

 

   

Include shares of any open-end investment company which CNS provides investment advisory services including mutual funds subadvised by Cohen & Steers.

This report will not be construed as an admission that the employee has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the securities listed.

 

   

PLEASE NOTE : PTA Connect is a personal trade management and administration system that automates and manages the approval and reporting processes required by the firm’s Code of Ethics. The system is web-based and will allow all employees to log on and submit automated pre-clearance requests and fulfill their regular reporting requirements. Employee account data will also be housed on the password-protected secure site. We utilize your social security number only in the interface with your broker to verify we receive all account information for you and your family members. We keep this information confidential and do not share it with anyone within or outside of Cohen & Steers unless it is required for a business purpose.

 

Signature:         Date:    

 

C-2